1
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Zhou Y, Cui G, Xu H, Chun J, Yang D, Zhang Z, Yang L, Wang J, Wan M, Calvisi DF, Lin S, Chen X, Wang H. Loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET overexpression to drive hepatocarcinogenesis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:476. [PMID: 37500626 PMCID: PMC10374654 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05958-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with high genetic heterogeneity. TP53 mutation and c-MET activation are frequent events in human HCCs. Here, we discovered that the simultaneous mutations in TP53 and activation of c-MET occur in ~20% of human HCCs, and these patients show a poor prognosis. Importantly, we found that concomitant deletion of Trp53 and overexpression of c-MET (c-MET/sgp53) in the mouse liver led to HCC formation in vivo. Consistent with human HCCs, RNAseq showed that c-MET/sgp53 mouse HCCs were characterized by activated c-MET and Ras/MAPK cascades and increased tumor cell proliferation. Subsequently, a stably passaged cell line derived from a c-MET/sgp53 HCC and corresponding subcutaneous xenografts were generated. Also, in silico analysis suggested that the MEK inhibitor trametinib has a higher inhibition score in TP53 null human HCC cell lines, which was validated experimentally. We consistently found that trametinib effectively inhibited the growth of c-MET/sgp53 HCC cells and xenografts, supporting the possible usefulness of this drug for treating human HCCs with TP53-null mutations. Altogether, our study demonstrates that loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET to drive hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. The c-MET/sgp53 mouse model and derived HCC cell lines represent novel and useful preclinical tools to study hepatocarcinogenesis in the TP53 null background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guofei Cui
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Joanne Chun
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Doris Yang
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lihui Yang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing, University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Meijuan Wan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Shumei Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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2
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Anesi N, Miquel CH, Laffont S, Guéry JC. The Influence of Sex Hormones and X Chromosome in Immune Responses. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 441:21-59. [PMID: 37695424 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35139-6_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Males and females differ in their susceptibility to develop autoimmunity and allergy but also in their capacity to cope with infections and cancers. Cellular targets and molecular pathways underlying sexual dimorphism in immunity have started to emerge and appeared multifactorial. It became increasingly clear that sex-linked biological factors have important impact on the development, tissue maintenance and effector function acquisition of distinct immune cell populations, thereby regulating multiple layers of innate or adaptive immunity through distinct mechanisms. This review discusses the recent development in our understanding of the cell-intrinsic actions of biological factors linked to sex, sex hormones and sex chromosome complement, on immune cells, which may account for the sex differences in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and allergies, and the sex-biased responses in natural immunity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Anesi
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITY), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300, Toulouse, France
| | - Charles-Henry Miquel
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITY), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Laffont
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITY), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Charles Guéry
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITY), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300, Toulouse, France.
- INSERM UMR1291, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Place du Dr. Baylac, 31024, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
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3
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Ji F, Zhang J, Liu N, Gu Y, Zhang Y, Huang P, Zhang N, Lin S, Pan R, Meng Z, Feng XH, Roessler S, Zheng X, Ji J. Blocking hepatocarcinogenesis by a cytochrome P450 family member with female-preferential expression. Gut 2022; 71:2313-2324. [PMID: 34996827 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-326050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTS The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows an obvious male dominance in rodents and humans. We aimed to identify the key autosomal liver-specific sex-related genes and investigate their roles in hepatocarcinogenesis. DESIGN Two HCC cohorts (n=551) with available transcriptome and metabolome data were used. Class comparisons of omics data and ingenuity pathway analysis were performed to explore sex-related molecules and their associated functions. Functional assays were employed to investigate roles of the key candidates, including cellular assays, molecular assays and multiple orthotopic HCC mouse models. RESULTS A global comparison of multiple omics data revealed 861 sex-related molecules in non-tumour liver tissues between female and male HCC patients, which denoted a significant suppression of cancer-related diseases and functions in female liver than male. A member of cytochrome P450 family, CYP39A1, was one of the top liver-specific candidates with significantly higher levels in female vs male liver. In HCC tumours, CYP39A1 expression was dramatically reduced in over 90% HCC patients. Exogenous CYP39A1 significantly blocked tumour formation in both female and male mice and partially reduced the sex disparity of hepatocarcinogenesis. The HCC suppressor role of CYP39A1 did not rely on its known P450 enzyme activity but its C-terminal region, by which CYP39A1 impeded the transcriptional activation activity of c-Myc, leading to a significant inhibition of hepatocarcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS The liver-specific CYP39A1 with female-preferential expression was a strong suppressor of HCC development. Strategies to up-regulate CYP39A1 might be promising methods for HCC treatment in both women and men in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fubo Ji
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianjuan Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Niya Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanzhuo Gu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peipei Huang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nachuan Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shengda Lin
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ran Pan
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhuoxian Meng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Stephanie Roessler
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xin Zheng
- Taoharmony Biotech L.L.C, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfang Ji
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China .,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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4
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YAP inactivation in estrogen receptor alpha-positive hepatocellular carcinoma with less aggressive behavior. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1055-1067. [PMID: 34145394 PMCID: PMC8257598 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00639-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα, encoded by ESR1) has been shown to be associated with the prognostic outcomes of patients in various cancers; however, its prognostic and mechanistic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the expression of ERα and its association with clinicopathological features in 339 HCC patients. ERα was expressed in 9.4% (32/339) of HCCs and was related to better overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.11, p = 0.009, 95% C.I. = 0.016–0.82) and disease-free survival (DFS, HR = 0.4, p = 0.013, 95% C.I. = 0.18–0.85). ERα expression was also associated with features related to more favorable prognosis, such as older age, lower serum alpha-fetoprotein level, and less microvascular invasion (p < 0.05). In addition, to obtain mechanistic insights into the role of ERα in HCC progression, we performed integrative transcriptome data analyses, which revealed that yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway was significantly suppressed in ESR1-expressing HCCs. By performing cell culture experiments, we validated that ERα expression enhanced YAP phosphorylation, attenuating its nuclear translocation, which in turn suppressed the downstream signaling pathways and cancer cell growth. In conclusion, we suggest that ERα expression is an indicator of more favorable prognosis in HCC and that this effect is mediated by inactivation of YAP signaling. Our results provide new clinical and pathobiological insights into ERα and YAP signaling in HCC. Estrogen receptor signaling can act as a brake preventing the progression of an often deadly form of liver cancer. Studies have shown that women are at a lower risk of developing and succumbing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than men, suggesting a potential role for sex hormones. Researchers in South Korea led by Hyun Goo Woo of the Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, and Young Nyun Park of Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, have now shown that expression of the estrogen receptor α is a strong prognostic predictor for HCC. In a survey of patient tumor samples, they found that expression of this hormone receptor is associated with nearly a tenfold increased likelihood of survival. The researchers identified a mechanism by which estrogen receptor α signaling impedes cancerous growth, revealing potential new drug targets.
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5
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Sharma R. Descriptive epidemiology of incidence and mortality of primary liver cancer in 185 countries: evidence from GLOBOCAN 2018. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2021; 50:1370-1379. [PMID: 32719873 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyaa130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to examine the burden of primary liver cancer in 185 countries in 2018. METHODS The estimates of incidence, mortality and prevalence of primary liver cancer were procured from GLOBOCAN 2018. The development status of a country was measured using the human development index-a composite indicator of income per capita, education and life expectancy. RESULTS Globally, primary liver cancer resulted in an estimated 781 631 deaths at age-standardized mortality rate of 8.5/100 000, and 841 080 cases were estimated to be diagnosed in 2018. Males accounted for 596 574 cases and 548 375 deaths, which is more than twice the burden of primary liver cancer in females (cases: 244 506; deaths: 233 456). The global age-standardized incidence rate was 9.3/100 000 in 2018, varying from Morocco (1.1/100 000) to Mongolia (93.7/100 000). There were remarkable variations in terms of age-standardized mortality rate, too, which ranged from 1/100 000 in Nepal to 75.4/100 000 in Mongolia. East Asia was the top region contributing 55.6% of global cases and 54.7% of global deaths. CONCLUSIONS Since majority of the primary liver cancer burden pertains to hepatocellular carcinoma and screening approaches are yet to be fully proven, the policy focus must be on prevention approaches through the hepatitis-B vaccine, early detection of hepatitis-C infection, reduced alcohol consumption, obesity control, reduced aflatoxin exposure and containment of other modifiable risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Sharma
- University School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
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6
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Pedersen KB, Pulliam CF, Patel A, Del Piero F, Watanabe TTN, Wankhade UD, Shankar K, Hicks C, Ronis MJ. Liver tumorigenesis is promoted by a high saturated fat diet specifically in male mice and is associated with hepatic expression of the proto-oncogene Agap2 and enrichment of the intestinal microbiome with Coprococcus. Carcinogenesis 2019; 40:349-359. [PMID: 30325408 PMCID: PMC6487682 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer results in a high degree of mortality, especially among men. As fatty liver disease is a risk factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma, we investigated the role of dietary fat type in tumor promotion by high-fat diets in mice after initiation with the chemical carcinogen diethyl nitrosamine. Tumor incidence and multiplicity were significantly greater in males than those in females. In males, fat type had complex effects on tumorigenesis. Preneoplastic foci were most prevalent in mice fed a polyunsaturated fat diet enriched in docosahexaenoic acid, whereas carcinomas and large visible liver tumors were significantly greater in mice fed a saturated fat diet made with cocoa butter relative to mice fed mono- or polyunsaturated fats. Different mechanisms thus seemed involved in early and late tumor promotion. The hepatic transcriptome and gut microbiome were assessed for traits associated with tumorigenesis. Hepatic expression of more than 20% of all genes was affected by sex, whereas fat type affected fewer genes. In males, the saturated fat diet induced expression of the proto-oncogene Agap2 and affected the expression of several cytochrome P450 genes, and genes involved in lipid, bile acid and fatty acid metabolism. The gut microbiome had a higher level of genus Akkermansia and a lower level of Firmicutes in females than in males. Males fed saturated fat had an altered microbiome, including an enrichment of the genus Coprococcus. In conclusion, sex and the dietary fat type affect the gut microbiome, the hepatic transcriptome and ultimately hepatic tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim B Pedersen
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Casey F Pulliam
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Aarshvi Patel
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Fabio Del Piero
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Tatiane T N Watanabe
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Umesh D Wankhade
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kartik Shankar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Chindo Hicks
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Martin J Ronis
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, USA
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7
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Manieri E, Herrera-Melle L, Mora A, Tomás-Loba A, Leiva-Vega L, Fernández DI, Rodríguez E, Morán L, Hernández-Cosido L, Torres JL, Seoane LM, Cubero FJ, Marcos M, Sabio G. Adiponectin accounts for gender differences in hepatocellular carcinoma incidence. J Exp Med 2019; 216:1108-1119. [PMID: 30944152 PMCID: PMC6504215 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20181288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender disparity in liver cancer incidence is a relevant feature of this malignancy. Manieri et al. show that testosterone-induced JNK1 activation in adipose tissue results in decreased levels of circulating adiponectin, which is responsible for higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in males. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer type and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. This cancer appears with higher incidence in men and during obesity; however, the specific mechanisms underlying this correlation are unknown. Adipose tissue, a key organ in metabolic syndrome, shows evident gender disparities in the production of adipokines. Levels of the important adipokine adiponectin decrease in men during puberty, as well as in the obese state. Here, we show that this decrease in adiponectin levels is responsible for the increased liver cancer risk in males. We found that testosterone activates the protein JNK in mouse and human adipocytes. JNK-mediated inhibition of adiponectin secretion increases liver cancer cell proliferation, since adiponectin protects against liver cancer development through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p38α. This study provides insight into adipose tissue to liver crosstalk and its gender relation during cancer development, having the potential to guide strategies for new cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Manieri
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alfonso Mora
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonia Tomás-Loba
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Leiva-Vega
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Delia I Fernández
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Rodríguez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Morán
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.,12 de Octubre Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Hernández-Cosido
- University of Salamanca, University Hospital of Salamanca-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jorge L Torres
- University of Salamanca, University Hospital of Salamanca-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luisa M Seoane
- Fisiopatología Endocrina, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela Servicio Gallego de Salud, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER), Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.,12 de Octubre Health Research Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Marcos
- University of Salamanca, University Hospital of Salamanca-Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Sabio
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
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8
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Grossmann M, Wierman ME, Angus P, Handelsman DJ. Reproductive Endocrinology of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Endocr Rev 2019; 40:417-446. [PMID: 30500887 DOI: 10.1210/er.2018-00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver and the reproductive system interact in a multifaceted bidirectional fashion. Sex steroid signaling influences hepatic endobiotic and xenobiotic metabolism and contributes to the pathogenesis of functional and structural disorders of the liver. In turn, liver function affects the reproductive axis via modulating sex steroid metabolism and transport to tissues via sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). The liver senses the body's metabolic status and adapts its energy homeostasis in a sex-dependent fashion, a dimorphism signaled by the sex steroid milieu and possibly related to the metabolic costs of reproduction. Sex steroids impact the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including development of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Preclinical studies in male rodents demonstrate that androgens protect against hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance both via androgen receptor signaling and, following aromatization to estradiol, estrogen receptor signaling, through regulating genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis and glucose metabolism. In female rodents in contrast to males, androgens promote hepatic steatosis and dysglycemia, whereas estradiol is similarly protective against liver disease. In men, hepatic steatosis is associated with modest reductions in circulating testosterone, in part consequent to a reduction in circulating SHBG. Testosterone treatment has not been demonstrated to improve hepatic steatosis in randomized controlled clinical trials. Consistent with sex-dimorphic preclinical findings, androgens promote hepatic steatosis and dysglycemia in women, whereas endogenous estradiol appears protective in both men and women. In both sexes, androgens promote hepatic fibrosis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas estradiol is protective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathis Grossmann
- Department of Medicine Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Research Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Peter Angus
- Department of Medicine Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Zheng D, Williams C, Vold JA, Nguyen JH, Harnois DM, Bagaria SP, McLaughlin SA, Li Z. Regulation of sex hormone receptors in sexual dimorphism of human cancers. Cancer Lett 2018; 438:24-31. [PMID: 30223066 PMCID: PMC6287770 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gender differences in the incidences of cancers have been found in almost all human cancers. However, the mechanisms that underlie gender disparities in most human cancer types have been under-investigated. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of potential mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism of each cancer regarding sex hormone signaling. Fully addressing the mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in human cancers will greatly benefit current development of precision medicine. Our discussions of potential mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism in each cancer will be instructive for future cancer research on gender disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoshan Zheng
- Department of Cancer Biology, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Cecilia Williams
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jeremy A Vold
- Mayo Cancer Registry, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Justin H Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Denise M Harnois
- Department of Surgery, and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Sanjay P Bagaria
- Department of Surgery, and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Sarah A McLaughlin
- Department of Surgery, and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Zhaoyu Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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10
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Wu MY, Yiang GT, Cheng PW, Chu PY, Li CJ. Molecular Targets in Hepatocarcinogenesis and Implications for Therapy. J Clin Med 2018; 7:jcm7080213. [PMID: 30104473 PMCID: PMC6112027 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7080213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocarcinogenesis comprises of multiple, complex steps that occur after liver injury and usually involve several pathways, including telomere dysfunction, cell cycle, WNT/β-catenin signaling, oxidative stress and mitochondria dysfunction, autophagy, apoptosis, and AKT/mTOR signaling. Following liver injury, gene mutations, accumulation of oxidative stress, and local inflammation lead to cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and necrosis. The persistence of this vicious cycle in turn leads to further gene mutation and dysregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-18, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, resulting in immune escape by means of the NF-κB and inflammasome signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize studies focusing on the roles of hepatocarcinogenesis and the immune system in liver cancer. In addition, we furnish an overview of recent basic and clinical studies to provide a strong foundation to develop novel anti-carcinogenesis targets for further treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yu Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
| | - Giuo-Teng Yiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
| | - Pei-Wen Cheng
- Yuh-Ing Junior College of Health Care & Management, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
| | - Pei-Yi Chu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan.
- Department of Pathology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 704, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Jung Li
- Research Assistant Center, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
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11
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant primary liver cancer in many countries and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in the Asia-Pacific region. The incidence of HCC is higher in men and in those over 40 years old. In the Asia-Pacific region, chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections are the main etiological agents; in particular, chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is still the major cause in all Asia-Pacific countries except for Japan. Over the past two decades, the incidence of HCC has remained stable in countries in the region except for Singapore and Hong Kong, where the incidence for both sexes is currently decreasing. Chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC) is an important cause of HCC in Japan, representing 70% of HCCs. Over the past several decades, the prevalence of CHC has been increasing in many Asia-Pacific countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and India. Despite advancements in treatment, HCC is still an important health problem because of the associated substantial mortality. An effective surveillance program could offer early diagnosis and hence better treatment options. Antiviral treatment for both CHB and CHC is effective in reducing the incidence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu Zhu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ching-Lung Lai
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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12
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Young AG. Risky resources: Household production, food contamination, and perceptions of aflatoxin exposure among Zambian female farmers. ECONOMIC ANTHROPOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/sea2.12088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alyson G. Young
- Department of Anthropology; University of Florida; Gainesville FL 32611 USA
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13
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Li J, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Gong Y, Yang Y, Tian J, Zhang Y, Zou D, Peng X, Ke J, Gong J, Zhong R, Chang J. Breast cancer risk-associated variants at 6q25.1 influence risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population. Carcinogenesis 2017; 38:447-454. [PMID: 28334234 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgx024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gender disparity observed in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) suggests an important role of estrogens in HCC pathogenesis. In this study, we conducted a case-control study to investigate whether breast cancer risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located at estrogens loci identified by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) also predispose to HCC in a Chinese population. Three candidate SNPs at 6q25.1 were genotyped in 2025 HCC cases and 2032 healthy controls. Differential expression analyses and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses were conducted to further explore the potential function of significant SNPs and genes they reside in. Two of the three candidate SNPs (rs9383951 and rs9485372) were observed to be significantly associated with HCC risk. Under a dominant model, the odds ratios (OR) for rs9383951 and rs9485372 were 1.28 (95% CI: 1.10-1.49, P = 0.002) and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.17-1.53, P = 2.75 × 10-5), respectively. We also found a significant accumulative effect of these two SNPs and there was a gradual increase in OR with a greater number of hazard genotypes. Moreover, the association between rs9383951 and HCC risk was specific in males. Lower ESR1 and TAB2 expressions were investigated in hepatic tumor tissues than adjacent normal tissues. We found a significant association between rs9383951 and ESR1 expression (P = 0.047). Besides, ESR1 expression was significantly correlated with the expression of TAB2. Taken together, our study identified two genetic variants at 6q25.1 newly associated with HCC risk, suggesting ESR1 and estrogen signaling may play a role in mediating susceptibility to HCC in Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Virology, Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Yajie Gong
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Jianbo Tian
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Danyi Zou
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Xiating Peng
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Juntao Ke
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Jing Gong
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Rong Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and
| | - Jiang Chang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environmental Protection, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Li Y, Li H, Spitsbergen JM, Gong Z. Males develop faster and more severe hepatocellular carcinoma than females in kras V12 transgenic zebrafish. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41280. [PMID: 28117409 PMCID: PMC5259773 DOI: 10.1038/srep41280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more prevalent in men than women, but the reason for this gender disparity is not well understood. To investigate whether zebrafish could be used to study the gender disparity of HCC, we compared the difference of liver tumorigenesis between female and male fish during early tumorigenesis and long-term tumor progression in our previously established inducible and reversible HCC model - the krasV12 transgenic zebrafish. We found that male fish developed HCC faster than females. The male tumors were more severe from the initiation stage, characteristic of higher proliferation, activation of WNT/β-catenin pathway and loss of cell adhesion. During long-term tumor progression, the male tumors developed into more advanced multi-nodular tumors, whereas the female tumors remain uniform and homogenous. Moreover, regression of male tumors required longer time. We further investigated the role of sex hormones in krasV12 transgenic fish. Estrogen treatment showed tumor suppressing effect during early tumorigenesis through inhibiting cell proliferation, whereas androgen accelerated tumor growth by promoting cell proliferation. Overall, our study presented the zebrafish as a useful animal model for study of gender disparity of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Hankun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Jan M. Spitsbergen
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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15
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Shi SY, Luk CT, Schroer SA, Kim MJ, Dodington DW, Sivasubramaniyam T, Lin L, Cai EP, Lu SY, Wagner KU, Bazinet RP, Woo M. Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) Dissociates Hepatosteatosis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:3789-3799. [PMID: 28100771 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.752519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is an end-stage complication of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, whether steatosis per se promotes liver cancer, and the molecular mechanisms that control the progression in this disease spectrum remain largely elusive. The Janus kinase signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway mediates signal transduction by numerous cytokines that regulate inflammation and may contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of JAK2 (L-JAK2 KO) develop extensive fatty liver spontaneously. We show here that this simple steatosis was insufficient to drive carcinogenesis. In fact, L-JAK2 KO mice were markedly protected from chemically induced tumor formation. Using the methionine choline-deficient dietary model to induce steatohepatitis, we found that steatohepatitis development was completely arrested in L-JAK2 KO mice despite the presence of steatosis, suggesting that JAK2 is the critical factor required for inflammatory progression in the liver. In line with this, L-JAK2 KO mice exhibited attenuated inflammation after chemical carcinogen challenge. This was associated with increased hepatocyte apoptosis without elevated compensatory proliferation, thus thwarting expansion of transformed hepatocytes. Taken together, our findings identify an indispensable role of JAK2 in hepatocarcinogenesis through regulating critical inflammatory pathways. Targeting the JAK-STAT pathway may provide a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Yu Shi
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.,the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Cynthia T Luk
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.,the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Schroer
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Min Jeong Kim
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.,the Institute of Medical Research, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 03181, Korea
| | - David W Dodington
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Tharini Sivasubramaniyam
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.,the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lauren Lin
- the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada
| | - Erica P Cai
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.,the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Shun-Yan Lu
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Kay-Uwe Wagner
- the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and the Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-6805, and
| | - Richard P Bazinet
- the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada
| | - Minna Woo
- From the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada, .,the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.,the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
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16
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Zhong GC, Liu Y, Chen N, Hao FB, Wang K, Cheng JH, Gong JP, Ding X. Reproductive factors, menopausal hormone therapies and primary liver cancer risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 23:126-138. [PMID: 27655589 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A striking gender disparity in the incidence and outcome of primary liver cancer (PLC) has been well recognized. Mounting evidence from basic research suggests that hormonal factors may be involved in the gender disparity of PLC. Whether hormonal exposures in human subjects are associated with PLC risk is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Whether reproductive factors and use of menopausal hormone therapies (MHTs) in women are associated with PLC risk remains controversial. We conducted this study to clarify this issue. SEARCH METHODS PubMed and EMBASE were searched to July, 2016 for studies published in English or Chinese. Observational studies (cohort, nested case-control and case-control) that provided risk estimates of reproductive factors, MHTs and PLC risk were eligible. The quality of included studies was determined based on the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Summary risk ratios (RRs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Dose-response analysis was conducted where possible. OUTCOMES Fifteen peer-reviewed studies, involving 1795 PLC cases and 2 256 686 women, were included. Overall meta-analyses on parity and PLC risk did not find any significant associations; however, when restricting to studies with PLC cases ≥100, increasing parity was found to be significantly associated with a decreased risk of PLC [RR for the highest versus lowest parity 0.67, 95% CI 0.52, 0.88; RR for parous versus nulliparous 0.71, 95% CI 0.53, 0.94; RR per one live birth increase 0.93, 95% CI 0.88, 0.99]. A J-shaped relationship between parity and PLC risk was identified (Pnon-linearity < 0.01). Compared with never users, the pooled RRs of PLC were 0.60 (95% CI 0.37, 0.96) for ever users of MHT, 0.73 (95% CI 0.46, 1.17) for ever users of estrogen-only therapy (ET) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.45, 1.02) for ever users of estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT). The pooled RR of PLC for the oldest versus youngest category of menarcheal age was 0.50 (95% CI 0.32, 0.79). Oophorectomy was significantly associated with an increased risk of PLC (RR 2.23, 95% CI 1.46, 3.41). No significant association of age at first birth, and spontaneous or induced abortion with PLC risk was found. No meta-analysis was performed for the association of age at menopause, breastfeeding, hysterectomy, menopausal status and stillbirth with PLC risk owing to huge methodological heterogeneity and/or very limited studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Parity is associated with PLC risk in a J-shaped dose-response pattern. Late age at menarche and ever use of MHT are associated with a reduced risk of PLC, whereas there is no association of ever use of ET and EPT, age at first birth, or spontaneous and induced abortion with PLC risk. Compared to women with no history of oophorectomy, those with a history of oophorectomy are at an increased risk of PLC. Our findings provide some epidemiological support for a role of hormonal exposures in the development of PLC in women. However, these findings should be interpreted with much caution because of the limited number of studies and potential biases, and need to be validated by studies with good design and large sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Chao Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu, 33 Mashi Street, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Nan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Fa-Bao Hao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Road, Yuanjiagang District, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jia-Hao Cheng
- Department of Urinary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Jian-Ping Gong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Xiong Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, China
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17
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Teng YC, Shen ZQ, Kao CH, Tsai TF. Hepatocellular carcinoma mouse models: Hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocarcinogenesis and haploinsufficient tumor suppressor genes. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:300-325. [PMID: 26755878 PMCID: PMC4698494 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i1.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The multifactorial and multistage pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has fascinated a wide spectrum of scientists for decades. While a number of major risk factors have been identified, their mechanistic roles in hepatocarcinogenesis still need to be elucidated. Many tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) have been identified as being involved in HCC. These TSGs can be classified into two groups depending on the situation with respect to allelic mutation/loss in the tumors: the recessive TSGs with two required mutated alleles and the haploinsufficient TSGs with one required mutated allele. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most important risk factors associated with HCC. Although mice cannot be infected with HBV due to the narrow host range of HBV and the lack of a proper receptor, one advantage of mouse models for HBV/HCC research is the numerous and powerful genetic tools that help investigate the phenotypic effects of viral proteins and allow the dissection of the dose-dependent action of TSGs. Here, we mainly focus on the application of mouse models in relation to HBV-associated HCC and on TSGs that act either in a recessive or in a haploinsufficient manner. Discoveries obtained using mouse models will have a great impact on HCC translational medicine.
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18
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Donehower LA. Insights into Wild-Type and Mutant p53 Functions Provided by Genetically Engineered Mice. Hum Mutat 2014; 35:715-27. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.22507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A. Donehower
- Departments of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Pediatrics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston Texas 77030
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19
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Zhang C, Wei Q, Jiang T, Shou X, Li ZQ, Wen H. Liver cancer-related gene CYP2E1 expression in HBV transgenic mice with acute liver injury. Tumour Biol 2013; 35:3671-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-013-1486-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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20
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Kong D, Chen H, Chen W, Liu S, Wang H, Wu T, Lu H, Kong Q, Huang X, Lu Z. Gene expression profiling analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Med Res 2013; 18:44. [PMID: 24229431 PMCID: PMC4177135 DOI: 10.1186/2047-783x-18-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. However, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC is not well-understood, and the prognosis for patients with HCC remains very poor. Methods To disclose detailed genetic mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a view toward development of novel therapeutic targets, we analyzed expression profiles HCCs and their corresponding noncancerous tissues by using bioinformatics method. Results In this paper, we report the identification of genes whose expression has been altered and the changed bio-pathways during hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatoma cells infect intracellular and intercellular signal transduction through Focal adhesion and cause abnormal expression of important intracellular signaling pathway. In addition, it is worth mentioning that some small molecules still restored to the state similar to normal cells, such as bambuterol and lovastatin. This member gene set would serve as a pool of lead gene targets for the identification and development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers to greatly improve the clinical management of HCC patients with different risks of recurrence after curative partial hepatectomy. Conclusions The study has great significance for gene therapy and pharmacotherapy and provides a new treatment entry point and a potential new clinical drug for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyong Kong
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan 430014, China.
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21
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Abstract
A study was undertaken to determine whether breast-milk of mothers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contained aflatoxins. One hundred and forty lactating mothers, 55 who had delivered premature infants (<2500 g, </=37 wk gestational age) and 85 who had full-term infants, agreed to participate in the study. Breast-milk was collected during regular feeding of infants in the special care baby unit and postnatal wards using an electric breast pump and ten ml of milk was siphoned off into a zinc-free plastic container for analysis. Aflatoxin M(1) concentration in the breast-milk samples was measured by HPLC. Samples were collected between January 1999 and December 2000. Approximately 66% of the mothers were expatriates and 34% were UAE nationals. Babies' weight, postnatal age, sex, birthweight and gestational age, and mothers' nationality, age and parity were recorded. Overall, 92% of the breast-milk samples contained aflatoxin M(1). Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis failed to show significant correlation between aflatoxin M(1) and gestational age, postnatal age, gender, nationality and clinical condition. Levels of lactose, protein and lipids did not correlate significantly with levels of aflatoxin M(1). The public should be educated about storing food and the hazards of aflatoxin ingestion to reduce the unacceptably frequent presence of aflatoxin in breast-milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef M Abdulrazzaq
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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22
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Wang Y, Ye F, Ke Q, Wu Q, Yang R, Bu H. Gender-dependent Histone Deacetylases Injury May Contribute to Differences in Liver Recovery Rates of Male and Female Mice. Transplant Proc 2013; 45:463-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.06.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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23
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Yang W, Lu Y, Xu Y, Xu L, Zheng W, Wu Y, Li L, Shen P. Estrogen represses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth via inhibiting alternative activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). J Biol Chem 2012; 287:40140-9. [PMID: 22908233 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.348763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocarcinoma cancer (HCC) occurs more often in men than in women, and little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS We identify that 17β-estradiol (E2) could suppress tumor growth via regulating the polarization of macrophages. CONCLUSION Estrogen functions as a suppressor for macrophage alternative activation. SIGNIFICANCE These studies introduce a novel mechanism for suppressing male-predominant HCC. Hepatocarcinoma cancer (HCC), one of the most malignant cancers, occurs significantly more often in men than in women; however, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. Here we identified that 17β-estradiol (E2) could suppress tumor growth via regulating the polarization of macrophages. We showed that E2 re-administration reduced tumor growth in orthotopic and ectopic mice HCC models. E2 functioned as a suppressor for macrophage alternative activation and tumor progression by keeping estrogen receptor β (ERβ) away from interacting with ATP5J (also known as ATPase-coupling factor 6), a part of ATPase, thus inhibiting the JAK1-STAT6 signaling pathway. These studies introduce a novel mechanism for suppressing male-predominant HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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24
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Pollicino T, Saitta C, Raimondo G. Hepatocellular carcinoma: the point of view of the hepatitis B virus. Carcinogenesis 2011; 32:1122-32. [PMID: 21665892 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgr108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Pollicino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, University Hospital of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Messina, Italy.
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25
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Recent advances in the research of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: epidemiologic and molecular biological aspects. Adv Cancer Res 2011; 108:21-72. [PMID: 21034965 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-380888-2.00002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the commonest cancers worldwide, and more than half of HCC patients are attributable to persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. The best and cheapest way to prevent HBV-related HCC is the implementation of universal hepatitis B vaccination program, by which the incidence rates of childhood HCC have been reduced in several countries, including Taiwan. However, there are still hundreds of millions of HBV carriers in the world that remain a global health challenge. In the past decade, several hepatitis B viral factors such as serum HBV DNA level, genotype, and naturally occurring mutants have already been identified to influence liver disease progression and HCC development in HBV carriers. Several easy-to-use scoring systems based on clinical and viral characteristics are developed to predict HCC risk in HBV carriers and may facilitate the communication between practicing physicians and patients in clinical practice. In addition, the role of nonviral factors in HBV-related HCC has also been increasingly recognized. On the basis of these emerging data, it is recommended that HBV carriers should be screened and monitored to identify those who have a higher risk of liver disease progression and require antiviral treatments. Regarding the molecular carcinogenesis of HCC development, despite some progress in the research of cell biology of HCC in the past decade, aberrant pathways involved in maintaining HCC phenotypes have not been completely elucidated yet. In the future, through comprehensive and integrated approaches to analyze the genomes of human HCC, novel target genes or pathways critically involved in hepatocarcinogenesis may hopefully be identified.
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Liu SP, Li YS, Lee CM, Yen CH, Liao YJ, Huang SF, Chien CH, Chen YMA. Higher susceptibility to aflatoxin B(1)-related hepatocellular carcinoma in glycine N-methyltransferase knockout mice. Int J Cancer 2011; 128:511-23. [PMID: 20473876 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In both humans and rodents, males are known to be more susceptible than females to hepatocarcinogenesis. We have previously reported that glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) interacts with aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and reduces both AFB(1)-DNA adduct formation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice. We also reported that 50% of the males and 100% of the females in a small group of Gnmt null (Gnmt-/-) mice developed HCC, with first dysplastic hepatocellular nodules detected at mean ages of 17 and 16.5 months, respectively. In our study, we tested our hypothesis that male and female Gnmt-/- mice are susceptible to AFB(1) carcinogenesis, and that the absence of Gnmt expression may accelerate AFB(1)-induced liver tumorigenesis. We inoculated Gnmt-/- and wild-type mice intraperitoneally with AFB(1) at 7 days and 9 weeks of age and periodically examined them using ultrasound. Dysplastic hepatocellular nodules were detected in six of eight males and five of five females at 12.7 and 12 months of ages, respectively. Dysplastic hepatocellular nodules from 5/8 (62.5%) male and 4/5 (80%) female Gnmt-/- mice were diagnosed as having HCC, ∼6 months earlier than AFB(1)-treated wild-type mice. Results from microarray and real-time PCR analyses indicate that five detoxification pathway-related genes were downregulated in AFB(1)-treated Gnmt-/- mice: Cyp1a2, Cyp3a44, Cyp2d22, Gsta4 and Abca8a. In summary, we observed overall higher susceptibility to AFB(1)-related HCC in Gnmt-/- mice, further evidence that GNMT overexpression is an important contributing factor to liver cancer resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Ping Liu
- AIDS Prevention and Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Cheinquer N, Cheinquer H, Wolff FH, Coelho-Borges S. Effect of sustained virologic response on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with HCV cirrhosis. Braz J Infect Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s1413-8670(10)70093-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Hur W, Rhim H, Jung CK, Kim JD, Bae SH, Jang JW, Yang JM, Oh ST, Kim DG, Wang HJ, Lee SB, Yoon SK. SOX4 overexpression regulates the p53-mediated apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical implication and functional analysis in vitro. Carcinogenesis 2010; 31:1298-307. [PMID: 20400479 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgq072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The underlying molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood due to its complex development process. The human T cell-specific transcription factor sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group (HMG) box 4 (SOX4) has been linked to development and tumorigenesis. In this study, we characterized the roles of SOX4 in regulation of the p53 transcription activity and evaluated the expression patterns and prognostic value of the transcription factor SOX4 in HCC. METHODS The expression levels of human SOX4 were examined in HCC samples obtained from 58 patients having curative partial hepatectomy. The interaction and effects of SOX4 on the p53 pathway were assessed in HCC cell lines. Luciferase reporter assay to examine p53-mediated transcription of target genes was performed. The association of SOX4 expression level with tumor recurrence and overall survival was evaluated. RESULTS We showed that the HMG box domain of SOX4 interacted with p53, resulting in the inhibition of p53-mediated transcription by the Bax promoter. More importantly, SOX4 overexpression led to a significant repression of p53-induced Bax expression and subsequent repression of p53-mediated apoptosis induced by gamma-irradiation. In clinicopathological analysis, nuclear overexpression of SOX4 was observed in 37 out of 58 (63.8%) HCC samples, and this correlated with diminished risk of recurrence (P = 0.014) and improved overall survival time (P = 0.045) in HCC patients. CONCLUSION These results suggest that SOX4 contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting p53-mediated apoptosis and that its overexpression might be a useful prognostic marker for survival after surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonhee Hur
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
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Moheno P, Morrey J, Fuchs D. Effect of dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate on hepatitis B virus replication in transgenic mice. J Transl Med 2010; 8:32. [PMID: 20356392 PMCID: PMC2853516 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-8-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate (DCP) has previously been shown to inhibit MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer xenographs in nude mice in a manner correlated with increases in plasma IL-12 and IL-4 concentrations, and decreases in plasma IL-6 levels. DCP also inhibits indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immuno-inhibitory enzyme, in human PBMCs (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells). Methods In the present study, DCP was administered per os, once daily for 14 days to hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice at 23, 7.3, and 2.3 mg/(kg d). Multivariate stepwise regression and MANOVA analyses, by gender and treatment, of liver HBV DNA and RNA measures, liver core and serum HBe antigen assays, serum cytokine/chemokine profiles, and IDO metabolite measurements were performed. Results DCP caused a significant dose-response reduction of log liver HBV DNA as measured by PCR in the female HBV mice. The gender dependence of the anti-HBV DNA activity was explained by the DCP Effects Model (DCP-EM) (p = .001) which includes three serum biomarker changes caused by DCP: 1) decreased MCP-1; 2) decreased Kyn/Trp (an estimation of IDO activity); and 3) increased GM-CSF. Conclusions Immunomodulation via IDO or TDO (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase) pathways, along with serum MCP-1 and GM-CSF are proposed to play roles in the anti-HBV mechanism of DCP based upon their coordinated modulation in the reduction of viral DNA replication in HBV mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Moheno
- SanRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc,, 603 Colima Street, La Jolla, California 92037-8032, USA.
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Leuenberger N, Pradervand S, Wahli W. Sumoylated PPARalpha mediates sex-specific gene repression and protects the liver from estrogen-induced toxicity in mice. J Clin Invest 2010; 119:3138-48. [PMID: 19729835 DOI: 10.1172/jci39019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
As most metabolic studies are conducted in male animals, understanding the sex specificity of the underlying molecular pathways has been broadly neglected; for example, whether PPARs elicit sex-dependent responses has not been determined. Here we show that in mice, PPARalpha has broad female-dependent repressive actions on hepatic genes involved in steroid metabolism and immunity. In male mice, this effect was reproduced by the administration of a synthetic PPARalpha ligand. Using the steroid oxysterol 7alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P4507b1 (Cyp7b1) gene as a model, we elucidated the molecular mechanism of this sex-specific PPARalpha-dependent repression. Initial sumoylation of the ligand-binding domain of PPARalpha triggered the interaction of PPARalpha with GA-binding protein alpha (GABPalpha) bound to the target Cyp7b1 promoter. Histone deacetylase and DNA and histone methylases were then recruited, and the adjacent Sp1-binding site and histones were methylated. These events resulted in loss of Sp1-stimulated expression and thus downregulation of Cyp7b1. Physiologically, this repression conferred on female mice protection against estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis, the most common hepatic disease during pregnancy, suggesting a therapeutic target for prevention of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Leuenberger
- Center for Integrative Genomics, National Research Center "Frontiers in Genetics," Switzerland
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Abstract
There have been innumerable studies published in the attempt to identify gene expression signatures in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). When all the regulators and targets of the differentially expressed genes are analyzed from larger studies, the most striking theme is upregulation of mitosis-promoting and cell proliferation genes in HCC compared with 'liver-specific gene clusters' in non-tumorous tissue. A major limitation of expression profiling is that it only provides a 'snapshot' of what is an evolving process and thus cannot distinguish the differences in gene expression that are primary effectors of dysregulated growth from those that represent downstream consequences. The development of HCC in a chronically diseased liver, often referred to as hepatocarcinogenesis, is a multistep process characterized by the progressive accumulation and interplay of genetic alterations causing aberrant growth, malignant transformation of liver parenchymal cells, followed by vascular invasion and metastasis. This review will discuss HCC precursor lesions, draw on the 'proliferation cluster' genes highlighted from HCC expression profiling studies, relate them to a selection of regulatory networks important in liver regeneration, cell cycle control and their potential significance in the pathogenesis of HCC or primary liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narci C Teoh
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Laboratory, Australian National University Medical School, The Canberra Hospital, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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Ilic Z, Crawford D, Vakharia D, Egner PA, Sell S. Glutathione-S-transferase A3 knockout mice are sensitive to acute cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2009; 242:241-6. [PMID: 19850059 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Revised: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 10/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans. However, mice, a major animal model for the study of AFB1 carcinogenesis, are resistant, due to high constitutive expression, in the mouse liver, of glutathione S-transferase A3 subunit (mGSTA3) that is lacking in humans. Our objective was to establish that a mouse model for AFB1 toxicity could be used to study mechanisms of toxicity that are relevant for human disease, i.e., an mGSTA3 knockout (KO) mouse that responds to toxicants such as AFB1 in a manner similar to humans. Exons 3-6 of the mGSTA3 were replaced with a neomycin cassette by homologous recombination. Southern blotting, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and measurement of AFB1-N(7)-DNA adduct formation were used to evaluate the mGSTA3 KO mice. The KO mice have deletion of exons 3-6 of the mGSTA3 gene, as expected, as well as a lack of mGSTA3 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Three hours after injection of 5 mg/kg AFB1, mGSTA3 KO mice have more than 100-fold more AFB1-N(7)-DNA adducts in their livers than do similarly treated wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, the mGSTA3 KO mice die of massive hepatic necrosis, at AFB1 doses that have minimal toxic effects in WT mice. We conclude that mGSTA3 KO mice are sensitive to the acute cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of AFB1, confirming the crucial role of GSTA3 subunit in protection of normal mice against AFB1 toxicity. We propose the mGSTA3 KO mouse as a useful model with which to study the interplay of risk factors leading to HCC development in humans, as well as for testing of additional possible functions of mGSTA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Ilic
- Ordway Research Institute, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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Ji J, Shi J, Budhu A, Yu Z, Forgues M, Roessler S, Ambs S, Chen Y, Meltzer PS, Croce CM, Qin LX, Man K, Lo CM, Lee J, Ng IOL, Fan J, Tang ZY, Sun HC, Wang XW. MicroRNA expression, survival, and response to interferon in liver cancer. N Engl J Med 2009; 361:1437-47. [PMID: 19812400 PMCID: PMC2786938 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa0901282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 648] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common and aggressive cancer that occurs mainly in men. We examined microRNA expression patterns, survival, and response to interferon alfa in both men and women with the disease. METHODS We analyzed three independent cohorts that included a total of 455 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone radical tumor resection between 1999 and 2003. MicroRNA-expression profiling was performed in a cohort of 241 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma to identify tumor-related microRNAs and determine their association with survival in men and women. In addition, to validate our findings, we used quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assays to measure microRNAs and assess their association with survival and response to therapy with interferon alfa in 214 patients from two independent, prospective, randomized, controlled trials of adjuvant interferon therapy. RESULTS In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the expression of miR-26a and miR-26b in nontumor liver tissue was higher in women than in men. Tumors had reduced levels of miR-26 expression, as compared with paired noncancerous tissues, which indicated that the level of miR-26 expression was also associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, tumors with reduced miR-26 expression had a distinct transcriptomic pattern, and analyses of gene networks revealed that activation of signaling pathways between nuclear factor kappaB and interleukin-6 might play a role in tumor development. Patients whose tumors had low miR-26 expression had shorter overall survival but a better response to interferon therapy than did patients whose tumors had high expression of the microRNA. CONCLUSIONS The expression patterns of microRNAs in liver tissue differ between men and women with hepatocellular carcinoma. The miR-26 expression status of such patients is associated with survival and response to adjuvant therapy with interferon alfa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Ji
- Liver Carcinogenesis Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Xian ZH, Cong WM, Wang YH, Wang B, Wu MC. Expression and localization of aquaporin-1 in human cirrhotic liver. Pathol Res Pract 2009; 205:774-80. [PMID: 19619954 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2009.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2009] [Revised: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 06/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the expression and localization of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated cirrhotic human liver tissues. The expression of AQP-1 at the protein and mRNA levels was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting in normal and HBV-associated cirrhotic human liver tissues. The correlation with the expression of CK19, CK7 and AQP-1 was also compared. AQP-1 staining was strongly and uniformly positive in mature bile ducts, isolated hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) and ductular reactions. Scattered intermediate hepatocyte-like cells expressed AQP-1, which are often intimately associated with CK7 positive hepatocytes. However, the number of AQP-1+ intermediate hepatocyte-like cells was lower than that of CK7+ cells, and such positivity was rarely seen on stains for CK19. When compared with normal liver tissues, AQP-1 was overexpressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in the cirrhotic liver tissues. AQP-1 was overexpressed in the cirrhotic liver tissues. AQP-1, similar to CK19, might be a more specific and more sensitive marker than CK7 for the identification of HPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hong Xian
- Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.
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Cullen JM, Brown DL, Kissling GE, Foley JF, Rizzo J, Marion PL, Parron VI, French JE. Aflatoxin B1 and/or hepatitis B virus induced tumor spectrum in a genetically engineered hepatitis B virus expression and Trp53 haploinsufficient mouse model system for hepatocarcinogenesis. Toxicol Pathol 2009; 37:333-42. [PMID: 19258306 DOI: 10.1177/0192623309333137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The authors investigated the spectrum of tumors and Trp53 mutations in genetically engineered models using the FVB/N mouse that expressed the hepatitis B virus genome and/or carried a Trp53 null and wildtype allele and/or were exposed to aflatoxin B1. Liver tumor incidence was increased when all three risk factors were present. Without aflatoxin B1 exposure, neither Trp53 haploinsufficiency nor HBV expression affected liver tumor development. Liver tumor prevalence increased with aflatoxin B1 exposure (p < .001), as thirteen of fourteen mice with liver tumors were initiated with aflatoxin B1. Liver tumors were more frequent in males (12/190) than females (2/170). Seventy-three mice developed sarcomas. Trp53 haploinsufficiency was associated with increased sarcoma incidence in males and females (p < .001). In Trp53 haploinsufficient mice, the HBV transgene increased the risk of sarcoma in males and females (p < .001). Lymphoma was significantly increased in Trp53 haploinsufficient FVB/N mice. There was no loss of heterozygosity at the wildtype Trp53 locus in twenty-five sarcomas or four hepatocellular tumors examined. No mutations were identified in the mRNA (exons 2-11) of Trp53 in six liver neoplasms or twenty-four sarcomas. In this model system, HBV expression affected only hepatocellular neoplasia in association with both aflatoxin B1 initiation and p53 haploinsufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Cullen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
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Liao YJ, Liu SP, Lee CM, Yen CH, Chuang PC, Chen CY, Tsai TF, Huang SF, Lee YHW, Chen YMA. Characterization of a glycine N-methyltransferase gene knockout mouse model for hepatocellular carcinoma: Implications of the gender disparity in liver cancer susceptibility. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:816-26. [PMID: 19035462 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth common cancer in the world and it mainly occurs in men. Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) participates in one-carbon metabolism and affects DNA methylation by regulating the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocystine. Previously, we described that the expression of GNMT was diminished in human HCC. Here, we showed that 50% (3/6) male and 100% (7/7) female Gnmt-/- mice developed HCC, and their mean ages of HCC development were 17 and 16.5 months, respectively. In addition, 42.9% (3/7) of female Gnmt-/- mice had hemangioma. Wnt reporter assay demonstrated that Gnmt is a negative regulator for canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Beta-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-Myc, genes related to Wnt pathway, were upregulated in the liver tissues from both 11 weeks and HCC stage of Gnmt-/- mice. Furthermore, global DNA hypomethylation and aberrant expression of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3b were found in the early and late stages of HCC development. Hierarchical cluster analysis of 6,023 transcripts from microarray data found that gene expression patterns of HCC tumors from male and female Gnmt-/- mice were distinctively different. Real-time PCR confirmed that Gadd45a, Pak1, Mapk3 and Dsup3 genes of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were activated in Gnmt-/- mice, especially in the female mice. Therefore, GNMT is a tumor suppressor gene for liver cancer, and it is associated with gender disparity in liver cancer susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jen Liao
- Molecular Medicine Program, Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Yen CH, Hung JH, Ueng YF, Liu SP, Chen SY, Liu HH, Chou TY, Tsai TF, Darbha R, Hsieh LL, Chen YMA. Glycine N-methyltransferase affects the metabolism of aflatoxin B1 and blocks its carcinogenic effect. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2008; 235:296-304. [PMID: 19146867 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2008.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2008] [Revised: 10/21/2008] [Accepted: 12/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we reported that glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) knockout mice develop chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) spontaneously. For this study we used a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase promoter to establish a GNMT transgenic (TG) mouse model. Animals were intraperitoneally inoculated with aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and monitored for 11 months, during which neither male nor female GNMT-TG mice developed HCC. In contrast, 4 of 6 (67%) male wild-type mice developed HCC. Immunofluorescent antibody test showed that GNMT was translocated into nuclei after AFB(1) treatment. Competitive enzyme immunoassays indicated that after AFB(1) treatment, the AFB(1)-DNA adducts formed in stable clones expressing GNMT reduced 51.4% compared to the vector control clones. Experiments using recombinant adenoviruses carrying GNMT cDNA (Ad-GNMT) further demonstrated that the GNMT-related inhibition of AFB(1)-DNA adducts formation is dose-dependent. HPLC analysis of the metabolites of AFB(1) in the cultural supernatants of cells exposed to AFB(1) showed that the AFM(1) level in the GNMT group was significantly higher than the control group, indicating the presence of GNMT can enhance the detoxification pathway of AFB(1). Cytotoxicity assay showed that the GNMT group had higher survival rate than the control group after they were treated with AFB(1). Automated docking experiments showed that AFB(1) binds to the S-adenosylmethionine binding domain of GNMT. Affinity sensor assay demonstrated that the dissociation constant for GNMT-AFB(1) interaction is 44.9 microM. Therefore, GNMT is a tumor suppressor for HCC and it exerts protective effects in hepatocytes via direct interaction with AFB(1), resulting in reduced AFB(1)-DNA adducts formation and cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hung Yen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Leenders MWH, Nijkamp MW, Rinkes IHMB. Mouse models in liver cancer research: A review of current literature. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14:6915-23. [PMID: 19058325 PMCID: PMC2773853 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.6915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Due to differences in prevalence of etiological factors the incidence of primary liver cancer varies among the world, with a peak in East-Asia. As this disease is still lethal in most of the cases, research has to be done to improve our understanding of the disease, offering insights for possible treatment options. For this purpose, animal models are widely used, especially mouse models. In this review, we describe the different types of mouse models used in liver cancer research, with emphasis on genetically engineered mice used in this field. We focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as this is by far the most common type of primary liver cancer, accounting for 70%-85% of cases.
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Lee MK, Sabapathy K. The R246S hot-spot p53 mutant exerts dominant-negative effects in embryonic stem cells in vitro and in vivo. J Cell Sci 2008; 121:1899-906. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.022822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
p53 is the most frequently mutated tumour-suppressor gene in human cancers. Mutant p53 is thought to contribute to carcinogenesis by the acquisition of gain-of-function properties or through the exertion of dominant-negative (DN) effects over the remaining wild-type protein. However, the context in which the DN effects are observed is not well understood. We have therefore generated `knock-in' mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to investigate the effects of expressing a commonly found hot-spot p53 mutant, R246S – the mouse equivalent of human R249S, which is associated with hepatocellular carcinomas. We demonstrate here that R246S mutant p53 exhibits DN effects with respect to target gene expression, cell survival and cell cycle arrest both in cells that are in the undifferentiated state and upon differentiation. The knock-in cells contain higher levels of p53 that localizes to the nucleus even in the absence of genotoxic stress and yet remains non-functional, reminiscent of mutant p53 found in human tumours. In a model based on carbon-tetrachloride-induced liver injury, these cells were consistently highly tumorigenic in vivo, similar to p53–/– cells and in contrast to both p53+/+ and p53+/– ES cells. These data therefore indicate that the DN effects of mutant p53 are evident in the stem-cell context, in which its expression is relatively high compared with terminally differentiated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kei Lee
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Kanaga Sabapathy
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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Naugler WE, Sakurai T, Kim S, Maeda S, Kim K, Elsharkawy AM, Karin M. Gender disparity in liver cancer due to sex differences in MyD88-dependent IL-6 production. Science 2007; 317:121-4. [PMID: 17615358 DOI: 10.1126/science.1140485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1431] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver cancer, occurs mainly in men. Similar gender disparity is seen in mice given a chemical carcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN). DEN administration caused greater increases in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in males than it did in females. Furthermore, ablation of IL-6 abolished the gender differences in hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. DEN exposure promoted production of IL-6 in Kupffer cells (KCs) in a manner dependent on the Toll-like receptor adaptor protein MyD88, ablation of which also protected male mice from DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Estrogen inhibited secretion of IL-6 from KCs exposed to necrotic hepatocytes and reduced circulating concentrations of IL-6 in DEN-treated male mice. We propose that estrogen-mediated inhibition of IL-6 production by KCs reduces liver cancer risk in females, and these findings may be used to prevent HCC in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willscott E Naugler
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA 93093, USA
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Cheng B, Lin ST, Yang YZ, Li PY. Establishment of gene-transfected cell strain L02/HBx and effect of HBx on the cell cycles. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2007; 15:1488-1493. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v15.i13.1488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To establish gene-transfected cell strain L02/HBx and study its cell cycle changes.
METHODS: Effectene transfection and G418 selection were used to obtain the positive clones of L02/HBx cells. Then HBx mRNA and protein expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Finally, MTT assay and flow cytometry were adopted to measure the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycles of L02/HBx cells.
RESULTS: RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the positive clones had HBx expression at mRNA and protein level. MTT assay demonstrated that the proliferation of L02/HBx cells had been accelerated. Flow cytometry found that the apoptosis rates of L02/HBx cells were at a lower level (0.09% ± 0.13% vs 3.74% ± 1.29%, P < 0.05), and the proportion of L02/HBx cells fell G1 phase (61.35% ± 0.82% vs 67.80% ± 6.84%, P < 0.05) but rose in S phase (36.59% ± 2.54% vs 22.37% ± 2.17%, P < 0.05). After co-culture with adriamycin, L02/HBx cells manifested a higher apoptosis rate (34.91% ± 5.85% vs 0.09% ± 0.13%, P < 0.05), and the proportion of G1-phase cells was significantly increased (82.81% ± 6.48% vs 61.35% ± 0.82%, P < 0.05), but still lower than that in the non-transfected group (82.81% ± 6.48% vs 87.19% ± 1.92%, P < 0.05). However, the percentage of S-phase cells was markedly decreased (13.84% ± 6.16% vs 36.59% ± 2.54%, P < 0.05), but still higher than that in the non-transfected group (13.84% ± 6.16% vs 2.22% ± 1.26%, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: L02/HBx cell strain stably expressing HBx is established successfully. HBx can accelerate the cell cycles and improve the growth instead of facilitating the apoptosis. L02/HBx cells can be easily affected by the apoptotic factors, indicating that HBx may increase the susceptibility of normal liver cells to the apoptosis-inducing factors.
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Farazi PA, Zeisberg M, Glickman J, Zhang Y, Kalluri R, DePinho RA. Chronic bile duct injury associated with fibrotic matrix microenvironment provokes cholangiocarcinoma in p53-deficient mice. Cancer Res 2006; 66:6622-7. [PMID: 16818635 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-4609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal malignancy of the biliary epithelium associated with p53 mutations, bile duct injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Here, to validate these processes in CCA, we developed a liver cirrhosis model driven by chronic intermittent toxin exposure, which provokes bile duct injury/necrosis and proliferation, fibroblast recruitment, and progressive extracellular matrix (ECM) changes. Fibrotic changes in the matrix microenvironment, typified by increased type I and III collagens and fibroblast recruitment, were shown to stimulate biliary epithelium hyperplasia with subsequent progression to malignant intrahepatic CCA only in mice harboring a p53 mutant allele. These murine CCAs bear histologic and genetic features of human intrahepatic CCA, including dense peritumoral fibrosis, increased inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitrotyrosine, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, c-Met activation, cErbB2 overexpression, down-regulation of membrane-associated E-cadherin, and p53 codon 248 mutation. Thus, p53 deficiency, chronic bile duct injury/proliferation, and the fibrotic matrix microenvironment cooperate to induce intrahepatic CCA, highlighting the key role of the ECM microenvironment in this common liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi A Farazi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is among the most lethal and prevalent cancers in the human population. Despite its significance, there is only an elemental understanding of the molecular, cellular and environmental mechanisms that drive disease pathogenesis, and there are only limited therapeutic options, many with negligible clinical benefit. This Review summarizes the current state of knowledge of this, the most common and dreaded liver neoplasm, and highlights the principal challenges and scientific opportunities that are relevant to controlling this accelerating global health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi A Farazi
- Department of Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Crawford DR, Ostrowski S, Vakharia D, Ilic Z, Sell S. Separate origins of hepatitis B virus surface antigen-negative foci and hepatocellular carcinomas in transgenic HBsAg (alb/psx) mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2006; 169:223-32. [PMID: 16816375 PMCID: PMC1698773 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.051284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have examined the development and transgene expression in liver lesions of transgenic mice bearing the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) gene of hepatitis B virus under the control of the albumin promoter (alb/psx) to study liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with hepatitis B virus infection. Storage of the HBsAg in the endoplasmic reticulum precedes loss of liver cells and regenerative hyperplastic nodules that do not express HBsAg. Histological analysis indicated that HBsAg-negative foci and nodules arose from liver progenitor cells in the portal zone and lacked mRNA expression. Genomic DNA from eight of nine HBsAg-negative laser capture-excised liver foci showed loss of part of the alb/psx gene, whereas no loss of the actin gene was observed. The alb/psx DNA was intact in adjacent HBsAg-positive tissue. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products suggested that alterations in the HBsAg transgene in HBsAg-negative foci occurred via large-scale deletions as opposed to single-site mutations. Southern blot analysis of HCC from 2-year-old transgenic HBsAg mice, however, revealed an intact alb/psx gene. Thus, HBsAg-negative progenitor cells with deletions in the transgene appear to be responsible for compensatory regeneration of the liver, whereas HCCs arise from clonal expansion of hepatocytes with intact alb/psx transgenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana R Crawford
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease, The Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
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Tong WM, Lee MK, Galendo D, Wang ZQ, Sabapathy K. Aflatoxin-B exposure does not lead to p53 mutations but results in enhanced liver cancer of Hupki (human p53 knock-in) mice. Int J Cancer 2006; 119:745-9. [PMID: 16557586 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common human malignancy that is often associated with risk factors such as aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) exposure and Hepatitis-B virus infection in developing countries. There is a strong correlation between these risk factors and mutation of the tumor-suppressor gene p53 at codon 249. In vitro experiments have also shown that treatment of human liver cells with AFB1 results in p53 mutations. A tumor-promoting role for mutant p53 was demonstrated using transgenic mice models, in which HCC development was accelerated upon AFB1-exposure. However, wild-type mice in which AFB1 alone was used to induce liver cancers have failed to recapitulate p53 mutations, raising the possibility that mouse DNA context may not be appropriate for the generation of AFB1-induced p53 mutations. We have now tested this hypothesis using the Hupki mice (human p53 knock-in) in which the mouse DNA-binding domain has been replaced by the homologous human p53 segment. Mice were followed for 80 weeks after AFB1 injection for survival and HCC formation. Hupki mice were found to be more susceptible to AFB1 than wild-type mice. Moreover, only 19% of wild-type mice developed HCCs compared to 44% in Hupki mice. However, none of the liver tumors and normal tissues from Hupki mice contained any mutations in the DNA-binding domain of p53. These findings suggest that the human DNA context of the p53 gene alone may not be the sole determinant of AFB1-induced mutagenesis. Furthermore, humanized p53 appears not to be as effective as murine p53 in the mouse cellular environment in preventing malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Min Tong
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, 69008 Lyon, France
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Lian M, Liu Y, Yu SZ, Qian GS, Wan SG, Dixon KR. Hepatitis B virus x gene and cyanobacterial toxins promote aflatoxin B 1-induced hepatotumorigenesis in mice. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12:3065-72. [PMID: 16718789 PMCID: PMC4124383 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i19.3065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To assess the combinative role of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), cyanobacterial toxins (cyanotoxins), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) x gene in hepatotumorigenicity.
METHODS: One-week-old animals carrying HBV x gene and their wild-type littermates were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with either single-dose AFB1 [6 mg/kg body weight (bw)], repeated-dose cyanotoxins (microcystin-LR or nodularin, 10 μg/kg bw once a week for 15 wk), DMSO (vehicle control) alone, or AFB1 followed by cyanotoxins a week later, and were sacrificed at 24 and 52 wk post-treatment.
RESULTS: AFB1 induced liver tumors in 13 of 29 (44.8%) transgenic mice at 52 wk post-treatment, significantly more frequent than in wild-type mice (13.3%). This significant difference was not shown in the 24-wk study. Compared with AFB1 exposure alone, MC-LR and nodularin yielded approximately 3-fold and 6-fold increases in the incidence of AFB1-induced liver tumors in wild-type animals at 24 wk, respectively. HBV x gene did not further elevate the risk associated with co-exposure to AFB1 and cyanotoxins. With the exception of an MC-LR-dosed wild-type mouse, no liver tumor was observed in mice treated with cyanotoxins alone at 24 wk. Neither DMSO-treated transgenic mice nor their wild-type littermates had pathologic alterations relevant to hepatotumorigenesis in even up to 52 wk.
CONCLUSION: HBV x gene and nodularin promote the development of AFB1-induced liver tumors. Co-exposure to AFB1 and MC-LR tends to elevate the risk of liver tumors at 24 wk relative to exposure to one of them. The combinative effect of AFB1, cyanotoxins and HBVx on hepatotumorigenesis is weak at 24 wk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Lian
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Shupe T, Sell S. Low hepatic glutathione S-transferase and increased hepatic DNA adduction contribute to increased tumorigenicity of aflatoxin B1 in newborn and partially hepatectomized mice. Toxicol Lett 2004; 148:1-9. [PMID: 15019083 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2003.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2003] [Revised: 11/24/2003] [Accepted: 11/24/2003] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Low levels of hepatic glutathione S-transferase and increased formation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-DNA adducts correlate with hepatocyte proliferation and increased hepatocarcinogenesis in both newborn mice and partially hepatectomized adult mice, as compared to normal, adult C57BL/6J mice. Newborn mice, which are highly susceptible to the hepatocarcinogenic effects of AFB1, have active proliferation of hepatocytes until 3 weeks of age, when hepatocyte proliferation abruptly ceases. At about this time, the mice become highly resistant to AFB1. In adult mice, AFB1 carcinogenicity is increased after stimulation of liver proliferation by partial hepatectomy. To become carcinogenic, AFB1 is activated in the liver by the P450 enzyme system to electrophilic intermediates, some of which form DNA adducts believed to be responsible for mutations leading to cancer. The most carcinogenic intermediate, AFB(1)-8,9-epoxide, is detoxified by glutathione S-transferase-mediated conjugation to glutathione. Glutathione levels, glutathione S-transferase levels, and AFB1-DNA adduct formation were measured at 4, 10, 30, 120, 245 and 365 days of age in C57BL/6J mice. There was a 5-fold increase in hepatic glutathione S-transferase levels and 13-fold decrease in hepatic AFB1-DNA adduct formation over these ages. Induction of hepatocyte proliferation following partial hepatectomy of 120-day-old mice lowered hepatic glutathione S-transferase levels and increased the extent of hepatic AFB1-DNA formation to levels similar to those measured in 4-day-old mice. These results indicate that increased susceptibility to AFB1 hepatocarcinogenesis in newborn mice, and in adult mice following partial hepatectomy, is due to decreased GST and increased adduct formation in proliferating liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Shupe
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Medical Science Building, P.O. Box 100275, Gainesville, FL 32610-0275, USA.
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Kirk GD, Lesi OA, Mendy M, Akano AO, Sam O, Goedert JJ, Hainaut P, Hall AJ, Whittle H, Montesano R. The Gambia Liver Cancer Study: Infection with hepatitis B and C and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in West Africa. Hepatology 2004; 39:211-9. [PMID: 14752840 DOI: 10.1002/hep.20027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cancer in The Gambia. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic, with 15% to 20% of the population being chronic carriers, whereas hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence is low. We recruited 216 incident cases of HCC and 408 controls from three sites. HBV carriage was present in 61% (129/211) of HCC patients and 16% (64/402) of controls, whereas 19% (36/191) of HCC patients were HCV seropositive compared with 3% (11/382) of controls. HCC patients with HCV were notably older and were more likely to be female than those with HBV. Increased HCC risk was strongly associated with chronic HBV (odds ratio, 16.7; 95% CI, 9.7-28.7), HCV (16.7; 6.9-40.1), and dual infection (35.3; 3.9-323). We interpret the additive nature of risk with coinfection as representative of HBV and HCV acting primarily through shared steps in the multistage process of hepatocarcinogenesis. HCV infection was not observed among younger participants, suggesting a possible cohort effect. Reasons for the striking age and gender differences in HCC associated with HBV compared with HCV are unclear, but transmission patterns and age at exposure may be factors. In conclusion, in a standardized evaluation of well-characterized study participants from The Gambia, most cases of HCC are attributable to HBV (57%), but HCV adds a significant fraction (20%), especially among older patients and females. If HCV transmission is not perpetuated in future cohorts, focusing available resources on HB vaccination efforts could greatly ameliorate a major cause of cancer death in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory D Kirk
- Viral Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Egner PA, Yu X, Johnson JK, Nathasingh CK, Groopman JD, Kensler TW, Roebuck BD. Identification of aflatoxin M1-N7-guanine in liver and urine of tree shrews and rats following administration of aflatoxin B1. Chem Res Toxicol 2003; 16:1174-80. [PMID: 12971806 DOI: 10.1021/tx034106u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and concurrent infection with hepatitis B lead to a multiplicative risk of developing liver cancer. This chemical-viral interaction can be recapitulated in the tree shrew (Tupia belangeri chinensis). As an initial characterization of this model, the metabolism of AFB(1) in tree shrews has been examined and compared to a sensitive bioassay species, the rat. Utilizing LC/MS/MS, an unreported product, aflatoxin M(1)-N(7)-guanine (AFM(1)-N(7)-guanine), was detected in urine and hepatic DNA samples 24 h after administration of 400 microg/kg AFB(1). In hepatic DNA isolated from tree shrews, AFM(1)-N(7)-guanine was the predominant adduct, 0.74 +/- 0.14 pmol/mg DNA, as compared to 0.37 +/- 0.07 pmol/mg DNA of AFB(1)-N(7)-guanine. Conversely, in rat liver, 6.56 +/- 2.41 pmol/mg DNA of AFB(1)-N(7)-guanine and 0.42 +/- 0.13 pmol/mg DNA of AFM(1)-N(7)-guanine were detected. Rats excreted 1.00 +/- 0.21 pmol AFB(1)-N(7)-guanine/mg creatinine and 0.29 +/- 0.10 pmol AFM(1)-N(7)-guanine/mg creatinine as compared to 0.60 +/- 0.12 pmol AFB(1)-N(7)-guanine/mg creatinine and 0.69 +/- 0.16 pmol AFM(1)-N(7)-guanine/mg creatinine excreted by the tree shrew. Furthermore, tree shrew urine contained 40 times more of the hydroxylated metabolite, AFM(1), than was excreted by rats. In vitro experiments confirmed this difference in oxidative metabolism. Hepatic microsomes isolated from tree shrews failed to produce aflatoxin Q(1) or aflatoxin P(1) but formed a significantly greater amount of AFM(1) than rat microsomes. Bioassays indicated that the tree shrew was considerably more resistant than the rat to AFB(1) hepatocarcinogenesis, which may reflect the significant differences in metabolic profiles of the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Egner
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
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