Deciphering metabolic heterogeneity in retinoblastoma unravels the role of monocarboxylate transporter 1 in tumor progression

BACKGROUND

Tumors exhibit metabolic heterogeneity, influencing cancer progression. However, understanding metabolic diversity in retinoblastoma (RB), the primary intraocular malignancy in children, remains limited.

METHODS

The metabolic landscape of RB was constructed based on single-cell transcriptomic sequencing from 11 RB and 5 retina samples. Various analyses were conducted, including assessing overall metabolic activity, metabolic heterogeneity, and the correlation between hypoxia and metabolic pathways. Additionally, the expression pattern of the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) family in different cell clusters was examined. Validation assays of MCT1 expression and function in RB cell lines were performed. The therapeutic potential of targeting MCT1 was evaluated using an orthotopic xenograft model. A cohort of 47 RB patients was analyzed to evaluate the relationship between MCT1 expression and tumor invasion.

RESULTS

Distinct metabolic patterns in RB cells, notably increased glycolysis, were identified. This metabolic heterogeneity correlated closely with hypoxia. MCT1 emerged as the primary monocarboxylate transporter in RB cells. Disrupting MCT1 altered cell viability and energy metabolism. In vivo studies using the MCT1 inhibitor AZD3965 effectively suppressed RB tumor growth. Additionally, a correlation between MCT1 expression and optic nerve invasion in RB samples suggested prognostic implications.

CONCLUSIONS

This study enhances our understanding of RB metabolic characteristics at the single-cell level, highlighting the significance of MCT1 in RB pathogenesis. Targeting MCT1 holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for combating RB, with potential prognostic implications.

Hyperoxia induces glucose metabolism reprogramming and intracellular acidification by suppressing MYC/MCT1 axis in lung cancer

The perils and promises of inspiratory hyperoxia (IH) in oncology are still controversial, especially for patients with lung cancer. Increasing evidence shows that hyperoxia exposure is relevant to the tumor microenvironment. However, the detailed role of IH on the acid-base homeostasis of lung cancer cells remains unclear. In this study, the effects of 60% oxygen exposure on intra- and extracellular pH were systematically evaluated in H1299 and A549 cells. Our data indicate that hyperoxia exposure reduces intracellular pH, which might be expected to reduce the proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells. RNA sequencing, Western blot, and PCR analysis reveal that monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) mediates intracellular lactate accumulation and intracellular acidification of H1299 and A549 cells at 60% oxygen exposure. In vivo studies further demonstrate that MCT1 knockdown dramatically reduces lung cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. The results of luciferase and ChIP-qPCR assays further confirm that MYC is a transcription factor of MCT1, and PCR and Western blot assays confirm that MYC is downregulated under hyperoxic conditions. Collectively, our data reveal that hyperoxia can suppress the MYC/MCT1 axis and cause the accumulation of lactate and intracellular acidification, thereby retarding tumor growth and metastasis.

Lactate induced mesenchymal stem cells activation promotes gastric cancer cells migration and proliferation

Lactate extensively involves in gastric cancer (GC) progression, such as suppressing immune cells function and facilitating tumor angiogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether lactate promotes tumor progression by interacting with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), one of the major stroma components in GC. Here, we investigated the influence of lactate on the phenotype and function of MSCs. The migration of MSCs and the expression of several CAF markers in MSCs after lactate treatment were detected. We also evaluated the effect of lactate-primed MSCs on GC cells migration, proliferation, and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. It was found that lactate significantly activated MSCs, and increased fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression via monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1)/transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling. In addition, lactate-primed MSCs promoted GC cells migration and proliferation via PD-L1. Inhibiting MCT1 by AZD3965 abrogated lactate induced FAP expression and tumor-promoting potential of MSCs. Therefore, targeting MCT1/TGF-β1/FAP axis in MSCs may serve as a potential strategy to restrain GC development.

Partial MCT1 invalidation protects against diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the associated brain dysfunction

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with mild cerebral dysfunction and cognitive decline, although the exact pathophysiological mechanism remains ambiguous. Using a diet-induced model of NAFLD and monocarboxylate transporter-1 (Mct1^+/-) haploinsufficient mice, which resist high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis, we investigated the hypothesis that NAFLD leads to an encephalopathy by altering cognition, behaviour, and cerebral physiology. We also proposed that global MCT1 downregulation offers cerebral protection.

METHODS

Behavioural tests were performed in mice following 16 weeks of control diet (normal chow) or high-fat diet with high fructose/glucose in water. Tissue oxygenation, cerebrovascular reactivity, and cerebral blood volume were monitored under anaesthesia by multispectral optoacoustic tomography and optical fluorescence. Cortical mitochondrial oxygen consumption and respiratory capacities were measured using ex vivo high-resolution respirometry. Microglial and astrocytic changes were evaluated by immunofluorescence and 3D reconstructions. Body composition was assessed using EchoMRI, and liver steatosis was confirmed by histology.

RESULTS

NAFLD concomitant with obesity is associated with anxiety- and depression-related behaviour. Low-grade brain tissue hypoxia was observed, likely attributed to the low-grade brain inflammation and decreased cerebral blood volume. It is also accompanied by microglial and astrocytic morphological and metabolic alterations (higher oxygen consumption), suggesting the early stages of an obesogenic diet-induced encephalopathy. Mct1 haploinsufficient mice, despite fat accumulation in adipose tissue, were protected from NAFLD and associated cerebral alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of compromised brain health in obesity and NAFLD, emphasising the importance of the liver-brain axis. The protective effect of Mct1 haploinsufficiency points to this protein as a novel therapeutic target for preventing and/or treating NAFLD and the associated brain dysfunction.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

This study is focused on unravelling the pathophysiological mechanism by which cerebral dysfunction and cognitive decline occurs during NAFLD and exploring the potential of monocarboxylate transporter-1 (MCT1) as a novel preventive or therapeutic target. Our findings point to NAFLD as a serious health risk and its adverse impact on the brain as a potential global health system and economic burden. These results highlight the utility of Mct1 transgenic mice as a model for NAFLD and associated brain dysfunction and call for systematic screening by physicians for early signs of psychological symptoms, and an awareness by individuals at risk of these potential neurological effects. This study is expected to bring attention to the need for early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD, while having a direct impact on policies worldwide regarding the health risk associated with NAFLD, and its prevention and treatment.

Mitochondrial bioenergetic is impaired in Monocarboxylate transporter 1 deficiency: a new clinical case and review of the literature

Background

Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) deficiency has recently been described as a rare cause of recurrent ketosis, the result of impaired ketone utilization in extrahepatic tissues. To date, only six patients with this condition have been identified, and clinical and biochemical details remain incomplete.

Results

The present work reports a patient suffering from severe, recurrent episodes of metabolic acidosis and psychomotor delay, showing a pathogenic loss-of-function variation c.747_750del in homozygosity in SLC16A1 (which codes for MCT1). Persistent ketotic and lactic acidosis was accompanied by an abnormal excretion of organic acids related to redox balance disturbances. Together with an altered bioenergetic profile detected in patient-derived fibroblasts, this suggests possible mitochondrial dysfunction. Brain MRI revealed extensive, diffuse bilateral, symmetric signal alterations for the subcortical white matter and basal ganglia, together with corpus callosum agenesia.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the clinical spectrum of MCT1 deficiency not only involves recurrent atacks of ketoacidosis, but may also cause lactic acidosis and neuromotor delay with a distinctive neuroimaging pattern including agenesis of corpus callosum and other brain signal alterations.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-022-02389-4.

Monocarboxylate transporter functions and neuroprotective effects of valproic acid in experimental models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devasting neurodegenerative disorder for which no successful therapeutics are available. Valproic acid (VPA), a monocarboxylate derivative, is a known antiepileptic drug and a histone deacetylase inhibitor.

Methods

To investigate whether monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and sodium-coupled MCT1 (SMCT1) are altered in ALS cell and mouse models, a cellular uptake study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blot parameters were used. Similarly, whether VPA provides a neuroprotective effect in the wild-type (WT; hSOD1WT) and ALS mutant-type (MT; hSOD1G93A) NSC-34 motor neuron-like cell lines was determined through the cell viability assay.

Results

[³H]VPA uptake was dependent on time, pH, sodium and concentration, and the uptake rate was significantly lower in the MT cell line than the WT cell line. Interestingly, two VPA transport systems were expressed, and the VPA uptake was modulated by SMCT substrates/inhibitors in both cell lines. Furthermore, MCT1 and SMCT1 expression was significantly lower in motor neurons of ALS (G93A) model mice than in those of WT mice. Notably, VPA ameliorated glutamate- and hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity in both the WT and MT ALS cell lines.

Conclusions

Together, the current findings demonstrate that VPA exhibits a neuroprotective effect regardless of the dysfunction of an MCT in ALS, which could help develop useful therapeutic strategies for ALS.

Cyclosporine protects from intestinal epithelial injury by modulating butyrate uptake via upregulation of membrane monocarboxylate transporter 1 levels

Background and aims

A relationship between treatment outcomes and intestinal microbiota in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases has been demonstrated. Cyclosporine treatment leads to rapid improvement in severe ulcerative colitis. We hypothesized that the potent effects of cyclosporine would be exerted through relationships between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and the host microbiota. The present study was designed to elucidate the effects of cyclosporine on monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) regulation and butyrate uptake by IECs.

Methods

Colitis was induced in C57BL6 mice via the administration of 4% dextran sulfate sodium in drinking water, following which body weights, colon lengths, and histological scores were evaluated. To examine the role of butyrate in the protective effects of cyclosporine, MCT1 inhibitor and an antibiotic cocktail was administered and tributyrin (TB; a prodrug of butyrate) was supplemented; MCT1 protein expression and acetylated histone 3 (AcH3) signals in IECs, as well as the MCT1-membrane fraction of Caco-2 cells, were evaluated. To explore butyrate uptake, as s butyrate derivatives, 3-bromopyruvic acid (3-BrPA) and 1-pyrenebutyric acid were used.

Results

Treatment with cyclosporine inhibited body weight loss and colon length shortening. However, treatment with MCT1 inhibitor and the antibiotic cocktail negated the efficacy of cyclosporine, whereas TB supplementation restored its protective effect. Furthermore, cyclosporine upregulated MCT1 expression in the membrane and the AcH3 signal in IECs, while also inducing higher anti-inflammatory cytokine production compared to that in the vehicle-treated mice. The transcription level of MCT1 mRNA in IECs and Caco-2 cells did not increase with cyclosporine treatment; however, cyclosporine treatment increased membrane MCT1 expression in these cells and uptake of butyrate derivative.

Conclusion

Cyclosporine treatment modulates butyrate uptake via the post-transcriptional upregulation of membrane MCT1 levels in IECs.

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The protective effect of cyclosporine needs microbiota-derived butyrate.

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Cyclosporine increased the fraction of MCT1 at the cell membrane.

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Cyclosporine enhanced butyrate uptake and regulatory cytokine expression.

Effect of transforming growth factor-β1 on functional expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 in alveolar epithelial A549 cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the development of severe lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis. Recently, it has been reported that EMT involves complex metabolic reprogramming triggered by several factors including transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and that monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1) plays an essential role in these metabolic changes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the functional expression of MCT1 during TGF-β1-induced EMT in alveolar epithelial A549 cells. The transport function of MCT1 in A549 cells was examined using [³H]γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and [³H] lactic acid (LA) as substrates and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (CHC), lactic acid, phloretin, and AR-C155858 (AR) as inhibitors of MCT1. EMT was induced by treating the cells with TGF-β1. mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Time-, temperature-, and pH-dependent GHB and LA uptake were observed in A549 cells. CHC, lactic acid, phloretin, and AR significantly inhibited the uptake of GHB in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that MCT1 is primarily responsible for transport of monocarboxylates such as GHB and LA in A549 cells. TGF-β1 treatment significantly enhanced GHB and LA uptake as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of MCT1 in A549 cells. These changes were neutralized by co-treatment with SB431542, an inhibitor for the TGF-β1 signaling pathway. CHC and AR had no effect on TGF-β1-induced EMT-related gene expression changes. Here, we have clearly characterized functional expression of MCT1 in A549 cells and have shown that MCT1 may be upregulated via the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

A novel oral prodrug-targeting transporter MCT 1: 5-fluorouracil-dicarboxylate monoester conjugates

Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is responsible for oral absorption of short-chain monocarboxylic acids from small intestine, hence, it's likely to serve as an ideal design target for the development of oral prodrugs. However, potential application of MCT1 to facilitate the oral delivery is still unclear. Irregular oral absorption, poor permeability and bioavailability greatly limit the oral delivery efficiency of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Herein, we design three 5-FU-fatty acid conjugates targeting intestinal MCT1 with different lipophilic linkages. Interestingly, due to high MCT1 affinity and good gastrointestinal stability, 5-FU-octanedioic acid monoester prodrug exhibited significant improvement in membrane permeability (13.1-fold) and oral bioavailability (4.1-fold) compared to 5-FU. More surprisingly, stability experiment in intestinal homogenates showed that 5-FU prodrugs could be properly activated to release 5-FU within intestinal cells, which provides an ideal foundation for the improvement of oral bioavailability. In summary, good gastrointestinal stability, high membrane permeability and appropriate intestinal cell bioactivation are the important factors for high-efficiency 5-FU oral prodrugs, and such work provides a good platform for the development of novel oral prodrugs targeting intestinal transporters.

Cellular Uptake of MCT1 Inhibitors AR-C155858 and AZD3965 and Their Effects on MCT-Mediated Transport of L-Lactate in Murine 4T1 Breast Tumor Cancer Cells

AR-C155858 and AZD3965, pyrrole pyrimidine derivatives, represent potent monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) inhibitors, with potential immunomodulatory and chemotherapeutic properties. Currently, there is limited information on the inhibitory properties of this new class of MCT1 inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to characterize the concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of L-lactate transport and the membrane permeability properties of AR-C155858 and AZD3965 in the murine 4T1 breast tumor cells that express MCT1. Our results demonstrated time-dependent inhibition of L-lactate uptake by AR-C155858 and AZD3965 with maximal inhibition occurring after a 5-min pre-incubation period and prolonged inhibition. Following removal of AR-C155858 or AZD3965 from the incubation buffer, inhibition of L-lactate uptake was only fully reversed after 3 and 12 h, respectively, indicating that these inhibitors are slowly reversible. The uptake of AR-C155858 was concentration-dependent in 4T1 cells, whereas the uptake of AZD3965 exhibited no concentration dependence over the range of concentrations examined. The uptake kinetics of AR-C155858 was best fitted to a Michaelis-Menten equation with a diffusional clearance component, P (K_m = 0.399 ± 0.067 μM, V_max = 4.79 ± 0.58 pmol/mg/min, and P = 0.330 ± 0.088 μL/mg/min). AR-C155858 uptake, but not AZD3965 uptake, was significantly inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, a known nonspecific inhibitor of MCTs 1, 2, and 4. AR-C155858 demonstrated a trend toward higher uptake at lower pH, a characteristic of proton-dependent MCT1. These findings provide evidence that AR-C155858 and AZD3965 exert slowly reversible inhibition of MCT1-mediated L-lactate uptake in 4T1 cells, with AR-C155858 representing a potential substrate of MCT1.

miR-124 Suppresses Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Growth by Regulating Monocarboxylate Transporter 1-Mediated Cancer Lactate Metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Increasing evidence shows that reprogramming of energy metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. Considering the emergence of microRNAs as crucial modulators of cancer, this study aimed to better understand the molecular mechanisms of miR-124 in regulating glycolysis in human pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

RT-PCR was used to investigate the expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patient samples and the PANC-1 cell line. A public database and immunochemistry were used for comprehensive analysis of MCT1 expression. The targeting of MCT1 by miR-124 was predicted by software and validated for the MCT1 3'-UTR by dual-luciferase reporter analysis. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, xenografting, and the intracellular pH and L-lactate levels were assessed. Hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIF-1α) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A) expression levels were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

MCT1 expression was higher in PDAC tissue than in normal tissue. Inhibition of MCT1 affected lactate metabolism, resulting in a higher intracellular pH and less proliferation of PANC-1 cells. MCT1 was the target gene of miR-124. In in vitro experiments, miR-124 inhibited the glycolytic activity of PANC-1 cells by targeting MCT1, further decreasing the tumor phenotype by increasing the intracellular pH through LDH-A and HIF-1α. In in vivo experiments, overexpression of miR-124 and silencing of MCT1 significantly inhibited tumor growth.

CONCLUSION

miR-124 inhibits the progression of PANC-1 by targeting MCT1 in the lactate metabolic pathway. Our findings provide novel evidence for further functional studies of miR-124, which might be useful for future therapeutic approaches to PDAC.

Effect of nitric oxide to axonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis via downregulating monocarboxylate transporter 1 in oligodendrocytes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Axonal degeneration, one of the main pathological characteristics of MS, is affected by nitric oxide (NO). In turn, NO induces mitochondrial dysfunction of neurons and glial cells. Inadequate glucose causes monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) to transfer lactate from oligodendrocytes (OLs) to neurons, which decreases MCT1 and results in energy substrate deficit (mainly lactate) in axons. The condition gradually leads to axonal degeneration. This study proposes that NO-induced MCT1 down-regulation in OLs may be involved in the pathological process of axonal degeneration, which eventually leads to MS.

Coumarin carboxylic acids as monocarboxylate transporter 1 inhibitors: In vitro and in vivo studies as potential anticancer agents

Novel N,N-dialkyl carboxy coumarins have been synthesized as potential anticancer agents via inhibition of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1). These coumarin carboxylic acids have been evaluated for their in vitro MCT1 inhibition, MTT cancer cell viability, bidirectional Caco-2 cell permeability, and stability in human and liver microsomes. These results indicate that one of the lead candidate compounds 4a has good absorption, metabolic stability, and a low drug efflux ratio. Systemic toxicity studies with lead compound 4a in healthy mice demonstrate that this inhibitor is well tolerated based on zero animal mortality and normal body weight gains compared to the control group. In vivo tumor growth inhibition studies in mice show that the candidate compound 4a exhibits significant single agent activity in MCT1 expressing GL261-luc2 syngraft model but doesn't show significant activity in MCT4 expressing MDA-MB-231 xenograft model, indicating the selectivity of 4a for MCT1 expressing tumors.

Cellular prion protein directly interacts with and enhances lactate dehydrogenase expression under hypoxic conditions

Although a physiological function of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) is still not fully clarified, a PrP(c)-mediated neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic insult is intriguing. After ischemic stroke prion protein knockout mice (Prnp(0/0)) display significantly greater lesions as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Earlier reports suggested an interaction between the glycolytic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and PrP(c). Since hypoxic environment enhances LDH expression levels and compels neurons to rely on lactate as an additional oxidative substrate for energy metabolism, we examined possible differences in LDH protein expression in WT and Prnp(0/0) knockout models under normoxic/hypoxic conditions in vitro and in vivo, as well as in a HEK293 cell line. While no differences are observed under normoxic conditions, LDH expression is markedly increased after 60-min and 90-min of hypoxia in WT vs. Prnp(0/0) primary cortical neurons with concurrent less hypoxia-induced damage in the former group. Likewise, cerebral ischemia significantly increases LDH levels in WT vs. Prnp(0/0) mice with accompanying smaller lesions in the WT group. HEK293 cells overexpressing PrP(c) show significantly higher LDH expression/activity following 90-min of hypoxia as compared to control cells. Moreover, a cytoplasmic co-localization of LDH and PrP(c) was recorded under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, an expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1, responsible for cellular lactate uptake, increases with PrP(c)-overexpression under normoxic conditions. Our data suggest LDH as a direct PrP(c) interactor with possible physiological relevance under low oxygen conditions.

Possible mechanism for the regulation of glucose on proliferation, inhibition and apoptosis of colon cancer cells induced by sodium butyrate

AIM: To study the effect of glucose on sodium butyrate-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in HT-29 cell line, and explored its possible mechanisms.

METHODS: HT-29 cells were grown in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, and were allowed to adhere for 24 h, and then replaced with experimental medium. Cell survival rates were detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Glucose transport protein 1 (GLUT1) and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTS: Low concentration of glucose induced apoptosis and regulated proliferation in HT-29 cell line, and glucose can obviously inhibit the effect of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced by sodium butyrate. Glucose also down-regulated the expression of MCT1mRNA (0.28 ± 0.07 vs 0.19 ± 0.10, P < 0.05), and decreased the expression of GLUT1mRNA slightly (0.18 ± 0.04 vs 0.13 ± 0.03, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Glucose can regulate the effect of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced by sodium butyrate and this influence may be associated with the intracellular concentration of glucose and sodium butyrate.