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Wadgaonkar P, Wang Z, Chen F. Endoplasmic reticulum stress responses and epigenetic alterations in arsenic carcinogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123565. [PMID: 38373625 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Arsenic is a well-known human carcinogen whose environmental exposure via drinking water, food, and air impacts millions of people across the globe. Various mechanisms of arsenic carcinogenesis have been identified, ranging from damage caused by excessive production of free radicals and epigenetic alterations to the generation of cancer stem cells. A growing body of evidence supports the critical involvement of the endoplasmic stress-activated unfolded protein response (UPR) in promoting as well as suppressing cancer development/progression. Various in vitro and in vivo models have also demonstrated that arsenic induces the UPR via activation of the PERK, IRE1α, and ATF6 proteins. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of arsenic-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and the role of each UPR pathway in the various cancer types with a focus on the epigenetic regulation and function of the ATF6 protein. The importance of UPR in arsenic carcinogenesis and cancer stem cells is a relatively new area of research that requires additional investigations via various omics-based and computational tools. These approaches will provide interesting insights into the mechanisms of arsenic-induced cancers for prospective target identification and development of novel anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Wadgaonkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA; Stony Brook Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Lauterbur Drive, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
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Czarnek K, Tatarczak-Michalewska M, Szopa A, Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Jafernik K, Majerek D, Blicharska E. Bioaccumulation Capacity of Onion ( Allium cepa L.) Tested with Heavy Metals in Biofortification. Molecules 2023; 29:101. [PMID: 38202684 PMCID: PMC10780257 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010101] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
On a worldwide scale, A. cepa is among the most commonly consumed vegetables. In Europe, the leading onion producers are Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Germany. In this study, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Co, Sr, Cd and Pb) by Allium cepa L. plants was followed under hydroponic conditions. The heavy metals were applied at six concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1) over three weeks. The quantitative analysis of selected heavy metals in plant tissues (bulbs, roots and assimilation leaves) was performed using atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization (F-AAS). The accumulation of metal ions was strongly dependent on their concentrations in the solution and the analyzed parts of plants. The highest accumulation of metal ions was confirmed for the roots and ranged from 8.48 to 5912.34 µg g-1 DW (dry weight). All parts of A. cepa were characterized by the high accumulation of Mn2+. The lowest accumulation was confirmed for Co2+ in the roots, Pb2+ in the assimilation leaves and Cu2+ in the bulbs of onion. Moreover, the study showed that the highest concentrations of heavy metals decreased the growth of bulbs and even caused them to die off. In contrast, lower concentrations of some elements stimulated plant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Czarnek
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H Str., 20-708 Lublin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Tatarczak-Michalewska
- Department of Pathobiochemistry and Interdisciplinary Applications of Ion Chromatography, Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Szopa
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9 Str., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (A.S.); (K.J.)
| | - Marta Klimek-Szczykutowicz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, IX Wieków Kielc 19a, 25-516 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Karolina Jafernik
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9 Str., 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (A.S.); (K.J.)
| | - Dariusz Majerek
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Information Technology, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38 Str., 20-618 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Eliza Blicharska
- Department of Pathobiochemistry and Interdisciplinary Applications of Ion Chromatography, Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
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Li Y, Zhao Q, Yao J, Lv C, Gao Y, Sun D, Yang Y. MiR-96-5p Suppresses Progression of Arsenite-Induced Human Keratinocyte Proliferation and Malignant Transformation by Targeting Denticleless E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Homolog. TOXICS 2023; 11:978. [PMID: 38133379 PMCID: PMC10747408 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to a variety of cancers, among which skin cancer is the most prevalent form. However, the mechanism underlying arsenic carcinogenesis is unclear, and there is still limited information on the role of miRNAs in arsenic-induced skin cancer. This study aims to explore the role of miR-96-5p in the arsenite-induced proliferation and malignant transformation of human HaCaT keratinocytes. The GEO database (accession numbers GSE97303, GSE97305, and GSE97306) was used to extract mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of HaCaT cells treated with or without 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 3 and 7 weeks. In this paper, according to the CCK8 assay result, HaCaT cells exposed to 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite for 48 h were finalized. CCK8, MTT, EdU incorporation, and colony formation assays were used to determine the viability and proliferation of HaCaT cells and transformed HaCaT (T-HaCaT) cells. The subcellular localization and relative expression levels of DTL, as well as miR-96-5p in HaCaT cells induced by arsenite, were determined via immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify miR-96-5p bound directly to DTL. Transfection of miR-96-5p mimics or DTL siRNA was conducted to verify the arsenite-induced viability of HaCaT cells and T-HaCaT cells. T-HaCaT cells and nude mice were used to construct arsenite-induced malignant transformation and an in vivo xenograft model to demonstrate the over-expressed effect of miR-96-5p. The results showed that DTL was the target gene of miR-96-5p. Meanwhile, we also found that 0.1 μmol/L sodium arsenite upregulated DTL by decreasing the miR-96-5p level, leading to the proliferation and malignant transformation of HaCaT cells. MiR-96-5p agomir treatment slowed the growth of transplanted HaCaT cells transformed by arsenite in a manner associated with DTL downregulation in the nude mice xenograft model. Taken together, we confirmed that miR-96-5p, as a potent regulator of DTL, suppressed arsenite-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and malignant transformation, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of arsenic-induced skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Qiaoshi Zhao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jinyin Yao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Chunpeng Lv
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yanhui Gao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Institution of Environmentally Related Diseases, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Dianjun Sun
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yanmei Yang
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
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Yamamoto T, Gi M, Yamashita S, Suzuki S, Fujioka M, Vachiraarunwong A, Guo R, Qiu G, Kakehashi A, Kato M, Uchida J, Wanibuchi H. DNA Methylation Aberrations in Dimethylarsinic Acid-Induced Bladder Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5274. [PMID: 37958445 PMCID: PMC10648661 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Arsenic is a known human urinary bladder carcinogen. While arsenic is known to cause aberrant DNA methylation, the mechanism of arsenic-triggered bladder carcinogenesis is not fully understood. The goal of this study was to identify aberrant DNA methylation in rat bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) induced by dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV), a major organic metabolite of arsenic. We performed genome-wide DNA methylation and microarray gene expression analyses of DMAV-induced rat UCs and the urothelium of rats treated for 4 weeks with DMAV. We identified 40 genes that were both hypermethylated and downregulated in DMAV-induced rat UCs. Notably, four genes (CPXM1, OPCML, TBX20, and KCND3) also showed reduced expression in the bladder urothelium after 4 weeks of exposure to DMAV. We also found that CPXM1 is aberrantly methylated and downregulated in human bladder cancers and human bladder cancer cells. Genes with aberrant DNA methylation and downregulated expression in DMAV-exposed bladder urothelium and in DMAV-induced UCs in rats, suggest that these alterations occurred in the early stages of arsenic-induced bladder carcinogenesis. Further study to evaluate the functions of these genes will advance our understanding of the role of aberrant DNA methylation in arsenic bladder carcinogenesis, and will also facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for arsenic-related bladder cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
- Department of Molecular Urology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Min Gi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
- Department of Environmental Risk Assessment, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamashita
- Department of Life Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology, 460-1 Kamisadori, Maebashi 371-0816, Gunma, Japan
| | - Shugo Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
| | - Masaki Fujioka
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
| | - Arpamas Vachiraarunwong
- Department of Environmental Risk Assessment, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Runjie Guo
- Department of Environmental Risk Assessment, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Guiyu Qiu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
| | - Anna Kakehashi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
| | - Minoru Kato
- Department of Molecular Urology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junji Uchida
- Department of Molecular Urology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hideki Wanibuchi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (T.Y.)
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Han X, Zhang T, Ma Q, Chang R, Xin S, Yu Q, Zhang G, Wang Y. Gene expression profiles to analyze the anticancer and carcinogenic effects of arsenic in bladder cancer. Am J Transl Res 2023; 15:5984-5996. [PMID: 37969188 PMCID: PMC10641365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Arsenic is one of the greatest hazards as an environmental carcinogen. At the same time it is also a promising anticancer agent, that can be used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and some other tumors. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) exerts its therapeutic effect by promoting degradation of an oncogenic protein that drives the growth of APL cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern these paradoxical effects of arsenic in bladder cancer remain unclear. We speculate that they share the common mechanism that arsenic binds to the target proteins and subsequently impacts the expression of downstream genes. METHODS To address this issue, three Gene Set Enrichments (GSE) were loaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database with four expression matrices. Three of them were mice samples at exposure times of 1, 2, and 12 weeks, and the last was a human urothelial cell (HUC1) sample. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from 4 expression groups were identified at iDEP and analyzed at Metascape and Cytoscape for signaling pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. The web-portals UALCAN and GEPIA were used to analyze the role of DEGs in the crosstalk between carcinogenic and anticancer effects. The putative downstream genes of arsenic binding proteins were retrieved using the Cistrome Data Browser. Real-time PCR was used to validate the expression of DEGs. RESULTS The signaling pathways referred to lipid metabolism. Responses to various stimuli or hormones were overrepresented in 4 expression matrices. The PPI network emphasized the role of KRAS and TNF signaling in different groups. Furthermore, BDKRB2, FOS, NR4A1, PLAU, SH3BGRL, and F10 played an important role in the crosstalk between carcinogenic and anticancer effects in bladder cancer. Arsenic may impact the activity of ACTB, BACH1, NME2, RBBP4, PARP1, and PML by direct binding, and thus influence the expression of downstream genes such as PAX6, MLLT11, LTBP1, PCSK5, ZFP36, COL8A2, and IL1R2. CONCLUSION Arsenic exerted carcinogenic and anticancer functions by altering the expression of crosstalk genes such as BDKRB2, FOS, NR4A1, PLAU, SH3BGRL, and F10, and these were due to arsenic binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Han
- Department of Oncology and Chemistry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan UniversityGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Southern University of Science and Technology HospitalShenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
- School of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Baotou Medical CollegeBaotou 014060, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Tengteng Zhang
- School of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Baotou Medical CollegeBaotou 014060, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qiang Ma
- School of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Baotou Medical CollegeBaotou 014060, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Ruyi Chang
- School of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Baotou Medical CollegeBaotou 014060, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Siyuan Xin
- School of Basic and Forensic Medicine, Baotou Medical CollegeBaotou 014060, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qingzhen Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology HospitalShenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Guojun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Southern University of Science and Technology HospitalShenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yukun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Southern University of Science and Technology HospitalShenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
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Wang K, Lin X, Wang T, Zhang X, Cheng W, Xu F, Wang L, Li B, Wang M, Wang W, Zhang M, Ding S, Jin G, Zhu Y, Yang W, Hu A, Zhao Q. Synergistic effects of low-dose arsenic and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine co-exposure by altering gut microbiota and intestinal metabolic profile in rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115195. [PMID: 37418937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Biological organisms are exposed to low-dose arsenic or N-nitro compounds (NOCs) alone or in combination worldwide, especially in areas with high cancer prevalence through drinking water or food exposure; however, information on their combined exposure effects is limited. Here, we conducted an in-depth study of the effects on the gut microbiota, metabolomics, and signaling pathways using rat models exposed to arsenic or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), one of the most active carcinogenic NOCs, separately or in combination with metabolomics and high-throughput sequencing. Compared to exposure alone, combined exposure to arsenic and MNNG exacerbated damage to gastric tissue morphology, interfered with intestinal microflora and substance metabolism, and exerted a stronger carcinogenic effect. This may be related to intestinal microbiota disorders, including Dyella, Oscillibacter, Myroides, and metabolic pathways such as glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism in cancer, and purine and pyrimidine metabolism, thereby enhancing the cancer-causing effects of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), P53, and Wnt signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenli Cheng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wuqi Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shaopeng Ding
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Guoqing Jin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuting Zhu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wanshui Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Anla Hu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Qihong Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Islam R, Zhao L, Zhang X, Liu LZ. MiR-218-5p/EGFR Signaling in Arsenic-Induced Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1204. [PMID: 36831545 PMCID: PMC9954652 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041204] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic is a well-known carcinogen inducing lung, skin, bladder, and liver cancer. Abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is common in lung cancer; it is involved in cancer initiation, development, metastasis, and treatment resistance. However, the underlying mechanism for arsenic-inducing EGFR upregulation remains unclear. METHODS RT-PCR and immunoblotting assays were used to detect the levels of miR-218-5p and EGFR expression. The Luciferase assay was used to test the transcriptional activity of EGFR mediated by miR-218-5p. Cell proliferation, colony formation, wound healing, migration assays, tube formation assays, and tumor growth assays were used to study the function of miR-218-5p/EGFR signaling. RESULTS EGFR and miR-218-5p were dramatically upregulated and downregulated in arsenic-induced transformed (As-T) cells, respectively. MiR-218-5p acted as a tumor suppressor to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, tube formation, tumor growth, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, miR-218-5p directly targeted EGFR by binding to its 3'-untranslated region (UTR). Finally, miR-218-5p exerted its antitumor effect by inhibiting its direct target, EGFR. CONCLUSION Our study highlights the vital role of the miR-218-5p/EGFR signaling pathway in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis and angiogenesis, which may be helpful for the treatment of lung cancer induced by chronic arsenic exposure in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ling-Zhi Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Zhao L, Islam R, Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu LZ. Epigenetic Regulation in Chromium-, Nickel- and Cadmium-Induced Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235768. [PMID: 36497250 PMCID: PMC9737485 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental and occupational exposure to heavy metals, such as hexavalent chromium, nickel, and cadmium, are major health concerns worldwide. Some heavy metals are well-documented human carcinogens. Multiple mechanisms, including DNA damage, dysregulated gene expression, and aberrant cancer-related signaling, have been shown to contribute to metal-induced carcinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms accounting for heavy metal-induced carcinogenesis and angiogenesis are still not fully understood. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have indicated that in addition to genotoxicity and genetic mutations, epigenetic mechanisms play critical roles in metal-induced cancers. Epigenetics refers to the reversible modification of genomes without changing DNA sequences; epigenetic modifications generally involve DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. Epigenetic regulation is essential for maintaining normal gene expression patterns; the disruption of epigenetic modifications may lead to altered cellular function and even malignant transformation. Therefore, aberrant epigenetic modifications are widely involved in metal-induced cancer formation, development, and angiogenesis. Notably, the role of epigenetic mechanisms in heavy metal-induced carcinogenesis and angiogenesis remains largely unknown, and further studies are urgently required. In this review, we highlight the current advances in understanding the roles of epigenetic mechanisms in heavy metal-induced carcinogenesis, cancer progression, and angiogenesis.
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