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Chen C, Liao J, Sun X. Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 enhances cervical cancer cell viability and migration by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2024; 44:2362420. [PMID: 38864525 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2024.2362420] [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] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of This study is to investigate the effects of Keratinocyte differentiation factor 1 (KDF1) on cervical cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database was used to analyse KDF1 expression in cervical cancer and paracancerous tissue samples. The correlation between the expression of KDF1 and clinicopathological features was also analysed. Cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) with KDF1 overexpression or knockdown were constructed. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of KDF1 in cervical cancer tissues and cells. In different treatment groups of cervical cancer cells, protein expression of KDF1, cell viability, invasion, and migration were subsequently confirmed by western blotting, CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, and wound healing assay, respectively. A PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was used to detect the effect of KDF1 on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase B (AKT) pathway. RESULTS KDF1 was highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines (p < 0.01), and was significantly associated with poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Knockdown of KDF1 in HeLa cells resulted in a significant decrease in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as phosphorylated PI3K (P-PI3K) and p-AKT levels (p < 0.01). However, KDF1 overexpression activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and significantly enhanced the malignant biological behaviour of cervical cancer cells (p < 0.01). Additionally, the PI3K inhibitor reduced the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HeLa cells overexpressing KDF1 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION KDF1 enhances cervical cancer viability and migration by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, and may serve as a therapeutic target for patients with cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Xingxing Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Lin X, Lin T, Liu M, Chen D, Chen J. Liensinine diperchlorate and artemisitene synergistically attenuate breast cancer progression through suppressing PI3K-AKT signaling and their efficiency in breast cancer patient-derived organoids. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116871. [PMID: 38861856 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116871] [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] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women around the world. Finding new and efficient drugs has become a crucial aspect of BC treatment. Liensinine diperchlorate (LIN) and artemisitene (ATT) are natural compounds with potential anti-cancer activities extracted from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) seeds and Artemisia annua, respectively. However, the synergistic anti-breast cancer effectiveness and mechanism of LIN and ATT remain unknown. This study intended to reveal the biological functions and underlying mechanism of combined LIN and ATT treatment in BC. Herein, we first reported that LIN and ATT synergistically mitigated the proliferation, migration as well as invasion of BC cells. Besides, LIN boosted the stimulatory effect of ATT on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis in BC cells. Interestingly, LIN and ATT synergistically attenuated the growth of BC patient-derived organoids. Moreover, LIN augmented the inhibitory efficacy of ATT on BC growth in vivo without obvious side effects. Furthermore, the inactivation of PI3K-AKT pathway and its regulated proteins contributed to the therapeutic role of LIN and ATT treatment in BC. Intriguingly, a prediction model constructed as per RNA sequencing data indicated that the combination of LIN and ATT treatment might ameliorate the prognosis of BC patients. In conclusion, our present investigation demonstrated that LIN and ATT synergistically inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration as well as invasion and enhanced ROS-mediated apoptosis via suppressing the PI3K-AKT signaling, and suggested that combining LIN and ATT treatment might be a promising choice for BC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Inflammatory and Immunology Diseases, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Tengyu Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Inflammatory and Immunology Diseases, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Inflammatory and Immunology Diseases, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China.
| | - Jian Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Inflammatory and Immunology Diseases, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China.
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Sun J, Ma M, Zhong X, Li J, Yi J, Zhang R, Liu X, Peng L, Sun X, Feng W, Hu R, Huang Q, Lv M, Fan K, Zhou X. Investigating the molecular mechanism of Qizhu anticancer prescription in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma based on high-resolution mass spectrometry and network pharmacology. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:117985. [PMID: 38417600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Of all primary liver cancer cases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for about 90%. Most patients with HCC receive a diagnosis in the medium-to-late stages or with chronic liver disease, have lost the opportunity for radical treatment, such as surgical resection, and their 5-year survival rate is low. Qizhu Anticancer Prescription (QZACP) is an empirical formula composed of traditional Chinese herbs that can clinically relieve HCC symptoms, inhibit the progression of HCC, reduce recurrence rate, and prolong survival; however, its exact mode of action remains unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY This study's purpose was to investigate the mode of action of QZACP in the prevention and treatment of HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Initially, drug components in the QZACP decoction were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. A subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in nude mice was constructed to further analyze the active components of QZACP that had entered tumor tissues through oral administration. Potential targets of QZACP in the prevention and treatment of HCC were identified and then confirmed in vivo via network pharmacology and molecular docking. In addition, regulatory effects of QZACP on HCC cell proliferation and the cell cycle were detected using a CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS High-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the QZACP decoction contained deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester (DAAME), paeoniflorin, calycosin-7-glucoside, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, astragaloside IV, saikosaponin A, curdione, and atractylenolide II. In nude mice, QZACP could effectively inhibit the growth of subcutaneous tumors, where DAAME, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid could enter liver cancer tissues after oral administration. Among these, DAAME was the most highly expressed in HCC tissues and may be an important active component of QZACP for inhibiting HCC. Utilizing network pharmacology, the targets of action of these four drug components were identified. After verification using western blotting, STAT3, VEGFA, JUN, FGF2, BCL2L1, AR, TERT, MMP7, MMP1, ABCB1, CA9, and ESR2 were identified as targets of QZACP inhibition in HCC. In vitro experiments revealed that QZACP inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells while inducing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments demonstrated that DAAME significantly inhibited HCC growth. After intersection of the 24 DAAME targets predicted using network pharmacology with the 435 HCC disease targets, only CA9 was identified as a DAAME-HCC crossover target. Molecular docking results revealed that the binding site of DAAME and CA9 had good stereo-complementarity with a docking score of -8.1 kcal/mol. Western blotting and immunohistochemical results also confirmed that DAAME significantly decreased CA9 protein expression in HCC. CONCLUSIONS QZACP inhibits HCC by reducing the expression of STAT3, VEGFA, JUN, FGF2, BCL2L1, AR, TERT, MMP7, MMP1, ABCB1, CA9, and ESR2. DAAME may be an important active component of QZACP for the prevention and treatment of HCC, inhibiting it by targeting the expression of CA9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Sun
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Mengqing Ma
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Xin Zhong
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Jing Li
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, China.
| | - Jinyu Yi
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, China.
| | - Renjie Zhang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Xingning Liu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Lanfen Peng
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Xinfeng Sun
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Wenxing Feng
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Rui Hu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, China.
| | - Qi Huang
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Macau University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macao, China.
| | - Minling Lv
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Kongli Fan
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
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Ali FEM, Abdel-Reheim MA, Hassanein EHM, Abd El-Aziz MK, Althagafy HS, Badran KSA. Exploring the potential of drug repurposing for liver diseases: A comprehensive study. Life Sci 2024; 347:122642. [PMID: 38641047 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122642] [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] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Drug repurposing involves the investigation of existing drugs for new indications. It offers a great opportunity to quickly identify a new drug candidate at a lower cost than novel discovery and development. Despite the importance and potential role of drug repurposing, there is no specific definition that healthcare providers and the World Health Organization credit. Unfortunately, many similar and interchangeable concepts are being used in the literature, making it difficult to collect and analyze uniform data on repurposed drugs. This research was conducted based on understanding general criteria for drug repurposing, concentrating on liver diseases. Many drugs have been investigated for their effect on liver diseases even though they were originally approved (or on their way to being approved) for other diseases. Some of the hypotheses for drug repurposing were first captured from the literature and then processed further to test the hypothesis. Recently, with the revolution in bioinformatics techniques, scientists have started to use drug libraries and computer systems that can analyze hundreds of drugs to give a short list of candidates to be analyzed pharmacologically. However, this study revealed that drug repurposing is a potential aid that may help deal with liver diseases. It provides available or under-investigated drugs that could help treat hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, Wilson disease, liver cancer, and fatty liver. However, many further studies are needed to ensure the efficacy of these drugs on a large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt; Michael Sayegh, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62521, Egypt.
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
| | - Mostafa K Abd El-Aziz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid S A Badran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
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Keating CR, Calvisi DF, Qiu W. High-fat diet-induced AKT-palmitoylation in hepatocellular carcinoma: a breakthrough mechanistic investigation. Gut 2024; 73:1046-1048. [PMID: 38336464 PMCID: PMC11156549 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia R Keating
- Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wei Qiu
- Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
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Ni D, Qi Z, Wang Y, Man Y, Pang J, Tang W, Chen J, Li J, Li G. KLF15-activated MARCH2 boosts cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition and presents diagnostic significance for hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2024; 440:114117. [PMID: 38848952 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Membrane associated ubiquitin ligase MARCH2 majorly involves in inflammation response and protein trafficking. However, its comprehensive role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unknown. METHODS Firstly, multiple bioinformatic analyses were applied to determine MARCH2 mRNA level, its expression comparison in diverse molecular and immune subtypes, and diagnostic value in HCC. Subsequently, RNA-seq, real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry and cell proliferation assay are used to explore the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation by gene-silencing or overexpressing in cultured HCC cells or in vivo xenograft. Moreover, dual luciferase reporter assay and immunoblotting are delved into verify the transcription factor that activating MARCH2 promoter. RESULTS Multiple bioinformatic analyses demonstrate that MARCH2 is upregulated in multiple cancer types and exhibits startling diagnostic value as well as distinct molecular and immune subtypes in HCC. RNA-seq analysis reveals MARCH2 may promote EMT, cell proliferation and migration in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of MARCH2 triggers EMT and significantly enhances HCC cell migration, proliferation and colony formation in a ligase activity-dependent manner. Additionally, above observations are validated in the HepG2 mice xenografts. For up-stream mechanism, transcription factor KLF15 is highly expressed in HCC and activates MARCH2 expression. CONCLUSION KLF15 activated MARCH2 triggers EMT and serves as a fascinating biomarker for precise diagnosis of HCC. Consequently, MARCH2 emerges as a promising candidate for target therapy in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Ni
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Zhaolai Qi
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Yuefeng Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Yong Man
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Jing Pang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Weiqing Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Jingzhou Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Fuwai Central-China Hospital, Central-China Branch of National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Jian Li
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Guoping Li
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730, PR China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, PR China.
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Hushmandi K, Einollahi B, Saadat SH, Lee EHC, Farani MR, Okina E, Huh YS, Nabavi N, Salimimoghadam S, Kumar AP. Amino acid transporters within the solute carrier superfamily: Underappreciated proteins and novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Mol Metab 2024; 84:101952. [PMID: 38705513 PMCID: PMC11112377 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solute carrier (SLC) transporters, a diverse family of membrane proteins, are instrumental in orchestrating the intake and efflux of nutrients including amino acids, vitamins, ions, nutrients, etc, across cell membranes. This dynamic process is critical for sustaining the metabolic demands of cancer cells, promoting their survival, proliferation, and adaptation to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Amino acids are fundamental building blocks of cells and play essential roles in protein synthesis, nutrient sensing, and oncogenic signaling pathways. As key transporters of amino acids, SLCs have emerged as crucial players in maintaining cellular amino acid homeostasis, and their dysregulation is implicated in various cancer types. Thus, understanding the intricate connections between amino acids, SLCs, and cancer is pivotal for unraveling novel therapeutic targets and strategies. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, we delve into the significant impact of amino acid carriers of the SLCs family on the growth and progression of cancer and explore the current state of knowledge in this field, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie these relationships and highlighting potential avenues for future research and clinical interventions. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Amino acids transportation by SLCs plays a critical role in tumor progression. However, some studies revealed the tumor suppressor function of SLCs. Although several studies evaluated the function of SLC7A11 and SLC1A5, the role of some SLC proteins in cancer is not studied well. To exert their functions, SLCs mediate metabolic rewiring, regulate the maintenance of redox balance, affect main oncogenic pathways, regulate amino acids bioavailability within the TME, and alter the sensitivity of cancer cells to therapeutics. However, different therapeutic methods that prevent the function of SLCs were able to inhibit tumor progression. This comprehensive review provides insights into a rapidly evolving area of cancer biology by focusing on amino acids and their transporters within the SLC superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Hushmandi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Behzad Einollahi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hassan Saadat
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - E Hui Clarissa Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Elena Okina
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun Suk Huh
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Tie S, Tong T, Zhan G, Li X, Ouyang D, Cao J. Network pharmacology prediction and experiment validation of anti-liver cancer activity of Curcumae Rhizoma and Hedyotis diffusa Willd. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:3337-3348. [PMID: 38846818 PMCID: PMC11152801 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000002074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to elucidate anti-liver cancer components and potential mechanisms of Curcumae Rhizoma and Hedyotis diffusa Willd (CR-HDW). Methods Effective components and targets of CR-HDW were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Liver cancer-related genes were collected from GeneCards, Gene-Disease Association (DisGeNET), and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Protein-protein interaction networks, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were conducted to analyze the identified genes. Molecular docking was used to simulate binding of the active components and their target proteins. Cell activity assay, western blot, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) experiments were conducted to validate core targets identified from molecular docking. Results Ten active compounds of CR-HDW were identified including quercetin, 3-epioleanic acid and hederagenin. The primary core proteins comprised Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), Protein Kinase B(AKT1), etc. The pathways for Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/ AKT, cellular senescence, Fork head boxO (FOXO) were revealed as important for anti-cancer activity of CR-HDW. Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding between liver cancer target proteins and major active components of CR-HDW. In-vitro experiments confirmed that hederagenin and 3-epioleolic acid inhibited HuH-7 cell growth, reduced expression of PI3K, AKT, and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins. Hederagenin also induced HuH-7 senescence. Conclusions In summary, The authors' results suggest that the CR-HDW component (Hederagenin, 3-epoxy-olanolic acid) can inhibit the proliferation of HuH-7 cells by decreasing PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Hederagenin also induced HuH-7 senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyan Tie
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Tianhao Tong
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Gangxiang Zhan
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Li
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Dan Ouyang
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Jianzhong Cao
- Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnostics in Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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Huang Y, Yan B, Meng C, Zhang L, Wang C. Matrix metalloproteinases in chronic rhinosinusitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:547-558. [PMID: 38251631 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2302362] [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] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes that are essential in maintaining extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, regulating inflammation and tissue remodeling. In chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the overexpression of certain MMPs can contribute to chronic nasal tissue inflammation, ECM remodeling, and tissue repair. AREAS COVERED This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biological characteristics and functions of the MMP family, particularly focusing on the expression and activity of MMPs in patients with CRS, and delves into their role in the pathogenesis of CRS and their potential as therapeutic targets. EXPERT OPINION MMPs are important in tissue remodeling and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CRS. Previous studies have shown that the expression of MMPs is upregulated in the nasal mucosa of patients with CRS and positively correlates with the severity of CRS. However, there is still a large gap in the research content of MMP in CRS, and the specific expression and pathogenic mechanism of MMP still need to be clarified. The significance and value of the ratio of MMP to tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP) in diseases still need to be demonstrated. Moreover, further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of biologics that target MMPs in patients with CRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Nasal Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Nasal Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Meng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Nasal Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Nasal Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengshuo Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Nasal Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Deng ZT, Liang SF, Huang GK, Wang YQ, Tu XY, Zhang YN, Li S, Liu T, Cheng BB. Autophagy plays a pro-apoptotic role in arsenic trioxide-induced cell death of liver cancer. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 22:295-302. [PMID: 38599914 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on hepatocellular carcinoma have been documented widely. Autophagy plays dual roles in the survival and death of cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated the exact role of autophagy in As2O3-induced apoptosis in liver cancer cells. METHODS The viability of hepatoma cells was determined using the MTT assay with or without fetal bovine serum. The rate of apoptosis in liver cancer cells treated with As2O3 was evaluated using flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining, and TUNEL assays. The rate of autophagy among liver cancer cells treated with As2O3 was detected using immunofluorescence, Western blot assay and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Upon treatment with As2O3, the viability of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells was decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis rates of both liver cancer cell lines increased with the concentration of As2O3, as shown by flow cytometry. Apoptosis in liver cancer cells treated with As2O3 was also shown by the activation of the caspase cascade and the regulation of Bcl-2/Bax expression. Furthermore, As2O3 treatment induced autophagy in liver cancer cells; this finding was supported by Western blot, immunofluorescence of LC3-II and beclin 1, and transmission electron microscopy. In liver cancer cells, As2O3 inhibited the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signal pathway that plays a vital role in both apoptosis and autophagy. The PI3K activator SC-79 partially reversed As2O3-induced autophagy and apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibiting autophagy with 3-methyladenine partially reversed the negative effects of As2O3 on cell viability. Serum starvation increased autophagy and amplified the effect of As2O3 on cell death. CONCLUSION As2O3 induces apoptosis and autophagy in liver cancer cells. Autophagy induced by As2O3 may have a proapoptotic effect that helps to reduce the viability of liver cancer cells. This study provides novel insights into the effects of As2O3 against liver cancer. Please cite this article as: Deng ZT, Liang SF, Huang GK, Wang YQ, Tu XY, Zhang YN, Li S, Liu T, Cheng BB. Autophagy plays a pro-apoptotic role in arsenic trioxide-induced cell death of liver cancer. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(3): 295-302.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Ting Deng
- Department of Respiration, Taizhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu Province, China; Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Febrile Diseases, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shu-Fang Liang
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guo-Kai Huang
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yu-Qian Wang
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tu
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ya-Ni Zhang
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Febrile Diseases, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Bin-Bin Cheng
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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Baek M, Kim M, Choi HI, Binas B, Cha J, Jung KH, Choi S, Chai YG. Identification of differentially expressed mRNA/lncRNA modules in acutely regorafenib-treated sorafenib-resistant Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301663. [PMID: 38603701 PMCID: PMC11008899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is the standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but many patients become sorafenib-resistant (SR). This study investigated the efficacy of another kinase inhibitor, regorafenib (Rego), as a second-line treatment. We produced SR HCC cells, wherein the PI3K-Akt, TNF, cAMP, and TGF-beta signaling pathways were affected. Acute Rego treatment of these cells reversed the expression of genes involved in TGF-beta signaling but further increased the expression of genes involved in PI3K-Akt signaling. Additionally, Rego reversed the expression of genes involved in nucleosome assembly and epigenetic gene expression. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed four differentially expressed long non-coding RNA (DElncRNA) modules that were associated with the effectiveness of Rego on SR cells. Eleven putative DElncRNAs with distinct expression patterns were identified. We associated each module with DEmRNAs of the same pattern, thus obtaining DElncRNA/DEmRNA co-expression modules. We discuss the potential significance of each module. These findings provide insights and resources for further investigation into the potential mechanisms underlying the response of SR HCC cells to Rego.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Baek
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjae Kim
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae In Choi
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Bert Binas
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Cha
- Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Hwa Jung
- Department of Biopharmaceutical System, Gwangmyeong Convergence Technology Campus of Korea Polytechnic II, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyoung Choi
- Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Mathematical Data Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Gyu Chai
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
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Zhang ZT, Liang QF, Wang X, Wang RS, Duan TT, Wang SM, Tang D. Protective effects of Huang-Qi-Ge-Gen decoction against diabetic liver injury through regulating PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway and metabolic profiling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 323:117647. [PMID: 38163558 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Huang-Qi-Ge-Gen decoction (HGD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription that has been used for centuries to treat "Xiaoke" (the name of diabetes mellitus in ancient China). However, the ameliorating effects of HGD on diabetic liver injury (DLI) and its mechanisms are not yet fully understood. AIM OF THE STUDY To elucidate the ameliorative effect of HGD on DLI and explore its material basis and potential hepatoprotective mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS A diabetic mice model was induced by feeding a high-fat diet and injecting intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (40 mg kg-1) for five days. After the animals were in confirmed diabetic condition, they were given HGD (3 or 12 g kg-1, i. g.) for 14 weeks. The effectiveness of HGD in treating DLI mice was evaluated by monitoring blood glucose and blood lipid levels, liver function, and pathological conditions. Furthermore, UPLC-MS/MS was used to identify the chemical component profile in HGD and absorption components in HGD-treated plasma. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were performed to predict the potential pathway of HGD intervention in DLI. Then, the results of network pharmacology were validated by examining biochemical parameters and using western blotting. Lastly, urine metabolites were analyzed by metabolomics strategy to explore the effect of HGD on the metabolic profile of DLI mice. RESULTS HGD exerted therapeutic potential against the disorders of glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism, liver dysfunction, liver steatosis, and fibrosis in a DLI model mice induced by HFD/STZ. A total of 108 chemical components in HGD and 18 absorption components in HGD-treated plasma were preliminarily identified. Network pharmacology and molecular docking results of the absorbed components in plasma indicated PI3K/AKT as a potential pathway for HGD to intervene in DLI mice. Further experiments verified that HGD markedly reduced liver oxidative stress in DLI mice by modulating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Moreover, 19 differential metabolites between normal and DLI mice were detected in urine, and seven metabolites could be significantly modulated back by HGD. CONCLUSIONS HGD could ameliorate diabetic liver injury by modulating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway and urinary metabolic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Tong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of TCM and Engineering & Technology Research Center for Chinese Materia Medica Quality of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Development and Application of External Drugs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Classical Prescription, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qing-Feng Liang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of TCM and Engineering & Technology Research Center for Chinese Materia Medica Quality of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of TCM and Engineering & Technology Research Center for Chinese Materia Medica Quality of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ru-Shang Wang
- Institute of Consun Co. for Chinese Medicine in Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Consun Pharmaceutical Group, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Ting-Ting Duan
- Institute of Consun Co. for Chinese Medicine in Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Consun Pharmaceutical Group, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Shu-Mei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of TCM and Engineering & Technology Research Center for Chinese Materia Medica Quality of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Dan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of TCM and Engineering & Technology Research Center for Chinese Materia Medica Quality of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Long T, Wu W, Wang X, Chen M. TPR is a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target associated with immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Clin Oncol 2024; 20:27. [PMID: 38414509 PMCID: PMC10895467 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2024.2725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. In the present study, it was demonstrated that translocated promoter region (TPR) was upregulated in tumor tissues and associated with prognosis and immune infiltration in HCC. The clinical outcome of patients with HCC with aberrant expression of TPR was examined using multiple databases, including Gene Expression Omnibus, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression, Kaplan-Meier (KM) Plotter and Xiantao tool. The clinicopathologic characteristics of patients from TCGA database that were associated with overall survival were assessed using Cox regression and KM analysis. The potential hallmarks associated with TPR expression were further predicted by Metascape and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and the relationship between TPR and immune infiltration was explored using the Tumor-Immune System Interactions Database and the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource. The results demonstrated that TPR expression was higher in HCC and its overexpression was associated with a worse prognosis, alongside a correlation with several clinical features. Furthermore, cell differentiation, a prospective new hallmark of cancer, was differentially enriched in the high TPR expression phenotype pathway. Moreover, TPR may also modulate the tumor immune microenvironment as it was significantly associated with immunoregulators and chemokines, as well as different tumor infiltration immune cells. According to the in vitro experiments, TPR silencing inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and the proliferation of HCC cells. In summary, TPR may be a new marker and target for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Long
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Weijie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Minshan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
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Zhang S, Cai X, Khan GJ, Cheng J, He J, Zhai K, Mao Y. Exploring the molecular mechanism of Artemisia rupestris L. for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma via PI3K/AKT pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117572. [PMID: 38097024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy in China. Most tumors develop from chronic inflammation. Artemisia rupestris L. (ARL) has been found to have a significant effect on viral influenza and hepatitis, but the mechanism of action of ARL against liver cancer is unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The study objective was to explore the mechanism of action of ARL for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by ethanol extract and in vitro experimental design. MATERIALS AND METHODS Interactions between ARL and cellular target proteins against HCC were analyzed through network pharmacology and network topology with the utilization of the DAVID database. The rate of HepG2 cells' growth inhibition was assessed using the MTT assay in vitro cellular assay; hoechst33342 detects apoptosis of cells; the ability of HepG2 cells to migrate and invade was assessed using the transwell assay and the cell scratch experiment; and the levels of protein expression in HepG2 cells were assessed using the western blot assay. RESULTS Network pharmacology prediction results demonstrated that 22 active ingredients were tested, 176 possible action targets were discovered, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to be the most pertinent action pathway for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In vitro results showed that it can effectively restrict HepG2 cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion as well as the regulation of protein expressions. CONCLUSION Conclusively, Quercetin, Linarin, and Kaempferol were found most essential active ingredients from ARL that regulate the antitumor effects against HCC through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The study provides a fundamental basis for further comprehensive evaluation of ARL to treat tumor diseases in general and its therapeutic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirong Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, China.
| | - Xiaocui Cai
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi, 830004, China
| | - Ghulam Jilany Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Jiangnan Cheng
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi, 830004, China
| | - Jinhua He
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi, 830004, China; Xinjiang Hospital, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, 393 Aletai Road, Urumqi, 830091, China.
| | - Kefeng Zhai
- School of Biological and Food Engineering, Engineering Research Center for Development and High Value Utilization of Genuine Medicinal Materials in North Anhui Province, Suzhou University, Suzhou, Anhui, 234000, China.
| | - Yan Mao
- Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Uygur Medicine, Urumqi, 830004, China.
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Mei X, Xiong J, Liu J, Huang A, Zhu D, Huang Y, Wang H. DHCR7 promotes lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer through cholesterol reprogramming-mediated activation of the KANK4/PI3K/AKT axis and VEGF-C secretion. Cancer Lett 2024; 584:216609. [PMID: 38211648 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216609] [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] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) have a poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanism of LNM in CC is unclear, and there is no effective clinical treatment. Here, we found that 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), an enzyme that catalyzes the last step of cholesterol synthesis, was upregulated in CC and closely related to LNM. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments proved that DHCR7 promoted the invasion ability of CC cells and lymphangiogenesis in vitro and induced LNM in vivo. The LNM-promoting effect of DHCR7 was partly mediated by upregulating KN motif and ankyrin repeat domains 4 (KANK4) expression and subsequently activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Alternatively, DHCR7 promoted the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and thereby lymphangiogenesis. Interestingly, cholesterol reprogramming was needed for the DHCR7-mediated promotion of activation of the KANK4/PI3K/AKT axis, VEGF-C secretion, and subsequent LNM. Importantly, treatment with the DHCR7 inhibitors AY9944 and tamoxifen (TAM) significantly inhibited LNM of CC, suggesting the clinical application potential of DHCR7 inhibitors in CC. Collectively, our results uncover a novel molecular mechanism of LNM in CC and identify DHCR7 as a new potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Mei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Jinfeng Xiong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Anni Huang
- Department of Medical, Guangxi Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530022, China
| | - Da Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Yafei Huang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, And State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China.
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16
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Wei S, Lu C, Mo S, Huang H, Chen M, Li S, Kong L, Zhang H, Hoa PTT, Han C, Luo X. Silencing of KIF2C enhances the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatin through regulating the PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling pathway. Anticancer Drugs 2024; 35:237-250. [PMID: 38170762 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In the treatment of unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cisplatin is administered transhepatic arterially for local treatment, but the clinical application of cisplatin drugs is frequently hindered by the emergence of drug resistance. Kinesin family member 2C( KIF2C ) has been shown as oncogene in a variety of tumors. Nevertheless, its effect on cisplatin sensitivity has yet to be ascertained. Herein, we aim to investigate the impact of the KIF2C gene on cisplatin sensitivity within HCC and the plausible underlying molecular mechanism. We examined the expression level of the KIF2C gene in HCC cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis, and analyzed bioinformatically by The Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The KIF2C gene was silenced using the small interfering RNA technology, and its effect on cisplatin drug sensitivity in HCC cells was evaluated by flow cytometry, cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion assays. Our results indicated that KIF2C was highly expressed in HCC cells. KIF2C silencing inhibits HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, promotes apoptosis, and keeps the cell cycle in G2 phase. In addition, KIF2C silencing enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin. KIF2C silencing down-regulates the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) proteins. In conclusion, KIF2C silencing amplifies the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin by regulating the PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling pathway. Consequently, targeting KIF2C shows great application potential as a strategy for enhancing the effectiveness of HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxin Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University
| | - Chunmiao Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
| | - Shutian Mo
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
| | - Hailian Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University
| | - Meifeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
| | - Shuai Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University
| | - Luping Kong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University
| | - Pham Thi Thai Hoa
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer
| | - Chuangye Han
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer
| | - Xiaoling Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Medical University
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Manoharan S, Prajapati K, Perumal E. Natural bioactive compounds and FOXO3a in cancer therapeutics: An update. Fitoterapia 2024; 173:105807. [PMID: 38168566 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105807] [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] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3a (FOXO3a) is a transcription factor that regulates various downstream targets upon its activation, leading to the upregulation of tumor suppressor and apoptotic pathways. Hence, targeting FOXO3a is an emerging strategy for cancer prevention and treatment. Recently, Natural Bioactive Compounds (NBCs) have been used in drug discovery for treating various disorders including cancer. Notably, several NBCs have been shown as potent FOXO3a activators. NBCs upregulate FOXO3a expressions through PI3K/Akt, MEK/ERK, AMPK, and IκB signaling pathways. FOXO3a promotes its anticancer effects by upregulating the levels of its downstream targets, including Bim, FasL, and Bax, leading to apoptosis. This review focuses on the dysregulation of FOXO3a in carcinogenesis and explores the potent FOXO3a activating NBCs for cancer prevention and treatment. Additionally, the review evaluates the safety and efficacy of NBCs. Looking ahead, NBCs are anticipated to become a cost-effective, potent, and safer therapeutic option for cancer, making them a focal point of research in the field of cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryaa Manoharan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Kunjkumar Prajapati
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Ekambaram Perumal
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India.
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Chen Y, Song Z, Hou X, Liu J, Zheng C, Zhao X, Lv G, Li J, Xiu Y, Shi W, Zhao J, Yang H, Wang Y, Zhao J, Zhan X, Niu M, Zou W, Bai Z, Xiao X. Liuweiwuling Tablet relieves the inflammatory transformation of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 321:117406. [PMID: 37952733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Liuweiwuling Tablet (LWWL) is a patented Chinese medicine approved by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Clinically, it is used to treat a range of liver diseases that precede hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including hepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. LWWL is hypothesized to inhibit the inflammatory transformation of HCC, which may have a positive impact on the prevention and treatment of HCC. However, its exact mechanism of action remains unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate how LWWL is effective in the treatment of HCC and to validate the pathways involved in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS An in vivo model of HCC induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was established to study the effect of LWWL on the development of HCC. The rat serum was analyzed for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT). The rat liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome for pathological analysis. Rat liver tissue was subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Expression of inflammatory and liver fibrosis-related factors in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and LX-2 cells was detected by QRT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot (WB). The expression of apoptosis and stemness genes in HepG2 and Huh7 cells was assessed through flow cytometry and QRT-PCR. Transcriptomics, network pharmacology, WB, and QRT-PCR were employed to validate the mechanisms associated with the amelioration of HCC development by LWWL. RESULTS LWWL significantly reduced the severity of hepatitis and liver fibrosis, the expression of tumor stemness genes, and the incidence of HCC. In addition, LWWL inhibited the release of inflammatory substances and nuclear accumulation of P65 protein in BMDMs as well as the conversion of LX-2 cells to fibroblasts. LWWL inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells, including the initiation of apoptosis and the reduction of stemness gene expression. Importantly, LWWL regulates the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, which affects hepatic inflammation and cancer progression. CONCLUSION LWWL inhibited the occurrence and development of HCC by modulating the severity of hepatitis and liver fibrosis, indicating the potential clinical relevance of LWWL in preventing and treating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China; Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zheng Song
- Peking University 302 Clinical Medical School, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China; Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Jia Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China
| | - Congyang Zheng
- Digestive Department of the Second Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China; Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Guiji Lv
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Ye Xiu
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Huijie Yang
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhan
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Ming Niu
- Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Wenjun Zou
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China.
| | - Zhaofang Bai
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China; Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Xiaohe Xiao
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China; Department of Hepatology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100039, China.
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Pan J, Yu Q, Song Y, Cui Z, He Q, Cui M, Mei C, Cui H, Wang H, Li H, Chen S. Histone deacetylase 6 deficiency protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injury by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23477. [PMID: 38334424 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301445rr] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the only effective method to treat end-stage liver disease. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) continues to limit the prognosis of patients receiving LT. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a unique HDAC member involved in inflammation and apoptosis. However, its role and mechanism in hepatic IRI have not yet been reported. We examined HDAC6 levels in liver tissue from LT patients, mice challenged with liver IRI, and hepatocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). In addition, HDAC6 global-knockout (HDAC6-KO) mice, adeno-associated virus-mediated liver-specific HDAC6 overexpressing (HDAC6-LTG) mice, and their corresponding controls were used to construct hepatic IRI models. Hepatic histology, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis were detected to assess liver injury. The molecular mechanisms of HDAC6 in hepatic IRI were explored in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the HDAC6-selective inhibitor tubastatin A was used to detect the therapeutic effect of HDAC6 on liver IRI. Together, our results showed that HDAC6 expression was significantly upregulated in liver tissue from LT patients, mice subjected to hepatic I/R surgery, and hepatocytes challenged by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment. Compared with control mice, HDAC6 deficiency mitigated liver IRI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and apoptosis, whereas HDAC6-LTG mice displayed the opposite phenotype. Further molecular experiments show that HDAC6 bound to and deacetylated AKT and HDAC6 deficiency improved liver IRI by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. In conclusion, HDAC6 is a key mediator of hepatic IRI that functions to promote inflammation and apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Targeting hepatic HDAC6 inhibition may be a promising approach to attenuate liver IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiwen Yu
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Song
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zongchao Cui
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qianqian He
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengwei Cui
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chaopeng Mei
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huning Cui
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sanyang Chen
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Medical Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma Research, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Emergency and Trauma Medicine Engineering Research Center, Zhengzhou, China
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Li T, Huang HY, Qian B, Wang WH, Yuan Q, Zhang HY, He J, Ni KJ, Wang P, Zhao ZY, He JL, Fu SW, Xu L, Lin YC, Lin ZN. Interventing mitochondrial PD-L1 suppressed IFN-γ-induced cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma by sensitizing sorafenib-induced ferroptosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 212:360-374. [PMID: 38171407 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Evidence recently showed that pleiotropic cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a positive role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression through the regulation of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) in HCC. The present study explored the role and potential mechanism of mitochondrial programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its regulation of ferroptosis in modulating the cancer stemness of LCSCs. It was shown that mimicking TME IFN-γ exposure increased the LCSCs ratio and cancer stemness phenotypes in HCC cells. IFN-γ exposure inhibited sorafenib (Sora)-induced ferroptosis by enhancing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression as well reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) generation in LCSCs. Furthermore, IFN-γ exposure upregulated PD-L1 expression and its mitochondrial translocation, inducing dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-dependent mitochondrial fission and correlating with glycolytic metabolism reprogramming in LCSCs. The genetic intervention of PD-L1 promoted ferroptosis-dependent anti-tumor effects of Sora, reduced glycolytic metabolism reprogramming, and inhibited cancer stemness of HCC in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed a novel mechanism that IFN-γ exposure-induced mitochondrial translocation of PD-L1 enhanced glycolytic reprogramming to mediate the GPX4-dependent ferroptosis resistance and cancer stemness in LCSCs. This study provided new insights into the role of mitochondrial PD-L1-Drp1-GPX4 signal axis in regulating IFN-γ exposure-associated cancer stemness in LCSCs and verified that PD-L1-targeted intervention in combination with Sora might achieve promising synergistic anti-HCC effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Hai-Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Bo Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Wei-Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Qi Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Han-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jie He
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Ke-Jian Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Pan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Zhuo-Ying Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jun-Lin He
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shi-Wei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Ling Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Zhong-Ning Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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Fang Y, Tang W, Qu S, Li Z, Zhang X, Miao Y, Zeng Z, Huang H. RBBP7, regulated by SP1, enhances the Warburg effect to facilitate the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via PI3K/AKT signaling. J Transl Med 2024; 22:170. [PMID: 38368381 PMCID: PMC10874528 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04964-8] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by aggressive progression and elevated mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of RBBP7 on HCC pathogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The expression and clinical feature of RBBP7 were evaluated using bioinformatics analysis and the assessment of clinical HCC samples. CCK8 and colony formation were employed to estimate cell proliferation function of RBBP7. Aerobic glycolysis levels of RBBP7 were evaluated by measuring ATP levels, lactic acid production, glucose uptake capacity, and the expression of relevant enzymes (PFKM, PKM2, and LDHA). The phosphorylation levels in PI3K/AKT signaling were measured by western blotting. The regulatory effect of transcription factors of specificity protein 1 (SP1) on RBBP7 mRNA expression was confirmed in dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. The proliferation- and glycolysis-associated proteins were assessed using immunofluorescence staining in vivo. RESULTS We found that RBBP7 is expressed at high levels in HCC and predicts poor survival. Functional assays showed that RBBP7 promoted HCC proliferation and glycolysis. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that RBBP7 activates the PI3K/AKT pathway, a crucial pathway in glycolysis, contributing to the progression of HCC. The outcomes of the dual-luciferase assay further confirmed that SP1 is capable of activating the promoter of RBBP7. CONCLUSIONS RBBP7, which is up-regulated by SP1, promotes HCC cell proliferation and glycolysis through the PI3K/AKT pathway. The findings of this study suggest that RBBP7 is a potential biomarker for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Fang
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - WeiQiang Tang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Siming Qu
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - ZhiTao Li
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - XiaoLi Zhang
- Gastrointestinal and Hernia Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - YingLei Miao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
- Yunnan Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong Zeng
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
| | - HanFei Huang
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
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Hong W, Zhang Y, Wang S, Zheng D, Hsu S, Zhou J, Fan J, Zeng Z, Wang N, Ding Z, Yu M, Gao Q, Du S. Deciphering the immune modulation through deep transcriptomic profiling and therapeutic implications of DNA damage repair pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 582:216594. [PMID: 38135208 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216594] [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] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS DNA damage repair (DDR) plays a pivotal role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), driving oncogenesis, progression, and therapeutic response. However, the mechanisms of DDR mediated immune cells and immuno-modulatory pathways in HCC are yet ill-defined. METHODS Our study introduces an innovative deep machine learning framework for precise DDR assessment, utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data. Single-cell RNA sequencing data were obtained and in total 85,628 cells of primary or post-immunotherapy cases were analyzed. Large-scale HCC datasets, including 1027 patients in house together with public datasets, were used for 101 machine-learning models and a novel DDR feature was derived at single-cell resolution (DDRscore). Druggable targets were predicted using the reverse phase protein array (RPPA) proteomic profiling of 169 HCC patients and RNA-seq data from 22 liver cancer cell lines. RESULTS Our investigation reveals a dynamic interplay of DDR with natural killer cells and B cells in the primary HCC microenvironment, shaping a tumor-promoting immune milieu through metabolic programming. Analysis of HCC post-immunotherapy demonstrates elevated DDR levels that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibroblast-like transformation, reshaping the fibrotic tumor microenvironment. Conversely, attenuated DDR promotes antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells and CD8+ T cells, modulating the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Regulatory network analysis identifies the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis as a key determinant of immunotherapeutic response in low DDR HCC, potentially regulated by transcription factors GATA3, REL, and TBX21. Using machine learning techniques by combining bulk RNA-seq data in house together with public datasets, we introduce DDRscore, a robust consensus DDR scoring system to predict overall survival and resistance to PD-1 therapy in HCC patients. Finally, we identify BRAF as a potential therapeutic target for high DDRscore patients. CONCLUSION Our comprehensive findings advance our understanding of DDR and the tumor microenvironment in HCC, providing insights into immune regulatory mechanisms mediated via DDR pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Hong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Siwei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Danxue Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Shujung Hsu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhaochong Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Mills Institute for Personalized Cancer Care, Fynn Biotechnologies Ltd., Jinan, Shandong, 250000, China
| | - Zhiyong Ding
- Mills Institute for Personalized Cancer Care, Fynn Biotechnologies Ltd., Jinan, Shandong, 250000, China
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Pancreas Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, China.
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Shisuo Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China.
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Paskeh MDA, Babaei N, Hashemi M, Doosti A, Hushmandi K, Entezari M, Samarghandian S. The protective impact of curcumin, vitamin D and E along with manganese oxide and Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles in rats with scrotal hyperthermia: Role of apoptotic genes, miRNA and circRNA. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 81:127320. [PMID: 37913559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is one of the major factors affecting most people around the world. Short-term exposure to high temperatures can cause hyperthermia, which is one of the causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin, vitamins D and E along with Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) and manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO2-NPs) on semen parameters and its effect on miRNA21 and circRNA0001518 expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, the lower part of the rat was exposed to 43 °C for 5 weeks every other day for 5 weeks. Then the animals were killed. Tissue samples were collected for sperm parameters analysis, and tissue samples were taken for evaluation of apoptosis levels in germ cells, and RNA extraction in order to examine the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, miRNA, and CircRNA genes. RESULTS The results of this study showed that administration of curcumin, vitamin D, and vitamin E with Fe2O3-NPs and MnO2-NPs can improve the parameters of semen, Bax gene expression, Bcl-2 as well as miRNA and CircRNA in rats with testicular hyperthermia. In addition, curcumin by reducing the toxicity of Fe2O3 nanoparticles was able to reduce its negative effects and also reduce apoptosis in germ cells. This decrease in apoptosis was attributed to decreased Bcl-2 gene expression and increased expression of Bax, miRNA-21, and circRNA0001518. CONCLUSION All the results of this study confirmed that Fe2O3-NPs and Mno2-NPs containing antioxidants or vitamins are useful in improving fertility in rats due to scrotal hyperthermia. Although Fe2O3-NPs and Mno2-NPs containing both antioxidants and vitamins had a greater effect on improving fertility and reducing the toxic effects of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nahid Babaei
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Doosti
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417466191, Iran.
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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Liu WF, Zhang QW, Quan B, Zhang F, Li M, Lu SX, Dong L, Yin X, Liu BB. Gas7 attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma progression and chemoresistance through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Cell Signal 2023; 112:110908. [PMID: 37769891 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110908] [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] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Growth arrest-specific gene 7 (Gas7) was involved in various cellular functions, although its specific roles and molecular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained unclear. So the current study was to investigate the role of Gas7 in HCC. Our findings revealed that Gas7 was downregulated in various HCC cell lines and low Gas7 expression was associated with decreased overall survival in patients with HCC. Additionally, our functional assays showed that Gas7 inhibited cell proliferation and migration, induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy, and enhanced oxaliplatin sensitivity by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. We also observed that transcription factorSp1 was responsible for inhibiting Gas7. These findings provide insights into the role and elucidated a potential mechanism of Gas7 in HCC progression and metastasis. It was also observed that the Sp1/Gas7/PI3K/Akt axis was critical for malignant phenotype and oxaliplatin sensitivity in HCC. Therefore, Gas7 can be considered as a prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Feng Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qi-Wei Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Bing Quan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Miao Li
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shen-Xin Lu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ling Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xin Yin
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Bin-Bin Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Wang J, Wang S, Wang J, Huang J, Lu H, Pan B, Pan H, Song Y, Deng Q, Jin X, Shi G. Comprehensive analysis of clinical prognosis and biological significance of CNIH4 in cervical cancer. Cancer Med 2023; 12:22381-22394. [PMID: 38087815 PMCID: PMC10757085 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6734] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cornichon homolog 4 (CNIH4) belongs to the CNIH family. It functions as an oncogene in many tumors. However, CNIH4's significance in the immune landscape and its predictive potential in cervical cancer (CESC) is unexplored. METHODS CNIH4 levels and its effect on the survival of patients with CESC were evaluated using data retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The oncogenic effect of CNIH4 in CESC was determined using small interfering RNA-mediated transfected cell lines and tumorigenesis experiments in animal models. RESULTS Higher expression of CNIH4 was found in advanced tumor and pathological stages, as well as lymph node metastasis. CNIH4 expression correlated positively with the infiltration of macrophages M2 and resting dendritic cells into the affected tissue. Additionally, functional enrichment of RNA-sequencing of CNIH4-knocked down CESC cell lines showed the association of CNIH4 to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis highlighted several immune pathways that were elevated in the CESC samples with enhanced levels of CNIH4, including Type-I and Type-II IFN-response pathways. The impact of CNIH4 on drug sensitivity was further assessed using the GDSC database. As CNIH4 is linked to the immune landscape in CESC, this study determined a four-gene risk prediction signature utilizing CNIH4-related immunomodulators. The risk score quantified from the prediction signature was an independent predictive indicator in CESC. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis verified the good predictive ability of the four-gene signature in TCGA-CESC cohort. Thus, the CNIH4-related model showed potential as an auxiliary TNM staging system tool. CONCLUSION CNIH4 may be an effective predictive biomarker for patients with cervical cancer, thus providing new ideas and research directions for CESC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
- Industrial College of Biomedicine and Health IndustryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Shudan Wang
- School of MedicineNingbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Junli Wang
- Industrial College of Biomedicine and Health IndustryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
- School of Medical LaboratoryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Haishan Lu
- Clinical Pathological Diagnosis & Research CentraThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Bin Pan
- Department of Laboratory Animal CenterYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Hanyi Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Yanlun Song
- Industrial College of Biomedicine and Health IndustryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
- School of Medical LaboratoryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Qianqian Deng
- Industrial College of Biomedicine and Health IndustryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
- School of Medical LaboratoryYoujiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
| | - Xiaojun Jin
- School of MedicineNingbo UniversityNingboChina
| | - Guiling Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for NationalitiesBaiseChina
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Matera I, Miglionico R, Abruzzese V, Marchese G, Ventola GM, Castiglione Morelli MA, Bisaccia F, Ostuni A. A Regulator Role for the ATP-Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 6 Transporter in HepG2 Cells: Effect on the Dynamics of Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16391. [PMID: 38003580 PMCID: PMC10670978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216391] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that various ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters contribute to the growth and development of tumors, but relatively little is known about how the ABC transporter family behaves in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common cancers worldwide. Cellular model studies have shown that ABCC6, which belongs to the ABC subfamily C (ABCC), plays a role in the cytoskeleton rearrangement and migration of HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, thus highlighting its role in cancer biology. Deep knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed results could provide therapeutic insights into the tumors in which ABCC6 is modulated. In this study, differential expression levels of mRNA transcripts between ABCC6-silenced HepG2 and control groups were measured, and subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Real-Time PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed bioinformatics; functional studies support the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects. The results provide valuable information on the dysregulation of fundamental cellular processes, such as the focal adhesion pathway, which allowed us to obtain detailed information on the active role that the down-regulation of ABCC6 could play in the biology of liver tumors, as it is involved not only in cell migration but also in cell adhesion and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Matera
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Rocchina Miglionico
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Vittorio Abruzzese
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Giovanna Marchese
- Genomix4Life Srl, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (G.M.); (G.M.V.)
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | | | | | - Faustino Bisaccia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Angela Ostuni
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
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27
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Sadrkhanloo M, Paskeh MDA, Hashemi M, Raesi R, Bahonar A, Nakhaee Z, Entezari M, Beig Goharrizi MAS, Salimimoghadam S, Ren J, Nabavi N, Rashidi M, Dehkhoda F, Taheriazam A, Tan SC, Hushmandi K. New emerging targets in osteosarcoma therapy: PTEN and PI3K/Akt crosstalk in carcinogenesis. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154902. [PMID: 37922723 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone carcinoma that affects people in childhood and adulthood. The heterogeneous nature and chromosomal instability represent certain characteristics of OS cells. These cancer cells grow and migrate abnormally, making the prognosis undesirable for patients. Conventional and current treatments fail to completely eradicate tumor cells, so new therapeutics targeting genes may be considered. PI3K/Akt is a regulator of events such as growth, cell death, migration, and differentiation, and its expression changes during cancer progression. PTEN reduces PI3K/Akt expression, and its mutations and depletions have been reported in various tumors. Experimental evidence shows that there is upregulation of PI3K/Akt and downregulation of PTEN in OS. Increasing PTEN expression may suppress PI3K/Akt to minimize tumorigenesis. In addition, PI3K/Akt shows a positive association with growth, metastasis, EMT and metabolism of OS cells and inhibits apoptosis. Importantly, overexpression of PI3K/Akt causes drug resistance and radio-resistance and its level can be modulated by miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs. Silencing PI3K/Akt by compounds and drugs can suppress OS. Here, we review in detail the function of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt in OS, revealing its biological function, function in tumor progression, resistance to therapy, and pharmacological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasoul Raesi
- Department of Health Services Management, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Bahonar
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Nakhaee
- Medical School, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jun Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6 Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Farshid Dehkhoda
- Department of Orthopedics, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Shing Cheng Tan
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhang J, Zhou Y, Feng J, Xu X, Wu J, Guo C. Deciphering roles of TRIMs as promising targets in hepatocellular carcinoma: current advances and future directions. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115538. [PMID: 37729731 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tripartite motif (TRIM) family is assigned to RING-finger-containing ligases harboring the largest number of proteins in E3 ubiquitin ligating enzymes. E3 ubiquitin ligases target the specific substrate for proteasomal degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), which seems to be a more effective and direct strategy for tumor therapy. Recent advances have demonstrated that TRIM genes associate with the occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TRIMs trigger or inhibit multiple biological activities like proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, ferroptosis and autophagy in HCC dependent on its highly conserved yet diverse structures. Remarkably, autophagy is another proteolytic pathway for intracellular protein degradation and TRIM proteins may help to delineate the interaction between the two proteolytic systems. In depth research on the precise molecular mechanisms of TRIM family will allow for targeting TRIM in HCC treatment. We also highlight several potential directions warranted further development associated with TRIM family to provide bright insight into its translational values in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yuting Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jiao Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.
| | - Xuanfu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shidong Hospital, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Jianye Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China.
| | - Chuanyong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Putuo People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.
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29
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Mirabedini S, Musavi H, Makhlough A, Hashemi-Sooteh MB, Zargari M. Association of S19W polymorphism in APOA5 gene and serum lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2023; 44:243-249. [PMID: 36855913 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2022-0056] [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] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Type 2 diabetic Mellitus (T2DM) is the most common systemic and endocrine disease in humans, and diabetic nephropathy is one of the most serious complications of this disorder. The polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) gene are strongly related to hypertriglyceridemia and are considered a predisposing factor for diabetic nephropathy. The current study proposed to examine the association of APOA5-S19W polymorphism with serum lipids levels in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy in Mazandaran province. METHODS This case-control study was designed to determine the association of APOA5-S19W polymorphism with plasma lipid profile in 161 T2DM patients with nephropathy (DN+), without nephropathy (DN-), and in 58 healthy individuals. Lipid profile values were measured using Pars Azmoun commercial kits. S19W variant, one of the polymorphisms of the APOA5 gene, was determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Taq1 restriction enzyme. RESULTS In comparison between the three groups, DN+ had a higher mean TG than DN- and the control group (p<0.001). The incidence of the G allele in DN+ was not significant compared to groups of DN-. Comparing the relationship between the mean of biochemical variables with CC and CG genotypes showed that the mean level of TG in people with CC genotype was increased compared to people with CG genotype in diabetic patients. However, this increase was not significant (p=0.19). CONCLUSIONS There was no association between SNP APOA5 S19W and serum lipids in diabetic patients with and without nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivasadat Mirabedini
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hadis Musavi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Atieh Makhlough
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Research Center, Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Bagher Hashemi-Sooteh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehryar Zargari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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30
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Zhang YC, Zhang YT, Wang Y, Zhao Y, He LJ. What role does PDL1 play in EMT changes in tumors and fibrosis? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1226038. [PMID: 37649487 PMCID: PMC10463740 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226038] [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] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) plays a pivotal role in embryonic development, tissue fibrosis, repair, and tumor invasiveness. Emerging studies have highlighted the close association between EMT and immune checkpoint molecules, particularly programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1). PDL1 exerts its influence on EMT through bidirectional regulation. EMT-associated factors, such as YB1, enhance PDL1 expression by directly binding to its promoter. Conversely, PDL1 signaling triggers downstream pathways like PI3K/AKT and MAPK, promoting EMT and facilitating cancer cell migration and invasion. Targeting PDL1 holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for EMT-related diseases, including cancer and fibrosis. Indeed, PDL1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have shown promising results in clinical trials for various cancers. Recent research has also indicated their potential benefit in fibrosis treatment in reducing fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix deposition, thereby addressing fibrosis. In this review, we examine the multifaceted role of PDL1 in immunomodulation, growth, and fibrosis promotion. We discuss the challenges, mechanisms, and clinical observations related to PDL1, including the limitations of the PD1/PDL1 axis in treatment and PD1-independent intrinsic PDL1 signaling. Our study highlights the dynamic changes in PDL1 expression during the EMT process across various tumor types. Through interplay between PDL1 and EMT, we uncover co-directional alterations, regulatory pathways, and diverse changes resulting from PDL1 intervention in oncology. Additionally, our findings emphasize the dual role of PDL1 in promoting fibrosis and modulating immune responses across multiple diseases, with potential implications for therapeutic approaches. We particularly investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting PDL1 in type II EMT fibrosis: strike balance between fibrosis modulation and immune response regulation. This analysis provides valuable insights into the multifaceted functions of PDL1 and contributes to our understanding of its complex mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Chao Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xi Jing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu-Ting Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xi Jing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Xi Jing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ya Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li-Jie He
- Department of Nephrology, Xi Jing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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31
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Xu J, Chen C, Sun K, Shi Q, Wang B, Huang Y, Ren T, Tang X. Tocilizumab (monoclonal anti-IL-6R antibody) reverses anlotinib resistance in osteosarcoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1192472. [PMID: 37404767 PMCID: PMC10315670 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1192472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Anlotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has been in clinical application to inhibit malignant cell growth and lung metastasis in osteosarcoma (OS). However, a variety of drug resistance phenomena have been observed in the treatment. We aim to explore the new target to reverse anlotinib resistance in OS. Materials and Methods In this study, we established four OS anlotinib-resistant cell lines, and RNA-sequence was performed to evaluate differentially expressed genes. We verified the results of RNA-sequence by PCR, western blot and ELISA assay. We further explored the effects of tocilizumab (anti- IL-6 receptor), either alone or in combined with anlotinib, on the inhibition of anlotinib-resistant OS cells malignant viability by CCK8, EDU, colony formation, apoptosis, transwell, wound healing, Cytoskeletal stain assays, and xenograft nude mouse model. The expression of IL-6 in 104 osteosarcoma samples was tested by IHC. Results We found IL-6 and its downstream pathway STAT3 were activated in anlotinib-resistant osteosarcoma. Tocilizumab impaired the tumor progression of anlotinib-resistant OS cells, and combined treatment with anlotinib augmented these effects by inhibiting STAT3 expressions. IL-6 was highly expressed in patients with OS and correlated with poor prognosis. Conclusion Tocilizumab could reverse anlotinib resistance in OS by IL-6/STAT3 pathway and the combination treatment with anlotinib rationalized further studies and clinical treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuhui Xu
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chenglong Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kunkun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qianyu Shi
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Boyang Wang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Ren
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Tang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
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32
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Yan X, Liu Y, Li C, Mao X, Xu T, Hu Z, Zhang C, Lin N, Lin Y, Zhang Y. Pien-Tze-Huang prevents hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing ferroptosis via inhibiting SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 axis. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:109. [PMID: 37280673 PMCID: PMC10246043 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02946-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant transformation from hepatic fibrosis to carcinogenesis may be a therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-cancer efficacy of Pien-Tze-Huang (PZH), and to investigate the underlying mechanisms by integrating transcriptional regulatory network analysis and experimental validation. METHODS A diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC model in rats was established and used to evaluate the anti-cancer efficacy of PZH. After detecting a transcriptomic profiling, the "disease-related gene-drug effective target" interaction network was constructed, and the candidate targets of PZH against malignant transformation from hepatic fibrosis to HCC were identified and verified in vitro. RESULTS PZH effectively alleviated the pathological changes of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, and inhibited tumor formation and growth in DEN-induced HCC rats. Additionally, the administration of PZH reduced the levels of various hepatic function-related serological indicators significantly. Mechanically, a ferroptosis-related SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 axis might be one of potential targets of PZH against malignant transformation from hepatic fibrosis to HCC. Especially, high SLC7A11 expression may be associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. Experimentally, the administration of PZH markedly increased the trivalent iron and ferrous ion, suppressed the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins, and reduced the GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver tissues of DEN-induced HCC rats. CONCLUSIONS Our data offer an evidence that PZH may effectively improve the hepatic fibrosis microenvironment and prevent the occurrence of HCC through promoting ferroptosis in tumor cells via inhibiting the SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 axis, implying that PZH may be a potential candidate drug for prevention and treatment of HCC at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangying Yan
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1, Qiuyang Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Yudong Liu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Congchong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1, Qiuyang Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Xia Mao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Tengteng Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Zhixing Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1, Qiuyang Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Chu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1, Qiuyang Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Na Lin
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Ya Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1, Qiuyang Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1, Qiuyang Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing, 100700, China.
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Alamri MA. Bioinformatics and network pharmacology-based study to elucidate the multi-target pharmacological mechanism of the indigenous plants of Medina valley in treating HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:1125-1138. [PMID: 37293382 PMCID: PMC10244409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Saudi Arabia is not surprising given the relatively high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Hepatitis C is also common in Saudi Arabia with a prevalence rate of 1% to 3% of the population, which further increases the risk of HCC. The incidence of HCC has been increasing in recent years, with HCV-related HCC accounting for a significant proportion of cases. Traditional medicine has long been a part of Saudi Arabian culture, and many medicinal plants have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including cancer. Following that, this study combines network pharmacology with bioinformatics approaches to potentially revolutionize HCV-related HCC treatment by identifying effective phytochemicals of indigenous plants of Medina valley. Eight indigenous plants including Rumex vesicarius, Withania somnifera, Rhazya stricta, Heliotropium arbainense, Asphodelus fistulosus, Pulicaria incise, Commicarpus grandiflorus, and Senna alexandrina, were selected for the initial screening of potential drug-like compounds. At first, the information related to active compounds of eight indigenous plants was retrieved from public databases and through literature review which was later combined with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained through microarray datasets. Later, a compound-target genes-disease network was constructed which uncovered that kaempferol, rhazimol, beta-sitosterol, 12-Hydroxy-3-keto-bisnor-4-cholenic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 24-Methyldesmosterol, stigmasterone, fucosterol, and withanolide_J decisively contributed to the cell growth and proliferation by affecting ALB and PTGS2 proteins. Moreover, the molecular docking and Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation of 20 ns well complemented the binding affinity of the compound and revealed strong stability of predicted compounds at the docked site. But the findings were not validated in actual patients, so further investigation is needed to confirm the potential use of selected medicinal plants towards HCV-related HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubarak A. Alamri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 16278, Saudi Arabia
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Yang J, He J, Feng Y, Xiang M. Obesity contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development via immunosuppressive microenvironment remodeling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166440. [PMID: 37266440 PMCID: PMC10231659 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
It is generally recognized that the initiation of obesity-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with hepatic inflammation. However, the paradoxical role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of HCC is highlighted by the fact that the inflammatory HCC is accompanied by significant immune effector cells infiltration compared to non-inflammatory HCC and HCC with enhanced immune response exhibits better survival. Importantly, the cancer progression has been primarily attributed to the immunosuppression, which can also be induced by obesity. Furthermore, the increased risk of viral infection and thus viral-HCC in obese individuals supports the view that obesity contributes to HCC via immunosuppression. Here, we have reviewed the various mechanisms responsible for obesity-induced tumor immune microenvironment and immunosuppression in obesity-related HCC. We highlight that the obesity-induced immunosuppression originates from lipid disorder as well as metabolic reprogramming and propose potential therapeutic strategy for HCC based on the current success of immunotherapy.
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Jiang X, Yin H, Su W, Quan H, Yuan X, Feng X, Li P, He Y, Xiao J, Li R. Trifolirhizin inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway suppression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 667:111-119. [PMID: 37216826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly recurrent and metastatic malignant tumor affecting a large number of individuals in southern China. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been found to be a rich source of natural compounds with mild therapeutic effects and minimal side effects, making them increasingly popular for treating various diseases. Trifolirhizin, a natural flavonoid derived from leguminous plants, has gained significant attention for its therapeutic potential. In this study, we confirmed that trifolirhizin could effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma 6-10B and HK1 cells. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that trifolirhizin achieves this by suppressing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The findings of the present study provides a valuable perspective on the potential therapeutic applications of trifolirhizin for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Haihui Yin
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Wenqing Su
- Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000, China
| | - Haiyan Quan
- Hunan Polytechnic of Environment and Biology, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xinye Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xu Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Pei Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Yan He
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Junhui Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
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Wang Y, Long L, Zhuo L, Zhang H, Luo T, Deng J, Wang Y, Li Z, Wang Z, Peng X. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1-styrenyl isoquinoline derivatives for anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity and effect on mitochondria. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115420. [PMID: 37182331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 18 derivatives of 1-styrene-isoquinoline were designed and synthesized from resveratrol and isoquinoline. The IC50 of compound 1c against Huh7 and SK-Hep-1 cells were 2.52 μM and 4.20 μM, respectively. Mice were treated with 650 mg/kg compound 1c, and the survival status of mice was good. Further studies showed that compound 1c could inhibit cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, induce cell apoptosis, and inhibit cell migration and invasion by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It is worth noting that numbers of studies have pointed that resveratrol can trigger mitochondrial apoptosis to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated the mechanism of compound 1c induced apoptosis of Huh7 and SK-Hep-1 cells. The results indicated that compound 1c could regulate the expression of proteins which are related to mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and inhibit the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, compound 1c could inhibit the growth of Huh7-xenografts, and perform a tumor inhibitory rate of 41.44% when administered 30 mg/kg once a day. This work provides a potential anti-hepatocellular carcinoma compound that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Lin Long
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Linsheng Zhuo
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Postdoctoral Station for Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Honghua Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Tian Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Jiedan Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Yuying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Zhao Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Xue Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
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Hashemi M, Sabouni E, Rahmanian P, Entezari M, Mojtabavi M, Raei B, Zandieh MA, Behroozaghdam M, Mirzaei S, Hushmandi K, Nabavi N, Salimimoghadam S, Ren J, Rashidi M, Raesi R, Taheriazam A, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Tan SC. Deciphering STAT3 signaling potential in hepatocellular carcinoma: tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and pharmacological significance. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:33. [PMID: 37085753 PMCID: PMC10122325 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00438-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered one of the greatest challenges to human life and is the most common form of liver cancer. Treatment of HCC depends on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy, all of which have their own drawbacks, and patients may develop resistance to these therapies due to the aggressive behavior of HCC cells. New and effective therapies for HCC can be developed by targeting molecular signaling pathways. The expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in human cancer cells changes, and during cancer progression, the expression tends to increase. After induction of STAT3 signaling by growth factors and cytokines, STAT3 is phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus to regulate cancer progression. The concept of the current review revolves around the expression and phosphorylation status of STAT3 in HCC, and studies show that the expression of STAT3 is high during the progression of HCC. This review addresses the function of STAT3 as an oncogenic factor in HCC, as STAT3 is able to prevent apoptosis and thus promote the progression of HCC. Moreover, STAT3 regulates both survival- and death-inducing autophagy in HCC and promotes cancer metastasis by inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, upregulation of STAT3 is associated with the occurrence of chemoresistance and radioresistance in HCC. Specifically, non-protein-coding transcripts regulate STAT3 signaling in HCC, and their inhibition by antitumor agents may affect tumor progression. In this review, all these topics are discussed in detail to provide further insight into the role of STAT3 in tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and pharmacological regulation of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Eisa Sabouni
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parham Rahmanian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Behnaz Raei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Arad Zandieh
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Behroozaghdam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Rasoul Raesi
- Department of Health Services Management, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, Australia
- AFNP Med Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, University of Witten-Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Shing Cheng Tan
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Dong C, Song C, He Z, Song Q, Song T, Liu J, Xiong Y, Su X, Zhou J, Yang S, Liao W. Protective efficacy of Schizandrin B on ameliorating nephrolithiasis via regulating GSK3β/Nrf2 signaling-mediated ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:110042. [PMID: 36940552 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Schizandrin B (SchB) protects against oxidative, inflammatory, and ferroptotic injury. Oxidative stress and inflammation are indispensably involved in nephrolithiasis and ferroptosis also plays an important role in stone formation. It is unclear whether SchB can ameliorate nephrolithiasis; its underlying mechanism is also unknown. First, we employed bioinformatics to investigate the mechanisms of nephrolithiasis. To evaluate the efficacy of SchB, HK-2 cell models of oxalate-induced damage, Erastin-induced ferroptosis, and the Sprague Dawley rat model of Ethylene Glycol-induced nephrolithiasis were established. Then, Nrf2 siRNA and GSK3β overexpression plasmids were transfected into HK-2 cells to elucidate the role of SchB in regulating oxidative stress-mediated ferroptosis. In our study, oxidative stress and inflammation were strongly associated with nephrolithiasis. Administration of SchB attenuated the cell viability, dysfunctional mitochondria, oxidative stress and inflammatory response in vitro and alleviated renal injury and crystal deposition in vivo. SchB treatment also reduced the levels of cellular Fe2+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation and MDA, and regulated ferroptosis-related proteins, including XCT, GPX4, FTH1 and CD71, in Erastin-induced or oxalate-induced HK-2 cells. Mechanistically, SchB facilitated Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and silencing Nrf2 or overexpressing GSK3β worsened oxalate-induced oxidative injury and abolished the beneficial effect of SchB against ferroptosis in vitro. To summarize, SchB could alleviate nephrolithiasis by positively regulating GSK3β/Nrf2 signaling-mediated ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitao Dong
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Song
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqi He
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianlin Song
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianbao Song
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Junwei Liu
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhe Xiong
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaozhe Su
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Sixing Yang
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenbiao Liao
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
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Apoptotic Mechanisms of Quercetin in Liver Cancer: Recent Trends and Advancements. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020712. [PMID: 36840034 PMCID: PMC9960374 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to rising incidence rates of liver cancer and worries about the toxicity of current chemotherapeutic medicines, the hunt for further alternative methods to treat this malignancy has escalated. Compared to chemotherapy, quercetin, a flavonoid, is relatively less harmful to normal cells and is regarded as an excellent free-radical scavenger. Apoptotic cell death of cancer cells caused by quercetin has been demonstrated by many prior studies. It is present in many fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Quercetin targets apoptosis, by upregulating Bax, caspase-3, and p21 while downregulating Akt, PLK-1, cyclin-B1, cyclin-A, CDC-2, CDK-2, and Bcl-2. Additionally, it has been reported to increase STAT3 protein degradation in liver cancer cells while decreasing STAT3 activation. Quercetin has a potential future in chemoprevention, based on substantial research on its anticancer effects. The current review discusses quercetin's mechanisms of action, nanodelivery strategies, and other potential cellular effects in liver cancer.
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Progress in targeting PTEN/PI3K/Akt axis in glioblastoma therapy: Revisiting molecular interactions. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114204. [PMID: 36916430 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most malignant cancers of central nervous system and due to its sensitive location, surgical resection has high risk and therefore, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are utilized for its treatment. However, chemoresistance and radio-resistance are other problems in GBM treatment. Hence, new therapies based on genes are recommended for treatment of GBM. PTEN is a tumor-suppressor operator in cancer that inhibits PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in diminishing growth, metastasis and drug resistance. In the current review, the function of PTEN/PI3K/Akt axis in GBM progression is evaluated. Mutation or depletion of PTEN leads to increase in GBM progression. Low expression level of PTEN mediates poor prognosis in GBM and by increasing proliferation and invasion, promotes malignancy of tumor cells. Moreover, loss of PTEN signaling can result in therapy resistance in GBM. Activation of PTEN signaling impairs GBM metabolism via glycolysis inhibition. In contrast to PTEN, PI3K/Akt signaling has oncogenic function and during tumor progression, expression level of PI3K/Akt enhances. PI3K/Akt signaling shows positive association with oncogenic pathways and its expression similar to PTEN signaling, is regulated by non-coding RNAs. PTEN upregulation and PI3K/Akt signaling inhibition by anti-cancer agents can be beneficial in interfering GBM progression. This review emphasizes on the signaling networks related to PTEN/PI3K/Akt and provides new insights for targeting this axis in effective GBM treatment.
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