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Xin X, Cheng X, Zeng F, Xu Q, Hou L. The Role of TGF-β/SMAD Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: from Mechanism to Therapy and Prognosis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:1436-1451. [PMID: 38385079 PMCID: PMC10878151 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.89568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high incidence and mortality, accounting for approximately 90% of liver cancer. The development of HCC is a complex process involving the abnormal activation or inactivation of multiple signaling pathways. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling pathway regulates the development of HCC. TGF-β activates intracellular SMADs protein through membrane receptors, resulting in a series of biological cascades. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that TGF-β/SMAD signaling plays multiple regulatory functions in HCC. However, there is still controversy about the role of TGF-β/SMAD in HCC. Because it involves different pathogenic factors, disease stages, and cell microenvironment, as well as upstream and downstream relationships with other signaling pathways. This review will summary the regulatory mechanism of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in HCC, involving the regulation of different pathogenic factors, different disease stages, different cell populations, microenvironments, and the interaction with microRNAs. In addition, we also introduced small molecule inhibitors, therapeutic vaccines, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts based on targeting the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway, which will provide future research direction for HCC therapy targeting the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xin
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyu Cheng
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Fanxin Zeng
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, Sichuan province, China
| | - Qing Xu
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Hou
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
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Cessna H, Baritaki S, Zaravinos A, Bonavida B. The Role of RKIP in the Regulation of EMT in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194596. [PMID: 36230521 PMCID: PMC9559516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) expression in cancer cells is significantly reduced and promoting cancer cells growth and invasiveness. Overexpresssion of RKIP has been reported to mediate pleiotropic anti-cancer activities including the inhibition of survival signaling pathways, sensitization to cell death by cytotoxic drugs, inhibition of invasion, EMT and metastasis. The molecular mechanism by which RKIP inhibits EMT is not clear. In this review, we have examined how RKIP inhibits the selected EMT gene products (Snail, vimentin, N-cadherin, laminin alpha) and found that it involves signaling cross-talks between RKIP and each of the EMT gene products. These findings were validated by bioinformatic analyses demonstrating in various human cancers a negative correlation between the expression of RKIP and the expression of the EMT gene products. These findings suggest that targeting RKIP induction in cancer cells will result in multiple hits by inhibiting tumor growth, metastasis and reversal of chemo-immuno resistance. Abstract The Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) is a unique gene product that directly inhibits the Raf/Mek/Erk and NF-kB pathways in cancer cells and resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation, viability, EMT, and metastasis. Additionally, RKIP is involved in the regulation of cancer cell resistance to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The low expression of RKIP expression in many cancer types is responsible, in part, for the pathogenesis of cancer and its multiple properties. The inhibition of EMT and metastasis by RKIP led to its classification as a tumor suppressor. However, the mechanism by which RKIP mediates its inhibitory effects on EMT and metastases was not clear. We have proposed that one mechanism involves the negative regulation by RKIP of the expression of various gene products that mediate the mesenchymal phenotype as well as the positive regulation of gene products that mediate the epithelial phenotype via signaling cross talks between RKIP and each gene product. We examined several EMT mesenchymal gene products such as Snail, vimentin, N-cadherin, laminin and EPCAM and epithelial gene products such as E-cadherin and laminin. We have found that indeed these negative and positive correlations were detected in the signaling cross-talks. In addition, we have also examined bioinformatic data sets on different human cancers and the findings corroborated, in large part, the findings observed in the signaling cross-talks with few exceptions in some cancer types. The overall findings support the underlying mechanism by which the tumor suppressor RKIP regulates the expression of gene products involved in EMT and metastasis. Hence, the development of agent that can selectively induce RKIP expression in cancers with low expressions should result in the activation of the pleiotropic anti-cancer activities of RKIP and resulting in multiple effects including inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, EMT, metastasis and sensitization of resistant tumor cells to respond to both chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Cessna
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stavroula Baritaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), Cancer Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
| | - Benjamin Bonavida
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence:
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Chun KH. Molecular Targets and Signaling Pathways of microRNA-122 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071380. [PMID: 35890276 PMCID: PMC9316959 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading global causes of cancer mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small interfering RNAs that alleviate the levels of protein expression by suppressing translation, inducing mRNA cleavage, and promoting mRNA degradation. miR-122 is the most abundant miRNA in the liver and is responsible for several liver-specific functions, including metabolism, cellular growth and differentiation, and hepatitis virus replication. Recent studies have shown that aberrant regulation of miR-122 is a key factor contributing to the development of HCC. In this review, the signaling pathways and the molecular targets of miR-122 involved in the progression of HCC have been summarized, and the importance of miR-122 in therapy has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Hoon Chun
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
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Zhou K, Chang Y, Han B, Li R, Wei Y. MicroRNAs as crucial mediators in the pharmacological activities of triptolide (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:499. [PMID: 33791008 PMCID: PMC8005665 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Triptolide is the main bioactive constituent isolated from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., which possesses a variety of pharmacological properties. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. miRNAs are implicated in several intracellular processes, whereby their dysregulation contributes to pathogenesis of various diseases. Thus, miRNAs have great potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diseases, and are implicated in drug treatment. Previous studies have reported that specific miRNAs are targeted, and their expression levels can be altered following exposure to triptolide. Thus, miRNAs are emerging as crucial mediators in the pharmacological activities of triptolide. The present review summarizes current literature on miRNAs as target molecules in the pharmacological activities of triptolide, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, renal protective, cardioprotective, antiangiogenesis activities and multiorgan toxicity effects. In addition, the diverse signaling pathways involved are discussed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of triptolide in the regulation of target miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhou
- Shanxi Institute of Energy, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030600, P.R. China
| | - Yinxia Chang
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Bo Han
- College of Basic Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Rui Li
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Yanming Wei
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
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Kuang M, Wu H, Hu L, Guo X, He D, Liu B, Chen M, Gu J, Gu J, Zeng X, Ruan Y. Up-regulation of FUT8 inhibits TGF-β1-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrogenesis. Glycoconj J 2021; 38:77-87. [PMID: 33608773 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-021-09975-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a continuous wound healing response caused by chronic liver injury, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is considered as the main event for it. Core fucosylation catalyzed by FUT8 refers to adding the fucosyl moiety to the innermost GlcNAc residue of N-linked oligosaccharides and is involved in many biological processes such as cell differentiation, migration, and signaling transduction. Aberrant core fucosylation is associated with a variety of diseases including cardiovascular disease, tumors and neuroinflammation, but much less is understood in liver fibrosis. Herein, we reported FUT8 mRNA level was increased in patients with liver fibrosis from GEO database and positively correlated with fibrosis progression. FUT8 expression and the core fucosylation were also elevated in TAA-induced mouse liver fibrosis model, and were mainly distributed in the fibrous septum of mouse liver. TGF-β1, as the most pro-fibrogenic cytokine, could promote the expression of FUT8 and total core fucosylation levels in HSCs in vitro. However, up-regulation of FUT8 in turn inhibited TGF-β1-induced trans-differentiation, migration and pro-fibrogenic signaling pathways in HSCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that the up-regulation of FUT8 inhibits TGF-β1-induced HSC activation in a negative feedback loop, and provide potential new therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis by targeting FUT8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzhen Kuang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinying Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Daochuan He
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqian Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Gu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanyuan Ruan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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Di Gregorio J, Robuffo I, Spalletta S, Giambuzzi G, De Iuliis V, Toniato E, Martinotti S, Conti P, Flati V. The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition as a Possible Therapeutic Target in Fibrotic Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:607483. [PMID: 33409282 PMCID: PMC7779530 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.607483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a chronic and progressive disorder characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which leads to scarring and loss of function of the affected organ or tissue. Indeed, the fibrotic process affects a variety of organs and tissues, with specific molecular background. However, two common hallmarks are shared: the crucial role of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and the involvement of the inflammation process, that is essential for initiating the fibrotic degeneration. TGF-β in particular but also other cytokines regulate the most common molecular mechanism at the basis of fibrosis, the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). EMT has been extensively studied, but not yet fully explored as a possible therapeutic target for fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the crosstalk between fibrosis and EMT may represent an opportunity for the development of a broadly effective anti-fibrotic therapy. Here we report the evidences of the relationship between EMT and multi-organ fibrosis, and the possible therapeutic approaches that may be developed by exploiting this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Di Gregorio
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Iole Robuffo
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Section of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Sonia Spalletta
- Department of Clinical Pathology, E. Profili Hospital, Fabriano, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Giambuzzi
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Iuliis
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Elena Toniato
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Martinotti
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Pio Conti
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Flati
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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