The expression of Survivin and NF-κB associated with prognostically worse clinicopathologic variables in hepatocellular carcinoma

MiR-101-3p targets the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway via Birc5 to inhibit invasion, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate numerous genes in cells. Abnormal expression of miRNAs can lead to cancer. However, the roles and underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not fully understood. Using molecular biology techniques, we designed eukaryotic expression vectors with enhanced expression of miR-101-3p to transfect human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Subsequent to this, cell cloning experiments, CCK8 assays, and Transwell migration experiments were executed to assess their impact on liver cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Dual-luciferase assays were employed to validate the molecular interaction between miR-101-3p and Birc5. Through rescue experiments aimed at manipulating the expression levels of Birc5, we scrutinized the influence of miR-101-3p on liver cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was utilized to monitor alterations in the expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin proteins within each cell group. In vivo investigations were conducted using nude mice implanted with hepatocellular carcinoma cells transfected with Birc5. Additionally, further exploration was carried out by combining this model with the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor miltefosine to elucidate its effects on tumor proliferation. In vitro functional analysis of miR-101-3p revealed that treatment of HCC cells with its corresponding mimic significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, miR-101-3p exerts its anti-tumor effects by targeting the shared gene Birc5. Experiments using nude mouse models demonstrate that Birc5 promotes tumor proliferation by phosphorylating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway shows suppressive effects on liver cancer proliferation. MiR-101-3p plays crucial roles in inhibiting the proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells by targeting Birc5 and downregulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights for the molecular treatment of HCC.

The zinc finger protein Miz1 suppresses liver tumorigenesis by restricting hepatocyte-driven macrophage activation and inflammation

Chronic inflammation plays a central role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the contribution of hepatocytes to tumor-associated inflammation is not clear. Here, we report that the zinc finger transcription factor Miz1 restricted hepatocyte-driven inflammation to suppress HCC, independently of its transcriptional activity. Miz1 was downregulated in HCC mouse models and a substantial fraction of HCC patients. Hepatocyte-specific Miz1 deletion in mice generated a distinct sub-group of hepatocytes that produced pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which skewed the polarization of the tumor-infiltrating macrophages toward pro-inflammatory phenotypes to promote HCC. Mechanistically, Miz1 sequestrated the oncoprotein metadherin (MTDH), preventing MTDH from promoting transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. A distinct sub-group of pro-inflammatory cytokine-producing hepatocytes was also seen in a subset of HCC patients. In addition, Miz1 expression inversely correated with disease recurrence and poor prognosis in HCC patients. Our findings identify Miz1 as a tumor suppressor that prevents hepatocytes from driving inflammation in HCC.

Identification of Core Genes Related to Progression and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Small-Molecule Drug Predication

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most leading causes of cancer death with a poor prognosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unclear, and effective treatment for it is limited. Using an integrated bioinformatics method, the present study aimed to identify the key candidate prognostic genes that are involved in HCC development and identify small-molecule drugs with treatment potential.

Methods and Results

In this study, by using three expression profile datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database, 1,704 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 671 upregulated and 1,033 downregulated genes. Then, weighted co-expression network analysis revealed nine modules are related with pathological stage; turquoise module was the most associated module. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses (KEGG) indicated that these genes were enriched in cell division, cell cycle, and metabolic related pathways. Furthermore, by analyzing the turquoise module, 22 genes were identified as hub genes. Based on HCC data from gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) database, nine genes associated with progression and prognosis of HCC were screened, including ANLN, BIRC5, BUB1B, CDC20, CDCA5, CDK1, NCAPG, NEK2, and TOP2A. According to the Human Protein Atlas and the Oncomine database, these genes were highly upregulated in HCC tumor samples. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score based on the gene expression signature of these nine genes was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival in HCC patients. In addition, the candidate small-molecule drugs for HCC were identified by the CMap database.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the nine key gene signatures related to HCC progression and prognosis were identified and validated. The cell cycle pathway was the core pathway enriched with these key genes. Moreover, several candidate molecule drugs were identified, providing insights into novel therapeutic approaches for HCC.

Apoptosis induction and ERK/NF-κB inactivation are associated with magnolol-inhibited tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo

Although hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus were recognized as major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), certain occupational, environmental, and lifestyle factors also play key roles in HCC tumorigenesis. Moreover, in molecular signaling route, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling was found to be overexpressed and linked to poor prognosis in HCC. Thus, to identify possible nature compound that can suppress ERK/NF-κB may be benefit to HCC patient. Magnolol, a natural compound derived from herbal plant Magnolia officinalis, has been recognized as a liver protection and antitumor reagent. However, whether magnolol-inhibited HCC progression correlates with disruption of ERK/NF-κB signaling is remained unclear. In this studies, we performed SK-Hep1/luc2 HCC bearing animal model to investigate the anticancer efficacy and mechanism of magnolol on tumor progression. Tumor size and tumor growth rate were dramatically suppressed after treatment of magnolol. In addition, expression of phospho-ERK (p-ERK), NF-κB p65 (Ser536), and tumor progression-associated proteins, such as matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and CyclinD1 were all significantly decreased by magnolol. Most important, major extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signaling factors, including active caspase-8 and caspase-9 were both enhanced by magnolol. This study indicated that apoptosis induction through extrinsic/intrinsic pathways and blockage of ERK/NF-κB activation were associated with magnolol-inhibited tumor progression in HCC in vivo.

Contribution to characterization of skin field cancerization activity: morphometric, chromatin texture, proliferation, and apoptosis aspects

BACKGROUND

A skin field cancerization is a cutaneous area with subclinical changes resultant from chronic sun exposure, with a higher predisposition to development of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. So far, there are no well-defined objective parameters that can indicate their degree of activity.

OBJECTIVES

To describe and compare morphometric aspects and expression of factors related to apoptosis and cell proliferation in actinic keratosis (AK), in both photoexposed and photoprotected epidermis.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of patients with actinic keratosis in the forearms, biopsied at two points: the actinic keratosis and the axillary region. The biopsies of the actinic keratosis, perilesional area, and axilla were evaluated through keratinocyte intraepithelial neoplasia (KIN), and immunohistochemistry of p53, survivin, and Ki67. Nuclear morphometry of basal layer cells was performed through digital image analysis: entropy, area, perimeter, Ra, fractal dimension, circularity, color intensity, and largest diameter.

RESULTS

There were 13 patients included and 38 actinic keratosis biopsied. In morphometry, 1039 nuclei were analyzed, of which 228 represented axillary skin, 396 demonstrated actinic keratosis, and 415 represented the perilesional area to the actinic keratosis. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in all variables tested for the topographies evaluated. A significant correlation was identified between nucellar morphometric elements, KIN, proliferation markers, and apoptosis. Joint patterns of p53, Ki67, and KIN discriminated the topographies sampled.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

This was a cross-sectional study with a small number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There are patterns of proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and different cellular morphometrics between photoprotected skin and photoexposed skin. The joint expression of p53, Ki67, and KIN can characterize skin field cancerization activity.

SLMP53-2 Restores Wild-Type-Like Function to Mutant p53 through Hsp70: Promising Activity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Half of human cancers harbor TP53 mutations that render p53 inactive as a tumor suppressor. In these cancers, reactivation of mutant p53 (mutp53) through restoration of wild-type-like function constitutes a valuable anticancer therapeutic strategy. In order to search for mutp53 reactivators, a small library of tryptophanol-derived oxazoloisoindolinones was synthesized and the potential of these compounds as mutp53 reactivators and anticancer agents was investigated in human tumor cells and xenograft mouse models. By analysis of their anti-proliferative effect on a panel of p53-null NCI-H1299 tumor cells ectopically expressing highly prevalent mutp53, the compound SLMP53-2 was selected based on its potential reactivation of multiple structural mutp53. In mutp53-Y220C-expressing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, SLMP53-2-induced growth inhibition was mediated by cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress response. In these cells, SLMP53-2 restored wild-type-like conformation and DNA-binding ability of mutp53-Y220C by enhancing its interaction with the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), leading to the reestablishment of p53 transcriptional activity. Additionally, SLMP53-2 displayed synergistic effect with sorafenib, the only approved therapy for advanced HCC. Notably, it exhibited potent antitumor activity in human HCC xenograft mouse models with a favorable toxicological profile. Collectively, SLMP53-2 is a new mutp53-targeting agent with promising antitumor activity, particularly against HCC.

Toward early cancer detection: Focus on biosensing systems and biosensors for an anti-apoptotic protein survivin and survivin mRNA

The development of biosensors for cancer biomarkers has recently been expanding rapidly, offering promising biomedical applications of these sensors as highly sensitive, selective, and inexpensive bioanalytical tools that can provide alternative methodology to that afforded by the advanced hyphenated-instrumental techniques. In this review, we focus particularly on the detection of a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) family, protein survivin (Sur), a ubiquitous re-organizer of the cell life cycle with the ability to inhibit the apoptosis and induce an enhanced proliferation leading to the unimpeded cancer growth and metastasis. Herein, we critically evaluate the progress in the development of novel biosensing systems and biosensors for the detection of two survivin (Sur) biomarkers: the Sur protein and its messenger RNA (Sur mRNA), including immunosensors, electrochemical piezo- and impedance-sensors, electrochemi-luminescence biosensors, genosensors based on oligonucleotide molecular beacons (MBs) with fluorescent or electrochemical transduction, as well as the microfluidic and related analytical platforms based on solution chemistry. The in-situ applications of survivin biomarkers' detection technologies to equip nanocarriers of the controlled drug delivery systems with MB-based fluorescence imaging capability, apoptosis control, and mitigation of the acquired drug resistance are also presented and critically evaluated. Finally, we turn the attention to the application of biosensors for the analysis of Sur biomarkers in exosomes and circulating tumor cells for a non-invasive liquid biopsy. The prospect of a widespread screening for early cancers, based on inexpensive point-of-care testing using biosensors and multiplex biosensor arrays, as a means of reducing the high cancer fatality rate, is discussed.

Altered expression of COX-2 and TNF-α in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of cancer related with inflammation, as 90% of cases develop in a chronic inflammation condition. Excess inflammation can affect tissue homeostasis. Cytokines and inflammatory mediators are immunological components that can influence the functioning of cells and tissues. In addition, the estrogen receptor appears to play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of inflammatory markers and ER in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

data from 143 patients of ISCMPA were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was performed of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and ER in paraffin-embedded hepatic tissue. The percentage of the stained area, intensity of staining and of the number of ER positive nuclei were evaluated using the ImageJ 1.50 software.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the percentage of marked area (p = 0.040) for COX-2 and the intensity of staining of TNF-α (p = 0.030). No significant differences were observed in any of other parameters evaluated. In conclusion, COX-2 and TNF-α are possible markers that should be further studied to determine their immunohistochemical profile and role in HCC development.

Regorafenib inhibits tumor progression through suppression of ERK/NF-κB activation in hepatocellular carcinoma bearing mice

Regorafenib has been demonstrated in our previous study to trigger apoptosis through suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SK-Hep1 cells in vitro. However, the effect of regorafenib on NF-κB-modulated tumor progression in HCC in vivo is ambiguous. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of regorafenib on NF-κB-modulated tumor progression in HCC bearing mouse model. pGL4.50 luciferase reporter vector transfected SK-Hep1 (SK-Hep1/luc2) and Hep3B 2.1-7 tumor bearing mice were established and used for the present study. Mice were treated with vehicle or regorafenib (20 mg/kg/day by gavage) for 14 days. Effects of regorafenib on tumor growth and protein expression together with toxicity of regorafenib were evaluated with digital caliper and bioluminescence imaging (BLI), ex vivo Western blotting immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and measurement of body weight and pathological examination of liver tissue, respectively, in SK-Hep1/luc2 and Hep3B 2.1-7 tumor bearing mice. The results indicated regorafenib significantly reduced tumor growth and expression of phosphorylated ERK, NF-κB p65 (Ser536), phosphorylated AKT, and tumor progression-associated proteins. In addition, we found regorafenib induced both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Body weight and liver morphology were not affected by regorafenib treatment. Our findings present the mechanism of tumor progression inhibition by regorafenib is linked to suppression of ERK/NF-κB signaling in SK-Hep1/luc2 and Hep3B 2.1-7 tumor bearing mice.

Oncolytic vaccinia virus inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97-H cell proliferation via endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy and Wnt pathways

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal malignancy. Vaccinia virus (VV) possessed many inherent advantages with respect to being engineered as a vector for cancer gene therapy, although the mechanism of action remains to be explored further.

METHODS

We constructed a thymidine kinase gene insertional inactivated VV, named VV-Onco, and then tested its effects on cell viability, apoptosis and colony formation ability in a highly metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line MHCC97-H, and also investigated the potential cell signal pathways involved in this action.

RESULTS

VV-Onco induced strong cytotoxicity and apoptosis and also inhibited the colony formation of MHCC97-H cells. The tumor cell apoptosis induced by VV-Onco is likely mediated via endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy and Wnt signaling pathways. The downregulation of survivin and c-Myc may also play a role in VV-Onco induced cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study provide new insights into the mechanisms of VV-induced tumor cell death. The engineered recombinant VV containing optimized therapeutic transgenes may represent a new avenue for cancer gene therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Regorafenib diminishes the expression and secretion of angiogenesis and metastasis associated proteins and inhibits cell invasion via NF-κB inactivation in SK-Hep1 cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of regorafenib on the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF)-κB-modulated expression of angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins and cell invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma SK-Hep1 cells. The SK-Hep1 cells were treated with different concentrations of NF-κB inhibitor 4-N-[2-(4-phenoxyphenyl) ethyl] quinazoline-4,6-diamine (QNZ) or regorafenib for 24 or 48 h. The effects of QNZ and regorafenib on cell viability, NF-κB activation, expression and secretion levels of angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins and cell invasion were evaluated with MTT assays, western blotting, ELISA, gelatin zymography and cell invasion assays. The results demonstrated that QNZ and regorafenib significantly reduced the expression and secretion levels of the angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, NF-κB activation and cell invasion. In conclusion, the inhibition of NF-κB activation induces anti-angiogenic and antimetastatic effects in SK-Hep1 cells. Regorafenib reduces the level of expression and secretion of angiogenesis- and metastasis-associated proteins and cell invasion through the suppression of NF-κB activation in SK-Hep1 cells.

Regorafenib induces extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis through inhibition of ERK/NF-κB activation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of NF-κB inactivation in regorafenib-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma SK-HEP-1 cells. SK-HEP-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of the NF-κB inhibitor 4-N-[2-(4-phenoxyphenyl)ethyl]quinazoline-4,6-diamine (QNZ) or regorafenib for different periods. The effects of QNZ and regorafenib on cell viability, expression of NF-κB-modulated anti-apoptotic proteins and apoptotic pathways were analyzed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, western blotting, DNA gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and NF-κB reporter gene assay. Inhibitors of various kinases including AKT, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were used to evaluate the mechanism of regorafenib-induced NF-κB inactivation. The results demonstrated that both QNZ and regorafenib significantly inhibited the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and triggered extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis. We also demonstrated that regorafenib inhibited NF-κB activation through ERK dephosphorylation. Taken all together, our findings indicate that regorafenib triggers extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis through suppression of ERK/NF-κB activation in SK-HEP-1 cells.

Diosmetin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by regulating autophagy via the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a type of malignant tumor, is the fifth most common cancer in men and ninth in women worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effect of diosmetin (DIOS) in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. The proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy rates of HepG2 cells were measured following treatment with DIOS. The effects of DIOS treatment on HepG2 cell proliferation and apoptosis rates were analyzed using MTT assays and Annexin V staining, respectively. The effect of DIOS treatment on autophagy levels was assessed using transmission electron microscopy, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (LC3) transfection and LysoTracker Red staining. Furthermore, bafilomycin A1 (BA1), an autophagy inhibitor, was used to assess the association between DIOS and cell autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, the expression of autophagy-related proteins [mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, P70S6K, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase and Akt] and apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2-associated X protein, Bak, p53, Bcl-2 and caspase-3] were analyzed by western blotting. The results revealed that DIOS significantly inhibited proliferation (P<0.01) and induced apoptosis (P<0.001) in HepG2 cells. It was also demonstrated that DIOS triggered autophagy by regulating the mTOR pathway in HepG2 cells. Notably, following treatment of HepG2 cells with the autophagy inhibitor, BA1, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, including Bax, Bak and p53, were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and cell viability was recovered to a certain extent. In conclusion, DIOS inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via regulation of the mTOR pathway. Thus, the results of the current study indicate that DIOS may present a potential therapeutic agent for HCC treatment.

Survivin Modulates Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Derived Stem-Like Cell Proliferation, Viability and Tumor Formation in Vivo

Squamous Cell Carcinoma-derived Stem-like Cells (SCC-SC) originate from alterations in keratinocyte stem cells (KSC) gene expression and sustain tumor development, invasion and recurrence. Since survivin, a KSC marker, is highly expressed in SCC-SC, we evaluate its role in SCC-SC cell growth and SCC models. Survivin silencing by siRNA decreases clonal growth of SCC keratinocytes and viability of total, rapidly adhering (RAD) and non-RAD (NRAD) cells from primary SCC. Similarly, survivin silencing reduces the expression of stem cell markers (OCT4, NOTCH1, CD133, β₁-integrin), while it increases the level of differentiation markers (K10, involucrin). Moreover, survivin silencing improves the malignant phenotype of SCC 3D-reconstruct, as demonstrated by reduced epidermal thickness, lower Ki-67 positive cell number, and decreased expression of MMP9 and psoriasin. Furthermore, survivin depletion by siRNA in Ras^G12V-IκBα-derived tumors leads to smaller tumor formation characterized by lower mitotic index and reduced expression of the tumor-associated marker HIF1α, VEGF and CD51. Therefore, our results indicate survivin as a key gene in regulating SCC cancer stem cell formation and cSCC development.

Survivin in survival of hepatocellular carcinoma

Survivin is an anti-apoptotic protein belonging to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family. It is involved in the regulation of important physiological and pathological processes in cells and functions to inhibit cell apoptosis and promote cell proliferation. Normally and terminally differentiated tissues are nearly negative for survivin. In contrast, survivin is highly expressed in most human tumor tissues, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The abnormal overexpression of survivin is closely related to the malignant biological behaviors of tumors. During the development and progression of HCC, the high level of survivin expression promotes cancer cell proliferation, inhibits cancer cell apoptosis, induces tumor stromal angiogenesis, reduces the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and ultimately affects the prognosis of patients with HCC. Survivin expression is regulated by a large number of factors. The latest discovery indicated that the transcription factor octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) enhances the expression of survivin though cyclin D1 (CCND1), which, in part, accounts for tumor cell proliferation, recurrence and metastasis. Survivin plays key roles in HCC, which renders it an ideal target for the treatment of HCC. The present article reviews the research progress on the relationship between survivin and HCC and on the HCC treatment strategies targeting survivin.