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Pericoli G, Galardi A, Paolini A, Petrilli LL, Pepe G, Palma A, Colletti M, Ferretti R, Giorda E, Levi Mortera S, Burford A, Carai A, Mastronuzzi A, Mackay A, Putignani L, Jones C, Pascucci L, Peinado H, Helmer-Citterich M, de Billy E, Masotti A, Locatelli F, Di Giannatale A, Vinci M. Inhibition of exosome biogenesis affects cell motility in heterogeneous sub-populations of paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:207. [PMID: 37957701 PMCID: PMC10641969 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01166-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric-type diffuse High-Grade Gliomas (PDHGG) are highly heterogeneous tumours which include distinct cell sub-populations co-existing within the same tumour mass. We have previously shown that primary patient-derived and optical barcoded single-cell-derived clones function as interconnected networks. Here, we investigated the role of exosomes as a route for inter-clonal communication mediating PDHGG migration and invasion. RESULTS A comprehensive characterisation of seven optical barcoded single-cell-derived clones obtained from two patient-derived cell lines was performed. These analyses highlighted extensive intra-tumour heterogeneity in terms of genetic and transcriptional profiles between clones as well as marked phenotypic differences including distinctive motility patterns. Live single-cell tracking analysis of 3D migration and invasion assays showed that the single-cell-derived clones display a higher speed and longer travelled distance when in co-culture compared to mono-culture conditions. To determine the role of exosomes in PDHGG inter-clonal cross-talks, we isolated exosomes released by different clones and characterised them in terms of marker expression, size and concentration. We demonstrated that exosomes are actively internalized by the cells and that the inhibition of their biogenesis, using the phospholipase inhibitor GW4689, significantly reduced the cell motility in mono-culture and more prominently when the cells from the clones were in co-culture. Analysis of the exosomal miRNAs, performed with a miRNome PCR panel, identified clone-specific miRNAs and a set of miRNA target genes involved in the regulation of cell motility/invasion/migration. These genes were found differentially expressed in co-culture versus mono-culture conditions and their expression levels were significantly modulated upon inhibition of exosome biogenesis. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study highlights for the first time a key role for exosomes in the inter-clonal communication in PDHGG and suggests that interfering with the exosome biogenesis pathway may be a valuable strategy to inhibit cell motility and dissemination for these specific diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pericoli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Galardi
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paolini
- Multifactorial and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Lisa Petrilli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerardo Pepe
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Palma
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Colletti
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Ferretti
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezio Giorda
- Core Facilities research laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Levi Mortera
- Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Burford
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Andrea Carai
- Oncological Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alan Mackay
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Multimodal Laboratory Medicine Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chris Jones
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Luisa Pascucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Hector Peinado
- Microenvironment & Metastasis Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Multifactorial and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Di Giannatale
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vinci
- Department of Onco-hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Mulchandani V, Banerjee A, Vadlamannati AV, Kumar S, Das Sarma J. Connexin 43 trafficking and regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication alters ovarian cancer cell migration and tumorigenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114296. [PMID: 36701988 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer persists to be the most lethal gynecological malignancy, demanding rigorous treatments involving radio-chemotherapy that trigger toxicity and consequently mortality among patients. An improved understanding of the disease progression may pioneer curative therapies. Mouse epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, ID8 and ID8-VEGF (overexpressing VEGF) were intraperitoneally injected in C57BL/6 female mice to develop a Syngeneic Ovarian cancer mouse model. It was observed that ID8-VEGF cells were able to induce aggressive tumor growth in mice compared to ID8 cells. Furthermore, results of the current in vitro study comparing ID8 and ID8-VEGF demonstrated that highly tumorigenic ID8-VEGF had reduced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) due to intracellular Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression. Additionally, ID8 cells with reduced tumorigenic capability expressed significant GJIC. Furthermore, loss of GJIC in ID8-VEGF cells induced shorter tunneling nanotube formations, while ID8 cells develops longer tunneling nanotube to maintain cellular crosstalk. The administration of a pharmacological drug 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA) ensured the restoration of GJIC in both the ovarian cancer cell lines. Additionally, 4PBA treatment significantly inhibited the migration of ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor formation in ovarian cancer mice models. In summary, the 4PBA-mediated restoration of GJIC suppressed migration (in vitro) and tumorigenesis (in vivo) of ovarian cancer cells. The present study suggests that Cx43 assembled GJIC and its supportive signaling pathways are a prospective target for restricting ovarian cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Mulchandani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Anurag Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Arunima Vijaya Vadlamannati
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Saurav Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Jayasri Das Sarma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
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Ning B, Huang P, Zhu L, Ma Z, Chen X, Xu H, Ma R, Yao C, Zheng P, Xia T, Xia H. Clinical Prognostic Factors and Integrated Multi-Omics Studies Identify Potential Novel Therapeutic Targets for Pediatric Desmoid Tumor. Biol Proced Online 2022; 24:25. [PMID: 36539683 PMCID: PMC9768966 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-022-00180-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Desmoid tumor (DT), also known as desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) or aggressive fibromatosis (AF) is a rare mesenchymal tumor affecting both children and adults. It is non-metastasis but infiltrative, growing with a high recurrence rate to even cause serious health problems. This study investigates the biology of desmoid tumors through integrated multi-omics studies. METHODS We systematically investigated the clinical data of 98 extra-abdominal cases in our pediatric institute and identified some critical clinical prognostic factors. Moreover, our integrated multi-omics studies (Whole Exome Sequencing, RNA sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics profiling) in the paired PDT tumor/matched normal tissues identified more novel mutations, and potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for PDTs. RESULTS The top mutation genes, such as CTNNB1 (p.T41A and p.S45F) and MUC4 (p.T3775T, p.S3450S, etc.), were observed with a mutation in more than 40% of PDT patients. We also identified a panel of genes that are classed as the FDA-approved drug targets or Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes. The integrated analysis identified pathways and key genes/metabolites that may be important for developing potential treatment of PDTs. We also successfully established six primary PDT cell lines for future studies. CONCLUSIONS These studies may promote the development of novel drugs and therapeutic strategies for PDTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ning
- grid.411333.70000 0004 0407 2968Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102 China
| | - Peng Huang
- grid.411333.70000 0004 0407 2968Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102 China
| | - Lining Zhu
- grid.502812.cDepartment of Paediatric Orthopedics, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Haikou, 570206 China
| | - Zhijie Ma
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital & Drum Tower Clinical College & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
| | - Haojun Xu
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital & Drum Tower Clinical College & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
| | - Ruixue Ma
- grid.411333.70000 0004 0407 2968Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102 China ,grid.502812.cDepartment of Paediatric Orthopedics, Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, Haikou, 570206 China
| | - Chengyun Yao
- grid.452509.f0000 0004 1764 4566Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University& Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, 2100092 China
| | - Pengfei Zheng
- grid.452511.6Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008 China
| | - Tian Xia
- grid.411333.70000 0004 0407 2968Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102 China
| | - Hongping Xia
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital & Drum Tower Clinical College & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 China
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Gao J, Zhao Z, Zhang H, Huang S, Xu M, Pan H. Transcriptomic characterization and construction of M2 macrophage-related prognostic and immunotherapeutic signature in ovarian metastasis of gastric cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1121-1138. [PMID: 36336725 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03316-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian metastasis (OM) poses a major threat to the outcome of gastric cancer (GC) patients. Recently, immunotherapy emerged as a novel promising therapeutic strategy to treat late-stage GC, whereas its efficacy is influenced by tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). M2 macrophage, a key subset within TIME, plays dual immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic roles in cancer progression and is recognized as a potential therapeutic target. However, molecular mechanisms underlying OM remain elusive and the TIME-related prognostic and immunotherapeutic index for these patients is yet to establish. METHODS Differential expressed genes (DEGs) between paired normal mucosa, primary GC and OM of patients from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) cohort (n = 6) were identified by transcriptome sequencing, followed by the functional annotation of enriched hallmark pathways of DEGs between them. CIBERSORT was used to profile the relative expression level of 22 immune cell subsets in normal tissues, primary and metastatic tumors, followed by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) uncovering immune cell-correlated gene sets. The intersected genes between DEGs and M2 macrophage-related genes were processed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis to construct a predictive signature, M2GO, which was further validated by training set and test set of The Cancer Genome Atlas-Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD), GSE62254 and GSE84437 cohorts. GC patients were divided into M2GO-high and -low subgroup according to the optimal cutoff value of the M2GO score. Furthermore, the clinical, molecular and immune features between M2GO-high and -low subgroups were analyzed. Clinical cohorts of immunotherapy were used to validate the predictive value of M2GO in regard to immunotherapy effectiveness. RESULTS Transcriptomic sequencing and follow-up analyses of triple-matched normal tissues, primary and ovarian metastatic tumors identified distinctive sets of DEGs and enriched immune-, cancer- and metastasis-related pathways between them. Of note, M2 macrophage, a major immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic component within TIME, was significantly up-regulated in OMs. WGCNA and LASSO regression were applied to establish a novel OM- and M2 macrophage-related predictive signature, M2GO, based on M2 macrophage-related prognostic genes including GJA1, MAGED1 and SERPINE1. M2GO served as an independent prognostic factor of GC patients. Comprehensive molecular and immune characterization of M2GO-based subgroups uncovered their distinctive features in terms of enriched functional pathways, tumor mutation burden, key immune checkpoints, major regulators of natural immune cGAS-STING pathway, infiltrated subsets of immune cells and tumor immune exclusion/dysfunction (TIDE) score. Notably, the M2GO score was significantly lower in responsive group than non-responsive group (P < 0.05) in clinical cohort of metastatic GC patients undergoing immunotherapy. CONCLUSION Transcriptomic characterization of paired normal mucosae, primary and ovarian metastatic tumors revealed their unique molecular and immune features. Follow-up analyses established a novel OM- and M2 macrophage-related signature, M2GO, which served as a promising prognostic and immunotherapeutic biomarker to distinguish the clinical outcome, molecular and immune features of GC patients and predict their differential responses to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianpeng Gao
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhenxiong Zhao
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hena Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shenglin Huang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Midie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Hongda Pan
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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5
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Rasti F, Yousefpoor Y, Abdollahi A, Safari M, Roozitalab G, Osanloo M. Antioxidative, anticancer, and antibacterial activities of a nanogel containing Mentha spicata L. essential oil and electrospun nanofibers of polycaprolactone-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:261. [PMID: 36207726 PMCID: PMC9540714 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-022-03741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the largest organ, the skin has been frequently affected by trauma, chemical materials, toxins, bacterial pathogens, and free radicals. Recently, many attempts have been made to develop natural nanogels that, besides hydrating the skin, could also be used as antioxidant or antibacterial agents. METHODS In this study, the chemical composition of the Mentha spicata essential oil was first investigated using GC-MS analysis. Its nanoemulsion-based nanogel was then investigated; successful loading of the essential oil in the nanogel was confirmed using FTIR analysis. Besides, nanogel's antioxidative, anticancer, and antibacterial activities were investigated. RESULTS Carvone (37.1%), limonene (28.5%), borneol (3.9%), β-pinene (3.3%), and pulegone (3.3%) were identified as five major compounds in the essential oil. By adding carboxymethylcellulose (3.5% w/v) to the optimal nanoemulsion containing the essential oil (droplet size of 196 ± 8 nm), it was gelified. The viscosity was fully fitted with a common non-Newtonian viscosity regression, the Carreau-Yasuda model. The antioxidant effect of the nanogel was significantly more potent than the essential oil (P < 0.001) at all examined concentrations (62.5-1000 µg/mL). Furthermore, the potency of the nanogel with an IC50 value of 55.0 µg/mL was substantially more (P < 0.001) than the essential oil (997.4 µg/mL). Also, the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli after treatment with 1000 µg/mL nanogel was about 50% decreased compared to the control group. Besides, the prepared electrospun polycaprolactone-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose nanofibers mat with no cytotoxic, antioxidant, or antibacterial effects was proposed as lesion dressing after treatment with the nanogel. High potency, natural ingredients, and straightforward preparation are advantages of the prepared nanogel. Therefore, it could be considered for further consideration in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rasti
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
- Student Research Center Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Yaser Yousefpoor
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Khalil Abad Health Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Abbas Abdollahi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Safari
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazaal Roozitalab
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
- Student Research Center Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Osanloo
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
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Antioxidative, anticancer, and antibacterial activities of a nanoemulsion-based gel containing Myrtus communis L. essential oil. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02185-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Trosko JE. In Search of a Unifying Concept in Human Diseases. Diseases 2021; 9:68. [PMID: 34698126 PMCID: PMC8544458 DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the history of biological/medicine sciences, there has been opposing strategies to find solutions to complex human disease problems. Both empirical and deductive approaches have led to major insights and concepts that have led to practical preventive and therapeutic benefits for the human population. The classic definitions of "science" (to know) has been paired with the classic definition of technology (to do). One knew more as the technology developed, and that development was often based on science. In other words, one could do more if science could improve the technology. In turn, this made possible to know more science with improved technology. However, with the development of new technologies of today in biology and medicine, major advances have been made, such as the information from the Human Genome Project, genetic engineering techniques and the use of bioinformatic uses of sophisticated computer analyses. This has led to the renewed idea that Precision Medicine, while raising some serious ethical concerns, also raises the expectation of improved potential of risk predictions for prevention and treatment of various genetically and environmentally influenced human diseases. This new field Artificial Intelligence, as a major handmaiden to Precision Medicine, is significantly altering the fundamental means of biological discovery. However, can today's fundamental premise of "Artificial Intelligence", based on identifying DNA, as the primary nexus of human health and disease, provide the practical solutions to complex human diseases that involve the interaction of those genes with the broad spectrum of "environmental factors"? Will it be "precise" enough to provide practical solutions for prevention and treatments of diseases? In this "Commentary", with the example of human carcinogenesis, it will be challenged that, without the integration of mechanistic and hypothesis-driven approaches with the "unbiased" empirical analyses of large numbers of data, the Artificial Intelligence approach with fall short.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Edward Trosko
- Department of Pediatrics/Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Xiang Y, Peng F, Guo Y, Ge H, Cai S, Fan L, Peng Y, Wen H, Wang Q, Tao L. Connexin32 activates necroptosis through Src-mediated inhibition of caspase 8 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3507-3519. [PMID: 34050696 PMCID: PMC8409421 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Necroptosis is an alternative form of programmed cell death that generally occurs under apoptosis-deficient conditions. Our previous work showed that connexin32 (Cx32) promotes the malignant progress of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by enhancing the ability of resisting apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Whether triggering necroptosis is a promising strategy to eliminate the apoptosis-resistant HCC cells with high Cx32 expression remains unknown. In this study, we found that Cx32 expression was positively correlated with the expression of necroptosis protein biomarkers in human HCC specimens, cell lines, and a xenograft model. Treatment with shikonin, a well-used necroptosis inducer, markedly caused necroptosis in HCC cells. Interestingly, overexpressed Cx32 exacerbated shikonin-induced necroptosis, but downregulation of Cx32 alleviated necroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Cx32 was found to bind to Src and promote Src-mediated caspase 8 phosphorylation and inactivation, which ultimately reduced the activated caspase 8-mediated proteolysis of receptor-interacting serine-threonine protein kinase 1/3, the key molecule for necroptosis activation. In conclusion, we showed that Cx32 contributed to the activation of necroptosis in HCC cells through binding to Src and then mediating the inactivation of caspase 8. The present study suggested that necroptosis inducers could be more favorable than apoptosis inducers to eliminate HCC cells with high expression of Cx32.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐ke Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & The Fifth Affiliated HospitalGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Fu‐hua Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yun‐quan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central AsiaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityUrumqiPR China
| | - Hui Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central AsiaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityUrumqiPR China
| | - Shao‐yi Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Li‐xia Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yue‐xia Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Hao Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central AsiaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityUrumqiPR China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central AsiaThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityUrumqiPR China
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