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Barace S, Santamaría E, Infante S, Arcelus S, De La Fuente J, Goñi E, Tamayo I, Ochoa I, Sogbe M, Sangro B, Hernaez M, Avila MA, Argemi J. Application of Graph Models to the Identification of Transcriptomic Oncometabolic Pathways in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomolecules 2024; 14:653. [PMID: 38927057 PMCID: PMC11201933 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060653] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Whole-tissue transcriptomic analyses have been helpful to characterize molecular subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Metabolic subtypes of human HCC have been defined, yet whether these different metabolic classes are clinically relevant or derive in actionable cancer vulnerabilities is still an unanswered question. Publicly available gene sets or gene signatures have been used to infer functional changes through gene set enrichment methods. However, metabolism-related gene signatures are poorly co-expressed when applied to a biological context. Here, we apply a simple method to infer highly consistent signatures using graph-based statistics. Using the Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular cohort (LIHC), we describe the main metabolic clusters and their relationship with commonly used molecular classes, and with the presence of TP53 or CTNNB1 driver mutations. We find similar results in our validation cohort, the LIRI-JP cohort. We describe how previously described metabolic subtypes could not have therapeutic relevance due to their overall downregulation when compared to non-tumoral liver, and identify N-glycan, mevalonate and sphingolipid biosynthetic pathways as the hallmark of the oncogenic shift of the use of acetyl-coenzyme A in HCC metabolism. Finally, using DepMap data, we demonstrate metabolic vulnerabilities in HCC cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Barace
- DNA and RNA Medicine Division, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (E.S.); (S.I.); (S.A.)
| | - Eva Santamaría
- DNA and RNA Medicine Division, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (E.S.); (S.I.); (S.A.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-EHD), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain (M.A.A.)
| | - Stefany Infante
- DNA and RNA Medicine Division, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (E.S.); (S.I.); (S.A.)
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad de Piura, Lima 15074, Peru
| | - Sara Arcelus
- DNA and RNA Medicine Division, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (E.S.); (S.I.); (S.A.)
| | - Jesus De La Fuente
- Bioinformatics Platform, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain (M.H.)
| | - Enrique Goñi
- Bioinformatics Platform, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain (M.H.)
| | - Ibon Tamayo
- Bioinformatics Platform, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain (M.H.)
| | - Idoia Ochoa
- Tecnun School of Engineering (TECNUN), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Miguel Sogbe
- Liver Unit, Tecnun School of Engineering (TECNUN), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-EHD), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain (M.A.A.)
- Liver Unit, Tecnun School of Engineering (TECNUN), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdisNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mikel Hernaez
- Bioinformatics Platform, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain (M.H.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdisNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matias A. Avila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-EHD), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain (M.A.A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdisNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Solid Tumor Program, Hepatology Laboratory, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, C. de Irunlarrea, 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josepmaria Argemi
- DNA and RNA Medicine Division, Applied Medical Research Center (CIMA), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (E.S.); (S.I.); (S.A.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBER-EHD), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain (M.A.A.)
- Liver Unit, Tecnun School of Engineering (TECNUN), University of Navarre, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdisNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Division of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
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Nojima H, Shimizu H, Murakami T, Shuto K, Koda K. Critical Roles of the Sphingolipid Metabolic Pathway in Liver Regeneration, Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:850. [PMID: 38473211 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The sphingolipid metabolic pathway, an important signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in various physiological processes including cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, and immune regulation. The liver has the unique ability to regenerate using bioactive lipid mediators involving multiple sphingolipids, including ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Dysregulation of the balance between sphingomyelin, ceramide, and S1P has been implicated in the regulation of liver regeneration and diseases, including liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Understanding and modulating this balance may have therapeutic implications for tumor proliferation, progression, and metastasis in HCC. For cancer therapy, several inhibitors and activators of sphingolipid signaling, including ABC294640, SKI-II, and FTY720, have been discussed. Here, we elucidate the critical roles of the sphingolipid pathway in the regulation of liver regeneration, fibrosis, and HCC. Regulation of sphingolipids and their corresponding enzymes may considerably influence new insights into therapies for various liver disorders and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Nojima
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, 3426-3, Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0011, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shimizu
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, 3426-3, Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0011, Japan
| | - Takashi Murakami
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, 3426-3, Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0011, Japan
| | - Kiyohiko Shuto
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, 3426-3, Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0011, Japan
| | - Keiji Koda
- Department of Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, 3426-3, Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0011, Japan
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Chen X, Liu G, Wu B. Analysis and experimental validation of the innate immune gene PSMD1 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma and pan-cancer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21164. [PMID: 37928041 PMCID: PMC10623288 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This work intends to examine the diagnostic, prognostic, and biological roles of PSMD1 (proteasome 26S subunit, non-ATPase 1) in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and other malignancies, using bioinformatics techniques. PSMD1 is an innate immune gene that has been identified as a biomarker for several cancers. By analyzing TCGA data, we determined that PSMD1 has excellent diagnostic and prognostic value in LIHC. We also examined its correlation with stage-matching clinical features, particularly T staging and stage staging. Independent prognostic analysis, nomogram, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) analysis confirmed the predictive ability of PSMD1 on patient clinical outcomes. Our focus was on exploring the biological process, immune infiltration, and genetic variation in which PSMD1 is involved in LIHC. We found a close relationship between PSMD1 and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as various immune cell infiltration, immune function, and immune checkpoints. Furthermore, our results suggested that liver cancer patients with low PSMD1 expression were more actively responsive to immunotherapy according to TIDE predictions. Additionally, we observed significant differences in patient survival based on the different immune molecular types of tumors and their correlation with PSMD1 expression. The close relationship between PSMD1 and copy number variation (CNV), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and methylation was also confirmed, showing a significant impact on patient survival. Moreover, the pan-cancer analysis revealed that PSMD1 is closely related to the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers, as well as immune infiltration across different cancer types. In summary, PSMD1 has the potential to be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for LIHC and other types of cancers. It is closely associated with indicators such as immune infiltration, CNV, TMB, and methylation. The identification of PSMD1 may offer a potential intervention target for LIHC and various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, China
- Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, China
| | - Guihai Liu
- Clinical Drug Experiment Center, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, China
| | - Buqiang Wu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi 046000, China
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Huwiler A. Topical Collection: New Insights on Sphingolipids in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119528. [PMID: 37298478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The last two decades have boosted research on sphingolipids as bioactive and signaling molecules [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Huwiler
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Inselspital, INO-F, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Hartel JC, Merz N, Grösch S. How sphingolipids affect T cells in the resolution of inflammation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1002915. [PMID: 36176439 PMCID: PMC9513432 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1002915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of proper resolution of inflammation rather than counteracting it, gained a lot of attention in the past few years. Re-assembly of tissue and cell homeostasis as well as establishment of adaptive immunity after inflammatory processes are the key events of resolution. Neutrophiles and macrophages are well described as promotors of resolution, but the role of T cells is poorly reviewed. It is also broadly known that sphingolipids and their imbalance influence membrane fluidity and cell signalling pathways resulting in inflammation associated diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), atherosclerosis or diabetes. In this review we highlight the role of sphingolipids in T cells in the context of resolution of inflammation to create an insight into new possible therapeutical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Christina Hartel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt. Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Life Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nadine Merz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt. Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt. Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sabine Grösch,
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TM6SF2/PNPLA3/MBOAT7 Loss-of-Function Genetic Variants Impact on NAFLD Development and Progression Both in Patients and in In Vitro Models. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:759-788. [PMID: 34823063 PMCID: PMC8783129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The I148M Patatin-like Phospholipase Domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3), the rs641738 in the Membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 7-transmembrane channel-like 4 (MBOAT7-TMC4) locus, and the E167K Transmembrane 6 Superfamily Member 2 (TM6SF2) polymorphisms represent the main predisposing factors to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development and progression. We previously generated a full knockout of MBOAT7 in HepG2 cells (MBOAT7-/-), homozygous for I148M PNPLA3. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the synergic impact of the 3 at-risk variants on liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a large cohort of NAFLD patients, and create in vitro models of genetic NAFLD by silencing TM6SF2 in both HepG2 and MBOAT7-/- cells. METHODS NAFLD patients (n = 1380), of whom 121 had HCC, were stratified with a semiquantitative score ranging from 0 to 3 according to the number of PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 at-risk variants. TM6SF2 was silenced in HepG2 (TM6SF2-/-) and MBOAT7-/- (MBOAT7-/-TM6SF2-/-) through Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9). RESULTS In NAFLD patients, the additive weight of these mutations was associated with liver disease severity and an increased risk of developing HCC. In HepG2 cells, TM6SF2 silencing altered lipid composition and induced the accumulation of microvesicular lipid droplets (LDs), whereas the MBOAT7-/-TM6SF2-/- cells showed a mixed microvesicular/macrovesicular pattern of LDs. TM6SF2 deletion strongly affected endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria ultrastructures, thus increasing endoplasmic reticulum/oxidative stress. The mitochondrial number was increased in both TM6SF2-/- and MBOAT7-/-TM6SF2-/- models, suggesting an unbalancing in mitochondrial dynamics, and the silencing of both MBOAT7 and TM6SF2 impaired mitochondrial activity with a shift toward anaerobic glycolysis. MBOAT7-/-TM6SF2-/- cells also showed the highest proliferation rate. Finally, the re-overexpression of MBOAT7 and/or TM6SF2 reversed the metabolic and tumorigenic features observed in the compound knockout model. CONCLUSIONS The co-presence of the 3 at-risk variants impacts the NAFLD course in both patients and experimental models, affecting LD accumulation, mitochondrial functionality, and metabolic reprogramming toward HCC.
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Companioni O, Mir C, Garcia-Mayea Y, LLeonart ME. Targeting Sphingolipids for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:745092. [PMID: 34737957 PMCID: PMC8560795 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.745092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are an extensive class of lipids with different functions in the cell, ranging from proliferation to cell death. Sphingolipids are modified in multiple cancers and are responsible for tumor proliferation, progression, and metastasis. Several inhibitors or activators of sphingolipid signaling, such as fenretinide, safingol, ABC294640, ceramide nanoliposomes (CNLs), SKI-II, α-galactosylceramide, fingolimod, and sonepcizumab, have been described. The objective of this review was to analyze the results from preclinical and clinical trials of these drugs for the treatment of cancer. Sphingolipid-targeting drugs have been tested alone or in combination with chemotherapy, exhibiting antitumor activity alone and in synergism with chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. As a consequence of treatments, the most frequent mechanism of cell death is apoptosis, followed by autophagy. Aslthough all these drugs have produced good results in preclinical studies of multiple cancers, the outcomes of clinical trials have not been similar. The most effective drugs are fenretinide and α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). In contrast, minor adverse effects restricted to a few subjects and hepatic toxicity have been observed in clinical trials of ABC294640 and safingol, respectively. In the case of CNLs, SKI-II, fingolimod and sonepcizumab there are some limitations and absence of enough clinical studies to demonstrate a benefit. The effectiveness or lack of a major therapeutic effect of sphingolipid modulation by some drugs as a cancer therapy and other aspects related to their mechanism of action are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmel Companioni
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mir
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yoelsis Garcia-Mayea
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matilde E LLeonart
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Center in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
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