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Kotulkar M, Barbee J, Paine-Cabrera D, Robarts D, O'Neil M, Apte U. Role of HNF4α-cMyc Interaction in CDE Diet-Induced Liver Injury and Regeneration. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:1218-1229. [PMID: 38588852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a nuclear factor essential for liver function that regulates the expression of cMyc and plays an important role during liver regeneration. This study investigated the role of the HNF4α-cMyc interaction in regulating liver injury and regeneration using the choline-deficient and ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet model. Wild-type (WT), hepatocyte-specific HNF4α-knockout (KO), cMyc-KO, and HNF4α-cMyc double KO (DKO) mice were fed a CDE diet for 1 week to induce subacute liver injury. To study regeneration, normal chow diet was fed for 1 week after CDE diet. WT mice exhibited significant liver injury and decreased HNF4α mRNA and protein expression after CDE diet. HNF4α deletion resulted in significantly higher injury with increased inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation, and hepatic progenitor cell activation compared with WT mice after CDE diet but indicated similar recovery. Deletion of cMyc lowered liver injury with activation of inflammatory genes compared with WT and HNF4α-KO mice after CDE diet. DKO mice had a phenotype comparable to that of the HNF4α-KO mice after CDE diet and a complete recovery. DKO mice exhibited a significant increase in hepatic progenitor cell markers both after injury and recovery phase. Taken together, these data show that HNF4α protects against inflammatory and fibrotic changes after CDE diet-induced injury, which is driven by cMyc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Julia Barbee
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Dakota Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Maura O'Neil
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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2
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Ramakrishnan K, Vishwakarma R, Dev RR, Raju R, Rehman N. Etiologically Significant microRNAs in Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2024; 28:280-290. [PMID: 38818956 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2024.0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been causally linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in more than 50% cases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play cross-cutting mechanistic roles in the complex interplay between viral pathogenesis, host survival, and clinical outcomes. The present study set out to identify etiologically significant human miRNAs associated with HBV infection in liver-related pathologies leading to HCC. In diverse tissue types, we assembled 573 miRNAs differentially expressed in HBV-associated liver pathologies, HBV infection, fibrosis, cirrhosis, acute on chronic liver failure, and HCC. Importantly, 43 human differentially expressed miRNAs (hDEmiRs) were regulated in serum/plasma and liver tissue of patients with HBV-positive conditions. However, only two hDEmiRs, hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-143-3p, were regulated across all disease conditions. To shortlist the functional miRNAs in HBV-induced HCC pathogenesis, a reverse bioinformatics analysis was performed using eight GEO datasets and the TCGA database containing the list of differentially regulated mRNAs in HCC. A comparative study using these data with the identified targets of hDEmiRs, a set of unidirectionally regulated hDEmiRs with the potential to modulate mRNAs in HCC, were found. Moreover, our study identified five miRNAs; hsa-miR-98-5p, hsa-miR-193b-3p, hsa-miR-142-5p, hsa-miR-522-5p, and hsa-miR-370-3p targeting PIGC, KNTC1, CSTF2, SLC41A2, and RAB17, respectively, in HCC. These hDEmiRs and their targets could be pivotal in HBV infection and subsequent liver pathologies modulating HCC clinical progression. HBV infection is the largest contributor to HCC, and the present study comprises the first of its kind compendium of hDEmiRs related to HBV-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riya Vishwakarma
- Centre for Integrative Omics Data Science, Yenepoya, Mangalore, India
| | - Radul R Dev
- Centre for Integrative Omics Data Science, Yenepoya, Mangalore, India
| | - Rajesh Raju
- Centre for Integrative Omics Data Science, Yenepoya, Mangalore, India
| | - Niyas Rehman
- Centre for Integrative Omics Data Science, Yenepoya, Mangalore, India
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3
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Abdel-Megeed RM, Ghanem HZ, Kadry MO. Alleviation of doxorubicin adverse effects via loading into various drug-delivery systems: a comparative study. Ther Deliv 2024; 15:413-426. [PMID: 38639647 DOI: 10.4155/tde-2023-0121] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: Drug resistance is still a significant barrier to effective hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Address the issue of doxorubicin resistance and inter-receptor crosstalk various doxorubicin formulations were investigated. Methods: Hepatocellular carcinoma was carried out using 3-methylechloroanthrene. Animals were then treated with doxorubicin, liposomal doxorubicin, titanium-loaded doxorubicin (TiO2-Dox), lactoferrin-doxorubicin and PEGylated doxorubicin. Biochemical and molecular analyses were assessed. Results: Results have declared a significant alternation of both sodium and potassium concentrations upon 3-methylechloroanthrene administration. Arginase-I and α-L-Fucodinase tumor biomarkers were significantly elevated. C-myc, Hprt-1 and EGFR gene expression were over-expressed. Treatment with the aforementioned treatment regimens significantly modulated all measured parameters. Conclusion: TiO2-Dox, doxorubicin-lactoferrin and PEGylated doxorubicin could be a promising regimen in hepatocellular carcinoma and overcoming the problem of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehab M Abdel-Megeed
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical & Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Center, El Buhouth St, Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Hassan Z Ghanem
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical & Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Center, El Buhouth St, Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Mai O Kadry
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical & Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Center, El Buhouth St, Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
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4
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Manoharan S, Saha S, Murugesan K, Santhakumar A, Perumal E. Natural bioactive compounds and STAT3 against hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. Life Sci 2024; 337:122351. [PMID: 38103726 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging and very fatal liver cancer. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is a crucial regulator of tumor development and are ubiquitously active in HCC. Therefore, targeting STAT3 has emerged as a promising approach for preventing and treating HCC. Various natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) have been proven to target STAT3 and have the potential to prevent and treat HCC as STAT3 inhibitors. Numerous kinds of STAT3 inhibitors have been identified, including small molecule inhibitors, peptide inhibitors, and oligonucleotide inhibitors. Due to the undesirable side effects of the conventional therapeutic drugs against HCC, the focus is shifted to NBCs derived from plants and other natural sources. NBCs can be broadly classified into the categories of terpenes, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenols. Most of the compounds belong to the family of terpenes, which prevent tumorigenesis by inhibiting STAT3 nuclear translocation. Further, through STAT3 inhibition, terpenes downregulate matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), modulating metastasis. Terpenes also suppress the anti-apoptotic proteins and cell cycle markers. This review provides comprehensive information related to STAT3 abrogation by NBCs in HCC with in vitro and in vivo evidences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryaa Manoharan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Shreejit Saha
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Krishnasanthiya Murugesan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Aksayakeerthana Santhakumar
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Ekambaram Perumal
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India.
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5
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Bu N, Wang S, Ma Y, Xia H, Zhao Y, Shi X, Liu Q, Wang S, Gao Y. The lncRNA H19/miR-29a-3p/SNIP1/c-myc regulatory axis is involved in pulmonary fibrosis induced by Nd2O3. Toxicol Sci 2023; 197:27-37. [PMID: 37831906 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad107] [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] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Some rare earth elements are occupational and environmental toxicants and can cause organ and systemic damage; therefore, they have attracted global attention. Neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) is a rare earth element that is refined and significantly utilized in China. The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 is encoded by the H19/IGF2 imprinted gene cluster located on human chromosome 11p15.5. H19 has become a research focus due to its ectopic expression leading to the promotion of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms by which it causes pulmonary fibrosis are elusive. This investigation indicates that biologically active Nd2O3 increases H19, SNIP1, and c-myc, decreases miR-29a-3p, accelerates macrophage M2 polarization, and causes pulmonary fibrosis in mice lung tissues. In macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells, Nd2O3 (25 μg/ml) enhanced H19, SNIP1, and c-myc, reduced miR-29a-3p, accelerated macrophages M2 polarization, and stimulated fibrogenic cytokine (TGF-β1) secretion. Furthermore, the coculturing of Nd2O3-treated macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells. And human embryonic lung fibroblast cells activated lung fibroblast, which increases the levels of collagen I, α-SMA, p-Smad2/3, and Smad4, whereas H19 knockdown or miR-29a-3p upregulation in macrophages had opposite effects. Moreover, it was revealed that H19/miR-29a-3p/SNIP1/c-myc regulatory axis is involved in pulmonary fibrosis induced by Nd2O3. Therefore, this study provides new molecular insights into the mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis by Nd2O3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Bu
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shurui Wang
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Yupeng Ma
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Haibo Xia
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yuhang Zhao
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Xuemin Shi
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Qizhan Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Suhua Wang
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia, PR China
| | - Yanrong Gao
- School of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia, PR China
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6
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Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Abernathy S, Robarts DR, Parkes WS, Lin-Rahardja K, Numata S, Lebofsky M, Jaeschke H, Apte U. Role of HNF4alpha-cMyc interaction in liver regeneration and recovery after acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury. Hepatology 2023; 78:1106-1117. [PMID: 37021787 PMCID: PMC10523339 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) is the major cause of acute liver failure in the western world. We report a novel signaling interaction between hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) cMyc and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) during liver injury and regeneration after APAP overdose. APPROACH AND RESULTS APAP-induced liver injury and regeneration were studied in male C57BL/6J (WT) mice, hepatocyte-specific HNF4α knockout mice (HNF4α-KO), and HNF4α-cMyc double knockout mice (DKO). C57BL/6J mice treated with 300 mg/kg maintained nuclear HNF4α expression and exhibited liver regeneration, resulting in recovery. However, treatment with 600-mg/kg APAP, where liver regeneration was inhibited and recovery was delayed, showed a rapid decline in HNF4α expression. HNF4α-KO mice developed significantly higher liver injury due to delayed glutathione recovery after APAP overdose. HNF4α-KO mice also exhibited significant induction of cMyc, and the deletion of cMyc in HNF4α-KO mice (DKO mice) reduced the APAP-induced liver injury. The DKO mice had significantly faster glutathione replenishment due to rapid induction in Gclc and Gclm genes. Coimmunoprecipitation and ChIP analyses revealed that HNF4α interacts with Nrf2 and affects its DNA binding. Furthermore, DKO mice showed significantly faster initiation of cell proliferation resulting in rapid liver regeneration and recovery. CONCLUSIONS These data show that HNF4α interacts with Nrf2 and promotes glutathione replenishment aiding in recovery from APAP-induced liver injury, a process inhibited by cMyc. These studies indicate that maintaining the HNF4α function is critical for regeneration and recovery after APAP overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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7
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Schmidt AV, Monga SP, Prochownik EV, Goetzman ES. A Novel Transgenic Mouse Model Implicates Sirt2 as a Promoter of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12618. [PMID: 37628798 PMCID: PMC10454864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612618] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. Incidence rates are steadily increasing, creating an unmet need for new therapeutic options. Recently, the inhibition of sirtuin-2 (Sirt2) was proposed as a potential treatment for HCC, despite contradictory findings of its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor in vitro. Sirt2 functions as a lysine deacetylase enzyme. However, little is known about its biological influence, despite its implication in several age-related diseases. This study evaluated Sirt2's role in HCC in vivo using an inducible c-MYC transgene in Sirt2+/+ and Sirt2-/- mice. Sirt2-/- HCC mice had smaller, less proliferative, and more differentiated liver tumors, suggesting that Sirt2 functions as a tumor promoter in this context. Furthermore, Sirt2-/- HCCs had significantly less c-MYC oncoprotein and reduction in c-MYC nuclear localization. The RNA-seq showed that only three genes were significantly dysregulated due to loss of Sirt2, suggesting the underlying mechanism is due to Sirt2-mediated changes in the acetylome, and that the therapeutic inhibition of Sirt2 would not perturb the oncogenic transcriptome. The findings of this study suggest that Sirt2 inhibition could be a promising molecular target for slowing HCC growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V. Schmidt
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Satdarshan P. Monga
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Edward V. Prochownik
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Eric S. Goetzman
- Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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8
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Jee W, Ko HM, Park DI, Park YR, Park SM, Kim H, Na YC, Jung JH, Jang HJ. Momordicae Semen inhibits migration and induces apoptotic cell death by regulating c-Myc and CNOT2 in human pancreatic cancer cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12800. [PMID: 37550432 PMCID: PMC10406802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39840-w] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer(PC) is less common than other cancers; however, it has a poor prognosis. Therefore, studying novel target signaling and anticancer agents is necessary. Momordicae Semen (MS), the seed of Momordica sochinensis Spreng, mainly found in South-East Asia, including China and Bangladesh, is used to treat various diseases because of its anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. However, the effect of the MS extract on pancreatic cancer cells remains unknown. In this study investigated whether the MS extract exerted an anti-cancer effect by regulating c-Myc through CNOT2. Cytotoxicity and proliferation were investigated using MTT and colony formation assays. The levels of apoptotic, oncogenic, and migration-associated factors were confirmed using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Wound closure was analyzed using a wound healing assay. The chemical composition of the MS methanol extracts was analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We confirmed that the MS extract regulated apoptotic factors and attenuated the stability of c-Myc and its sensitivity to fetal bovine serum. Furthermore, the MS extract increased apoptosis by regulating c-Myc and CNOT2 expression and enhanced the sensitivity of 5-FU in pancreatic cancer. This study showed that the MS extract is a promising new drug for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wona Jee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Hyun Min Ko
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Do-Il Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Ye-Rin Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - So-Mi Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Hyungsuk Kim
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun-Cheol Na
- Western Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 150 Bugahyeon-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03759, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Jung
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Hyeung-Jin Jang
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea.
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Korea.
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9
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Zhu H, Yu H, Zhou H, Zhu W, Wang X. Elevated Nuclear PHGDH Synergistically Functions with cMyc to Reshape the Immune Microenvironment of Liver Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2205818. [PMID: 37078828 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we observed that nuclear localization of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is associated with poor prognosis in liver cancer, and Phgdh is required for liver cancer progression in a mouse model. Unexpectedly, impairment of Phgdh enzyme activity exerts a slight effect in a liver cancer model. In liver cancer cells, the aspartate kinase-chorismate mutase-tyrA prephenate dehydrogenase (ACT) domain of PHGDH binds nuclear cMyc to form a transactivation axis, PHGDH/p300/cMyc/AF9, which drives chemokine CXCL1 and IL8 gene expression. Then, CXCL1 and IL8 promote neutrophil recruitment and enhance tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) filtration in the liver, thereby advancing liver cancer. Forced cytosolic localization of PHGDH or destruction of the PHGDH/cMyc interaction abolishes the oncogenic function of nuclear PHGDH. Depletion of neutrophils by neutralizing antibodies greatly hampers TAM filtration. These findings reveal a nonmetabolic role of PHGDH with altered cellular localization and suggest a promising drug target for liver cancer therapy by targeting the nonmetabolic region of PHGDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwen Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hua Yu
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wencheng Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiongjun Wang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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10
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Wang X, Tang Y, Liu R, Li W, Liu S, Zhou X. Pan-cancer analysis of BRK1 as a potential immunotherapeutic target. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-23. [PMID: 36989393 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2196179] [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: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the connection between the progression of several cancers and BRK1. However, the clinical significance of aberrant BRK1 gene expression in cancer is unknown. This study is conducted to investigate the possibility and effect of BRK1 as a potential immunotherapy target, to deliver a better option for liver cancer immunotherapy. We explored the predictive role of BRK1 expression in a variety of cancers from different bioinformatics, including differential expression in different cancers, tumor microenvironment (TME), microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), immune checkpoint molecules, immune-related and cell cycle-related signalling pathways, and drug response sensitivity. Finally, we verified the expression of BRK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma using immunohistochemistry. BRK1 is overexpressed in multiple cancers and displays a negative association with prognosis and progression of disease in a wide range of main cancer types. Additionally, the expression of BRK1 is related to MSI and TMB of tumors. There was also a remarkable correlation between the expression of BRK1 and immune score, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint molecules and a stromal score of tumors. In hepatocellular carcinoma, BRK1 is associated with several signaling pathways and immune cell infiltration may affect several key immune-related regulatory genes, making it an excellent biomarker and may be a sensitive target for immune drugs.Our research suggests that BRK1 may be a potential prognostic marker and target for immunotherapy and may be associated with poor prognosis in diverse malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiantao First People 's Hospital of Yangtze University, Xiantao, Hubei, China
| | - Yanru Tang
- Department of Respiratory, Xiantao First People 's Hospital of Yangtze University, Xiantao, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wentao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shiyue Liu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xinhong Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiantao First People 's Hospital of Yangtze University, Xiantao, Hubei, China
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11
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Sun L, Zhou H, Zhao X, Zhang H, Wang Y, Li G. Small RNA sequencing identified miR-3180 as a potential prognostic biomarker for Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Front Genet 2023; 14:1102171. [PMID: 37051592 PMCID: PMC10083302 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1102171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes are aberrantly expressed in many cancers and are linked to carcinogenesis and metastasis, especially among hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study sought to identify new biomarkers related to HCC prognosis using small RNA sequencing from the tumor and matched normal adjacent tissue of 32 patients with HCC. Eight miRNAs were downregulated and 61 were upregulated more than twofold. Of these, five miRNAs, hsa-miR-3180, hsa-miR-5589-5p, hsa-miR-490-5p, hsa-miR-137, and hsa-miR-378i, were significantly associated with 5-year overall survival (OS) rates. Differential upregulation of hsa-miR-3180 and downregulation of hsa-miR-378i in tumor samples supported the finding that low and high concentrations of hsa-miR-3180 (p = 0.029) and hsa-miR-378i (p = 0.047), respectively, were associated with higher 5-year OS. Cox regression analyses indicated that hsa-miR-3180 (HR = 0.08; p = 0.013) and hsa-miR-378i (HR = 18.34; p = 0.045) were independent prognostic factors of poor survival. However, high hsa-miR-3180 expression obtained larger AUCs for OS and progression-free survival (PFS) and had better nomogram prediction than hsa-miR-378i. These findings indicate that hsa-miR-3180 may be associated with HCC progression and could serve as a potential biomarker for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Sun
- General Surgery Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hansheng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhao
- General Surgery Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haitao Zhang
- General Surgery Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- CAS Key Lab of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yan Wang, ; Guangming Li,
| | - Guangming Li
- General Surgery Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yan Wang, ; Guangming Li,
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12
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Santo D, Mendonça PV, Serra AC, Coelho JFJ, Faneca H. Targeted downregulation of MYC mediated by a highly efficient lactobionic acid-based glycoplex to enhance chemosensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Int J Pharm 2023; 637:122865. [PMID: 36940837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122865] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The chemosensitization of tumor cells by gene therapy represents a promising strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. In this regard, HCC-specific and highly efficient gene delivery nanocarriers are urgently needed. For this purpose, novel lactobionic acid-based gene delivery nanosystems were developed to downregulate c-MYC expression and sensitize tumor cells to low concentration of sorafenib (SF). A library of tailor-made cationic glycopolymers, based on poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride) (PAMA) and poly(2-lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate) (PLAMA) were synthesized by a straightforward activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. The nanocarriers prepared with PAMA114-co-PLAMA20 glycopolymer were the most efficient for gene delivery. These glycoplexes specifically bound to the asialoglycoprotein receptor and were internalized through the clathrin-coated pit endocytic pathway. c-MYC expression was significantly downregulated by MYC short-hairpin RNA (MYC shRNA), resulting in efficient inhibition of tumor cells proliferation and a high levels apoptosis in 2D and 3D HCC-tumor models. Moreover, c-MYC silencing increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to SF (IC50 for MYC shRNA+ SF 1.9 μM compared to 6.9 μM for control shRNA + SF). Overall, the data obtained demonstrated the great potential of PAMA114-co-PLAMA20/MYC shRNA nanosystems combined with low doses of SF for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Santo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia V Mendonça
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arménio C Serra
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge F J Coelho
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal; IPN, Instituto Pedro Nunes, Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento em Ciência e Tecnologia, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Henrique Faneca
- University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Coimbra, Portugal.
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13
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Sousa A, Dugourd A, Memon D, Petursson B, Petsalaki E, Saez-Rodriguez J, Beltrao P. Pan-Cancer landscape of protein activities identifies drivers of signalling dysregulation and patient survival. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e10631. [PMID: 36688815 PMCID: PMC9996241 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202110631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic alterations in cancer cells trigger oncogenic transformation, a process largely mediated by the dysregulation of kinase and transcription factor (TF) activities. While the mutational profiles of thousands of tumours have been extensively characterised, the measurements of protein activities have been technically limited until recently. We compiled public data of matched genomics and (phospho)proteomics measurements for 1,110 tumours and 77 cell lines that we used to estimate activity changes in 218 kinases and 292 TFs. Co-regulation of kinase and TF activities reflects previously known regulatory relationships and allows us to dissect genetic drivers of signalling changes in cancer. We find that loss-of-function mutations are not often associated with the dysregulation of downstream targets, suggesting frequent compensatory mechanisms. Finally, we identified the activities most differentially regulated in cancer subtypes and showed how these can be linked to differences in patient survival. Our results provide broad insights into the dysregulation of protein activities in cancer and their contribution to disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Sousa
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (i3s), Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.,Graduate Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology (GABBA), Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Aurelien Dugourd
- Faculty of Medicine, and Heidelberg University Hospital, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Danish Memon
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Borgthor Petursson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Evangelia Petsalaki
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Faculty of Medicine, and Heidelberg University Hospital, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pedro Beltrao
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK.,Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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14
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Jihad M, Yet İ. Multiomics Integration at Single-Cell Resolution Using Bayesian Networks: A Case Study in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2023; 27:24-33. [PMID: 36602810 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2022.0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiomics data integration is one of the leading frontiers of complex disease research and integrative biology. The advances in single-cell sequencing technologies offer yet another crucial dimension in multiomics research. The single-cell studies enable the study and integration of multiomics data simultaneously in the same cell. We report in this study multiomics data integration in single-cell resolution using Bayesian networks (BNs) in a case study of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A BN encodes the conditional dependencies/independencies of variables using a graphical model with an accompanying joint probability. RNA-seq and Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing data were analyzed separately, and copy number variations were estimated by the hidden Markov model method. Several BN models were constructed to reveal omics' causal and associational relationships. These methods were subjected to a validation study using an independent data set. We show the heterogeneity of the multiple cellular layers of HCC at single-cell omics resolution by identifying best-fitted BN models of 295 genes. We also provide novel insights into the multiomics mechanistic relationships in the human lymphocyte antigen class I genes in HCC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to focus on integrating omics data using a machine learning algorithm, BNs, at the single-cell resolution using a case study of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muntadher Jihad
- Department of Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İdil Yet
- Department of Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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15
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Abstract
C-Myc overexpression is a common finding in pancreatic cancer and predicts the aggressive behavior of cancer cells. It binds to the promoter of different genes, thereby regulating their transcription. C-Myc is downstream of KRAS and interacts with several oncogenic and proliferative pathways in pancreatic cancer. C-Myc enhances aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells and regulates glutamate biosynthesis from glutamine. It provides enough energy for cancer cells' metabolism and sufficient substrate for the synthesis of organic molecules. C-Myc overexpression is associated with chemoresistance, intra-tumor angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Despite its title, c-Myc is not "undruggable" and recent studies unveiled that it can be targeted, directly or indirectly. Small molecules that accelerate c-Myc ubiquitination and degradation have been effective in preclinical studies. Small molecules that hinder c-Myc-MAX heterodimerization or c-Myc/MAX/DNA complex formation can functionally inhibit c-Myc. In addition, c-Myc can be targeted through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Ala
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
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16
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Bioengineering Liver Organoids for Diseases Modelling and Transplantation. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:bioengineering9120796. [PMID: 36551002 PMCID: PMC9774794 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9120796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Organoids as three-dimension (3D) cellular organizations partially mimic the physiological functions and micro-architecture of native tissues and organs, holding great potential for clinical applications. Advances in the identification of essential factors including physical cues and biochemical signals for controlling organoid development have contributed to the success of growing liver organoids from liver tissue and stem/progenitor cells. However, to recapitulate the physiological properties and the architecture of a native liver, one has to generate liver organoids that contain all the major liver cell types in correct proportions and relative 3D locations as found in a native liver. Recent advances in stem-cell-, biomaterial- and engineering-based approaches have been incorporated into conventional organoid culture methods to facilitate the development of a more sophisticated liver organoid culture resembling a near to native mini-liver in a dish. However, a comprehensive review on the recent advancement in the bioengineering liver organoid is still lacking. Here, we review the current liver organoid systems, focusing on the construction of the liver organoid system with various cell sources, the roles of growth factors for engineering liver organoids, as well as the recent advances in the bioengineering liver organoid disease models and their biomedical applications.
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17
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Sequera C, Grattarola M, Holczbauer A, Dono R, Pizzimenti S, Barrera G, Wangensteen KJ, Maina F. MYC and MET cooperatively drive hepatocellular carcinoma with distinct molecular traits and vulnerabilities. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:994. [PMID: 36433941 PMCID: PMC9700715 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05411-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced activation of the transcription factor MYC and of the receptor tyrosine kinase MET are among the events frequently occurring in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both genes individually act as drivers of liver cancer initiation and progression. However, their concomitant alteration in HCC has not been explored, nor functionally documented. Here, we analysed databases of five independent human HCC cohorts and found a subset of patients with high levels of MYC and MET (MYChigh/METhigh) characterised by poor prognosis. This clinical observation drove us to explore the functionality of MYC and MET co-occurrence in vivo, combining hydrodynamic tail vein injection for MYC expression in the R26stopMet genetic setting, in which wild-type MET levels are enhanced following the genetic deletion of a stop cassette. Results showed that increased MYC and MET expression in hepatocytes is sufficient to induce liver tumorigenesis even in the absence of pre-existing injuries associated with a chronic disease state. Intriguingly, ectopic MYC in MET tumours increases expression of the Mki67 proliferation marker, and switches them into loss of Afp, Spp1, Gpc3, Epcam accompanied by an increase in Hgma1, Vim, and Hep-Par1 levels. We additionally found a switch in the expression of specific immune checkpoints, with an increase in the Ctla-4 and Lag3 lymphocyte co-inhibitory responses, and in the Icosl co-stimulatory responses of tumour cells. We provide in vitro evidence on the vulnerability of some human HCC cell lines to combined MYC and MET targeting, which are otherwise resistant to single inhibition. Mechanistically, combined blockage of MYC and MET converts a partial cytostatic effect, triggered by individual blockage of MYC or MET, into a cytotoxic effect. Together, these findings highlight a subgroup of HCC characterised by MYChigh/METhigh, and document functional cooperativity between MYC and MET in liver tumorigenesis. Thus, the MYC-R26Met model is a relevant setting for HCC biology, patient classification and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Sequera
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Margherita Grattarola
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France ,grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Agnes Holczbauer
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Rosanna Dono
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Stefania Pizzimenti
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barrera
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Kirk J. Wangensteen
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Flavio Maina
- grid.462081.90000 0004 0598 4854Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM), Turing Center for Living Systems, Parc Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille, France
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18
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WSB1 regulates c-Myc expression through β-catenin signaling and forms a feedforward circuit. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1225-1239. [PMID: 35530152 PMCID: PMC9072231 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of transcription factors is widely associated with tumorigenesis. As the most well-defined transcription factor in multiple types of cancer, c-Myc can transform cells by transactivating various downstream genes. Given that there is no effective way to directly inhibit c-Myc, c-Myc targeting strategies hold great potential for cancer therapy. In this study, we found that WSB1, which has a highly positive correlation with c-Myc in 10 cancer cell lines and clinical samples, is a direct target gene of c-Myc, and can positively regulate c-Myc expression, which forms a feedforward circuit promoting cancer development. RNA sequencing results from Bel-7402 cells confirmed that WSB1 promoted c-Myc expression through the β-catenin pathway. Mechanistically, WSB1 affected β-catenin destruction complex-PPP2CA assembly and E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor β-TRCP recruitment, which inhibited the ubiquitination of β-catenin and transactivated c-Myc. Of interest, the effect of WSB1 on c-Myc was independent of its E3 ligase activity. Moreover, overexpressing WSB1 in the Bel-7402 xenograft model could further strengthen the tumor-driven effect of c-Myc overexpression. Thus, our findings revealed a novel mechanism involved in tumorigenesis in which the WSB1/c-Myc feedforward circuit played an essential role, highlighting a potential c-Myc intervention strategy in cancer treatment.
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Key Words
- ATM, serine-protein kinase ATM
- CHIP, chromatin immunoprecipitation
- CK1, casein kinase 1
- Cancer treatment
- EBP2, probable rRNA-processing protein EBP2
- ESC complex, elongin B/C-cullin 2/5-SOCS box containing ubiquitin ligase protein complex
- Feedback loop
- GSK3β, glycogen synthase kinase 3β
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HIF1-α, hypoxia induced factor 1-alpha
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- PLK1, serine/threonine-protein kinase PLK1
- PP2A, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A
- PROTAC, proteolysis targeting chimaera
- RhoGDI2, Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor 2
- TFs, transcription factors
- Transcription factors
- Tumorigenesis
- Ubiquitination-proteasome pathway
- WSB1
- WSB1, WD repeat and SOCS box containing 1
- c-Myc
- c-Myc, proto-oncogene c-Myc
- eIF4F, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F
- β-Catenin destruction complex
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19
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Saraswat A, Vemana HP, Dukhande VV, Patel K. Galactose-decorated liver tumor-specific nanoliposomes incorporating selective BRD4-targeted PROTAC for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08702. [PMID: 35036599 PMCID: PMC8749201 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This research deals with the development of asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) directed nanoliposomes incorporating a novel BRD4 (Bromodomain-containing protein 4) protein-targeted PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimera), ARV-825 (ARV) (GALARV), and to investigate the anticancer efficacy of GALARV for specific delivery in hepatocellular carcinoma. GALARV were prepared using the modified hydration method and characterized for their physicochemical properties as well as anticancer activity using 2D and 3D cell culture models. ARV and GALARV (93.83 ± 10.05 nm) showed significant in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. GALARV also demonstrated a substantially higher intracellular concentration of ARV compared to non-targeted nanoliposomes (∼3 fold) and ARV alone (∼4.5 fold), showed good physical stability and negligible hemolysis. Immunoblotting results depicted substantial downregulation of target BRD4 protein, oncogenic c-Myc, apoptotic Bcl-2, and survivin proteins. Notably, GALARV treatment resulted in significant apoptosis and subsequent inhibition of the cell viability of 3D tumor spheroids of hepatocellular carcinoma. These results suggest that GALARV is a novel actively targeted PROTAC-based nanotherapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Saraswat
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Hari Priya Vemana
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Vikas V. Dukhande
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Ketan Patel
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
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20
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Tang L, Zhang S, Ji JC, Wang PJ, Zhang M, Feng PM, Gao XL. Identifying the Mechanisms of Rosa Roxburghii Tratt on Treating Gastric Cancer: Combining the Targetable Screening From the Cancer Genome Atlas With Network Pharmacology. Nat Prod Commun 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x211059646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chinese herbal medicine Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT) is widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors, including gastric cancer (GC), but its pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of this research was to identify the mechanisms of RRT on treating GC by using network pharmacology and molecular docking, combined with the analysis of differential expressed genes in GEO gene chips and TCGA database. We first defined the effective components of RRT and their potential targets for the treatment of GC, and identified core targets according to the topology analysis by constructing a protein-protein interaction network. Furthermore, molecular docking was used to verify the docking between the core active ingredients and the key targets. The results showed that the effect of RRT may be closely associated with multiple signal pathways, including pathways in cancer, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-Akt), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). It is suggested that RRT may play an effect by regulating hypoxia, improving the tumor microenvironment, inhibiting inflammatory reactions and promoting apoptosis. The mechanism of RRT in the treatment of GC is revealed here for the first time based on network pharmacology analysis, which may provide a new direction for further exploration of the mechanisms of RRT in the treatment of GC and a new perspective for research on anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Tang
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
- Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, PR China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | | | | | - Min Zhang
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
| | | | - Xiu-Li Gao
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, PR China
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21
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Feng F, Pan L, Wu J, Li L, Xu H, Yang L, Xu K, Wang C. Cepharanthine inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and proliferation by regulating amino acid metabolism and suppresses tumorigenesis in vivo. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4340-4352. [PMID: 34803502 PMCID: PMC8579440 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.64675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cepharanthine (CEP), a natural compound extracted from Stephania cepharantha Hayata, has been found to have the potential to treat a variety of tumors in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) effect of CEP and determine its in-depth mechanism. In this study, Hep3B and HCCLM3 cells were selected to evaluate the antitumor effects of CEP in vitro, whereas tumor xenograft in nude mice was performed to make in vivo anti-tumor assessment. RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) was used to identify possible molecular targets and pathways. Further, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to assess the differential metabolites involved in mediating the effect of CEP on the HCC cell line. Our results showed that CEP treatment resulted in the dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability, migration, and proliferation and could also induce apoptosis in HCC cells. RNA-seq following CEP treatment identified 168 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were highly enriched in metabolism-associated pathways. In addition, CEP down-regulated many metabolites through the amino acid metabolism pathway. In vivo experiment showed that CEP significantly suppressed tumor growth. Our results indicate that CEP has significant antitumor effects and has the potential to be a candidate drug for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Feng
- National Innovation and Attracting Talents “111” base, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Lianhong Pan
- National Innovation and Attracting Talents “111” base, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Antitumor Natural Drugs, Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Jiaqin Wu
- National Innovation and Attracting Talents “111” base, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Lanqing Li
- Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Materia Medica Processing, College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Haiying Xu
- Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Materia Medica Processing, College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Li Yang
- National Innovation and Attracting Talents “111” base, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Kang Xu
- Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Materia Medica Processing, College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Chunli Wang
- National Innovation and Attracting Talents “111” base, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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22
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Hsu SK, Li CY, Lin IL, Syue WJ, Chen YF, Cheng KC, Teng YN, Lin YH, Yen CH, Chiu CC. Inflammation-related pyroptosis, a novel programmed cell death pathway, and its crosstalk with immune therapy in cancer treatment. Theranostics 2021; 11:8813-8835. [PMID: 34522213 PMCID: PMC8419056 DOI: 10.7150/thno.62521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, chemotherapies targeting apoptosis have emerged and demonstrated remarkable achievements. However, emerging evidence has shown that chemoresistance is mediated by impairing or bypassing apoptotic cell death. Several novel types of programmed cell death, such as ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, have recently been reported to play significant roles in the modulation of cancer progression and are considered a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Thus, the switch between apoptosis and pyroptosis is also discussed. Cancer immunotherapy has gained increasing attention due to breakthroughs in immune checkpoint inhibitors; moreover, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis are highly correlated with the modulation of immunity in the tumor microenvironment. Compared with necroptosis and ferroptosis, pyroptosis is the primary mechanism for host defense and is crucial for bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Furthermore, recent evidence has demonstrated that pyroptosis exerts benefits on cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T). Hence, in this review, we elucidate the role of pyroptosis in cancer progression and the modulation of immunity. We also summarize the potential small molecules and nanomaterials that target pyroptotic cell death mechanisms and their therapeutic effects on cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Kai Hsu
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yang Li
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - I-Ling Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Wun-Jyun Syue
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Fung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chun Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ni Teng
- Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan 700, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiung Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital
- Center for Lipid Biosciences, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Lipid Science and Aging Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Chiu
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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23
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Kant R, Yang MH, Tseng CH, Yen CH, Li WY, Tyan YC, Chen M, Tzeng CC, Chen WC, You K, Wang WC, Chen YL, Chen YMA. Discovery of an Orally Efficacious MYC Inhibitor for Liver Cancer Using a GNMT-Based High-Throughput Screening System and Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8992-9009. [PMID: 34132534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glycine-N-methyl transferase (GNMT) downregulation results in spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Overexpression of GNMT inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cell lines and prevents carcinogen-induced HCC, suggesting that GNMT induction is a potential approach for anti-HCC therapy. Herein, we used Huh7 GNMT promoter-driven screening to identify a GNMT inducer. Compound K78 was identified and validated for its induction of GNMT and inhibition of Huh7 cell growth. Subsequently, we employed structure-activity relationship analysis and found a potent GNMT inducer, K117. K117 inhibited Huh7 cell growth in vitro and xenograft in vivo. Oral administration of a dosage of K117 at 10 mpk (milligrams per kilogram) can inhibit Huh7 xenograft in a manner equivalent to the effect of sorafenib at a dosage of 25 mpk. A mechanistic study revealed that K117 is an MYC inhibitor. Ectopic expression of MYC using CMV promoter blocked K117-mediated MYC inhibition and GNMT induction. Overall, K117 is a potential lead compound for HCC- and MYC-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Kant
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hui Yang
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hua Tseng
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.,Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Research Center for Natural Products and Drug Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-You Li
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chang Tyan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Marcelo Chen
- Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan
| | - Cherng-Chyi Tzeng
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Kaiting You
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yeh-Long Chen
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
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24
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Sartorius K, An P, Winkler C, Chuturgoon A, Li X, Makarova J, Kramvis A. The Epigenetic Modulation of Cancer and Immune Pathways in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Influence of HBx and miRNA Dysregulation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661204. [PMID: 33995383 PMCID: PMC8117219 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) pathogenesis is fueled by persistent HBV infection that stealthily maintains a delicate balance between viral replication and evasion of the host immune system. HBV is remarkably adept at using a combination of both its own, as well as host machinery to ensure its own replication and survival. A key tool in its arsenal, is the HBx protein which can manipulate the epigenetic landscape to decrease its own viral load and enhance persistence, as well as manage host genome epigenetic responses to the presence of viral infection. The HBx protein can initiate epigenetic modifications to dysregulate miRNA expression which, in turn, can regulate downstream epigenetic changes in HBV-HCC pathogenesis. We attempt to link the HBx and miRNA induced epigenetic modulations that influence both the HBV and host genome expression in HBV-HCC pathogenesis. In particular, the review investigates the interplay between CHB infection, the silencing role of miRNA, epigenetic change, immune system expression and HBV-HCC pathogenesis. The review demonstrates exactly how HBx-dysregulated miRNA in HBV-HCC pathogenesis influence and are influenced by epigenetic changes to modulate both viral and host genome expression. In particular, the review identifies a specific subset of HBx induced epigenetic miRNA pathways in HBV-HCC pathogenesis demonstrating the complex interplay between HBV infection, epigenetic change, disease and immune response. The wide-ranging influence of epigenetic change and miRNA modulation offers considerable potential as a therapeutic option in HBV-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Sartorius
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, School of Internal Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Department of Surgery, University of KwaZulu-Natal Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Centre, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ping An
- Basic Research Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Cheryl Winkler
- Basic Research Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Anil Chuturgoon
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Julia Makarova
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia.,Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, School of Internal Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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25
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Pandya N, Khan E, Jain N, Satham L, Singh R, Makde RD, Mishra A, Kumar A. Curcumin analogs exhibit anti-cancer activity by selectively targeting G-quadruplex forming c-myc promoter sequence. Biochimie 2020; 180:205-221. [PMID: 33188859 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin exhibits a broad spectrum of beneficial health properties that include anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities. The down-regulation of c-myc transcription via stabilizing the G-quadruplex structure formed at the promoter region of the human c-myc gene allows the repression in cancer growth. Small molecules can bind and stabilize this structure to provide an exciting and promising strategy for anti-cancer therapeutics. Herein, we investigated the interaction of Curcumin and its synthetic analogs with G-quadruplex DNA formed at the c-myc promoter by using various biophysical and biochemical assays. Further, its cytotoxic effect and mechanistic insights were explored in various cancer cell lines as well as in multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) model. The MCTS possesses almost similar microenvironment as avascular tumors, and micro-metastases can be used as a suitable model for the small molecule-based therapeutics development. Our study provides an expanded overview of the anti-cancer effect of a new Curcumin analog via targeting G-quadruplex structures formed at the promoter region of the human c-myc gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirali Pandya
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Eshan Khan
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Neha Jain
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Lakshminarayana Satham
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rahul Singh
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India.
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26
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Zhang W, Fu Q, Yao K. A three-mRNA status risk score has greater predictive ability compared with a lncRNA-based risk score for predicting prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:48. [PMID: 32788937 PMCID: PMC7416381 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the fifth most common cause of cancer-associated mortality in men, and the seventh in women, worldwide. The aim of the present study was to identify a reliable and robust RNA-based risk score for the survival prediction of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gene expression data from HCC and healthy control samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas to screen differentially expressed mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression models and the LASSO algorithm for the Cox proportional-hazards model (LASSO Cox-PH model) were used to identify the prognostic mRNAs and lncRNAs among differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), respectively. Prognostic risk scores were generated based on the expression level or status of the prognostic lncRNAs and mRNAs, and the predictive abilities of these RNAs in TCGA and validation datasets were compared. Functional enrichment analyses were also performed. The results revealed a total of 154 downregulated and 625 upregulated mRNAs and 18 upregulated lncRNAs between tumor and control samples in TCGA dataset. A three-mRNA and a five-lncRNA expression signatures were identified using the LASSO Cox-PH model. Three-mRNA and five-lncRNA expression and status risk scores were generated. Using likelihood ratio P-values and area under the curve values from TCGA and the validation datasets, the three-mRNA status risk score was more accurate compared with the other risk scores in predicting the mortality of patients with HCC. The three identified mRNAs, including hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1, MYCN proto-oncogene BHLH transcription factor and stratifin, were associated with the cell cycle and oocyte maturation pathways. Therefore, a three-mRNA status risk score may be valuable and robust for risk stratification of patients with HCC. The three-mRNA status risk score exhibited greater prognostic value compared with the lncRNA-based risk score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxia Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Department of General Surgery, Erenhot Hospital, Erenhot, Inner Mongolia 011100, P.R. China
| | - Kanyu Yao
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R China
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27
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Behavioral Changes in Stem-Cell Potency by HepG2-Exhausted Medium. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081890. [PMID: 32806709 PMCID: PMC7547384 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are able to differentiate into different cell lineages upon stimulation. This ability is closely related to the perfect balance between the pluripotency-related genes, which control stem-cell proliferation, and genes able to orchestrate the appearance of a specific phenotype. Here we studied the expression of stemness-related genes, epigenetic regulators (DNMT1, SIRT1), miRNAs (miR-145, miR-148, and miR-185) related to stemness, exosomes, the cell-cycle regulators p21 (WAF1/CIP1) and p53, and the senescence-associated genes (p16, p19, and hTERT). Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of the human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2-exhausted medium, to evaluate changes in stemness, differentiation capability, and senescence sensibility. Our results showed the overexpression of SIRT1 and reduced levels of p21 mRNA. Moreover, we observed a downregulation of DNMT1, and a simultaneous overexpression of Oct-4 and c-Myc. These findings suggest that WJ-MSCs are more likely to retain a stem phenotype and sometimes to switch to a highly undifferentiable proliferative-like behavior if treated with medium exhausted by human HepG2 cell lines.
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28
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Feng J, Li J, Wu L, Yu Q, Ji J, Wu J, Dai W, Guo C. Emerging roles and the regulation of aerobic glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:126. [PMID: 32631382 PMCID: PMC7336654 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer has become the sixth most diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for up to 75–85% of primary liver cancers, and sorafenib is the first targeted drug for advanced HCC treatment. However, sorafenib resistance is common because of the resultant enhancement of aerobic glycolysis and other molecular mechanisms. Aerobic glycolysis was firstly found in HCC, acts as a hallmark of liver cancer and is responsible for the regulation of proliferation, immune evasion, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance in HCC. The three rate-limiting enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), and pyruvate kinases type M2 (PKM2) play an important role in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis in HCC and can be regulated by many mechanisms, such as the AMPK, PI3K/Akt pathway, HIF-1α, c-Myc and noncoding RNAs. Because of the importance of aerobic glycolysis in the progression of HCC, targeting key factors in its pathway such as the inhibition of HK2, PFK or PKM2, represent potential new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Liwei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jianye Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China.
| | - Weiqi Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200336, China.
| | - Chuanyong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 1291, Jiangning road, Putuo, Shanghai, 200060, China. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, number 301, Middle Yanchang road, Jing'an, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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29
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Rawal ZD, Upadhyay VA, Patel DD, Trivedi TI. Medulloblastoma under Siege: Genetic and Molecular Dissection Concerning Recent Advances in Therapeutic Strategies. J Pediatr Neurosci 2020; 15:175-182. [PMID: 33531929 PMCID: PMC7847103 DOI: 10.4103/jpn.jpn_166_18] [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: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a devastating illness with unmet therapeutic needs, predominantly cytotoxic and nontargeted approaches. Survivors of MB also suffer from severe treatment-related effects of radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy keeping mortality rate significant. Recently, four distinct molecular subgroups of MB have been identified (WNT [wingless], SHH [sonic hedgehog], Group 3, and Group 4). Novel subgroup-specific therapies are being explored in the daily treatment of patients as a clinical trial and are an important challenge in the near term for the pediatric neurooncology society. Epigenetic modifiers are also recurrently affected in MB suggesting that epigenetic therapy can be considered in a subset of patients. Moreover, a hint on forefront procedure; tracer of cancer's genetic information entitled "liquid biopsy" in MB is described. This review examines the recent scientific progress in MB research, with a focus on the genes, pathways that drive tumorigenesis and the advances in conventional and targeted therapy. The identification of subgroup-specific, actionable therapeutic targets has the potential to revolutionize therapy for patients with MB and results in significantly enriched overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeal D Rawal
- Clinical Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Vinal A Upadhyay
- Clinical Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Dipak D Patel
- Department of Neuro Oncology, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Trupti I Trivedi
- Clinical Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Department of Cancer Biology, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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30
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Zhang T, Li N, Sun C, Jin Y, Sheng X. MYC and the unfolded protein response in cancer: synthetic lethal partners in crime? EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11845. [PMID: 32310340 PMCID: PMC7207169 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors of the MYC family play pivotal roles in the initiation and progression of human cancers. High oncogenic level of MYC invades low‐affinity sites and enhancer sequences, which subsequently alters the transcriptome, causes metabolic imbalance, and induces stress response. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) not only plays a central role in maintaining proteostasis, but also contributes to other key biological processes, including Ca2+ metabolism and the synthesis of lipids and glucose. Stress conditions, such as shortage in glucose or oxygen and disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis, may perturb proteostasis and induce the unfolded protein response (UPR), which either restores homeostasis or triggers cell death. Crucial roles of ER stress and UPR signaling have been implicated in various cancers, from oncogenesis to treatment response. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the interaction between MYC and UPR signaling, and its contribution to cancer development. We also discuss the potential of targeting key UPR signaling nodes as novel synthetic lethal strategies in MYC‐driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ningning Li
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chaoyang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Jin
- Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Xia Sheng
- Ministry of Education Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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31
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Harnessing big 'omics' data and AI for drug discovery in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 17:238-251. [PMID: 31900465 PMCID: PMC7401304 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0240-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary adult liver cancer. After nearly a decade with sorafenib as the only approved treatment, multiple new agents have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, including the targeted therapies regorafenib, lenvatinib and cabozantinib, the anti-angiogenic antibody ramucirumab, and the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Although these agents offer new promise to patients with HCC, the optimal choice and sequence of therapies remains unknown and without established biomarkers, and many patients do not respond to treatment. The advances and the decreasing costs of molecular measurement technologies enable profiling of HCC molecular features (such as genome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome) at different levels, including bulk tissues, animal models and single cells. The release of such data sets to the public enhances the ability to search for information from these legacy studies and provides the opportunity to leverage them to understand HCC mechanisms, rationally develop new therapeutics and identify candidate biomarkers of treatment response. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of public data sets related to HCC and discuss how emerging artificial intelligence methods can be applied to identify new targets and drugs as well as to guide therapeutic choices for improved HCC treatment.
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32
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Shizu R, Yoshinari K. Nuclear receptor CAR-mediated liver cancer and its species differences. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2020; 16:343-351. [PMID: 32202166 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2020.1746268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The nuclear receptor CAR plays an important role in the regulation of hepatic responses to xenobiotic exposure, including the induction of hepatocyte proliferation and chemical carcinogenesis. Phenobarbital, a well-known liver cancer promoter, has been found to promote hepatocyte proliferation via CAR activation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CAR induces liver carcinogenesis remain unknown. In addition, it is believed that CAR-mediated liver carcinogenesis shows a species difference; phenobarbital treatment induces hepatocyte proliferation and liver cancer in rodents but not in humans. However, the mechanisms are also unknown.Areas covered: Several reports indicate that the key oncogenic signaling pathways Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/YAP are involved in CAR-mediated liver carcinogenesis. We introduce current data about the possible molecular mechanisms involved in CAR-mediated liver carcinogenesis and species differences by focusing on these two signaling pathways.Expert opinion: CAR may activate both the Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/YAP signaling pathways. The synergistic activation of both signaling pathways seems to be important for CAR-mediated liver cancer development. Low homology between the ligand binding domains of human CAR and rodent CAR might cause species differences in the interactions with proteins that control the Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo/YAP pathways as well as liver cancer induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Shizu
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kouichi Yoshinari
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
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33
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Crosstalk between NLRP12 and JNK during Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020496. [PMID: 31941025 PMCID: PMC7013925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a leading cause of cancer-related death, is initiated and promoted by chronic inflammation. Inflammatory mediators are transcriptionally regulated by several inflammatory signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the MAPK family, plays a central role in HCC pathogenesis. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) activate JNK and other MAPK upon recognition by toll-like receptors (TLRs). Apart from TLRs, PAMPs are sensed by several other pattern recognition receptors, including cytosolic NOD-like receptors (NLRs). In a recent study, we demonstrated that the NLR member NLRP12 plays a critical role in suppressing HCC via negative regulation of the JNK pathway. This article briefly reviews the crosstalk between NLRP12 and JNK that occurs during HCC.
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34
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Shang N, Wang H, Bank T, Perera A, Joyce C, Kuffel G, Zilliox MJ, Cotler SJ, Ding X, Dhanarajan A, Breslin P, Qiu W. Focal Adhesion Kinase and β-Catenin Cooperate to Induce Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepatology 2019; 70:1631-1645. [PMID: 31069844 PMCID: PMC6819211 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to understand the molecular signaling pathways that drive or mediate the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene protein tyrosine kinase 2 is amplified in 16.4% of The Cancer Genome Atlas HCC specimens, and its amplification leads to increased FAK mRNA expression. It is not known whether the overexpression of FAK alone is sufficient to induce HCC or whether it must cooperate in some ways with other oncogenes. In this study, we found that 34.8% of human HCC samples with FAK amplification also show β-catenin mutations, suggesting a co-occurrence of FAK overexpression and β-catenin mutations in HCC. We overexpressed FAK alone, constitutively active forms of β-catenin (CAT) alone, or a combination of FAK and CAT in the livers of C57/BL6 mice. We found that overexpression of both FAK and CAT, but neither FAK nor CAT alone, in mouse livers was sufficient to lead to tumorigenesis. We further demonstrated that FAK's kinase activity is required for FAK/CAT-induced tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis to identify the genes/signaling pathways regulated by FAK, CAT, or FAK/CAT. We found that FAK overexpression dramatically enhances binding of β-catenin to the promoter of androgen receptor (AR), which leads to increased expression of AR in mouse livers. Moreover, ASC-J9, an AR degradation enhancer, suppressed FAK/CAT-induced HCC formation. Conclusion: FAK overexpression and β-catenin mutations often co-occur in human HCC tissues. Co-overexpression of FAK and CAT leads to HCC formation in mice through increased expression of AR; this mouse model may be useful for further studies of the molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of HCC and could lead to the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Shang
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Hao Wang
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Thomas Bank
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Aldeb Perera
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Cara Joyce
- Departments of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Gina Kuffel
- Departments of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Michael J. Zilliox
- Departments of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Scott J. Cotler
- Departments of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Departments of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Departments of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Peter Breslin
- Departments of Molecular/Cellular Physiology and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Wei Qiu
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL,Correspondence: Wei Qiu, Ph.D., Department of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Avenue., Bldg. 112, Rm. 338, Maywood, IL 60153, , Tel.: +1-708-327-8191
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Berendse K, Koot BGP, Klouwer FCC, Engelen M, Roels F, Lacle MM, Nikkels PGJ, Verheij J, Poll-The BT. Hepatic symptoms and histology in 13 patients with a Zellweger spectrum disorder. J Inherit Metab Dis 2019; 42:955-965. [PMID: 31150129 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Patients with a Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD) have a defect in the assembly or maintenance of peroxisomes, leading to a multisystem disease with variable outcome. Liver disease is an important feature in patients with severe and milder phenotypes and a frequent cause of death. However, the course and histology of liver disease in ZSD patients are ill-defined. We reviewed the hepatic symptoms and histological findings of 13 patients with a ZSD in which one or several liver biopsies have been performed (patient age 0.2-39 years). All patients had at least some histological liver abnormalities, ranging from minor fibrosis to cirrhosis. Five patients demonstrated significant disease progression with liver failure and early death. In others, liver-related symptoms were absent, although some still silently developed cirrhosis. Patients with peroxisomal mosaicism had a better prognosis. In addition, we show that patients are at risk to develop a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as one patient developed a HCC at the age of 36 years and one patient a precancerous lesion at the age of 18 years. Thus, regular examination to detect fibrosis or cirrhosis should be included in the standard care of ZSD patients. In case of advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis expert consultation and HCC screening should be initiated. This study further delineates the spectrum and significance of liver involvement in ZSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Berendse
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart G P Koot
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Femke C C Klouwer
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Engelen
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Roels
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Miangela M Lacle
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter G J Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne Verheij
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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36
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Mistletoe extract Fraxini inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer by down-regulating c-Myc expression. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6428. [PMID: 31015523 PMCID: PMC6478697 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mistletoe (Viscum album) is a type of parasitic plant reported to have anticancer activity including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism of mistletoe’s anticancer activity, and its effectiveness in treating HCC are not fully understood. We report here that mistletoe extracts, including Fraxini (grown on ash trees) and Iscador Q and M (grown on oak and maple trees), exert strong antiproliferative activity in Hep3B cells, with median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 0.5 µg/mL, 7.49 µg/mL, and 7.51 µg/mL, respectively. Results of Reversed Phase Proteomic Array analysis (RPPA) suggests that Fraxini substantially down-regulates c-Myc expression in Hep3B cells. Fraxini-induced growth inhibition (at a concentration of 1.25 μg/ml) was less pronounced in c-Myc knockdown Hep3B cells than in control cells. Furthermore, in the Hep3B xenograft model, Fraxini-treated (8 mg/kg body weight) mice had significantly smaller tumors (34.6 ± 11.9 mm3) than control mice (161.6 ± 79.4 mm3, p < 0.036). Similarly, c-Myc protein expression was reduced in Fraxini treated Hep3B cell xenografts compared to that of control mice. The reduction of c-Myc protein levels in vitro Hep3B cells appears to be mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Our results suggest the importance of c-Myc in Fraxini’s antiproliferative activity, which warrants further investigation.
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37
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Udden SN, Kwak YT, Godfrey V, Khan MAW, Khan S, Loof N, Peng L, Zhu H, Zaki H. NLRP12 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma via downregulation of cJun N-terminal kinase activation in the hepatocyte. eLife 2019; 8:40396. [PMID: 30990169 PMCID: PMC6483596 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly human cancer associated with chronic inflammation. The cytosolic pathogen sensor NLRP12 has emerged as a negative regulator of inflammation, but its role in HCC is unknown. Here we investigated the role of NLRP12 in HCC using mouse models of HCC induced by carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Nlrp12-/- mice were highly susceptible to DEN-induced HCC with increased inflammation, hepatocyte proliferation, and tumor burden. Consistently, Nlrp12-/- tumors showed higher expression of proto-oncogenes cJun and cMyc and downregulation of tumor suppressor p21. Interestingly, antibiotics treatment dramatically diminished tumorigenesis in Nlrp12-/- mouse livers. Signaling analyses demonstrated higher JNK activation in Nlrp12-/- HCC and cultured hepatocytes during stimulation with microbial pattern molecules. JNK inhibition or NLRP12 overexpression reduced proliferative and inflammatory responses of Nlrp12-/- hepatocytes. In summary, NLRP12 negatively regulates HCC pathogenesis via downregulation of JNK-dependent inflammation and proliferation of hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sm Nashir Udden
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Youn-Tae Kwak
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Victoria Godfrey
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Md Abdul Wadud Khan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - Shahanshah Khan
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Nicolas Loof
- Children's Research Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Lan Peng
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Hao Zhu
- Children's Research Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Hasan Zaki
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
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38
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Mohamed RH, Abu-Shahba N, Mahmoud M, Abdelfattah AMH, Zakaria W, ElHefnawi M. Co-regulatory Network of Oncosuppressor miRNAs and Transcription Factors for Pathology of Human Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells (HCSC). Sci Rep 2019; 9:5564. [PMID: 30944375 PMCID: PMC6447552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41978-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic cancer stem cells (HCSCs) are considered as main players for the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence. There is a growing evidence supporting the down-regulated miRNAs in HCSCs as key suppressors for the stemness traits, but still more details are vague about how these miRNAs modulate the HCC development. To uncover some of these miRNA regulatory aspects in HCSC, we compiled 15 down-regulated miRNA and their validated and predicted up-regulated targets in HCSC. The targets were enriched for several cancer cell stemness hallmarks and CSC pre-metastatic niche, which support these miRNAs role in suppression of HCSCs neoplastic transformation. Further, we constructed miRNA-Transcription factor (TF) regulatory networks, which provided new insights on the role of the proposed miRNA-TF co-regulation in the cancer stemness axis and its cross talk with the surrounding microenvironment. Our analysis revealed HCSC important hubs as candidate regulators for targeting hepatic cancer stemness such as, miR-148a, miR-214, E2F family, MYC and SLC7A5. Finally, we proposed a possible model for miRNA and TF co-regulation of HCSC signaling pathways. Our study identified an HCSC signature and set bridges between the reported results to give guide for future validation of HCC therapeutic strategies avoiding drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Hassan Mohamed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nourhan Abu-Shahba
- Stem Cell Research Group, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Mahmoud
- Stem Cell Research Group, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M H Abdelfattah
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,VAP, CS Department, SUNY, Oswego, NY, USA
| | - Wael Zakaria
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud ElHefnawi
- Biomedical informatics and Chemoinformatics group, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, Informatics and Systems Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. .,Informatics and systems Department, Division of Engineering research, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
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Yin Y, Sun M, Zhan X, Wu C, Geng P, Sun X, Wu Y, Zhang S, Qin J, Zhuang Z, Liu Y. EGFR signaling confers resistance to BET inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma through stabilizing oncogenic MYC. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:83. [PMID: 30770740 PMCID: PMC6377788 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1082-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitor is a type of anti-tumor agent, currently being evaluated in phase I and II clinical trials for cancer therapy. It can decrease MYC expression levels and cause effective anti-tumor effects in diverse human cancers. However, its cytotoxic effect and related mechanisms of drug resistance are poorly understood in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Here, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of BET inhibitor on HCC and the molecular mechanisms involved in its associated drug resistance. Methods We assessed the cytotoxicity of BET inhibitor on HCC cells compared with sorafenib by cell viability assay, metastasis assay and reproduced the anti-tumor effect in xenograft mouse model. In addition, the molecular mechanisms involved in drug resistance on JQ1-resistant HCC cells were revealed by western blotting, qRT-PCR, whole exome-sequencing and gene-editing technology. Finally, with specific inhibition of EGFR or ERK activity by interference RNAs or inhibitors, the efficacy of the synergistic treatment was investigated using cell viability assay, colony formation, apoptosis and xenograft mouse model. Results We found that JQ1, a commonly used BET bromo-domain inhibitor, offered a better anti-tumor response than sorafenib in MYC-positive HCC cells by inducing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Unlike sorafenib, JQ1 treatment significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in HCC cells. Importantly, we revealed that MAPK activation by a previously undescribed activating mutation of EGFR-I645L, was critical for JQ1 sensitivity through stabilizing oncogenic MYC protein in JQ1-resistant HCC cells. Inhibition of either EGFR or ERK activity overcame the JQ1 resistance and significantly decreased MYC protein level in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Since MYC amplification is frequently identified in HCC, co-occurring with EGFR amplification, our findings suggest that targeting EGFR signaling might be essential for JQ1 therapy in advanced HCC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1082-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalei Yin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Mingju Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xi Zhan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.,School of Life Science, Dalian University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Changqing Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Pengyu Geng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases and Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yunsong Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.,College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Shuijun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Open and Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Digestive Organ Transplantation at Henan Universities, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases and Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jianhua Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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40
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Kant R, Yen CH, Hung JH, Lu CK, Tung CY, Chang PC, Chen YH, Tyan YC, Chen YMA. Induction of GNMT by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside through proteasome-independent MYC downregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1968. [PMID: 30760754 PMCID: PMC6374375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37292-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine-N-methyl transferase (GNMT) a tumor suppressor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) plays a crucial role in liver homeostasis. Its expression is downregulated in almost all the tumor tissues of HCC while the mechanism of this downregulation is not yet fully understood. Recently, we identified 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PGG) as a GNMT promoter enhancer compound in HCC. In this study, we aimed to delineate the mechanism by which PGG enhances GNMT expression and to investigate its effect on GNMT suppression in HCC. Microarray and pathway enrichment analysis revealed that MYC was a major target of PGG. PGG suppressed MYC mRNA and protein expression in Huh7 and Hep G2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Furthermore, MYC expression was also reduced in xenograft tumors in PGG treated mice. Moreover, shRNA-mediated knocked-down or pharmacological inhibition of MYC resulted in a significant induction of GNMT promoter activity and endogenous GNMT mRNA expression in Huh7 cells. In contrast, overexpression of MYC significantly inhibited GNMT promoter activity and endogenous GNMT protein expression. In addition, antibodies against MYC effectively precipitated the human GNMT promoter in a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Lastly, GNMT expression was negatively correlated with MYC expression in human HCC samples. Interestingly, PGG not only inhibited MYC gene expression but also promoted MYC protein degradation through proteasome-independent pathways. This work reveals a novel anticancer mechanism of PGG via downregulation of MYC expression and establishes a therapeutic rationale for treatment of MYC overexpressing cancers using PGG. Our data also provide a novel mechanistic understanding of GNMT regulation through MYC in the pathogenesis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Kant
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Research Center for Natural products and Drug Development (CHY), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Hsien Hung
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department and Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Kuang Lu
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, College of Life Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yi Tung
- VYM Genome Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ching Chang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Hao Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chang Tyan
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Master Program in Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Profiling of LINE-1-Related Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030645. [PMID: 30717368 PMCID: PMC6387036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prime public health concern that accounts for most of the primary liver malignancies in humans. The most common etiological factor of HCC is hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite recent advances in treatment strategies, there has been little success in improving the survival of HCC patients. To develop a novel therapeutic approach, evaluation of a working hypothesis based on different viewpoints might be important. Long interspersed element 1 (L1) retrotransposons have been suggested to play a role in HCC. However, the molecular machineries that can modulate L1 biology in HBV-related HCC have not been well-evaluated. Here, we summarize the profiles of expression and/or activation status of L1-related genes in HBV-related HCC, and HBV- and HCC-related genes that may impact L1-mediated tumorigenesis. L1 restriction factors appear to be suppressed by HBV infection. Since some of the L1 restriction factors also limit HBV, these factors may be exhausted in HBV-infected cells, which causes de-suppression of L1. Several HBV- and HCC-related genes that interact with L1 can affect oncogenic processes. Thus, L1 may be a novel prime therapeutic target for HBV-related HCC. Studies in this area will provide insights into HCC and other types of cancers.
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Sadri Nahand J, Bokharaei-Salim F, Salmaninejad A, Nesaei A, Mohajeri F, Moshtzan A, Tabibzadeh A, Karimzadeh M, Moghoofei M, Marjani A, Yaghoubi S, Keyvani H. microRNAs: Key players in virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:12188-12225. [PMID: 30536673 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known as one of the major health problems worldwide. Pathological analysis indicated that a variety of risk factors including genetical (i.e., alteration of tumor suppressors and oncogenes) and environmental factors (i.e., viruses) are involved in beginning and development of HCC. The understanding of these risk factors could guide scientists and clinicians to design effective therapeutic options in HCC treatment. Various viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) via targeting several cellular and molecular pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis. Among various cellular and molecular targets, microRNAs (miRNAs) have appeared as key players in HCC progression. miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs which could play important roles as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in several malignancies such as HCC. Deregulation of many miRNAs (i.e., miR-222, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-1, let-7f, and miR-21) could be associated with different stages of HCC. Besides miRNAs, exosomes are other particles which are involved in HCC pathogenesis via targeting different cargos, such as DNAs, RNAs, miRNAs, and proteins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the role of miRNAs and exosomes as important players in HCC pathogenesis. Moreover, we highlighted HCV- and HBV-related miRNAs which led to HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javid Sadri Nahand
- Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Arash Salmaninejad
- Drug Applied Research Center, Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Genetics Research Center, Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Nesaei
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohajeri
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Azadeh Moshtzan
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Alireza Tabibzadeh
- Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Moghoofei
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Arezo Marjani
- Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shoeleh Yaghoubi
- Department of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yen CJ, Ai YL, Tsai HW, Chan SH, Yen CS, Cheng KH, Lee YP, Kao CW, Wang YC, Chen YL, Lin CH, Liu T, Tsai HP, Wang JR, Su IJ, Huang W. Hepatitis B virus surface gene pre-S 2 mutant as a high-risk serum marker for hepatoma recurrence after curative hepatic resection. Hepatology 2018; 68:815-826. [PMID: 29350774 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pre-S2 mutant large HBV surface antigen (LHBS) is highly associated with HCC. This study analyzed the expression of the large form of surface protein in tumors and evaluated the LHBS with mutations within the pre-S2 region as a high-risk recurrence marker in HCC patients after curative hepatic resection. By analyses using immunohistochemical staining (n = 12) and western blotting (n = 22), the HBV surface protein, which is mainly comprised of the major form of HBV surface antigen, was greatly diminished in the tumors. However, LHBS was not significantly decreased in tumorous regions, suggesting that LHBS maintains its expression in cancer development. A cohort of 175 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection was analyzed for pre-S gene mutations using Pre-S Gene Chip. Results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that the serum pre-S2 mutant level and the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage were the two main independent high-risk factors for recurrence. A Cox proportional hazards analysis also revealed a prediction model, which indicated the recurrence-free survival rate along with the time after surgery; this was developed and further validated in an independent HCC cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the model showed close sensitivities in the main and validation cohorts (area under the curve values, 0.741 and 0.704, respectively). Conclusion: Unlike the major HBV surface antigen, LHBS is mostly expressed in the tumorous regions of HBV-induced HCC, indicating that it plays a unique role in tumor progression; the relative level of pre-S2 mutant in serum is, independently of tumor stage, an important high-risk marker for HCC recurrence after primary hepatic resection. (Hepatology 2018).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jui Yen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Ai
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wen Tsai
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Huang Chan
- Department of Statistics, College of Management, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Sheng Yen
- Department of Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Meiho University, PingTung, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Hsiung Cheng
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ping Lee
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Kao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Chen
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Han Lin
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsunglin Liu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience & Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Pin Tsai
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Ren Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.,Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ih-Jen Su
- Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wenya Huang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.,Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Lee WY, Bachtiar M, Choo CCS, Lee CG. Comprehensive review of Hepatitis B Virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma research through text mining and big data analytics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 94:353-367. [PMID: 30105774 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PubMed was text mined to glean insights into the role of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from the massive number of publications (9249) available to date. Reports from ∼70 countries identified >1300 human genes associated with either the Core, Surface or X gene in HBV-associated HCC. One hundred and forty-three of these host genes, which can potentially yield 1180 biomolecular interactions, each were reported in at least three different publications to be associated with the same HBV. These 143 genes function in 137 pathways, involved mainly in the cell cycle, apoptosis, inflammation and signalling. Fourteen of these molecules, primarily transcriptional regulators or kinases, play roles in several pathways pertinent to the hallmarks of cancers. 'Chronic' was the most frequent word used across the 9249 abstracts. A key event in chronic HBV infection is the integration of HBV into the host genome. The advent of cost-effective, next-generation sequencing technology facilitated the employment of big-data analytics comprehensively to characterize HBV-host integration within HCC patients. A total of 5331 integration events were reported across seven publications, with most of these integrations observed between the Core/X gene and the introns of genes. Nearly one-quarter of the intergenic integrations are within repeats, especially long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE) repeats. Integrations within 13 genes were each reported by at least three different studies. The human gene with the most HBV integrations observed is the TERT gene where a total of 224 integrations, primarily at its promoter and within the tumour tissue, were reported by six of seven publications. This unique review, which employs state-of-the-art text-mining and data-analytics tools, represents the most complete, systematic and comprehensive review of nearly all the publications associated with HBV-associated HCC research. It provides important resources to either focus future research or develop therapeutic strategies to target key molecules reported to play important roles in key pathways of HCC, through the systematic analyses of the commonly reported molecules associated with the various HBV genes in HCC, including information about the interactions amongst these commonly reported molecules, the pathways in which they reside as well as detailed information regarding the viral and host genes associated with HBV integration in HCC patients. Hence this review, which highlights pathways and key human genes associated with HBV in HCC, may facilitate the deeper elucidation of the role of HBV in hepato-carcinogenesis, potentially leading to timely intervention against this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Yeow Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Maulana Bachtiar
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Cheryl C S Choo
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Caroline G Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.,Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, 169547, Singapore
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45
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Association between long non-coding RNA polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20180365. [PMID: 29802154 PMCID: PMC6066654 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20180365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have suggested that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene polymorphisms are associated with cancer risk. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis related to studies on the association between lncRNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the overall risk of cancer. A total of 12 SNPs in five common lncRNA genes were finally included in the meta-analysis. In the lncRNA antisense non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in the INK4 locus (ANRIL), the rs1333048 A/C, rs4977574 A/G, and rs10757278 A/G polymorphisms, but not rs1333045 C/T, were correlated with overall cancer risk. Our study also demonstrated that other SNPs were correlated with overall cancer risk, namely, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1, rs619586 A/G), HOXA distal transcript antisense RNA (HOTTIP, rs1859168 A/C), and highly up-regulated in liver cancer (HULC, rs7763881 A/C). Moreover, four prostate cancer-associated ncRNA 1 (PRNCR1, rs16901946 G/A, rs13252298 G/A, rs1016343 T/C, and rs1456315 G/A) SNPs were in association with cancer risk. No association was found between the PRNCR1 (rs7007694 C/T) SNP and the risk of cancer. In conclusion, our results suggest that several studied lncRNA SNPs are associated with overall cancer risk. Therefore, they might be potential predictive biomarkers for the risk of cancer. More studies based on larger sample sizes and more lncRNA SNPs are warranted to confirm these findings.
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47
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Ji F, Zhang ZH, Zhang Y, Shen SL, Cao QH, Zhang LJ, Li SQ, Peng BG, Liang LJ, Hua YP. Low expression of c-Myc protein predicts poor outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after resection. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:460. [PMID: 29690860 PMCID: PMC5926532 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4379-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Embryonic Liver Fodrin (ELF) is an adaptor protein of transforming growth factor (TGF-β) signaling cascade. Disruption of ELF results in mislocalization of Smad3 and Smad4, leading to compromised TGF-β signaling. c-Myc is an important oncogenic transcription factor, and the disruption of TGF-β signaling promotes c-Myc-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carcinogenesis. However, the prognostic significance of c-Myc in HCC is less understood Methods The expression of c-Myc protein and mRNA were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT- PCR, respectively. IHC was performed to detect TGF-β1 and ELF expression in HCC tissues. Their relationship with clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were examined. Results The expression of c-Myc protein and mRNA in HCC tissues were significantly higher in HCC area than those in normal liver tissues. However, the expression were low compared with those adjacent to HCC area. c-Myc protein was independently predictive of DFS and OS, and it was negatively correlated with tumor size (P = 0.031), tumor number (P = 0.038), and recurrence (P = 0.001). Low c-Myc expression was associated with short-term recurrence and poor prognosis. The predictive value of c-Myc combined with TGF-β1 or/and ELF was higher than that of any other single marker. Low c-Myc, high TGF-β1 or/and low ELF expression was associated with the worst DFS and OS. Conclusions Low expression of c-Myc protein predicts poor outcomes in patients with HCC with hepatectomy. The combination of the expression of c-Myc, TGF-β1, and ELF can be used to accurately predict outcomes of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ji
- Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Heng Zhang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun-Li Shen
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Hua Cao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Long-Juan Zhang
- Laboratory of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Shao-Qiang Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Gang Peng
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Jian Liang
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Peng Hua
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
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48
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Mani SKK, Andrisani O. Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9030137. [PMID: 29498629 PMCID: PMC5867858 DOI: 10.3390/genes9030137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. Despite the availability of a HBV vaccine, current treatments for HCC are inadequate. Globally, 257 million people are chronic HBV carriers, and children born from HBV-infected mothers become chronic carriers, destined to develop liver cancer. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are needed to target essential pathways involved in HCC pathogenesis. Accumulating evidence supports existence of hepatic cancer stem cells (hCSCs), which contribute to chemotherapy resistance and cancer recurrence after treatment or surgery. Understanding how hCSCs form will enable development of therapeutic strategies to prevent their formation. Recent studies have identified an epigenetic mechanism involving the downregulation of the chromatin modifying Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) during HBV infection, which results in re-expression of hCSC marker genes in infected hepatocytes and HBV-associated liver tumors. However, the genesis of hCSCs requires, in addition to the expression of hCSC markers cellular changes, rewiring of metabolism, cell survival, escape from programmed cell death, and immune evasion. How these changes occur in chronically HBV-infected hepatocytes is not yet understood. In this review, we will present the basics about HBV infection and hepatocarcinogenesis. Next, we will discuss studies describing the mutational landscape of liver cancers and how epigenetic mechanisms likely orchestrate cellular reprograming of hepatocytes to enable formation of hCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravana Kumar Kailasam Mani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Ourania Andrisani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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49
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Kancherla V, Abdullazade S, Matter MS, Lanzafame M, Quagliata L, Roma G, Hoshida Y, Terracciano LM, Ng CKY, Piscuoglio S. Genomic Analysis Revealed New Oncogenic Signatures in TP53-Mutant Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2018; 9:2. [PMID: 29456550 PMCID: PMC5801302 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The TP53 gene is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancers and mutations in TP53 have been shown to have either gain-of-function or loss-of-function effects. Using the data generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas, we sought to define the spectrum of TP53 mutations in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and their association with clinicopathologic features, and to determine the oncogenic and mutational signatures in TP53-mutant HCCs. Compared to other cancer types, HCCs harbored distinctive mutation hotspots at V157 and R249, whereas common mutation hotspots in other cancer types, R175 and R273, were extremely rare in HCCs. In terms of clinicopathologic features, in addition to the associations with chronic viral infection and high Edmondson grade, we found that TP53 somatic mutations were less frequent in HCCs with cholestasis or tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, but were more frequent in HCCs displaying necrotic areas. An analysis of the oncogenic signatures based on the genetic alterations found in genes recurrently altered in HCCs identified four distinct TP53-mutant subsets, three of which were defined by CTNNB1 mutations, 1q amplifications or 8q24 amplifications, respectively, that co-occurred with TP53 mutations. We also found that mutational signature 12, a liver cancer-specific signature characterized by T>C substitutions, was prevalent in HCCs with wild-type TP53 or with missense TP53 mutations, but not in HCCs with deleterious TP53 mutations. Finally, whereas patients with HCCs harboring deleterious TP53 mutations had worse overall and disease-free survival than patients with TP53-wild-type HCCs, patients with HCCs harboring missense TP53 mutations did not have worse prognosis. In conclusion, our results highlight the importance to consider the genetic heterogeneity among TP53-mutant HCCs in studies of biomarkers and molecular characterization of HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samir Abdullazade
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias S Matter
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Lanzafame
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luca Quagliata
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Charlotte K Y Ng
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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50
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Ganesh S, Shui X, Craig KP, Koser ML, Chopda GR, Cyr WA, Lai C, Dudek H, Wang W, Brown BD, Abrams MT. β-Catenin mRNA Silencing and MEK Inhibition Display Synergistic Efficacy in Preclinical Tumor Models. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:544-553. [PMID: 29282298 PMCID: PMC5805618 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinomas harbor well-defined genetic abnormalities, including aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK pathways, often simultaneously. Although the MAPK pathway can be targeted using potent small-molecule drugs, including BRAF and MEK inhibitors, β-catenin inhibition has been historically challenging. RNAi approaches have advanced to the stage of clinical viability and are especially well suited for transcriptional modulators, such as β-catenin. In this study, we report therapeutic effects of combined targeting of these pathways with pharmacologic agents. Using a recently described tumor-selective nanoparticle containing a β-catenin-targeting RNAi trigger, in combination with the FDA-approved MEK inhibitor (MEKi) trametinib, we demonstrate synergistic tumor growth inhibition in in vivo models of colorectal cancer, melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. At dose levels that were insufficient to significantly impact tumor growth as monotherapies, combination regimens resulted in synergistic efficacy and complete tumor growth inhibition. Importantly, dual MEKi/RNAi therapy dramatically improved survival of mice bearing colorectal cancer liver metastases. In addition, pharmacologic silencing of β-catenin mRNA was effective against tumors that are inherently resistant or that acquire drug-induced resistance to trametinib. These results provide a strong rationale for clinical evaluation of this dual-targeting approach for cancers harboring Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK pathway mutations. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 544-53. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xue Shui
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kevin P Craig
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Wendy A Cyr
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Chengjung Lai
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Henryk Dudek
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Weimin Wang
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Bob D Brown
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Marc T Abrams
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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