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Wong CH, Li CH, Man Tong JH, Zheng D, He Q, Luo Z, Lou UK, Wang J, To KF, Chen Y. The Establishment of CDK9/ RNA PolII/H3K4me3/DNA Methylation Feedback Promotes HOTAIR Expression by RNA Elongation Enhancement in Cancer. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1597-1609. [PMID: 35121112 PMCID: PMC9077372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA HOX Transcript Antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is overexpressed in multiple cancers with diverse genetic profiles. Importantly, since HOTAIR heavily contributes to cancer progression by promoting tumor growth and metastasis, HOTAIR becomes a potential target for cancer therapy. However, the underlying mechanism leading to HOTAIR deregulation is largely unexplored. Here, we performed a pan-cancer analysis using more than 4,200 samples and found that intragenic exon CpG island (Ex-CGI) was hypermethylated and was positively correlated to HOTAIR expression. Also, we revealed that Ex-CGI methylation promotes HOTAIR expression through enhancing the transcription elongation process. Furthermore, we linked up the aberrant intragenic tri-methylation on H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and Ex-CGI DNA methylation in promoting transcription elongation of HOTAIR. Targeting the oncogenic CDK7-CDK9-H3K4me3 axis downregulated HOTAIR expression and inhibited cell growth in many cancers. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a positive feedback loop that involved CDK9-mediated phosphorylation of RNA Polymerase II Serine 2 (RNA PolII Ser2), H3K4me3, and intragenic DNA methylation, which induced robust transcriptional elongation and heavily contributed to the upregulation of oncogenic lncRNA in cancer has been demonstrated. Targeting the oncogenic CDK7-CDK9-H3K4me3 axis could be a novel therapy in many cancers through inhibiting the HOTAIR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Hin Wong
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Han Li
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Joanna Hung Man Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Duo Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qifang He
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Zhiyuan Luo
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Ut Kei Lou
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Jiatong Wang
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yangchao Chen
- A School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518087, China.
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Li H, Zhang J, Tong JHM, Chan AWH, Yu J, Kang W, To KF. Targeting the Oncogenic p53 Mutants in Colorectal Cancer and Other Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20235999. [PMID: 31795192 PMCID: PMC6929124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a kind of solid tumor and the third most common cancer type in the world. It is a heterogeneous disease characterized by genetic and epigenetic aberrations. The TP53 mutation is the key step driving the transition from adenoma to adenocarcinoma. The functional roles of TP53 mutation in tumor development have been comprehensively investigated. In CRC, TP53 mutation was associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. A gain of function (GOF) of p53 mutants promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion through multiple mechanisms. Restoring wild type p53 function, depleting p53 mutants, or intervention by targeting the oncogenic downstreams provides potential therapeutic strategies. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the GOF of p53 mutants in CRC progression as well as in some other solid tumors, and discuss the current strategies targeting p53 mutants in malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.L.); (J.Z.); (J.H.M.T.); (A.W.H.C.)
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinglin Zhang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.L.); (J.Z.); (J.H.M.T.); (A.W.H.C.)
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joanna Hung Man Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.L.); (J.Z.); (J.H.M.T.); (A.W.H.C.)
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anthony Wing Hung Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.L.); (J.Z.); (J.H.M.T.); (A.W.H.C.)
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.L.); (J.Z.); (J.H.M.T.); (A.W.H.C.)
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (W.K.); (K.F.T.); Tel.: +852-35051505 (W.K. & K.F.T.); Fax: +852-26497286 (W.K. & K.F.T.)
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (H.L.); (J.Z.); (J.H.M.T.); (A.W.H.C.)
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (W.K.); (K.F.T.); Tel.: +852-35051505 (W.K. & K.F.T.); Fax: +852-26497286 (W.K. & K.F.T.)
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3
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Pan Y, Tong JHM, Lung RWM, Kang W, Kwan JSH, Chak WP, Tin KY, Chung LY, Wu F, Ng SSM, Mak TWC, Yu J, Lo KW, Chan AWH, To KF. RASAL2 promotes tumor progression through LATS2/YAP1 axis of hippo signaling pathway in colorectal cancer. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:102. [PMID: 30037330 PMCID: PMC6057036 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0853-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have a high incidence of regional and distant metastases. Although metastasis is the main cause of CRC-related death, its molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Methods Using array-CGH and expression microarray analyses, changes in DNA copy number and mRNA expression levels were investigated in human CRC samples. The mRNA expression level of RASAL2 was validated by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression was evaluated by western blot as well as immunohistochemistry in CRC cell lines and primary tumors. The functional role of RASAL2 in CRC was determined by MTT proliferation assay, monolayer and soft agar colony formation assays, cell cycle analysis, cell invasion and migration and in vivo study through siRNA/shRNA mediated knockdown and overexpression assays. Identification of RASAL2 involved in hippo pathway was achieved by expression microarray screening, double immunofluorescence staining and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Results Integrated genomic analysis identified copy number gains and upregulation of RASAL2 in metastatic CRC. RASAL2 encodes a RAS-GTPase-activating protein (RAS-GAP) and showed increased expression in CRC cell lines and clinical specimens. Higher RASAL2 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node involvement and distant metastasis in CRC patients. Moreover, we found that RASAL2 serves as an independent prognostic marker of overall survival in CRC patients. In vitro and in vivo functional studies revealed that RASAL2 promoted tumor progression in both KRAS/NRAS mutant and wild-type CRC cells. Knockdown of RASAL2 promoted YAP1 phosphorylation, cytoplasm retention and ubiquitination, therefore activating the hippo pathway through the LATS2/YAP1 axis. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated the roles of RASAL2 in CRC tumorigenesis as well as metastasis, and RASAL2 exerts its oncogenic property through LATS2/YAP1 axis of hippo signaling pathway in CRC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-018-0853-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Pan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Joanna Hung Man Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Raymond Wai Ming Lung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Johnny Sheung Him Kwan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Wing Po Chak
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ka Yee Tin
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Lau Ying Chung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Simon Siu Man Ng
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tony Wing Chung Mak
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Anthony Wing Hung Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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Pan Y, Cheung ST, Tong JHM, Tin KY, Kang W, Lung RWM, Wu F, Li H, Ng SSM, Mak TWC, To KF, Chan AWH. Granulin epithelin precursor promotes colorectal carcinogenesis by activating MARK/ERK pathway. J Transl Med 2018; 16:150. [PMID: 29866109 PMCID: PMC5987413 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1530-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Granulin epithelin precursor (GEP) is reported to function as a growth factor stimulating proliferation and migration, and conferring chemoresistance in many cancer types. However, the expression and functional roles of GEP in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain elusive. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the clinical significance of GEP in CRC and reveal the molecular mechanism of GEP in CRC initiation and progression. Methods The mRNA expression of GEP in CRC cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR. The GEP protein expression was validated by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray (TMA) including 190 CRC patient samples. The clinicopathological correlation analysis were achieved by GEP expression on TMA. Functional roles of GEP were determined by MTT proliferation, monolayer colony formation, cell invasion and migration and in vivo studies through siRNA/shRNA mediated knockdown assays. The cancer signaling pathway identification was acquired by flow cytometry, western blot and luciferase activity assays. Results The mRNA expression of GEP in CRC was significantly higher than it in normal colon tissues. GEP protein was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and most of the CRC cases demonstrated abundant GEP protein compared with non-tumorous tissues. GEP overexpression was associated with non-rectal location, advanced AJCC stage, regional lymph node and distant metastasis. By Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, GEP abundance served as a prognostic marker for worse survival in CRC patients. GEP knockdown exhibited anti-cancer effect such as inhibiting cell proliferation, monolayer colony formation, cell invasion and migration in DLD-1 and HCT 116 cells and decelerating xenograft formation in nude mice. siGEP also induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Luciferase activity assays further demonstrated GEP activation was involved in MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Conclusion In summary, we compressively delineate the oncogenic role of GEP in colorectal tumorigenesis by activating MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. GEP might serve as a useful prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-018-1530-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Pan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Siu Tim Cheung
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Joanna Hung Man Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ka Yee Tin
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Raymond Wai Ming Lung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Simon Siu Man Ng
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tony Wing Chung Mak
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Institute of Digestive Disease, Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| | - Anthony Wing Hung Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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Abstract
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal disease with a poor prognosis. It is crucial to understanding the underlying pathogenesis to battle this dismal condition. We previously identified that AK4, a gene on chromosome 1p31.3 encoding a member of adenylate kinase family enzymes, was progressively up-regulated from normal colon, primary CRC to metastasis by mRNA gene expression microarray of paired CRC samples. This study was aimed to validate the overexpression of AK4 and explore in-vitro effects in CRC. We firstly examined the mRNA expression level of AK4 in a panel of CRC cell lines. AK4 mRNA expression was higher in CRC cell lines (n=8) than normal colon cell line, and significantly higher in advanced stage cell lines (n=4, Dukes’ C and D) than early stage ones (n=4, Dukes’ A and B) (P=0.03). We further evaluated expression level of AK4 in two different cohorts of clinical samples. The first cohort consisted of 18 paired primary CRCs and its corresponding normal colonic mucosa, and 27 metastatic CRC (including 15 cases with paired primary CRC and normal colonic mucosa). AK4 mRNA level was significantly higher in metastatic CRC than normal colon (P<0.001), and metastatic CRC than primary CRC (P<0.001). Among 15 cases with paired primary and metastatic tumors, 14 (93.3%) demonstrated higher AK4 in metastatic tumors than their primary counterparts(P<0.05). The second cohort composed of 190 consecutive primary CRCs. Upregulation of AK4 protein expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry was found in 68.4% of CRC, and associated with advanced AJCC stage (P<0.001), poorer overall survival (P=0.002) and worse disease-free survival (P<0.001). To evaluate functional properties of AK4 in CRC, we knocked down AK4 on a CRC cell lines with high endogenous AK4 expression (DLD1, HCT116 and SW620) by siRNA. knockdown of AK4 significantly reduced anchorage-dependent colony forming ability (P<0.05) and eliminated migratory (P<0.05) and invasive (P<0.05) abilities. In conclusion, AK4 is a potential oncogene upregulated in metastatic CRC and exhibiting in-vitro oncogenic properties. AK4 may play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.
Citation Format: Yau Hei Yu, Joanna Hung Man Tong, Yi Pan, Raymond Wai Ming Lung, Ka Fai To, Anthony Wing Hung Chan. AK4 promotes colorectal cancer progression and metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4858. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4858
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Affiliation(s)
- Yau Hei Yu
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Yi Pan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Ka Fai To
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Leung KT, Chan KYY, Ma TPY, Yu JWS, Tong JHM, Tam YH, Cheung HM, To KF, Lam HS, Lee KH, Li K, Ng PC. Dysregulated expression of arginine metabolic enzymes in human intestinal tissues of necrotizing enterocolitis and response of CaCO2 cells to bacterial components. J Nutr Biochem 2015; 29:64-72. [PMID: 26895666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The small intestine is the exclusive site of arginine synthesis in neonates. Low levels of circulating arginine have been associated with the occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) but the mechanism of arginine dysregulation has not been fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate (i) expressional changes of arginine synthesizing and catabolic enzymes in human intestinal tissues of NEC, spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) and noninflammatory surgical conditions (Surg-CTL) and to investigate the (ii) mechanisms of arginine dysregulation and enterocyte proliferation upon stimulation by bacterial components, arginine depletion, ARG1 overexpression and nitric oxide (NO) supplementation. Our results showed that expressions of arginine synthesizing enzymes ALDH18A1, ASL, ASS1, CPS1, GLS, OAT and PRODH were significantly decreased in NEC compared with Surg-CTL or SIP tissues. Catabolic enzyme ARG1 was increased (>100-fold) in NEC tissues and histologically demonstrated to be expressed by infiltrating neutrophils. No change in arginine metabolic enzymes was observed between SIP and Surg-CTL tissues. In CaCO2 cells, arginine metabolic enzymes were differentially dysregulated by lipopolysaccharide or lipoteichoic acid. Depletion of arginine reduced cell proliferation and this phenomenon could be partially rescued by NO. Overexpression of ARG1 also reduced enterocyte proliferation. We provided the first expressional profile of arginine metabolic enzymes at the tissue level of NEC. Our findings suggested that arginine homeostasis was severely disturbed and could be triggered by inflammatory responses of enterocytes and infiltrating neutrophils as well as bacterial components. Such reactions could reduce arginine and NO, resulting in mucosal damage. The benefit of arginine supplementation for NEC prophylaxis merits further clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam Tong Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Kathy Yuen Yee Chan
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Terence Ping Yuen Ma
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Jasmine Wai Sum Yu
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Joanna Hung Man Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Yuk Him Tam
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Hon Ming Cheung
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Hugh Simon Lam
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Kim Hung Lee
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Karen Li
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Pak Cheung Ng
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
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To KF, Leung WK, Ng KW, Tong JHM, Lung RWM. Sequencing analysis of the 3' region of the cagA gene in Helicobacter pylori isolated from Hong Kong Chinese patients. Hong Kong Med J 2010; 16:8-12. [PMID: 20864739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- K F To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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8
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To KF, Chan MWY, Leung WK, Ng EKW, Yu J, Bai AHC, Lo AWI, Chu SH, Tong JHM, Lo KW, Sung JJY, Chan FKL. Constitutional activation of IL-6-mediated JAK/STAT pathway through hypermethylation of SOCS-1 in human gastric cancer cell line. Br J Cancer 2004; 91:1335-41. [PMID: 15354212 PMCID: PMC2409891 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The interleukin-mediated Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT pathway plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis. Recently, increased STAT3 activity was found in hepatocellular carcinoma and multiple myeloma in which there was silencing of SOCS-1 (suppressor of cytokine signalling-1) by gene promoter hypermethylation. We investigated the expression level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and SOCS-1 in gastric cancer cell lines. Expression of SOCS-1 correlated with IL-6 level in most of the cell lines, except for AGS cells in which SOCS-1 was absent despite a high level of IL-6 production. Methylation analysis by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulphite sequencing revealed that CpG island of SOCS-1 was densely methylated in AGS cells. Demethylation treatment by 5'aza-deoxycytidine restored SOCS-1 expression and also suppressed constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation in AGS cells. Moreover, methylation of SOCS-1 was detected in 27.5% (11 of 40) of primary gastric tumours samples, 10% (one of 10) of adjacent noncancer tissues but not in any (zero of nine) normal gastric mucosa. Methylation of SOCS-1 also correlated with the loss of mRNA expression in some primary gastric cancers. In conclusion, this is the first report to demonstrate that hypermethylation of SOCS-1 led to gene silencing in gastric cancer cell line and primary tumour samples. Downregulation of SOCS-1 cooperates with IL-6 in the activation of JAK/STAT pathway in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- K F To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
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Chan BCL, To KF, Pang JCS, Chung YF, Lo KW, Tong JHM, Huang DWS, Lim PL, Chui YL. Generation of monoclonal antibodies against Hong Kong nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). Int J Cancer 2002; 102:492-8. [PMID: 12432552 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.10773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A panel of monoclonal antibodies specific to Hong Kong Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-associated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) variants has been generated. These monoclonal antibodies not only differentiate the Hong Kong Chinese NPC-associated LMP1 variants from the prototype B95-8 LMP1, derived from Caucasian infectious mononucleosis, but also differentiate the 2 highly homologous LMP1 deletion variants commonly found in Hong Kong primary NPC. The predominant deletion type variant, DV-Asp335, is characterized by an aspartic acid at residue 335 located in the cytoplasmic C-terminal region, whereas the other minor deletion variant, DV-Gly335, has a glycine in the same residue position. 335D is hitherto found predominantly in LMP1 of the China 1 strain in association with NPC in the Chinese populations located in southern China and Malaysia. These antibodies, which are applicable in ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, are the first variant-specific anti-LMP1 monoclonal antibodies produced, and will be useful in investigating the functional significance of 335D in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Chung Lap Chan
- Clinical Immunology Unit and Sir Y.K. Pao Centre for Cancer, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
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Pak MW, To KF, Lo YMD, Chan LYS, Tong JHM, Lo KW, van Hasselt CA. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in situ (NPCIS)--pathologic and clinical perspectives. Head Neck 2002; 24:989-95. [PMID: 12410533 DOI: 10.1002/hed.10161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysplasia or carcinoma in situ lesions (NPCIS) of the nasopharynx have rarely been reported. The prevalence, biologic behavior, and the transformation period of the pure preinvasive lesions have not been fully explained. METHODS All cases of NPCIS were retrospectively reviewed during the period between 1990 and 2000. The clinical features of all cases were studied. The biopsy samples were examined using light microscopy and in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV-encoded RNA (EBER). The sera taken before and after the transformation were analyzed for anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) EBV titers and circulating cell-free EBV DNA concentration. RESULTS Three cases of NPCIS were identified. Two of the three cases subsequently developed into invasive NPC after initial presentation. The interval of transformation varied from 40 to 48 months. In all three cases, the specimens showed abnormal findings on light microscopy and positive staining for EBER. Elevated anti-VCA titers were present in two of the preinvasive lesions. No cell-free EBV DNA was detected in the sera of these patients during the preinvasive phase of the disease. CONCLUSIONS Preinvasive NPC is a rare but distinct entity. Its transformation period can be as long as 4 to 5 years. Elevated anti-VCA titers, in the presence of abnormal cells on light microscopy, should alert the pathologist to perform ISH EBER studies to diagnose this rare condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wai Pak
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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