1
|
Ungvari Z, Ungvari A, Bianchini G, Győrffy B. Prognostic significance of a signature based on senescence-related genes in colorectal cancer. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01164-6. [PMID: 38658505 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer, recognized as a quintessential age-related disease, underscores the intricate interplay between aging mechanisms and disease pathogenesis. Cellular senescence, a DNA damage-induced cellular stress response, is characterized by cell cycle arrest, the expression of an inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and alterations in extracellular matrix metabolism. It is widely recognized as a fundamental and evolutionarily conserved mechanism of aging. Guided by geroscience principles, which assert that the pathogenesis of age-related diseases involves cellular mechanisms of aging, this study delves into the role of senescence-related genes in colon cancer progression. Leveraging a gene set reflective of senescence-associated pathways, we employed uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis combined with the determination of the false discovery rate to analyze correlations between gene expression and survival. The integrated database of 1130 colon cancer specimens with available relapse-free survival time and relapse event data from ten independent cohorts provided a robust platform for survival analyses. We identified senescence-related genes associated with differential expression levels linked to shorter survival. Our findings unveil a prognostic signature utilizing cellular senescence-related genes (hazard ratio: 2.73, 95% CI 2.12-3.52, p = 6.4E - 16), offering valuable insights into survival prediction in colon cancer. Multivariate analysis underscored the independence of the senescence-related signature from available epidemiological and pathological variables. This study highlights the potential of senescence-related genes as prognostic biomarkers. Overall, our results underscore the pivotal role of cellular senescence, a fundamental mechanism of aging, in colon cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Ungvari
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Balázs Győrffy
- Dept. of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
- Dept. of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pecs, 7624, Pecs, Hungary
- Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ma A, Yang Y, Lu L, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zheng J, Zheng X. Emerging roles of circular RNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: functions and implications. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:192. [PMID: 38664370 PMCID: PMC11045839 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01964-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct malignancy primarily prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are evolutionarily conserved and exhibit remarkable stability. Their dysregulation has been observed in various cancers, including NPC. In this review, we investigate the pivotal role of circRNAs in NPC, focusing specifically on their involvement in tumor proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, stemness, metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment. We highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of circRNAs in NPC, emphasizing their utility as biomarkers for early detection, disease monitoring, and prediction of treatment outcomes. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic implications of circRNAs in NPC, highlighting their potential for targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aiyu Ma
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuzhong Yang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Liuzhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinhua Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Xiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hu B, Yang H, Wang Y, Cao Y, Zhou R, Yang D. Downregulated circRNA_CDKN1A promotes gallbladder cancer progression through activation of the NF-κB pathway. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3952. [PMID: 38343018 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
This study uncovered the potential clinical value and molecular driving mechanisms of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in gallbladder cancer (GBC). Differentially expressed circRNAs in GBC cells were screened by high-throughput sequencing. CircRNA_CDKN1A (circBase ID: hsa_circ_0076194) was knocked out in BGC-SD cells through transfection with sh-circRNA_CDKN1A. Then, proliferation was investigated via CCK8 and EdU assays, apoptosis via flow cytometry, migration via wound healing assays, and invasion via Transwell assays. Bioinformatics analysis of circRNA_CDKN1A-related signaling pathways was performed using MetScape and g:Profiler. Results showed that the knockdown of circRNA_CDKN1A enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBC cells and inhibited apoptosis. In addition, knocking out circRNA_CDKN1A promoted GBC cell proliferation and enhanced the dry indices of the OCT4 protein and CD34 expression levels. The knockdown of circRNA_CDKN1A activated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the biological role of circRNA_CDKN1A in GBC cells involved the NF-κB pathway. LY2409881, which is an NF-κB inhibitor, reversed the effects induced by the knockdown of circRNA_CDKN1A in GBC-SD cells. In summary, the knockdown of circRNA_CDKN1A promoted the progression of GBC by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. For the first time, this study revealed the mechanism of circRNA_CDKN1A-mediated regulatory action in GBC and identified the newly discovered circRNA_CDKN1A-NF-κB signaling axis as a potentially important candidate for clinical therapy and prognostic diagnosis of GBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nanjing Chest Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nanjing Chest Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nanjing Chest Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rongping Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Deo A, Sleeman JP, Shaked Y. The role of host response to chemotherapy: resistance, metastasis and clinical implications. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023:10.1007/s10585-023-10243-5. [PMID: 37999904 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10243-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for most metastatic cancers. However, the response to chemotherapy and targeted agents is often transient, and concurrent development of resistance is the primary impediment to effective cancer therapy. Strategies to overcome resistance to treatment have focused on cancer cell intrinsic factors and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent evidence indicates that systemic chemotherapy has a significant impact on the host that either facilitates tumor growth, allowing metastatic spread, or renders treatment ineffective. These host responses include the release of bone marrow-derived cells, activation of stromal cells in the TME, and induction of different molecular effectors. Here, we provide an overview of chemotherapy-induced systemic host responses that support tumor aggressiveness and metastasis, and which contribute to therapy resistance. Studying host responses to chemotherapy provides a solid basis for the development of adjuvant strategies to improve treatment outcomes and delay resistance to chemotherapy. This review discusses the emerging field of host response to cancer therapy, and its preclinical and potential clinical implications, explaining how under certain circumstances, these host effects contribute to metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash Deo
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, Rappaport Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jonathan P Sleeman
- European Centre for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT), IBCS-BIP, Campus Nord, 76344, Eggenstein- Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Yuval Shaked
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, Rappaport Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abraham A, Virdi S, Herrero N, Bryant I, Nwakama C, Jacob M, Khaparde G, Jordan D, McCuddin M, McKinley S, Taylor A, Peeples C, Ekpenyong A. Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic for Exploring Biophysical Mechanisms of Chemotherapy-Induced Metastasis. Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:1653. [PMID: 37763816 PMCID: PMC10536821 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
There is rapidly emerging evidence from pre-clinical studies, patient samples and patient subpopulations that certain chemotherapeutics inadvertently produce prometastatic effects. Prior to this, we showed that doxorubicin and daunorubicin stiffen cells before causing cell death, predisposing the cells to clogging and extravasation, the latter being a step in metastasis. Here, we investigate which other anti-cancer drugs might have similar prometastatic effects by altering the biophysical properties of cells. We treated myelogenous (K562) leukemic cancer cells with the drugs nocodazole and hydroxyurea and then measured their mechanical properties using a microfluidic microcirculation mimetic (MMM) device, which mimics aspects of blood circulation and enables the measurement of cell mechanical properties via transit times through the device. We also quantified the morphological properties of cells to explore biophysical mechanisms underlying the MMM results. Results from MMM measurements show that nocodazole- and hydroxyurea-treated K562 cells exhibit significantly altered transit times. Nocodazole caused a significant (p < 0.01) increase in transit times, implying a stiffening of cells. This work shows the feasibility of using an MMM to explore possible biophysical mechanisms that might contribute to chemotherapy-induced metastasis. Our work also suggests cell mechanics as a therapeutic target for much needed antimetastatic strategies in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Abraham
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Sukhman Virdi
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Nick Herrero
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Israel Bryant
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Chisom Nwakama
- Chemistry Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA;
| | - Megha Jacob
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Gargee Khaparde
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Destiny Jordan
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Mackenzie McCuddin
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Spencer McKinley
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Adam Taylor
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.A.); (N.H.); (M.J.); (G.K.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (S.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Conner Peeples
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Andrew Ekpenyong
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.V.); (I.B.); (C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Crudele F, Bianchi N, Terrazzan A, Ancona P, Frassoldati A, Gasparini P, D'Adamo AP, Papaioannou D, Garzon R, Wójcicka A, Gaj P, Jażdżewski K, Palatini J, Volinia S. Circular RNAs Could Encode Unique Proteins and Affect Cancer Pathways. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:biology12040493. [PMID: 37106694 PMCID: PMC10135897 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
circRNAs constitute a novel class of RNA, generally considered as non-coding RNAs; nonetheless, their coding potential has been under scrutiny. In this work, we systematically explored the predicted proteins of more than 160,000 circRNAs detected by exome capture RNA-sequencing and collected in the MiOncoCirc pan-cancer compendium, including normal and cancer samples from different types of tissues. For the functional evaluation, we compared their primary structure and domain composition with those derived from the same linear mRNAs. Among the 4362 circRNAs potentially encoding proteins with a unique primary structure and 1179 encoding proteins with a novel domain composition, 183 were differentially expressed in cancer. In particular, eight were associated with prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia. The functional classification of the dysregulated circRNA-encoded polypeptides showed an enrichment in the heme and cancer signaling, DNA-binding, and phosphorylation processes, and disclosed the roles of some circRNA-based effectors in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Crudele
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Genetics Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pietro Ancona
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Frassoldati
- Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria St. Anna di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Gasparini
- Genetics Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Adamo P D'Adamo
- Genetics Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Dimitrios Papaioannou
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ramiro Garzon
- Division of Hematology and Hematological Malignancies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | | | - Paweł Gaj
- Warsaw Genomics INC, 01-682 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Krystian Jażdżewski
- Human Cancer Genetics, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jeffrey Palatini
- Genomics Core Facility, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- CNBCh, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|