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Cui Y, Ru M, Wang Y, Weng L, Haji RA, Liang H, Zeng Q, Wei Q, Xie X, Yin C, Huang J. Epigenetic regulation of H3K27me3 in laying hens with fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome induced by high-energy and low-protein diets. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:374. [PMID: 38627644 PMCID: PMC11022457 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10270-w] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in the modern poultry industry is primarily caused by nutrition. Despite encouraging progress on FLHS, the mechanism through which nutrition influences susceptibility to FLHS is still lacking in terms of epigenetics. RESULTS In this study, we analyzed the genome-wide patterns of trimethylated lysine residue 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) enrichment by chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), and examined its association with transcriptomes in healthy and FLHS hens. The study results indicated that H3K27me3 levels were increased in the FLHS hens on a genome-wide scale. Additionally, H3K27me3 was found to occupy the entire gene and the distant intergenic region, which may function as silencer-like regulatory elements. The analysis of transcription factor (TF) motifs in hypermethylated peaks has demonstrated that 23 TFs are involved in the regulation of liver metabolism and development. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in fatty acid metabolism, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. The hub gene identified from PPI network is fatty acid synthase (FASN). Combined ChIP-seq and transcriptome analysis revealed that the increased H3K27me3 and down-regulated genes have significant enrichment in the ECM-receptor interaction, tight junction, cell adhesion molecules, adherens junction, and TGF-beta signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the trimethylation modification of H3K27 has been shown to have significant regulatory function in FLHS, mediating the expression of crucial genes associated with the ECM-receptor interaction pathway. This highlights the epigenetic mechanisms of H3K27me3 and provides insights into exploring core regulatory targets and nutritional regulation strategies in FLHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Meng Ru
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Linjian Weng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Ramlat Ali Haji
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Haiping Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Qingjie Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Qing Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Xianhua Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Chao Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Jianzhen Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.
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2
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Wu CS, Chien YC, Yen CJ, Wu JY, Bai LY, Yu YL. EZH2-mediated epigenetic silencing of tumor-suppressive let-7c/miR-99a cluster by hepatitis B virus X antigen enhances hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:199. [PMID: 37689710 PMCID: PMC10493019 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03002-9] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded X antigen, HBx, assists in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through complex mechanisms. Our results provide new insights into the EZH2 epigenetic repression of let-7c that promotes HCC migration induced by HBx. Thus, let-7c and HMGA2 represent key diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HBV-related HCC. RESULTS We investigated the epigenetic regulation of let-7c, an important representative miRNA in liver tumor metastasis, in human HCC cells to verify the effect of HBx. Based on quantitative PCR (qPCR) of mRNA isolated from tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues of 24 patients with HBV-related HCC, EZH2 expression was significantly overexpressed in most HCC tissues (87.5%). We executed a miRNA microarray analysis in paired HBV-related HCC tumor and adjacent non-tumorous liver tissue from six of these patients and identified let-7c, miR-199a-3p, and miR-99a as being downregulated in the tumor tissue. Real-time PCR analysis verified significant downregulation of let-7c and miR-99a in both HepG2X and Hep3BX cells, which stably overexpress HBx, relative to parental cells. HBX enhanced EZH2 expression and attenuated let-7c expression to induce HMGA2 expression in the HCC cells. Knockdown of HMGA2 significantly downregulated the metastatic potential of HCC cells induced by HBx. CONCLUSIONS The deregulation of let-7c expression by HBx may indicate a potential novel pathway through deregulating cell metastasis and imply that HMGA2 might be used as a new prognostic marker and/or as an effective therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Shiou Wu
- Institute of Translational Medicine and New Drug Development, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chung Chien
- Institute of Translational Medicine and New Drug Development, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70403, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Yan Wu
- Institute of Translational Medicine and New Drug Development, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yuan Bai
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Yung-Luen Yu
- Institute of Translational Medicine and New Drug Development, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan.
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3
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Pietropaolo V, Prezioso C, Moens U. Role of Virus-Induced Host Cell Epigenetic Changes in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158346. [PMID: 34361112 PMCID: PMC8346956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor viruses human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) account for approximately 15% of all human cancers. Although the oncoproteins of these tumor viruses display no sequence similarity to one another, they use the same mechanisms to convey cancer hallmarks on the infected cell. Perturbed gene expression is one of the underlying mechanisms to induce cancer hallmarks. Epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin remodeling, microRNA, long noncoding RNA, and circular RNA affect gene expression without introducing changes in the DNA sequence. Increasing evidence demonstrates that oncoviruses cause epigenetic modifications, which play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. In this review, recent advances in the role of host cell epigenetic changes in virus-induced cancers are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Pietropaolo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (V.P.); (U.M.)
| | - Carla Prezioso
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- IRCSS San Raffaele Roma, Microbiology of Chronic Neuro-Degenerative Pathologies, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ugo Moens
- Molecular Inflammation Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø—The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Correspondence: (V.P.); (U.M.)
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4
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HBV Upregulates CtBP2 Expression via the X Gene. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6960573. [PMID: 30151388 PMCID: PMC6091417 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6960573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes acute and chronic liver diseases that can eventually develop into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the carcinogenesis of HBV is not fully understood. Carboxyl-terminal-binding protein 2 (CtBP2) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HBV on CtBP2 expression and to explore its mechanism. Methods Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used to evaluate the CtBP2 mRNA and protein expression levels in tissues and cells. The HBV infectious clone pHBV1.3 and plasmids expressing a single gene of the HBV genome were cotransfected with the CtBP2 gene promoter pGL3-CtBP2 into the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, and luciferase activity was determined using a luminometer. Results CtBP2 expression was higher in HBV-related HCC tissues than in paracancerous tissues. CtBP2 expression was higher in HepG2.2.15 cells integrated with the HBV genome than in HepG2 cells. pHBV1.3 upregulated CtBP2 mRNA and protein expression. The HBV X gene significantly activated CtBP2 gene promoter activity, and CtBP2 mRNA and protein expression were upregulated by the HBV X gene. This activation effect was enhanced by the increase in the dose of the X gene, showing metrological dependence. Conclusion HBV may be involved in the occurrence and development of HCC by upregulating CtBP2 expression.
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Zhou T, Sun Y, Li M, Ding Y, Yin R, Li Z, Xie Q, Bao S, Cai W. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2-catalysed H3K27 trimethylation plays a key role in acute-on-chronic liver failure via TNF-mediated pathway. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:590. [PMID: 29789597 PMCID: PMC5964223 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure is mainly due to host immunity self-destruction. The histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) trimethylating enzyme, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) mediates epigenetic silencing of gene expression and regulates immunity, also involves pathogenesis of several liver diseases. The current study was to determine the role of methyltransferase EZH2 and its catalysed H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in liver failure, and to further investigate the potential target for liver failure treatment. EZH2 and its catalysed H3K27me3 were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from liver failure patients and Kupffer cells from experimental mice. Furthermore, GSK126 (an inhibitor for EZH2 trimethylation function) was applied in liver failure mice in vivo, and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mononuclear cells in vitro. EZH2 and H3K27me3 were significantly upregulated in human PBMC from liver failure patients or murine Kupffer cells from the liver failure animals, respectively. GSK126 ameliorated disease severity in liver failure mice, which maybe attribute to down-regulate circulating and hepatic proinflammatory cytokines, especially TNF via reducing H3K27me3. In-depth chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis unravelled that decreased enrichment of H3K27me3 on Tnf promotor, resulting in TNF elevation in Kupffer cells from liver failure mice. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and protein kinase B (Akt) signalling pathways were activated upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation, but attenuated by using GSK126, accompanied with decreased TNF in vitro. In conclusion, EZH2 and H3K27me3 contributed to the pathogenesis of liver failure via triggering TNF and other indispensable proinflammatory cytokines. EZH2 was to modify H3K27me3 enrichment, as well as, activation of the downstream NF-κB and Akt signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhui Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ye Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth People's Hospital of Suzhou, Suzhou, 215007, China
| | - Yongsen Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Rongkun Yin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ziqiang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qing Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Shisan Bao
- Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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6
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Sanna L, Marchesi I, Melone MAB, Bagella L. The role of enhancer of zeste homolog 2: From viral epigenetics to the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:6508-6517. [PMID: 29574790 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, epigenetics covers a crucial role in different fields of science. The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a big proponent of how epigenetic changes can affect the initiation and progression of several diseases. Through its catalytic activity, responsible for the tri-methylation of lysine 27 of the histone H3 (H3K27me3), EZH2 is a good target for both diagnosis and therapy of different pathologies. A large number of studies have demonstrated its crucial role in cancer initiation and progression. Nevertheless, only recently its function in virus diseases has been uncovered; therefore, EZH2 can be an important promoter of viral carcinogenesis. This review explores the role of EZH2 in viral epigenetics based on recent progress that demonstrated the role of this protein in virus environment. In particular, the review focuses on EZH2 behavior in Hepatitis B Virus, analyzing its role in the rise of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Science, and National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Irene Marchesi
- Department of Biomedical Science, and National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mariarosa A B Melone
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic Sciences and Aging, Second Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Neurological e Neuromuscular Diseases and Interuniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.,Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Luigi Bagella
- Department of Biomedical Science, and National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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7
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Feng GX, Li J, Yang Z, Zhang SQ, Liu YX, Zhang WY, Ye LH, Zhang XD. Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes the development of liver fibrosis and hepatoma through downregulation of miR-30e targeting P4HA2 mRNA. Oncogene 2017; 36:6895-6905. [PMID: 28846110 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver necrosis takes great part in liver cirrhosis progression. However, less is known about whether hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) has effect on liver fibrosis. Here, we report that HBV leads to liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis through miR-30e targeting P4HA2. HBV transgenic mouse was treated by CCl4 to generate a model of liver fibrosis. A crucial enzyme catalyzing collagen formation, prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit α2 (P4HA2) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blotting or quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis. The function of HBV-modulated P4HA2 in hepatoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo was analyzed by EdU, MTT, colony-forming assay and animal transplantation assay. HBV transgenic mice exhibited more collagen deposition in liver after intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. P4HA2 was dramatically augmented in liver samples of HBV transgenic mice, clinical liver cirrhosis and liver cancer patients. Mechanistically, HBx was capable of inducing P4HA2 through suppressing miR-30e, in which miR-30e could target P4HA2 mRNA 3' untranslated region in liver cancer cells. HBx inhibited the miR-30e expression through increasing methylation of CpG islands in its promoter mediated by EZH2-formed complexes. Functionally, HBx-elevated P4HA2 enhanced the collagen deposition in the liver in vivo and in vitro, leading to liver fibrosis and liver cancer progression. In conclusion, HBx promotes the development of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma through miR-30e targeting P4HA2 mRNA. We provide novel perspective on how HBx induces liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G X Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - J Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Z Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - S Q Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Y X Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - W Y Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - L H Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - X D Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Department of Cancer Research, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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8
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Chen JY, Chen YJ, Yen CJ, Chen WS, Huang WC. HBx sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to lapatinib by up-regulating ErbB3. Oncotarget 2016; 7:473-89. [PMID: 26595522 PMCID: PMC4808012 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves HBV X protein (HBx)-induced tumor progression. HBx also contributes to chemo-resistance via inducing the expressions of anti-apoptosis and multiple drug resistance genes. However, the impact of HBx expression on the therapeutic efficacy of various receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors remains unknown. In this study, our data showed that HBx overexpression did not alter the cellular sensitivity of HCC cell lines to sorafenib but unexpectedly enhanced the cell death induced by EGFR family inhibitors, including gefitinib, erlotinib, and lapatinib due to ErbB3 up-regulation. Mechanistically, HBx transcriptionally up-regulates ErbB3 expression in a NF-κB dependent manner. In addition, HBx also physically interacts with ErbB2 and ErbB3 proteins and enhances the formation of ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimeric complex. The cell viability of HBx-overexpressing cells was decreased by silencing ErbB3 expression, further revealing the pivotal role of ErbB3 in HBx-mediated cell survival. Our data suggest that HBx shifts the oncogenic addiction of HCC cells to ErbB2/ErbB3 signaling pathway via inducing ErbB3 expression and thereby enhances their sensitivity to EGFR/ErbB2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhen-Yu Chen
- The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Internal Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Shu Chen
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chien Huang
- The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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9
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Niller HH, Ay E, Banati F, Demcsák A, Takacs M, Minarovits J. Wild type HBx and truncated HBx: Pleiotropic regulators driving sequential genetic and epigenetic steps of hepatocarcinogenesis and progression of HBV-associated neoplasms. Rev Med Virol 2015; 26:57-73. [PMID: 26593760 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the causative agents of hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis are complex. One of the host factors involved is apparently the long-lasting inflammatory reaction which accompanies chronic HBV infection. Although HBV lacks a typical viral oncogene, the HBx gene encoding a pleiotropic regulatory protein emerged as a major player in liver carcinogenesis. Here we review the tumorigenic functions of HBx with an emphasis on wild type and truncated HBx variants, and their role in the transcriptional dysregulation and epigenetic reprogramming of the host cell genome. We suggest that HBx acquired by the HBV genome during evolution acts like a cellular proto-onc gene that is activated by deletion during hepatocarcinogenesis. The resulting viral oncogene (v-onc gene) codes for a truncated HBx protein that facilitates tumor progression. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Helmut Niller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Eva Ay
- Department of Retrovirology, National Center for Epidemiology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Banati
- RT-Europe Nonprofit Research Center, Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary
| | - Anett Demcsák
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Maria Takacs
- Division of Virology, National Center for Epidemiology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janos Minarovits
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Szeged, Hungary
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10
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Tang S, Hu W, Hu J, Wu S, Li J, Luo Y, Cao M, Zhou H, Jiang X. Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes P3 transcript expression of the insulin-like growth factor 2 gene via inducing hypomethylation of P3 promoter in hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int 2015; 35:608-19. [PMID: 24423280 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis. The overexpression of transcripts from P3 and P4 promoters of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene is observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we aimed to explore the involvement of HBx in P3-driven mRNA overexpression and underlying epigenetic mechanism. METHODS P3 mRNA, P3 methylation status, HBx mRNA and HBx protein were analysed in human HCC samples with and without HBV infection using quantitative RT-PCR, bisulphite sequencing and Western blotting. The effects of HBx on P3 mRNA expression, and P3 transcriptional activity and methylation were further evaluated in HCC cell lines. RESULTS P3 mRNA level was higher and P3 methylation level was lower in HBV-positive HCC specimens compared with those of HBV-negative HCC specimens. P3 transcript abundance was positively correlated with HBx expression and negatively correlated with P3 methylation in HCC specimens. The stable expression of HBx upregulated P3 mRNA expression and reduced P3 methylation level in HepG2-HBx cells. The transient expression of HBx stimulated P3 promoter activity and decreased P3 methylation level of P3 promoter-luciferase construct in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells. Furthermore, HBx mRNA expression was found to be independent predictive factors for both shorter disease-free survival time and shorter overall survival time of HCC patients. CONCLUSION HBx may promote IGF2-P3 transcript expression by inducing hypomethylation of P3 promoter and may be associated with an inferior clinical outcome of HBV-related HCC patients. This study provides useful information for understanding the mechanism of HBx-mediated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohui Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Xie KL, Zhang YG, Liu J, Zeng Y, Wu H. MicroRNAs associated with HBV infection and HBV-related HCC. Theranostics 2014; 4:1176-92. [PMID: 25285167 PMCID: PMC4183996 DOI: 10.7150/thno.8715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global problem and a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). microRNAs (miRNAs) comprise a group of small noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression at the posttranslational level, thereby participating in fundamental biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this review, we summarize the roles of miRNAs in HBV infection, the recently identified mechanism underlying dysregulation of miRNAs in HBV-associated HCC, and their association with hepatocarcinogenesis. Moreover, we discuss the recent advances in the use of circulating miRNAs in the early diagnosis of HCC as well as therapies based on these aberrantly expressed miRNAs.
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