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Hu X, Zhu X, Chen Y, Zhang W, Li L, Liang H, Usmanov BB, Donadon M, Yusupbekov AA, Zheng Y. Senescence-related signatures predict prognosis and response to immunotherapy in colon cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 15:1020-1034. [PMID: 38989417 PMCID: PMC11231866 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-24-339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers. Cellular senescence plays a vital role in carcinogenesis by activating many pathways. In this study, we aimed to identify biomarkers for predicting the survival and recurrence of CRC through cellular senescence-related genes. Methods Utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, RNA-sequencing data and clinical information for CRC were collected. A risk model for predicting overall survival was established based on five differentially expressed genes using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-Cox regression (LASSO-Cox regression), receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and Kaplan-Meier analyses. The study also delved into both the tumor microenvironment and the response to immunotherapy. Moreover, we gathered clinical sample data from our center in order to confirm the findings of public database analysis. Results Through ROC and Kaplan-Meier analyses, a risk model was developed using five cellular senescence-related genes [i.e., CDKN2A, SERPINE1, SNAI1, CXCL1, and ETS2] to categorize patients into high- and low-risk groups. In the TCGA-colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and GEO-COAD cohorts, the high-risk group was associated with a bleaker forecast (P<0.05), immune cell inactivation, and insensitivity to immunotherapy in IMvigor210 database (http://research-pub.gene.com/IMvigor210CoreBiologies/). Clinical samples were then used to confirm that ETS2 and CDKN2A could serve as independent prognostic biomarkers in CRC. Conclusions Gene signatures related to cellular senescence, specifically involving CDKN2A and ETS2, are emerging as promising biomarkers for predicting CRC prognosis and guiding immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiongjie Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenkai Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Laiqing Li
- Guangzhou Youdi Bio-technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Huankun Liang
- Guangzhou Youdi Bio-technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Bekzod B Usmanov
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Tashkent State Pediatric Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Surgery, University Maggiore Hospital della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Abrorjon A Yusupbekov
- Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Oncology and Radiology (National Cancer Center of Uzbekistan), Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Yanfang Zheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang Y, Zheng J, Chen M, Zhao S, Ma R, Chen W, Liu J. Modulating DNA damage response in uveal melanoma through embryonic stem cell microenvironment. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:519. [PMID: 38654216 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12290-x] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults, with a median survival of 4-5 months following metastasis. DNA damage response (DDR) upregulation in UVM, which could be linked to its frequent activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, contributes to its treatment resistance. We have reported that embryonic stem cell microenvironments (ESCMe) can revert cancer cells to less aggressive states through downregulation of the PI3K signaling, showing promise in modulating the DDR of UVM. METHODS Since nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is the main DNA repair mechanism in UVM, this study utilized gene expression analysis and survival prognosis analysis to investigate the role of NHEJ-related genes in UVM based on public databases. Xenograft mouse models were established to assess the therapeutic potential of ESC transplantation and exposure to ESC-conditioned medium (ESC-CM) on key DNA repair pathways in UVM. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze NHEJ pathway-related gene expression in UVM and surrounding normal tissues. Apoptosis in UVM tissues was evaluated using the TUNEL assay. RESULTS PRKDC, KU70, XRCC5, LIG4 and PARP1 showed significant correlations with UM progression. High expression of PRKDC and XRCC5 predicted poorer overall survival, while low PARP1 and XRCC6 expression predicted better disease-free survival in UVM patients. ESCMe treatment significantly inhibited the NHEJ pathway transcriptionally and translationally and promoted apoptosis in tumor tissues in mice bearing UVM. Furthermore, ESC transplantation enhanced DDR activities in surrounding normal cells, potentially mitigating the side effects of cancer therapy. Notably, direct cell-to-cell contact with ESCs was more effective than their secreted factors in regulating the NHEJ pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that NHEJ-related genes might serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in UVM. These findings support the therapeutic potential of ESC-based therapy in enhancing UVM sensitivity to radiochemotherapy and improving treatment outcomes while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxu Zhang
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Jinbiao Zheng
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Minyu Chen
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Shulun Zhao
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Ruiqian Ma
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Wenwei Chen
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Ophthalmology Department, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), 78 Wandao Road, Dongguan, 523000, China.
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Zheng M, Chen L, Fu J, Yang X, Chen S, Fu W, Li Y, Zhang S. Cdc42 Regulates the Expression of Cytoskeleton and Microtubule Network Proteins to Promote Invasion and Metastasis of Progeny Cells Derived from CoCl 2-induced Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells. J Cancer 2023; 14:1920-1934. [PMID: 37476197 PMCID: PMC10355212 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85032] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Our previous studies have shown that CoCl2 can induce the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) and PGCCs could produce progeny cells via asymmetric division. In this study, the molecular mechanism by which PGCCs generate progeny cells with high invasion and migration abilities was explored. Methods: In this study, PGCCs induced by CoCl2 produced progeny cells via asymmetric division, which was observed dynamically using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Cell cycle in LoVo and Hct116 before and after CoCl2 treatment was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell function experiments, co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry analysis, ML141 treatment, western blotting, and siRNA transfection experiments were used to demonstrate that Cdc42/PAK1 was involved in the regulation of cytoskeleton expression. The proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of PGCCs and progeny cells were compared in PGCCs and progeny cells with and without inhibiting the expression of Cdc42 and PAK1. Results: G2/M phase arrest appeared in CoCl2-treated LoVo and Hct116 cells. After CoCl2 treatment, an increased expression of Cdc42 and PAK1 led to a decrease in the expression of stathmin and an increase in the expression of phosphorylated stathmin, which is located in the nucleus of PGCCs and progeny cells. PTPN14 negatively regulates the expression of PAK1 and p38MAPK. Low levels of PTPN14 expression, a downstream regulatory protein of stathmin, endows progeny tumor cells generated by PGCCs with the ability to invade and metastasize. The expression of PKA1α, cathepsin B, and D increased in CoCl2-treated cells compared with that in the control cells, associated with the infiltration and migration of PGCCs with their progeny cells. Conclusion: CoCl2-induced overexpression of Cdc42 plays a critical role in increasing the infiltration and migration abilities of PGCCs and progeny cells by regulating cytoskeleton protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minying Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300121, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, NanKai University, Tianjin, 300071, P.R. China
| | - Lankai Chen
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P.R. China
| | - Junjie Fu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300121, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P.R. China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, P.R. China
| | - Wenzheng Fu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, P.R. China
| | - Yuwei Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121, P.R. China
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300121, P.R. China
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Characteristic of Ultrastructure of Mice B16 Melanoma Cells under the Influence of Different Lighting Regimes. Clocks Sleep 2022; 4:745-760. [PMID: 36547107 PMCID: PMC9777458 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep4040056] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms of physiological processes, constantly being in a state of dynamic equilibrium and plastically associated with changes in environmental conditions, are the basis of homeostasis of an organism of human and other mammals. Violation of circadian rhythms due to significant disturbances in parameters of main environmental effectors (desynchronosis) leads to the development of pathological conditions and a more severe course of preexisting pathologies. We conducted the study of the ultrastructure of cells of mice transplantable malignant melanoma B16 under the condition of normal (fixed) lighting regime and under the influence of constant lighting. Results of the study show that melanoma B16 under fixed light regime represents a characteristic picture of this tumor-predominantly intact tissue with safe junctions of large, functionally active cells with highly irregular nuclei, developed organelles and a relatively low content of melanin. The picture of the B16 melanoma tissue structure and the ultrastructure of its cells under the action of constant lighting stand in marked contrast to the group with fixed light: under these conditions the tumor exhibits accelerated growth, a significant number of cells in the state of apoptosis and necrosis, ultrastructural signs of degradation of the structure and functions, and signs of embryonization of cells with the background of adaptation to oxygen deficiency.
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Vainshelbaum NM, Giuliani A, Salmina K, Pjanova D, Erenpreisa J. The Transcriptome and Proteome Networks of Malignant Tumours Reveal Atavistic Attractors of Polyploidy-Related Asexual Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314930. [PMID: 36499258 PMCID: PMC9736112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of gametogenesis-related (GG) genes and proteins, as well as whole genome duplications (WGD), are the hallmarks of cancer related to poor prognosis. Currently, it is not clear if these hallmarks are random processes associated only with genome instability or are programmatically linked. Our goal was to elucidate this via a thorough bioinformatics analysis of 1474 GG genes in the context of WGD. We examined their association in protein-protein interaction and coexpression networks, and their phylostratigraphic profiles from publicly available patient tumour data. The results show that GG genes are upregulated in most WGD-enriched somatic cancers at the transcriptome level and reveal robust GG gene expression at the protein level, as well as the ability to associate into correlation networks and enrich the reproductive modules. GG gene phylostratigraphy displayed in WGD+ cancers an attractor of early eukaryotic origin for DNA recombination and meiosis, and one relative to oocyte maturation and embryogenesis from early multicellular organisms. The upregulation of cancer-testis genes emerging with mammalian placentation was also associated with WGD. In general, the results suggest the role of polyploidy for soma-germ transition accessing latent cancer attractors in the human genome network, which appear as pre-formed along the whole Evolution of Life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninel M. Vainshelbaum
- Cancer Research Division, Latvian Biomedicine Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Biology, The University of Latvia, LV-1586 Riga, Latvia
- Correspondence: (N.M.V.); (J.E.)
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Environmen and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Kristine Salmina
- Cancer Research Division, Latvian Biomedicine Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Pjanova
- Cancer Research Division, Latvian Biomedicine Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jekaterina Erenpreisa
- Cancer Research Division, Latvian Biomedicine Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
- Correspondence: (N.M.V.); (J.E.)
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Mirzayans R, Murray D. What Are the Reasons for Continuing Failures in Cancer Therapy? Are Misleading/Inappropriate Preclinical Assays to Be Blamed? Might Some Modern Therapies Cause More Harm than Benefit? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13217. [PMID: 36362004 PMCID: PMC9655591 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 50 years of cancer research has resulted in the generation of massive amounts of information, but relatively little progress has been made in the treatment of patients with solid tumors, except for extending their survival for a few months at best. Here, we will briefly discuss some of the reasons for this failure, focusing on the limitations and sometimes misunderstanding of the clinical relevance of preclinical assays that are widely used to identify novel anticancer drugs and treatment strategies (e.g., "synthetic lethality"). These include colony formation, apoptosis (e.g., caspase-3 activation), immunoblotting, and high-content multiwell plate cell-based assays, as well as tumor growth studies in animal models. A major limitation is that such assays are rarely designed to recapitulate the tumor repopulating properties associated with therapy-induced cancer cell dormancy (durable proliferation arrest) reflecting, for example, premature senescence, polyploidy and/or multinucleation. Furthermore, pro-survival properties of apoptotic cancer cells through phoenix rising, failed apoptosis, and/or anastasis (return from the brink of death), as well as cancer immunoediting and the impact of therapeutic agents on interactions between cancer and immune cells are often overlooked in preclinical studies. A brief review of the history of cancer research makes one wonder if modern strategies for treating patients with solid tumors may sometimes cause more harm than benefit.
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Polyploidy and Myc Proto-Oncogenes Promote Stress Adaptation via Epigenetic Plasticity and Gene Regulatory Network Rewiring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179691. [PMID: 36077092 PMCID: PMC9456078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyploid cells demonstrate biological plasticity and stress adaptation in evolution; development; and pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The nature of ploidy-related advantages is still not completely understood. Here, we summarize the literature on molecular mechanisms underlying ploidy-related adaptive features. Polyploidy can regulate gene expression via chromatin opening, reawakening ancient evolutionary programs of embryonality. Chromatin opening switches on genes with bivalent chromatin domains that promote adaptation via rapid induction in response to signals of stress or morphogenesis. Therefore, stress-associated polyploidy can activate Myc proto-oncogenes, which further promote chromatin opening. Moreover, Myc proto-oncogenes can trigger polyploidization de novo and accelerate genome accumulation in already polyploid cells. As a result of these cooperative effects, polyploidy can increase the ability of cells to search for adaptive states of cellular programs through gene regulatory network rewiring. This ability is manifested in epigenetic plasticity associated with traits of stemness, unicellularity, flexible energy metabolism, and a complex system of DNA damage protection, combining primitive error-prone unicellular repair pathways, advanced error-free multicellular repair pathways, and DNA damage-buffering ability. These three features can be considered important components of the increased adaptability of polyploid cells. The evidence presented here contribute to the understanding of the nature of stress resistance associated with ploidy and may be useful in the development of new methods for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and oncological diseases.
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Kasperski A. Life Entrapped in a Network of Atavistic Attractors: How to Find a Rescue. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4017. [PMID: 35409376 PMCID: PMC8999494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In view of unified cell bioenergetics, cell bioenergetic problems related to cell overenergization can cause excessive disturbances in current cell fate and, as a result, lead to a change of cell-fate. At the onset of the problem, cell overenergization of multicellular organisms (especially overenergization of mitochondria) is solved inter alia by activation and then stimulation of the reversible Crabtree effect by cells. Unfortunately, this apparently good solution can also lead to a much bigger problem when, despite the activation of the Crabtree effect, cell overenergization persists for a long time. In such a case, cancer transformation, along with the Warburg effect, may occur to further reduce or stop the charging of mitochondria by high-energy molecules. Understanding the phenomena of cancer transformation and cancer development has become a real challenge for humanity. To date, many models have been developed to understand cancer-related mechanisms. Nowadays, combining all these models into one coherent universal model of cancer transformation and development can be considered a new challenge. In this light, the aim of this article is to present such a potentially universal model supported by a proposed new model of cellular functionality evolution. The methods of fighting cancer resulting from unified cell bioenergetics and the two presented models are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Kasperski
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Control of Bioprocesses, University of Zielona Góra, ul. Szafrana 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
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