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Tang Y, Guo C, Yang Z, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang D. Identification of a Tumor Immunological Phenotype-Related Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis, Immunotherapy Efficacy, and Drug Candidates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:862527. [PMID: 35493471 PMCID: PMC9039265 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.862527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant subtype of primary liver cancer and represents a highly heterogeneous disease, making it hard to predict the prognosis and therapy efficacy. Here, we established a novel tumor immunological phenotype-related gene index (TIPRGPI) consisting of 11 genes by Univariate Cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm to predict HCC prognosis and immunotherapy response. TIPRGPI was validated in multiple datasets and exhibited outstanding performance in predicting the overall survival of HCC. Multivariate analysis verified it as an independent predictor and a TIPRGPI-integrated nomogram was constructed to provide a quantitative tool for clinical practice. Distinct mutation profiles, hallmark pathways, and infiltration of immune cells in tumor microenvironment were shown between the TIPRGPI high and low-risk groups. Notably, significant differences in tumor immunogenicity and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) were observed between the two risk groups, suggesting a better response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy of the low-risk group. Besides, six potential drugs binding to the core target of the TIPRGPI signature were predicted via molecular docking. Taken together, our study shows that the proposed TIPRGPI was a reliable signature to predict the risk classification, immunotherapy response, and drugs candidate with potential application in the clinical decision and treatment of HCC. The novel “TIP genes”-guided strategy for predicting the survival and immunotherapy efficacy, we reported here, might be also applied to more cancers other than HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengbin Guo
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yumei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongqiang Zhang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Targeting Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling in HPV-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030378. [PMID: 35337176 PMCID: PMC8955953 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030378] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/Beta-Catenin signaling is involved in the carcinogenesis of different solid malignant tumors. The interaction of Creb-binding protein (CBP) with Beta-Catenin is a pivotal component of the Wnt/Beta-Catenin signaling pathway. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the association of CBP expression with survival in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Second, the in vitro effects of the inhibition of CBP/Beta-Catenin interaction were analyzed. In particular, the effects of ICG-001, an inhibitor of CBP/Beta-Catenin interaction, on proliferation, cell death, modulation of Wnt/Beta-Catenin target expression, and cell migration were examined in vitro. High CBP expression is significantly associated with better survival on mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, we observed cytotoxic as well as anti-migratory effects of ICG-001. These effects were particularly more potent in the HPV-positive than in the -negative cell line. Mechanistically, ICG-001 treatment induced apoptosis and led to a downregulation of CBP, c-MYC, and Cyclin D1 in HPV-positive cells, indicating inhibition of Wnt/Beta-Catenin signaling. In conclusion, high CBP expression is observed in HPV-positive HNSCC patients with a good prognosis, and ICG-001 showed a promising antineoplastic potential, particularly in HPV-positive HNSCC cells. Therefore, ICG-001 may potentially become an essential component of treatment de-escalation regimens for HPV-positive HNSCC. Further studies are warranted for additional assessment of the mechanistic background of our in vitro findings.
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The interaction of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling with protein lysine acetylation. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:7. [PMID: 35033019 PMCID: PMC8903542 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-021-00305-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a complex cell-communication mechanism that has a central role in the progression of various cancers. The cellular factors that participate in the regulation of this signaling are still not fully elucidated. Lysine acetylation is a significant protein modification which facilitates reversible regulation of the target protein function dependent on the activity of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) and the catalytic function of lysine deacetylases (KDACs). Protein lysine acetylation has been classified into histone acetylation and non-histone protein acetylation. Histone acetylation is a kind of epigenetic modification, and it can modulate the transcription of important biological molecules in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Additionally, as a type of post-translational modification, non-histone acetylation directly alters the function of the core molecules in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conversely, this signaling can regulate the expression and function of target molecules based on histone or non-histone protein acetylation. To date, various inhibitors targeting KATs and KDACs have been discovered, and some of these inhibitors exert their anti-tumor activity via blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Here, we discuss the available evidence in understanding the complicated interaction of protein lysine acetylation with Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and lysine acetylation as a new target for cancer therapy via controlling this signaling.
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Trivedi P, Patel SK, Bellavia D, Messina E, Palermo R, Ceccarelli S, Marchese C, Anastasiadou E, Minter LM, Felli MP. When Viruses Cross Developmental Pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:691644. [PMID: 34422814 PMCID: PMC8375270 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.691644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant regulation of developmental pathways plays a key role in tumorigenesis. Tumor cells differ from normal cells in their sustained proliferation, replicative immortality, resistance to cell death and growth inhibition, angiogenesis, and metastatic behavior. Often they acquire these features as a consequence of dysregulated Hedgehog, Notch, or WNT signaling pathways. Human tumor viruses affect the cancer cell hallmarks by encoding oncogenic proteins, and/or by modifying the microenvironment, as well as by conveying genomic instability to accelerate cancer development. In addition, viral immune evasion mechanisms may compromise developmental pathways to accelerate tumor growth. Viruses achieve this by influencing both coding and non-coding gene regulatory pathways. Elucidating how oncogenic viruses intersect with and modulate developmental pathways is crucial to understanding viral tumorigenesis. Many currently available antiviral therapies target viral lytic cycle replication but with low efficacy and severe side effects. A greater understanding of the cross-signaling between oncogenic viruses and developmental pathways will improve the efficacy of next-generation inhibitors and pave the way to more targeted antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Trivedi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Diana Bellavia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocco Palermo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleni Anastasiadou
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa M Minter
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Maria Pia Felli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Xu H, Niu M, Yuan X, Wu K, Liu A. CD44 as a tumor biomarker and therapeutic target. Exp Hematol Oncol 2020; 9:36. [PMID: 33303029 PMCID: PMC7727191 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00192-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44, a complex transmembrane glycoprotein, exists in multiple molecular forms, including the standard isoform CD44s and CD44 variant isoforms. CD44 participates in multiple physiological processes, and aberrant expression and dysregulation of CD44 contribute to tumor initiation and progression. CD44 represents a common biomarker of cancer stem cells, and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CD44 is involved in the regulation of diverse vital signaling pathways that modulate cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis and therapy-resistance, and it is also modulated by a variety of molecules in cancer cells. In addition, CD44 can serve as an adverse prognostic marker among cancer population. The pleiotropic roles of CD44 in carcinoma potentially offering new molecular target for therapeutic intervention. Preclinical and clinical trials for evaluating the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and drug-related toxicity of CD44 monoclonal antibody have been carried out among tumors with CD44 expression. In this review, we focus on current data relevant to CD44, and outline CD44 structure, the regulation of CD44, functional properties of CD44 in carcinogenesis and cancer progression as well as the potential CD44-targeting therapy for cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University: Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Xun Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University: Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China. .,Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Aiguo Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Gao X, Lu C, Chen C, Sun K, Liang Q, Shuai J, Wang X, Xu Y. ARPP-19 Mediates Herceptin Resistance via Regulation of CD44 in Gastric Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6629-6643. [PMID: 32753897 PMCID: PMC7354958 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s253841] [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: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose As the first-line drug for treatment of HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer (GC), Herceptin exhibits significant therapeutic efficacy. However, acquired resistance of Herceptin limits the therapeutic benefit of gastric cancer patients, in which the molecular mechanisms remain to be further determined. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the mRNA levels of ARPP-19 and CD44 in GC cells. Protein levels were determined using Western blot and IHC staining. MTT and soft agar colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Xenograft model was established to verify the functional role of ARPP-19 in Herceptin resistance in vivo. Sphere formation assay was conducted to determine cell stemness. Results We observed ARPP-19 was up-regulated in Herceptin resistance gastric cancer cells NCI-N87-HR and MKN45-HR. The forced expression of ARPP-19 promoted, whereas the silencing of ARPP-19 impaired Herceptin resistance of HER2-positive gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, ARPP-19 significantly enhanced the sphere formation capacity and CD44 expression, CD44 was also a positive factor of Herceptin resistance in HER2-positive gastric cancer cells. In addition, high level of ARPP-19 was positively associated with Herceptin resistance and poor survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Conclusion We have demonstrated that ARPP-19 promoted Herceptin resistance of gastric cancer via up-regulation of CD44, our study suggested that ARPP-19 could be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic candidate for HER2-positive gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Changwen Lu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Changyu Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Qixin Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Shuai
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxing Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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Chan LS, Lung HL, Ngan RKC, Lee AWM, Tsao SW, Lo KW, Kahn M, Lung ML, Wieser R, Mak NK. Role of miR-96/EVI1/miR-449a Axis in the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Migration and Tumor Sphere Formation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155495. [PMID: 32752071 PMCID: PMC7432346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is one of the major signaling pathways used by cancer stem cells (CSC). Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 (EVI1) has recently been shown to regulate oncogenic development of tumor cells by interacting with multiple signaling pathways, including the Wnt signaling. In the present study, we found that the Wnt modulator ICG-001 could inhibit the expression of EVI1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. Results from loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies revealed that EVI1 expression positively regulated both NPC cell migration and growth of CSC-enriched tumor spheres. Subsequent studies indicated ICG-001 inhibited EVI1 expression via upregulated expression of miR-96. Results from EVI1 3′UTR luciferase reporter assay confirmed that EVI1 is a direct target of miR-96. Further mechanistic studies revealed that ICG-001, overexpression of miR-96, or knockdown of EVI1 expression could restore the expression of miR-449a. The suppressive effect of miR-449a on the cell migration and tumor sphere formation was confirmed in NPC cells. Taken together, the miR-96/EVI1/miR-449a axis is a novel pathway involved in ICG-001-mediated inhibition of NPC cell migration and growth of the tumor spheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-Sheung Chan
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Hong-Lok Lung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Roger Kai-Cheong Ngan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (R.K.-C.N.); ; (A.W.-M.L.); (M.L.L.)
- Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Anne Wing-Mui Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (R.K.-C.N.); ; (A.W.-M.L.); (M.L.L.)
- Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Sai Wah Tsao
- Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
- Department of Anatomy, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Central Ave, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Michael Kahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010-3000, USA;
| | - Maria Li Lung
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China; (R.K.-C.N.); ; (A.W.-M.L.); (M.L.L.)
- Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Rotraud Wieser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Nai-Ki Mak
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China;
- Center for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Research, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3411-7059
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