1
|
Yu Y, Jiang Y, Glandorff C, Sun M. Exploring the mystery of tumor metabolism: Warburg effect and mitochondrial metabolism fighting side by side. Cell Signal 2024; 120:111239. [PMID: 38815642 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111239] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The metabolic reconfiguration of tumor cells constitutes a pivotal aspect of tumor proliferation and advancement. This study delves into two primary facets of tumor metabolism: the Warburg effect and mitochondrial metabolism, elucidating their contributions to tumor dominance. The Warburg effect facilitates efficient energy acquisition by tumor cells through aerobic glycolysis and lactic acid fermentation, offering metabolic advantages conducive to growth and proliferation. Simultaneously, mitochondrial metabolism, serving as the linchpin of sustained tumor vitality, orchestrates the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain, furnishing a steadfast and dependable wellspring of biosynthesis for tumor cells. Regarding targeted therapy, this discourse examines extant strategies targeting tumor glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism, underscoring their potential efficacy in modulating tumor metabolism while envisaging future research trajectories and treatment paradigms in the realm of tumor metabolism. By means of a thorough exploration of tumor metabolism, this study aspires to furnish crucial insights into the regulation of tumor metabolic processes, thereby furnishing valuable guidance for the development of novel therapeutic modalities. This comprehensive deliberation is poised to catalyze advancements in tumor metabolism research and offer novel perspectives and pathways for the formulation of cancer treatment strategies in the times ahead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongxin Yu
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yulang Jiang
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Christian Glandorff
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; University Clinic of Hamburg at the HanseMerkur Center of TCM, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mingyu Sun
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen B, Liu J. Mechanisms associated with cuproptosis and implications for ovarian cancer. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 257:112578. [PMID: 38797108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112578] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, a profoundly fatal gynecologic neoplasm, exerts a substantial economic strain on nations globally. The formidable challenge of its frequent relapse necessitates the exploration of novel cytotoxic agents, efficacious antineoplastic medications with minimal adverse effects, and strategies to surmount resistance to primary chemotherapeutic agents. These endeavors aim to supplement extant pharmacological interventions and elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying induced cytotoxicity, distinct from conventional therapeutic modalities. Recent scientific research has unveiled a novel form of cellular demise, known as copper-death, which is contingent upon the intracellular concentration of copper. Diverging from conventional mechanisms of cellular demise, copper-death exhibits a pronounced reliance on mitochondrial respiration, particularly the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Tumor cells manifest distinctive metabolic profiles and elevated copper levels in comparison to their normal counterparts. The advent of copper-death presents alluring possibilities for targeted therapeutic interventions within the realm of cancer treatment. Hence, the primary objective of this review is to present an overview of the proteins and intricate mechanisms associated with copper-induced cell death, while providing a comprehensive summary of the knowledge acquired regarding potential therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancer. These findings will serve as valuable references to facilitate the advancement of customized therapeutic interventions for ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biqing Chen
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Praharaj M, Shen F, Lee AJ, Zhao L, Nirschl TR, Theodros D, Singh AK, Wang X, Adusei KM, Lombardo KA, Williams RA, Sena LA, Thompson EA, Tam A, Yegnasubramanian S, Pearce EJ, Leone RD, Alt J, Rais R, Slusher BS, Pardoll DM, Powell JD, Zarif JC. Metabolic Reprogramming of Tumor-Associated Macrophages Using Glutamine Antagonist JHU083 Drives Tumor Immunity in Myeloid-Rich Prostate and Bladder Cancers. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:854-875. [PMID: 38701369 PMCID: PMC11217738 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Glutamine metabolism in tumor microenvironments critically regulates antitumor immunity. Using the glutamine-antagonist prodrug JHU083, we report potent tumor growth inhibition in urologic tumors by JHU083-reprogrammed tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-infiltrating monocytes. We show JHU083-mediated glutamine antagonism in tumor microenvironments induced by TNF, proinflammatory, and mTORC1 signaling in intratumoral TAM clusters. JHU083-reprogrammed TAMs also exhibited increased tumor cell phagocytosis and diminished proangiogenic capacities. In vivo inhibition of TAM glutamine consumption resulted in increased glycolysis, a broken tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and purine metabolism disruption. Although the antitumor effect of glutamine antagonism on tumor-infiltrating T cells was moderate, JHU083 promoted a stem cell-like phenotype in CD8+ T cells and decreased the abundance of regulatory T cells. Finally, JHU083 caused a global shutdown in glutamine-utilizing metabolic pathways in tumor cells, leading to reduced HIF-1α, c-MYC phosphorylation, and induction of tumor cell apoptosis, all key antitumor features. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that targeting glutamine with JHU083 led to suppressed tumor growth as well as reprogramming of immunosuppressive TAMs within prostate and bladder tumors that promoted antitumor immune responses. JHU083 can offer an effective therapeutic benefit for tumor types that are enriched in immunosuppressive TAMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monali Praharaj
- Pathobiology Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Fan Shen
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Alex J. Lee
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Liang Zhao
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Thomas R. Nirschl
- Pathobiology Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Debebe Theodros
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Alok K. Singh
- Department of Medicine, Center for Tuberculosis Research, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Xiaoxu Wang
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Graduate Program in Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Kenneth M. Adusei
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Kara A. Lombardo
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Raekwon A. Williams
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Laura A. Sena
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Elizabeth A. Thompson
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Ada Tam
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Edward J. Pearce
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Robert D. Leone
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Jesse Alt
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Rana Rais
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Drew M. Pardoll
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Jonathan D. Powell
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Jelani C. Zarif
- Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Long Y, Xu Z, Yu J, Hu X, Xie Y, Duan X, Li N, Yan Y, Wang Y, Qin J. Targeting xCT with sulfasalazine suppresses triple-negative breast cancer growth via inducing autophagy and coordinating cell cycle and proliferation. Anticancer Drugs 2024:00001813-990000000-00295. [PMID: 39016262 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
There is a substantial unmet need for effective treatment strategies in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Recently, renewed attention has been directed towards targeting glutamine (Gln) metabolism to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment. Nonetheless, a comprehensive exploration into the mechanistic implications of targeting Gln metabolism in TNBC is lacking. In this study, our objective was to probe the sensitivity of TNBC to alterations in Gln metabolism, using representative TNBC cell lines: MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and 4T1. Through an integration of bioinformatics, in-vitro, and in-vivo investigations, we demonstrated that sulfasalazine (SAS), like erastin (a known xCT inhibitor), effectively suppressed the expression and transport function of xCT, resulting in a depletion of glutathione levels in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Furthermore, both xCT knockdown and SAS treatment demonstrated the promotion of cellular autophagy. We unveiled a positive correlation between xCT and the autophagy-related molecule p62, their co-expression indicating poor survival outcomes in breast cancer patients. In addition, our research revealed the influence of SAS and xCT on the expression of proteins regulating cell cycle and proliferation. Treatment with SAS or xCT knockdown led to the inhibition of MYC, CDK1, and CD44 expression. Significantly, the combined administration of SAS and rapamycin exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted breast tumor in mouse models constructed from murine-derived 4T1 cells. Taken together, our findings suggested the potential and clinical relevance of the SAS and rapamycin combination in the treatment of TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Long
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| | - Zizheng Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| | - Yu Xie
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| | - Xianxian Duan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| | - Ning Li
- School of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tianjin University
| | - Yan Yan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Hospital of Stomatology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Function Reconstruction, Hospital of Stomatology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Junfang Qin
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guo S, Wang X, Wang Y, Bai J, Liu Y, Shao Z. The potential therapeutic targets of glutamine metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116906. [PMID: 38876051 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116906] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting metabolic reprogramming may be an effective strategy to enhance cancer treatment efficacy. Glutamine serves as a vital nutrient for cancer cells. Inhibiting glutamine metabolism has shown promise in preventing tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro through various mechanisms. Therefore, this review collates recent scientific literature concerning the correlation between glutamine metabolism and cancer treatment. Novel treatment modalities based on amino acid transporters, metabolites, and glutaminase are discussed. Moreover, we demonstrate the relationship between glutamine metabolism and tumor proliferation, drug resistance, and the tumor immune microenvironment, offering new perspectives for the clinical treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly for combined therapies. Identifying innovative approaches for enhancing the efficacy of glutamine-based metabolic therapy is crucial to improving HNSCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shutian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School of Stomatology-Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinmiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School of Stomatology-Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School of Stomatology-Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junqiang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, School of Stomatology-Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of stomatology, Huangshi Central Hospital (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Polytechnic University), Huangshi 435000, China.
| | - Zhe Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China; Day Surgery Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li L, Zhou H, Zhang C. Cuproptosis in cancer: biological implications and therapeutic opportunities. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:91. [PMID: 38918694 PMCID: PMC11201306 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00608-3] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis, a newly identified copper (Cu)-dependent form of cell death, stands out due to its distinct mechanism that sets it apart from other known cell death pathways. The molecular underpinnings of cuproptosis involve the binding of Cu to lipoylated enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This interaction triggers enzyme aggregation and proteotoxic stress, culminating in cell death. The specific mechanism of cuproptosis has yet to be fully elucidated. This newly recognized form of cell death has sparked numerous investigations into its role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on Cu metabolism and its link to cancer. Furthermore, we delineated the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and summarized the roles of cuproptosis-related genes in cancer. Finally, we offered a comprehensive discussion of the most recent advancements in Cu ionophores and nanoparticle delivery systems that utilize cuproptosis as a cutting-edge strategy for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Houfeng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenliang Zhang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
De los Santos-Jiménez J, Campos-Sandoval JA, Alonso FJ, Márquez J, Matés JM. GLS and GLS2 Glutaminase Isoenzymes in the Antioxidant System of Cancer Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:745. [PMID: 38929183 PMCID: PMC11200642 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060745] [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: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A pathway frequently altered in cancer is glutaminolysis, whereby glutaminase (GA) catalyzes the main step as follows: the deamidation of glutamine to form glutamate and ammonium. There are two types of GA isozymes, named GLS and GLS2, which differ considerably in their expression patterns and can even perform opposing roles in cancer. GLS correlates with tumor growth and proliferation, while GLS2 can function as a context-dependent tumor suppressor. However, both isoenzymes have been described as essential molecules handling oxidant stress because of their involvement in glutathione production. We reviewed the literature to highlight the critical roles of GLS and GLS2 in restraining ROS and regulating both cellular signaling and metabolic stress due to their function as indirect antioxidant enzymes, as well as by modulating both reductive carboxylation and ferroptosis. Blocking GA activity appears to be a potential strategy in the dual activation of ferroptosis and inhibition of cancer cell growth in a ROS-mediated mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan De los Santos-Jiménez
- Canceromics Lab, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.D.l.S.-J.); (J.A.C.-S.); (F.J.A.); (J.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND), Universidad de Málaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - José A. Campos-Sandoval
- Canceromics Lab, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.D.l.S.-J.); (J.A.C.-S.); (F.J.A.); (J.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND), Universidad de Málaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Alonso
- Canceromics Lab, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.D.l.S.-J.); (J.A.C.-S.); (F.J.A.); (J.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND), Universidad de Málaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - Javier Márquez
- Canceromics Lab, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.D.l.S.-J.); (J.A.C.-S.); (F.J.A.); (J.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND), Universidad de Málaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| | - José M. Matés
- Canceromics Lab, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.D.l.S.-J.); (J.A.C.-S.); (F.J.A.); (J.M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND), Universidad de Málaga, 29590 Málaga, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kurganovs NJ, Engedal N. To eat or not to eat: a critical review on the role of autophagy in prostate carcinogenesis and prostate cancer therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1419806. [PMID: 38910881 PMCID: PMC11190189 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1419806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Around 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Many strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of this malignancy over the years, however, despite this; treatment resistance and disease progression remain major clinical concerns. Recent evidence indicate that autophagy can affect cancer formation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that can remove unnecessary or dysfunctional components of the cell as a response to metabolic or environmental stress. Due to the emerging importance of autophagy in cancer, targeting autophagy should be considered as a potential option in disease management. In this review, along with exploring the advances made on understanding the role of autophagy in prostate carcinogenesis and therapeutics, we will critically consider the conflicting evidence observed in the literature and suggest how to obtain stronger experimental evidence, as the application of current findings in clinical practice is presently not viable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Jayne Kurganovs
- Autophagy in Cancer Lab, Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikolai Engedal
- Autophagy in Cancer Lab, Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Xie Y, Li J, Tao Q, Wu Y, Liu Z, Chen Y, Zeng C. Identification of subclusters and prognostic genes based on GLS-associated molecular signature in ulcerative colitis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13102. [PMID: 38849409 PMCID: PMC11161595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63891-2] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease that affects the colon and rectum. The response to treatment varies among individuals with UC. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and explore potential biomarkers for different subtypes of UC and examine their association with immune cell infiltration. We obtained UC RNA sequencing data from the GEO database, which included the training set GSE92415 and the validation set GSE87473 and GSE72514. UC patients were classified based on GLS and its associated genes using consensus clustering analysis. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different UC subtypes through a differential expression analysis of the training cohort. Machine learning algorithms, including Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Support Vector Machine Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE), were utilized to identify marker genes for UC. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to determine the abundance of various immune cells in UC and their correlation with UC signature genes. Finally, we validated the expression of GLS through in vivo and ex vivo experiments. The expression of GLS was found to be elevated in patients with UC compared to normal patients. GLS and its related genes were able to classify UC patients into two subtypes, C1 and C2. The C1 subtype, as compared to the C2 subtype, showed a higher Mayo score and poorer treatment response. A total of 18 DEGs were identified in both subtypes, including 7 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated genes. Four UC signature genes (CWH43, HEPACAM2, IL24, and PCK1) were identified and their diagnostic value was validated in a separate cohort (AUC > 0.85). Furthermore, we found that UC signature biomarkers were linked to the immune cell infiltration. CWH43, HEPACAM2, IL24, and PCK1 may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing different subtypes of UC, which could contribute to the development of targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy for UC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qing Tao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yonghui Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zide Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Youxiang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Chunyan Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Beier AMK, Ebersbach C, Siciliano T, Scholze J, Hofmann J, Hönscheid P, Baretton GB, Woods K, Guezguez B, Dubrovska A, Markowitsch SD, Thomas C, Puhr M, Erb HHH. Targeting the glutamine metabolism to suppress cell proliferation in mesenchymal docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer. Oncogene 2024; 43:2038-2050. [PMID: 38750263 PMCID: PMC11196217 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03059-4] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Docetaxel (DX) serves as a palliative treatment option for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Despite initial remission, acquired DX resistance is inevitable. The mechanisms behind DX resistance have not yet been deciphered, but a mesenchymal phenotype is associated with DX resistance. Mesenchymal phenotypes have been linked to metabolic rewiring, obtaining most ATP production by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) powered substantially by glutamine (Gln). Likewise, Gln is known to play an essential role in modulating bioenergetic, redox homeostasis and autophagy. Herein, investigations of Gln deprivation on DX-sensitive and -resistant (DR) PCa cells revealed that the DR cell sub-lines were susceptible to Gln deprivation. Mechanistically, Gln deprivation reduced OXPHOS and ATP levels, causing a disturbance in cell cycle progression. Genetic and chemical inhibition of the Gln-metabolism key protein GLS1 could validate the Gln deprivation results, thereby representing a valid therapeutic target. Moreover, immunohistological investigation of GLS1 revealed a high-expressing GLS1 subgroup post-docetaxel failure, exhibiting low overall survival. This subgroup presents an intriguing opportunity for targeted therapy focusing on glutamine metabolism. Thus, these findings highlight a possible clinical rationale for the chemical inhibition of GLS1 as a therapeutic strategy to target mesenchymal DR PCa cells, thereby delaying accelerated tumour progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Celina Ebersbach
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tiziana Siciliano
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jana Scholze
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pia Hönscheid
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gustavo B Baretton
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kevin Woods
- IIIrd Department of Medicine - Hematology & Oncology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Borhane Guezguez
- IIIrd Department of Medicine - Hematology & Oncology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Dresden, Germany
| | - Sascha D Markowitsch
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Puhr
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Urology, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Holger H H Erb
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hilovsky D, Hartsell J, Young JD, Liu X. Stable Isotope Tracing Analysis in Cancer Research: Advancements and Challenges in Identifying Dysregulated Cancer Metabolism and Treatment Strategies. Metabolites 2024; 14:318. [PMID: 38921453 PMCID: PMC11205609 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060318] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, driving the development of therapies targeting cancer metabolism. Stable isotope tracing has emerged as a widely adopted tool for monitoring cancer metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. Advances in instrumentation and the development of new tracers, metabolite databases, and data analysis tools have expanded the scope of cancer metabolism studies across these scales. In this review, we explore the latest advancements in metabolic analysis, spanning from experimental design in stable isotope-labeling metabolomics to sophisticated data analysis techniques. We highlight successful applications in cancer research, particularly focusing on ongoing clinical trials utilizing stable isotope tracing to characterize disease progression, treatment responses, and potential mechanisms of resistance to anticancer therapies. Furthermore, we outline key challenges and discuss potential strategies to address them, aiming to enhance our understanding of the biochemical basis of cancer metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalton Hilovsky
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (D.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Joshua Hartsell
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (D.H.); (J.H.)
| | - Jamey D. Young
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Xiaojing Liu
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (D.H.); (J.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Holbert CE, Casero RA, Stewart TM. Polyamines: the pivotal amines in influencing the tumor microenvironment. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:173. [PMID: 38761252 PMCID: PMC11102423 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular proliferation, function and survival is reliant upon maintaining appropriate intracellular polyamine levels. Due to increased metabolic needs, cancer cells elevate their polyamine pools through coordinated metabolism and uptake. High levels of polyamines have been linked to more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) as polyamines support the growth and function of many immunosuppressive cell types such as MDSCs, macrophages and regulatory T-cells. As cancer cells and other pro-tumorigenic cell types are highly dependent on polyamines for survival, pharmacological modulation of polyamine metabolism is a promising cancer therapeutic strategy. This review covers the roles of polyamines in various cell types of the TME including both immune and stromal cells, as well as how competition for nutrients, namely polyamine precursors, influences the cellular landscape of the TME. It also details the use of polyamines as biomarkers and the ways in which polyamine depletion can increase the immunogenicity of the TME and reprogram tumors to become more responsive to immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E Holbert
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Casero
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracy Murray Stewart
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bel’skaya LV, Dyachenko EI. Oxidative Stress in Breast Cancer: A Biochemical Map of Reactive Oxygen Species Production. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4646-4687. [PMID: 38785550 PMCID: PMC11120394 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050282] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review systematizes information about the metabolic features of breast cancer directly related to oxidative stress. It has been shown those redox changes occur at all levels and affect many regulatory systems in the human body. The features of the biochemical processes occurring in breast cancer are described, ranging from nonspecific, at first glance, and strictly biochemical to hormone-induced reactions, genetic and epigenetic regulation, which allows for a broader and deeper understanding of the principles of oncogenesis, as well as maintaining the viability of cancer cells in the mammary gland. Specific pathways of the activation of oxidative stress have been studied as a response to the overproduction of stress hormones and estrogens, and specific ways to reduce its negative impact have been described. The diversity of participants that trigger redox reactions from different sides is considered more fully: glycolytic activity in breast cancer, and the nature of consumption of amino acids and metals. The role of metals in oxidative stress is discussed in detail. They can act as both co-factors and direct participants in oxidative stress, since they are either a trigger mechanism for lipid peroxidation or capable of activating signaling pathways that affect tumorigenesis. Special attention has been paid to the genetic and epigenetic regulation of breast tumors. A complex cascade of mechanisms of epigenetic regulation is explained, which made it possible to reconsider the existing opinion about the triggers and pathways for launching the oncological process, the survival of cancer cells and their ability to localize.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lyudmila V. Bel’skaya
- Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Omsk State Pedagogical University, 644099 Omsk, Russia;
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Shi HH, Mugaanyi J, Lu C, Li Y, Huang J, Dai L. A paradigm shift in cancer research based on integrative multi-omics approaches: glutaminase serves as a pioneering cuproptosis-related gene in pan-cancer. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:213. [PMID: 38566121 PMCID: PMC10988933 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03061-8] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of unprogrammed cell death. As a pivotal metabolic regulator, glutaminase (GLS) has recently been discovered to be linked to cuproptosis. Despite this discovery, the oncogenic functions and mechanisms of GLS in various cancers are still not fully understood. METHODS In this study, a comprehensive omics analysis was performed to investigate the differential expression levels, diagnostic and prognostic potential, correlation with tumor immune infiltration, genetic alterations, and drug sensitivity of GLS across multiple malignancies. RESULTS Our findings revealed unique expression patterns of GLS across various cancer types and molecular subtypes of carcinomas, underscoring its pivotal role primarily in energy and nutrition metabolism. Additionally, GLS showed remarkable diagnostic and prognostic performance in specific cancers, suggesting its potential as a promising biomarker for cancer detection and prognosis. Furthermore, we focused on uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) and developed a novel prognostic model associated with GLS, indicating a close correlation between GLS and UCEC. Moreover, our exploration into immune infiltration, genetic heterogeneity, tumor stemness, and drug sensitivity provided novel insights and directions for future research and laid the foundation for high-quality verification. CONCLUSION Collectively, our study is the first comprehensive investigation of the biological and clinical significance of GLS in pan-cancer. In our study, GLS was identified as a promising biomarker for UCEC, providing valuable evidence and a potential target for anti-tumor therapy. Overall, our findings shed light on the multifaceted functions of GLS in cancer and offer new avenues for further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Hong Shi
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China
| | - Joseph Mugaanyi
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Changjiang Lu
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Emergency, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China.
| | - Lei Dai
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tan Z, Boyapati K, Tressler CM, Jenkinson NM, Glunde K. Glutamine transporter SLC38A3 promotes breast cancer metastasis via Gsk3β/β-catenin/EMT pathway. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216653. [PMID: 38309615 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216653] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cancer-related cause of death in women. Here we show that solute carrier family 38-member 3 (SLC38A3) is overexpressed in breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and tissues. Our study reveals that SLC38A3 regulates cellular glutamine, glutamate, asparagine, aspartate, alanine, and glutathione (GSH) levels in breast cancer cells. Our data demonstrate that SLC38A3 enhances cell viability, cell migration and invasion in vitro, and promotes tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, while reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, we show that SLC38A3 suppresses the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3-β (Gsk3β), a negative regulator of β-catenin, and increases protein levels of β-catenin, leading to the upregulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factors and EMT markers in breast cancer. In summary, we show that SLC38A3 is overexpressed in breast cancer and promotes breast cancer metastasis via the GSK3β/β-catenin/EMT pathway, presenting a novel therapeutic target to explore for breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheqiong Tan
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medical Laboratory, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Keerti Boyapati
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caitlin M Tressler
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole M Jenkinson
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kristine Glunde
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tiwari M, Srivastava P, Abbas S, Jegatheesan J, Ranjan A, Sharma S, Maurya VP, Saxena AK, Sharma LK. Emerging Role of Autophagy in Governing Cellular Dormancy, Metabolic Functions, and Therapeutic Responses of Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2024; 13:447. [PMID: 38474411 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050447] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors are composed of heterogeneous populations of dysregulated cells that grow in specialized niches that support their growth and maintain their properties. Tumor heterogeneity and metastasis are among the major hindrances that exist while treating cancer patients, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Although the factors that determine tumor complexity remain largely unknown, several genotypic and phenotypic changes, including DNA mutations and metabolic reprograming provide cancer cells with a survival advantage over host cells and resistance to therapeutics. Furthermore, the presence of a specific population of cells within the tumor mass, commonly known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), is thought to initiate tumor formation, maintenance, resistance, and recurrence. Therefore, these CSCs have been investigated in detail recently as potential targets to treat cancer and prevent recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in CSC proliferation, self-renewal, and dormancy may provide important clues for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Autophagy, a catabolic process, has long been recognized to regulate various physiological and pathological processes. In addition to regulating cancer cells, recent studies have identified a critical role for autophagy in regulating CSC functions. Autophagy is activated under various adverse conditions and promotes cellular maintenance, survival, and even cell death. Thus, it is intriguing to address whether autophagy promotes or inhibits CSC functions and whether autophagy modulation can be used to regulate CSC functions, either alone or in combination. This review describes the roles of autophagy in the regulation of metabolic functions, proliferation and quiescence of CSCs, and its role during therapeutic stress. The review further highlights the autophagy-associated pathways that could be used to regulate CSCs. Overall, the present review will help to rationalize various translational approaches that involve autophagy-mediated modulation of CSCs in controlling cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Pransu Srivastava
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sabiya Abbas
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Janani Jegatheesan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Sadhana Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ved Prakash Maurya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Ajit Kumar Saxena
- Department of Pathology/Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Lokendra Kumar Sharma
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Luo J, Zhu WC, Chen QX, Yang CF, Huang BJ, Zhang SJ. A prognostic model based on DNA methylation-related gene expression for predicting overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1171932. [PMID: 38304027 PMCID: PMC10830715 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1171932] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to increase in morbidity and mortality among all types of cancer. DNA methylation, an important epigenetic modification, is associated with cancer occurrence and progression. The objective of this study was to establish a model based on DNA methylation risk scores for identifying new potential therapeutic targets in HCC and preventing cancer progression. Methods Transcriptomic, clinical, and DNA methylation data on 374 tumor tissues and 50 adjacent normal tissues were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma database. The gene expression profiles of the GSE54236 liver cancer dataset, which contains data on 161 liver tissue samples, were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We analyzed the relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression levels after identifying the differentially methylated and expressed genes. Then, we developed and validated a risk score model based on the DNA methylation-driven genes. A tissue array consisting of 30 human hepatocellular carcinoma samples and adjacent normal tissues was used to assess the protein and mRNA expression levels of the marker genes by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR, respectively. Results Three methylation-related differential genes were identified in our study: GLS, MEX3B, and GNA14. The results revealed that their DNA methylation levels were negatively correlated with local gene expression regulation. The gene methylation levels correlated strongly with the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. This was confirmed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical verification of the expression of these genes or proteins in tumors and adjacent tissues. These results revealed the relationship between the level of relevant gene methylation and the prognosis of patients with liver cancer as well as the underlying cellular and biological mechanisms. This allows our gene signature to provide more accurate and appropriate predictions for clinical applications. Conclusion Through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation, we obtained three DNA methylation marker: GLS, MEX3B, and GNA14. This helps to predict the prognosis and may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Luo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wan-Cui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang-Fu Yang
- Department of Oncology, The People’s Hospital of Gaozhou, Gaozhou, China
| | - Bi-Jun Huang
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Jun Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yang R, Cheng S, Xiao J, Pei Y, Zhu Z, Zhang J, Feng J, Li J. GLS and GOT2 as prognostic biomarkers associated with dendritic cell and immunotherapy response in breast cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24163. [PMID: 38234908 PMCID: PMC10792574 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24163] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the females' most common cancer. Targeting the immune microenvironment is a new and promising treatment method for breast cancer. Nevertheless, only a small section of patients can profit by immunotherapy, and improving the ability to accurately predict the potential for immunotherapy response is still awaiting further exploration. In this study, we found that the key factors of glutamine metabolism, glutaminase 1 (GLS) and mitochondrial aspartate transaminase (GOT2), showed opposite expression patterns in breast cancer samples. Based on the expression level of GLS and GOT2, we divided the breast cancer samples into two clusters: Cluster 2 showed GLS expressed higher and GOT2 expressed lower, whereas Cluster 1 showed GOT2 expressed higher and GLS expressed lower. GSEA showed that the clusters were related to pathways of immunity. Further analysis showed that Cluster 2 was positively associated with immunity infiltration. Through WGCNA, we identified a module strongly correlated with glutamine metabolism and immunity and identified 11 dendritic cell-associated genes involved in dendritic cell development, maturation, activation and other functions. In addition, Cluster 2 also showed higher immune checkpoint gene expression, which suggest the Cluster 2 had even better response to immunotherapy. The validation dataset could also be clustered into two groups. Cluster 2 (GLS expressed higher and GOT2 expressed lower) of the validation dataset was also positively associated with dendritic cells and a better immunotherapy response. Thus, these data indicate that GLS and GOT2 are prognostic biomarkers which closely related to dendritic cells and better reacted to immunotherapy in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruifang Yang
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
| | - Shuo Cheng
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
| | - Jie Xiao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yujie Pei
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
| | - Zhonglin Zhu
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
| | - Jing Feng
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Jing Li
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, 201499, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li X, Hu S, Cai Y, Liu X, Luo J, Wu T. Revving the engine: PKB/AKT as a key regulator of cellular glucose metabolism. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1320964. [PMID: 38264327 PMCID: PMC10804622 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1320964] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Glucose metabolism is of critical importance for cell growth and proliferation, the disorders of which have been widely implicated in cancer progression. Glucose uptake is achieved differently by normal cells and cancer cells. Even in an aerobic environment, cancer cells tend to undergo metabolism through glycolysis rather than the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Disordered metabolic syndrome is characterized by elevated levels of metabolites that can cause changes in the tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting tumor recurrence and metastasis. The activation of glycolysis-related proteins and transcription factors is involved in the regulation of cellular glucose metabolism. Changes in glucose metabolism activity are closely related to activation of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT). This review discusses recent findings on the regulation of glucose metabolism by AKT in tumors. Furthermore, the review summarizes the potential importance of AKT in the regulation of each process throughout glucose metabolism to provide a theoretical basis for AKT as a target for cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuying Hu
- General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaoting Cai
- General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelian Liu
- General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Luo
- General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tao J, Xue C, Cao M, Ye J, Sun Y, Chen H, Guan Y, Zhang W, Zhang W, Yao Y. Protein disulfide isomerase family member 4 promotes triple-negative breast cancer tumorigenesis and radiotherapy resistance through JNK pathway. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:1. [PMID: 38167446 PMCID: PMC10759449 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01758-6] [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: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite radiotherapy ability to significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, acquired resistance to radiotherapy poses a serious clinical challenge. Protein disulfide isomerase exists in endoplasmic reticulum and plays an important role in promoting protein folding and post-translational modification. However, little is known about the role of protein disulfide isomerase family member 4 (PDIA4) in TNBC, especially in the context of radiotherapy resistance. METHODS We detected the presence of PDIA4 in TNBC tissues and paracancerous tissues, then examined the proliferation and apoptosis of TNBC cells with/without radiotherapy. As part of the validation process, xenograft tumor mouse model was used. Mass spectrometry and western blot analysis were used to identify PDIA4-mediated molecular signaling pathway. RESULTS Based on paired clinical specimens of TNBC patients, we found that PDIA4 expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. In vitro, PDIA4 knockdown not only increased apoptosis of tumor cells with/without radiotherapy, but also decreased the ability of proliferation. In contrast, overexpression of PDIA4 induced the opposite effects on apoptosis and proliferation. According to Co-IP/MS results, PDIA4 prevented Tax1 binding protein 1 (TAX1BP1) degradation by binding to TAX1BP1, which inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. Moreover, PDIA4 knockdown suppressed tumor growth xenograft model in vivo, which was accompanied by an increase in apoptosis and promoted tumor growth inhibition after radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that PDIA4 is an oncoprotein that promotes TNBC progression, and targeted therapy may represent a new and effective anti-tumor strategy, especially for patients with radiotherapy resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiu Tao
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Cailin Xue
- Division of Hepatobilliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Meng Cao
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Jiahui Ye
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yulu Sun
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yinan Guan
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yongzhong Yao
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhang E, Chen Z, Liu W, Lin L, Wu L, Guan J, Wang J, Kong C, Bi J, Zhang M. NCAPG2 promotes prostate cancer malignancy and stemness via STAT3/c-MYC signaling. J Transl Med 2024; 22:12. [PMID: 38166947 PMCID: PMC10763290 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04834-9] [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: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men worldwide, and its incidence has risen substantially in recent years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers and precise therapeutic targets for managing PCa progression and recurrence. METHODS We investigated the clinical significance of NCAPG2 in PCa by exploring public datasets and our tissue microarray. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and survival analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between NCAPG2 and PCa progression. Cell proliferation, wound healing, transwell, flow cytometry, cell cycle, tumor sphere formation, immunofluorescence (IF), co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were conducted to further elucidate the molecular mechanism of NCAPG2 in PCa. Subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models were applied to investigate the effects of NCAPG2 on PCa proliferation in vivo. Tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics was utilized to detect proteomic changes under NCAPG2 overexpression. RESULTS NCAPG2 was significantly upregulated in PCa, and its overexpression was associated with PCa progression and unfavorable prognosis. Knockdown of NCAPG2 inhibited the malignant behavior of PCa cells, whereas its overexpression promoted PCa aggressiveness. NCAPG2 depletion attenuated the development and growth of PCa in vivo. TMT quantitative proteomics analyses indicated that c-MYC activity was strongly correlated with NCAPG2 expression. The malignancy-promoting effect of NCAPG2 in PCa was mediated via c-MYC. NCAPG2 could directly bind to STAT3 and induce STAT3 occupancy on the MYC promoter, thus to transcriptionally activate c-MYC expression. Finally, we identified that NCAPG2 was positively correlated with cancer stem cell (CSC) markers and enhanced self-renewal capacity of PCa cells. CONCLUSIONS NCAPG2 is highly expressed in PCa, and its level is significantly associated with PCa prognosis. NCAPG2 promotes PCa malignancy and drives cancer stemness via the STAT3/c-MYC signaling axis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enchong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shenjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengjie Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Institute of Urology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wangmin Liu
- Department of Urology, Shenjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Johnny Guan
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Institute of Urology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuize Kong
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Institute of Urology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jianbin Bi
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Institute of Urology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Mo Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Institute of Urology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Liu WQ, Lin WR, Yan L, Xu WH, Yang J. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in cancer immunity and therapy. Immunol Rev 2024; 321:211-227. [PMID: 37715546 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential nutrient for maintaining enzyme activity and transcription factor function. Excess copper results in the aggregation of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), which correlates to the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, resulting in proteotoxic stress and eliciting a novel cell death modality: cuproptosis. Cuproptosis exerts an indispensable role in cancer progression, which is considered a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Cancer immunotherapy has gained extensive attention owing to breakthroughs in immune checkpoint blockade; furthermore, cuproptosis is strongly connected to the modulation of antitumor immunity. Thus, a thorough recognition concerning the mechanisms involved in the modulation of copper metabolism and cuproptosis may facilitate improvement in cancer management. This review outlines the cellular and molecular mechanisms and characteristics of cuproptosis and the links of the novel regulated cell death modality with human cancers. We also review the current knowledge on the complex effects of cuproptosis on antitumor immunity and immune response. Furthermore, potential agents that elicit cuproptosis pathways are summarized. Lastly, we discuss the influence of cuproptosis induction on the tumor microenvironment as well as the challenges of adding cuproptosis regulators to therapeutic strategies beyond traditional therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Qing Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wan-Rong Lin
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wen-Hao Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Liang X, Wang Z, Dai Z, Liu J, Zhang H, Wen J, Zhang N, Zhang J, Luo P, Liu Z, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Oxidative stress is involved in immunosuppression and macrophage regulation in glioblastoma. Clin Immunol 2024; 258:109802. [PMID: 37866784 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109802] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress dually affected cancer progression, while its effect on glioblastomas remained unclear. Herein, we clustered the multicenter glioblastoma cohorts based on the oxidative-stress-responsive genes (OSS) expression. We found that cluster 2 with high OSS levels suffered a worse prognosis. Functional analyses and immune-related analyses results exhibited that M2-like pro-tumoral macrophages and neutrophils were enriched in cluster 2, while Natural killer cells' infiltration was decreased. The increased M2-like pro-tumoral macrophages in cluster 2 was confirmed by immunofluorescence. An integrated single-cell analysis validated the malignant features of cluster 2 neoplastic cells and discovered their crosstalk with M2-like pro-tumoral macrophages. Moreover, we observed that SOD3 knockdown might decrease the M2-like pro-tumoral transformation of macrophage in vitro and in vivo. Comprehensively, we revealed oxidative stress' prognostic and immunosuppressive potential in glioblastoma and discovered SOD3's potential role in regulating macrophage M2-like pro-tumoral transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xisong Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Jian Liu
- Experiment Center of Medical Innovation, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, PR China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gorodetska I, Offermann A, Püschel J, Lukiyanchuk V, Gaete D, Kurzyukova A, Freytag V, Haider MT, Fjeldbo CS, Di Gaetano S, Schwarz FM, Patil S, Borkowetz A, Erb HHH, Baniahmad A, Mircetic J, Lyng H, Löck S, Linge A, Lange T, Knopf F, Wielockx B, Krause M, Perner S, Dubrovska A. ALDH1A1 drives prostate cancer metastases and radioresistance by interplay with AR- and RAR-dependent transcription. Theranostics 2024; 14:714-737. [PMID: 38169509 PMCID: PMC10758061 DOI: 10.7150/thno.88057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Current therapies for metastatic osseous disease frequently fail to provide a durable treatment response. To date, there are only limited therapeutic options for metastatic prostate cancer, the mechanisms that drive the survival of metastasis-initiating cells are poorly characterized, and reliable prognostic markers are missing. A high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity has been long considered a marker of cancer stem cells (CSC). Our study characterized a differential role of ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 genes as regulators of prostate cancer progression and metastatic growth. Methods: By genetic silencing of ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 in vitro, in xenografted zebrafish and murine models, and by comparative immunohistochemical analyses of benign, primary tumor, and metastatic specimens from patients with prostate cancer, we demonstrated that ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 maintain the CSC phenotype and radioresistance and regulate bone metastasis-initiating cells. We have validated ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 as potential biomarkers of clinical outcomes in the independent cohorts of patients with PCa. Furthermore, by RNAseq, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and biostatistics analyses, we suggested the molecular mechanisms explaining the role of ALDH1A1 in PCa progression. Results: We found that aldehyde dehydrogenase protein ALDH1A1 positively regulates tumor cell survival in circulation, extravasation, and metastatic dissemination, whereas ALDH1A3 plays the opposite role. ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 are differentially expressed in metastatic tumors of patients with prostate cancer, and their expression levels oppositely correlate with clinical outcomes. Prostate cancer progression is associated with the increasing interplay of ALDH1A1 with androgen receptor (AR) and retinoid receptor (RAR) transcriptional programs. Polo-like kinase 3 (PLK3) was identified as a transcriptional target oppositely regulated by ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 genes in RAR and AR-dependent manner. PLK3 contributes to the control of prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, DNA repair, and radioresistance. ALDH1A1 gain in prostate cancer bone metastases is associated with high PLK3 expression. Conclusion: This report provides the first evidence that ALDH1A1 and PLK3 could serve as biomarkers to predict metastatic dissemination and radiotherapy resistance in patients with prostate cancer and could be potential therapeutic targets to eliminate metastasis-initiating and radioresistant tumor cell populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ielizaveta Gorodetska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anne Offermann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany; Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Jakob Püschel
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vasyl Lukiyanchuk
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Diana Gaete
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anastasia Kurzyukova
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vera Freytag
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Marie-Therese Haider
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | | | - Simona Di Gaetano
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Maria Schwarz
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shivaprasad Patil
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika Borkowetz
- Department of Urology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger H H Erb
- Department of Urology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Jovan Mircetic
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heidi Lyng
- Department of Radiation Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steffen Löck
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Annett Linge
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tobias Lange
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy I, Cancer Center Central Germany, Jena, University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Knopf
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD - Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ben Wielockx
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany; Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), partner site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Richter S, Steenblock C, Fischer A, Lemm S, Ziegler CG, Bechmann N, Nölting S, Pietzsch J, Ullrich M. Improving susceptibility of neuroendocrine tumors to radionuclide therapies: personalized approaches towards complementary treatments. Theranostics 2024; 14:17-32. [PMID: 38164150 PMCID: PMC10750207 DOI: 10.7150/thno.87345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Radionuclide therapies are an important tool for the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Especially [131I]MIBG and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE are routinely used for the treatment of a subset of NENs, including pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas and gastroenteropancreatic tumors. Some patients suffering from other forms of NENs, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma or neuroblastoma, were shown to respond to radionuclide therapy; however, no general recommendations exist. Although [131I]MIBG and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE can delay disease progression and improve quality of life, complete remissions are achieved rarely. Hence, better individually tailored combination regimes are required. This review summarizes currently applied radionuclide therapies in the context of NENs and informs about recent advances in the development of theranostic agents that might enable targeting subgroups of NENs that previously did not respond to [131I]MIBG or [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. Moreover, molecular pathways involved in NEN tumorigenesis and progression that mediate features of radioresistance and are particularly related to the stemness of cancer cells are discussed. Pharmacological inhibition of such pathways might result in radiosensitization or general complementary antitumor effects in patients with certain genetic, transcriptomic, or metabolic characteristics. Finally, we provide an overview of approved targeted agents that might be beneficial in combination with radionuclide therapies in the context of a personalized molecular profiling approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Richter
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alessa Fischer
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandy Lemm
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian G. Ziegler
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Hospital Würzburg, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Bechmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Svenja Nölting
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Ullrich
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Stouras I, Vasileiou M, Kanatas PF, Tziona E, Tsianava C, Theocharis S. Metabolic Profiles of Cancer Stem Cells and Normal Stem Cells and Their Therapeutic Significance. Cells 2023; 12:2686. [PMID: 38067114 PMCID: PMC10705308 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare cancer cell population, responsible for the facilitation, progression, and resistance of tumors to therapeutic interventions. This subset of cancer cells with stemness and tumorigenic properties is organized in niches within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and presents altered regulation in a variety of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), as well as lipid, amino acid, and iron metabolism. CSCs exhibit similarities as well as differences when comparedto normal stem cells, but also possess the ability of metabolic plasticity. In this review, we summarize the metabolic characteristics of normal, non-cancerous stem cells and CSCs. We also highlight the significance and implications of interventions targeting CSC metabolism to potentially achieve more robust clinical responses in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Stouras
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Vasileiou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis F. Kanatas
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eleni Tziona
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Christina Tsianava
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rion, Greece;
| | - Stamatis Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Park MN. Therapeutic Strategies for Pancreatic-Cancer-Related Type 2 Diabetes Centered around Natural Products. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15906. [PMID: 37958889 PMCID: PMC10648679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115906] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a highly malignant neoplasm, is classified as one of the most severe and devastating types of cancer. PDAC is a notable malignancy that exhibits a discouraging prognosis and a rising occurrence. The interplay between diabetes and pancreatic cancer exhibits a reciprocal causation. The identified metabolic disorder has been observed to possess noteworthy consequences on health outcomes, resulting in elevated rates of morbidity. The principal mechanisms involve the suppression of the immune system, the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and the onset of systemic metabolic disease caused by dysfunction of the islets. From this point forward, it is important to recognize that pancreatic-cancer-related diabetes (PCRD) has the ability to increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. This highlights the complex relationship that exists between these two physiological states. Therefore, we investigated into the complex domain of PSCs, elucidating their intricate signaling pathways and the profound influence of chemokines on their behavior and final outcome. In order to surmount the obstacle of drug resistance and eliminate PDAC, researchers have undertaken extensive efforts to explore and cultivate novel natural compounds of the next generation. Additional investigation is necessary in order to comprehensively comprehend the effect of PCRD-mediated apoptosis on the progression and onset of PDAC through the utilization of natural compounds. This study aims to examine the potential anticancer properties of natural compounds in individuals with diabetes who are undergoing chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. It is anticipated that these compounds will exhibit increased potency and possess enhanced pharmacological benefits. According to our research findings, it is indicated that naturally derived chemical compounds hold potential in the development of PDAC therapies that are both safe and efficacious.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moon Nyeo Park
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegidong Dongdaemungu, Seoul 05253, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zeng Y, Jiang H, Zhang X, Xu J, Wu X, Xu Q, Cai W, Ying H, Zhou R, Ding Y, Ying K, Song X, Chen Z, Zeng L, Zhao L, Yu F. Canagliflozin reduces chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through PKM2-c-Myc complex-mediated glutamine starvation. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 208:571-586. [PMID: 37696420 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin (CPT) is one of the standard treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its use is limits as a monotherapy due to drug resistance, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To solve this problem, we tried using canagliflozin (CANA), a clinical drug for diabetes, to reduce chemoresistance to CPT, and the result showed that CANA could vigorously inhibit cell proliferation and migration independent of the original target SGLT2. Mechanistically, CANA reduced aerobic glycolysis in HCC by targeting PKM2. The downregulated PKM2 directly bound to the transcription factor c-Myc in the cytoplasm to form a complex, which upregulated the level of phosphorylated c-Myc Thr58 and promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of c-Myc. Decreased c-Myc reduced the expression of GLS1, a key enzyme in glutamine metabolism, leading to impaired glutamine utilization. Finally, intracellular glutamine starvation induced ferroptosis and sensitized HCC to CPT. In conclusion, our study showed that CANA re-sensitized HCC to CPT by inducing ferroptosis through dual effects on glycolysis and glutamine metabolism. This is a novel mechanism to increase chemosensitivity, which may provide compatible chemotherapy drugs for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haoran Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weimin Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huiya Ying
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruoru Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingrong Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kanglei Ying
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xian Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhuoyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liuwei Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luying Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Fujun Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang ZQ, Li YQ, Wang DY, Shen YQ. Natural product piperlongumine inhibits proliferation of oral squamous carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis and inhibiting intracellular antioxidant capacity. Transl Cancer Res 2023; 12:2911-2922. [PMID: 37969394 PMCID: PMC10643964 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-22-1494] [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: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Background As a new form of cell death, ferroptosis has been shown to have inhibitory effects on a variety of tumor cells except oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). There were few investigations on the effects and molecular mechanisms of piperlongumine (PL, a ferroptosis inducer) and CB-839 (a GLS1 inhibitor which promotes ferroptosis) on OSCC cells. This article assesses the anticancer effect and mechanism of PL as well as combined with CB-839. Methods OSCC cells were treated with specified concentration of PL alone or with ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) and antioxidant N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) to assess their effects on biological characteristics such as cell proliferation, cell death and intracellular ferroptosis related pathways. Also, cells were treated with PL combined with CB-839 to evaluate the synergistic effect of CB-839 on PL's anticancer effects. Results The results showed that the proliferation rate of PL-treated OSCC cells were decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. PL can induce OSCC cells apoptosis. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were accumulated after PL treatment. We found some protein changes significantly such as the expression of DMT1 increased, and the expression of FTH1, SLC7A11 and GPX4 decreased. In addition, the anti-proliferation effect of PL can be reversed by Fer-1 and NAC and the level of LPO and ROS was decreased accordingly. Importantly, we found that PL and CB-839 in combination could decrease the cell viability and the LPO level synergistically, accompanied by a large consumption of glutathione (GSH). These evidences prove that PL can induce ferroptosis of OSCC cells, which can be enhanced by CB-839. Conclusions Our study suggested that the nature product PL can induce the ferroptotic death of OSCC cells, which is further enhanced when combined with CB-839. The synergistic anticancer effect of these two may prove new strategy for OSCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong-Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying-Qiang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Cui B, He B, Huang Y, Wang C, Luo H, Lu J, Su K, Zhang X, Luo Y, Zhao Z, Yang Y, Zhang Y, An F, Wang H, Lam EWF, Kelley KW, Wang L, Liu Q, Peng F. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 reprograms proline metabolism to drive breast cancer stemness under psychological stress. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:682. [PMID: 37845207 PMCID: PMC10579265 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) contribute to cancer metastasis, drug resistance and tumor relapse, yet how amino acid metabolism promotes CSC maintenance remains exclusive. Here, we identify that proline synthetase PYCR1 is critical for breast cancer stemness and tumor growth. Mechanistically, PYCR1-synthesized proline activates cGMP-PKG signaling to enhance cancer stem-like traits. Importantly, cGMP-PKG signaling mediates psychological stress-induced cancer stem-like phenotypes and tumorigenesis. Ablation of PYCR1 markedly reverses psychological stress-induced proline synthesis, cGMP-PKG signaling activation and cancer progression. Clinically, PYCR1 and cGMP-PKG signaling components are highly expressed in breast tumor specimens, conferring poor survival in breast cancer patients. Targeting proline metabolism or cGMP-PKG signaling pathway provides a potential therapeutic strategy for breast patients undergoing psychological stress. Collectively, our findings unveil that PYCR1-enhanced proline synthesis displays a critical role in maintaining breast cancer stemness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bai Cui
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bin He
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanping Huang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Cenxin Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huandong Luo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jinxin Lu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Keyu Su
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuanyuan Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Zhuoran Zhao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuqing Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yunkun Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fan An
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Eric W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Keith W Kelley
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine and Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Quentin Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fei Peng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Aboushousha R, van der Velden J, Hamilton N, Peng Z, MacPherson M, Erickson C, White S, Wouters EFM, Reynaert NL, Seward DJ, Li J, Janssen-Heininger YMW. Glutaredoxin attenuates glutathione levels via deglutathionylation of Otub1 and subsequent destabilization of system x C. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi5192. [PMID: 37703360 PMCID: PMC10499329 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) is a critical component of the cellular redox system that combats oxidative stress. The glutamate-cystine antiporter, system xC-, is a key player in GSH synthesis that allows for the uptake of cystine, the rate-limiting building block of GSH. It is unclear whether GSH or GSH-dependent protein oxidation [protein S-glutathionylation (PSSG)] regulates the activity of system xC-. We demonstrate that an environment of enhanced PSSG promotes GSH increases via a system xC--dependent mechanism. Absence of the deglutathionylase, glutaredoxin (GLRX), augmented SLC7A11 protein and led to significant increases of GSH content. S-glutathionylation of C23 or C204 of the deubiquitinase OTUB1 promoted interaction with the E2-conjugating enzyme UBCH5A, leading to diminished ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of SLC7A11 and augmentation of GSH, effects that were reversed by GLRX. These findings demonstrate an intricate link between GLRX and GSH via S-glutathionylation of OTUB1 and system xC- and illuminate a previously unknown feed-forward regulatory mechanism whereby enhanced GSH protein oxidation augments cellular GSH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reem Aboushousha
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jos van der Velden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Nicholas Hamilton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Zhihua Peng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Maximilian MacPherson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Cuixia Erickson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Sheryl White
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Emiel F. M. Wouters
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM School of nutrition and translational research in metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Niki L. Reynaert
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM School of nutrition and translational research in metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - David J. Seward
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ling ZN, Jiang YF, Ru JN, Lu JH, Ding B, Wu J. Amino acid metabolism in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:345. [PMID: 37699892 PMCID: PMC10497558 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01569-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein synthesis. They are structural elements and energy sources of cells necessary for normal cell growth, differentiation and function. Amino acid metabolism disorders have been linked with a number of pathological conditions, including metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases, and cancer. In the case of tumors, alterations in amino acid metabolism can be used not only as clinical indicators of cancer progression but also as therapeutic strategies. Since the growth and development of tumors depend on the intake of foreign amino acids, more and more studies have targeted the metabolism of tumor-related amino acids to selectively kill tumor cells. Furthermore, immune-related studies have confirmed that amino acid metabolism regulates the function of effector T cells and regulatory T cells, affecting the function of immune cells. Therefore, studying amino acid metabolism associated with disease and identifying targets in amino acid metabolic pathways may be helpful for disease treatment. This article mainly focuses on the research of amino acid metabolism in tumor-oriented diseases, and reviews the research and clinical research progress of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases and immune-related diseases related to amino acid metabolism, in order to provide theoretical basis for targeted therapy of amino acid metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe-Nan Ling
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P.R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Fan Jiang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P.R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Nan Ru
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P.R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Hua Lu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P.R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Bo Ding
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P.R. China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P.R. China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Xia L, Chen Y, Li J, Wang J, Shen K, Zhao A, Jin H, Zhang G, Xi Q, Xia S, Shi T, Li R. B7-H3 confers stemness characteristics to gastric cancer cells by promoting glutathione metabolism through AKT/pAKT/Nrf2 pathway. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:1977-1989. [PMID: 37488673 PMCID: PMC10431251 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells in tumors that exhibit self-renewal and differentiation properties. CSCs play a vital role in tumor formation, progression, relapse, and therapeutic resistance. B7-H3, an immunoregulatory protein, has many protumor functions. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the role of B7-H3 in regulating gastric cancer (GC) stemness. Our study aimed to explore the impacts of B7-H3 on GC stemness and its underlying mechanism. METHODS GC stemness influenced by B7-H3 was detected both in vitro and in vivo . The expression of stemness-related markers was examined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. Sphere formation assay was used to detect the sphere-forming ability. The underlying regulatory mechanism of B7-H3 on the stemness of GC was investigated by mass spectrometry and subsequent validation experiments. The signaling pathway (Protein kinase B [Akt]/Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2] pathway) of B7-H3 on the regulation of glutathione (GSH) metabolism was examined by Western blotting assay. Multi-color immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was used to detect the expression of B7-H3, cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), and Nrf2 on human GC tissues. Student's t -test was used to compare the difference between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between two molecules. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS B7-H3 knockdown suppressed the stemness of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo . Mass spectrometric analysis showed the downregulation of GSH metabolism in short hairpin B7-H3 GC cells, which was further confirmed by the experimental results. Meanwhile, stemness characteristics in B7-H3 overexpressing cells were suppressed after the inhibition of GSH metabolism. Furthermore, Western blotting suggested that B7-H3-induced activation of GSH metabolism occurred through the AKT/Nrf2 pathway, and inhibition of AKT signaling pathway could suppress not only GSH metabolism but also GC stemness. mIHC showed that B7-H3 was highly expressed in GC tissues and was positively correlated with the expression of CD44 and Nrf2. Importantly, GC patients with high expression of B7-H3, CD44, and Nrf2 had worse prognosis ( P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS B7-H3 has a regulatory effect on GC stemness and the regulatory effect is achieved through the AKT/Nrf2/GSH pathway. Inhibiting B7-H3 expression may be a new therapeutic strategy against GC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xia
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Yuqi Chen
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Juntao Li
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Kanger Shen
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Anjing Zhao
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Haiyan Jin
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Guangbo Zhang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Qinhua Xi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Suhua Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Tongguo Shi
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hwang Y, Yun HJ, Jeong JW, Kim M, Joo S, Lee HK, Chang HS, Kim SM, Fang S. Co-inhibition of glutaminolysis and one-carbon metabolism promotes ROS accumulation leading to enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:515. [PMID: 37573361 PMCID: PMC10423221 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06041-2] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive tumors with an extremely poor prognosis. Based on the several biological features related to glutamine metabolism in ATC, we hypothesized glutaminolysis inhibition induces cell death in ATC cells. However, glutamine metabolism inhibition triggered cell growth arrest independent of cell death in ATC, suggesting that other signaling pathways avoid glutamine metabolism inhibition-induced stress exist. To investigate the functional mechanism against glutamine metabolism inhibition, we conducted mRNA and ATAC-Sequencing data analysis and found that glutamine deprivation increased ATF4-mediated one-carbon metabolism. When we inhibited PHGDH, the first rate-limiting enzyme for one-carbon metabolism, cell growth arrest was promoted upon glutamine metabolism inhibition by accumulating intracellular ROS. We next observed that the co-inhibition of glutamine and one-carbon metabolism could augment the anticancer effects of drugs used in patients with ATC. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that one-carbon metabolism was strengthened through the evolutionary process from PTC to ATC. Collectively, our data demonstrate that one-carbon metabolism has a potential role of modulation of cell fate in metabolic stress and can be a therapeutic target for enhancing antitumor effects in ATC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeseong Hwang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeok Jun Yun
- Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Institute of Refractory Thyroid Cancer, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Woong Jeong
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minki Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seyeon Joo
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hae-Kyung Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hang-Seok Chang
- Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Institute of Refractory Thyroid Cancer, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok-Mo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Institute of Refractory Thyroid Cancer, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu D, Wang H, Li X, Liu J, Zhang Y, Hu J. Small molecule inhibitors for cancer metabolism: promising prospects to be explored. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:8051-8076. [PMID: 37002510 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04501-4] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal metabolism is the main hallmark of cancer, and cancer metabolism plays an important role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, studying the changes of tumor metabolic pathways is beneficial to find targets for the treatment of cancer diseases. The success of metabolism-targeted chemotherapy suggests that cancer metabolism research will provide potential new targets for the treatment of malignant tumors. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to systemically review recent research findings on targeted inhibitors of tumor metabolism. In addition, we summarized new insights into tumor metabolic reprogramming and discussed how to guide the exploration of new strategies for cancer-targeted therapy. CONCLUSION Cancer cells have shown various altered metabolic pathways, providing sufficient fuel for their survival. The combination of these pathways is considered to be a more useful method for screening multilateral pathways. Better understanding of the clinical research progress of small molecule inhibitors of potential targets of tumor metabolism will help to explore more effective cancer treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - HongPing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - XingXing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - JiFang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - YanLing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Li X, Liu Y, Liu J, Qiang W, Ma J, Xie J, Chen P, Wang Y, Hou P, Ji M. STAG2 inactivation reprograms glutamine metabolism of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:454. [PMID: 37479689 PMCID: PMC10361981 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05981-z] [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: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
STAG2, an important subunit in cohesion complex, is involved in the segregation of chromosomes during the late mitosis and the formation of sister chromatids. Mutational inactivation of STAG2 is a major cause of the resistance of BRAF-mutant melanomas to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. In the present study, we found that STAG2 was frequently down-regulated in thyroid cancers compared with control subjects. By a series of in vitro and in vivo studies, we demonstrated that STAG2 knockdown virtually had no effect on malignant phenotypes of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells such as cell proliferation, colony formation and tumorigenic ability in nude mice compared with the control. In addition, unlike melanoma, STAG2 knockdown also did not affect the sensitivity of these cells to MEK inhibitor. However, we surprisingly found that STAG2-knockdown cells exhibited more sensitive to glutamine deprivation or glutaminase inhibitor BPTES compared with control cells. Mechanistically, knocking down STAG2 in BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells decreases the protein stability of c-Myc via the ERK/AKT/GSK3β feedback pathway, thereby impairing glutamine metabolism of thyroid cancer cells by down-regulating its downstream targets such as SCL1A5, GLS and GLS2. Our data, taken together, demonstrate that STAG2 inactivation reprograms glutamine metabolism of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells, thereby improving their cellular response to glutaminase inhibitor. This study will provide a potential therapeutic strategy for BRAF-mutant thyroid cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Li
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Jingyi Xie
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Pu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Yubo Wang
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China
| | - Peng Hou
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China.
| | - Meiju Ji
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Li D, Peng X, He G, Liu J, Li X, Lin W, Fang J, Li X, Yang S, Yang L, Li H. Crosstalk between autophagy and CSCs: molecular mechanisms and translational implications. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:409. [PMID: 37422448 PMCID: PMC10329683 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05929-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells(CSCs) play a key role in regulating tumorigenesis, progression, as well as recurrence, and possess typical metabolic characteristics. Autophagy is a catabolic process that can aid cells to survive under stressful conditions such as nutrient deficiency and hypoxia. Although the role of autophagy in cancer cells has been extensively studied, CSCs possess unique stemness, and their potential relationship with autophagy has not been fully analyzed. This study summarizes the possible role of autophagy in the renewal, proliferation, differentiation, survival, metastasis, invasion, and treatment resistance of CSCs. It has been found that autophagy can contribute to the maintenance of CSC stemness, facilitate the tumor cells adapt to changes in the microenvironment, and promote tumor survival, whereas in some other cases autophagy acts as an important process involved in the deprivation of CSC stemness thus leading to tumor death. Mitophagy, which has emerged as another popular research area in recent years, has a great scope when explored together with stem cells. In this study, we have aimed to elaborate on the mechanism of action of autophagy in regulating the functions of CSCs to provide deeper insights for future cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dai Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xueqiang Peng
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Guangpeng He
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jiaxing Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xian Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Weikai Lin
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jianjun Fang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China.
| | - Hangyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.
- Shenyang Clinical Medical Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Health Management of Early Digestive Cancer, Shenyang, 110032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lyu F, Shang SY, Gao XS, Ma MW, Xie M, Ren XY, Liu MZ, Chen JY, Li SS, Huang L. Uncovering the Secrets of Prostate Cancer's Radiotherapy Resistance: Advances in Mechanism Research. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1628. [PMID: 37371723 PMCID: PMC10296152 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061628] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a critical global public health issue with its incidence on the rise. Radiation therapy holds a primary role in PCa treatment; however, radiation resistance has become increasingly challenging as we uncover more about PCa's pathogenesis. Our review aims to investigate the multifaceted mechanisms underlying radiation therapy resistance in PCa. Specifically, we will examine how various factors, such as cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, hypoxic conditions, oxidative stress, testosterone levels, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and tumor stem cells, contribute to radiation therapy resistance. By exploring these mechanisms, we hope to offer new insights and directions towards overcoming the challenges of radiation therapy resistance in PCa. This can also provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of novel ultra-high-dose-rate (FLASH) radiotherapy in the era of PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lyu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Shi-Yu Shang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
- First Clinical Medical School, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Xian-Shu Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Ming-Wei Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Mu Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Xue-Ying Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Ming-Zhu Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Jia-Yan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Shan-Shi Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (F.L.); (S.-Y.S.); (M.-W.M.); (M.X.); (X.-Y.R.); (M.-Z.L.); (J.-Y.C.); (S.-S.L.); (L.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wetzel TJ, Erfan SC, Figueroa LD, Wheeler LM, Ananieva EA. Crosstalk between arginine, glutamine, and the branched chain amino acid metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1186539. [PMID: 37274280 PMCID: PMC10235471 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1186539] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine, glutamine, and the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a focus of increased interest in the field of oncology due to their importance in the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), these amino acids serve to support the elevated biosynthetic and energy demands of cancer cells, while simultaneously maintaining the growth, homeostasis, and effector function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. To escape immune destruction, cancer cells utilize a variety of mechanisms to suppress the cytotoxic activity of effector T cells, facilitating T cell exhaustion. One such mechanism is the ability of cancer cells to overexpress metabolic enzymes specializing in the catabolism of arginine, glutamine, and the BCAAs in the TME. The action of such enzymes supplies cancer cells with metabolic intermediates that feed into the TCA cycle, supporting energy generation, or providing precursors for purine, pyrimidine, and polyamine biosynthesis. Armed with substantial metabolic flexibility, cancer cells redirect amino acids from the TME for their own advantage and growth, while leaving the local infiltrating effector T cells deprived of essential nutrients. This review addresses the metabolic pressure that cancer cells exert over immune cells in the TME by up-regulating amino acid metabolism, while discussing opportunities for targeting amino acid metabolism for therapeutic intervention. Special emphasis is given to the crosstalk between arginine, glutamine, and BCAA metabolism in affording cancer cells with metabolic dominance in the TME.
Collapse
|
40
|
A Five Glutamine-Associated Signature Predicts Prognosis of Prostate Cancer and Links Glutamine Metabolism with Tumor Microenvironment. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062243. [PMID: 36983244 PMCID: PMC10056698 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamine has been recognized as an important amino acid that provide a variety of intermediate products to fuel biosynthesis. Glutamine metabolism participates in the progression of the tumor via various mechanisms. However, glutamine-metabolism-associated signatures and its significance in prostate cancer are still unclear. In this current study, we identified five genes associated with glutamine metabolism by univariate and Lasso regression analysis and constructed a model to predict the biochemical recurrence free survival (BCRFS) of PCa. Further validation of the prognostic risk model demonstrated a good efficacy in predicting the BCRFS in PCa patients. Interestingly, based on the CIBERSORTx, ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms predictions, we noticed a distinct immune cell infiltration and immune pathway pattern in the prediction of the two risk groups stratified by the risk model. Drug sensitivity prediction revealed that patients in the high-risk group were more suitable for chemotherapy. Last but not least, glutamine deprivation significantly inhibited cell growth in GLUL or ASNS knock down prostate cancer cell lines. Therefore, we proposed a novel prognostic model by using glutamine metabolism genes for PCa patients and identified potential mechanism of PCa progression through glutamine-related tumor microenvironment remodeling.
Collapse
|
41
|
Hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanocrystals for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2023; 356:288-305. [PMID: 36870542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.02.043] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been recognized as the culprit for tumor progression, treatment resistance, metastasis, and recurrence while redox homeostasis represents the Achilles' Heel of CSCs. However, few drugs or formulations that are capable of elevating oxidative stress have achieved clinical success for eliminating CSCs. Here, we report hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanoparticles (CuET@HES NPs), which conspicuously suppress CSCs not only in vitro but also in numerous tumor models in vivo. Furthermore, CuET@HES NPs effectively inhibit CSCs in fresh tumor tissues surgically excised from hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Mechanistically, we uncover that hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanocrystals via copper‑oxygen coordination interactions, thereby promoting copper-diethyldithiocarbamate colloidal stability, cellular uptake, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and CSCs apoptosis. As all components are widely used in clinics, CuET@HES NPs represent promising treatments for CSCs-rich solid malignancies and hold great clinical translational potentials. This study has critical implications for design of CSCs targeting nanomedicines.
Collapse
|
42
|
Köseer AS, Di Gaetano S, Arndt C, Bachmann M, Dubrovska A. Immunotargeting of Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1608. [PMID: 36900399 PMCID: PMC10001158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051608] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The generally accepted view is that CSCs hijack the signaling pathways attributed to normal stem cells that regulate the self-renewal and differentiation processes. Therefore, the development of selective targeting strategies for CSC, although clinically meaningful, is associated with significant challenges because CSC and normal stem cells share many important signaling mechanisms for their maintenance and survival. Furthermore, the efficacy of this therapy is opposed by tumor heterogeneity and CSC plasticity. While there have been considerable efforts to target CSC populations by the chemical inhibition of the developmental pathways such as Notch, Hedgehog (Hh), and Wnt/β-catenin, noticeably fewer attempts were focused on the stimulation of the immune response by CSC-specific antigens, including cell-surface targets. Cancer immunotherapies are based on triggering the anti-tumor immune response by specific activation and targeted redirecting of immune cells toward tumor cells. This review is focused on CSC-directed immunotherapeutic approaches such as bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug candidates, CSC-targeted cellular immunotherapies, and immune-based vaccines. We discuss the strategies to improve the safety and efficacy of the different immunotherapeutic approaches and describe the current state of their clinical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Sedef Köseer
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Simona Di Gaetano
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01309 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Cai X, Shi S, Chen G, Zhong M, Yang Y, Mai Z, Tian Y, Tan J, He L, Cui C, Yu Z, Wang X. Glutamine metabolism targeting liposomes for synergistic chemosensitization and starvation therapy in ovarian cancer. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:560-570. [PMID: 36596434 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.052] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Platinum-based chemotherapy is a first-line therapeutic regimen against ovarian cancer (OC); however, the therapeutic potential is always reduced by glutamine metabolism. Herein, a valid strategy of inhibiting glutamine metabolism was proposed to cause tumor starvation and chemosensitization. Specifically, reactive oxygen species-responsive liposomes were developed to co-deliver cisplatin (CDDP) and bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) ethyl sulfide (BPTES) [C@B LPs]. The C@B LPs induced effective tumor cell starvation and significantly sensitized OC cells to CDDP by reducing glutathione generation to prevent CDDP detoxification, suppressing ATP production to avoid CDDP efflux, hindering nucleotide synthesis to aggravate DNA damage induced by CDDP, and blocking mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling to promote cell apoptosis. More importantly, C@B LPs remarkably inhibited tumor growth in vivo and reduced the side effects. Taken together, this study provided a successful strategy of synergistic chemosensitization and starvation therapy escalating the rate of therapeutic success in OCs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work proposed a valid strategy of inhibiting glutamine metabolism to cause tumor starvation and chemosensitization. Specifically, ROS-responsive liposomes were developed to co-deliver cisplatin CDDP and BPTES [C@B LPs]. The C@B LPs induced effective tumor cell starvation and significantly sensitized OC cells to cisplatin by reducing glutathione generation to prevent cisplatin detoxification, suppressing ATP production to avoid cisplatin efflux, hindering nucleotide synthesis to aggravate DNA damage induced by cisplatin, and blocking mTOR signaling to promote cell apoptosis. More importantly, C@B LPs remarkably inhibited tumor growth in vivo and reduced the side effects. Taken together, this study provided a successful strategy of synergistic chemosensitization and starvation therapy escalating the rate of therapeutic success in OCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuzi Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangzhou Women and Children' s Medical Center, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Gui Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Min Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan 523018, China
| | - Ziyi Mai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jinxiu Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lijuan He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chunhui Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan 523018, China.
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Nie G, Peng D, Wen N, Wang Y, Lu J, Li B. Cuproptosis-related genes score: A predictor for hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis, immunotherapy efficacy, and metabolic reprogramming. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1096351. [PMID: 36845733 PMCID: PMC9947795 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1096351] [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: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cuproptosis is a newly identified type of programmed cell death, characterized by aggregation of mitochondrial lipoylated proteins and the destabilization of Fe-S cluster proteins triggered by copper. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Methods We analyzed the expression and prognostic significance of cuproptosis-related genes using the data obtained from TCGA and ICGC datasets. A cuproptosis-related genes (CRG) score was constructed and validated via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression, multivariate Cox regression and nomogram model. The metabolic features, immune profile and therapy guidance of CRG-classified HCC patients were processed via R packages. The role of kidney-type glutaminase (GLS) in cuproptosis and sorafenib treatment has been confirmed via GLS knockdown. Results The CRG score and its nomogram model performed well in predicting prognosis of HCC patients based on the TCGA cohort (training set), ICGC cohort and GEO cohort (validation set). The risk score was proved as an independent predictor for overall survival (OS) of HCC. The area under the curves (AUCs) of the model in the training and validation cohorts were all around 0.83 (TCGA, 1- year), 0.73 (TCGA, 3- year), 0.92 (ICGC, 1- year), 0.75 (ICGC, 3- year), 0.77 (GEO, 1- year), 0.76(GEO, 3- year). Expression levels of metabolic genes and subtypes of immune cells, and sorafenib sensitiveness varied significantly between the high-CRG group and low-CRG group. One of the model-included gene, GLS, might be involved in the process of cuproptosis and sorafenib treatment in HCC cell line. Conclusion The five cuproptosis-related genes model contributed to prognostic prediction and provided a new sight for cuproptosis-related therapy in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilin Nie
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dingzhong Peng
- Department of General Surgury, Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ningyuan Wen
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaoqun Wang
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiong Lu
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Research Center for Biliary Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China,*Correspondence: Jiong Lu, ; Bei Li,
| | - Bei Li
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Research Center for Biliary Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China,*Correspondence: Jiong Lu, ; Bei Li,
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Pejčić T, Todorović Z, Đurašević S, Popović L. Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer Cells Survival and Their Therapeutic Targeting. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032939. [PMID: 36769263 PMCID: PMC9917912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is today the second most common cancer in the world, with almost 400,000 deaths annually. Multiple factors are involved in the etiology of PCa, such as older age, genetic mutations, ethnicity, diet, or inflammation. Modern treatment of PCa involves radical surgical treatment or radiation therapy in the stages when the tumor is limited to the prostate. When metastases develop, the standard procedure is androgen deprivation therapy, which aims to reduce the level of circulating testosterone, which is achieved by surgical or medical castration. However, when the level of testosterone decreases to the castration level, the tumor cells adapt to the new conditions through different mechanisms, which enable their unhindered growth and survival, despite the therapy. New knowledge about the biology of the so-called of castration-resistant PCa and the way it adapts to therapy will enable the development of new drugs, whose goal is to prolong the survival of patients with this stage of the disease, which will be discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Pejčić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-641281844
| | - Zoran Todorović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- University Medical Centre “Bežanijska kosa”, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Siniša Đurašević
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lazar Popović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Medical Oncology Department, Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhao W, Jing X, Wang T, Zhang F. Glutamine Deprivation Synergizes the Anticancer Effects of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Esophageal Cancer Cells. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031461. [PMID: 36771124 PMCID: PMC9919221 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a low response to standard anti-cancer therapies. There is an unmet need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve the clinical outcomes of current treatments. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising approach for cancer treatment, and has displayed anticancer efficacy in multiple preclinical models. Recent studies have shown that the efficacy of CAP is positively correlated with intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. This suggests that aggressively increasing intracellular ROS levels has the potential to further improve CAP-mediated anticancer efficacy. Glutamine plays an important role in cellular ROS scavenging after being converted to glutathione (GSH, a well-described antioxidant) under physiological conditions, so reducing intracellular glutamine levels seems to be a promising strategy. To test this hypothesis, we treated esophageal cancer cells with CAP while controlling the supply of glutamine. The results showed that glutamine did affect the anticancer effect of CAP, and the combination of CAP stimulation and glutamine deprivation significantly inhibited the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis documented a significant increase in more than 10% in apoptosis and necrosis of esophageal cancer cells after this synergistic treatment compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Thus, these results provide the first direct evidence that the biological function of CAP can be modulated by glutamine levels and that combined CAP stimulation and glutamine deprivation represent a promising strategy for the future treatment of esophageal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ion-Beam Bioengineering, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xumiao Jing
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ion-Beam Bioengineering, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Tao Wang
- College of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6872, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6872, Australia
- Correspondence: (T.W.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fengqiu Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ion-Beam Bioengineering, School of Physics and Microelectronics, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Correspondence: (T.W.); (F.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Glutamine Metabolism in Cancer Stem Cells: A Complex Liaison in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032337. [PMID: 36768660 PMCID: PMC9916789 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review we focus on the role of glutamine in control of cancer stem cell (CSC) fate. We first provide an overview of glutamine metabolism, and then summarize relevant studies investigating how glutamine metabolism modulates the CSC compartment, concentrating on solid tumors. We schematically describe how glutamine in CSC contributes to several metabolic pathways, such as redox metabolic pathways, ATP production, non-essential aminoacids and nucleotides biosynthesis, and ammonia production. Furthermore, we show that glutamine metabolism is a key regulator of epigenetic modifications in CSC. Finally, we briefly discuss how cancer-associated fibroblasts, adipocytes, and senescent cells in the tumor microenvironment may indirectly influence CSC fate by modulating glutamine availability. We aim to highlight the complexity of glutamine's role in CSC, which supports our knowledge about metabolic heterogeneity within the CSC population.
Collapse
|
48
|
Wanjari UR, Mukherjee AG, Gopalakrishnan AV, Murali R, Dey A, Vellingiri B, Ganesan R. Role of Metabolism and Metabolic Pathways in Prostate Cancer. Metabolites 2023; 13:183. [PMID: 36837801 PMCID: PMC9962346 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the common cause of death in men. The pathophysiological factors contributing to PCa are not well known. PCa cells gain a protective mechanism via abnormal lipid signaling and metabolism. PCa cells modify their metabolism in response to an excessive intake of nutrients to facilitate advancement. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is inextricably linked to the carcinogenic progression of PCa, which heightens the severity of the disease. It is hypothesized that changes in the metabolism of the mitochondria contribute to the onset of PCa. The studies of particular alterations in the progress of PCa are best accomplished by examining the metabolome of prostate tissue. Due to the inconsistent findings written initially, additional epidemiological research is required to identify whether or not MetS is an aspect of PCa. There is a correlation between several risk factors and the progression of PCa, one of which is MetS. The metabolic symbiosis between PCa cells and the tumor milieu and how this type of crosstalk may aid in the development of PCa is portrayed in this work. This review focuses on in-depth analysis and evaluation of the metabolic changes that occur within PCa, and also aims to assess the effect of metabolic abnormalities on the aggressiveness status and metabolism of PCa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Reshma Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine/Translational Research, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab (CUPB), Bathinda 151401, India
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ni R, Li Z, Li L, Peng D, Ming Y, Li L, Liu Y. Rethinking glutamine metabolism and the regulation of glutamine addiction by oncogenes in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1143798. [PMID: 36959802 PMCID: PMC10029103 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1143798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamine, the most abundant non-essential amino acid in human blood, is crucial for cancer cell growth and cancer progression. Glutamine mainly functions as a carbon and nitrogen source for biosynthesis, energy metabolism, and redox homeostasis maintenance in cancer cells. Dysregulated glutamine metabolism is a notable metabolic characteristic of cancer cells. Some carcinogen-driven cancers exhibit a marked dependence on glutamine, also known as glutamine addiction, which has rendered the glutamine metabolic pathway a breakpoint in cancer therapeutics. However, some cancer cells can adapt to the glutamine unavailability by reprogramming metabolism, thus limiting the success of this therapeutic approach. Given the complexity of metabolic networks and the limited impact of inhibiting glutamine metabolism alone, the combination of glutamine metabolism inhibition and other therapeutic methods may outperform corresponding monotherapies in the treatment of cancers. This review summarizes the uptake, transport, and metabolic characteristics of glutamine, as well as the regulation of glutamine dependence by some important oncogenes in various cancers to emphasize the therapeutic potential of targeting glutamine metabolism. Furthermore, we discuss a glutamine metabolic pathway, the glutaminase II pathway, that has been substantially overlooked. Finally, we discuss the applicability of polytherapeutic strategies targeting glutamine metabolism to provide a new perspective on cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Ni
- Department of pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziwei Li
- Department of pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Peng
- Department of pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Ming
- Department of pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of pharmacy, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Lin Li, ; Yao Liu,
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of pharmacy, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Lin Li, ; Yao Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Yu Y, Yu J, Ge S, Su Y, Fan X. Novel insight into metabolic reprogrammming in cancer radioresistance: A promising therapeutic target in radiotherapy. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:811-828. [PMID: 36778122 PMCID: PMC9910008 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.79928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, cancer treatment mainly consists of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and molecular targeted therapy, of which radiotherapy is one of the major pillars. However, the occurrence of radioresistance largely limits its therapeutic effect. Metabolic reprogramming is an important hallmark in cancer progression and treatment resistance. In radiotherapy, DNA breakage is the major mechanism of cell damage, and in turn, cancer cells are prone to increase the metabolic flux of glucose, glutamine, serine, arginine, fatty acids etc., thus providing sufficient substrates and energy for DNA damage repair. Therefore, studying the linkage between metabolic reprogramming and cancer radioresistance may provide new ideas for improving the efficacy of tumor therapy. This review mainly focuses on the role of metabolic alterations, including glucose, amino acid, lipid, nucleotide and other ion metabolism, in radioresistance, and proposes possible therapeutic targets to improve the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jie Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yun Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|