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Yang Y, Xing S, Luo X, Guan L, Lu Y, Wang Y, Wang F. Unraveling the prognostic significance of RGS gene family in gastric cancer and the potential implication of RGS4 in regulating tumor-infiltrating fibroblast. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1158852. [PMID: 38693916 PMCID: PMC11061405 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1158852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are regulators of signal transduction mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Current studies have shown that some molecules in the RGS gene family are related to the occurrence, development and poor prognosis of malignant tumors. However, the RGS gene family has been rarely studied in gastric cancer. In this study, we explored the mutation and expression profile of RGS gene family in gastric cancer, and evaluated the prognostic value of RGS expression. Then we established a prognostic model based on RGS gene family and performed functional analysis. Further studies showed that RGS4, as an independent prognostic predictor, may play an important role in regulating fibroblasts in the immune microenvironment. In conclusion, this study explores the value of RGS gene family in gastric cancer, which is of great significance for predicting the prognosis and guiding the treatment of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Feng Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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2
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Wu M, Xu X, Yang C, An Q, Zhang J, Zhao Z, Feng Y, Liang W, Fu Y, Zhang G, Jiang T. Regulator of G protein signaling 1 is a potential target in gastric cancer and impacts tumor-associated macrophages. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1085-1101. [PMID: 38287908 PMCID: PMC11006993 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulator of G protein signaling 1 (RGS1) is closely associated with the tumor immune microenvironment and is highly expressed in various tumors and immune cells. The specific effects of RGS1 in the dynamic progression from chronic gastritis to gastric cancer have not been reported, and the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is also unclear. In the present study, RGS1 was identified as an upregulated gene in different pathological stages ranging from chronic gastritis to gastric cancer by using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) screening together with pancancer analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas and clinical prognostic analysis. The results indicated that RGS1 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and has potential prognostic value. We confirmed through in vivo experiments that RGS1 inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and promoted apoptosis, which was further corroborated by in vitro experiments. Additionally, RGS1 influenced cell migration and invasion. In our subsequent investigation of RGS1, we discovered its role in the immune response. Through analyses of single-cell and GEO database data, we confirmed its involvement in immune cell regulation, specifically TAM activation. Subsequently, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments to confirm the involvement of RGS1 in polarizing M1 macrophages while indirectly regulating M2 macrophages through tumor cells. In conclusion, RGS1 could be a potential target for the transformation of chronic gastritis into gastric cancer and has a measurable impact on TAMs, which warrants further in-depth research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Wu
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Xuefei Xu
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Chuqi Yang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Qingwen An
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Jingcheng Zhang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Zhengqi Zhao
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Yewen Feng
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Weiyu Liang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Yufei Fu
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Guangji Zhang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
| | - Tao Jiang
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
- Key Labortory of Blood‐Stasis‐Toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Traditional Chinese Medicine "Preventing Disease" Wisdom Health Project Research Center of ZhejiangHangzhouChina
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Wang L, Zhang H, Gu X, Wang Y. Blood regulator of G protein signalling 1 as a potential prognostic biomarker in surgical nonsmall cell lung cancer patients: Correlation with clinical features and survival. THE CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2024; 18:e13712. [PMID: 38081176 PMCID: PMC10807578 DOI: 10.1111/crj.13712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regulator of G protein signalling 1 (RGS1) closely regulates malignant phenotypes and tumour immunity in several cancers, while its clinical value in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is by far rarely reported. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the linkage of blood RGS1 with clinical features and prognosis in surgical NSCLC patients. METHODS Two-hundred and ten surgical NSCLC patients were consecutively enrolled in this study, whose RGS1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined before treatment via reverse transcriptional-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, the blood RGS1 was also collected from 30 healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS Blood RGS1 was increased in NSCLC patients compared with HCs (P < 0.001). Elevated blood RGS1 was related to lymph node (LYN) metastasis (P = 0.001), higher tumour-nodes-metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.004), neoadjuvant chemotherapy administration (P = 0.044), shortened accumulative disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.008) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.013) in NSCLC patients. A multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that blood RGS1 high expression could independently reflect shortened DFS (hazard ratio = 1.499, P = 0.023), whereas it could not independently predict OS (P > 0.050). Furthermore, blood RGS1 high expression was associated with shortened OS (P = 0.020) in patients with neoadjuvant therapy and with worse DFS (P = 0.028) and OS (P = 0.026) in patients with adjuvant therapy, while blood RGS1 was not linked with DFS or OS in patients without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy (all P > 0.050). CONCLUSION Elevated blood RGS1 correlates with LYN metastasis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy administration, worse DFS and OS, which might serve as a useful prognostic biomarker for surgical NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Department of OncologyBaotou Cancer HospitalBaotouChina
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Medical IconographyBaotou Cancer HospitalBaotouChina
| | - Xinliang Gu
- Department of OncologyBaotou Cancer HospitalBaotouChina
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of OncologyBaotou Cancer HospitalBaotouChina
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Ko KP, Huang Y, Zhang S, Zou G, Kim B, Zhang J, Jun S, Martin C, Dunbar KJ, Efe G, Rustgi AK, Nakagawa H, Park JI. Key Genetic Determinants Driving Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Initiation and Immune Evasion. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:613-628.e20. [PMID: 37257519 PMCID: PMC10527250 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Despite recent progress in identifying aberrant genetic and epigenetic alterations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the mechanism of ESCC initiation remains unknown. METHODS Using CRISPR/Cas 9-based genetic ablation, we targeted 9 genes (TP53, CDKN2A, NOTCH1, NOTCH3, KMT2D, KMT2C, FAT1, FAT4, and AJUBA) in murine esophageal organoids. Transcriptomic phenotypes of organoids and chemokine released by organoids were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing. Tumorigenicity and immune evasion of organoids were monitored by allograft transplantation. Human ESCC single-cell RNA sequencing data sets were analyzed to classify patients and find subsets relevant to organoid models and immune evasion. RESULTS We established 32 genetically engineered esophageal organoids and identified key genetic determinants that drive ESCC initiation. A single-cell transcriptomic analysis uncovered that Trp53, Cdkn2a, and Notch1 (PCN) triple-knockout induces neoplastic features of ESCC by generating cell lineage heterogeneity and high cell plasticity. PCN knockout also generates an immunosuppressive niche enriched with exhausted T cells and M2 macrophages via the CCL2-CCR2 axis. Mechanistically, CDKN2A inactivation transactivates CCL2 via nuclear factor-κB. Moreover, comparative single-cell transcriptomic analyses stratified patients with ESCC and identified a specific subtype recapitulating the PCN-type ESCC signatures, including the high expression of CCL2 and CD274/PD-L1. CONCLUSIONS Our study unveils that loss of TP53, CDKN2A, and NOTCH1 induces esophageal neoplasia and immune evasion for ESCC initiation and proposes the CCL2 blockade as a viable option for targeting PCN-type ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Pil Ko
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yuanjian Huang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengzhe Zhang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gengyi Zou
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bongjun Kim
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sohee Jun
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cecilia Martin
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Karen J Dunbar
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Gizem Efe
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Hiroshi Nakagawa
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jae-Il Park
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas; Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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5
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Wang Y, Chen D, Liu Y, Shi D, Duan C, Li J, Shi X, Zhang Y, Yu Z, Sun N, Wang W, Ma Y, Xu X, Otkur W, Liu X, Xia T, Qi H, Piao HL, Liu HX. Multidirectional characterization of cellular composition and spatial architecture in human multiple primary lung cancers. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:462. [PMID: 37488117 PMCID: PMC10366158 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05992-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinic. Here, we orchestrated the cellular and spatial architecture of MPLCs by combining single-cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Notably, we identified a previously undescribed sub-population of epithelial cells termed as CLDN2+ alveolar type II (AT2) which was specifically enriched in MPLCs. This subtype was observed to possess a relatively stationary state, play a critical role in cellular communication, aggregate spatially in tumor tissues, and dominate the malignant histopathological patterns. The CLDN2 protein expression can help distinguish MPLCs from intrapulmonary metastasis and solitary lung cancer. Moreover, a cell surface receptor-TNFRSF18/GITR was highly expressed in T cells of MPLCs, suggesting TNFRSF18 as one potential immunotherapeutic target in MPLCs. Meanwhile, high inter-lesion heterogeneity was observed in MPLCs. These findings will provide insights into diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets and advance our understanding of the cellular and spatial architecture of MPLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 266000, Qingdao, China
| | - Di Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China
| | - Daiwang Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Chao Duan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Jinghan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Xiang Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhanwu Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China
| | - Nan Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China
| | - Yegang Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, 110122, Shenyang, China
| | - Wuxiyar Otkur
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Tian Xia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Huan Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China
| | - Hai-Long Piao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 116023, Dalian, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China.
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, 110122, Shenyang, China.
| | - Hong-Xu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, Shenyang, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, 110042, Shenyang, China.
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Li L, Xu Q, Tang C. RGS proteins and their roles in cancer: friend or foe? Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:81. [PMID: 37118788 PMCID: PMC10148553 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02932-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As negative modulators of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signaling, regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins facilitate various downstream cellular signalings through regulating kinds of heterotrimeric G proteins by stimulating the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity of G-protein α (Gα) subunits. The expression of RGS proteins is dynamically and precisely mediated by several different mechanisms including epigenetic regulation, transcriptional regulation -and post-translational regulation. Emerging evidence has shown that RGS proteins act as important mediators in controlling essential cellular processes including cell proliferation, survival -and death via regulating downstream cellular signaling activities, indicating that RGS proteins are fundamentally involved in sustaining normal physiological functions and dysregulation of RGS proteins (such as aberrant expression of RGS proteins) is closely associated with pathologies of many diseases such as cancer. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms governing the expression of RGS proteins, and further discuss the relationship of RGS proteins and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3333, Binsheng Rd., Hangzhou, 310052, People's Republic of China
- Department of Urology, Third Affiliated Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3333, Binsheng Rd., Hangzhou, 310052, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 3333, Binsheng Rd., Hangzhou, 310052, People's Republic of China.
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Zou L, Liu K, Shi Y, Li G, Li H, Zhao C. ScRNA-seq revealed targeting regulator of G protein signaling 1 to mediate regulatory T cells in Hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Biomark 2023; 36:299-311. [PMID: 36938729 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are central to determine immune response outcomes, thus targeting Tregs for immunotherapy is a promising strategy against tumor development and metastasis. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to identify genes for targeting Tregs to improve the outcome of HCC. METHODS We integrated expression data from different samples to remove batch effects and further applied embedding function in Scanpy to conduct sub-clustering of CD4+ T cells in HCC for each of two independent scRNA-seq data. The activity of transcription factors (TFs) was inferred by DoRothEA. Gene expression network analysis was performed in WGCNA R package. We finally used R packages (survminer and survival) to conduct survival analysis. Multiplex immunofluorescence analysis was performed to validate the result from bioinformatic analyses. RESULTS We found that regulator of G protein signaling 1 (RGS1) expression was significantly elevated in Tregs compared to other CD4+ T cells in two independent public scRNA-seq datasets, and increased RGS1 predicted inferior clinical outcome of HCC patients. Multiplex immunofluorescence analysis supported that the higher expression of RGS1 in HCC Tregs in tumor tissue compared to it in adjacent tissue. Moreover, RGS1 expression in Tregs was positively correlated with the expression of marker genes of Tregs, C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and three CXCR4-dependent genes in both scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data. We further identified that these three genes were selectively expressed in Tregs as compared to other CD4+ T cells. The activities of two transcription factors, recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJ) and yin yang 1 (YY1), were significantly different in HCC Tregs with RGS1 high and RGS1 low. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that RGS1 may regulate Treg function possibly through CXCR4 signaling and RGS1 could be a potential target to improve responses for immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianhong Zou
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kaihua Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Yongzhong Shi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guowei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First People'S Hospital of Guiyang, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Haiyang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Chaoxian Zhao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Cancer Institute, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, China
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8
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Zhou K, Hu N, Hong Y, Wu X, Zhang J, Lai H, Zhang Y, Wu F. An Immune-Related Prognostic Signature Predicts Overall Survival in Stomach Adenocarcinomas. Front Genet 2022; 13:903393. [PMID: 35677557 PMCID: PMC9168657 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.903393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore an immune response-related gene signature to predict the clinical prognosis and tumor immunity of stomach adenocarcinomas (STAD). Based on the expression and clinical data of STAD in the TCGA database, the immune cell infiltration status was evaluated using CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE methods. Samples were grouped into “hot” and “cold” tumors based on immune cell infiltration status and consensus clustering. The infiltration abundance of activated memory CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells had a significant effect on the overall survival of STAD patients. Among the three clusters, cluster 2 had a higher immune score and a significantly higher abundance of CD8 T cells and activated memory CD4 T cells were assigned as a hot tumor, while cluster 1 and 3 were assigned as a cold tumor. DEGs between hot and cold tumors were mainly enriched in immune-related biological processes and pathways. Total of 13 DEGs were related to the overall survival (OS). After the univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis, three signature genes (PEG10, DKK1, and RGS1) was identified to establish a prognostic model. Patients with the high-risk score were associated with worse survival, and the risk score had an independent prognostic value. Based on TIMER online tool, the infiltration levels of six immune cell types showed significant differences among different copy number statuses of PEG10, DKK1, and RGS1. In this study, an immune-related prognostic model containing three genes was established to predict survival for STAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangjie Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Lianyungang Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
- Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Nan Hu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yidong Hong
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Xueyu Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Jingzhou Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Huan Lai
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Zhang, ; Fenglei Wu,
| | - Fenglei Wu
- Department of Oncology, Lianyungang Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University/The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Zhang, ; Fenglei Wu,
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Bai Y, Hu M, Chen Z, Wei J, Du H. Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals RGS1 as a New Marker and Promoting Factor for T-Cell Exhaustion in Multiple Cancers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:767070. [PMID: 34956194 PMCID: PMC8692249 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.767070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell exhaustion is one of the main reasons of tumor immune escape. Using single-cell transcriptome data of CD8+ T cells in multiple cancers, we identified different cell types, in which Pre_exhaust and exhausted T cells participated in negative regulation of immune system process. By analyzing the coexpression network patterns and differentially expressed genes of Pre_exhaust, exhausted, and effector T cells, we identified 35 genes related to T-cell exhaustion, whose high GSVA scores were associated with significantly poor prognosis in various cancers. In the differentially expressed genes, RGS1 showed the greatest fold change in Pre_exhaust and exhausted cells of three cancers compared with effector T cells, and high expression of RGS1 was also associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. Additionally, RGS1 protein was upregulated significantly in tumor tissues in the immunohistochemistry verification. Furthermore, RGS1 displayed positive correlation with the 35 genes, especially highly correlated with PDCD1, CTLA4, HAVCR2, and TNFRSF9 in CD8+ T cells and cancer tissues, indicating the important roles of RGS1 in CD8+ T-cell exhaustion. Considering the GTP-hydrolysis activity of RGS1 and significantly high mRNA and protein expression in cancer tissues, we speculated that RGS1 potentially mediate the T-cell retention to lead to the persistent antigen stimulation, resulting in T-cell exhaustion. In conclusion, our findings suggest that RGS1 is a new marker and promoting factor for CD8+ T-cell exhaustion and provide theoretical basis for research and immunotherapy of exhausted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunmeng Bai
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meiling Hu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zixi Chen
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinfen Wei
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongli Du
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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The Upregulation of PLXDC2 Correlates with Immune Microenvironment Characteristics and Predicts Prognosis in Gastric Cancer. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:5669635. [PMID: 34777633 PMCID: PMC8589478 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5669635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to exhibit a regulatory effect on the progressions of gastric cancer (GC). However, the related functions of stromal and immune components (TME-associated genes) in TME remain largely unclear. From the TCGA dataset, we downloaded the clinical data of 375 GC cases and then estimated the percentage of tumor-infiltrating immunocytes (TICs) and the levels of immune and stromal constituents by the use of CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE tolls. Univariate assays were applied to study the differentially expressed genes. The associations between the clinical information of GC patients and the expressions of the specific genes were analyzed based on the TCGA datasets. The effect of Plexin domain containing 2 (PLXDC2) expression on TICs was conducted. We observed that PLXDC2 expression was distinctly upregulated in GC specimens compared with nontumor gastric specimens. Its upregulation was associated with advanced clinical stages and predicted a shorter overall survival of GC patients. The genes in the group of higher expressing PLXDC2 were primarily enriched in immunity-associated events. By the use of CIBERSORT, we observed that PLXDC2 expressions were related to the proportion of dendritic cells resting, T cell CD4 memory resting, eosinophils, mastocyte resting, mononuclear cells, plasma cells, T cell follicle helper, macrophage M2, and dendritic cells activated. Overall, our discoveries revealed that the expression of PLXDC2 was remarkable in GC, might be a possible biomarker for GC, and provided novel contents regarding immune infiltrates, offering novel insight for treatments of GC.
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Zou Q, Lv Y, Gan Z, Liao S, Liang Z. Identification and Validation of a Malignant Cell Subset Marker-Based Polygenic Risk Score in Stomach Adenocarcinoma Through Integrated Analysis of Bulk and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:720649. [PMID: 34733840 PMCID: PMC8558465 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.720649] [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: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) for poor survival among patients with stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) based on expression of malignant cell markers. Methods: Integrated analyses of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of STAD and normal stomach tissues were conducted to identify malignant and non-malignant markers. Analyses of the scRNA-seq profile from early STAD were used to explore intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) of the malignant cell subpopulations. Dimension reduction, cell clustering, pseudotime, and gene set enrichment analyses were performed. The marker genes of each malignant tissue and cell clusters were screened to create a PRS using Cox regression analyses. Combined with the PRS and routine clinicopathological characteristics, a nomogram tool was generated to predict prognosis of patients with STAD. The prognostic power of the PRS was validated in two independent external datasets. Results: The malignant and non-malignant cells were identified according to 50 malignant and non-malignant cell markers. The malignant cells were divided into nine clusters with different marker genes and biological characteristics. Pseudotime analysis showed the potential differentiation trajectory of these nine malignant cell clusters and identified genes that affect cell differentiation. Ten malignant cell markers were selected to generate a PRS: RGS1, AADAC, NPC2, COL10A1, PRKCSH, RAMP1, PRR15L, TUBA1A, CXCR6, and UPP1. The PRS was associated with both overall and progression-free survival (PFS) and proved to be a prognostic factor independent of routine clinicopathological characteristics. PRS could successfully divide patients with STAD in three datasets into high- or low-risk groups. In addition, we combined PRS and the tumor clinicopathological characteristics into a nomogram tool to help predict the survival of patients with STAD. Conclusion: We revealed limited but significant intratumoral heterogeneity in STAD and proposed a malignant cell subset marker-based PRS through integrated analysis of bulk sequencing and scRNA-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyuan Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangxi Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yufeng Lv
- Center of Oncology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangxi Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Zuhuan Gan
- Center of Oncology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangxi Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Shulan Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangxi Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Zhonghui Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangxi Hospital, Nanning, China
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Zhang L, Yao M, Ma W, Jiang Y, Wang W. MicroRNA-376b-3p targets RGS1 mRNA to inhibit proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis in osteosarcoma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1652. [PMID: 34988161 PMCID: PMC8667113 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-4949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate the role of microRNA-376b-3p (miR-376b-3p) and regulator of G protein signaling 1 (RGS1) in the proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis of osteosarcoma. Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor and normal tissues from GSE14359 and GSE33382 in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) dataset were analyzed with GEO2R online. Similarly, differentially expressed miRNAs from GSE70367 were also analyzed with GEO2R. The interaction between the differentially expressed miRNAs and the shared distal metastasis-related DEGs from the two datasets were analyzed using miRWalk and Cytoscape. RGS1 and miR-376-3p were chosen to verify the prediction. RGS1 stably expressing and silencing cells were established based on the MG63 and U2OS cell lines. The targeting of RGS1 with miR-376b-3p was confirmed with Starbase prediction and luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis were characterized in vitro and in xenograft mice. Results A total of 10 up-regulated and 8 down-regulated DEGs were characterized as shared metastasis-related DEGs for GSE14359 and GSE33382. Among these DEGs, RGS1 was targeted with miR-376b-3p, a predicted down-regulated miRNA in GSE70367. High expression of RGS1 predicted proliferation, invasion, metastases, and poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Overexpression of RGS1 promoted proliferation, invasion, mobility, and stemness in MG63 and U2OS cells, while silencing of RGS1 had the opposite effect in both cell lines. High expression of RGS1 promoted tumor growth in xenograft nude mice. RGS1 was targeted with miR-376b-3p; the addition of miR-376b-3p down-regulated RGS1, and suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Meanwhile, sponging of miR-376b-3p had the opposite effect. The suppressive effects of miR-376b-3p could be abolished with RGS1, as cell proliferation, stemness, metastasis, and invasion were all promoted with RGS1 co-transfection in both cell lines. Conclusions Our study indicated that RGS1 is a tumor-promoting gene in osteosarcoma, which could be inhibited with miR-376b-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Meng Yao
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weikang Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yongqing Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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