The role of FADD in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and drug resistance

Identification of PANoptosis-related biomarkers and analysis of prognostic values in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

PANoptosis plays a crucial role in cancer initiation and progression. However, the roles of PANoptosis-related genes (PARGs) in the prognosis and immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unclear. Integrated bioinformatics analyses based on the data of HNSCC patients in the TCGA database were conducted. We extracted 48 PARGs expression profile and then conducted differentially expressed analysis, following building a Cox model to predict the survival of HNSCC patients. Subsequently, the relationships between the risk score, immune landscape, chemo-, and immune-therapy responses were analyzed, respectively. Moreover, we investigated the prognostic value, and further predicted the pathways influenced by PARGs. Finally, we identified the biological function of crucial PARGs. A total of 18 differentially expressed PARGs were identified in HNSCC, and a Cox model including CASP8, FADD, NLRP1, TNF, and ZBP1 was constructed, which showed that the risk score was associated with the prognosis as well as immune infiltration of HNSCC patients, and the risk score could be regarded as an independent biomarker. Additionally, patients with high-risk score might be an indicator of lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage. High-risk scores also contributed to the chemotherapy resistance and immune escape of HNSCC patients. In addition, FADD and ZBP1 played a crucial role in various cancer-related pathways, such as the MAPK, WNT, and MTOR signaling pathways. On the other hand, we suggested that FADD facilitated the progression and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of HNSCC cells. A signature based on PANoptosis showed great predictive power for lymph node metastasis and advanced stage, suggesting that the risk score might be an independent prognostic biomarker for HNSCC. Meanwhile, FADD, identified as a prognostic biomarker, may represent an effective therapeutic target for HNSCC.

FADD as a key molecular player in cancer progression

Cancer is a leading disease-related cause of death worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic interventions, cancer remains a major global public health problem. Cancer pathogenesis is extremely intricate and largely unknown. Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) was initially identified as an adaptor protein for death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptosis. Recent evidence suggests that FADD plays a vital role in non-apoptotic cellular processes, such as proliferation, autophagy, and necroptosis. FADD expression and activity of are modulated by a complicated network of processes, such as DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and post-translational modification. FADD dysregulation has been shown to be closely associated with the pathogenesis of numerous types of cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms of FADD dysregulation involved in cancer progression are still not fully understood. This review mainly summarizes recent findings on the structure, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of FADD and focuses on its role in cancer progression. The clinical implications of FADD as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer patients are also discussed. The information reviewed herein may expand researchers’ understanding of FADD and contribute to the development of FADD-based therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.

MK8722, an AMPK activator, inhibiting carcinoma proliferation, invasion and migration in human pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND

MK8722 is a potent and systemic pan-AMPK activator. It is an effective, direct, allosteric activator of AMPK complex in many mammals. This study tried to explore the underlying anti-cancer molecular mechanism of MK8722 in human pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs).

METHODS

The anti-proliferation, invasion and migration functions of MK8722 in human pancreatic cancer analyzed by real time cellular analysis, colony formation assay, cell migration assay, transwell assay and flow cytometery analysis. Moreover, the potential targeted signaling pathway was tested via RNA-seq and pathway enrichment analysis.

RESULTS

In the present study, we investigated the anti-PCCs effects of MK8722 on two different human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and Patu8988). The results showed that MK8722 significantly inhibited human tumor cells proliferation and migration/invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the influence of MK8722 was examined by analyzing the expression of potential key genes and pathways, which may provide novel insights to the mechanism of MK8722.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of pancreatic cancer by MK8722 through a number of pathways that inhibit carcinoma proliferation, invasion and migration. The potential effect of MK8722 might be determined by regulating the expression of AL162151, IER2, REPIN1, KRT80 to inhibit cycle arrest and migration.

Heterogeneous genomic aberrations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a review

Esophageal cancer (EC) causes hundreds of thousands of deaths a year worldwide, especially the major subtype esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). With the advent of next-generation sequencing and the availability of commercial microarrays, abnormities in genetic levels have been revealed in various independent researches. High frequencies of structure variations (SVs), single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and copy-number alterations (CNAs) in ESCCs are uncovered, and ESCC shows high levels of inter- and intratumor heterogeneity, implying diverse evolutionary trajectories. This review tries to explain the pathogenesis of ESCC on the scope of most often mutated genes based on prior studies, hopes to offer some hints for diagnosis and therapy in clinic.

Cancer-related proteins in serum are altered in workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a cross-sectional study

Exposure to some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) increases the risk of cancer and is common particularly for workers in occupations such as chimney sweeping. In exposed workers, screening of early cancer-related markers provides important information to identify individuals at risk. Here, we aimed to elucidate the associations between PAH exposure and serum levels of cancer-related proteins in 118 chimney sweeps and 126 occupationally unexposed controls, all non-smoking males from Sweden. Monoydroxylated metabolites of pyrene, phenanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene were measured in urine using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and 90 cancer-related proteins were measured in serum using a proximity extension assay. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age and body mass index, and false discovery rate (FDR) identified 17 serum proteins that were differentially expressed (16 upregulated and 1 downregulated) in chimney sweeps compared with controls (FDR < 0.05). Concentrations of the peptidase kallikrein 13 (KLK13) showed significant positive associations with urinary concentrations of the PAH metabolites 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3-OH-BaP) [B, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.042, 0.008–0.076] and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene (3-OH-BaA) (B, 95% CI: 0.068, 0.002–0.134). Moreover, dose–response relationships were observed between KLK13 and 3-OH-BaP (trend test P = 0.027) and 3-OH-BaA (P = 0.035). Pathway and gene ontology analyses showed that cell movement, cell adhesion and cell migration were the predominant molecular functions associated with the top differentially expressed proteins. In conclusion, we found a number of putative cancer-related proteins differentially expressed in workers exposed to PAH. This warrants effective measure to reduce PAH exposure among workers as well as further investigation to confirm these findings.

Knock down of Fas-Associated Protein with Death Domain (FADD) Sensitizes Osteosarcoma to TNFα-induced Cell Death

Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) was first identified for its role in linking death receptors to the apoptotic signaling pathway with subsequent cell death. Later studies reported non-apoptotic functions for FADD in normal cells and cancer cells. Non-apoptotic functions for FADD in osteosarcoma (OS) have not been reported. In this study, FADD protein expression was knocked down in human CCHOSD, LM7, and SaOS2 OS cell lines followed by assessment of sensitivity to TNFα- or TRAIL-induced cell death. Knock down of FADD significantly increased TNFα-induced cell death in LM7 and SaOS2 cell lines. The mode of TNFα-induced cell death was apoptosis and not necroptosis. Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) in wildtype cells increased TNFα-induced cell death to similar levels observed in FADD knockdown cells, suggesting a role for FADD in NFκB pro-survival cell signaling. In addition, knock down of FADD increased SMAC mimetic-mediated TNFα-induced cell death in all cell lines studied. The results of this study indicate that FADD has a pro-survival function in OS following TNFα treatment that involves NFκB signaling. The results also indicate that the pro-survival function of FADD is associated with XIAP activity.

Association between ANGPTL-4 and the proinflammatory process in cancer cachexia patients

Background

Contradictory results are reported for the role of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL-4) in the development of cancer-cachexia and inflammation, given its importance in angiogenesis and inflammatory signaling. Our aim was to analyze the levels of ANGPTL-4 in colorectal cancer patients with a stable weight and those with cachexia in order to establish a relationship between ANGPTL-4 and the inflammatory process.

Results

Plasma and tumor levels of ANGPTL-4 were higher in CC in comparison to other groups. A positive association was verified between plasmatic ANGPTL-4 and NFκB levels in tumor from CC. In WSC, we identified an association between the plasmatic ANGPTL-4, IL-15, and IL-10 in tumor and IL-15 in MES. Increased levels of NFκB and TNF-R1 in MES were detected in CC in comparison to WSC. Specifically in CC-group, a positive correlation was found between ANGPTL-4 levels and those of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NFκB in tumor, along with an association between ANGPTL-4 levels with IL-1β and MCP-1 levels in tumor; and ANGPTL-4 and IL-1β levels in MES.

Methods

We studied 102 patients, who were divided into three groups: control patients (C, n=37), cancer patients with a stable weight (WSC, n=23), and cancer-cachexia patients (CC, n=42). Samples of plasma, tumor, mesenteric (MES) and subcutaneous adipose tissue were removed for the determination of ANGPTL-4 levels and other proinflammatory factors.

Conclusions

ANGPTL-4 levels were higher in plasma and tumor of CC-group, and positively associated with pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic factors. Our results suggest an opposite effect of ANGPTL-4 depending on the concentration and presence of cachexia.

FADD in Cancer: Mechanisms of Altered Expression and Function, and Clinical Implications

FADD was initially described as an adaptor molecule for death receptor-mediated apoptosis, but subsequently it has been implicated in nonapoptotic cellular processes such as proliferation and cell cycle control. During the last decade, FADD has been shown to play a pivotal role in most of the signalosome complexes, such as the necroptosome and the inflammasome. Interestingly, various mechanisms involved in regulating FADD functions have been identified, essentially posttranslational modifications and secretion. All these aspects have been thoroughly addressed in previous reviews. However, FADD implication in cancer is complex, due to pleiotropic effects. It has been reported either as anti- or protumorigenic, depending on the cell type. Regulation of FADD expression in cancer is a complex issue since both overexpression and downregulation have been reported, but the mechanisms underlying such alterations have not been fully unveiled. Posttranslational modifications also constitute a relevant mechanism controlling FADD levels and functions in tumor cells. In this review, we aim to provide detailed, updated information on alterations leading to changes in FADD expression and function in cancer. The participation of FADD in various biological processes is recapitulated, with a mention of interesting novel functions recently proposed for FADD, such as regulation of gene expression and control of metabolic pathways. Finally, we gather all the available evidence regarding the clinical implications of FADD alterations in cancer, especially as it has been proposed as a potential biomarker with prognostic value.

S194-P-FADD as a marker of aggressiveness and poor prognosis in human T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma is a haematological disease with an urgent need for reliable prognostic biomarkers that allow therapeutic stratification and dose adjustment. The scarcity of human samples is responsible for the delayed progress in the study and the clinical management of this disease, especially compared with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, its leukemic counterpart. In the present work, we have determined by immunohistochemistry that S194-P-FADD protein is significantly reduced in a cohort of 22 samples from human T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Notably, the extent of such reduction varies significantly among samples and has revealed determinant for the outcome of the tumour. We demonstrate that Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) phosphorylation status affects protein stability, subcellular localization and non-apoptotic functions, specifically cell proliferation. Phosphorylated FADD would be more stable and preferentially localized to the cell nucleus; there, it would favour cell proliferation. We show that patients with higher levels of S194-P-FADD exhibit more proliferative tumours and that they present worse clinical characteristics and a significant enrichment to an oncogenic signature. This supports that FADD phosphorylation may serve as a predictor for T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma aggressiveness and clinical status. In summary, we propose FADD phosphorylation as a new biomarker with prognostic value in T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Peritumoural adipose tissue pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with tumoural growth factors in cancer cachexia patients

BACKGROUND

Cancer cachexia (CC) is a multifactorial syndrome, often irreversible, that affects patients with cancer influenced, in part, by the inflammatory condition. Peritumoural adipose tissue produces adipokines and angiogenic, apoptotic, and growth factors; given the possible crosstalk between the peritumoural adipose tissue and tumour, these may play an important role in cancer biology and carcinogenesis.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors produced by peritumoural adipose tissue in a cohort of 16 colorectal cancer patients with either weight-stable cancer (WSC; n = 7) or CC (n = 9). The study was approved by the Ethics Research Committee (972.914). Samples of peritumoural adipose tissue were analysed for concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, STAT-1, STAT-3, RANTES, IL-1Ra, IP-10, IL-15, MCP-1, IFN-α, GCSF, FADD, and TGF-β. The cytokines and proteins were measured using Multiplex. Correlations between the proteins and cytokines were evaluated.

RESULTS

TNF-α, STAT-1, and FADD, a factor involved in apoptosis, were significantly higher in CC group than in the WSC group. In the peritumoural adipose tissue of the CC group, RANTES showed a significant positive correlation with IL-1Ra and IP-10 and a negative correlation with IFN-α; and GCSF showed significant negative correlations with IL-1Ra, IP-10, IL-15, and MCP-1 and a positive correlation with IFN-α. In the peritumoural adipose tissue of the WSC group, no significant correlations were detected between RANTES, GCSF, IL-3, FADD, and STAT-1 and the cytokines/chemokines analysed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that inflammatory and tumorigenic pathways were altered in peritumoural adipose tissue in CC. Furthermore, inflammatory cytokines were correlated with growth factors in the peritumoural adipose tissue of cachectic patients, suggesting that inflammatory cytokines modulated the proliferative environment closely linked to the tumour.

Oridonin-loaded and GPC1-targeted gold nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and therapy in pancreatic cancer

Purpose

Early diagnosis and therapy are critical to improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. However, conventional imaging does not significantly increase the capability to detect early stage disease. In this study, we developed a multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Methods

We developed a theranostic nanoparticle (NP) based on gold nanocages (AuNCs) modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) and conjugated with anti-Glypican-1 (anti-GPC1) antibody, oridonin (ORI), gadolinium (Gd), and Cy7 dye. We assessed the characteristics of GPC1-Gd-ORI@HAuNCs-Cy7 NPs (ORI-GPC1-NPs) including morphology, hydrodynamic size, stability, and surface chemicals. We measured the drug loading and release efficiency in vitro. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and therapeutic capabilities were tested in vitro and in vivo.

Results

ORI-GPC1-NPs demonstrated long-time stability and fluorescent/MRI properties. Bio-transmission electron microscopy (bio-TEM) imaging showed that ORI-GPC1-NPs were endocytosed into PANC-1 and BXPC-3 (overexpression GPC1) but not in 293 T cells (GPC1- negative). Compared with ORI and ORI-NPs, ORI-GPC1-NPs significantly inhibited the viability and enhanced the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, blood tests suggested that ORI-GPC1-NPs showed negligible toxicity. In vivo studies showed that ORI-GPC1-NPs enabled multimodal imaging and targeted therapy in pancreatic tumor xenografted mice.

Conclusion

ORI-GPC1-NP is a promising theranostic platform for the simultaneous diagnosis and effective treatment of pancreatic cancer.

SPOP promotes FADD degradation and inhibits NF-κB activity in non-small cell lung cancer

FAS-associated protein with death domain (FADD) is the pivotal adaptor protein, which transmits apoptotic signals mediated by the death receptors. Here we report that high FADD protein level predicts poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and its protein level is mainly regulated by the 26S proteasome. We also found that ubiquitin ligase SPOP (speckle-type POZ protein) binds to FADD and mediates its degradation, which can be blocked by MG132 treatment. Notably, SPOP inhibits NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) activity and its target genes expression via FADD. These results reveal the function of SPOP-FADDNFκB axis in NSCLC cells, which is associated with prognosis of NSCLC patients.

Bioinformatic Prediction of Possible Targets and Mechanisms of Action of the Green Tea Compound Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Against Breast Cancer

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a bioactive compound in green tea, is the most abundant and biologically active catechin, and it exerts multiple effects in humans through mechanisms that remain to be clarified. The present study used bioinformatics to identify possible mechanisms by which EGCG reduces risk of breast cancer. Possible human protein targets of EGCG were identified in the PubChem database, possible human gene targets were identified in the NCBI database, and then both sets of targets were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to predict molecular networks affected by EGCG in breast cancer. The results suggest that signaling proteins affected by EGCG in breast cancer, which include JUN, FADD, NFKB1, Bcl-2, GNAO1, and MMP14, are involved primarily in cell death and survival; DNA replication, recombination and repair; and the cell cycle. The main networks affected by EGCG are predicted to involve the cell cycle; cellular assembly and organization; DNA replication, recombination and repair; and cell death and survival. These results identify several specific proteins and pathways that may be affected by EGCG in breast cancer, and they illustrate the power of integrative bioinformatics and chemical fragment analysis for focusing mechanistic studies.