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Zhang C, Wang X, Cai G, Wang H, Liu Q, Ma S, Sun H, An Y, Miao M, Yin S, Liu P, Wang X, Wang J. Targeting KPNB1 with Genkwadaphnin suppresses gastric cancer progression through the Nur77-mediated signaling pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2024:176697. [PMID: 38823760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176697] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a global challenge due to the lack of early detection and precision therapies. Genkwadaphnin (DD1), a natural diterpene isolated from the bud of Flos GenkWa (Thymelaeaceae), serves as a Karyopherin β1 (KPNB1) inhibitor. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of DD1 in both cell culture and animal models. Our findings reveal that KPNB1, a protein involved in nuclear import, was highly expressed in GC tissues and associated with a poor prognosis in patients. We demonstrated that DD1, alongside the established KPNB1 inhibitor importazole (IPZ), inhibited GC cell proliferation and tumor growth by enhancing both genomic and non-genomic activity of Nur77. DD1 and IPZ reduced the interaction between KPNB1 and Nur77, resulting in Nur77 cytoplasmic accumulation and triggering mitochondrial apoptosis. The inhibitors also increased the expression of the Nur77 target apoptotic genes ATF3, RB1CC1 and PMAIP1, inducing apoptosis in GC cell. More importantly, loss of Nur77 effectively rescued the inhibitory effect of DD1 and IPZ on GC cells in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In this study, we for the first time explored the relationship between KPNB1 and Nur77, and found KPNB1 inhibition could significantly increase the expression of Nur77. Moreover, we investigated the function of KPNB1 in GC for the first time, and the results suggested that KPNB1 could be a potential target for cancer therapy, and DD1 might be a prospective therapeutic candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Xiaojuan Wang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education), School of Clinical Medicine, Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102218, China
| | - Guodi Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Shuai Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, China
| | - Huizi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Yana An
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Miaomiao Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Sheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Peiqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
| | - Junjian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
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Zhang W, Chen L, Liu J, Chen B, Shi H, Chen H, Qi H, Wu Z, Mao X, Wang X, Huang Y, Li J, Yu Z, Zhong M, Wang T, Li Q. Inhibition of autophagy-related protein 7 enhances anti-tumor immune response and improves efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in microsatellite instability colorectal cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:114. [PMID: 38627815 PMCID: PMC11020677 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03023-w] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy is primarily hindered by the limited T-cell immune response rate and immune evasion capacity of tumor cells. Autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7) plays an important role in autophagy and it has been linked to cancer. However, the role of ATG7 in the effect of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment on high microsatellite instability (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) CRC is still poorly understood. METHODS In this study, patients from the cancer genome altas (TCGA) COAD/READ cohorts were used to investigate the biological mechanism driving ATG7 development. Several assays were conducted including the colony formation, cell viability, qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, ELISA, immunohistochemistry staining and in vivo tumorigenicity tests. RESULTS We found that ATG7 plays a crucial role in MSI-H CRC. Its knockdown decreased tumor growth and caused an infiltration of CD8+ T effector cells in vivo. ATG7 inhibition restored surface major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) levels, causing improved antigen presentation and anti-tumor T cell response by activating reactive oxygen species (ROS)/NF-κB pathway. Meanwhile, ATG7 inhibition also suppressed cholesterol accumulation and augmentation of anti-tumor immune responses. Combining ATG7 inhibition and statins improved the therapeutic benefit of anti-PD-1 in MSI-H CRC. Importantly, CRC patients with high expression of both ATG7 and recombinant 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) experienced worse prognosis compared to those with low ATG7 and HMGCR expression. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of ATG7 leads to upregulation of MHC-I expression, augments immune response and suppresses cholesterol accumulation. These findings demonstrate that ATG7 inhibition has therapeutic potential and application of statins can increase the sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Bicui Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Huanying Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Haifei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Huijie Qi
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zimei Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xiang Mao
- Department of Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xinhai Wang
- Department of Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yuxin Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jiyifan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zheng Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Mingkang Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Tianxiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Qunyi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, No.12 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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Hashemi M, Esbati N, Rashidi M, Gholami S, Raesi R, Bidoki SS, Goharrizi MASB, Motlagh YSM, Khorrami R, Tavakolpournegari A, Nabavi N, Zou R, Mohammadnahal L, Entezari M, Taheriazam A, Hushmandi K. Biological landscape and nanostructural view in development and reversal of oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 40:101846. [PMID: 38042134 PMCID: PMC10716031 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101846] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of cancer patients has been mainly followed using chemotherapy and it is a gold standard in improving prognosis and survival rate of patients. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is a third-platinum anti-cancer agent that reduces DNA synthesis in cancer cells to interfere with their growth and cell cycle progression. In spite of promising results of using OXA in cancer chemotherapy, the process of drug resistance has made some challenges. OXA is commonly applied in treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) as a malignancy of gastrointestinal tract and when CRC cells increase their proliferation and metastasis, they can obtain resistance to OXA chemotherapy. A number of molecular factors such as CHK2, SIRT1, c-Myc, LATS2 and FOXC1 have been considered as regulators of OXA response in CRC cells. The non-coding RNAs are able to function as master regulator of other molecular pathways in modulating OXA resistance. There is a close association between molecular mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, glycolysis and EMT with OXA resistance, so that apoptosis inhibition, pro-survival autophagy induction and stimulation of EMT and glycolysis can induce OXA resistance in CRC cells. A number of anti-tumor compounds including astragaloside IV, resveratrol and nobiletin are able to enhance OXA sensitivity in CRC cells. Nanoparticles for increasing potential of OXA in CRC suppression and reversing OXA resistance have been employed in cancer chemotherapy. These subjects are covered in this review article to shed light on molecular factors resulting in OXA resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Nastaran Esbati
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - 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
| | - Sadaf Gholami
- 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
| | - Seyed Shahabadin Bidoki
- Faculty of medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | | | | | - Ramin Khorrami
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Tavakolpournegari
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Leila Mohammadnahal
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 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.
| | - 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.
| | - 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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Liu J, Wu Y, Meng S, Xu P, Li S, Li Y, Hu X, Ouyang L, Wang G. Selective autophagy in cancer: mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and future perspectives. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:22. [PMID: 38262996 PMCID: PMC10807193 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01934-y] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells engage in autophagy, an internal process of self-degradation through lysosomes. Autophagy can be classified as selective or non-selective depending on the way it chooses to degrade substrates. During the process of selective autophagy, damaged and/or redundant organelles like mitochondria, peroxisomes, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, nuclei, proteasomes, and lipid droplets are selectively recycled. Specific cargo is delivered to autophagosomes by specific receptors, isolated and engulfed. Selective autophagy dysfunction is closely linked with cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, heart failure, etc. Through reviewing latest research, this review summarized molecular markers and important signaling pathways for selective autophagy, and its significant role in cancers. Moreover, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of small-molecule compounds targeting selective autophagy for their potential application in anti-tumor therapy, elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved. This review aims to supply important scientific references and development directions for the biological mechanisms and drug discovery of anti-tumor targeting selective autophagy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Liu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Sha Meng
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Emergency Department, Zigong Fourth People's Hospital, Zigong, 643000, China
| | - Shutong Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yong Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiuying Hu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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5
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Ashrafizadeh M, Zhang W, Zou R, Sethi G, Klionsky DJ, Zhang X. A bioinformatics analysis, pre-clinical and clinical conception of autophagy in pancreatic cancer: Complexity and simplicity in crosstalk. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106822. [PMID: 37336429 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a serious gastrointestinal tract disease for which the 5-year survival rate is less than 10%, even in developed countries such as the USA. The genomic profile alterations and dysregulated biological mechanisms commonly occur in PC. Macroautophagy/autophagy is a cell death process that is maintained at a basal level in physiological conditions, whereas its level often changes during tumorigenesis. The function of autophagy in human cancers is dual and can be oncogenic and onco-suppressor. Autophagy is a potent controller of tumorigenesis in PC. The supportive autophagy in PC escalates the growth rate of PC cells and its suppression can mediate cell death. Autophagy also determines the metastasis of PC cells, and it can control the EMT in affecting migration. Moreover, starvation and hypoxia can stimulate glycolysis, and glycolysis induction can be mediated by autophagy in enhancing tumorigenesis in PC. Furthermore, protective autophagy stimulates drug resistance and gemcitabine resistance in PC cells, and its inhibition can enhance radiosensitivity. Autophagy can degrade MHC-I to mediate immune evasion and also regulates polarization of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Modulation of autophagy activity is provided by silibinin, ursolic acid, chrysin and huaier in the treatment of PC. Non-coding RNAs are also controllers of autophagy in PC and its inhibition can improve therapy response in patients. Moreover, mitophagy shows dysregulation in PC, which can enhance the proliferation of PC cells. Therefore, a bioinformatics analysis demonstrates the dysregulation of autophagy-related proteins and genes in PC as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China; Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Daniel J Klionsky
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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6
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Zhang C, Wang W, Du C, Li H, Zhou K, Luan Z, Chang Y, Liu S, Wei Y. Autophagy in the pharmacological activities of celastrol (Review). Exp Ther Med 2023; 25:268. [PMID: 37206564 PMCID: PMC10189746 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.11967] [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: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Celastrol, a natural compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, possesses broad-spectrum pharmacological properties. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process through which cytoplasmic cargo is delivered to the lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy dysregulation contributes to multiple pathological processes. Therefore, targeting autophagic activity is a promising therapy for various diseases, as well as a drug-development strategy. According to previous studies, autophagy is specifically targeted and may be altered in response to celastrol treatment, highlighting that autophagy modulation is an important mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy of celastrol for the treatment of various diseases. The present study summarizes the currently available information regarding the role of autophagy in the effect of celastrol to exert anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-pulmonary fibrosis and anti-macular degeneration activities. The diverse signaling pathways involved are also analyzed to provide insight into the mechanisms of action of celastrol and thereby pave the way for establishing celastrol as an efficacious autophagy modulator in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Weiyan Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Chenhui Du
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Huifang Li
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Shanxi Institute of Energy, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030600, P.R. China
| | - Zhihua Luan
- Experimental Management Center, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Yinxia Chang
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Shan Liu
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
| | - Yanming Wei
- College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Dr Yanming Wei, College of Chinese Medicine and Food Engineering, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 121 Daxue Street, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
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7
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Xu J, Chen S, Yang J, Nie Z, He J, Zhao Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Zhao Y. Hyaluronidase-trigger nanocarriers for targeted delivery of anti-liver cancer compound. RSC Adv 2023; 13:11160-11170. [PMID: 37056973 PMCID: PMC10086574 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra00693j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is recognized as one of the significant treatment methods for liver cancer. The compound celastrol (CSL) could effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of liver cancer cells, which is regarded as a promising candidate to become a mainstream anti-liver cancer drug. However, the application of CSL in liver cancer chemotherapy is limited due to its systemic toxicity, poor water solubility, multidrug resistance, premature degradation, and lack of tumor targeting. Meanwhile, in order to comply with the current concept of precision medicine, precisely targeted delivery of the anti-liver compound CSL was desired. This paper takes into account that liver cancer cells were equipped with hyaluronic acid (HA) receptors (CD44) on their surface and overexpressed. Hyaluronidase (HAase) capable of degrading HA, HAase-responsive nanocarriers (NCs), named HA/(MI)7-β-CD NCs, were prepared based on the electrostatic interaction between HA and imidazole moieties modified β-cyclodextrin (MI)7-β-CD. HA/(MI)7-β-CD NCs showed disassembly properties under HAase stimuli, which was utilized to trap, deliver, and the controllable release of the anti-liver cancer compound CSL. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assay experiments revealed that CSL-trapped HA/(MI)7-β-CD NCs not only reduced cytotoxicity for normal cells but also effectively inhibited the survival for five tumor cells, and even the apoptotic effect of CSL-trapped NCs with a concentration of 5 μg mL-1 on tumor cells (SMMC-7721) was consistent with free CSL. Cell uptake experiments demonstrated HA/(MI)7-β-CD NCs possessed the capability of targeted drug delivery to cancerous cells. HA/(MI)7-β-CD NCs exhibited site-specific and controllable release performance, which is anticipated to proceed further in precision-targeted drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxin Xu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Siling Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmei Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengquan Nie
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Junnan He
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- Shenzhen Kewode Technology Co., Ltd Shenzhen 518028 People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University Kunming 650500 People's Republic of China
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Wang X, Chauhan G, Tacderas ARL, Muth A, Gupta V. Surface-Modified Inhaled Microparticle-Encapsulated Celastrol for Enhanced Efficacy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5204. [PMID: 36982279 PMCID: PMC10049545 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065204] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the pleural lining of the lungs. Celastrol (Cela), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective agent, and anti-cancer agent. In this study, we developed inhaled surface-modified Cela-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microparticles (Cela MPs) for the treatment of MPM using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The optimized Cela MPs exhibited high entrapment efficiency (72.8 ± 6.1%) and possessed a wrinkled surface with a mean geometric diameter of ~2 µm and an aerodynamic diameter of 4.5 ± 0.1 µm, suggesting them to be suitable for pulmonary delivery. A subsequent release study showed an initial burst release up to 59.9 ± 2.9%, followed by sustained release. The therapeutic efficacy of Cela MPs was evaluated against four mesothelioma cell lines, where Cela MP exhibited significant reduction in IC50 values, and blank MPs produced no toxicity to normal cells. Additionally, a 3D-spheroid study was performed where a single dose of Cela MP at 1.0 µM significantly inhibited spheroid growth. Cela MP was also able to retain the antioxidant activity of Cela only while mechanistic studies revealed triggered autophagy and an induction of apoptosis. Therefore, these studies highlight the anti-mesothelioma activity of Cela and demonstrate that Cela MPs are a promising inhalable medicine for MPM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechun Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Gautam Chauhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Alison R. L. Tacderas
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Aaron Muth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA
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Wu M, Zhang Y. Integrated bioinformatics, network pharmacology, and artificial intelligence to predict the mechanism of celastrol against muscle atrophy caused by colorectal cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:1012932. [PMID: 36419834 PMCID: PMC9676937 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1012932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle atrophy due to colorectal cancer severely reduces the quality of life and survival time of patients. However, the underlying causative mechanisms and therapeutic agents are not well understood. The aim of this study was to screen and identify the microRNA (miRNA)–mRNA regulatory network and therapeutic targets of celastrol in colorectal cancer causing muscle atrophy via blood exosomes. Datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus online database. Differential expression analysis was first performed using the blood exosome dataset GSE39833 from colorectal cancer and normal humans to identify differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, and then, transcriptional enrichment analysis was performed to identify important enriched genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed by FunRich software. Using the muscle atrophy sample GSE34111, the DE mRNAs in the muscle atrophy sample were analyzed, a regulatory network map was established based on miRNA‒mRNA regulatory mechanisms, further GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed for the DE genes in muscle atrophy via Cytoscape’s ClueGO plug-in, and the network pharmacology pharmacophore analysis method was used to analyze the celastrol therapeutic targets, taking intersections to find the therapeutic targets of celastrol, using the artificial intelligence AlphaFold2 to predict the protein structures of the key targets, and finally using molecular docking to verify whether celastrol and the target proteins can be successfully docked. A total of 82 DE miRNAs were obtained, and the top 10 enriched target genes were identified. The enrichment of the 82 miRNAs showed a close correlation with muscle atrophy, and 332 DE mRNAs were found by differential expression analysis in muscle atrophy samples, among which 44 mRNA genes were involved in miRNA‒mRNA networks. The DE genes in muscle atrophy were enriched for 30 signaling pathways, and 228 target genes were annotated after pharmacophore target analysis. The NR1D2 gene, the target of treatment, was found by taking intersections, the protein structure of this target was predicted by AlphaFold2, and the structure was successfully docked and validated using molecular docking. In our present study, colorectal cancer likely enters the muscle from blood exosomes and regulates skeletal muscle atrophy through miRNA‒mRNA regulatory network mechanisms, and celastrol treats muscle through NR1D2 in the miRNA‒mRNA regulatory network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wu
- Postgraduate Training Base in Shanghai Gongli Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Gongli Hospital of Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yan Zhang,
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Qiang L, Li H, Wang Z, Wan L, Jiang G. Deconvoluting the complexity of autophagy in colorectal cancer: From crucial pathways to targeted therapies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1007509. [PMID: 36172152 PMCID: PMC9510924 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1007509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal tumor with a high degree of malignancy, and most clinical cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which has unfortunately missed an opportunity for surgery; therefore, elucidation of the crucial pathways of CRC development and discovery of targeted therapeutic strategies should be anticipated. Autophagy, which is an evolutionarily highly conserved catabolic process, may promote tumorigenesis and development of CRC. On the contrary, autophagy can trigger programmed cell death to inhibit CRC progression. Correspondingly, several targeted therapeutic strategies have been reported in CRC, including small-molecule compounds, polypeptides, non-coding RNAs, photodynamic, and adjuvant therapies. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing the crucial pathways of autophagy in CRC, and further discuss the current therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy. Together, these findings may shed light on the key regulatory mechanisms of autophagy and provide more promising therapeutic approaches for the future CRC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Qiang
- Department of Gastroenterology Ward, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Hongpeng Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Lin Wan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
| | - Guangfu Jiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guang’an People’s Hospital, Guang’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guangfu Jiang,
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