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Wang J, Wu X, Zhao J, Ren H, Zhao Y. Developing Liver Microphysiological Systems for Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2023:e2302217. [PMID: 37983733 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302217] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPSs), also known as organ chips, are micro-units that integrate cells with diverse physical and biochemical environmental cues. In the field of liver MPSs, cellular components have advanced from simple planar cell cultures to more sophisticated 3D formations such as spheroids and organoids. Additionally, progress in microfluidic devices, bioprinting, engineering of matrix materials, and interdisciplinary technologies have significant promise for producing MPSs with biomimetic structures and functions. This review provides a comprehensive summary of biomimetic liver MPSs including their clinical applications and future developmental potential. First, the key components of liver MPSs, including the principal cell types and engineered structures utilized for cell cultivation, are briefly introduced. Subsequently, the biomedical applications of liver MPSs, including the creation of disease models, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, are discussed. Finally, the challenges encountered by MPSs are summarized, and future research directions for their development are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xiangyi Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Junqi Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Haozhen Ren
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- Southeast University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518071, China
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Yang Z, Xie H, Wan J, Wang Y, Zhang L, Zhou K, Tang H, Zhao W, Wang H, Song P, Zheng S. A nanotherapeutic strategy that engages cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activities for the treatment of cancer recurrence following organ transplantation. EBioMedicine 2023; 92:104594. [PMID: 37167784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term treatment with immunosuppressants is necessary to attenuate allograft rejection following organ transplantation (OT). Consequently, the overall survival of OT recipients with malignancies has been substantially compromised by tumour recurrence. Rapamycin (RAPA) is a clinically approved immunosuppressive agent with antitumour activity that is considered beneficial in preventing posttransplant tumour recurrence. However, the clinical outcome of RAPA is impeded by acquired drug resistance and its poor oral bioavailability. METHODS A nanotherapeutic strategy was developed by supramolecular assembly of RAPA into a polymer cytotoxic 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) prodrug nanoparticle (termed SRNP) for simultaneous codelivery of cytotoxic/immunosuppressive agents. Cell-based experiments were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of SRNPs against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The therapeutic efficacy of SRNPs was evaluated in multiple preclinical models including an orthotopic HCC mouse model, an orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) rat model and a clinically relevant cancer-transplant model to examine its antitumour and immunosuppressive activity. FINDINGS The combination of SN38 with RAPA resulted in synergetic effects against HCC cells and alleviated RAPA resistance by abrogating Akt/mTOR signalling activation. SRNPs exhibited potent antitumour efficiency in the orthotopic HCC model while substantially prolonging the survival of allografts in the OLT model. In the cancer-transplant model that simultaneously bears tumour xenografts and skin allografts, SRNPs not only effectively inhibited tumour growth but also attenuated allograft damage. INTERPRETATION The nanotherapy presented here had enhanced efficacy against tumours and maintained satisfactory immunosuppressive activity and thus has great potential to improve the survival outcomes of patients with a high risk of tumour recurrence following OT. FUNDING This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32171368 and 31671019), the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LZ21H180001), the Zhejiang Province Preeminence Youth Fund (LR19H160002), and the Jinan Provincial Laboratory Research Project of Microecological Biomedicine (JNL-2022039c).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Yang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Jianqin Wan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Ke Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Wentao Zhao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Hangxiang Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Penghong Song
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.
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3
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The mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma: theoretical basis and therapeutic aspects. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:87. [PMID: 32532960 PMCID: PMC7292831 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0187-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 444] [Impact Index Per Article: 111.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor capable of facilitating apoptosis, mitigating angiogenesis and suppressing tumor cell proliferation. In late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sorafenib is currently an effective first-line therapy. Unfortunately, the development of drug resistance to sorafenib is becoming increasingly common. This study aims to identify factors contributing to resistance and ways to mitigate resistance. Recent studies have shown that epigenetics, transport processes, regulated cell death, and the tumor microenvironment are involved in the development of sorafenib resistance in HCC and subsequent HCC progression. This study summarizes discoveries achieved recently in terms of the principles of sorafenib resistance and outlines approaches suitable for improving therapeutic outcomes for HCC patients.
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Erdogan A, Ozkan A. Cetuximab and epirubicin HCl-combined application as a possibility to treat both parental and epirubicin HCl-resistant liver cancer cells. Biol Futur 2019; 70:175-184. [PMID: 34554450 DOI: 10.1556/019.70.2019.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Targeted chemotherapeutics such as cetuximab can cause many side effects such as skin toxicity when used in high concentrations. In addition, cancer cells can develop resistance to some of the anticancer agents during treatment. The lack of the desired success in chemotherapy and the development of resistance to chemotherapeutics, such as epirubicin HCl, suggest that there is a need for combined therapies. The combination of targeted chemotherapeutics and conventional chemotherapy drugs may lead to the emergence of new strategies in the treatment of cancer. In this study, cytotoxic, antiproliferative, cell cycle inhibitive, oxidative stress generation, and apoptotic effects and effect mechanisms of cetuximab alone and together with epirubicin HCl on parental liver cancer cells (P-Hep G2) and epirubicin HCl-resistant liver cancer cells (R-Hep G2) were investigated. MATERIALS Cytotoxic effects of cetuximab alone and with epirubicin-HCl on cells were determined by Cell Titer-Blue® Cell Viability and Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity tests. Cell cycle distributions and apoptosis were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Cetuximab with epirubicin HCl treatment increased the cytotoxic effect on both cells. Caspase-3/7 activity increased 3 and 1.5 times in comparison with control group in P-Hep G2 and R-Hep G2 cells, respectively, after treating with cetuximab alone, whereas the increase was found to be approximately 4.7 and 2.5 times when cetuximab was treated with epirubicin HCl in P-Hep G2 and R-Hep G2 cells, respectively. Both cetuximab alone and together with epirubicin HCl treatments caused increases in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in both cells. DISCUSSION Treatment of cetuximab with epirubicin HCl to P-Hep G2 and R-Hep G2 cells was found to be more effective in cytotoxic effect and inducing apoptosis comparison to cetuximab alone treatment. In addition, combination treatment showed different effects on pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic genes expression according to cells drug resistance properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Erdogan
- Genetic and Bioengineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey.
| | - Aysun Ozkan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Yang Z, Li JJ, Huang ZS. Progress in basic and clinical research of targeted drugs for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2019; 27:450-458. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v27.i7.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive system. Traditional treatment is not effective for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib is the first molecule-targeted drug for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. The emergence of molecule-targeted drugs provided a new choice for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent years, thanks to the development of immunotherapy, many new molecule-targeted drugs have been found to significantly improve the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeted drugs have become a research hotspot. This article reviews the progress in basic and clinical research of molecule-targeted drugs for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yang
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jian-Ji Li
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zan-Song Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Baise 533000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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Badawi M, Kim J, Dauki A, Sutaria D, Motiwala T, Reyes R, Wani N, Kolli S, Jiang J, Coss CC, Jacob ST, Phelps MA, Schmittgen TD. CD44 positive and sorafenib insensitive hepatocellular carcinomas respond to the ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitor INK128. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26032-26045. [PMID: 29899840 PMCID: PMC5995255 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mTOR pathway is activated in about 50% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In an effort to identify new pathways and compounds to treat advanced HCC, we considered the ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitor INK128. ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors attenuate both mTORC1 and mTORC2. INK128 was evaluated in sorafenib sensitive and insensitive HCC cell lines, CD44low and CD44high HCC and those cell lines with acquired sorafenib resistance. CD44 was significantly increased in Huh7 cells made resistant to sorafenib. Forced expression of CD44 enhanced cellular proliferation and migration, and rendered the cells more sensitive to the anti-proliferative effects of INK128. INK128 suppressed CD44 expression in HCC cells while allosteric mTOR inhibitors did not. CD44 inhibition correlated with 4EBP1 phosphorylation status. INK128 showed better anti-proliferative and anti-migration effects on the mesenchymal-like HCC cells, CD44high HCC cells compared to the allosteric mTOR inhibitor everolimus. Moreover, a combination of INK128 and sorafenib showed improved anti-proliferative effects in CD44high HCC cells. INK128 was efficacious at reducing tumor growth in CD44high SK-Hep1 xenografts in mice when given as monotherapy or in combination with sorafenib. Since the clinical response to sorafenib is highly variable, our findings suggest that ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors may be effective in treating advanced, CD44-expressing HCC patients who are insensitive to sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Badawi
- College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jihye Kim
- College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Anees Dauki
- College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dhruvitkumar Sutaria
- College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tasneem Motiwala
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan Reyes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nissar Wani
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Shamalatha Kolli
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jinmai Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher C. Coss
- College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Samson T. Jacob
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mitch A. Phelps
- College of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Niu L, Liu L, Yang S, Ren J, Lai PBS, Chen GG. New insights into sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma: Responsible mechanisms and promising strategies. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2017; 1868:564-570. [PMID: 29054475 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
It is disappointing that only a few patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) obtain a significant survival benefit from the sorafenib treatment, which is currently regarded as a first-line chemotherapeutic therapy in patients with advanced HCC. Most patients are highly refractory to this therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify resistant factors and explore potential protocols that can be used to overcome the resistance or substitute sorafenib once the resistance is formed. In fact, a growing body of studies has been focusing on the resistance mechanisms or the method to overcome it. The limitation of sorafenib efficacy has been partially but not fully elucidated. Moreover, some protocols have shown encouraging outcomes but still need to be further verified in clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the recent findings on the potential mechanisms that contribute to sorafenib resistance and discuss strategies that can be used to improve the treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Niu
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shengli Yang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jianwei Ren
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Paul B S Lai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, China.
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Sun X, Zhang Q, Chen W, Hu Q, Lou Y, Fu QH, Zhang JY, Chen YW, Ye LY, Wang Y, Xie SZ, Hu LQ, Liang TB, Bai XL. Hook1 inhibits malignancy and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317711098. [PMID: 28718370 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317711098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hook1 is a member of the hook family of coiled-coil proteins, which is recently found to be associated with malignant tumors. However, its biological function in hepatocellular carcinoma is yet unknown. Here, we evaluated the Hook1 levels in human hepatocellular carcinoma samples and matched peritumoral tissues by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Small interfering RNA knockdown and a transforming growth factor-β-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition model were employed to investigate the biological effects of Hook1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results indicated that Hook1 levels were significantly lower in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues than in the peritumoral tissues. In addition, Hook1 expression was significantly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy. Hook1 was downregulated after transforming growth factor-β-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Moreover, Hook1 knockdown promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition and attenuated the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to doxorubicin. In summary, our results indicate that downregulation of Hook1 plays a pivotal role in hepatocellular carcinoma progression via epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Hook1 may be used as a novel marker and therapeutic molecular target in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Huzhou Central Hospital, Zhejiang University Huzhou Hospital, Huzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qida Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Lou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Han Fu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Ying Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Long-Yun Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shang-Zhi Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Qiang Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting-Bo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Li Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Xue F, Liu Y, Zhang H, Wen Y, Yan L, Tang Q, Xiao E, Zhang D. Let-7a enhances the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cetuximab by regulating STAT3 expression. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:7253-7261. [PMID: 27932893 PMCID: PMC5135407 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s116127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Let-7 miRNAs are reported to play an inhibitory role in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, recurrence, and pluripotency of cancer. However, few studies have reported the relationship between let-7 and drug sensitivity, especially for let-7a (a subtype of let-7). This study aimed to investigate the function of let-7a in regulating the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines to cetuximab. Methods The cytotoxicity of cetuximab on HCC cell lines (Huh7, Hep3B, HepG2, SNU449, and SNU387) was evaluated using a cell viability assay (the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay) and a cell proliferation assay (the Click-iT EdU Imaging Kit) in the presence of a control, a let-7a mimic, and a let-7a inhibitor. Small interfering RNA to knockdown the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were employed. Protein and mRNA expression levels were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Results It was found that let-7a enhances the sensitivity of HCC cells with an epithelial phenotype (Huh7, Hep3B, and HepG2) to cetuximab, but has no effect on cells with the mesenchymal phenotype (SNU449 and SNU387). It was determined that STAT3 was a target mRNA of let-7a using TargetScan. Expression of STAT3 and let-7a mRNA were negatively correlated in HCC cell lines. Moreover, let-7a altered the protein and mRNA expression of STAT3. Furthermore, STAT3 knockdown enhanced the function of cetuximab on HCC cell lines with epithelial phenotypes, but not on HCC cell lines with mesenchymal phenotypes. Finally, a rescue experiment confirmed that let-7a affected the sensitivity of HCC cell lines to cetuximab by interacting with STAT3. Conclusions There is a functional link between let-7a and STAT3 in enhancing the sensitivity of HCC cells with an epithelial phenotype to cetuximab. Our results provide novel insight into new methodologies for combating HCC drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xue
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Hematology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Erhui Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongyi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
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Xue F, Liu Y, Chu H, Wen Y, Yan L, Tang Q, Xiao E, Zhang D, Zhang H. eIF5A2 is an alternative pathway for cell proliferation in cetuximab-treated epithelial hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:4670-4681. [PMID: 27904670 PMCID: PMC5126312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Heaptocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a great health problem around the world. Recently, the cetuximab has been implicated to have therapeutic values for HCC. However, cetuximab-resistance has also been synchronously reported pertaining to HCC treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the role of eIF5A2 in cetuximab-treated HCC cell proliferation, and whether eIF5A2 specific inhibitor GC7 has any effects on cetuximab-mediated proliferation inhibition in HCC cell lines. It was observed that GC7 significantly inhibited cell proliferation in HCC cell lines. GC7 synergized cetuximab to inhibit the proliferation in epithelial HCC cell lines HepG2, Huh7 and Hep3B, but not in mesenchymal cell lines SNU387 and SNU449. Knockdown of eIF5A-2 by specific siRNA exhibited the similar effects as GC7 did. In cetuximab-treated cells, cetuximab decreased the protein level of EGFR and phosphorylated STAT3 and unexpectedly up-regulated the expression level of eIF5A2, indicating the activation of eIF5A2 pathway. In turn, cetuximab also synergized GC7 to inhibit cell proliferation in epithelial cell lines. GC7 also suppressed hypoxia-induced cell proliferation in epithelial cell lines. These data suggest that eIF5A2 is an alternative pathway for cell proliferation in epithelial HCC cells escaping from the cytotoxicity of cetuximab. The eIF5A inhibitor GC7 might be a potent agent that promotes the cytotoxicity of cetuximab on epithelial HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xue
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Haoyuan Chu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yu Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Qiang Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Erhui Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Dongyi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital Zhengzhou, PR China
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Grimaldi A, Santini D, Zappavigna S, Lombardi A, Misso G, Boccellino M, Desiderio V, Vitiello PP, Di Lorenzo G, Zoccoli A, Pantano F, Caraglia M. Antagonistic effects of chloroquine on autophagy occurrence potentiate the anticancer effects of everolimus on renal cancer cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2015; 16:567-79. [PMID: 25866016 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2015.1018494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma is an aggressive disease often asymptomatic and weakly chemo-radiosensitive. Currently, new biologic drugs are used among which everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, that has been approved for second-line therapy. Since mTOR is involved in the control of autophagy, its antitumor capacity is often limited. In this view, chloroquine, a 4-alkylamino substituted quinoline family member, is an autophagy inhibitor that blocks the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of everolimus alone or in combination with chloroquine on renal cancer cell viability and verified possible synergism. Our results demonstrate that renal cancer cells are differently sensitive to everolimus and chloroquine and the pharmacological combination everolimus/chloroquine was strongly synergistic inducing cell viability inhibition. In details, the pharmacological synergism occurs when chloroquine is administered before everolimus. In addition, we found a flow autophagic block and shift of death mechanisms to apoptosis. This event was associated with decrease of Beclin-1/Bcl(-)2 complex and parallel reduction of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl(-)2 in combined treatment. At last, we found that the enhancement of apoptosis induced by drug combination occurs through the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activation, while the extrinsic pathway is involved only partly following its activation by chloroquine. These results provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma after appropriate clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Grimaldi
- a Department of Biochemistry; Biophysics and General Pathology
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