Farnesoid X Receptor Activation Enhances Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Investigating the influence of taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) on pancreatic cancer cell behavior: An RNA sequencing approach

Pancreatic cancer (PC) poses a substantial global health challenge, ranking as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths due to its high mortality rate. Late-stage diagnoses are common due to the absence of specific symptoms. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for the majority of PC cases. Recent research has suggested a potential link between elevated serum levels of bile acids (BAs) and tumorigenesis of PDAC. This study aims to understand how taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), a secondary BA, influences PDAC using RNA sequencing techniques on the Capan-1 cell line. We identified 2,950 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) following TCDCA treatment, with 1,597 upregulated and 1,353 downregulated genes. These DEGs were associated with critical PDAC pathways, including coagulation, angiogenesis, cell migration, and signaling regulation. Furthermore, we reviewed relevant literature highlighting genes like DKK-1, KRT80, UPLA, and SerpinB2, known for their roles in PDAC tumorigenesis and metastasis. Our study sheds light on the complex relationship between BAs and PDAC, offering insights into potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Further research is needed to unravel these findings' precise mechanisms and clinical implications, potentially improving PDAC diagnosis and treatment.

Synergistic detoxification efficiency and mechanism of triclocarban degradation by a bacterial consortium in the liver-gut-microbiota axis of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Triclocarban (TCC), an emerging organic contaminant, poses a potential threat to human health with long-term exposure. Here, Rhodococcus rhodochrous BX2 and Pseudomonas sp. LY-1 were utilized to degrade TCC at environmental related concentrations for enhancing TCC biodegradation and investigating whether the toxicity of intermediate metabolites is lower than that of the parent compound. The results demonstrated that the bacterial consortium could degrade TCC by 82.0% within 7 days. The calculated 96 h LC50 for TCC, as well as its main degradation product 3,4-Dichloroaniline (DCA) were 0.134 mg/L and 1.318 mg/L respectively. Biodegradation also alleviated histopathological lesions induced by TCC in zebrafish liver and gut tissues. Liver transcriptome analysis revealed that biodegradation weakened differential expression of genes involved in disrupted immune regulation and lipid metabolism caused by TCC, verified through RT-qPCR analysis and measurement of related enzyme activities and protein contents. 16 S rRNA sequencing indicated that exposure to TCC led to gut microbial dysbiosis, which was efficiently improved through TCC biodegradation, resulting in decreased relative abundances of major pathogens. Overall, this study evaluated potential environmental risks associated with biodegradation of TCC and explored possible biodetoxification mechanisms, providing a theoretical foundation for efficient and harmless bioremediation of environmental pollutants.

The Role of Bile Acids in Pancreatic Cancer

Bile acids are well known to promote the digestion and absorption of fat, and at the same time, they play an important role in lipid and glucose metabolism. More studies have found that bile acids such as ursodeoxycholic acid also have anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects. Bile acids have been extensively studied in biliary and intestinal tumors but less in pancreatic cancer. Patients with pancreatic cancer, especially pancreatic head cancer, are often accompanied by biliary obstruction and elevated bile acids caused by tumors. Elevated total bile acid levels in pancreatic cancer patients usually have a poor prognosis. There has been controversy over whether elevated bile acids are harmful or beneficial to pancreatic cancer. Still, there is no doubt that bile acids are important for the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer. This article summarizes the research on bile acid as a biomarker and regulation of the occurrence, development and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer, hoping to provide some inspiration for future research.

Targeting Farnesoid X Receptor in Tumor and the Tumor Microenvironment: Implication for Therapy

The farnesoid-X receptor (FXR), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, can be activated by bile acids (BAs). BAs binding to FXR activates BA signaling which is important for maintaining BA homeostasis. FXR is differentially expressed in human organs and exists in immune cells. The dysregulation of FXR is associated with a wide range of diseases including metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, immune disorders, and malignant neoplasm. Recent studies have demonstrated that FXR influences tumor cell progression and development through regulating oncogenic and tumor-suppressive pathways, and, moreover, it affects the tumor microenvironment (TME) by modulating TME components. These characteristics provide a new perspective on the FXR-targeted therapeutic strategy in cancer. In this review, we have summarized the recent research data on the functions of FXR in solid tumors and its influence on the TME, and discussed the mechanisms underlying the distinct function of FXR in various types of tumors. Additionally, the impacts on the TME by other BA receptors such as takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2), and muscarinic receptors (CHRM2 and CHRM3), have been depicted. Finally, the effects of FXR agonists/antagonists in a combination therapy with PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors and other anti-cancer drugs have been addressed.

Identification of a bile acid and bile salt metabolism-related lncRNA signature for predicting prognosis and treatment response in hepatocellular carcinoma

Bile acids and salts have been shown to play a role in liver carcinogenesis through DNA damage, inflammation, and tumor proliferation. However, the correlation between bile acid metabolism and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to identify a predictive signature of bile acid and bile salt metabolism-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) for HCC prognosis and treatment response. The study used HCC RNA-sequencing data and corresponding clinical and prognostic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A prognostic model consisting of five bile acid and bile salt metabolism-related lncRNAs was developed and evaluated in a training set, a validation set and an external set. The model demonstrated good performance in predicting HCC prognosis and was shown to be an independent biomarker for prognosis. Additionally, our study revealed a significant association between the signature and immune cell infiltration, as well as its predictive value for therapeutic responses to both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Furthermore, three LncRNAs (LUCAT1, AL031985.3 and AC015908.3) expression levels in our signature were validated through qRT-PCR in a cohort of 50 pairs of HCC patient tumor samples and corresponding adjacent non-tumor samples, along with 10 samples of normal liver tissue adjacent to benign lesions. These findings suggest that this novel bile acid and bile salt metabolism-related lncRNA signature can independently predict the prognosis of patients with HCC and may be utilized as a potential predictor of response to treatment in this setting.

Harnessing Oleanolic Acid and Its Derivatives as Modulators of Metabolic Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors (NRs) constitute a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors with a paramount role in ubiquitous physiological functions such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Owing to their physiological role and druggability, NRs are deemed attractive and valid targets for medicinal chemists. Pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) represent one of the most important phytochemical classes present in higher plants, where oleanolic acid (OA) is the most studied PTs representative owing to its multitude of biological activities against cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and liver injury. PTs possess a lipophilic skeleton that imitates the NRs endogenous ligands. Herein, we report a literature overview on the modulation of metabolic NRs by OA and its semi-synthetic derivatives, highlighting their health benefits and potential therapeutic applications. Indeed, OA exhibited varying pharmacological effects on FXR, PPAR, LXR, RXR, PXR, and ROR in a tissue-specific manner. Owing to these NRs modulation, OA showed prominent hepatoprotective properties comparable to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in a bile duct ligation mice model and antiatherosclerosis effect as simvastatin in a model of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. It also demonstrated a great promise in alleviating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis, attenuated alpha-naphthol isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver injury, and controlled blood glucose levels, making it a key player in the therapy of metabolic diseases. We also compiled OA semi-synthetic derivatives and explored their synthetic pathways and pharmacological effects on NRs, showcasing their structure-activity relationship (SAR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review article to highlight OA activity in terms of NRs modulation.

ESS2 controls prostate cancer progression through recruitment of chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 1

Molecular targeted therapy using poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors has improved survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, this approach is only effective in patients with specific genetic mutations, and additional drug discovery targeting epigenetic modulators is required. Here, we evaluated the involvement of the transcriptional coregulator ESS2 in prostate cancer. ESS2-knockdown PC3 cells dramatically inhibited proliferation in tumor xenografts in nude mice. Microarray analysis revealed that ESS2 regulated mRNA levels of chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 1 (CHD1)-related genes and other cancer-related genes, such as PPAR-γ, WNT5A, and TGF-β, in prostate cancer. ESS2 knockdown reduced nuclear factor (NF)-κB/CHD1 recruitment and histone H3K36me3 levels on the promoters of target genes (TNF and CCL2). In addition, we found that the transcriptional activities of NF-κB, NFAT and SMAD2/3 were enhanced by ESS2. Tamoxifen-inducible Ess2-knockout mice showed delayed prostate development with hypoplasia and disruption of luminal cells in the ventral prostate. Overall, these findings identified ESS2 acts as a transcriptional coregulator in prostate cancer and ESS2 can be novel epigenetic therapeutic target for CRPC.

BRF2 is mediated by microRNA-409-3p and promotes invasion and metastasis of HCC through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Its invasiveness and ability to metastasize contributes to an extremely high patient mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the characteristics of HCC progression are not well understood. BRF2 has been shown to be an oncogene in a number of tumors; however, its role in HCC has not yet been thoroughly examined. In this study, we identified and validated BRF2 as an oncogene in HCC, providing a new insight into HCC pathogenesis and therapeutic possibilities. We showed that BRF2 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC cell lines and tissues, while BRF2 depletion suppressed HCC metastasis and invasion. We then examined the upstream regulation of BRF2 and identified miR-409-3p as being predicted to bind to the 3' UTR of BRF2. We used a luciferase activity assay and functional verification to show that BRF2 is downregulated by miR-409-3p. Finally, we used bioinformatic analysis to show that BRF2 may be related to early HCC development through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Deregulated bile acids may drive hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by inducing an immunosuppressive microenvironment

Bile acids (BAs) are physiological detergents that can not only promote the digestion and absorption of lipids, but also may be a potential carcinogen. The accumulation of BAs in the body can lead to cholestatic liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Recently, studies demonstrated that BAs are highly accumulated in metastatic lymph nodes, but not in normal healthy lymph nodes or primary tumors. Lymph node metastasis is second only to hematogenous metastasis in liver cancer metastasis, and the survival and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with lymph node metastasis are significantly worse than those without lymph node metastasis. Meanwhile, component of BAs was found to significantly enhance the invasive potential of HCC cells. However, it is still poorly understood how deregulated BAs fuel the metastasis process of liver cancer. The tumor microenvironment is a complex cellular ecosystem that evolves with and supports tumor cells during their malignant transformation and metastasis progression. Aberrant BAs metabolism were found to modulate tumor immune microenvironment by preventing natural killer T (NKT) cells recruitment and increasing M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization, thus facilitate tumor immune escape and HCC development. Based on these available evidence, we hypothesize that a combination of genetic and epigenetic factors in cancerous liver tissue inhibits the uptake and stimulates the synthesis of BAs by the liver, and excess BAs further promote liver carcinogenesis and HCC metastasis by inducing immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Bile acids as drivers and biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma

The prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly increasing, driven not least in part by the escalating prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Bile acid (BA) profiles are altered in patients with HCC and there is a developing body of evidence from in vitro human cellular models as well as rodent data suggesting that BA are able to modulate fundamental processes that impact on cellular phenotype predisposing to the development of HCC including senescence, proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Changes in BA profiles associated with HCC have the potential to be exploited clinically. Whilst excellent diagnostic and imaging tools are available, their use to screen populations with advanced liver disease at risk of HCC is limited by high cost and low availability. The mainstay for HCC screening among subjects with cirrhosis remains frequent interval ultrasound scanning. Importantly, currently available serum biomarkers add little to diagnostic accuracy. Here, we review the current literature on the use of BA measurements as predictors of HCC incidence in addition to their use as a potential screening method for the early detection of HCC. Whilst these approaches do show early promise, there are limitations including the relatively small cohort sizes, the lack of a standardized approach to BA measurement, and the use of inappropriate control comparator samples.

Hepatotoxicity caused by methylparaben in adult zebrafish

Parabens are a class of aquatic pollutants of emerging concern, among which methylparaben (MeP) causes severe pollution worldwide. However, aquatic toxicology of MeP remains largely unknown, which hinders ecological risk evaluation. In the present study, adult zebrafish were exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 10 μg/L) of MeP for 28 days, with objectives to reveal the hepatotoxicity based on transcriptional, biochemical, metabolomics, and histopathological evidences. The results showed that MeP subchronic exposure induced the occurrence of hepatocellular vacuolization in zebrafish. The most severe symptom was noted in 10 μg/L MeP-exposed female liver, which was characterized by rupture of cell membrane and small nuclei. In addition, MeP exposure disturbed the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity. Lipid metabolism dynamics across gut, blood, and liver system were significantly dysregulated after MeP exposure by altering the transcriptions of lipid nuclear receptors and concentrations of key metabolites. Metabolomic profiling of MeP-exposed liver identified differential metabolites mainly belonging to fatty acyls, steroids, and retinoids. In particular, hepatic concentration of cortisol was increased in male liver by MeP pollutant, implying the activation of stress response. Exposure to MeP also inhibited the synthesis and conjugation of primary bile acid (e.g., 7-ketolithocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholic acid) in female liver. Furthermore, degradation of biologically active molecules, including retinoic acid and estradiol, was enhanced in the liver by MeP. Overall, the present study highlights the hepatotoxicity caused by MeP pollutant even at environmentally realistic concentrations, which necessitates an urgent and accurate risk assessment.

Role and Mechanism of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Mediated by Inflammatory Stress-Induced TGF-β1 in Promoting Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis

Objective

To explore the role and mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by inflammatory stress-induced TGF-β1 in promoting arteriovenous fistula stenosis.

Methods

The inflammatory cells HK-2 were cultured by adding TGF-β1. The optimal stimulation time was determined after TGF-β1 was added. HK-2 cells were divided into two groups, DMEM/F12 medium was added to one group (the control group), and the other group was treated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) in serum-free DMEM/F12 medium to stimulate cell differentiation to mesenchymal.

Results

TGF-β1 was stably expressed after being transfected into EMT. The expression of TGF-β1 in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05) 7 days after transfection. Western blot showed that TGF-β1 protein expression was higher in the experimental group 7 days after transfection, and no TGF-β1 protein expression was detected in the control group. The smooth muscle cells showed α-SMA expression in the control group, but no cells with expression of SMA and CD31/vWF were found at the same time; α-SMA expression was shown in smooth muscle cells and proliferative myofibroblasts, but no cells with expressions of SMA and CD31/vWF were found at the same time. The observation group showed that the expression of α-SMA was detected in smooth muscle cells and proliferative myofibroblasts, CD31/vWF was also expressed in endothelial cells, and α-SMA and vWF were also observed in endothelial cells, but no CD31 expression was found.

Conclusion

The inflammatory stress-induced TGF-β1 could act on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promote the degree of arteriovenous fistula stenosis.

The role of bile acids in carcinogenesis

Bile acids are soluble derivatives of cholesterol produced in the liver that subsequently undergo bacterial transformation yielding a diverse array of metabolites. The bulk of bile acid synthesis takes place in the liver yielding primary bile acids; however, other tissues have also the capacity to generate bile acids (e.g. ovaries). Hepatic bile acids are then transported to bile and are subsequently released into the intestines. In the large intestine, a fraction of primary bile acids is converted to secondary bile acids by gut bacteria. The majority of the intestinal bile acids undergo reuptake and return to the liver. A small fraction of secondary and primary bile acids remains in the circulation and exert receptor-mediated and pure chemical effects (e.g. acidic bile in oesophageal cancer) on cancer cells. In this review, we assess how changes to bile acid biosynthesis, bile acid flux and local bile acid concentration modulate the behavior of different cancers. Here, we present in-depth the involvement of bile acids in oesophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic, colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian cancer. Previous studies often used bile acids in supraphysiological concentration, sometimes in concentrations 1000 times higher than the highest reported tissue or serum concentrations likely eliciting unspecific effects, a practice that we advocate against in this review. Furthermore, we show that, although bile acids were classically considered as pro-carcinogenic agents (e.g. oesophageal cancer), the dogma that switch, as lower concentrations of bile acids that correspond to their serum or tissue reference concentration possess anticancer activity in a subset of cancers. Differences in the response of cancers to bile acids lie in the differential expression of bile acid receptors between cancers (e.g. FXR vs. TGR5). UDCA, a bile acid that is sold as a generic medication against cholestasis or biliary surge, and its conjugates were identified with almost purely anticancer features suggesting a possibility for drug repurposing. Taken together, bile acids were considered as tumor inducers or tumor promoter molecules; nevertheless, in certain cancers, like breast cancer, bile acids in their reference concentrations may act as tumor suppressors suggesting a Janus-faced nature of bile acids in carcinogenesis.

A Non-Invasive Nomogram for Preoperative Prediction of Microvascular Invasion Risk in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a significant predictive factor for early recurrence, metastasis, and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the present study is to identify preoperative factors for predicting MVI, in addition to develop and validate non-invasive nomogram for predicting MVI.

Methods

A total of 381 patients with resected HCC were enrolled and divided into a training cohort (n = 267) and a validation cohort (n = 114). Serum VEGF-A level was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Risk factors for MVI were assessed based on univariate and multivariate analyses in the training cohort. A nomogram incorporating independent risk predictors was established and validated.

Result

The serum VEGF-A levels in the MVI positive group (n = 198) and MVI negative group (n = 183) were 215.25 ± 105.68 pg/ml and 86.52 ± 62.45 pg/ml, respectively (P <0.05). Serum VEGF-A concentration ≥138.30 pg/ml was an independent risk factor of MVI (OR: 33.088; 95%CI: 12.871–85.057; P <0.001). Higher serum concentrations of AFP and VEGF-A, lower lymphocyte count, peritumoral enhancement, irregular tumor shape, and intratumoral artery were identified as significant predictors for MVI. The nomogram indicated excellent predictive performance with an AUROC of 0.948 (95% CI: 0.923–0.973) and 0.881 (95% CI: 0.820–0.942) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The nomogram showed a good model fit and calibration.

Conclusions

Higher serum concentrations of AFP and VEGF-A, lower lymphocyte count, peritumoral enhancement, irregular tumor shape, and intratumoral artery are promising markers for MVI prediction in HCC. A reliable non-invasive nomogram which incorporated blood biomarkers and imaging risk factors was established and validated. The nomogram achieved desirable effectiveness in preoperatively predicting MVI in HCC patients.

How cancer cells remodel lipid metabolism: strategies targeting transcription factors

Reprogramming of lipid metabolism has received increasing recognition as a hallmark of cancer cells because lipid dysregulation and the alteration of related enzyme profiles are closely correlated with oncogenic signals and malignant phenotypes, such as metastasis and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we describe recent findings that support the importance of lipids, as well as the transcription factors involved in cancer lipid metabolism. With recent advances in transcription factor analysis, including computer-modeling techniques, transcription factors are emerging as central players in cancer biology. Considering the limited number and the crucial role of transcription factors associated with lipid rewiring in cancers, transcription factor targeting is a promising potential strategy for cancer therapy.

Targeting Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) for developing novel therapeutics against cancer

Cancer is one of the lethal diseases that arise due to the molecular alterations in the cell. One of those alterations associated with cancer corresponds to differential expression of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor regulating bile, cholesterol homeostasis, lipid, and glucose metabolism. FXR is known to regulate several diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the two highly reported causes of mortality globally. Recent studies have shown the association of FXR overexpression with cancer development and progression in different types of cancers of breast, lung, pancreas, and oesophagus. It has also been associated with tissue-specific and cell-specific roles in various cancers. It has been shown to modulate several cell-signalling pathways such as EGFR/ERK, NF-κB, p38/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and JAK/STAT along with their targets such as caspases, MMPs, cyclins; tumour suppressor proteins like p53, C/EBPβ, and p-Rb; various cytokines; EMT markers; and many more. Therefore, FXR has high potential as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of cancer. Thus, the present review focuses on the diverse role of FXR in different cancers and its agonists and antagonists.

Differential roles of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in modulating apoptosis in cancer cells

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. The conventional treatment strategies of cancer are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, in the advanced stage of the disease chemotherapy is the prime treatment and it is effective in only less than 10% of the patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find out novel therapeutic targets and delineate the mechanism of action of these targets for better management of this disease. Recent studies have shown that some of the proteins have differential role in different cancers. Therefore, it is pertinent that the targeting of these proteins should be based on the type of cancer. The nuclear receptor, FXR, is one of the vital proteins that regulate cell apoptosis. Besides, it also regulates other processes such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and migration. Studies suggest that the low or high expression of FXR is associated with the progression of carcinogenesis depending on the cancer types. Due to the diverse expression, it functions as both tumor suppressor and promoter. Previous studies suggest the overexpression of FXR in breast, lung, esophageal, and prostate cancer, which is related to poor survival and poor prognosis in patients. Therefore, targeting FXR with agonists and antagonists play different outcome in different cancers. Hence, this review describes the role of FXR in different cancers and the role of its inhibitors and activators for the prevention and treatment of various cancers.

The gut microbiome-bile acid axis in hepatocarcinogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with few effective therapeutic options. Bile acids (BAs) are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and can be modulated by farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and G-protein coupled BA receptor 1 (GPBAR1/TGR5). Alterations in BAs can affect hepatic metabolic homeostasis and contribute to the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Increasing evidence points to the key role of bacterial microbiota in the promotion and development of liver cancer. They are also involved in the regulation of BA synthesis and metabolism. The purpose of this review is to integrate related articles involving gut microbiota, BAs and HCC, and review how the gut microbiota-BA signaling axis can possibly influence the development of HCC.

Farnesoid X receptor activation induces antitumour activity in colorectal cancer by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signalling via transactivation of SOCS3 gene

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, encoded by NR1H4), a bile acid‐activated nuclear receptor, is widely implicated in human tumorigenesis. The FXR agonist obeticholic acid (OCA) has preliminarily displayed tumour suppressor potential. However, the anticancer effects of this agent on colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. In this study, the treatment of colon cancer cells with OCA inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, retarded tumour growth in vivo and prevented the G₀/G₁ to S phase transition. Moreover, the expression of active caspase‐3, p21 and E‐cadherin was up‐regulated and the expression of cyclin D1, c‐Myc, vimentin, N‐cadherin and MMP9 was down‐regulated in OCA‐treated colon cancer cells. Mechanistic studies indicated that OCA treatment suppressed the activity of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by up‐regulating SOCS3 expression. Colivelin, an agonist of JAK2/STAT3 pathway, antagonized the tumour‐suppressive effect of OCA on colon cancer cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter and quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (qChIP) assays further confirmed that OCA promoted SOCS3 transcription by enhancing the binding of FXR to the FXRE/IR9 of the SOCS3 promoter. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that targeting FXR and improving its function might be a promising strategy for CRC treatment.

Potential of guggulsterone, a farnesoid X receptor antagonist, in the prevention and treatment of cancer

Cancer is one of the most dreadful diseases in the world with a mortality of 9.6 million annually. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment during the last couple of decades, it still remains a serious concern due to the limitations associated with currently available cancer management strategies. Therefore, alternative strategies are highly required to overcome these glitches. The importance of medicinal plants as primary healthcare has been well-known from time immemorial against various human diseases, including cancer. Commiphora wightii that belongs to Burseraceae family is one such plant which has been used to cure various ailments in traditional systems of medicine. This plant has diverse pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antimutagenic, and antitumor which mostly owes to the presence of its active compound guggulsterone (GS) that exists in the form of Z- and E-isomers. Mounting evidence suggests that this compound has promising anticancer activities and was shown to suppress several cancer signaling pathways such as NF-κB/ERK/MAPK/AKT/STAT and modulate the expression of numerous signaling molecules such as the farnesoid X receptor, cyclin D1, survivin, caspases, HIF-1α, MMP-9, EMT proteins, tumor suppressor proteins, angiogenic proteins, and apoptotic proteins. The current review is an attempt to summarize the biological activities and diverse anticancer activities (both in vitro and in vivo) of the compound GS and its derivatives, along with its associated mechanism against various cancers.

Probiotic Modulation of Lipid Metabolism Disorders Caused by Perfluorobutanesulfonate Pollution in Zebrafish

To determine whether and how probiotic supplement can alter gut microbiota dysbiosis and lipid metabolism disorders caused by perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS), the present study exposed adult zebrafish to 0, 10, and 100 μg/L PFBS for 28 days, with or without dietary administration of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Regarding intestinal health and gut microbiota, probiotic supplement altered the innate toxicities of PFBS, depending on exposure concentration and the sex of the fish. Lactobacillus genus correlated positively (P < 0.001; r > 0.5) with other beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota, thereby indirectly regulating host metabolic activities. In female fish, the PFBS and probiotic combination enhanced fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation, but mitigated the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood compared with PFBS single exposure, highlighting the benefits of the probiotic to host health. In male zebrafish, probiotic administration antagonized the PFBS-induced disturbances of bile acid metabolism, presumably via farnesoid X receptor signaling. However, coexposure to PFBS and probiotic caused significant accumulation of triglyceride in male livers (2.6-fold relative to the control), implying the induction of hepatic steatosis. Overall, the present study underlined the potential of probiotics to modulate gut microbial dysbiosis and lipid metabolism disorders caused by PFBS exposure, which could provide implications to the application of probiotics in aquaculture.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in the context of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): recent advances in the pathogenic mechanisms

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. HCC is particularly aggressive and is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality. In recent decades, the epidemiological landscape of HCC has undergone significant changes. While chronic viral hepatitis and excessive alcohol consumption have long been identified as the main risk factors for HCC, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), paralleling the worldwide epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, has become a growing cause of HCC in the US and Europe. Here, we review the recent advances in epidemiological, genetic, epigenetic and pathogenic mechanisms as well as experimental mouse models that have improved the understanding of NASH progression toward HCC. We also discuss the clinical management of patients with NASH-related HCC and possible therapeutic approaches.

Molecular Targets in Hepatocarcinogenesis and Implications for Therapy

Hepatocarcinogenesis comprises of multiple, complex steps that occur after liver injury and usually involve several pathways, including telomere dysfunction, cell cycle, WNT/β-catenin signaling, oxidative stress and mitochondria dysfunction, autophagy, apoptosis, and AKT/mTOR signaling. Following liver injury, gene mutations, accumulation of oxidative stress, and local inflammation lead to cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and necrosis. The persistence of this vicious cycle in turn leads to further gene mutation and dysregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-18, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, resulting in immune escape by means of the NF-κB and inflammasome signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize studies focusing on the roles of hepatocarcinogenesis and the immune system in liver cancer. In addition, we furnish an overview of recent basic and clinical studies to provide a strong foundation to develop novel anti-carcinogenesis targets for further treatment interventions.