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Zhang X, Wang W, Lu C, Zhang H. KLF4 suppresses the proliferation of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma by negatively regulating GDF15 and phosphorylating AKT. Oncol Rep 2023; 50:222. [PMID: 37937607 PMCID: PMC10652240 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8659] [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: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel‑like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor which functions as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in numerous types of solid tumors. However, its expression levels and function in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, in order to investigate its roles in pCCA, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR), western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to detect KLF4 expression in pCCA. The Chi‑squared test was used to analyze the associations between KLF4 and the clinicopathological features of patients with pCCA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were subsequently used to analyze the prognostic significance of KLF4. The tumor suppression of KLF4 was investigated for the purposes of illustrating its biological function both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the association between KLF4 and growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was determined using pCCA tissue microarray (TMA) analysis and RT‑qPCR. The underlying molecular mechanisms between KLF4 and GDF15 were subsequently investigated in vitro. In pCCA tissues, KLF4 was found to be downregulated, and this was negatively associated with the histological grade and tumor size. The knockdown of KLF4 was also found to be a prognostic indicator of the poorer survival of patients with pCCA. Based on in vitro and in vivo analyses, KLF4 was found to suppress tumor progression and induce cell apoptosis. Furthermore, it was found that KLF4 executed its tumor suppressive effects via the regulation of the GDF15/AKT signaling pathway. Taken together, the findings of the present study demonstrate that KLF4 may be considered as an independent biomarker of a favorable prognosis of patients with pCCA, and the KLF4/GDF15/AKT signaling pathway may potentially be a novel molecular therapeutic target for patients with pCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhang
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Weijia Wang
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Chunlei Lu
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- General Surgery Center of Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
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Li YC, Li KS, Liu ZL, Tang YC, Hu XQ, Li XY, Shi AD, Zhao LM, Shu LZ, Lian S, Yan ZD, Huang SH, Sheng GL, Song Y, Liu YJ, Huan F, Zhang MH, Zhang ZL. Research progress of bile biomarkers and their immunoregulatory role in biliary tract cancers. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1049812. [PMID: 36389727 PMCID: PMC9649822 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1049812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs), including cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma, originate from the biliary epithelium and have a poor prognosis. Surgery is the only choice for cure in the early stage of disease. However, most patients are diagnosed in the advanced stage and lose the chance for surgery. Early diagnosis could significantly improve the prognosis of patients. Bile has complex components and is in direct contact with biliary tract tumors. Bile components are closely related to the occurrence and development of biliary tract tumors and may be applied as biomarkers for BTCs. Meanwhile, arising evidence has confirmed the immunoregulatory role of bile components. In this review, we aim to summarize and discuss the relationship between bile components and biliary tract cancers and their ability as biomarkers for BTCs, highlighting the role of bile components in regulating immune response, and their promising application prospects.
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AKT inhibition sensitizes EVI1 expressing colon cancer cells to irinotecan therapy by regulating the Akt/mTOR axis. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:659-675. [PMID: 35834097 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00690-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1) is an oncogenic transcription factor that has been attributed to chemotherapy resistance in different cancers. As yet, however, its role in colon cancer drug resistance is not completely understood. Here, we set out to investigate the functional and therapeutic relevance of EVI1 in colon cancer drug resistance. METHODS The EVI1 gene was knocked down in colon cancer cells that were subsequently tested for susceptibility to irinotecan using in vitro assays and in vivo subcutaneous mouse colon cancer models. The effect of EVI1 knockdown on the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway was assessed using cell line models, immunohistochemistry and bioinformatics tools. The anti-proliferative activity of AKT inhibitor GSK690693 and its combination with irinotecan was tested in colon cancer cell line models (2D and 3D). Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of GSK690693 and its combination with irinotecan was evaluated in xenografted EVI1 expressing colon cancer mouse models. RESULTS We found that EVI1 knockdown decreased cancer stem cell-like properties and improved irinotecan responses in both cell line and subcutaneous mouse models. In addition, we found that EVI1 downregulation resulted in inhibition of AKT/mTOR signaling and RICTOR expression. Knocking down RICTOR expression increased the cytotoxic effects of irinotecan in EVI1 downregulated colon cancer cells. Co-treatment with irinotecan and ATP-competitive AKT inhibitor GSK690693 significantly reduced colon cancer cell survival and tumor progression rates. CONCLUSION Inhibition of the AKT signaling cascade by GSK690693 may serve as an alternative to improve the irinotecan response in EVI1-expressing colon cancer cells.
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Sun R, Yu L, Xu K, Pu Y, Huang J, Liu M, Zhang J, Yin L, Pu Y. Evi1 involved in benzene-induced haematotoxicity via modulation of PI3K/mTOR pathway and negative regulation Serpinb2. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 354:109836. [PMID: 35092719 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Benzene is a widely used chemical and an environmental pollutant. Exposure to benzene can cause blood diseases, but the mechanisms underlying benzene haematotoxicity have not been fully clarified. Ecotropic virus integration site-1 (Evi1), a transcription factor, plays important roles in normal haematopoiesis and haematological diseases. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of Evi1 in benzene-induced haematotoxicity. We found that benzene exposure significantly increased Evi1 level in white blood cells (WBCs) in occupational benzene workers as well as mouse bone marrow cells. Further in vitro results demonstrated that compared with control cells exposed to same 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ, an important active metabolite of benzene) concentration, Evi1 downregulation significantly reduced cell proliferation, and disrupted cell viability, apoptosis, erythroid and megakaryotic cell differentiation and cell cycle. Additionally, down-regulation of Evi1 suppressed phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mTOR signalling pathway and elevated its target gene Serpinb2 following 1,4-BQ exposure. Moreover, the PI3K activator could partially relieve the inhibitory effect of down-regulation of Evi1 on cell proliferation and increase cell arrest in in G2/M phase. What's more, downregulation of Serpinb2 could partially alleviate proliferation inhibition and reverse cell cycle changes in G0/G1 phase and S phase induced by Evi1 inhibition. In conclusion, our data revealed that Evi1 downregulation aggravated the inhibition of cell proliferation and arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase when exposed to 1,4-BQ, potentially by inactivating the PI3K/mTOR pathway and upregulating downstream target gene Serpinb2. Our study provides novel insights on mechanism by which Evi1 participates in benzene-induced haematotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Linling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunqiu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiawei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Manman Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.
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EVI1 Promotes the Proliferation and Invasive Properties of Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031050. [PMID: 35162973 PMCID: PMC8835242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequent malignancy with a poor prognosis. So far, the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab is the only approved targeted therapy. A deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of HNSCC is needed to identify additional targets for rationally designed, personalized therapeutics. The transcription factor EVI1, the major product of the MECOM locus, is an oncoprotein with roles in both hematological and solid tumors. In HNSCC, high EVI1 expression was associated with an increased propensity to form lymph node metastases, but its effects in this tumor entity have not yet been determined experimentally. We therefore overexpressed or knocked down EVI1 in several HNSCC cell lines and determined the impact of these manipulations on parameters relevant to tumor growth and invasiveness, and on gene expression patterns. Our results revealed that EVI1 promoted the proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells. Furthermore, it augmented tumor spheroid formation and the ability of tumor spheroids to displace an endothelial cell layer. Finally, EVI1 altered the expression of numerous genes in HNSCC cells, which were enriched for Gene Ontology terms related to its cellular functions. In summary, EVI1 represents a novel oncogene in HNSCC that contributes to cellular proliferation and invasiveness.
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Liu H, Gong Z, Li K, Zhang Q, Xu Z, Xu Y. SRPK1/2 and PP1α exert opposite functions by modulating SRSF1-guided MKNK2 alternative splicing in colon adenocarcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:75. [PMID: 33602301 PMCID: PMC7893936 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01877-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mnk2 kinase, encoded by MKNK2 gene, plays critical roles in MAPK signaling and was involved in oncogenesis. Human MKNK2 pre-mRNA can be alternatively spliced into two splicing isoforms, the MKNK2a and MKNK2b, thus yielding Mnk2a and Mnk2b proteins with different domains. The involvement of Mnk2 alternative splicing in colon cancer has been implicated based on RNA-sequencing data from TCGA database. This study aimed at investigating the upstream modulators and clinical relevance of Mnk2 alternative splicing in colon adenocarcinoma (CAC). METHODS PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to assess the expression of Mnk2 and upstream proteins in CAC. The function of Mnk2 and its regulators were demonstrated in different CAC cell lines as well as in xenograft models. Two independent cohorts of CAC patients were used to reveal the clinical significance of MKNK2 alternative splicing. RESULTS Comparing with adjacent nontumorous tissue, CAC specimen showed a decreased MKNK2a level and an increased MKNK2b level, which were correlated with KRAS mutation and tumor size. The SRSF1 (serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1) was further confirmed to be the major splicing factor targeting MKNK2 in CAC cells. Higher expression of SRPK1/2 or decreased activity of PP1α were responsible for enhancing SRSF1 phosphorylation and nucleus translocation, subsequently resulted in a switch of MKNK2 alternative splicing. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that phosphorylation and subcellular localization of SRSF1 were balanced by SRPK1/2 and PP1α in CAC cells. High nucleus SRSF1 promoted MKNK2 splicing into MKNK2b instead of MNK2a, consequently enhanced tumor proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongda Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zheng Gong
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Kangshuai Li
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zekuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yunfei Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
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SMAD-oncoprotein interplay: Potential determining factors in targeted therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 180:114155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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EVI1 in Leukemia and Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092667. [PMID: 32962037 PMCID: PMC7564095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1) is transcriptionally activated in a subset of myeloid leukemias. Since its discovery, other isoforms of EVI1 have been identified. It has been shown that EVI1 and its isoforms mainly function as transcription factors and to play important roles not only in leukemia but also in a variety of solid tumors. To provide a comprehensive understanding of this family of proteins, we summarize the currently available knowledge of expression and function of EVI1 and its isoforms in leukemia and solid tumors and provide insights of future studies. Abstract The EVI1 gene encodes for a transcription factor with two zinc finger domains and is transcriptionally activated in a subset of myeloid leukemias. In leukemia, the transcriptional activation of EVI1 usually results from chromosomal rearrangements. Besides leukemia, EVI1 has also been linked to solid tumors including breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and colon cancer. The MDS1/EVI1 gene is encoded by the same locus as EVI1. While EVI1 functions as a transcription repressor, MDS1/EVI1 acts as a transcription activator. The fusion protein encoded by the AML1/MDS1/EVI1 chimeric gene, resulting from chromosomal translocations in a subset of chronic myeloid leukemia, exhibits a similar function to EVI1. EVI1 has been shown to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, whereas the functions of MDS1/EVI1 and AML1/MDS1/EVI1 remain elusive. In this review, we summarize the genetic structures, biochemical properties and biological functions of these proteins in cancer.
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