The Significance of MMP-1 in EGFR-TKI-Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma: Potential for Therapeutic Targeting

Progesterone receptor-Grb2 interaction is associated with better outcomes in breast cancer

In addition to mediating nuclear transcription, PR mediates extranuclear functions mainly through the PR polyproline domain (PPD) interaction with the SH3 domain of cytoplasmic signaling molecules. PR-PPD-SH3 interaction inhibits EGF-mediated signaling and decreases lung cancer cell proliferation. Grb2 is an essential adaptor molecule with an SH2 domain flanked by two SH3 domains. In this study, we examined whether PR, through interaction between PR-PPD and Grb2-SH3, can interact with Grb2 in cells and breast cancer tissues. Our previous study shows that interaction between PR-PPD and Grb2 could interfere with cytoplasmic signaling and lead to inhibition of EGF-mediated signaling. GST-pulldown analysis shows that PR-PPD specifically interacts with the SH3 domains of Grb2. Immunofluorescence staining shows colocalization of PR and Grb2 in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in BT-474 breast cancer cells. Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) analysis, we show that PR and Grb2 interact in breast cancer cells through the Grb2-SH3 domain. Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) analysis of 43 breast cancer specimens shows that PR-Grb2 interaction is associated with low histological stage and negatively correlates with lymph node invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. These results, together with our previous findings, suggest that PR-PPD interaction with Grb2 plays an essential role in PR-mediated growth factor signaling inhibition and could contribute significantly to better prognosis in PR- and Grb2-positive breast cancer. Our finding provides a basis for additional studies to explore a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Matrix metalloproteinase‑1 and microRNA‑486‑5p in urinary exosomes can be used to detect early lung cancer: A preliminary report

The present study describes a novel molecular-genetic method suitable for lung cancer (LC) screening in the work-place and at community health centers. Using urinary-isolated exosomes from 35 patients with LC and 40 healthy volunteers, the expression ratio of MMP-1/CD63, and the relative expression levels of both microRNA (miRNA)-21 and miRNA-486-5p were measured. MMP-1/CD63 expression ratio was significantly higher in patients with LC than in the healthy controls {1.342 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.890-1.974] vs. 0.600 (0.490-0.900); P<0.0001}. The relative expression of miRNA-486-5p in male healthy controls was significantly different from that in female healthy controls, whereas there was no significant difference in miRNA-21. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of MMP-1/CD63 showed 92.5% sensitivity and 54.3% specificity, whereas miRNA-486-5p showed 85% sensitivity and 70.8% specificity for men, and 70.0% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity for women. The logistic regression model used to evaluate the association of LC with the combination of MMP-1/CD63 and miRNA-486-5p revealed that the area under the ROC curve was 0.954 (95% CI: 0.908-1.000), and the model had 89% sensitivity and 88% specificity after adjusting for age, sex and smoking status. These data suggested that the combined analysis of MMP-1/CD63 and miRNA-486-5p in urinary exosomes may be used to detect patients with early-stage LC in the work-place and at community health centers, although confirmational studies are warranted.

The multifaceted roles of matrix metalloproteinases in lung cancer

Background

Though the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are widely investigated in lung cancer (LC), however, almost no review systematically clarify their multi-faced roles in LC.

Methods

We investigated the expression of MMPs and their effects on survival of patients with LC, the resistance mechanisms of MMPs in anti-tumor therapy, the regulatory networks of MMPs involved, the function of MMPs inducing CSCLs, MMPs-related tumor immunity, and effects of MMP polymorphisms on risk of LC.

Results

High expression of MMPs was mainly related to poor survival, high clinical stages and cancer metastasis. Role of MMPs in LC are multi-faced. MMPs are involved in drug resistance, induced CSCLs, participated in tumor immunity. Besides, MMPs polymorphisms may increase risk of LC.

Conclusions

MMPs might be promising targets to restore the anti-tumor immune response and enhance the killing function of nature immune cells in LC.

Identification and vitro verification of the potential drug targets of active ingredients of Chonglou in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma based on EMT-related genes

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the main histological type of lung cancer with an unfavorable survival rate. Metastasis is the leading LUAD-related death with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) playing an essential role. The anticancer efficacies of the active ingredients in Chonglou have been widely reported in various cancers. However, the potential therapeutic targets of the Chonglou active ingredients in LUAD patients remain unknown. Here, the network pharmacology and bioinformatics were performed to analyze the associations of the clinical characteristics, immune infiltration factors and m⁶A-related genes with the EMT-related genes associated with LUAD (EMT-LUAD related genes), and the molecular docking, STRING, GO, and KEGG enrichment for the drug targets of Chonglou active ingredients associated with EMT (EMT-LUAD-Chonglou related genes). And, cell viability analysis and cell invasion and infiltration analysis were used to confirm the theoretical basis of this study. A total of 166 EMT-LUAD related genes were identified and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model with a favorable predictive accuracy was constructed. Meanwhile, the immune cell infiltration, immune cell subsets, checkpoint inhibitors and the expression of m⁶A-related genes were significantly associated with the risk scores for EMT-LUAD related genes with independent significant prognostic value of all included LUAD patients. Furthermore, 12 EMT-LUAD-Chonglou related genes with five core drug targets were identified, which participated in LUAD development through extracellular matrix disassembly, collagen metabolic process, collagen catabolic process, extracellular matrix organization, extracellular structure organization and inflammatory response. Moreover, we found that the active ingredients of Chonglou could indeed inhibit the progression of lung adenocarcinoma cells. These results are oriented towards EMT-related genes to achieve a better understanding of the role of Chonglou and its targets in osteosarcoma development and metastasis, thus guiding future preclinical studies and facilitating clinical translation of LUAD treatment.

Identification of Hub Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and NSCLC Progression:Evidence From Bioinformatics Analysis

Background: Lung cancer is the most common comorbidity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Thus there is an urgent need for the research of IPF and carcinogenesis

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore hub genes which are common in pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer progression through bioinformatic analysis.

Methods: All the analysis was performed in R software. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were explored by comparing gene expression profiles between IPF tissues and healthy lung tissues from GSE24206, GSE53845, GSE101286 and GSE110147 datasets. Venn Diagram analysis was used to identify the overlapping genes, while GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were used to explore the biological functions of the DEGs using clusterprofiler package. Hub genes were identified by analyzing protein-protein interaction networks using Cytoscape software. Nomogram was constructed using the rms package. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) analysis was used to quantify the immunotherapy and chemotherapy sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Results:COL1A1, COL3A1, MMP1, POSTN1 and TIMP3 were identified as the top five hub genes. The five hub genes were used to construct a diagnostic nomogram that was validated in another IPF dataset. Since the hub genes were also associated with lung cancer progression, we found that the nomogram also had diagnostic value in NSCLC patients. These five genes achieved a statistically difference of overall survival in NSCLC patients (p < 0.05). The expression of the five hub genes was mostly enriched in fibroblasts. Fibroblasts and the hub genes also showed significant ability to predict the susceptibility of NSCLC patients to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Conclusion: We identified five hub genes as potential biomarkers of IPF and NSCLC progression. This finding may give insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of IPF and lung cancer progression and provides potential targets for developing new therapeutic agents for IPF patients.

Cell-penetrating peptides containing the progesterone receptor polyproline domain inhibits EGF signaling and cell proliferation in lung cancer cells

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority (80-85%) of all lung cancers. All current available treatments have limited efficacy. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a critical role in the development and progression of NSCLC, with high EGFR expression associated with increased cell proliferation and poor prognosis. Thus, interfering with EGFR signaling has been shown to effectively reduce cell proliferation and help in the treatment of NSCLC. We previously demonstrated that the progesterone receptor (PR) contains a polyproline domain (PPD) that directly interacts with Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-containing molecules and expression of PR-PPD peptides inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated whether the introduction of PR-PPD by cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) could inhibit EGF-induced cell proliferation in NSCLC cells. PR-PPD was attached to a cancer-specific CPP, Buforin2 (BR2), to help deliver the PR-PPD into NSCLC cells. Interestingly, addition of BR2-2xPPD peptides containing two PR-PPD repeats was more effective in inhibiting NSCLC proliferation and significantly reduced EGF-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2. BR2-2xPPD treatment induced cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK2 genes in EGFR-wild type A549 cells. Furthermore, the combination treatment of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including Gefitinib or Erlotinib, with BR2-2xPPD peptides further suppressed the growth of NSCLC PC9 cells harboring EGFR mutations as compared to EGFR-TKIs treatment alone. Importantly, BR2-2xPPD peptides mediated growth inhibition in acquired Gefitinib- and Erlotinib- resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells. Our data suggests that PR-PPD is the minimal protein domain sufficient to inhibit NSCLC cell growth and has the potential to be developed as a novel NSCLC therapeutic agent.

Bioinformatics approach to identify common gene signatures of patients with coronavirus 2019 and lung adenocarcinoma

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues as a global pandemic. Patients with lung cancer infected with COVID-19 may develop severe disease or die. Treating such patients severely burdens overwhelmed healthcare systems. Here, we identified potential pathological mechanisms shared between patients with COVID-19 and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Co-expressed, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with COVID-19 and LUAD were identified and used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and to perform enrichment analysis. We used the NetworkAnalyst platform to establish a co-regulatory of the co-expressed DEGs, and we used Spearman's correlation to evaluate the significance of associations of hub genes with immune infiltration and immune checkpoints. Analysis of three datasets identified 112 shared DEGs, which were used to construct a protein-PPI network. Subsequent enrichment analysis revealed co-expressed genes related to biological process (BP), molecular function (MF), and cellular component (CC) as well as to pathways, specific organs, cells, and diseases. Ten co-expressed hub genes were employed to construct a gene-miRNA, transcription factor (TF)-gene, and TF-miRNA network. Hub genes were significantly associated with immune infiltration and immune checkpoints. Finally, methylation level of hub genes in LUAD was obtained via UALCAN database. The present multi-dimensional study reveals commonality in specific gene expression by patients with COVID-19 and LUAD. These findings provide insights into developing strategies for optimising the management and treatment of patients with LUAD with COVID-19.

Lipofection of Single Guide RNA Targeting MMP8 Decreases Proliferation and Migration in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Background and Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been implicated as major determinants of tumour growth and metastasis, which are considered two of the main hallmarks of cancer. The interaction of MMP8 and other signalling molecules within and adjacent tumoral tissues, including immune cells, are rather elusive, particularly of adenocarcinoma cell type. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of MMP8 in non-small cell lung cancer proliferation and invasiveness potential. Materials and Methods: We individually lipofected with two different single guide RNA (sgRNAs) that specifically targeted on MMP8, with CRISPR-Cas 9 protein into the cells. Results: Our results clearly indicated that the lipofection of these complexes could lead to reduced ability of A549 cells to survive and proliferate to form colonies. In addition, when compared to non-transfected cells, the experimental cell groups receiving sgRNAs demonstrated relatively decreased migration rate, hence, wider wound gaps in scratch assay. The quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) demonstrated significant reduction in the MAP-K, survivin and PI3-K gene expression. MMP8 might have protective roles over tumour growth and spread in our body. Conclusions: The delivery of sgRNAs targeting on the MMP8 gene could induce tumour cell death and arrest cell migratory activity.

Inhibitors of gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) for the management of hematological malignancies

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are collectively known as gelatinases whereas MMP-2 is gelatinase-A and MMP-9 is termed as gelatinase-B. Gelatinases and other matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have long been associated with solid tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. However, there is paucity of data available regarding the role of gelatinases in hematological malignancies. Recent studies have shown that gelatinases activities or functions are correlated with hematological malignancies. Strategies for designing more specific gelatinase inhibitors like catalytic (CAT) domain inhibitors and hemopexin (PEX) domain inhibitors as well as signaling pathway based or gelatinase expression inhibitors had been reported against hematologic malignant cells. Several substrate based non-selective to non-substrate based relatively selective synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) had been developed. Few MMPIs had reached in clinical trials during the period of 1990s-2000s. Unfortunately the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic efficacies of these MMPIs were not justified with patients having several advanced stage solid tumor cancers in any substantial number of clinical trials. Till date not a single MMPI passed phase III clinical trials designed for advanced metastatic cancers due to adverse events as well as lack of ability to show uniformity in disease prolongation. With the best of our knowledge no clinical trial study has been reported with small molecule synthetic inhibitors against hematological malignancies. This review looks at the outcome of clinical trials of MMPIs for advanced stage solid tumors. This can therefore, act as a learning experience for future development of successful gelatinase inhibitors for the management of hematological malignancies.

Lung development, repair and cancer: A study on the role of MMP20 gene in adenocarcinoma

Multiple matrix metalloproteinases have significant roles in tissue organization during lung development, and repair. Imbalance of proteinases may lead to chronic inflammation, changes in tissue structure, and are also highly associated to cancer development. The role of MMP20 is not well studied in lung organogenesis, however, it was previously shown to be present at high level in lung adenocarcinoma. The current study aimed to identify the functional properties of MMP20 on cell proliferation and motility in a lung adenocarcinoma in vitro cell model, and relate the interaction of MMP20 with other molecular signalling pathways in the lung cells after gaining tumoral properties. In this study, two different single guide RNA (sgRNAs) that specifically targeted on MMP20 sites were transfected into human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by using CRISPR-Cas method. Following that, the changes of PI3-K, survivin, and MAP-K mRNA gene expression were determined by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The occurrence of cell death was also examined by Acridine Orange/Propidium Iodide double staining. Meanwhile, the motility of the transfected cells was evaluated by wound healing assay. All the data were compared with non-transfected cells as a control group. Our results demonstrated that the transfection of the individual sgRNAs significantly disrupted the proliferation of the A549 cell line through suppression in the gene expression of PI3-K, survivin, and MAP-K. When compared to non-transfected cells, both experimental cell groups showed reduction in the migration rate, as reflected by the wider gaps in the wound healing assay. The current study provided preliminary evidence that MMP20 could have regulatory role on stemness and proliferative genes in the lung tissues and affect the cell motility. It also supports the notion that targeting MMP20 could be a potential treatment mode for halting cancer progression.

CTNNB1 S37C mutation causing cells proliferation and migration coupled with molecular mechanisms in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

This study aimed to investigate the potential cytological effects and molecular mechanisms of β-catenin (CTNNB1) S37C mutation in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

CTNNB1 with S37C mutation were transfected into LUAD cell lines. The expression of β-catenin were determined using Western blot. Cell proliferation and migration were detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on LUAD cells with CTNNB1 S37C mutation (CTNNB1 mutation group) and LUAD cells without treatment (Control group), followed by the screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed for the DEGs. Finally, the expression of key DEGs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

CTNNB1 with S37C mutation was successful expressed in 2 cell lines. Cells proliferation and migration were significantly promoted in mutation group in comparison with that of Control group (P<0.05). A total of 180 DEGs were revealed between Control and CTNNB1 mutation groups. These DEGs were mainly enriched in extracellular matrix function and nicotine addiction pathway. PPI network contained 51 DEGs and 45 interactions. PTPRD, GNG7 and CNTN1 were hub genes in PPI network with higher degree. CGB5 interacted with PTPRU, while IGFBP3 showed interaction with MMP1. Results of qRT-PCR confirmed the expression of several key DEGs in transcriptome analysis.

Conclusions

CTNNB1 S37C mutation contributed the LUAD cells proliferation and migration. PTPRD, IGFBP-3, MMP1 and PTPRU might play roles in the effect of CTNNB1 S37C mutation in LUAD.

Glioblastoma Cell Resistance to EGFR and MET Inhibition Can Be Overcome via Blockade of FGFR-SPRY2 Bypass Signaling

SPRY2 is a purported tumor suppressor in certain cancers that promotes tumor growth and resistance to receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in glioblastoma. Here, we identify a SPRY2-dependent bypass signaling mechanism in glioblastoma that drives resistance to EGFR and MET inhibition. In glioblastoma cells treated with EGFR and MET inhibitors, SPRY2 expression is initially suppressed but eventually rebounds due to NF-κB pathway activation, resultant autocrine FGFR activation, and reactivation of ERK, which controls SPRY2 transcription. In cells where FGFR autocrine signaling does not occur and ERK does not reactivate, or in which ERK reactivates but SPRY2 cannot be expressed, EGFR and MET inhibitors are more effective at promoting death. The same mechanism also drives acquired resistance to EGFR and MET inhibition. Furthermore, tumor xenografts expressing an ERK-dependent bioluminescent reporter engineered for these studies reveal that this bypass resistance mechanism plays out in vivo but can be overcome through simultaneous FGFR inhibition.

Anlotinib suppresses metastasis and multidrug resistance via dual blockade of MET/ABCB1 in colorectal carcinoma cells

Anlotinib, a highly selective multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has therapeutic effects on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, the anti-tumor activity and molecular mechanism of anlotinib in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) was explored. The anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis, anti-proliferative, and anti-multidrug resistance efficacy of anlotinib were analyzed by using in vitro and in vivo models of human CRC cells. The results indicated that anlotinib boosted chemo-sensitivity of CRC cells, and restrained its proliferation. Besides the suppression of the MET signaling pathway, anlotinib also inhibited invasion and migration of CRC cells. Furthermore, anlotinib prevented VEGF-induced angiogenesis, N-cadherin (CDH2)-induced cell migration, and reversed ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) -mediated CRC multidrug resistance in CRC. The CRC liver metastasis and subcutaneously implanted xenograft model testified that anlotinib could inhibit proliferation and liver metastasis in CRC cells. Such an observation suggested that a combination of anlotinib with anti-cancer drugs could attenuate angiogenesis, metastasis, proliferative, and multidrug resistance, which constitutes a novel treatment strategy for CRC patients with metastasis.

miR-202-3p negatively regulates MMP-1 to inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the common cancers. Studies show that MMP-1 is involved in tumor progression, yet relevant regulatory mechanism in LUAD remains to be further elucidated. Here, we demonstrated from bioinformatics analysis for GEO data that MMP-1 was differentially up-regulated in LUAD. miR-202-3p, identified as the upstream regulator of MMP-1 by both bioinformatics and dual-luciferase assays, was differentially down-regulated in LUAD and presented a negative correlation with MMP-1. Following cell biological experiments proved that knocking down the expression of MMP-1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD cells, while overexpressed miR-202-3p posed a similar suppressive effect on cancer progression. Additionally, rescue assay further identified that overexpression of MMP-1 attenuated the suppressive effect of up-regulated miR-202-3p on malignant progression of LUAD cells. In all, this research suggests a mechanism by which MMP-1 under the regulation of miR-202-3p modulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD cells, which may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Lamin B1 Overexpresses in Lung Adenocarcinoma and Promotes Proliferation in Lung Cancer Cells via AKT Pathway

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the biological effect and molecular mechanism of Lamin B1(LMNB1) in lung cancer cells and its significance for the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD) patients.

METHODS

In this study, Bioinformatics was performed to analyze the expression at mRNA level and prognosis effect of LMNB1 in LUAD from TCGA dataset. The immunohistochemistry(IHC) assay was conducted to analyzed the expression of LMNB1 at the protein level in LUAD tissues. The correlation between the expression of LMNB1 and the clinical factors in patients with LUAD was analyzed. Next, LMNB1 transfected into LUAD cell lines (A549 and PC-9) which was proved by Western blot. CCK8 assay, cloning formation assay, and xenograft assay were conducted to explore the effect and mechanism of LMNB1 on the proliferation of LUAD cell lines in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The results of the present study demonstrated that LMNB1 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and related to tumor stage. High LMNB1 expression was related with more advanced clinicopathological factors such as low degree of differentiation (P=0.02), large tumor size (P<0.01), lymph node metastasis (P<0.01) and higher tumor stage (P<0.01). After knocking down LMNB1, the cell growth rate (P<0.01) and the number of colonies (P<0.01) were significantly reduced, and the level of the proliferating marker Ki67 (P<0.01) was significantly decreased. At the same time, in vivo experiments showed that the tumor volume and tumor of the mice were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Moreover, we found that knockdown LMNB1 can inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells by inhibiting AKT phosphorylation by Western blot.

CONCLUSION

In summary, LMNB1 play an of vital roles in the growth of LUAD cells, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of LUAD patients.

Knockdown of MMP‑1 inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/c‑myc signaling pathway and EMT

The present study aimed to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the development of colorectal cancer and reveal the mechanism underlying this progression. Bioinformatics methods and a public dataset were first used to analyze MMP-1 gene expression in a public dataset. MMP-1 expression in colorectal cancer patients was assessed by immunohistochemistry; its association with clinicopathological parameters and its significance for prognosis were analyzed. Then proliferation, scratch and Transwell assays and a xenograft model were used to assess the change in malignant behavior in cells transfected with an MMP-1 shRNA. Changes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the Akt signaling pathway were detected by western blotting. According to the results, MMP-1 expression was higher in colorectal cancer tissues than it was in matched adjacent noncancerous tissues, and its high expression was significantly related to lymphatic metastasis as well as TNM stage (P<0.05). Downregulation of MMP-1 expression inhibited the progression of colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, after the cells were stably transfected with MMP-1 shRNA, the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin and Twist1 decreased while that of E-cadherin increased. The expression of p-Akt and c-Myc also decreased. In conclusion, MMP-1 may promote malignant behavior in colorectal cancer via EMT and the Akt signaling pathway.

The Role of MMP8 in Cancer: A Systematic Review

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have traditionally been considered as tumor promoting enzymes as they degrade extracellular matrix components, thus increasing the invasion of cancer cells. It has become evident, however, that MMPs can also cleave and alter the function of various non-matrix bioactive molecules, leading to both tumor promoting and suppressive effects. We applied systematic review guidelines to study MMP8 in cancer including the use of MMP8 as a prognostic factor or as a target/anti-target in cancer treatment, and its molecular mechanisms. A total of 171 articles met the inclusion criteria. The collective evidence reveals that in breast, skin and oral tongue cancer, MMP8 inhibits cancer cell invasion and proliferation, and protects patients from metastasis via cleavage of non-structural substrates. Conversely, in liver and gastric cancers, high levels of MMP8 worsen the prognosis. Expression and genetic alterations of MMP8 can be used as a prognostic factor by examination of the tumor and serum/plasma. We conclude, that MMP8 has differing effects on cancers depending on their tissue of origin. The use of MMP8 as a prognostic factor alone, or with other factors, seems to have potential. The molecular mechanisms of MMP8 in cancer further emphasize its role as an important regulator of bioactive molecules.

Amyloid precursor protein and its phosphorylated form in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a well-known to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease and harbors several phosphorylation sites in its cytoplasmic domain. APP has been also proposed as one of the molecules involved in cell proliferation and invasion in several human malignancies. However, the roles of APP including its phosphorylated form (p-APP) have remained largely unexplored in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Therefore, in this study, we first examined both APP and p-APP expressions and then explored the association between p-APP/APP status and clicopathological parameters in NSCLC. The number of APP-positive cases was 24/91 (26%) in adenocarcinomas (Ad) and 16/35 (46%) in squamous cell carcinomas (Sq), respectively. p-APP-positive cases in Ad and Sq were 28 (31%) and 17 (49%), respectively. In Ad cases, both APP and p-APP were significantly associated with clinical stages (APP and p-APP), pathologic T (p-APP), and pathologic N (APP and p-APP) of the cases examined. In Sq cases, there were no significant associations between APP status and any of the clinicopathological parameters examined with an exception of the significant correlation of p-APP with lymphatic invasion. APP status was not significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of Ad patients but a significant association was detected between p-APP-positive cases and OS of these patients (p < 0.0001). In Sq cases, both APP- (p = 0.01) and p-APP-positive (p = 0.04) groups were also significantly associated with adverse clinical outcome. These results did firstly demonstrate that APP, in particular, p-APP, is considered a potent prognostic factor for both Ad and Sq lung carcinoma patients. However, APP signaling including its phosphorylation signal are considered different between these two types of NSCC cells and further investigations are required for clarification.

Investigation of lipid metabolism dysregulation and the effects on immune microenvironments in pan-cancer using multiple omics data

Background

Lipid metabolism reprogramming is a hallmark for tumor which contributes to tumorigenesis and progression, but the commonality and difference of lipid metabolism among pan-cancer is not fully investigated. Increasing evidences suggest that the alterations in tumor metabolism, including metabolite abundance and accumulation of metabolic products, lead to local immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. An integrated analysis of lipid metabolism in cancers from different tissues using multiple omics data may provide novel insight into the understanding of tumorigenesis and progression.

Results

Through systematic analysis of the multiple omics data from TCGA, we found that the most-widely altered lipid metabolism pathways in pan-cancer are fatty acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism and PPAR signaling. Gene expression profiles of fatty acid metabolism show commonalities across pan-cancer, while the alteration in cholesterol metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism differ with tissue origin, suggesting tissue specific lipid metabolism features in different tumor types. An integrated analysis of gene expression, DNA methylation and mutations revealed factors that regulate gene expression, including the differentially methylated sites and mutations of the lipid genes, as well as mutation and differential expression of the up-stream transcription factors for the lipid metabolism pathways. Correlation analysis of the proportion of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the expression of lipid metabolism genes revealed immune-related differentially expressed lipid metabolic genes, indicating the potential crosstalk between lipid metabolism and immune response. Genes related to lipid metabolism and immune response that are associated with poor prognosis were discovered including HMGCS2, GPX2 and CD36, which may provide clues for tumor biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Conclusions

Our study provides an integrated analysis of lipid metabolism in pan-cancer, highlights the perturbation of key metabolism processes in tumorigenesis and clarificates the regulation mechanism of abnormal lipid metabolism and effects of lipid metabolism on tumor immune microenvironment. This study also provides new clues for biomarkers or therapeutic targets of lipid metabolism in tumors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12859-019-2734-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Relaxin 2/RXFP1 Signaling Induces Cell Invasion via the β-Catenin Pathway in Endometrial Cancer

Relaxin is known to play an important role in animal pregnancies, including those of humans. It is suggested that relaxin induces aggressive cell growth and invasiveness in several types of cancer, including endometrial cancer. However, the mechanisms of relaxin remain largely unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of relaxin 2 (RLN2), the major circulating relaxin in humans, on human endometrial carcinoma cell lines. RLN2 treatment induced invasion in HEC-1B and Ishikawa cells. RLN2-induced cell invasion was significantly decreased by transfection of relaxin receptor 1 (RXFP1) siRNAs. The β-catenin inhibitor, XAV939, also significantly inhibited the RLN2-induced cell invasions. Both a decrease of cadherin expression and an increase of β-catenin phosphorylation were observed in response to the RLN2 treatment in HEC-1B and Ishikawa cells. We then examined RLN2 and RXFP1 expression in 80 human endometrioid endometrial carcinoma tissues. RLN2 immunoreactivity was detected in the human endometrial carcinoma cells and had a correlative tendency with histological grade and RXFP1. These results suggest that adherens junctions in cancer cells are weakened by the breakdown of the cadherin/catenin complex, which is induced by β-catenin phosphorylation via RLN2/RXFP1 signaling.