Role of Omentin in Obesity Paradox in Lung Cancer

Identification of potential regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic targets for lung cancer

Lung cancer poses a significant health threat globally, especially in regions like India, with 5-year survival rates remain alarmingly low. Our study aimed to uncover key markers for effective treatment and early detection. We identified specific genes related to lung cancer using the BioXpress database and delved into their roles through DAVID enrichment analysis. By employing network theory, we explored the intricate interactions within lung cancer networks, identifying ASPM and MKI67 as crucial regulator genes. Predictions of microRNA and transcription factor interactions provided additional insights. Examining gene expression patterns using GEPIA and KM Plotter revealed the clinical relevance of these key genes. In our pursuit of targeted therapies, Drug Bank pointed to methotrexate as a potential drug for the identified key regulator genes. Confirming this, molecular docking studies through Swiss Dock showed promising binding interactions. To ensure stability, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations using the AMBER 16 suite. In summary, our study pinpoints ASPM and MKI67 as vital regulators in lung cancer networks. The identification of hub genes and functional pathways enhances our understanding of molecular processes, offering potential therapeutic targets. Importantly, methotrexate emerged as a promising drug candidate, supported by robust docking and simulation studies. These findings lay a solid foundation for further experimental validations and hold promise for advancing personalized therapeutic strategies in lung cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Obese Mouse Fat Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles Transport miR-99a-5p to Mitigate the Proliferation and Migration of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE

Fat cells-derived extracellular vesicles (FC-EVs) play a role in regulating the tumor microenvironment in cancers by transporting RNAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital regulators of cancer development. This study was conducted to explore the role of FC-EVs in the proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, providing targets for NSCLC treatment.

METHODS

The obese mouse model was established via high-fat diet (HFD), followed by separation and characterization of FC-EVs (HFD-EVs). The levels of miR-99a-5p, precursor-miR-99a-5p, and heparan sulfate-glucosamine 3-sulfotransferase 3B1 (HS3ST3B1) were measured by RT-qPCR or Western blot assay. Cell proliferation and migration were evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and wound healing assays. The expression of Cy3-labeled miR-99a-5p in A549 cells (one NSCLC cell line) was observed via confocal microscopy. The binding of miR-99a-5p to HS3ST3B1 was analyzed by the dual luciferase assay. Rescue experiments were performed to confirm the role of HS3ST3B1 in NSCLC cells.

RESULTS

miR-99a-5p was upregulated in adipose tissues, FCs, and HFD-EVs. HFD-EVs mitigated the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells. HFD-EVs transported miR-99a-5p into A549 cells, which upregulated miR-99a-5p expression and inhibited HS3ST3B1 expression in A549 cells. HS3ST3B1 overexpression reversed the inhibition of HFD-EVs on the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells.

CONCLUSION

HFD-EVs transported miR-99a-5p into NSCLC cells and inhibited HS3ST3B1, thereby inhibiting proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells.

The Role of Omentin-1 in Cancers Development and Progression

Adipose tissue serves as an energy store and is also an active endocrine organ, exerting activity that influences obesity-related processes through the production of regulatory proteins called adipokines or adipocytokines. Adipokines play important direct and indirect roles in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, the regulation of local and systemic inflammatory processes, and related metabolic complications. There have been an increasing number of studies showing the relationship between some adipokines and carcinogenesis. This work reviews the current literature concerning the effects of omentin-1 on carcinogenesis.

Visfatin upregulates VEGF-C expression and lymphangiogenesis in esophageal cancer by activating MEK1/2-ERK and NF-κB signaling

Lymph node metastasis is a recognized prognostic factor in esophageal cancer. Adipokines, including visfatin, and the molecule vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, are implicated in lymphangiogenesis, but whether any association exists between esophageal cancer, adipokines and VEGF-C is unknown. We examined the relevance of adipokines and VEGF-C in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. We found significantly higher levels of visfatin and VEGF-C expression in esophageal cancer tissue than in normal tissue. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining identified that higher levels of visfatin and VEGF-C expression were correlated with advanced stage ESCC. Visfatin treatment of ESCC cell lines upregulated VEGF-C expression and VEGF-C-dependent lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic endothelial cells. Visfatin induced increases in VEGF-C expression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK1/2-ERK) and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) signaling cascades. Transfecting ESCC cells with MEK1/2-ERK and NF-κB inhibitors (PD98059, FR180204, PDTC, and TPCK) and siRNAs inhibited visfatin-induced increases in VEGF-C expression. It appears that visfatin and VEGF-C are promising therapeutic targets in the inhibition of lymphangiogenesis in esophageal cancer.

The Role of Selected Adipocytokines in Ovarian Cancer and Endometrial Cancer

Due to their multidirectional influence, adipocytokines are currently the subject of numerous intensive studies. Significant impact applies to many processes, both physiological and pathological. Moreover, the role of adipocytokines in carcinogenesis seems particularly interesting and not fully understood. For this reason, ongoing research focuses on the role of these compounds in the network of interactions in the tumor microenvironment. Particular attention should be drawn to cancers that remain challenging for modern gynecological oncology-ovarian and endometrial cancer. This paper presents the role of selected adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, apelin, chemerin, omentin and vaspin in cancer, with a particular focus on ovarian and endometrial cancer, and their potential clinical relevance.

The Modulation of Adipokines, Adipomyokines, and Sleep Disorders on Carcinogenesis

Obesity and sarcopenia, i.e., decreased skeletal muscle mass and function, are global health challenges. Moreover, people with obesity and sedentary lifestyles often have sleep disorders. Despite the potential associations, metabolic disturbances linking obesity, sarcopenia, and sleep disorders with cancer are neither well-defined nor understood fully. Abnormal levels of adipokines and adipomyokines originating from both adipose tissue and skeletal muscles are observed in some patients with obesity, sarcopenia and sleep disorders, as well as in cancer patients. This warrants investigation with respect to carcinogenesis. Adipokines and adipomyokines may exert either pro-carcinogenic or anti-carcinogenic effects. These factors, acting independently or together, may significantly modulate the incidence and progression of cancer. This review indicates that one of the possible pathways influencing the development of cancer may be the mutual relationship between obesity and/or sarcopenia, sleep quantity and quality, and adipokines/adipomyokines excretion. Taking into account the high proportion of persons with obesity and sedentary lifestyles, as well as the associations of these conditions with sleep disturbances, more attention should be paid to the individual and combined effects on cancer pathophysiology.

Association between metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes and readmission risk in patients with lung cancer: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Increased body mass index (BMI) and metabolic abnormalities are controversial prognostic factors of lung cancer. However, the relationship between metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes and hospital readmission in patients with lung cancer is rarely reported.

METHODS

We established a retrospective cohort using the United States (US) Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD). We included adult patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018 and excluded patients combined with other cancers, pregnancy, died during hospitalization, low body weight, and those with missing data. The cohort was observed for hospital readmission until December 31, 2018. We defined and distinguished four metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes: metabolically healthy with normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy with normal weight (MUNW), metabolically healthy with overweight or obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy with overweight or obesity (MUO). The relationship between metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes and 30-day readmission risk was assessed by multivariable Cox regression analysis.

FINDINGS

Of the 115,393 patients included from the NRD 2018 (MHNW [58214, 50.4%], MUNW [44980, 39.0%], MHO [5044, 4.4%], and MUO [7155, 6.2%]), patients with the phenotype MUNW (6531, 14.5%), MHO (771, 15.3%), and MUO (1155, 16.1%) had a higher readmission rate compared to those with MHNW (7901, 13.6%). Compared with patients with the MHNW phenotype, those with the MUNW (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14), MHO (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.07-1.24), and MUO (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.20-1.36) phenotypes had a higher risk of readmission, especially in men, those without surgical intervention, or those aged >60 years. In women, similar results with respect to readmission were observed in people aged >60 years (MUNW [HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13], MHO [HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.35], and MUO [HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.16-1.41]). We also found increased costs for 30-day readmission in patients with MHO (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.29) and MUO (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20).

INTERPRETATION

Increased BMI and metabolic abnormalities are independently associated with higher readmission risks in patients with lung cancer, whereas increased BMI also increases the readmission costs. Follow-up and intervention method targeting increased BMI and metabolic abnormalities should be considered for patients with lung cancer.

FUNDING

The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFC1309800).

Genetic Susceptibility to Insulin Resistance and Its Association with Estimated Longevity in the Hungarian General and Roma Populations

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem with a wide range of prevalence among different ethnic groups. Early recognition of pre-diabetes is important to prevent the development of the disease, its complications, co-morbidities, and consequently early death. Insulin resistance (IR) is considered a condition that precedes type 2 diabetes; thus, understanding its underlying causes (genetic and non-genetic factors) will bring us closer to preventing it. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic susceptibility to IR and its impact on estimated longevity in populations with different ethnic origins using randomly selected samples of 372 Hungarian general (HG, as a reference with Caucasian origin) and 334 Roma participants (largest ethnic minority in Europe, with a northern India origin). In the present study, we used the Homeostasis Model Assessment—Insulin Resistance (HOMA—IR) to identify people with IR (>3.63) at the population level. To investigate the genetic predisposition to IR, 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in a systematic literature search were selected and genotyped in sample populations. In the analyses, the adjusted p < 0.0033 was considered significant. Of these 29 SNPs, the commutative effects of 15 SNPs showing the strongest association with HOMA—IR were used to calculate an optimized genetic risk score (oGRS). The oGRS was found nominally significantly (p = 0.019) higher in the Roma population compared to HG one, and it was more strongly correlated with HOMA—IR. Therefore, it can be considered as a stronger predictor of the presence of IR among the Roma (AUCRoma = 0.673 vs. AUCHG = 0.528). Furthermore, oGRS also showed a significant correlation with reduced estimated longevity in the Roma population (β = −0.724, 95% CI: −1.230−−0.218; p = 0.005), but not in the HG one (β = 0.065, 95% CI: −0.388−0.518; p = 0.779). Overall, IR shows a strong correlation with a genetic predisposition among Roma, but not in the HG population. Furthermore, the increased genetic risk of Roma is associated with shorter estimated longevity, whereas this association is not observed in the HG one. Increased genetic susceptibility of Roma to IR should be considered in preventive programs targeting the development of type 2 diabetes, which may also reduce the risk of preventable premature death among them.

The Emerging Role of Intelectin-1 in Cancer

BACKGROUND

Intelectin (ITLN) is an adipokine with two homologs-ITLN1 and ITLN2-that has various physiological functions. Studies analyzing the relationship between ITLN and cancer are focused on ITLN1; the available literature on ITLN2 and cancer is limited. This review aims to evaluate the role of ITLN1 in cancer without imposing any inclusion criteria, to examine pro- and anticancer roles for ITLN1 and to discuss whether the relationship between ITLN and cancer is mediated by obesity.

FINDINGS

Overall, ITLN1 level was highly variable in cancer patients but different from healthy individuals. Compared with control groups, patients with gastrointestinal and prostate cancer showed increased concentrations of circulating ITLN1, while patients with gynecological, breast, bladder, and renal cancer had lower ITLN1 levels. Several studies also evaluated tissue and tumor expression of ITLN1. In gastrointestinal cancer, ITLN1 was increased in tumor tissue compared with adjacent healthy tissue and elevated in the visceral adipose tissue of patients compared with controls. Consequently, the high levels of circulating ITLN1 might be determined by the tumor and by the cancer-associated weight loss in gastrointestinal cancer. ITLN1 can activate the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway. The improper regulation of this pathway may contribute to a series of cellular events that favor tumor development and progression. Obesity has been linked with an increased risk of developing some cancers. Indeed, low circulating ITLN1 levels may be a marker of the metabolic effects of obesity, rather than obesity per se, and might contribute to a deregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

ITLN1 could be associated with cancer formation and progression. Since circulating ITLN1 levels are highly variable and differ between cancer types, the local tumor production of ITLN1 could be more relevant in determining malignant behavior. Future research should aim to identify the source of ITLN1 variability, to understand the differences in ITLN1 between distinct tumor types, and to further explore the signaling pathways through which this adipokine influences cancer biology.

Identification of key genes and biological pathways in Chinese lung cancer population using bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND

Identification of accurate prognostic biomarkers is still particularly urgent for improving the poor survival of lung cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to identity the potential biomarkers in Chinese lung cancer population via bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

In this study, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lung cancer were identified using six datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequently, enrichment analysis was conducted to evaluate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in progression of lung cancer. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and CytoHubba analysis were performed to determine the hub genes. The GEPIA, Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Kaplan-Meier plotter, and TIMER databases were used to explore the hub genes. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of hub genes. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the expression levels of hub genes in 10 pairs of lung cancer paired tissues.

RESULTS

A total of 499 overlapping DEGs (160 upregulated and 339 downregulated genes) were identified in the microarray datasets. DEGs were mainly associated with pathways in cancer, focal adhesion, and protein digestion and absorption. There were nine hub genes (CDKN3, MKI67, CEP55, SPAG5, AURKA, TOP2A, UBE2C, CHEK1 and BIRC5) identified by PPI and module analysis. In GEPIA database, the expression levels of these genes in lung cancer tissues were significantly upregulated compared with normal lung tissues. The results of prognostic analysis showed that relatively higher expression of hub genes was associated with poor prognosis of lung cancer. In HPA database, most hub genes were highly expressed in lung cancer tissues. The hub genes have good diagnostic efficiency in lung cancer and normal tissues. The expression of any hub gene was associated with the infiltration of at least two immune cells. qRT-PCR confirmed that the expression level of CDKN3, MKI67, CEP55, SPAG5, AURKA, TOP2A were highly expressed in lung cancer tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The hub genes and functional pathways identified in this study may contribute to understand the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer. Our findings may provide new therapeutic targets for lung cancer patients.