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Jiang B, Wu S, Zeng L, Tang Y, Luo L, Ouyang L, Feng W, Tan Y, Li Y. Impact of NDUFAF6 on breast cancer prognosis: linking mitochondrial regulation to immune response and PD-L1 expression. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:99. [PMID: 38459583 PMCID: PMC10921816 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03244-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a major global health concern, and there is a continuous search for novel biomarkers to predict its prognosis. The mitochondrial protein NDUFAF6, previously studied in liver cancer, is now being investigated for its role in breast cancer. This study aims to explore the expression and functional significance of NDUFAF6 in breast cancer using various databases and experimental models. METHODS We analyzed breast cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases, supplemented with immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to assess NDUFAF6 expression. A breast cancer cell xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate tumor growth, apoptosis, and NDUFAF6 expression. Survival probabilities were estimated through Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression analysis. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and differentially expressed genes related to NDUFAF6 were analyzed using GO, KEGG, and GSEA. The relationship between NDUFAF6 expression, immune checkpoints, and immune infiltration was also evaluated. RESULTS NDUFAF6 was found to be overexpressed in breast cancer patients and in the xenograft mouse model. Its expression correlated with worse clinical features and prognosis. NDUFAF6 expression was an independent predictor of breast cancer outcomes in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Functionally, NDUFAF6 is implicated in several immune-related pathways. Crucially, NDUFAF6 expression correlated with various immune infiltrating cells and checkpoints, particularly promoting PD-L1 expression by inhibiting the NRF2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The study establishes NDUFAF6 as a potential prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Its mechanism of action, involving the inhibition of NRF2 to upregulate PD-L1, highlights its significance in the disease's progression and potential as a target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohong Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sixuan Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lijun Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanbin Tang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lunqi Luo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianjie Ouyang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Feng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeru Tan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuehua Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Jha A, Alam M, Kashyap T, Nath N, Kumari A, Pramanik KK, Nagini S, Mishra R. Crosstalk between PD-L1 and Jak2-Stat3/ MAPK-AP1 signaling promotes oral cancer progression, invasion and therapy resistance. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110894. [PMID: 37678027 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)is an antitumor immunity molecule and a great target to cure oral cancer; nonetheless, the limited success can be attributed to many complex pathways and tumor-related interferences. METHODS In the present study, 150 human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue samples, including 17 adjacent normals, 56 primary tumors, 47 invasive tumors, and 30 therapy-resistant (RT) samples, were included. The parental/cisplatin-resistant (CisR-SCC4/9) cells were utilized for overexpression (Jak1-3 wild type and catalytically inactive), knockdown (PD-L1 siRNA), targeting MAPK/PI3K/Jak-Stat pathways (SMIs) and checking microsomes. The expression of PD-L1, transcription factors (TFs), signaling pathways, survival/apoptosis, therapy resistance, and invasiveness-related molecules/their activity were determined by RT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, Gelatin Zymography, and MTT assay. RESULTS Advanced OSCC tumors (invasive and drug-resistance), CisR-SCC4/9 cells, and secretory exosomes (CisR-SCC4/9) were found with increased PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 mRNA/protein showed a positive correlation with different TFs (AP1 > Stat3 > c-myc > NFκB) in tumor samples. The PD-L1 expression was more influenced by Jak-Stat/ MAPK-AP1 pathways over PI3K. The ectopic expression of Jak1-3 suggests Jak2 inducted PD-L1 level over Jak1/Jak3. Finally, PD-L1 directly supports survival (Bcl-xL, Bax, cleaved caspase-3), invasion (MMP2/9), and drug-resistance (ALDH-1A1/-3A1) program in OSCC through its link with several molecules. CONCLUSIONS PD-L1 was regulated mainly by the Jak2-Stat3/ MAPK-AP1 pathway, and besides the routine immunological functions, it supports OSCC survival, invasion, and therapy resistance. PD-L1 can be used as an indicator of severity and can be targeted along with Jak2-Stat3/ MAPK-AP1 for a better outcome OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Jha
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India
| | - Manzar Alam
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India
| | - Tanushree Kashyap
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India
| | - Nidhi Nath
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India
| | - Anjali Kumari
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India
| | - Kamdeo K Pramanik
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India
| | - Siddavaram Nagini
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajakishore Mishra
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Cheri-Manatu, Kanke, Ranchi 835 222, Jharkhand, India.
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Li J, Xiao Z, Wang D, Jia L, Nie S, Zeng X, Hu W. The screening, identification, design and clinical application of tumor-specific neoantigens for TCR-T cells. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:141. [PMID: 37649123 PMCID: PMC10466891 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01844-5] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development of tumor immunotherapies, including adoptive cell therapies (ACTs), cancer vaccines and antibody-based therapies, particularly for solid tumors. With the development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics technology, the rapid identification and prediction of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) has become possible. Compared with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), highly immunogenic TSAs provide new targets for personalized tumor immunotherapy and can be used as prospective indicators for predicting tumor patient survival, prognosis, and immune checkpoint blockade response. Here, the identification and characterization of neoantigens and the clinical application of neoantigen-based TCR-T immunotherapy strategies are summarized, and the current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translational potential of these strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiwen Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghui Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jia
- International Health Medicine Innovation Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihong Nie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Cancer Center, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingda Zeng
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, People's Republic of China
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Yousefi B, Semnani V, Mokhtari T, Zarbakhsh S, Amjad MHT, Barati M, Doustmohammadi H. Co-administration of Aluminum Sulfate and Propolis Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinases-2/9 Expression and Improves the Uterine Leiomyoma in Adult Rat Model. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:1002-1012. [PMID: 32594359 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02200-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aluminum sulfate (alum) with propolis (PR) on uterine leiomyoma (UL) in rat model. One hundred and four female Wistar rats (180-200 g) were allocated into two main groups of control (Co, n = 8) and experiment (UL model [estradiol benzoate 200 μg/kg/IM twice/week/8 weeks] with/without treatment) defined in 13 subgroups with/without treatment with coil oil (UL + COi), PR (100 or 200 mg/kg) as UL + PR100 or 200, alum (35, 75 or 150 mg/Kg) as UL + AL 35, 75, or 150, and PR (100 mg/kg or 200) with alum (35, 75, or 150 mg/Kg) as UL + PR100 or 200 + AL35, 75, or 150. Subgroups received doses of therapeutics for 14 days (IP). In the end, rats were sacrificed, and the uteri were isolated for molecular and histopathological investigations. The myometrium thickness, collagen contents, and gene expression of MMP-2 and 9 increased significantly in experimental groups with/without treatment (P ˂ 0.05). PR administration (100 and 200 mg/kg) alone or with alum (35 and 75 mg/kg) significantly decreased myometrium collagen contents and the gene expression and protein concentration of MMP-2 and 9 compared with UL and UL + Coi subgroups (P ˂ 0.05). Alum (75 mg/kg) with PR (200 mg/kg) could improve UL features and reduce MMP-2 and 9 gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behpour Yousefi
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Vahid Semnani
- Department of Pathology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Tahmineh Mokhtari
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sam Zarbakhsh
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hasan Tabrizi Amjad
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Barati
- Department of Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hoda Doustmohammadi
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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