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Wang G, Jiang X, Torabian P, Yang Z. Investigating autophagy and intricate cellular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: Emphasis on cell death mechanism crosstalk. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216744. [PMID: 38431037 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as a formidable global health challenge due to its prevalence, marked by high mortality and morbidity rates. This cancer type exhibits a multifaceted etiology, prominently linked to viral infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and genomic mutations. The inherent heterogeneity of HCC, coupled with its proclivity for developing drug resistance, presents formidable obstacles to effective therapeutic interventions. Autophagy, a fundamental catabolic process, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, responding to stressors such as nutrient deprivation. In the context of HCC, tumor cells exploit autophagy, either augmenting or impeding its activity, thereby influencing tumorigenesis. This comprehensive review underscores the dualistic role of autophagy in HCC, acting as both a pro-survival and pro-death mechanism, impacting the trajectory of tumorigenesis. The anti-carcinogenic potential of autophagy is evident in its ability to enhance apoptosis and ferroptosis in HCC cells. Pertinently, dysregulated autophagy fosters drug resistance in the carcinogenic context. Both genomic and epigenetic factors can regulate autophagy in HCC progression. Recognizing the paramount importance of autophagy in HCC progression, this review introduces pharmacological compounds capable of modulating autophagy-either inducing or inhibiting it, as promising avenues in HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Interventional, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China
| | - Xiaodi Jiang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110020, PR China
| | - Pedram Torabian
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China.
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Su P, Chen JG, Tang DH. Exercise against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Possible role and mechanism of lipophagy. Life Sci 2023; 327:121837. [PMID: 37301321 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121837] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is prevalent in about 30% of people worldwide. The lack of physical activity is considered as one of the risks for NAFLD, and approximately one-third of NAFLD patients hardly engage in physical activity. It is acknowledged that exercise is one of the optimal non-pharmacological methods for preventing and treating NAFLD. Different forms of exercise such as aerobic exercise, resistance exercise and even simply physical activity in a higher level can be beneficial in reducing liver lipid accumulation and disease progression for NAFLD patients. In NAFLD patients, exercise is helpful in lowering steatosis and enhancing liver function. The mechanisms underlying the prevention and treatment of NAFLD by exercise are various and complex. Current studies on the mechanisms have focused on the pro-lipolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant and lipophagy. Promotion of lipophagy is regarded as an important mechanism for prevention and improvement of NAFLD by exercise. Recent studies have investigated the above mechanism, yet the potential mechanism has not been completely elucidated. Thus, in this review, we cover the recent advances of exercise-promoted lipophagy in NAFLD treatment and prevention. Furthermore, given the fact that exercise activates SIRT1, we discuss the possible regulatory mechanisms of lipophagy by SIRT1 during exercise. These mechanisms need to be verified by further experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Su
- Department of College of P.E. and Sport, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian-Gang Chen
- Department of College of P.E. and Sport, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dong-Hui Tang
- Department of College of P.E. and Sport, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai St, Haidian District, Beijing 100875, People's Republic of China.
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Duan X, Xu W, Li H, Wang M, Wang W, Lu H, Zhang Y, Han X. Nrf2-siRNA Enhanced the Anti-Tumor Effects of As 2O 3 in 5-Fluorouracil-Resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting HIF-1α/HSP70 Signaling. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:1341-1352. [PMID: 36575732 PMCID: PMC9790171 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s388077] [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: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Chemoresistance is a major factor contributing to the failure of cancer treatment. The conventional chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been used for cancer treatment for decades. However, its use is limited in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to acquired resistance. Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) is known to be associated with drug resistance across a wide range of cancer types. Also, since arsenic trioxide (As2O3) showed antitumor effects on HCC, the purpose of this study was to determine whether As2O3 and Nrf2-siRNA could inhibit HCC synergistically. Methods We generated two separate 5-FU-resistant HCC cell lines (SNU-387/5-FU and Hep3B/5-FU). Western blotting was used to determine protein levels. An efficient lentiviral delivery system was used to establish stable knockdown or overexpression of Nrf2 and HIF-1α. In vitro and in vivo analyses of the effects of Nrf2 gene knockdown and As2O3 on 5-FU-resistant HCC cells were conducted. Results The expression of Nrf2 was higher in the 5-FU-resistant HCC cell lines than in the parental cell lines. When coupled with Nrf2 knockdown, As2O3 treatment significantly decreased 5-FU-resistant SNU-387 and Hep3B cell viability, migration, and invasion, inactivated HIF-1α/HSP70 signaling, inhibited anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) activity, and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) along with caspase-3. The synergistic effect was also confirmed using a 5-FU-resistant Hep3B mouse xenograft model in vivo. Conclusion Nrf2 knockdown could improve the effect of As2O3 on reversing drug resistance in 5-FU-resistant HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Duan
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenze Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Manzhou Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huibin Lu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yancang Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Yancang Zhang; Xinwei Han, Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jian She Road, People’s Republic of China, 450052, Tel +86-371-66278081, Email ;
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Li HY, Peng ZG. Targeting lipophagy as a potential therapeutic strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 197:114933. [PMID: 35093393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an increasingly serious disease worldwide. Unfortunately, no specific drug has been approved to treat NAFLD. Accumulating evidence suggests that lipotoxicity, which is induced by an excess of intracellular triacylglycerols (TAGs), is a potential mechanism underlying the ill-defined progression of NAFLD. Under physiological conditions, a balance is maintained between TAGs and free fatty acids (FFAs) in the liver. TAGs are catabolized to FFAs through neutral lipolysis and/or lipophagy, while FFAs can be anabolized to TAGs through an esterification reaction. However, in the livers of patients with NAFLD, lipophagy appears to fail. Reversing this abnormal state through several lipophagic molecules (mTORC1, AMPK, PLIN, etc.) facilitates NAFLD amelioration; therefore, restoring failed lipophagy may be a highly efficient therapeutic strategy for NAFLD. Here, we outline the lipophagy phases with the relevant important proteins and discuss the roles of lipophagy in the progression of NAFLD. Additionally, the potential candidate drugs with therapeutic value targeting these proteins are discussed to show novel strategies for future treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Ying Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zong-Gen Peng
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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Wang M, Zhan F, Cheng H, Li Q. Gambogenic Acid Inhibits Basal Autophagy of Drug-Resistant Hepatoma Cells and Improves Its Sensitivity to Adriamycin. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:63-70. [PMID: 34980780 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-00511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gambogenic acid (GNA) is extracted from plant Gamboge, has a wide range of anti-tumor effects. In this paper, we study the inhibitory effect of GNA on the BEL-7402/ADM of hepatoma resistant cell lines and further study the mechanism of action. Cell viability test represented that GNA could improve the sensitivity of hepatoma drug-resistant cell line BEL-7402/ADM to Adriamycin (ADM), and further study by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and flow cytometry found that GNA could improve the effect of ADM on promoting apoptosis in BEL-7402/ADM cells, and the activation of apoptosis-related protein was significantly increased, and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 was significantly increased. Monodansylcadaverine staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the basal autophagy level of BEL-7402/ADM cells was higher than that of BEL-7402 cells. Further detection of protein expression found that the intracellular LC3-II to LC3-I ratio and Beclin 1 protein expression increased in the combination of GNA and ADM, but the protein level of p62 increased significantly. GNA inhibit protective autophagy in BEL-7402/ADM cells and promote the role of ADM in inducing apoptosis, thereby increasing ADM sensitivity to BEL-7402/ADM cells, and the effect of GNA inhibition of autophagy may be achieved by inhibiting the degradation of autophagosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Fan Zhan
- Huaibei Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital
| | - Hui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R&D of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
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Peng K, Sun A, Zhu J, Gao J, Li Y, Shao G, Yang W, Lin Q. Restoration of the ATG5-dependent autophagy sensitizes DU145 prostate cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:638. [PMID: 34386060 PMCID: PMC8298997 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy serves an important role in cancer cell survival and drug resistance. In the present study, the prostate cancer DU145 cell line was used, which lacks autophagy related 5 (ATG5) expression and is defective in induction of ATG5-dependent autophagy. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the restoration of autophagy on cell proliferation and migration, and to assess the cytotoxicity caused by chemotherapeutic drugs, using microscopic, wound-healing, western blot and apoptotic assays. The restoration of the autophagic activity in DU145 cells by the overexpression of ATG5 enhanced the cell proliferation and migration rates. Notably, restoration of the ATG5-dependent autophagy in DU145 cells significantly increased the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs, docetaxel and valproic acid, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress inducers, brefeldin A, tunicamycin and thapsigargin. The present study provides a novel perspective on the role of ATG5-dependent autophagy in drug resistance and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Peng
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Aiqin Sun
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Jinyi Gao
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Yanlin Li
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Genbao Shao
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Wannian Yang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Qiong Lin
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
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Wang Q, Chang B, Li X, Zou Z. Role of ALDH2 in Hepatic Disorders: Gene Polymorphism and Disease Pathogenesis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:90-98. [PMID: 33604259 PMCID: PMC7868706 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2020.00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a key enzyme of alcohol metabolism and it is involved in the cellular mechanism of alcohol liver disease. ALDH2 gene mutations exist in about 8% of the world's population, with the incidence reaching 45% in East Asia. The mutations will result in impairment of enzyme activity and accumulation of acetaldehyde, facilitating the progression of other liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma, through adduct formation and inflammatory responses. In this review, we seek to summarize recent research progress on the correlation between ALDH2 gene polymorphism and multiple liver diseases, with an attempt to provide clues for better understanding of the disease mechanism and for strategy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Wang
- Peking University, 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Non-Infectious Liver Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Binxia Chang
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Non-Infectious Liver Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhengsheng Zou
- Peking University, 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing, China
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center for Non-Infectious Liver Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Correspondence to: Zhengsheng Zou, The Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Infectious Liver Disease, The General Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army No. 5 Medical Science Center, No. 100 Xisihuan Middle Road, Beijing 100039, China. E-mail:
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Yang W, Niu L, Zhao X, Duan L, Li Y, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhou W, Liu J, Zhao Q, Han Y, Fan D, Hong L. Development and validation of a survival model based on autophagy-associated genes for predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:6705-6722. [PMID: 33194067 PMCID: PMC7653605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the novel prognostic gene signature based on autophagy-associated genes (ARGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS The RNA sequencing data and clinical information of HCC and normal tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The differentially expressed ARGs were screened by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Cox regression analysis and Lasso regression analysis were performed to screen the ARGs and establish the prognostic prediction model. Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were both used to evaluate the accuracy of the model. GSE14520 dataset (testing cohort) was used to validate the prognostic risk model in TCGA. A clinical nomogram was established to predict the survival rate of HCC patients. RESULTS Totally 27 differentially expressed ARGs were identified. Three OS-related ARGs (SQSTM1, HSPB8, and BIRC5) were identified via the Cox regression and Lasso regression analyses. Based on these three ARGs, a prognostic prediction model was constructed. HCC patients with high risk score present poorer prognosis than those with low risk score both in TCGA cohort (P=4.478e-04) and testing cohort (P=1.274e-03). Moreover, the risk score curve shows a well feasibility in predicting the patients' survival both in TCGA and GEO cohort with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.756 and 0.672, respectively. Besides, the calibration curves and C-index indicated that the clinical nomogram performs well to predict survival rate in HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS The survival model based on the ARGs may be a promising tool to predict the prognosis in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Liaoran Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xinhui Zhao
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Xi’an No. 3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Northwest UniversityXi’an 710018, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Lili Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yiding Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaoqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jinqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qingchuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Otolaryngology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Daiming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Liu Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi’an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
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The Antihistamine Deptropine Induces Hepatoma Cell Death through Blocking Autophagosome-Lysosome Fusion. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061610. [PMID: 32570749 PMCID: PMC7352610 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Some antihistamines have exhibited significant antitumor activity alone or in combination with other therapies in in vitro and clinical studies. However, the underlying mechanisms of how antihistamines inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation are still unknown. We first screened the antiproliferation activity of 12 benzocycloheptene structural-analogue drugs, and results showed that deptropine was the most potent inhibitor of both Hep3B and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Deptropine significantly increased light chain 3B-II (LC3B-II) expression but did not induce sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) degradation in either cell line. Interestingly, other autophagy-related proteins, such as autophagy-related 7 (ATG7), vacuolar protein sorting 34 (VPS34), phosphorylated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt), exhibited no significant change in either deptropine-treated cell line. Deptropine also inhibited the processing of cathepsin L from its precursor form to its mature form. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed an increase of autophagosomes in deptropine-treated cells, but deptropine blocked the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. In a xenograft nude mice model, 2.5 mg/kg deptropine showed a great inhibitory effect on Hep3B tumor growth. These results suggest that deptropine can induce in vitro and in vivo hepatoma cell death, and the underlying mechanisms might be mediated through inhibiting autophagy by blocking autophagosome-lysosome fusion.
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