CD147-targeted siRNA in A375 malignant melanoma cells induces the phosphorylation of EGFR and downregulates cdc25C and MEK phosphorylation

A Potential Prognostic Gene Signature Associated with p53-Dependent NTRK1 Activation and Increased Survival of Neuroblastoma Patients

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children, comprising close to 10% of childhood cancer-related deaths. We have demonstrated that activation of NTRK1 by TP53 repression of PTPN6 expression is significantly associated with favourable survival in neuroblastoma. The molecular mechanisms by which this activation elicits cell molecular changes need to be determined. This is critical to identify dependable biomarkers for the early detection and prognosis of tumours, and for the development of personalised treatment. In this investigation we have identified and validated a gene signature for the prognosis of neuroblastoma using genes differentially expressed upon activation of the NTRK1-PTPN6-TP53 module. A random survival forest model was used to construct a gene signature, which was then assessed across validation datasets using Kaplan-Meier analysis and ROC curves. The analysis demonstrated that high BASP1, CD9, DLG2, FNBP1, FRMD3, IL11RA, ISGF10, IQCE, KCNQ3, and TOX2, and low BSG/CD147, CCDC125, GABRB3, GNB2L1/RACK1 HAPLN4, HEBP2, and HSD17B12 expression was significantly associated with favourable patient event-free survival (EFS). The gene signature was associated with favourable tumour histology and NTRK1-PTPN6-TP53 module activation. Importantly, all genes were significantly associated with favourable EFS in an independent manner. Six of the signature genes, BSG/CD147, GNB2L1/RACK1, TXNDC5, FNPB1, B3GAT1, and IGSF10, play a role in cell differentiation. Our findings strongly suggest that the identified gene signature is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for neuroblastoma patients and that it is associated with neuroblastoma cell differentiation through the activation of the NTRK1-PTPN6-TP53 module.

CD147 promotes breast cancer migration and invasion by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

CD147, a transmembrane glycoprotein, has been implicated in various cancer-related processes but its role in breast cancer remains poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the expression of CD147 in different breast cancer cell lines and explored its functional roles, including migration, invasion, drug resistance and modulation of key proteins associated with cancer progression.

METHODS

The expression of CD147 was assessed in MCF-10 A, BT549, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, following which lyposome transfections were performed, leading overexpression of CD147 in BT549 cells and knockdown of CD147 in MCF-7 cells. Scratch assays and Transwell invasion and were performed to evaluate the cells' migration and invasion abilities. Sensitivity to 5-FU was determined via CCK-8 assays, and the expression of Snail1, E-cadherin, Vimentin, MMP-9 and the MAPK/ERK pathway were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared with normal beast epithelial cells, CD147 was highly expressed in all breast cancer cell lines, with the highest overexpression observed in MCF-7 cells and the lowest overexpression observed in BT549 cells. Overexpression of CD147 in BT549 cells increased, migration, invasion, viability and resistance to 5-FU of BT549 cells, while CD147 knockdown in MCF-7 cells reduced these properties of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, CD147 influenced the expression of Snail1, Vimentin, E-cadherin, and MMP-9, suggesting its involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulation. The MAPK/ERK pathway was activated by CD147 in BT549 cells, as indicated by increased p-MEK/MEK ratio and p-ERK/ERK ratio. In contrast, CD147 silencing in MCF-7 cells resulted in reduced p-MEK/MEK ratio and p-ERK/ERK ratio.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our findings suggest CD147 as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer treatment, particularly in cases where drug resistance and metastasis are concerns, worthy of further explorations.

Role of CD147 in the development and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is characterized by insidious onset, and most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Identification of biomarkers for HCC onset and progression is imperative to development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. CD147 is a glycoprotein that is involved in tumor cell invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we describe the molecular structure of CD147 and its role in regulating HCC invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. We highlight its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC.

Pan-Cancer Analysis, Reveals COVID-19-Related BSG as a Novel Marker for Treatment and Identification of Multiple Human Cancers

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a public threat and healthcare concern caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. During the period of the pandemic of COVID-19, cancer patients should be paid more attention as more severe events are found in cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Basigin (BSG) is an essential factor for the infection and progression of COVID-19 and tumorigenesis of multiple tumors, which may serve as a novel target for the effective treatment against COVID-19 and multiple human cancers.

Methods: A total of 19,020 samples from multiple centers were included in our research for the comprehensive investigation of the differences in BSG expression among human organs, cancer cells, cancer tissues, and normal tissues. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier curves were utilized to explore the prognosis factor of BSG in cancers. Correlation analyses were used to determine associations of BSG expression with tumor mutational burden, the immune microenvironment, etc. Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to explore the underlying mechanisms of BSG in cancers.

Results: Compared with normal tissues, BSG expression was high in 13 types of cancers (cholangiocarcinoma, etc.) and low in colon adenocarcinoma and rectum adenocarcinoma. BSG expression was related to the prognosis of eight cancers (e.g., invasive breast carcinoma) (p < 0.05). The gene also demonstrated a pronounced effect in identifying 12 cancers (cholangiocarcinoma, etc.) from their control samples (AUC >0.7). The BSG expression was associated with DNA methyltransferases, mismatch repair genes, immune infiltration levels, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, neoantigen, and immune checkpoints, suggesting the potential of BSG as an exciting target for cancer treatment. BSG may play its role in several cancers by affecting several signaling pathways such as drug cytochrome metabolism P450 and JAK-STAT.

Conclusion:BSG may be a novel biomarker for treating and identifying multiple human cancers.

IGFBP2 regulates PD-L1 expression by activating the EGFR-STAT3 signaling pathway in malignant melanoma

Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 receptor has achieved great success in melanoma patients. Although many studies have addressed the underlying mechanisms involved in the blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 and the consequent modulation of the immune system, the mechanisms of PD-L1 upregulation and reliable biomarkers to predict the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy remain unknown. The present study demonstrates the correlation between IGFBP2 and PD-L1, revealing a novel immune-associated tumor function of IGFBP2 in facilitating nuclear accumulation of EGFR and activation of the EGFR/STAT3/PD-L1 signaling pathway in melanoma cells. Our results also suggest that combined IGFBP2 and PD-L1 expression has the potential to predict the efficacy of anti-PD-1 treatment for malignant melanoma; because the combination of high IGFBP2 and PD-L1 expression characterizes melanoma patients with worse overall survival and is associated with a better immune ecosystem. These characteristics have been confirmed by both in vitro and in vivo data. Consequently, IGFBP2 regulates PD-L1 expression by activating the EGFR-STAT3 signaling pathway and its function as a PD-L1 regulator might suggest novel therapeutic approach for melanoma.

A novel chalcone derivative has antitumor activity in melanoma by inducing DNA damage through the upregulation of ROS products

Background

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors with the remarkable characteristic of resistance to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy benefit advanced melanoma patient treatment, BRAFi (BRAF inhibitor) resistance and the lower response rates or severe side effects of immunotherapy have been observed, therefore, it is necessary to develop novel inhibitors for melanoma treatment.

Methods

We detected the cell proliferation of lj-1-59 in different melanoma cells by CCK 8 and colony formation assay. To further explore the mechanisms of lj-1-59 in melanoma, we performed RNA sequencing to discover the pathway of differential gene enrichment. Western blot and Q-RT-PCR were confirmed to study the function of lj-1-59 in melanoma.

Results

We found that lj-1-59 inhibits melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, induces cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and promotes apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. Furthermore, RNA-Seq was performed to study alterations in gene expression profiles after treatment with lj-1-59 in melanoma cells, revealing that this compound regulates various pathways, such as DNA replication, P53, apoptosis and the cell cycle. Additionally, we validated the effect of lj-1-59 on key gene expression alterations by Q-RT-PCR. Our findings showed that lj-1-59 significantly increases ROS (reactive oxygen species) products, leading to DNA toxicity in melanoma cell lines. Moreover, lj-1-59 increases ROS levels in BRAFi -resistant melanoma cells, leading to DNA damage, which caused G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis.

Conclusions

Taken together, we found that lj-1-59 treatment inhibits melanoma cell growth by inducing apoptosis and DNA damage through increased ROS levels, suggesting that this compound is a potential therapeutic drug for melanoma treatment.

Upregulation of S100A9 contributes to the acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors

BACKGROUNDS

Acquired resistance is a significant clinical challenge in targeted therapy of melanomas using BRAF inhibitors. We previously identified that downregulation of miR-92a-1-5p confers acquired resistance to BRAF inhibition using an miRNA array platform.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the target genes of miR-92a-1-5p and their functional significance in BRAF inhibitor resistance.

METHODS

The miRNA target prediction data were combined with RNA-Seq data to identify possible target genes for miR-92a-1-5p. Cellular effects of target genes were further examined using siRNA knockdown, WST-1 assay, and immunoblotting analysis.

RESULTS

We selected S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) as a possible target gene for functional validation. S100A9 knockdown abrogated resistance to PLX4720 in A375P/Mdr cells. This result was similar to those described earlier for miR-92a-1-5p, indicating that miR-92a-1-5p inhibits cell viability by targeting S100A9. S100A9 overexpression partially conferred PLX4720 resistance to A375P cells. We also demonstrated that MAPK re-activation does not contribute to the promotion of BRAF inhibitor resistance by S100A9.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results indicate that S100A9 might be functionally involved in development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors and might be a target for melanoma therapy in the future.

Light-controlled inhibition of BRAFV600E kinase

Metastatic melanoma is amongst the most difficult types of cancer to treat, with current therapies mainly relying on the inhibition of the BRAF^V600E mutant kinase. However, systemic inhibition of BRAF by small molecule drugs in cancer patients results - paradoxically - in increased wild-type BRAF activity in healthy tissue, causing side-effects and even the formation of new tumors. Here we show the development of BRAF^V600E kinase inhibitors of which the activity can be switched on and off reversibly with light, offering the possibility to overcome problems of systemic drug activity by selectively activating the drug at the desired site of action. Based on a known inhibitor, eight photoswitchable effectors containing an azobenzene photoswitch were designed, synthesized and evaluated. The most promising inhibitor showed an approximately 10-fold increase in activity upon light-activation. This research offers inspiration for the development of therapies for metastatic melanoma in which tumor tissue is treated with an active BRAF^V600E inhibitor with high spatial and temporal resolution, thus limiting the damage to other tissues.

Repressing CD147 is a novel therapeutic strategy for malignant melanoma

CD147/basigin, a transmembrane protein, is a member of the immunoglobulin super family. Accumulating evidence has revealed the role of CD147 in the development and progression of various cancers, including malignant melanoma (MM). MM is a malignancy of pigment-producing cells that causes the greatest number of skin cancer-related deaths worldwide. CD147 is overexpressed in MM and plays an important role in cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, probably by mediating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, glycolysis, and multi-drug resistance (MDR). As a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inducer, CD147 could also promote surrounding fibroblasts to secrete abundant MMPs to further stimulate tumor cell invasion. Targeting CD147 has been shown to suppress MM in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the therapeutic potential of CD147 silencing in MM treatment. In this review article, we discuss CD147 and its biological roles, regulatory mechanisms, and potential application as a molecular target for MM.

TRAF6 regulates EGF-induced cell transformation and cSCC malignant phenotype through CD147/EGFR

TRAF6, a well-known adapter molecule, plays pivotal role in TLR/IL-1R associated signaling pathway. Although TRAF6 has been shown to have oncogenic activity in various malignant tumors, the details remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that TRAF6 facilitates Ras (G12V) and EGF-induced cellular transformation through EGFR. Silencing of TRAF6 expression significantly downregulated AP-1 activity, as well as MMP-2,9 expression after EGF stimulation. Furthermore, we found that TRAF6 plays an essential role in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) malignant phenotypes, affecting cell growth and migration. CD147/Basigin, a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, is over-expressed in tumors and induces tumorigenesis. Our results showed that CD147 formed complex with EGFR and TRAF6. Knockdown of TRAF6 disrupted the CD147-EGFR complex, thereby inducing EGFR endocytosis. Therefore, TRAF6 might be a novel molecular target for cSCC prevention or therapy.

CDK5RAP1 targeting NF-κB signaling pathway in human malignant melanoma A375 cell apoptosis

Malignant melanoma is characterized by rapid deterioration, early metastasis and high mortality. Cdk5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1 (CDK5RAP1), which catalyzes 2-methylthio (ms²) modification of mitochondrial transfer RNAs, has been reported to induce cancer cell apoptosis, by a phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) signaling pathway. The present study was the first to report on the association between CDK5RAP1 deficiency and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway during the apoptosis process in human malignant melanoma (A375) cells. CDK5RAP1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and control siRNA were transfected into A375 cells. CDK5RAP1 deficiency inhibited Ca²⁺ influx in A375 cells. CDK5RAP1 deficiency also suppressed the proliferation of A375 cells, induced A375 cells apoptosis, and increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, CDK5RAP1 deficiency induced the phosphorylation of NF-κB and Bcl-2/Bcl-xl-associated death promoter (Bad). Notably, the phosphorylation of B-cell lymphoma-xl (Bcl-xl) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was downregulated by CDK5RAP1 deficiency. Pretreatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), the inhibitor of NF-κB, prevented the decrease in cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by CDK5RAP1 deficiency in A375 cells. However, pretreatment with PDTC did not affect the generation of ROS in A375 cells, indicating that ROS is an upstream target of NF-κB signaling pathway during the apoptosis process. Taken together, CDK5RAP1 deficiency induces cell apoptosis in malignant melanoma A375 cells via the NF-κB signaling pathway. The results from the present study indicated a potential novel candidate for the treatment of skin cancer.

Effects of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor doxycycline and CD147 antagonist peptide-9 on gallbladder carcinoma cell lines

Gallbladder carcinoma is the most common and aggressive malignancy of the biliary tree and highly expresses CD147, which is closely related to disease prognosis in a variety of human cancers. Doxycycline exhibited anti-tumor properties in many cancer cells. CD147 antagonist peptide-9 is a polypeptide and can specifically bind to CD147. The effect of these two drugs on gallbladder cancer cells has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of doxycycline and antagonist peptide-9 on gallbladder carcinoma cells and the possible mechanism of inhibition on cancer cell of doxycycline. To investigate the effects of doxycycline and antagonist peptide-9 on gallbladder carcinoma cells (GBC-SD and SGC-996), cell proliferation, CD147 expression, and early-stage apoptosis rate were measured after treated with doxycycline. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activities were measured after treated with different concentrations of doxycycline, antagonist peptide-9, and their combination. The results demonstrated that doxycycline inhibited cell proliferation, reduced CD147 expression level, and induced an early-stage apoptosis response in GBC-SD and SGC-996 cells. The matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activities were inhibited by antagonist peptide-9 and doxycycline, and the inhibitory effects were enhanced by combined drugs in gallbladder carcinoma cell lines. Taken together, doxycycline showed inhibitory effects on gallbladder carcinoma cell lines and reduced the expression of CD147, and this may be the mechanism by which doxycycline inhibits cancer cells. This study provides new information and tries to implement the design of adjuvant therapy method for gallbladder carcinoma.

Recent developments in nanomedicine for melanoma treatment

Melanoma is a most aggressive skin cancer with limited therapeutic options and its incidence is increasing rapidly in recent years. The discovery and application of new targeted therapy agents have shown significant benefits. However, adverse side-effects and resistance to chemotherapy remain formidable challenges in the clinical treatment of malignant melanoma. Nanotherapeutics offers an important prospect of overcoming these drawbacks. The anti-tumoral applications of nanomedicine are varied, including those in chemotherapy, RNA interference, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy. Furthermore, nanomedicine allows delivery of the effector structures into the tumor site via passive or active targeting, thereby allowing increased therapeutic specificity and reduced side effects. In this review, we summarize the latest developments in the application of nanocarrier-mediated targeted drug delivery to melanoma and nanomedicine-related clinical trials in melanoma treatment. We also discuss existing problems and opportunities for future developments, providing direction and new thoughts for further studies.

Overexpression of REIC/Dkk-3 suppresses the expression of CD147 and inhibits the proliferation of human bladder cancer cells

Our group previously developed an adenoviral vector encoding the REIC/Dkk-3 gene (Ad-REIC), a tumor suppressor, for cancer gene therapy. The Ad-REIC agent induces apoptosis and inhibits invasion in a number of cancer cell lines; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), also known as extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), is a key molecule that promotes cancer proliferation and invasion. In order to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of Ad-REIC, its effect on the expression of CD147 in human bladder cancer KK47 cells was investigated. Treatment with Ad-REIC markedly downregulated the expression of CD147 and significantly inhibited cellular proliferation. Since the expression of CD147 is reported to be under the positive control of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and the c-Myc protein, the correlations between the expression of CD147 and the activation of MAPKs or the expression of c-Myc were examined. Unexpectedly, no positive correlation was observed between the level of CD147 and the potential regulators that were assessed, indicating that another signaling pathway is responsible for the downregulation of CD147. The results from the present study demonstrate that Ad-REIC treatment can significantly downregulate the expression of CD147 in bladder cancer cells. Downregulation of the cancer-progression factor CD147 may be a novel mechanism that underlies the therapeutic effects of Ad-REIC treatment.