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Leung Y, Lee S, Wang J, Guruvaiah P, Rusch NJ, Ho S, Park C, Kim K. The Loss of an Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR2E3 Augments Wnt/β-catenin Signaling via Epigenetic Dysregulation that Enhances Sp1-β catenin-p300 Interactions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308539. [PMID: 38790135 PMCID: PMC11304255 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 (Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E, Member 3) is an epigenetic player that modulates chromatin accessibility to activate p53 during liver injury. Nonetheless, a precise tumor suppressive and epigenetic role of NR2E3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development remains unclear. HCC patients expressing low NR2E3 exhibit unfavorable clinical outcomes, aligning with heightened activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The murine HCC models utilizing NR2E3 knockout mice consistently exhibits accelerated liver tumor formation accompanied by enhanced activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inactivation of p53 signaling. At cellular level, the loss of NR2E3 increases the acquisition of aggressive cancer cell phenotype and tumorigenicity and upregulates key genes in the WNT/β-catenin pathway with increased chromatin accessibility. This event is mediated through increased formation of active transcription complex involving Sp1, β-catenin, and p300, a histone acetyltransferase, on the promoters of target genes. These findings demonstrate that the loss of NR2E3 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling at cellular and organism levels and this dysregulation is associated with aggressive HCC development and poor clinical outcomes. In summary, NR2E3 is a novel tumor suppressor with a significant prognostic value, maintaining epigenetic homeostasis to suppress the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that promotes HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuet‐Kin Leung
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas Medical SciencesLittle RockAR72205USA
| | - Sung‐Gwon Lee
- School of Biological Sciences and TechnologyChonnam National UniversityGwangju500‐757Republic of Korea
| | - Jiang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineCollege of MedicineUniversity of Cincinnati231 Albert Sabin WayCincinnatiOH45267USA
| | - Ponmari Guruvaiah
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas Medical SciencesLittle RockAR72205USA
| | - Nancy J Rusch
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas Medical SciencesLittle RockAR72205USA
| | - Shuk‐Mei Ho
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas Medical SciencesLittle RockAR72205USA
| | - Chungoo Park
- School of Biological Sciences and TechnologyChonnam National UniversityGwangju500‐757Republic of Korea
| | - Kyounghyun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas Medical SciencesLittle RockAR72205USA
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Cespiati A, Smith D, Lombardi R, Fracanzani AL. The Negative Impact of Sarcopenia on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2315. [PMID: 39001378 PMCID: PMC11240545 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health concern, characterized by evolving etiological patterns and a range of treatment options. Among various prognostic factors, sarcopenia, characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, has emerged as a pivotal contributor to HCC outcomes. Focusing on liver transplantation, surgical resection, locoregional treatments, and systemic therapies, this review aims to analyze the impact of sarcopenia on HCC treatment outcomes, shedding light on an underexplored subject in the pursuit of more personalized management. METHODS A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching peer-reviewed articles on sarcopenia and treatment outcomes in patients with HCC from inception up to October 2023. RESULTS Sarcopenia was found to be prevalent among HCC patients, exhibiting different occurrence, possibly attributable to diverse diagnostic criteria. Notably, despite variations in studies utilizing skeletal muscle indices, sarcopenia independently correlated with lower overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) across surgical (both transplantation and resection), locoregional, and systemic therapies, including tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Moreover, a link between sarcopenia and increased rate and severity of adverse events, particularly in surgery and TKIs recipients, and larger tumor size at diagnosis was observed. While baseline sarcopenia negatively influenced treatment outcomes, alterations in muscle mass post-treatment emerged as primary determinants of reduced OS. CONCLUSIONS Sarcopenia, either present before or after HCC treatment, negatively correlates with response to it, across all etiologies and therapeutic strategies. Although only a few studies have evaluated the impact of supervised physical activity training on muscle mass and OS after HCC treatment, it is crucial to evaluate the presence of sarcopenia before treatment initiation, to better stratify patients' prognosis, thus performing a more tailored approach, and identify therapies able to restore muscle mass in HCC patients. Conversely, the impact of sarcopenia on HCC recurrence and extrahepatic spread remains inadequately explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Cespiati
- SC Medicina ad Indirizzo Metabolico, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.S.); (R.L.); (A.L.F.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniel Smith
- SC Medicina ad Indirizzo Metabolico, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.S.); (R.L.); (A.L.F.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Lombardi
- SC Medicina ad Indirizzo Metabolico, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.S.); (R.L.); (A.L.F.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Ludovica Fracanzani
- SC Medicina ad Indirizzo Metabolico, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (D.S.); (R.L.); (A.L.F.)
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Chen J, Yang Z, Gao F, Zhou Z, Chen J, Lu D, Wang K, Sui M, Wang Z, Guo W, Lyu G, Qi H, Cai J, Yang J, Zheng S, Xu X. Influence of sex on outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter cohort study in China. Cancer Biol Med 2024; 21:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0453. [PMID: 38425217 PMCID: PMC11033715 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sex-specific differences are observed in various liver diseases, but the influence of sex on the outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT) remains to be determined. This study is the first Chinese nationwide investigation of the role of sex in post-LT outcomes in patients with HCC. METHODS Data for recipients with HCC registered in the China Liver Transplant Registry between January 2015 and December 2020 were analyzed. The associations between donor, recipient, or donor-recipient transplant patterns by sex and the post-LT outcomes were studied with propensity score matching (PSM). The survival associated with different sex-based donor-recipient transplant patterns was further studied. RESULTS Among 3,769 patients enrolled in this study, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients with HCC after LT were 96.1%, 86.4%, and 78.5%, respectively, in female recipients, and 95.8%, 79.0%, and 70.7%, respectively, in male recipients after PSM (P = 0.009). However, the OS was comparable between recipients with female donors and male donors. Multivariate analysis indicated that male recipient sex was a risk factor for post-LT survival (HR = 1.381, P = 0.046). Among the donor-recipient transplant patterns, the male-male donor-recipient transplant pattern was associated with the poorest post-LT survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlighted that the post-LT outcomes of female recipients were significantly superior to those of male recipients, and the male-male donor-recipient transplant pattern was associated with the poorest post-LT survival. Livers from male donors may provide the most benefit to female recipients. Our results indicate that sex should be considered as a critical factor in organ allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310030, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shulan Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Fengqiang Gao
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Zhisheng Zhou
- National Center for Healthcare Quality Management in Liver Transplant, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Junli Chen
- National Center for Healthcare Quality Management in Liver Transplant, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Di Lu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Meihua Sui
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Zhengxin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wenzhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Guoyue Lyu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Haizhi Qi
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jinzhen Cai
- Department of Organ Transplantation Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jiayin Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610044, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310030, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shulan Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou 310006, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310030, China
- National Center for Healthcare Quality Management in Liver Transplant, Hangzhou 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China
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Sotty J, Bablon P, Weiss PH, Soussan P. Diethylnitrosamine Induction of Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2769:15-25. [PMID: 38315386 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3694-7_2] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a chemical hepatocarcinogenic agent that triggers a large array of oncogenic mutations after a single injection. Initiated hepatocytes subsequently undergo clonal expansion within a proliferative environment, rendering the DEN model a comprehensive carcinogen. In rodent studies, DEN finds extensive utility in experimental liver cancer research, mimicking several aspects of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, immune exhaustion, and the ability to metastasize. Beyond the wealth of scientific insights gleaned from this model, the objective of this chapter is to review morphological, genomic, and immunological characteristics associated to DEN-induced HCC. Furthermore, this chapter provides a detailed procedural guide to effectively induce hepatocarcinogenesis in mice through a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Sotty
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Pierre Bablon
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Paul-Henry Weiss
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Patrick Soussan
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France.
- Département de Virologie, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne Université, GHU Paris-Est, Paris, France.
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Nuermaimaiti A, Chang L, Yan Y, Sun H, Xiao Y, Song S, Feng K, Lu Z, Ji H, Wang L. The role of sex hormones and receptors in HBV infection and development of HBV-related HCC. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29298. [PMID: 38087447 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Gender disparity in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases has been extensively documented. Epidemiological studies consistently reported that males have a higher prevalence of HBV infection and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Further investigations have revealed that sex hormone-related signal transductions play a significant role in gender disparity. Sex hormone axes showed significantly different responses to virus entry and replication. The sex hormones axes change the HBV-specific immune responses and antitumor immunity. Additionally, Sex hormone axes showed different effects on the development of HBV-related disease. But the role of sex hormones remains controversial, and researchers have not reached a consensus on the role of sex hormones and the use of hormone therapies in HCC treatment. In this review, we aim to summarize the experimental findings on sex hormones and provide a comprehensive understanding of their roles in the development of HCC and their implications for hormone-related HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abudulimutailipu Nuermaimaiti
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Le Chang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Yan
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huizhen Sun
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingzi Xiao
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shi Song
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kaihao Feng
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoqun Lu
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huimin Ji
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lunan Wang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Zhu M, He Q, Wang Y, Duan L, Rong K, Wu Y, Ding Y, Mi Y, Ge X, Yang X, Yu Y. Exploring the mechanism of aloe-emodin in the treatment of liver cancer through network pharmacology and cell experiments. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1238841. [PMID: 37900162 PMCID: PMC10600456 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1238841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Aloe-emodin (AE) is an anthraquinone compound extracted from the rhizome of the natural plant rhubarb. Initially, it was shown that AE exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. Further studies revealed its antitumor activity against various types of cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying these properties remain unclear. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, this study investigated the molecular mechanism of AE in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and evaluated its therapeutic effect through in vitro experiments. Methods: CTD, Pharmmapper, SuperPred and TargetNet were the databases to obtain potential drug-related targets. DisGenet, GeneCards, OMIM and TTD were used to identify potential disease-related targets. Intersection genes for drugs and diseases were obtained through the Venn diagram. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of intersecting genes were conducted by the website of Bioinformatics. Intersection genes were introduced into STRING to construct a protein-protein interaction network, while the Cytoscape3.9.1 software was used to visualize and analyze the core targets. AutoDock4.2.6 was utilized to achieve molecular docking between drug and core targets. In vitro experiments investigated the therapeutic effects and related mechanisms of AE. Results: 63 overlapped genes were obtained and GO analysis generated 3,646 entries by these 63 intersecting genes. KEGG analysis mainly involved apoptosis, proteoglycans in cancer, TNF signaling pathway, TP53 signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, etc. AKT1, EGFR, ESR1, TP53, and SRC have been identified as core targets because the binding energies of them between aloe-emodin were less than -5 kcal/Mol.The mRNA and protein expression, prognosis, mutation status, and immune infiltration related to core targets were further revealed. The involvement of AKT1 and EGFR, as well as the key target of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, indicated the importance of this signaling pathway in the treatment of HCC using AE. The results of the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow analysis demonstrated the therapeutic effect of AE. The downregulation of EGFR, PI3KR1, AKT1, and BCL2 in mRNA expression and PI3KR1, AKT,p-AKT in protein expression confirmed our hypothesis. Conclusion: Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, our study initially showed that AE exerted a therapeutic effect on HCC by modulating multiple signaling pathways. Various analyses confirmed the antiproliferative activity and pro-apoptotic effect of AE on HCC through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. This study revealed the therapeutic mechanism of AE in the treatment of HCC through a novel approach, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application of AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qingmin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankang Central Hospital, Ankang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Liying Duan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kang Rong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ye Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yang Mi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoyang Ge
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaocui Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankang Central Hospital, Ankang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Helicobacter Pylori & Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Cancer, Marshall B. J. Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Le Breton C, Coulouarn C. The Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Onset and Progression of Liver Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4383. [PMID: 37686658 PMCID: PMC10487056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), are deadly cancers that have risen in frequency globally and have limited curative therapeutic options [...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Inserm, University of Rennes, UMR_S 1242, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signaling), Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, 35042 Rennes, France;
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Chu PY, Chou DA, Chen PM, Chiang EPI. Translocation of Methionine Adenosyl Transferase MAT2A and Its Prognostic Relevance for Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109103. [PMID: 37240447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109103] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Methionine adenosyl transferases (MATs) catalyze the synthesis of the biological methyl donor adenosylmethionine (SAM). Dysregulation of MATs has been associated with carcinogenesis in humans. We previously found that downregulation of the MAT1A gene enriches the protein-associated translation process and worsens liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) prognosis. We also discovered that subcellular localization of the MAT2A protein has independently prognostic relevance in breast cancer patients. The present study aimed to examined the clinical relevance of MAT2A translocation in human LIHC. Essential methionine cycle gene expressions in TCGA LIHC datasets were analyzed using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2). The protein expression pattern of MAT2A was determined in the tissue array of our own LIHC cohort (n = 261) using immuno-histochemistry, and the prognostic relevance of MAT2A protein's subcellular localization expression was examined using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. LIHC patients with higher MAT2A mRNA expression had a worse survival rate (p = 0.0083). MAT2A protein immunoreactivity was observed in both cytoplasm and nucleus fractions in the tissue array. Tumor tissues had elevated MAT2A protein expression in both cytoplasm and nucleus compared to their adjacent normal tissues. A higher cytoplasmic to nuclear MAT2A protein expression ratio (C/N) was found in female LIHC patients compared to that of male patients (p = 0.047). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that a lower MAT2A C/N correlated with poor overall survival in female LIHC patients (10-year survival rate: 29.2% vs. 68.8%, C/N ≤ 1.0 vs. C/N > 1.0, log-rank p = 0.004). Moreover, we found that specificity protein 1 (SP1) may have a potential interaction with nuclear MAT2A protein, using protein-protein interaction; this we found using the GeneMANIA algorithm. We explored the possible protective effects of the estrogen axis in LIHC using the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and found evidence supporting a possible protective effect of estrogen-related protein ESSRG in LIHC. The localization of SP1 and MAT2 appeared to be inversely associated with ESRRG expression in LIHC. The present study demonstrated the translocation of MAT2A and its prognostic relevance in female LIHC patients. Our findings suggest the potential of estrogen in SP1 regulation and localization of MAT2A, as therapeutic modalities against in female LIHC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Chu
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Dev-Aur Chou
- Department of General Surgery, Changhua Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ming Chen
- Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
| | - En-Pei Isabel Chiang
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant and Food Crop Biotechnology Center (APFCBC), National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Abdel-Hamid MS, Mansour AM, Hassan MH, Abdelhady R, Elsadek BEM, El-Sayed ESM, Salama SA. Estrogen Attenuates Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Female Rats via Modulation of Estrogen Receptor/FASN/CD36/IL-6 Axis. Biol Pharm Bull 2023; 46:1558-1568. [PMID: 37914358 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00342] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the potential protective impact of estrogen and estrogen receptor against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. The levels of liver injury serum biomarkers, liver content of interleukin-6 (IL-6), relative liver weight and distortion of liver histological pictures were significantly increased in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and SHAM rats that received DEN alone and were further exaggerated when DEN was combined with fulvestrant (F) compared to non-DEN treated rats. The OVX rats showed higher insults than SHAM rats. The tapering impact on these parameters was clear in OVX rats that received estradiol benzoate (EB), silymarin (S) or orlistat (ORS). The immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot analysis of liver tissues showed a prominent increase in fatty acid synthase (FASN) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) expressions in OVX and SHAM rats who received DEN and/ or F compared to SHAM rats. In contrast to S, treatment of OVX rats with EB mitigated DEN-induced expression of FASN and CD36 in liver tissue, while ORS improved DEN-induced expression of FASN. In conclusion, the protective effect against HCC was mediated via estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) which abrogates its downstream genes involved in lipid metabolism namely FASN and CD36 depriving the tumor from survival vital energy source. In addition, ORS induced similar mitigating effect against DEN-induced HCC which could be attributed to FASN inhibition and anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, S alleviated DEN-induced HCC, independent of its estrogenic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed M Mansour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University
| | - Memy H Hassan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University
| | - Rasha Abdelhady
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Fayoum University
| | - Bakheet E M Elsadek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University
| | - El-Sayed M El-Sayed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University
| | - Salama A Salama
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University
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10
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Luo H, Jiang Q, Luo Y, Yang M, Yu Y, Yu C, Wang X. Comprehensive analysis of ESR1-related ceRNA axis as a novel prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1393-1409. [PMID: 36695093 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: To further understand, detect and treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is urgent to conduct more in-depth research on the mechanism of sex-associated differences. Materials & methods: We established a ceRNA triple regulatory axis associated with ESR1 in HCC and performed expression, survival and nuclear-cytoplasmic localization analyses. In addition to this, we performed methylation analysis and immune infiltration analysis of the ceRNA axis. Results: We constructed the LINC01018/hsa-miR-197-3p/GNA14 (lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA) ceRNA axis to further explain the mechanism of sex-related prognosis in the development of HCC and to provide new insights into candidate biomarkers for targeted therapies. Conclusion: Our study is an innovative attempt at demonstrating the mechanism underlying the prognosis associated with sex differences in HCC by constructing a ceRNA axis (LINC01018/hsa-miR-197-3p/GNA14).
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyan Luo
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China.,Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Qiyin Jiang
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Yuehua Luo
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Miaolun Yang
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Yifan Yu
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Chengyang Yu
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Xiongwen Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
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11
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Yu A, Cable C, Sharma S, Shihan MH, Mattis AN, Mileva I, Hannun YA, Duwaerts CC, Chen JY. Targeting acid ceramidase ameliorates fibrosis in mouse models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:881848. [PMID: 36275798 PMCID: PMC9582277 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.881848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of liver disease worldwide, and is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an advanced form of NAFLD, is a leading cause of liver transplantation. Fibrosis is the histologic feature most associated with liver-related morbidity and mortality in patients with NASH, and treatment options remain limited. In previous studies, we discovered that acid ceramidase (aCDase) is a potent antifibrotic target using human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and models of hepatic fibrogenesis. Using two dietary mouse models, we demonstrate that depletion of aCDase in HSC reduces fibrosis without worsening metabolic features of NASH, including steatosis, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Consistently, pharmacologic inhibition of aCDase ameliorates fibrosis but does not alter metabolic parameters. The findings suggest that targeting aCDase is a viable therapeutic option to reduce fibrosis in patients with NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Yu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Carson Cable
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Sachin Sharma
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mahbubul H. Shihan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Aras N. Mattis
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Izolda Mileva
- Department of Medicine and Biochemistry and the Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Yusuf A. Hannun
- Department of Medicine and Biochemistry and the Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Caroline C. Duwaerts
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Y. Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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12
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Brown R, Goulder P, Matthews PC. Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:32. [PMID: 36212217 PMCID: PMC9520633 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17601.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people chronically infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, and consider how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Brown
- Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, OX1 3TD, UK
| | - Philip Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Philippa C. Matthews
- Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, OX1 3TD, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, NW1 2BU, UK
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13
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Brown R, Goulder P, Matthews PC. Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:32. [PMID: 36212217 PMCID: PMC9520633 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17601.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people chronically infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, and consider how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Brown
- Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, OX1 3TD, UK
| | - Philip Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Philippa C. Matthews
- Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, OX1 3TD, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, NW1 2BU, UK
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14
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Berkel C, Cacan E. Sex-specific changes in the expression of ER-alpha and androgen receptor with increasing tumor grade in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hum Cell 2022; 35:948-951. [DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00695-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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15
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Meng X, Liu X. Therapeutic Value of Estrogen Receptor α in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Molecular Mechanisms. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2022; 10:140-146. [PMID: 35233383 PMCID: PMC8845150 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is significantly lower in women than men, implying that estrogen receptors (ERs) may play an important role in this sex dimorphism. Recently, considerable progress has been made in expanding our understanding of the mechanisms of ERs in HCC. As one of the most important ERs, ERα functions as a tumor suppressor in the progression of HCC through various pathways, such as STAT3 signaling pathways, lipid metabolism-related signaling pathways, and non-coding RNAs. However, the function of ERα was reduced with the changes of some molecules in the liver, which may develop further into HCC and make it difficult to achieve an effective hormone treatment effect. Intriguingly, there are signs that individualized hormone therapy according to the activity of ERα will overcome this challenge. Based on these observations, it is particularly imperative to reassess and extend the function of ERα. In this review, we mainly elucidated molecular mechanisms associated with ERα in HCC and investigated the individualized hormone therapy based on these mechanisms, with the aim of providing new insights for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzhe Meng
- Second Clinical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Correspondence to: Xue Liu, Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Road, Jining, Shandong 272067, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7817-8392. Tel: +86-15053798589, E-mail:
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16
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Brown R, Goulder P, Matthews PC. Sexual Dimorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: Evidence to Inform Elimination Efforts. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:32. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17601.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases refers to the different infection susceptibilities and outcomes between males and females, and has been described for many pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBV is a substantial global health problem, with close to 300 million people infected, and accounting for a million deaths each year, with an urgent need for enhanced interventions to support progress towards elimination goals. Sexual dimorphism has a strong influence in HBV infection, with males more likely to be exposed, to develop chronic infection, and to suffer from complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to females. Different outcomes are driven by differential immune responses, sexual dimorphism of the liver, and androgen response elements in the HBV genome. The impact of sex may also vary with age, with changes at puberty and influences of menarche, pregnancy and menopause in females. In addition, gender has complex influences on education, beliefs, behaviour and access to / engagement with healthcare services, which may contribute to differences in diagnosis and treatment. Interplay between these complex factors, alongside other attributes of host, virus and the environment, accounts for different outcomes of infection. However, gaps remain in our understanding of sexual dimorphism in HBV, and little effort has previously been made to harness this knowledge for translational gains. In this review, we assimilate human and animal data to consider the mechanism, outcomes and impact of sexual dimorphism, considering how these insights can be used to inform advances in surveillance, treatment and prevention for HBV infection.
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