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Salloom RJ, Ahmad IM, Abdalla MY. Targeting heme degradation pathway augments prostate cancer cell sensitivity to docetaxel-induced apoptosis and attenuates migration. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1431362. [PMID: 39091910 PMCID: PMC11291216 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1431362] [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: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chemotherapy, notably docetaxel (Doc), stands as the primary treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, its efficacy is hindered by side effects and chemoresistance. Hypoxia in prostate cancer (PC) correlates with chemoresistance to Doc-induced apoptosis via Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) modulation, a key enzyme in heme metabolism. This study investigated targeting heme degradation pathway via HO-1 inhibition to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of Doc in PC. Methods Utilizing diverse PC cell lines, we evaluated HO-1 inhibition alone and with Doc on viability, apoptosis, migration, and epithelial- to- mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Results HO-1 inhibition significantly reduced PC cell viability under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, enhancing Doc-induced apoptosis through interconnected mechanisms, including elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, glutathione cycle disruption, and modulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) pathway. The interplay between STAT1 and HO-1 suggests its reliance on HO-1 activation. Additionally, a decrease in cell migration and downregulation of EMT markers (vimentin and snail) were observed, indicating attenuation of mesenchymal phenotype. Discussion In conclusion, the combination of HO-1 inhibition with Doc holds promise for improving therapeutic outcomes and advancing clinical management in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramia J. Salloom
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Iman M. Ahmad
- Department of Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Maher Y. Abdalla
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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2
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Che PP, Gregori A, Bergonzini C, Ali M, Mantini G, Schmidt T, Finamore F, Rodrigues SMF, Frampton AE, McDonnell LA, Danen EH, Slotman BJ, Sminia P, Giovannetti E. Differential Sensitivity to Ionizing Radiation in Gemcitabine-Resistant and Paclitaxel-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 118:1328-1343. [PMID: 37914140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemoresistance remains a major challenge in treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although chemoradiation has proven effective in other tumor types, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, its role in PDAC and effect on acquired chemoresistance have yet to be fully explored. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of gemcitabine-resistant (GR) and paclitaxel-resistant (PR) PDAC cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and their underlying mechanisms. METHODS AND MATERIALS GR and PR clones were generated from PANC-1, PATU-T, and SUIT2-007 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Cell survival after radiation was assessed using clonogenic assay, sulforhodamine B assay, apoptosis, and spheroid growth by bioluminescence. Radiation-induced DNA damage was assessed using Western blot, extra-long polymerase chain reaction, reactive oxygen species production, and immunofluorescence. Autophagy and modulation of the Hippo signaling pathway were investigated using proteomics, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS In both 2- and 3-dimensional settings, PR cells were more sensitive to IR and showed decreased β-globin amplification, indicating more DNA damage accumulation compared with GR or wild-type cells after 24 hours. Proteomic analysis of PR PATU-T cells revealed that the protein MST4, a kinase involved in autophagy and the Hippo signaling pathway, was highly downregulated. A differential association was found between autophagy and radiation treatment depending on the cell model. Interestingly, increased yes-associated protein nuclear localization and downstream Hippo signaling pathway target gene expression were observed in response to IR. CONCLUSIONS This was the first study investigating the potential of IR in targeting PDAC cells with acquired chemoresistance. Our results demonstrate that PR cells exhibit enhanced sensitivity to IR due to greater accumulation of DNA damage. Additionally, depending on the specific cellular context, radiation-induced modulation of autophagy and the Hippo signaling pathway emerged as potential underlying mechanisms, findings with potential to inform personalized treatment strategies for patients with acquired chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Pei Che
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Gregori
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Physics of Life Processes, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Bergonzini
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mahsoem Ali
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Imaging and Biomarkers, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giulia Mantini
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Italy
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stephanie M Fraga Rodrigues
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adam E Frampton
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Surrey, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Erik H Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ben J Slotman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Sminia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Italy.
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Zhu C, Hu H, Ma Y, Xiong S, Zhu D. Vav1-dependent Rac1 activation mediates hypoxia-induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells through upregulation of HIF-1α expression. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:1835-1842. [PMID: 37545183 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia has been shown to induce gemcitabine (GEM) resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated whether activation of Vav1/Rac1/HIF-1α axis is responsible for hypoxia-induced GEM resistance in PDAC cells. Our results showed that Rac1 activation contributed to hypoxia-induced GEM resistance in PANC-1 cells. Hypoxia treatment led to an increased expression level of Vav1, which was responsible for Rac1 activation and GEM resistance in PDAC cells. Furthermore, Rac1 mediated hypoxia-induced GEM resistance by upregulating HIF-1α in PDAC cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that hypoxia induces GEM resistance in PDAC cells by activating the Vav1/Rac1/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congyuan Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Ye Ma
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shuming Xiong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Dongming Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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4
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Natu J, Nagaraju GP. Gemcitabine effects on tumor microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Special focus on resistance mechanisms and metronomic therapies. Cancer Lett 2023; 573:216382. [PMID: 37666293 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered one of the deadliest malignancies, with dismal survival rates and extremely prevalent chemoresistance. Gemcitabine is one of the primary treatments used in treating PDACs, but its benefits are limited due to chemoresistance, which could be attributed to interactions between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and intracellular processes. In preclinical models, certain schedules of administration of gemcitabine modulate the TME in a manner that does not promote resistance. Metronomic therapy constitutes a promising strategy to overcome some barriers associated with current PDAC treatments. This review will focus on gemcitabine's mechanism in treating PDAC, combination therapies, gemcitabine's interactions with the TME, and gemcitabine in metronomic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Natu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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Ahmad IM, Dafferner AJ, Salloom RJ, Abdalla MY. Heme Oxygenase-1 Inhibition Modulates Autophagy and Augments Arsenic Trioxide Cytotoxicity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2580. [PMID: 37761021 PMCID: PMC10526552 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most prevalent form, accounting for more than 90% of all pancreatic malignancies. In a previous study, we found that hypoxia and chemotherapy induced expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in PDAC cells and tissues. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ATO increases the generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and induces apoptosis in treated cells. The clinical use of ATO for solid tumors is limited due to severe systemic toxicity. In order to reduce cytotoxic side effects and resistance and improve efficacy, it has become increasingly common to use combination therapies to treat cancers. In this study, we used ATO-sensitive and less sensitive PDAC cell lines to test the effect of combining HO-1 inhibitors (SnPP and ZnPP) with ATO on HO-1 expression, cell survival, and other parameters. Our results show that ATO significantly induced the expression of HO-1 in different PDAC cells through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. ROS production was confirmed using the oxygen-sensitive probes DCFH and DHE, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, and oxidized glutathione levels (GSSG). Both ATO and HO-1 inhibitors reduced PDAC cell survival. In combined treatment, inhibiting HO-1 significantly increased ATO cytotoxicity, disrupted the GSH cycle, and induced apoptosis as measured using flow cytometry. ATO and HO-1 inhibition modulated autophagy as shown by increased expression of autophagy markers ATG5, p62, and LC3B in PDAC cells. This increase was attenuated by NAC treatment, indicating that autophagy modulation was through an ROS-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, our work explored new strategies that could lead to the development of less toxic and more effective therapies against PDAC by combining increased cellular stress and targeting autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman M. Ahmad
- Department of Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Alicia J. Dafferner
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (A.J.D.); (R.J.S.)
| | - Ramia J. Salloom
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (A.J.D.); (R.J.S.)
| | - Maher Y. Abdalla
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (A.J.D.); (R.J.S.)
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van Elsas MJ, Labrie C, Etzerodt A, Charoentong P, van Stigt Thans JJC, Van Hall T, van der Burg SH. Invasive margin tissue-resident macrophages of high CD163 expression impede responses to T cell-based immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006433. [PMID: 36914207 PMCID: PMC10016286 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary and secondary resistance is a major hurdle in cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in immunotherapy resistance is of pivotal importance to improve therapy outcome. METHOD Here, two mouse models with resistance against therapeutic vaccine-induced tumor regression were studied. Exploration of the tumor microenvironment by high dimensional flow cytometry in combination with therapeutic in vivo settings allowed for the identification of immunological factors driving immunotherapy resistance. RESULTS Comparison of the tumor immune infiltrate during early and late regression revealed a change from tumor-rejecting toward tumor-promoting macrophages. In concert, a rapid exhaustion of tumor-infiltrating T cells was observed. Perturbation studies identified a small but discernible CD163hi macrophage population, with high expression of several tumor-promoting macrophage markers and a functional anti-inflammatory transcriptome profile, but not other macrophages, to be responsible. In-depth analyses revealed that they localize at the tumor invasive margins and are more resistant to Csf1r inhibition when compared with other macrophages. In vivo studies validated the activity of heme oxygenase-1 as an underlying mechanism of immunotherapy resistance. The transcriptomic profile of CD163hi macrophages is highly similar to a human monocyte/macrophage population, indicating that they represent a target to improve immunotherapy efficacy. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a small population of CD163hi tissue-resident macrophages is identified to be responsible for primary and secondary resistance against T-cell-based immunotherapies. While these CD163hi M2 macrophages are resistant to Csf1r-targeted therapies, in-depth characterization and identification of the underlying mechanisms driving immunotherapy resistance allows the specific targeting of this subset of macrophages, thereby creating new opportunities for therapeutic intervention with the aim to overcome immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marit J van Elsas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Camilla Labrie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anders Etzerodt
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pornpimol Charoentong
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jordi J C van Stigt Thans
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thorbald Van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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microRNAs Associated with Gemcitabine Resistance via EMT, TME, and Drug Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041230. [PMID: 36831572 PMCID: PMC9953943 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041230] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research, pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease with an extremely poor prognosis. The difficulty in early detection and chemoresistance to therapeutic agents are major clinical concerns. To improve prognosis, novel biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies for chemoresistance are urgently needed. microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the development, progression, and metastasis of several cancers. During the last few decades, the association between pancreatic cancer and miRNAs has been extensively elucidated, with several miRNAs found to be correlated with patient prognosis. Moreover, recent evidence has revealed that miRNAs are intimately involved in gemcitabine sensitivity and resistance through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, the tumor microenvironment, and drug metabolism. Gemcitabine is the gold standard drug for pancreatic cancer treatment, but gemcitabine resistance develops easily after chemotherapy initiation. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the gemcitabine resistance mechanisms associated with aberrantly expressed miRNAs in pancreatic cancer, especially focusing on the mechanisms associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, the tumor microenvironment, and metabolism. This novel evidence of gemcitabine resistance will drive further research to elucidate the mechanisms of chemoresistance and improve patient outcomes.
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8
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Wang S, Yu K, Yu Z, Zhang B, Chen C, Lin L, Li Z, Li Z, Zheng Y, Yu Z. Targeting self-enhanced ROS-responsive artesunatum prodrug nanoassembly potentiates gemcitabine activity by down-regulating CDA expression in cervical cancer. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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9
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Akrami S, Tahmasebi A, Moghadam A, Ramezani A, Niazi A. Integration of mRNA and protein expression data for the identification of potential biomarkers associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Comput Biol Med 2023; 157:106529. [PMID: 36921457 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most death-dealing tumors, with a tremendously poor prognosis. Here, we, through interrogation of mRNA and protein data combined with a system biology approach, identified several key genes, functional processes, and pathways that can have critical roles in PDAC. We detected an interesting module related to the clinical traits that enriched in the ribosome, hematopoietic cell lineage, and cell adhesion molecules-related pathways. We also identified several hub genes in important modules that are associated with immune system processes. The results also indicated some lncRNAs, such as FAM30A, and MIR223HG with essential functions that are involved in PDAC. Additionally, five genes, including CD53, ITGAL, WDFY4, TLX1, and LMAN1L were screened by survival analysis and can be considered as candidate biomarkers or therapeutic targets. According to our strategy, the findings of this study may provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms and suggest potential prognostic and therapeutic targets for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Akrami
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Tahmasebi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran; Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Moghadam
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amin Ramezani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Ali Niazi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
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10
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Xu J, Zhu K, Wang Y, Chen J. The dual role and mutual dependence of heme/HO-1/Bach1 axis in the carcinogenic and anti-carcinogenic intersection. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:483-501. [PMID: 36310300 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04447-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In physiological concentrations, heme is nontoxic to the cell and is essential for cell survival and proliferation. Increasing intracellular heme concentrations beyond normal levels, however, will lead to carcinogenesis and facilitate the survival of tumor cells. Simultaneously, heme in an abnormally high quantity is also a potent inducer of tumor cell death, contributing to its ability to generate oxidative stress on the cells by boosting oxidative phosphorylation and suppressing tumors through ferroptosis. During tumorigenesis and progression, therefore, heme works as a double-edged sword. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme catabolism, which converts heme into physiologically active catabolites of carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin, and ferrous iron (Fe2+). HO-1 maintains redox equilibrium in healthy cells and functions as a carcinogenesis inhibitor. It is widely recognized that HO-1 is involved in the adaptive response to cellular stress and the anti-inflammation effect. Notably, its expression level in cancer cells corresponds with tumor growth, aggressiveness, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Besides, heme-binding transcription factor BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) play a critical regulatory role in heme homeostasis, oxidative stress and senescence, cell cycle, angiogenesis, immune cell differentiation, and autoimmune disorders. Moreover, it was found that Bach1 influences cancer cells' metabolism and metastatic capacity. Bach1 controls heme level by adjusting HO-1 expression, establishing a negative feedback loop. MATERIALS AND METHODS Herein, the authors review recent studies on heme, HO-1, and Bach1 in cancer. Specifically, they cover the following areas: (1) the carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic aspects of heme; (2) the carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic aspects of HO-1; (3) the carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic aspects of Bach1; (4) the interactions of the heme/HO-1/Bach1 axis involved in tumor progression. CONCLUSION This review summarized the literature about the dual role of the heme/HO-1/Bach1 axis and their mutual dependence in the carcinogenesis and anti-carcinogenesis intersection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjing Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | | | - Yali Wang
- Jiangsu Huai'an Maternity and Children Hospital, Huai'an, 223001, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Limited Heme Oxygenase Contribution to Modulating the Severity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Infection. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061040. [PMID: 35739937 PMCID: PMC9219982 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
An important virulence trait of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is the ability to avoid the host immune response, generating systemic and persistent infections. Host cells play a crucial role in bacterial clearance by expressing the enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1), which catalyzes the degradation of heme groups into Fe2+, biliverdin, and carbon monoxide (CO). The role of Hmox1 activity during S. Typhimurium infection is not clear and previous studies have shown contradictory results. We evaluated the effect of pharmacologic modulation of Hmox1 in a mouse model of acute and persistent S. Typhimurium infection by administering the Hmox1 activity inductor cobalt protoporphyrin-IX (CoPP) or inhibitor tin protoporphyrin-IX (SnPP) before infection. To evaluate the molecular mechanism involved, we measured the colocalization of S. Typhimurium and autophagosome and lysosomal markers in macrophages. Administering CoPP reduced the bacterial burden in organs of mice 5 days post-infection, while SnPP-treated mice showed bacterial loads similar to vehicle-treated mice. Furthermore, CoPP reduced bacterial loads when administered after infection in macrophages in vitro and in a persistent infection model of S. Typhimurium in vivo, while tin protoporphyrin-IX (SnPP) treatment resulted in a bacterial burden similar to vehicle-treated controls. However, we did not observe significant differences in co-localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled S. Typhimurium with the autophagic vesicles marker microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) and the lysosomal marker lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) in macrophages treated with CoPP. Our results suggest that CoPP can enhance antimicrobial activity in response to Salmonella infection, reducing bacterial dissemination and persistence in mice, in a CO and autophagy- independent manner.
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Zhou R, Xie F, Liu K, Zhou X, Chen X, Chen J, Xi S, Huang Z, Rong X. Cross talk between acetylation and methylation regulators reveals histone modifier expression patterns posing prognostic and therapeutic implications on patients with colon cancer. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:70. [PMID: 35606881 PMCID: PMC9128235 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01290-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations in histone modifications have been reported to be related to tumorigenicity and tumor progression. However, whether histone modification can aid the classification of patients or influence clinical behavior in patients with colon cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate histone modifier expression patterns using the unsupervised clustering of the transcriptomic expressions of 88 histone acetylation and methylation regulators. Results In this study, by consensus clustering analysis based on the transcriptome data of 88 histone modification regulators, we identified four distinct expression patterns of histone modifiers associated with different prognoses, intrinsic fluorouracil sensitivities, biological pathways, and tumor microenvironment characteristics among 1372 colon cancer samples. In these four clusters, the HMC4 cluster represented a stroma activation phenotype characterized by both the worst prognosis and lowest response rates to fluorouracil treatment. Then, we established a scoring scheme comprising 155 genes designated as “HM_score” by using the Boruta algorithm to distinguish colon cancer patients within the HMC4 cluster. Patients with a high HM_score were considered to have high stromal pathway activation, high stromal fraction, and an unfavorable prognosis. Further analyses indicated that a high HM_score also correlated with reduced therapeutic benefits from fluorouracil chemotherapy. Moreover, through CRISPR library screening, ZEB2 was found to be a critical driver gene that mediates fluorouracil resistance, which is associated with histone modifier expression patterns. Conclusions This study highlights that characterizing histone modifier expression patterns may help better understand the epigenetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity in patients with colon cancer and provide more personalized therapeutic strategies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-022-01290-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuli Xie
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kuncai Liu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuee Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinzhang Chen
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoyan Xi
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhenhua Huang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoxiang Rong
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Hecht JL, Janikova M, Choudhury R, Liu F, Canesin G, Janovicova L, Csizmadia E, Jorgensen EM, Esselen KM, Celec P, Swanson KD, Wegiel B. Labile Heme and Heme Oxygenase-1 Maintain Tumor-Permissive Niche for Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2242. [PMID: 35565370 PMCID: PMC9105072 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis, a painful gynecological condition accompanied by inflammation in women of reproductive age, is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. We evaluated the role of peritoneal heme accumulated during menstrual cycling, as well as peritoneal and lesional macrophage phenotype, in promoting an oncogenic microenvironment. We quantified the heme-degrading enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1, encoded by Hmox1) in normal peritoneum, endometriotic lesions and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) of clear cell type (OCCC). HO-1 was expressed primarily in macrophages and increased in endometrioma and OCCC tissues relative to endometriosis and controls. Further, we compared cytokine expression profiles in peritoneal macrophages (PM) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in women with endometriosis versus controls as a measure of a tumor-promoting environment in the peritoneum. We found elevated levels of HO-1 along with IL-10 and the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-16, IFNγ) in PM but not in PBMC from endometriosis patients. Using LysM-Cre:Hmox1flfl conditional knockout mice, we show that a deficiency of HO-1 in macrophages led to the suppression of growth of ID8 ovarian tumors implanted into the peritoneum. The restriction of ID8 ovarian tumor growth was associated with an increased number of Mac3+ macrophage and B cells in LysM-Cre:Hmox1flfl mice compared to controls. Functional experiments in ovarian cancer cell lines show that HO-1 is induced by heme. Low levels of exogenous heme promoted ovarian cancer colony growth in soft agar. Higher doses of heme led to slower cancer cell colony growth in soft agar and the induction of HO-1. These data suggest that perturbation of heme metabolism within the endometriotic niche and in cancer cells themselves may be an important factor that influences tumor initiation and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L. Hecht
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Monika Janikova
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.); (R.C.); (G.C.); (L.J.); (E.C.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Reeham Choudhury
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.); (R.C.); (G.C.); (L.J.); (E.C.)
| | - Fong Liu
- Department of OB/GYN, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.L.); (E.M.J.); (K.M.E.)
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center, 6569 Charles Street, Towson, MD 21204, USA
| | - Giacomo Canesin
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.); (R.C.); (G.C.); (L.J.); (E.C.)
- Vor Biopharma, 100 Cambridgepark Dr, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA
| | - Lubica Janovicova
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.); (R.C.); (G.C.); (L.J.); (E.C.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Eva Csizmadia
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.); (R.C.); (G.C.); (L.J.); (E.C.)
| | - Elisa M. Jorgensen
- Department of OB/GYN, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.L.); (E.M.J.); (K.M.E.)
| | - Katharine M. Esselen
- Department of OB/GYN, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.L.); (E.M.J.); (K.M.E.)
| | - Peter Celec
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Kenneth D. Swanson
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Barbara Wegiel
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (M.J.); (R.C.); (G.C.); (L.J.); (E.C.)
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