Prognostic impact of SET domain-containing protein 8 and protein arginine methyltransferase 5 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following curative resection

Specific gut microbiome signature predicts hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular invasion

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess differences in intestinal microflora between patients with operable hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) with microvascular invasion (MVI) and those without MVI. Additionally, we investigated the potential of the microbiome as a non-invasive biomarker for patients with MVI.

METHODS

We analyzed the preoperative gut microbiomes (GMs) of two groups, the MVI (n = 46) and non-MVI (n = 56) groups, using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing data. At the operational taxonomic unit level, we employed random forest models to predict MVI risk and validated the results in independent validation cohorts [MVI group (n = 17) and non-MVI group (n = 15)].

RESULTS

β diversity analysis, utilizing weighted UniFrac distances, revealed a significant difference between the MVI and non-MVI groups, as indicated by non-metric multidimensional scaling and principal coordinate analysis. We also observed a significant correlation between the characteristic intestinal microbial communities at the genus level and their main functions. Nine optimal microbial markers were identified, with an area under the curve of 79.76% between 46 MVI and 56 non-MVI samples and 79.80% in the independent verification group.

CONCLUSION

This pioneering analysis of the GM in patients with operable HBV-HCC with and without MVI opens new avenues for treating HBV-HCC with MVI. We successfully established a diagnostic model and independently verified microbial markers for patients with MVI. As preoperative targeted biomarkers, GM holds potential as a non-invasive tool for patients with HBV-HCC with MVI.

The Role of the PRMT5-SND1 Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Arginine methylation is an essential post-translational modification (PTM) deposited by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and recognized by Tudor domain-containing proteins. Of the nine mammalian PRMTs, PRMT5 is the primary enzyme responsible for the deposition of symmetric arginine methylation marks in cells. The staphylococcal nuclease and Tudor domain-containing 1 (SND1) effector protein is a key reader of the marks deposited by PRMT5. Both PRMT5 and SND1 are broadly expressed and their deregulation is reported to be associated with a range of disease phenotypes, including cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an example of a cancer type that often displays elevated PRMT5 and SND1 levels, and there is evidence that hyperactivation of this axis is oncogenic. Importantly, this pathway can be tempered with small-molecule inhibitors that target PRMT5, offering a therapeutic node for cancer, such as HCC, that display high PRMT5–SND1 axis activity. Here we summarize the known activities of this writer–reader pair, with a focus on their biological roles in HCC. This will help establish a foundation for treating HCC with PRMT5 inhibitors and also identify potential biomarkers that could predict sensitivity to this type of therapy.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of PRMT5 in Cancers: A System Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Since protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is abnormally expressed in various tumors, in this study we aim to assess the association between PRMT5 and clinicopathological and prognostic features.

METHODS

Electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library were searched until July 25, 2021. The critical appraisal of the eligible studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated to assess the effect. Engauge Digitizer version 12.1, STATA version 15.1, and R version 4.0.5 were used to obtain and analysis the data.

RESULTS

A total of 32 original studies covering 15,583 patients were included. In our data, it indicated that high level of PRMT5 was significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.22-3.70, P =.008; I2 = 80.7%) and positively correlated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.46-1.73, P < .001; I2 = 50%) and progression-free survival (HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.24-1.88, P < .001; I2 = 0%). In addition, sub-group analysis showed that high level of PRMT5 was associated with poor overall survival for such 5 kinds of cancers as hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, and lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

For the first time we found PRMT5 was pan-cancerous as a prognostic biomarker and high level of PRMT5 was associated with poor prognosis for certain cancers.

Fasting Induces Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Apoptosis by Inhibiting SET8 Expression

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-threatening cancer, and the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signalling pathway plays a crucial role in apoptosis resistance in cancer cells. Fasting is reported to mediate tumour growth reduction and apoptosis. SET8 is involved in cancer proliferation, invasiveness, and migration. However, whether SET8 participates in fasting-mediated apoptosis in HCC remains unclear.

Methods

We used immunohistochemical staining to analyse the expression of SET8, Keap1, and Nrf2 in HCC tissues. Cell viability, apoptosis, and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed, and Western blot and qPCR analyses were used to examine the expression of Keap1/Nrf2 in HCC cells under fasting, SET8 overexpression, and PGC1α overexpression conditions. Mass spectrometry, coimmunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy were used to determine whether PGC1α overexpression conditions. Mass spectrometry, coimmunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy were used to determine whether PGC1In vivo experiments were performed to verify the conclusions from the in vitro experiments.

Results

Our data indicate that SET8 expression is associated with poor survival in HCC patients. Both in vitro experiments. in vivo experiments were performed to verify the conclusions from the α overexpression conditions. Mass spectrometry, coimmunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy were used to determine whether PGC1α overexpression conditions. Mass spectrometry, coimmunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy were used to determine whether PGC1

Conclusions

The results of our study demonstrate that fasting induces HCC apoptosis by inhibiting SET8 expression and that SET8 interacts with PGC1α to activate the Nrf2/ARE signalling pathway by inhibiting Keap1 expression.α overexpression conditions. Mass spectrometry, coimmunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy were used to determine whether PGC1