Discovery and Biological Evaluation of CD147 N-Glycan Inhibitors: A New Direction in the Treatment of Tumor Metastasis

Metabolic Function and Therapeutic Potential of CD147 for Hematological Malignancies: An Overview

Hematological malignancies refer to a heterogeneous group of neoplastic conditions of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissues classified in leukemias, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple myeloma, according to their presumed cell of origin, genetic abnormalities, and clinical features. Metabolic adaptation and immune escape, which influence various cellular functions, including the proliferation and survival of hematological malignant tumor cells, are major aspects of these malignancies that lead to therapeutic drug resistance. Targeting specific metabolic pathways is emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy in hematopoietic neoplasms, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma. In this context, CD147, also known as extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) or Basigin, is one target candidate involved in reprograming metabolism in different cancer cells, including hematological malignant tumor cells. CD147 overexpression significantly contributes to the metabolic transformation of these cancer cells, by mediating signaling pathway, growth, metastasis and metabolic reprogramming, through its interaction, direct or not, with various membrane proteins related to metabolic regulation, including monocarboxylate transporters, integrins, P-glycoprotein, and glucose transporter 1. This review explores the metabolic functions of CD147 and its impact on the tumor microenvironment, influencing the progression and neoplastic transformation of leukemias, myeloma, and lymphomas. Furthermore, we highlight new opportunities for the development of targeted therapies against CD147, potentially improving the treatment of hematologic malignancies.

Comparative assessment of different anti-CD147/Basigin 2 antibodies as a potential therapeutic anticancer target by molecular modeling and dynamic simulation

Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) is an attractive target for anticancer therapy since it is pivotal in developing and progressing several of malignant tumors in the context of its high expression levels. Although anti-CD147 antibodies by different laboratories are designed for the Ig-like domains of CD147, there is a demand to provide priority among these anti-CD147 antibodies for developing of therapeutic anti-CD147 antibody before experimental validations. This study uses molecular docking and dynamic simulation techniques to compare the binding modes and affinities of nine antibody models against the Ig-like domains of CD147. After obtaining the model antibodies by homology modeling via Robetta, we predicted the CDRs of nine antibodies and the epitopes of CD147 to reach more accurate results for antigen affinity in molecular docking. Next, from HADDOCK 2.4., we meticulously handpicked the most superior model clusters (Z-Score: - 2.5 to - 1.2) and identified that meplazumab had higher affinities according to the success rate as the percentage of a scoring scale. We achieved stable simulations of CD147-antibody interaction. Our outcomes hold hypothetical importance for further experimental cancer research on the design and development of the relevant model antibodies.

Glucose Promotes EMMPRIN/CD147 and the Secretion of Pro-Angiogenic Factors in a Co-Culture System of Endothelial Cells and Monocytes

Vascular complications in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients increase morbidity and mortality. In T2DM, angiogenesis is impaired and can be enhanced or reduced in different tissues ("angiogenic paradox"). The present study aimed to delineate differences between macrovascular and microvascular endothelial cells that might explain this paradox. In a monoculture system of human macrovascular (EaHy926) or microvascular (HMEC-1) endothelial cell lines and a monocytic cell line (U937), high glucose concentrations (25 mmole/L) increased the secretion of the pro-angiogenic factors CD147/EMMPRIN, VEGF, and MMP-9 from both endothelial cells, but not from monocytes. Co-cultures of EaHy926/HMEC-1 with U937 enhanced EMMPRIN and MMP-9 secretion, even in low glucose concentrations (5.5 mmole/L), while in high glucose HMEC-1 co-cultures enhanced all three factors. EMMPRIN mediated these effects, as the addition of anti-EMMPRIN antibody decreased VEGF and MMP-9 secretion, and inhibited the angiogenic potential assessed through the wound assay. Thus, the minor differences between the macrovascular and microvascular endothelial cells cannot explain the angiogenic paradox. Metformin, a widely used drug for the treatment of T2DM, inhibited EMMPRIN, VEGF, and MMP-9 secretion in high glucose concentration, and the AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin enhanced it. Thus, AMPK regulates EMMPRIN, a key factor in diabetic angiogenesis, suggesting that targeting EMMPRIN may help in the treatment of diabetic vascular complications.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Protein Post-translational Modifications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high incidence and cancer mortality worldwide. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins have a great impact on protein function. Almost all proteins can undergo PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, and so on. Many studies have shown that PTMs are related to the occurrence and development of cancers. The findings provide novel therapeutic targets for cancers, such as glypican-3 and mucin-1. Other clinical implications are also found in the studies of PTMs. Diagnostic or prognostic value, and response to therapy have been identified. In HCC, it has been shown that glycosylated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has a higher detection rate for early liver cancer than conventional AFP. In this review, we mainly focused on the diagnostic and prognostic value of PTM, in order to provide new insights into the clinical implication of PTM in HCC.

N-Glycosylation at Asn291 Stabilizes TIM-4 and Promotes the Metastasis of NSCLC

T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 4 (TIM-4) is a transmembrane protein that promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Most transmembrane proteins are modified by N-glycosylation and the importance of protein N-glycosylation in cancer cell metastasis has been well appreciated. However, whether TIM-4 is modified by N-glycosylation and the role of TIM-4 N-glycosylation in NSCLC remains largely unknown. In the current study, we reported that TIM-4 was extensively N-glycosylated at Asn291. After the removal of N-glycosylation, the stability of TIM-4 protein was decreased and TIM-4 was more susceptible to degradation by ER-localized ubiquitin ligase-mediated ERAD. Thus, the expression of TIM-4 on the cell surface was decreased, which suppressed TIM-4-mediated metastasis in NSCLC. In summary, the present study identifies TIM-4 N-glycosylation and its role in NSCLS migration, which would provide a valuable biomarker for developing drugs targeting N-glycosylation at Asn291 on TIM-4.

A sweet spot for macrophages: Focusing on polarization

Macrophages are a type of functionally plastic cells that can create a pro-/anti-inflammatory microenvironment for organs by producing different kinds of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors to regulate immunity and inflammatory responses. In addition, they can also be induced to adopt different phenotypes in response to extracellular and intracellular signals, a process defined as M1/M2 polarization. Growing evidence indicates that glycobiology is closely associated with this polarization process. In this research, we review studies of the roles of glycosylation, glucose metabolism, and key lectins in the regulation of macrophages function and polarization to provide a new perspective for immunotherapies for multiple diseases.