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Lv X, Lin Y, Zhu X, Cai X. Isoalantolactone suppresses gallbladder cancer progression via inhibiting the ERK signalling pathway. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 61:556-567. [PMID: 36994917 PMCID: PMC10064832 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2191645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumour of the biliary tract. Isoalantolactone (IAL), an active sesquiterpene lactone compound isolated from the roots of Inula helenium L. (Asteraceae), has antitumour effects. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the effects of IAL on GBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro, NOZ and GBC-SD cells were treated with IAL (0, 10, 20 and 40 μM) for 24 h. The DMSO-treated cells were selected as a control. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were measured by the CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, flow cytometry and western blot. In vivo, subcutaneous tumour xenografts were constructed by injecting nude mice (BALB/C) with 5 × 106 NOZ cells. Mice were divided into the control group (equal amount of DMSO), the IAL group (10 mg/kg/day) and the IAL + Ro 67-7476 group (IAL, 10 mg/kg/day; Ro 67-7476, 4 mg/kg/day). The study duration was 30 days. RESULTS Compared with the DMSO group, cell proliferation of NOZ (IC50 15.98 μM) and GBC-SD (IC50 20.22 μM) was inhibited by about 70% in the IAL 40 μM group. Migration and invasion were suppressed by about 80%. Cell apoptosis rate was increased about three-fold. The phosphorylation level of ERK was decreased to 30-35%. Tumour volume and weight (about 80% reduction) were suppressed by IAL in vivo. Moreover, the effects of IAL were abolished by Ro 67-7476 in vitro and in vivo. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that IAL could inhibit GBC progression in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the ERK signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiujun Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Mohamed MR, Haybaeck J, Wu H, Su H, Bartneck M, Lin C, Boekschoten MV, Boor P, Goeppert B, Rupp C, Strnad P, Davis RJ, Cubero FJ, Trautwein C. JNKs protect from cholestatic liver disease progression by modulating Apelin signalling. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100854. [PMID: 37791376 PMCID: PMC10543210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Cholestatic liver injury is associated with c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) activation in distinct cell types. Its hepatocyte-specific function during cholestasis, however, has not yet been established. Therefore, in our present study, we investigated the role of JNK1/2 during cholestasis and dissected its hepatocyte-specific function. Methods A cohort of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (n = 29) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 37) was examined. Wild-type, hepatocyte-specific knockout mice for Jnk2 (Jnk2Δhepa) or Jnk1 and Jnk2 (Jnk1Δhepa/2Δhepa) were generated. Mice were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment. Finally, Apelin signalling was blocked using a specific inhibitor. As an interventional approach, Jnk1/2 were silenced in wild-type mice using lipid nanoparticles for small interfering RNA delivery. Results JNK activation was increased in liver specimens from patients with chronic cholestasis (primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis) and in livers of Mdr2-/- and BDL-treated animals. In Jnk1Δhepa/2Δhepa animals, serum transaminases increased after BDL, and liver histology demonstrated enhanced cell death, compensatory proliferation, hepatic fibrogenesis, and inflammation. Furthermore, microarray analysis revealed that hepatocytic Jnk1/2 ablation induces JNK-target genes involved in oxidative stress and Apelin signalling after BDL. Consequently, blocking Apelin signalling attenuated BDL-induced liver injury and fibrosis in Jnk1Δhepa/2Δhepa mice. Finally, we established an interventional small interfering RNA approach of selective Jnk1/2 targeting in hepatocytes in vivo, further demonstrating the essential protective role of Jnk1/2 during cholestasis. Conclusions Jnk1 and Jnk2 work together to protect hepatocytes from cholestatic liver disease by controlling Apelin signalling. Dual modification of JNK signalling in hepatocytes is feasible, and enhancing its expression might be an attractive therapeutic approach for cholestatic liver disease. Impact and Implications The cell-specific function of Jnk genes during cholestasis has not been explicitly explored. In this study, we showed that combined Jnk1/2, but not Jnk2 deficiency, in hepatocytes exacerbates liver damage and fibrosis by enhancing Apelin signalling, which contributes to cholestasis progression. Combined cell-specific Jnk targeting may be a new molecular strategy for treating cholestatic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hanghang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Huan Su
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Cheng Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mark V. Boekschoten
- Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics Group, Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Nephrology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Goeppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Rupp
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roger J. Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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3
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Su H, Haque M, Becker S, Edlund K, Duda J, Wang Q, Reißing J, Marschall HU, Candels LS, Mohamed M, Sjöland W, Liao L, Drexler SA, Strowig T, Rahnenführer J, Hengstler JG, Hatting M, Trautwein C. Long-term hypercaloric diet exacerbates metabolic liver disease in PNPLA3 I148M animals. Liver Int 2023; 43:1699-1713. [PMID: 37073116 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health burden associated with the metabolic syndrome leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and ultimately liver cancer. In humans, the PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism of the phospholipase patatin-like phospholipid domain containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) has a well-documented impact on metabolic liver disease. In this study, we used a mouse model mimicking the human PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism in a long-term high fat diet (HFD) experiment to better define its role for NAFLD progression. METHODS Male mice bearing wild-type Pnpla3 (Pnpla3WT ), or the human polymorphism PNPLA3 I148M (Pnpla3148M/M ) were subjected to HFD feeding for 24 and 52 weeks. Further analysis concerning basic phenotype, inflammation, proliferation and cell death, fibrosis and microbiota were performed in each time point. RESULTS After 52 weeks HFD Pnpla3148M/M animals had more liver fibrosis, enhanced numbers of inflammatory cells as well as increased Kupffer cell activity. Increased hepatocyte cell turnover and ductular proliferation were evident in HFD Pnpla3148M/M livers. Microbiome diversity was decreased after HFD feeding, changes were influenced by HFD feeding (36%) and the PNPLA3 I148M genotype (12%). Pnpla3148M/M mice had more faecal bile acids. RNA-sequencing of liver tissue defined an HFD-associated signature, and a Pnpla3148M/M specific pattern, which suggests Kupffer cell and monocytes-derived macrophages as significant drivers of liver disease progression in Pnpla3148M/M animals. CONCLUSION With long-term HFD feeding, mice with the PNPLA3 I148M genotype show exacerbated NAFLD. This finding is linked to PNPLA3 I148M-specific changes in microbiota composition and liver gene expression showing a stronger inflammatory response leading to enhanced liver fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Su
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Madhuri Haque
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Svea Becker
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Karolina Edlund
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Julia Duda
- Department of Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Qingbi Wang
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Johanna Reißing
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lena S Candels
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mohamed Mohamed
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Sjöland
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lijun Liao
- Department of Pain Management, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Stephan A Drexler
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Till Strowig
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Jan G Hengstler
- Department of Toxicology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Maximilian Hatting
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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4
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Calvisi DF, Boulter L, Vaquero J, Saborowski A, Fabris L, Rodrigues PM, Coulouarn C, Castro RE, Segatto O, Raggi C, van der Laan LJW, Carpino G, Goeppert B, Roessler S, Kendall TJ, Evert M, Gonzalez-Sanchez E, Valle JW, Vogel A, Bridgewater J, Borad MJ, Gores GJ, Roberts LR, Marin JJG, Andersen JB, Alvaro D, Forner A, Banales JM, Cardinale V, Macias RIR, Vicent S, Chen X, Braconi C, Verstegen MMA, Fouassier L. Criteria for preclinical models of cholangiocarcinoma: scientific and medical relevance. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-022-00739-y. [PMID: 36755084 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00739-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare malignancy that develops at any point along the biliary tree. CCA has a poor prognosis, its clinical management remains challenging, and effective treatments are lacking. Therefore, preclinical research is of pivotal importance and necessary to acquire a deeper understanding of CCA and improve therapeutic outcomes. Preclinical research involves developing and managing complementary experimental models, from in vitro assays using primary cells or cell lines cultured in 2D or 3D to in vivo models with engrafted material, chemically induced CCA or genetically engineered models. All are valuable tools with well-defined advantages and limitations. The choice of a preclinical model is guided by the question(s) to be addressed; ideally, results should be recapitulated in independent approaches. In this Consensus Statement, a task force of 45 experts in CCA molecular and cellular biology and clinicians, including pathologists, from ten countries provides recommendations on the minimal criteria for preclinical models to provide a uniform approach. These recommendations are based on two rounds of questionnaires completed by 35 (first round) and 45 (second round) experts to reach a consensus with 13 statements. An agreement was defined when at least 90% of the participants voting anonymously agreed with a statement. The ultimate goal was to transfer basic laboratory research to the clinics through increased disease understanding and to develop clinical biomarkers and innovative therapies for patients with CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Cancer Research UK Scottish Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Javier Vaquero
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Saborowski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua School of Medicine, Padua, Italy.,Digestive Disease Section, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- Inserm, Univ Rennes 1, OSS (Oncogenesis Stress Signalling), UMR_S 1242, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Rui E Castro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Oreste Segatto
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Raggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luc J W van der Laan
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplantation Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Guido Carpino
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Benjamin Goeppert
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Ludwigsburg, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Roessler
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Timothy J Kendall
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ester Gonzalez-Sanchez
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.,National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan W Valle
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - John Bridgewater
- Department of Medical Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Mitesh J Borad
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Gregory J Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jose J G Marin
- National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), IBSAL, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alejandro Forner
- National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Liver Unit, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocio I R Macias
- National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), IBSAL, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Silve Vicent
- University of Navarra, Centre for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumours, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chiara Braconi
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Monique M A Verstegen
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplantation Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laura Fouassier
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France.
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5
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New molecular mechanisms in cholangiocarcinoma: signals triggering interleukin-6 production in tumor cells and KRAS co-opted epigenetic mediators driving metabolic reprogramming. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:183. [PMID: 35619118 PMCID: PMC9134609 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02386-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is still a deadly tumour. Histological and molecular aspects of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) in rats mimic those of human iCCA. Carcinogenic changes and therapeutic vulnerabilities in CCA may be captured by molecular investigations in bile, where we performed bile proteomic and metabolomic analyses that help discovery yet unknown pathways relevant to human iCCA. Methods Cholangiocarcinogenesis was induced in rats (TAA) and mice (JnkΔhepa + CCl4 + DEN model). We performed proteomic and metabolomic analyses in bile from control and CCA-bearing rats. Differential expression was validated in rat and human CCAs. Mechanisms were addressed in human CCA cells, including Huh28-KRASG12D cells. Cell signaling, growth, gene regulation and [U-13C]-D-glucose-serine fluxomics analyses were performed. In vivo studies were performed in the clinically-relevant iCCA mouse model. Results Pathways related to inflammation, oxidative stress and glucose metabolism were identified by proteomic analysis. Oxidative stress and high amounts of the oncogenesis-supporting amino acids serine and glycine were discovered by metabolomic studies. Most relevant hits were confirmed in rat and human CCAs (TCGA). Activation of interleukin-6 (IL6) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways, and key genes in cancer-related glucose metabolic reprogramming, were validated in TAA-CCAs. In TAA-CCAs, G9a, an epigenetic pro-tumorigenic writer, was also increased. We show that EGFR signaling and mutant KRASG12D can both activate IL6 production in CCA cells. Furthermore, phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), the rate-limiting enzyme in serine-glycine pathway, was upregulated in human iCCA correlating with G9a expression. In a G9a activity-dependent manner, KRASG12D promoted PHGDH expression, glucose flow towards serine synthesis, and increased CCA cell viability. KRASG12D CAA cells were more sensitive to PHGDH and G9a inhibition than controls. In mouse iCCA, G9a pharmacological targeting reduced PHGDH expression. Conclusions In CCA, we identified new pro-tumorigenic mechanisms: Activation of EGFR signaling or KRAS mutation drives IL6 expression in tumour cells; Glucose metabolism reprogramming in iCCA includes activation of the serine-glycine pathway; Mutant KRAS drives PHGDH expression in a G9a-dependent manner; PHGDH and G9a emerge as therapeutic targets in iCCA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02386-2.
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6
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Lan T, Qian S, Tang C, Gao J. Role of Immune Cells in Biliary Repair. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866040. [PMID: 35432349 PMCID: PMC9005827 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The biliary system is comprised of cholangiocytes and plays an important role in maintaining liver function. Under normal conditions, cholangiocytes remain in the stationary phase and maintain a very low turnover rate. However, the robust biliary repair is initiated in disease conditions, and different repair mechanisms can be activated depending on the pathological changes. During biliary disease, immune cells including monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and mast cells are recruited to the liver. The cellular interactions between cholangiocytes and these recruited immune cells as well as hepatic resident immune cells, including Kupffer cells, determine disease outcomes. However, the role of immune cells in the initiation, regulation, and suspension of biliary repair remains elusive. The cellular processes of cholangiocyte proliferation, progenitor cell differentiation, and hepatocyte-cholangiocyte transdifferentiation during biliary diseases are reviewed to manifest the underlying mechanism of biliary repair. Furthermore, the potential role of immune cells in crucial biliary repair mechanisms is highlighted. The mechanisms of biliary repair in immune-mediated cholangiopathies, inherited cholangiopathies, obstructive cholangiopathies, and cholangiocarcinoma are also summarized. Additionally, novel techniques that could clarify the underlying mechanisms of biliary repair are displayed. Collectively, this review aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of biliary repair and contributes potential novel therapeutic methods for treating biliary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Lan
- Lab of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuaijie Qian
- Lab of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengwei Tang
- Lab of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinhang Gao
- Lab of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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7
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Chen J, Cheng NC, Boland JA, Liu K, Kench JG, Watkins DN, Ferreira-Gonzalez S, Forbes SJ, McCaughan GW. Deletion of kif3a in CK19 positive cells leads to primary cilia loss, biliary cell proliferation and cystic liver lesions in TAA-treated mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1868:166335. [PMID: 34973373 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Loss of primary cilia in epithelial cells is known to cause cystic diseases of the liver and kidney. We have previously shown that during experimental and human cirrhosis that primary cilia were predominantly expressed on biliary cells in the ductular reaction. However, the role of primary cilia in the pathogenesis of the ductular reaction is not fully understood. METHODS Primary cilia were specifically removed in biliary epithelial cells (BECs) by the administration of tamoxifen to Kif3af/f;CK19CreERT mice at week 2 of a 20-week course of TAA treatment. Biliary progenitor cells were isolated and grown as organoids from gallbladders. Cells and tissue were analysed using histology, immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays. RESULTS At the end of 20 weeks TAA administration, primary cilia loss in liver BECs resulted in multiple microscopic cystic lesions within an unaltered ductular reaction. These were not seen in control mice who did not receive TAA. There was no effect of biliary primary cilia loss on the development of cirrhosis. Increased cellular proliferation was seen within the cystic structures associated with a decrease in hepatocyte lobular proliferation. Loss of primary cilia within biliary organoids was initially associated with reduced cell passage survival but this inhibitory effect was diminished in later passages. ERK but not WNT signalling was enhanced in primary cilia loss-induced cystic lesions in vivo and its inhibition reduced the expansion of primary cilia deficient biliary progenitor cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS TAA-treated kif3a BEC-specific knockout mice had an unaltered progression to cirrhosis, but developed cystic lesions that showed increased proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbiao Chen
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Ngan Ching Cheng
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Jade A Boland
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Ken Liu
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - James G Kench
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Department of Tissue Pathology & Diagnostic Oncology, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - D Neil Watkins
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sofia Ferreira-Gonzalez
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; A.W. Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Australian Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
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8
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Smith AO, Jonassen JA, Preval KM, Davis RJ, Pazour GJ. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling contributes to cystic burden in polycystic kidney disease. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009711. [PMID: 34962918 PMCID: PMC8746764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited degenerative disease in which the uriniferous tubules are replaced by expanding fluid-filled cysts that ultimately destroy organ function. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common form, afflicting approximately 1 in 1,000 people. It primarily is caused by mutations in the transmembrane proteins polycystin-1 (Pkd1) and polycystin-2 (Pkd2). The most proximal effects of Pkd mutations leading to cyst formation are not known, but pro-proliferative signaling must be involved for the tubule epithelial cells to increase in number over time. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway promotes proliferation and is activated in acute and chronic kidney diseases. Using a mouse model of cystic kidney disease caused by Pkd2 loss, we observe JNK activation in cystic kidneys and observe increased nuclear phospho c-Jun in cystic epithelium. Genetic removal of Jnk1 and Jnk2 suppresses the nuclear accumulation of phospho c-Jun, reduces proliferation and reduces the severity of cystic disease. While Jnk1 and Jnk2 are thought to have largely overlapping functions, we find that Jnk1 loss is nearly as effective as the double loss of Jnk1 and Jnk2. Jnk pathway inhibitors are in development for neurodegeneration, cancer, and fibrotic diseases. Our work suggests that the JNK pathway should be explored as a therapeutic target for ADPKD. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a leading cause of end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. During disease development, the cells lining the kidney tubules proliferate. This proliferation transforms normally small diameter tubules into fluid-filled cysts that enlarge with time, eventually destroying all kidney function. Despite decades of research, polycystic kidney disease remains incurable. Furthermore, the precise signaling events involved in cyst initiation and growth remain unclear. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), is a major pathway regulating cellular proliferation and differentiation but its importance to polycystic kidney disease was not known. We show that JNK activity is elevated in cystic kidneys and that reducing JNK activity decreases cyst growth pointing to JNK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for treating polycystic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail O. Smith
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Julie A. Jonassen
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kenley M. Preval
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roger J. Davis
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gregory J. Pazour
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Biotech II, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Chen C, Wu H, Ye H, Tortajada A, Rodríguez-Perales S, Torres-Ruiz R, Vidal A, Peligros MI, Reissing J, Bruns T, Mohamed MR, Zheng K, Lujambio A, Iraburu MJ, Colyn L, Latasa MU, Arechederra M, Fernández-Barrena MG, Berasain C, Vaquero J, Bañares R, Nelson LJ, Trautwein C, Davis RJ, Martinez-Naves E, Nevzorova YA, Villanueva A, Avila MA, Cubero FJ. Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) Is Associated with Cholangiocellular Injury, Fibrosis and Carcinogenesis in an Experimental Model of Fibropolycystic Liver Disease. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010078. [PMID: 35008241 PMCID: PMC8750579 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a group of rare disorders that result from structural changes in the biliary tree development in the liver. In the present work, we studied alterations in molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that might be responsible for these pathologies. We found that activation of the unfolded protein response, a process that occurs in response to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, as well as the scarring of the liver tissue, contribute to the pathogenesis of PLD and the development of cancer. As a preclinical animal model we have used mutant mice of a specific signaling pathway, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (Jnk1/2). These mice resemble a perfect model for the study of PLD and early cancer development. Abstract Fibropolycystic liver disease is characterized by hyperproliferation of the biliary epithelium and the formation of multiple dilated cysts, a process associated with unfolded protein response (UPR). In the present study, we aimed to understand the mechanisms of cyst formation and UPR activation in hepatocytic c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (Jnk1/2) knockout mice. Floxed JNK1/2 (Jnkf/f) and Jnk∆hepa animals were sacrificed at different time points during progression of liver disease. Histological examination of specimens evidenced the presence of collagen fiber deposition, increased α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), infiltration of CD45, CD11b and F4/80 cells and proinflammatory cytokines (Tnf, Tgfβ1) and liver injury (e.g., ALT, apoptosis and Ki67-positive cells) in Jnk∆hepa compared with Jnkf/f livers from 32 weeks of age. This was associated with activation of effectors of the UPR, including BiP/GRP78, CHOP and spliced XBP1. Tunicamycin (TM) challenge strongly induced ER stress and fibrosis in Jnk∆hepa animals compared with Jnkf/f littermates. Finally, thioacetamide (TAA) administration to Jnk∆hepa mice induced UPR activation, peribiliary fibrosis, liver injury and markers of biliary proliferation and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Orthoallografts of DEN/CCl4-treated Jnk∆hepa liver tissue triggered malignant CCA. Altogether, these results suggest that activation of the UPR in conjunction with fibrogenesis might trigger hepatic cystogenesis and early stages of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaobo Chen
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Department of General Surgery, Wuxi Branch of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Wuxi 214105, China
- Department of Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Hanghang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
| | - Hui Ye
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
- Department of Anesthesia, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Agustín Tortajada
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Rodríguez-Perales
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-P.); (R.T.-R.)
| | - Raúl Torres-Ruiz
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-P.); (R.T.-R.)
| | - August Vidal
- Laboratorio de Investigación Traslacional (LRT1)-ProCURE, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO)-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (A.V.); (A.V.)
| | - Maria Isabel Peligros
- Institute of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañon, 28007 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Johanna Reissing
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.R.); (T.B.); (M.R.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Tony Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.R.); (T.B.); (M.R.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Mohamed Ramadan Mohamed
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.R.); (T.B.); (M.R.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Kang Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Maria J. Iraburu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Leticia Colyn
- Hepatology Program, Cima, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (L.C.); (M.U.L.); (M.A.); (M.G.F.-B.); (C.B.)
| | - Maria Ujue Latasa
- Hepatology Program, Cima, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (L.C.); (M.U.L.); (M.A.); (M.G.F.-B.); (C.B.)
| | - María Arechederra
- Hepatology Program, Cima, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (L.C.); (M.U.L.); (M.A.); (M.G.F.-B.); (C.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G. Fernández-Barrena
- Hepatology Program, Cima, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (L.C.); (M.U.L.); (M.A.); (M.G.F.-B.); (C.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Hepatology Program, Cima, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (L.C.); (M.U.L.); (M.A.); (M.G.F.-B.); (C.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Vaquero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain
| | - Leonard J. Nelson
- Institute for Bioengineering (IBioE), Faraday Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AB, UK;
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.R.); (T.B.); (M.R.M.); (C.T.)
| | - Roger J. Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA;
| | - Eduardo Martinez-Naves
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Yulia A. Nevzorova
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.R.); (T.B.); (M.R.M.); (C.T.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Villanueva
- Laboratorio de Investigación Traslacional (LRT1)-ProCURE, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO)-IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (A.V.); (A.V.)
| | - Matias A. Avila
- Hepatology Program, Cima, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (L.C.); (M.U.L.); (M.A.); (M.G.F.-B.); (C.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.A.); (F.J.C.); Tel.: +34-91-394-1385 (F.J.C.); Fax: +34-91-394-1641 (F.J.C.)
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (H.W.); (H.Y.); (A.T.); (K.Z.); (E.M.-N.); (Y.A.N.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.V.); (R.B.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.A.); (F.J.C.); Tel.: +34-91-394-1385 (F.J.C.); Fax: +34-91-394-1641 (F.J.C.)
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10
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Lepore A, Choy PM, Lee NCW, Carella MA, Favicchio R, Briones-Orta MA, Glaser SS, Alpini G, D'Santos C, Tooze RM, Lorger M, Syn WK, Papakyriakou A, Giamas G, Bubici C, Papa S. Phosphorylation and Stabilization of PIN1 by JNK Promote Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Growth. Hepatology 2021; 74:2561-2579. [PMID: 34048060 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly aggressive type of liver cancer in urgent need of treatment options. Aberrant activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is a key feature in ICC and an attractive candidate target for its treatment. However, the mechanisms by which constitutive JNK activation promotes ICC growth, and therefore the key downstream effectors of this pathway, remain unknown for their applicability as therapeutic targets. Our aim was to obtain a better mechanistic understanding of the role of JNK signaling in ICC that could open up therapeutic opportunities. APPROACH AND RESULTS Using loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies in vitro and in vivo, we show that activation of the JNK pathway promotes ICC cell proliferation by affecting the protein stability of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1), a key driver of tumorigenesis. PIN1 is highly expressed in ICC primary tumors, and its expression positively correlates with active JNK. Mechanistically, the JNK kinases directly bind to and phosphorylate PIN1 at Ser115, and this phosphorylation prevents PIN1 mono-ubiquitination at Lys117 and its proteasomal degradation. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of PIN1 through all-trans retinoic acid, a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, impairs the growth of both cultured and xenografted ICC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings implicate the JNK-PIN1 regulatory axis as a functionally important determinant for ICC growth, and provide a rationale for therapeutic targeting of JNK activation through PIN1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Lepore
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James', Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Pui Man Choy
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research and Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan C W Lee
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James', Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Annunziata Carella
- Center for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rosy Favicchio
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco A Briones-Orta
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research and Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shannon S Glaser
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Clive D'Santos
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Reuben M Tooze
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James', Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Mihaela Lorger
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James', Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Wing-Kin Syn
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research and Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Section of Gastroenterology, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Athanasios Papakyriakou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Center for Scientific Research, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Giamas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Concetta Bubici
- Center for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Salvatore Papa
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James', Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research and Birkbeck University of London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Colyn L, Bárcena-Varela M, Álvarez-Sola G, Latasa MU, Uriarte I, Santamaría E, Herranz JM, Santos-Laso A, Arechederra M, Ruiz de Gauna M, Aspichueta P, Canale M, Casadei-Gardini A, Francesconi M, Carotti S, Morini S, Nelson LJ, Iraburu MJ, Chen C, Sangro B, Marin JJG, Martinez-Chantar ML, Banales JM, Arnes-Benito R, Huch M, Patino JM, Dar AA, Nosrati M, Oyarzábal J, Prósper F, Urman J, Cubero FJ, Trautwein C, Berasain C, Fernandez-Barrena MG, Avila MA. Dual Targeting of G9a and DNA Methyltransferase-1 for the Treatment of Experimental Cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 2021; 73:2380-2396. [PMID: 33222246 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a devastating disease often detected at advanced stages when surgery cannot be performed. Conventional and targeted systemic therapies perform poorly, and therefore effective drugs are urgently needed. Different epigenetic modifications occur in CCA and contribute to malignancy. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms may thus open therapeutic opportunities. However, modifications such as DNA and histone methylation often coexist and cooperate in carcinogenesis. We tested the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action of a class of dual G9a histone-methyltransferase and DNA-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitors. APPROACH AND RESULTS Expression of G9a, DNMT1, and their molecular adaptor, ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains-1 (UHRF1), was determined in human CCA. We evaluated the effect of individual and combined pharmacological inhibition of G9a and DNMT1 on CCA cell growth. Our lead G9a/DNMT1 inhibitor, CM272, was tested in human CCA cells, patient-derived tumoroids and xenograft, and a mouse model of cholangiocarcinogenesis with hepatocellular deletion of c-Jun-N-terminal-kinase (Jnk)-1/2 and diethyl-nitrosamine (DEN) plus CCl4 treatment (JnkΔhepa + DEN + CCl4 mice). We found an increased and correlative expression of G9a, DNMT1, and UHRF1 in CCAs. Cotreatment with independent pharmacological inhibitors G9a and DNMT1 synergistically inhibited CCA cell growth. CM272 markedly reduced CCA cell proliferation and synergized with Cisplatin and the ERBB-targeted inhibitor, Lapatinib. CM272 inhibited CCA tumoroids and xenograft growth and significantly antagonized CCA progression in JnkΔhepa + DEN + CCl4 mice without apparent toxicity. Mechanistically, CM272 reprogrammed the tumoral metabolic transcriptome and phenotype toward a differentiated and quiescent status. CONCLUSIONS Dual targeting of G9a and DNMT1 with epigenetic small molecule inhibitors such as CM272 is a potential strategy to treat CCA and/or enhance the efficacy of other systemic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Colyn
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Gloria Álvarez-Sola
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Ujue Latasa
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iker Uriarte
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Santamaría
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M Herranz
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Santos-Laso
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, Ikerbasque, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | | | - Mikel Ruiz de Gauna
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Patricia Aspichueta
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Matteo Canale
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and Unit of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Francesconi
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Carotti
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.,Predictive Molecular Diagnostic Division, Pathology Department, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Morini
- Unit of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Anatomy, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonard J Nelson
- School of Engineering, Institute of Engineering, The University of Edimburgh, Edimburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Maria J Iraburu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Chaobo Chen
- Department of Immunology, Ophtalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Sangro
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Hepatology Unit, Navarra University Clinic, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jose J G Marin
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM), University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Maria L Martinez-Chantar
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Liver Disease Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CICbioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, Ikerbasque, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Robert Arnes-Benito
- Max Plank Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Meritxell Huch
- Max Plank Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - John M Patino
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
| | - Altaf A Dar
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
| | - Mehdi Nosrati
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA
| | - Julen Oyarzábal
- Molecular Therapies Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Oncohematology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jesus Urman
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Digestive Diseases, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophtalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernandez-Barrena
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matias A Avila
- Hepatology Program, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
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Herrera-Melle L, Crespo M, Leiva M, Sabio G. Stress-activated kinases signaling pathways in cancer development. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Obesity is a health condition that has reached pandemic levels and is implicated in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer and heart failure. A key characteristic of obesity is the activation of stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), such as the p38 and JNK stress kinases, in several organs, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, immune organs and the central nervous system. The correct timing, intensity and duration of SAPK activation contributes to cellular metabolic adaptation. By contrast, uncontrolled SAPK activation has been proposed to contribute to the complications of obesity. The stress kinase signalling pathways have therefore been identified as potential targets for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for metabolic syndrome. The past few decades have seen intense research efforts to determine how these kinases are regulated in a cell-specific manner and to define their contribution to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Several studies have uncovered new and unexpected functions of the non-classical members of both pathways. Here, we provide an overview of the role of SAPKs in metabolic control and highlight important discoveries in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Nikolic
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Magdalena Leiva
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Sabio
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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JNK-mediated disruption of bile acid homeostasis promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:16492-16499. [PMID: 32601222 PMCID: PMC7368313 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002672117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with hepatic steatosis and activation of the cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) stress-signaling pathway. Studies in mice demonstrate that JNK deficiency in the liver prevents the development of hepatic steatosis. This observation suggests that inhibition of JNK signaling may represent a possible treatment for hepatic steatosis. However, the long-term consequences of JNK inhibition are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that loss of JNK causes changes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism that promote cholestasis, bile duct proliferation, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We identify PPARα activation as the molecular mechanism that accounts for this phenotype. Our analysis has important implications for the long-term use of JNK inhibitors for the treatment of obesity. Metabolic stress causes activation of the cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway. It is established that one consequence of JNK activation is the development of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis through inhibition of the transcription factor PPARα. Indeed, JNK1/2 deficiency in hepatocytes protects against the development of steatosis, suggesting that JNK inhibition represents a possible treatment for this disease. However, the long-term consequences of JNK inhibition have not been evaluated. Here we demonstrate that hepatic JNK controls bile acid production. We found that hepatic JNK deficiency alters cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis, conjugation, and transport, resulting in cholestasis, increased cholangiocyte proliferation, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Gene ablation studies confirmed that PPARα mediated these effects of JNK in hepatocytes. This analysis highlights potential consequences of long-term use of JNK inhibitors for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
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