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Chen G, Wang Y, Zhao X, Xie XZ, Zhao JG, Deng T, Chen ZY, Chen HB, Tong YF, Yang Z, Ding XW, Guo PY, Yu HT, Wu LJ, Zhang SN, Zhu QD, Li JJ, Shan YF, Yu FX, Yu ZP, Xia JL. A positive feedback loop between Periostin and TGFβ1 induces and maintains the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via AP-2α activation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:218. [PMID: 34193219 PMCID: PMC8243733 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) play key roles in the metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapeutic resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous research showed that the POSTN gene is closely related to the malignant progression and poor prognosis of HCC. This study aimed to elucidate the role of POSTN in generating LCSCs and maintaining their stemness as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods Human HCC tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 110 patients. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting (WB), and RT-PCR were performed to detect the expression of POSTN and stemness factors. The roles of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and AP-2α in the POSTN-induced stemness transformation of HCC cells were explored in vitro and in vivo using LCSCs obtained by CD133+ cell sorting. Results The high expression of POSTN was correlated with the expression of various stemness factors, particularly CD133, in our HCC patient cohort and in TCGA and ICGC datasets. Knockdown of POSTN expression decreased the abilities of HCC cell lines to form tumours in xenograft mouse models. Knockdown of POSTN expression also suppressed cell viability and clone formation, invasion, and sphere formation abilities in vitro. Knockdown of AP-2α attenuated the generation of CD133+ LCSCs and their malignant behaviours, indicating that AP-2α was a critical factor that mediated the POSTN-induced stemness transformation and maintenance of HCC cells. The role of AP-2α was verified by using a specific αvβ3 antagonist, cilengitide, in vitro and in vivo. Activation of POSTN could release TGFβ1 from the extracellular matrix and initiated POSTN/TGFβ1 positive feedback signalling. Furthermore, we found that the combined use of cilengitide and lenvatinib suppressed the growth of HCC cells with high POSTN expression more effectively than the use of lenvatinib alone in the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model. Conclusions The POSTN/TGFβ1 positive feedback pathway regulates the expression of stemness factors and the malignant progression of HCC cells by regulating the transcriptional activation of AP-2α. This pathway may serve as a new target for targeted gene therapy in HCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02011-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China. .,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China. .,Liver Cancer Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Division of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xiao-Zai Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Jun-Gang Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Tuo Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Zi-Yan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Han-Bin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Yi-Fan Tong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Xi-Wei Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng-Yi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Hai-Tao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Li-Jun Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Si-Na Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Qian-Dong Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Jun-Jian Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Yun-Feng Shan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Fu-Xiang Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Zheng-Ping Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325005, China.,Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China
| | - Jing-Lin Xia
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China. .,Liver Cancer Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325005, China. .,Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Wu LJ, Chen ZY, Wang Y, Zhao JG, Xie XZ, Chen G. Organoids of liver diseases: From bench to bedside. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:1913-1927. [PMID: 31086460 PMCID: PMC6487380 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i16.1913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the occurrence, development, and treatment of liver diseases is the main goal of hepatopathology research. Liver diseases are not only diverse but also highly heterogeneous among individuals. At present, research on liver diseases is conducted mainly through cell culture, animal models, pathological specimens, etc. However, these methods cannot fully reveal the pathogenic mechanism and therapeutic characteristics of individualized liver diseases. Recent advances in three-dimensional cell culture technology (organoid culture techniques) include pluripotent stem cells and adult stem cells that are cultured in vitro to form self-organizing properties, making it possible to achieve individualized liver disease research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the development of liver organoids, the existing and potential applications of liver regenerative medicine, the pathogenesis of liver disease heterogeneity, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zi-Yan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Research Center of Evidence-Based Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun-Gang Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Zai Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Tsai-Morris CH, Buczko E, Wang W, Xie XZ, Dufau ML. Structural organization of the rat luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor gene. J Biol Chem 1991; 266:11355-9. [PMID: 2040640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptor gene was isolated from rat liver genomic libraries and spanned at least 75 kilobase pairs from nucleotide -2057 of the 5'-flanking region to the 3'-noncoding end. The structural configuration of the coding region of the LH receptor gene consists of 11 exons separated by 10 introns that are all located within the putative extracellular domain prior to the first transmembrane region. The 5'-noncoding region contains several potential TATA boxes and SP1 promoter binding sites, as well as six palindromic elements, potential intron/exon splice junctions, and two extended open reading frames in frame with the initiation codon. Primer extension studies indicate the presence of multiple transcriptional initiation sites. Truncated forms of the LH/hCG receptor conform to alternative splicing patterns that are consistent either with the deletion of complete exons or alternate acceptor sites within exons. All splice site junctions correspond to known donor and acceptor consensus sequences. Exons 2-8 approximate the regions of the 14 consecutive 20 amino acid repeated motifs present in the LH, thyrotropin-stimulating hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor cDNAs, with the exception of a six to eight amino acid shift in each motif. Exons 1, 9, 10, and 11, do not conform to this repetitive intronic motif. These exons, however, contain important structural elements including the conserved cysteines (exons 1, 9, 11), the soybean lectin motif (exon 9), the seven-transmembrane domain with cytoplasmic G protein coupling elements (exon 11), and three putative N-linked glycosylation sites (exon 10), consistent with preservation of significant functional domains within single exons. Exon 10 and the beginning of exon 11 along with the lectin motif are unique to the LH receptor and may be involved in specific association with the hormonal ligand. The homologous regions with other members of the glycoprotein receptor family encoded by exons 2-8, and the common amino acid motif that contains 3 conserved cysteines immediately prior to the first transmembrane region, may be involved in common hormonal interactions and in coupling functions, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Tsai-Morris
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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