CHRNA5 Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Regulating YAP Activity

Nicotine-induced activation of cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 5 subunit mediates the malignant behaviours of laryngeal squamous epithelial cells by interacting with RABL6

Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco smoke, can bind to and activate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), thereby regulating various biological functions. However, the specific mechanisms through which nicotine mediates nAChRs to regulate the metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remain elusive. In this study, smoking status was found to be closely associated with metastasis in patients with LSCC. In addition, nicotine exposure potentiated the hematogenous and lymphatic metastatic capacity of LSCC cells. Nicotine activates membrane-bound CHRNA5, promoting cell migration and invasion, EMT and cell-ECM adhesion in LSCC. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the Ras superfamily protein RABL6 directly interacted with CHRNA5, which preferentially binds to the RABL6-39-279aa region, and this interaction was enhanced by nicotine. Nicotine-mediated activation of CHRNA5 enhanced its interaction with RABL6, triggering the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway and eventually augmenting the metastatic potential of LSCC cells. This study reveals a novel mechanism through which nicotine-mediated CHRNA5-RABL6 interaction promotes the metastasis of LSCC. The findings of this study may help to develop effective strategies for improving the outcome of patients with LSCC in clinical settings.

Alpha5 nicotine acetylcholine receptor subunit promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma metastasis

Neurotransmitter-initiated signaling pathway were reported to play an important role in regulating the malignant phenotype of tumor cells. Cancer cells could exhibit a "neural addiction" property and build up local nerve networks to achieve an enhanced neurotransmitter-initiated signaling through nerve growth factor-mediated axonogenesis. Targeting the dysregulated nervous systems might represent a novel strategy for cancer treatment. However, whether intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) could build its own nerve networks and the role of neurotransmitters in the progression ICC remains largely unknown. Immunofluorescence staining and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay suggested that ICC cells and the infiltrated nerves could generate a tumor microenvironment rich in acetylcholine that promotes ICC metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Acetylcholine promoted ICC metastasis through interacting with its receptor, alpha 5 nicotine acetylcholine receptor subunits (CHRNA5). Furthermore, acetylcholine/CHRNA5 axis activated GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway partially through the influx of Ca2+-mediated activation of Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CAMKII). In addition, acetylcholine signaling activation also expanded nerve infiltration through increasing the expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which formed a feedforward acetylcholine-BDNF axis to promote ICC progression. KN93, a small-molecule inhibitor of CAMKII, significantly inhibited the migration and enhanced the sensitivity to gemcitabine of ICC cells. Above all, Acetylcholine/CHRNA5 axis increased the expression of β-catenin to promote the metastasis and resistance to gemcitabine of ICC via CAMKII/GSK3β signaling, and the CAMKII inhibitor KN93 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for combating ICC metastasis.

Cisplatin-resistance induces lung squamous carcinoma cell growth by nicotine-mediated α7nAchR/HDAC1/Cyclin D1/pRb cell cycle activation

The majority of adenocarcinoma lung cancer is found in nonsmokers. A history of tobacco use is more common in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The aim of this study is to identify the cisplatin (CDDP)-resistance that promotes lung squamous carcinoma cell growth through nicotine-mediated HDAC1/7nAchR/E2F/pRb cell cycle activation. Squamous cell carcinoma (NCI-H520 and NCI-H157) cells were examined after cisplatin and nicotine treatment by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, cell migration assay, immunofluorescence staining, western blot analysis, and immunoprecipitation analysis. Consequently, CDDP is released from DNA and Rb phosphorylated pRb as a result of nicotine-induced cancer cell proliferation through 7nAchR, which then triggers the opening of the HDAC1 cell cycle. The cell cycle is stopped when CDDP adducts are present. Nicotine exerts cancer cytoprotective effects by allowing HDAC1 repair mechanisms to re-establish E2F promoting DNA stimulation cell cycle integrity in the cytosol and preventing potential CDDP and HDAC1 suppressed in the nuclear. Concentration expression of nicotine causes squamous carcinoma cell carcinogens to emerge from inflammation. COX2, NF-KB, and NOS2 increase as a result of nicotine-induced squamous carcinoma cell inflammation. Nicotine enhanced the cell growth-related proteins such as α7nAchR, EGFR, HDAC1, Cyclin D, Cyclin E, E2F, Rb, and pRb by western blot analysis. It also induced cancer cell inflammation and growth. As a result, we suggest that nicotine will increase the therapeutic resistance effects of CDDP. This has the potential to interact with nicotine through α7nAchR receptors and HDAC1/Cyclin D/E2F/pRb potentially resulting in CDDP therapy resistance, as well as cell cycle-induced cancer cell growth.

Machine learning reveals diverse cell death patterns in lung adenocarcinoma prognosis and therapy

Cancer cell growth, metastasis, and drug resistance pose significant challenges in the management of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, there is a deficiency in optimal predictive models capable of accurately forecasting patient prognoses and guiding the selection of targeted treatments. Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways play a pivotal role in the development and progression of various cancers, offering potential as prognostic indicators and drug sensitivity markers for LUAD patients. The development and validation of predictive models were conducted by integrating 13 PCD patterns with comprehensive analysis of bulk RNA, single-cell RNA transcriptomics, and pertinent clinicopathological details derived from TCGA-LUAD and six GEO datasets. Utilizing the machine learning algorithms, we identified ten critical differentially expressed genes associated with PCD in LUAD, namely CHEK2, KRT18, RRM2, GAPDH, MMP1, CHRNA5, TMPRSS4, ITGB4, CD79A, and CTLA4. Subsequently, we conducted a programmed cell death index (PCDI) based on these genes across the aforementioned cohorts and integrated this index with relevant clinical features to develop several prognostic nomograms. Furthermore, we observed a significant correlation between the PCDI and immune features in LUAD, including immune cell infiltration and the expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Additionally, we found that patients with a high PCDI score may exhibit resistance to immunotherapy and standard adjuvant chemotherapy regimens; however, they may benefit from other FDA-supported drugs such as docetaxel and dasatinib. In conclusion, the PCDI holds potential as a prognostic signature and can facilitate personalized treatment for LUAD patients.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor CHRNA5 is overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with a recent tobacco smoking history

Tobacco smoking is a major driver of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) occurrence, and previous studies have shed light on the precise molecular alterations in tobacco-related HNSCCs when compared to HNSCCs associated with other risk factors (ex: human papillomavirus/HPV status). In this study, we analyzed the gene expression differences in HNSCC cases with a recent smoking history and revealed that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor CHRNA5 is differentially overexpressed in smoking-related HNSCCs. CHRNA5 overexpression in these HNSCCs corresponds with a worse prognosis and is inversely correlated with an immune expression signature commonly associated with better prognosis. From these results, our study highlights the potential role of the nicotine-activated CHRNA5 receptor in HNSCC progression and corresponds with other recent reports highlighting the potential role of nicotine induction in promoting cancer progression.

Contribution of the α5 nAChR Subunit and α5SNP to Nicotine-Induced Proliferation and Migration of Human Cancer Cells

Nicotine in tobacco is known to induce tumor-promoting effects and cause chemotherapy resistance through the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Many studies have associated the α5 nicotinic receptor subunit (α5), and a specific polymorphism in this subunit, with (i) nicotine administration, (ii) nicotine dependence, and (iii) lung cancer. The α5 gene CHRNA5 mRNA is upregulated in several types of cancer, including lung, prostate, colorectal, and stomach cancer, and cancer severity is correlated with smoking. In this study, we investigate the contribution of α5 in the nicotine-induced cancer hallmark functions proliferation and migration, in breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. Nine human cell lines from different origins were used to determine nAChR subunit expression levels. Then, selected breast (MCF7), colon (SW480), and prostate (DU145) cancer cell lines were used to investigate the nicotine-induced effects mediated by α5. Using pharmacological and siRNA-based experiments, we show that α5 is essential for nicotine-induced proliferation and migration. Additionally, upon downregulation of α5, nicotine-promoted expression of EMT markers and immune regulatory proteins was impaired. Moreover, the α5 polymorphism D398N (α5SNP) caused a basal increase in proliferation and migration in the DU145 cell line, and the effect was mediated through G-protein signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that nicotine-induced cancer cell proliferation and migration are mediated via α5, adding to the characterization of α5 as a putative therapeutical target.

Novel Anticancer Strategies II

Owing to the exceptional complexity of the development and progression of cancer, diverse cancer types are alarmingly increasing worldwide [...].

Smoking-mediated nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) for predicting outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Background

As a human tumor disease, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with a high mortality rate worldwide. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are transmembrane receptor proteins and exert their biological effects following activation by nicotine. We aimed to construct a prognostic signature based on the expression of nAChRs among smokers with HNSCC.

Methods

The transcriptome profile of nAChRs was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Following the integration of survival information, univariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses were performed to screen the prognosis-related nAChRs and construct a prognostic signature. Kaplan–Meier (KM), receiver operating characteristic (ROC), principal component analysis (PCA), and independent prognostic analysis were utilized to verify the predictive power of the nAChR-associated prognostic signature. The expression of α5 nAChR in clinical samples was verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.

Results

Subunits α2, α5, α9, and β4 were related to the prognosis. The prognostic signature comprised the expression of subunits α5, α9, and β4. The nAChR-associated signature showed high sensitivity and specificity for prognostic prediction and was an independent factor for overall survival. Based on the clinical variables and expression of nAChRs, a nomogram was constructed for predicting the outcomes of HNSCC patients who were smokers in the clinical settings. In clinical specimens, α5 nAChR showed high expression in HNSCC tissues, especially among smokers.

Conclusions

The nAChR-associated signature constructed in this study may provide a better system for the classification of HNSCC patients and facilitate personalized treatment according to their smoking habits.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10161-x.

CCDC88A Post-Transcriptionally Regulates VEGF via miR-101 and Subsequently Regulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

miR-101 is one of the most abundantly expressed microRNA (miRNA) and exerst a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting to 3' -untranslated region (UTR) of Girders of actin filaments (CCDC88A) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of CCDC88A on malignancies and stemness by regulating VEGF via miR-101 in HCC.

Methods

Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was employed to analyze the relevance of CCDC88A expression with prognosis in HCC. Tissue slides were performed to confirm the protein level of CCDC88A in HCC. Correlation between CCDC88A and VEGF was transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally detected, followed by evaluation of malignancies.

Results

By employing Immunohistochemistry, we found CCDC88A protein was upregulated in HCC tissues, which is closely correlated to poor prognosis and survival rate. Employment of GEPIA revealed the positive correlation between CCDC88A and VEGF in HCC, but not in liver tissue. Silencing of CCDC88A in Huh-7 and SK-HEP-1 cells significantly decreased proliferation, cell cycle phases, migration, invasion, colony formation, and tumor formation. Introduction of miR-101 mimics specifically targeting CCDC88A and VEGF decreased protein levels of both CCDC88A and VEGFA. Notably, inhibition of miR-101 reversed the correlation between CCDC88A and VEGFA protein levels, indicating that CCDC88A and VEGF may exert as a miR-101 sponge. The addition of SKLB1002, a VEGFR2 inhibitor inhibited malignant behaviors, which was further inhibited by the introduction of miR-101 mimics, indicating that CCDC88A regulates malignant behaviors partially via regulating VEGF. Moreover, CCDC88A also promotes the stemness of cancer stem-like cells derived from HCC cells depending on VEGF modification.

Conclusion

Taken together, our findings suggested that the miR-101/CCDC88A/VEGF axis could be a potential therapeutic target of HCC treatment.