1
|
Wu L, Zhang Y, Ren J. Targeting non-coding RNAs and N 6-methyladenosine modification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116153. [PMID: 38513741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116153] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancers, accounts for a significant portion of cancer-related death globally. However, the molecular mechanisms driving the onset and progression of HCC are still not fully understood. Emerging evidence has indicated that non-protein-coding regions of genomes could give rise to transcripts, termed non-coding RNA (ncRNA), forming novel functional driving force for aberrant cellular activity. Over the past decades, overwhelming evidence has denoted involvement of a complex array of molecular function of ncRNAs at different stages of HCC tumorigenesis and progression. In this context, several pre-clinical studies have highlighted the potentials of ncRNAs as novel therapeutic modalities in the management of human HCC. Moreover, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, the most prevalent form of internal mRNA modifications in mammalian cells, is essential for the governance of biological processes within cells. Dysregulation of m6A in ncRNAs has been implicated in human carcinogenesis, including HCC. In this review, we will discuss dysregulation of several hallmark ncRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs) in HCC and address the latest advances for their involvement in the onset and progression of HCC. We also focus on dysregulation of m6A modification and various m6A regulators in the etiology of HCC. In the end, we discussed the contemporary preclinical and clinical application of ncRNA-based and m6A-targeted therapies in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wu
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology and Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen M, Wu GB, Hua S, Zheng L, Fan Q, Luo M. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) to aggravate liver fibrosis into cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT) via ROS/TGF-β1/Snail-1 signalling pathway in adult rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 274:116124. [PMID: 38503108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116124] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological impact of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on the process of liver fibrosis transitioning into cirrhosis and the subsequent development of portal hypertension (PHT) through the mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by the ROS/TGF-β/Snail-1 signaling pathway. METHOD Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (1 mg/kg) was introduced in adult rats by oral feeding in CCl4 and CCl4+DBP groups twice a week for 8 weeks, and twice for another 8 week in CCl4 group. DBP was introduced by oral feeding in the CCl4+DBP group twice over the following 8 weeks. We subsequently analyzed hemodynamics measurements and liver cirrhosis degree, hepatic inflammation and liver function in the different groups. EMT related genes expression in rats in the groups of Control, DBP, CCl4 and CCl4+DBP were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR, western blot were used to detect the EMT related proteins and mRNA gene expression levels in rats and primary hepatocytes (PHCs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined with a ROS detection kit. RESULTS The results showed that the CCl4+DBP group had higher portal pressure (PP) and lower mean arterial pressure (MAP) than the other groups. Elevated collagen deposition, profibrotic factor, inflammation, EMT levels were detected in DBP and CCl4+DBP groups. ROS, TGF-β1 and Snail-1 were highly expressed after DBP exposure in vitro. TGF-β1 had the potential to regulate Snail-1, and both of them were subject to regulation by ROS. CONCLUSION DBP could influence the progression of EMT through its toxicological effect by ROS/TGF-β1/Snail-1 signalling pathway, causing cirrhosis and PHT in final. The findings of this research might contribute to a novel comprehension of the underlying toxicological mechanisms and animal model involved in the progression of cirrhosis and PHT, and potentially offered a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Bo Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Hua
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Meng Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang J, Liu J, Liang J, Li F, Wang W, Chen H, Xie X. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in age-associated thymic involution: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102115. [PMID: 37922996 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a critical immune organ with endocrine and immune functions that plays important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of the body. However, with aging, the thymus undergoes degenerative changes leading to decreased production and output of naive T cells and the secretion of thymic hormones and related cytokines, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of various age-associated diseases. Therefore, identifying essential processes that regulate age-associated thymic involution is crucial for long-term control of thymic involution and age-associated disease progression. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-established process involved in organ aging and functional impairment through tissue fibrosis in several organs, such as the heart and kidney. In the thymus, EMT promotes fibrosis and potentially adipogenesis, leading to thymic involution. This review focuses on the factors involved in thymic involution, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormones, from the perspective of EMT. Furthermore, current interventions for reversing age-associated thymic involution by targeting EMT-associated processes are summarized. Understanding the key mechanisms of thymic involution through EMT as an entry point may promote the development of new therapies and clinical agents to reverse thymic involution and age-associated disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Juan Liu
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Liang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fan Li
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Huan Chen
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Xiang Xie
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yuan M, Yao L, Chen P, Wang Z, Liu P, Xiong Z, Hu X, Li L, Jiang Y. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells inhibit liver fibrosis via the microRNA-148a-5p/SLIT3 axis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111134. [PMID: 37918086 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111134] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have garnered considerable attention as prospective modalities of treatment for liver fibrosis (LF). The inhibition of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation underlies the anti-fibrotic effects of hUC-MSCs. However, the precise mechanism by which hUC-MSCs impede HSC activation remains unclarified. We aimed to elucidate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs in LF patients. METHODS Mice with liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were used as experimental models and administered hUC-MSCs via tail-vein injection. The alterations in inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated through histopathological examinations. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics analysis were then conducted to investigate the therapeutic mechanism of hUC-MSCs. Finally, an in-vitro experiment involving the co-cultivation of hUC-MSCs or hUC-MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) with LX2 cells was performed to validate the potential mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effects of hUC-MSCs in LF patients. RESULTS hUC-MSC therapy significantly improved liver function and alleviated LF in CCl4-induced mice. High-throughput RNA-Seq analysis identified 1142 differentially expressed genes that were potentially involved in mediating the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs. These genes play an important role in regulating the extracellular matrix. miRNA expression data (GSE151098) indicated that the miR-148a-5p level was downregulated in LF samples, but restored following hUC-MSC treatment. miR-148a-5p was delivered to LX2 cells by hUC-MSCs via the exosome pathway, and the upregulated expression of miR-148a-5p significantly suppressed the expression of the activated phenotype of LX2 cells. SLIT3 was identified within the pool of potential target genes regulated by miR-148a-5p. Furthermore, hUC-MSC administration upregulated the expression of miR-148a-5p, which played a crucial role in suppressing the expression of SLIT3, thereby palliating fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS hUC-MSCs inhibit the activation of HSCs through the miR-148a-5p/SLIT3 pathway and are thus capable of alleviating LF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqin Yuan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Lichao Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Pingji Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zhiyu Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Xue Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Yingan Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ghionescu AV, Sorop A, Dima SO. The pivotal role of EMT-related noncoding RNAs regulatory axes in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1270425. [PMID: 37767397 PMCID: PMC10520284 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1270425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major health problem worldwide, being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with limited treatment options, especially in its advanced stages. Tumor resistance is closely associated with the activation of the EMT phenomenon and its reversal, being modulated by different molecules, including noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Noncoding RNAs have the potential to function as both tumor suppressors and oncogenic molecules, controlling the malignant potential of HCC cells. Basically, these molecules circulate in the tumor microenvironment, encapsulated in exosomes. Their impact on cell biology is more significant than originally expected, which makes related research rather complex. The temporal and spatial expression patterns, precise roles and mechanisms of specific ncRNAs encapsulated in exosomes remain primarily unknown in different stages of the disease. This review aims to highlight the recent advances in ncRNAs related to EMT and classifies the described mechanism as direct and indirect, for a better summarization. Moreover, we provide an overview of current research on the role of ncRNAs in several drug resistance-related pathways, including the emergence of resistance to sorafenib, doxorubicin, cisplatin and paclitaxel therapy. Nevertheless, we comprehensively discuss the underlying regulatory mechanisms of exosomal ncRNAs in EMT-HCC via intercellular communication pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrei Sorop
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Olimpia Dima
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee YH, Hsieh PL, Chao SC, Liao YW, Liu CM, Yu CC. α-Mangostin Inhibits the Activation of Myofibroblasts via Downregulation of Linc-ROR-Mediated TGFB1/Smad Signaling. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061321. [PMID: 36986051 PMCID: PMC10051815 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant disorder and persistent activation of myofibroblasts is implicated in this pathological progression. Increasing attention has been addressed towards non-coding RNA-regulated myofibroblasts activities and the effects of phytochemicals on non-coding RNA modulation are of great importance. In the present study, we examined the anti-fibrosis property of α-mangostin, a xanthone isolated from the pericarp of mangosteen. We found that α-mangostin exhibited inhibitory potency in myofibroblast activities and expression of fibrosis markers at the concentrations that caused neglectable damage to normal cells. Apart from the downregulation of TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling, we found that α-mangostin attenuated the expression of long non-coding RNA LincROR as well. Our results demonstrated that the effects of α-mangostin on myofibroblast activation were reverted when LincROR was overexpressed. Additionally, we showed the expression of LincROR in OSF specimens was elevated and silencing of LincROR successfully attenuated myofibroblast characteristics and TGF-β1/Smad2 activation. Taken together, these findings indicated that the anti-fibrosis effects of α-mangostin merit consideration and may be due to the attenuation of LincROR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsien Lee
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404333, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chi Chao
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research and Education, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan 265, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Liao
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ming Liu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-M.L.); (C.-C.Y.)
| | - Cheng-Chia Yu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-M.L.); (C.-C.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang R, Li X, Gao Y, Tao Q, Lang Z, Zhan Y, Li C, Zheng J. Ginsenoside Rg1 Epigenetically Modulates Smad7 Expression in Liver Fibrosis via MicroRNA-152. J Ginseng Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
|
8
|
Shams F, Azeem A, Shams A, Tawab A, Rehman S, Tariq S, Latief N, Ijaz B. Flavonoid rich extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum leaves ameliorate liver fibrosis. FOOD BIOSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
9
|
Chen J, Zhao Y, Zhang F, Li J, Boland JA, Cheng NC, Liu K, Tiffen JC, Bertolino P, Bowen DG, Krueger A, Lisowski L, Alexander IE, Vadas MA, El-Omar E, Gamble JR, McCaughan GW. Liver-specific deletion of miR-181ab1 reduces liver tumour progression via upregulation of CBX7. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:443. [PMID: 35867177 PMCID: PMC9307539 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04452-6] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
MiR-181 expression levels increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to non-cancerous tissues. MiR-181 has been widely reported as a possible driver of tumourigenesis but also acts as a tumour suppressor. In addition, the miR-181 family regulates the development and function of immune and vascular cells, which play vital roles in the progression of tumours. More complicatedly, many genes have been identified as miR-181 targets to mediate the effects of miR-181. However, the role of miR-181 in the development of primary tumours remains largely unexplored. We aimed to examine the function of miR-181 and its vital mediators in the progression of diethylnitrosamine-induced primary liver cancers in mice. The size of liver tumours was significantly reduced by 90% in global (GKO) or liver-specific (LKO) 181ab1 knockout mice but not in hematopoietic and endothelial lineage-specific knockout mice, compared to WT mice. In addition, the number of tumours was significantly reduced by 50% in GKO mice. Whole-genome RNA-seq analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition was partially reversed in GKO tumours compared to WT tumours. The expression of CBX7, a confirmed miR-181 target, was up-regulated in GKO compared to WT tumours. Stable CBX7 expression was achieved with an AAV/Transposase Hybrid-Vector System and up-regulated CBX7 expression inhibited liver tumour progression in WT mice. Hepatic CBX7 deletion restored the progression of LKO liver tumours. MiR-181a expression was the lowest and CBX7 expression the highest in iClust2 and 3 subclasses of human HCC compared to iClust1. Gene expression profiles of GKO tumours overlapped with low-proliferative peri-portal-type HCCs. Liver-specific loss of miR-181ab1 inhibited primary liver tumour progression via up-regulating CBX7 expression, but tumour induction requires both hepatic and non-hepatic miR-181. Also, miR-181ab1-deficient liver tumours may resemble low-proliferative periportal-type human HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinbiao Chen
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Yang Zhao
- Vascular Biology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.,School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia
| | - Jia Li
- Vascular Biology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Centre for Motor Neuron Disease, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jade A Boland
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Ngan Ching Cheng
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Vascular Biology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Ken Liu
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Jessamy C Tiffen
- Melanoma Epigenetics Lab Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Patrick Bertolino
- Liver Immunology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - David G Bowen
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Liver Immunology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Andreas Krueger
- Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Schubertstr 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany.,Institute for Molecular Medicine, Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Mathew A Vadas
- Vascular Biology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Emad El-Omar
- UNSW Microbiome Research Centre, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Gamble
- Vascular Biology Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia. .,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fucoidan-Mediated Inhibition of Fibrotic Properties in Oral Submucous Fibrosis via the MEG3/miR-181a/Egr1 Axis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070833. [PMID: 35890132 PMCID: PMC9317791 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic fibrotic remodeling disease that can progress to oral cancer. However, efficient clinical diagnosis and treatment methods for OSF are still lacking. This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effect of fucoidan on oral fibrosis. To evaluate the fibrotic ability (myofibroblast activities), we performed wound-healing, Transwell migration, and collagen contraction assays by using patient-derived normal and fibrotic buccal submucous fibroblasts (BMFs and fBMFs, respectively). RNA-sequencing and dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation chip assays were performed to identify the clinical significance and molecular mechanism of non-coding RNAs. Fucoidan suppressed the myofibroblast activities and inhibited the MEG3 in fBMFs. MEG3 was overexpressed in the OSF tissue and was positively associated with myofibroblast markers. Knockdown of MEG3 markedly inhibited myofibroblast activities, which were restored by inhibiting miR-181a and overexpressing Egr1. The results from luciferase reporter and RIP assays confirmed that MEG3 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and could directly target miR-181a, thereby preventing the miR-181a-mediated translational repression of Egr1. This study demonstrated that MEG3 exerts a profibrotic effect on OSF by targeting miR-181a/Egr1. Therefore, the administration of fucoidan may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for OSF by targeting the overexpression of MEG3.
Collapse
|
11
|
Chitsazzadeh V, Nguyen TN, de Mingo Pulido A, Bittencourt BB, Du L, Adelmann CH, Ortiz Rivera I, Nguyen KA, Guerra LD, Davis A, Napoli M, Ma W, Davis RE, Rajapakshe K, Coarfa C, Flores ER, Tsai KY. miR-181a promotes multiple pro-tumorigenic functions through targeting TGFβR3. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1956-1965.e2. [PMID: 34890627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) comprises 15-20% of all skin cancers and has a well-defined progression sequence from precancerous actinic keratosis (AK), to invasive cuSCC. In order to identify targets for chemoprevention, we previously reported a cross-species analysis to identify transcriptional drivers of cuSCC development and identified miR-181a as a potential oncomiR. We show that upregulation of miR-181a promotes multiple pro-tumorigenic properties by targeting an understudied component of TGFβ signaling, TGFβR3. miR-181a and TGFβR3 are upregulated and downregulated, respectively, in cuSCC. miR-181a overexpression (OE) and TGFβR3 knockdown (KD) significantly suppresses UV-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells and in primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). In addition, OE of miR-181a or KD of TGFβR3 by shRNA enhances anchorage-independent survival. miR-181a OE or TGFβR3 KD enhances cellular migration and invasion and upregulation of EMT markers. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrate that miR-181a directly targets the 3'UTR of TGFβR3. miR-181a upregulates pSMAD3 levels following TGFβ2 administration and results in elevated SNAIL and SLUG expression. Finally, we confirm in-vivo, that miR-181a inhibition compromises tumor growth. Importantly, these phenotypes can be reversed with TGFβR3 OE or KD in the context of miR-181a OE or KD, respectively, further highlighting the physiologic relevance of this regulation in cuSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vida Chitsazzadeh
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tran N Nguyen
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Alvaro de Mingo Pulido
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Bruna B Bittencourt
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Charles H Adelmann
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ivannie Ortiz Rivera
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kimberly A Nguyen
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Leah D Guerra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew Davis
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Marco Napoli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Wencai Ma
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard Eric Davis
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Lymphoma-Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- Department of Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elsa R Flores
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kenneth Y Tsai
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA; Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zuo L, Li X, Zhu H, Li A, Wang Y. Expression of miR-181a in Circulating Tumor Cells of Ovarian Cancer and Its Clinical Application. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:22011-22019. [PMID: 34497895 PMCID: PMC8412912 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c02425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To determine the possibility of early diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer (OC) via detecting miR-181a in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of OC and to solve clinical difficulties in OC tissue sample collection. Methods: EpCAM liposome magnetic beads (Ep-LMBs) were prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation method, and the performance of EpCAM was characterized. The cytotoxicity assay was detected by the MTT assay, and CTC capture efficiency was determined using OC cell lines. Blood and tissue samples were collected from 30 patients with OC and 30 normal ovarian tissue samples were selected. Expression of miR-181a in CTCs and tissue samples was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) with U6 as an internal reference. Expression of miR-181a was interfered in OC cells and its relative expression was measured. Results: Ep-LMBs were successfully prepared with high stability. Cellular assays showed that these Ep-LMBs could capture up to 80% of OC cells. RT-qPCR showed that the expression of miR-181a was increased in OC tissues compared with that in normal ovarian tissues, and the relative expressions of miR-181a in cancerous tissues and CTCs were comparable. Correlation analysis with clinical characteristics revealed that miR-181a expression was correlated with the stage and metastasis of OC and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: MiR-181a may be involved in the development and progression of OC as an oncogene. Detection of miR-181a in Ep-LMB-captured CTCs is an effective and feasible alternative method for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of OC other than tissue tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Zuo
- Department
of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer
Center Minhang Branch Hospital, Ruili Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Department
of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer
Center Minhang Branch Hospital, Ruili Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Hailong Zhu
- Department
of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer
Center Minhang Branch Hospital, Ruili Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Anqi Li
- Department
of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer
Center Minhang Branch Hospital, Ruili Road, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Department
of Oncology, Affiliated Sixth People’s
Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Yishan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mansoori H, Darbeheshti F, Daraei A, Mokhtari M, Tabei MB, Abdollahzadeh R, Dastsooz H, Bastami M, Nariman-Saleh-Fam Z, Salmani H, Mansoori Y, Tahmasebi S. Expression signature of lncRNA APTR in clinicopathology of breast cancer: Its potential oncogenic function in dysregulation of ErbB signaling pathway. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
14
|
Smith M, Zuckerman M, Kandanearatchi A, Thompson R, Davenport M. Using next-generation sequencing of microRNAs to identify host and/or pathogen nucleic acid signatures in samples from children with biliary atresia - a pilot study. Access Microbiol 2020; 2:acmi000127. [PMID: 32974591 PMCID: PMC7497833 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive disease affecting infants resulting in inflammatory obliteration and fibrosis of the extra- and intra-hepatic biliary tree. BA may be grouped into type 1 isolated; type 2 syndromic, where other congenital malformations may be present; type 3 cystic BA, where there is cyst formation within an otherwise obliterated biliary tree; and cytomegalovirus-associated BA. The cause of BA is unclear, with immune dysregulation, inflammation and infection, particularly with cytomegalovirus (CMV), all implicated. In this study a total of 50/67 samples were tested for CMV DNA using quantitative real-time PCR. Ten liver tissue and 8 bile samples from 10 patients representing the range of BA types were also analysed by next-generation sequencing. CMV DNA was found in 8/50 (16 %) patients and a total of 265 differentially expressed microRNAs were identified. No statistically significant differences between the various types of BA were found. However, differences were identified in the expression patterns of 110 microRNAs in bile and liver tissue samples (P<0.05). A small number of bacterial and viral sequences were found, although their relevance to BA remains to be determined. No direct evidence of viral causes of BA were found, although clear evidence of microRNAs associated with hepatocyte and cholangiocyte differentiation together with fibrosis and inflammation were identified. These include miR-30 and the miR-23 cluster (liver and bile duct development) and miR-29, miR-483, miR-181, miR-199 and miR-200 (inflammation and fibrosis).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melvyn Smith
- Viapath Analytics, South London Specialist Virology Centre, Denmark Hill, London
| | - Mark Zuckerman
- Viapath Analytics, South London Specialist Virology Centre, Denmark Hill, London
| | | | - Richard Thompson
- Institute of Liver Studies and Paediatric Liver Services, Denmark Hill, London
| | - Mark Davenport
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cui Y, Liang S, Zhang S, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Wu D, Wang J, Song R, Wang J, Yin D, Liu Y, Pan S, Liu X, Wang Y, Han J, Meng F, Zhang B, Guo H, Lu Z, Liu L. ABCA8 is regulated by miR-374b-5p and inhibits proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through the ERK/ZEB1 pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:90. [PMID: 32430024 PMCID: PMC7236190 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01591-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 8 (ABCA8) belongs to the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. ABCA8 is a transmembrane transporter responsible for the transport of organics, such as cholesterol, and drug efflux. Some members of the ABC subfamily, such as ABCA1, may inhibit cancer development. However, the mechanism of ABCA8 in the process of cancer activation is still ambiguous. Methods The expression of ABCA8 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cell lines was examined using qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical staining. The effects of ABCA8 on the proliferation and metastasis of HCC were examined using in vitro and in vivo functional tests. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to explore the binding between microRNA-374b-5p (miR-374b-5p) and the ABCA8 3′-untranslated region (UTR). Results ABCA8 was frequently down-regulated in HCC and this down-regulation was negatively correlated with prognosis. The overexpression of ABCA8 inhibited growth and metastasis in HCC, whereas the knockdown of ABCA8 exerted the antithetical effects both in vivo and in vitro. ABCA8 was down-regulated by miR-374b-5p; this down-regulation can induce epithelial transformation to mesenchyme via the ERK/ZEB1 signaling pathway and promote HCC progression. Conclusion We exposed the prognostic value of ABCA8 in HCC, and illuminated a novel pathway in ABCA8-regulated inhibition of HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis. These findings may lead to a new targeted therapy for HCC through the regulation of ABCA8, and miR-374b-5p.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Cui
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shuhang Liang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shugeng Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Congyi Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yunzheng Zhao
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Dehai Wu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiabei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ruipeng Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jizhou Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dalong Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shangha Pan
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xirui Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jihua Han
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Fanzheng Meng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hongrui Guo
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhaoyang Lu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. .,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. .,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chen H, Yao X, Di X, Zhang Y, Zhu H, Liu S, Chen T, Yu D, Sun X. MiR-450a-5p inhibits autophagy and enhances radiosensitivity by targeting dual-specificity phosphatase 10 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2020; 483:114-126. [PMID: 32014456 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Radioresistance reduces the success of therapy for patients with ESCC. Enhancing our understanding of the cardinal principles of radioresistance may improve the response of patients to irradiation. MicroRNAs perform a key role in posttranscriptional regulation, which is linked with the response of tumors to irradiation. Here, we successfully constructed a radioresistant cell line model, ECA109R, from parental esophageal cancer cell line ECA109. We used RNA-Seq analysis and qRT-PCR to compare the miRNA expression profiles of the ECA109 and ECA109R cell lines. The results revealed that miR-450a-5p was downregulated in the radioresistant cells. Functional analysis indicated that miR-450a-5p increases cellular radiosensitivity and suppresses autophagy in ESCC cells. We utilized a luciferase reporter assay to identify the target gene, DUSP10, as an indispensable regulator of the p38 and SAPK/JNK signaling pathways. Upregulation or downregulation of DUSP10 expression could reverse the effects of miR-450a-5p overexpression or inhibition. Tumor xenograft experiments verified that miR-450a-5p overexpression could increase sensitivity to radiation therapy in vivo. In general, our findings indicate that miR-450a-5p is a latent radiosensitizer and may represent a potential novel therapeutic target for radioresistance in ESCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu province, China
| | - Xijuan Yao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu province, China
| | - Xiaoke Di
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu province, China
| | - Yixuan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu province, China
| | - Hongcheng Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu province, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- Department of Oncology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital and Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Dingyue Yu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Dongfang Hospital of LianYungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, 222000, China
| | - Xinchen Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
MicroRNAs in Animal Models of HCC. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121906. [PMID: 31805631 PMCID: PMC6966618 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Molecular heterogeneity and absence of biomarkers for patient allocation to the best therapeutic option contribute to poor prognosis of advanced stages. Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is associated with HCC development and progression and influences drug resistance. Therefore, miRNAs have been assayed as putative biomarkers and therapeutic targets. miRNA-based therapeutic approaches demonstrated safety profiles and antitumor efficacy in HCC animal models; nevertheless, caution should be used when transferring preclinical findings to the clinics, due to possible molecular inconsistency between animal models and the heterogeneous pattern of the human disease. In this context, models with defined genetic and molecular backgrounds might help to identify novel therapeutic options for specific HCC subgroups. In this review, we describe rodent models of HCC, emphasizing their representativeness with the human pathology and their usefulness as preclinical tools for assessing miRNA-based therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
18
|
Braicu C, Gulei D, Raduly L, Harangus A, Rusu A, Berindan-Neagoe I. Altered expression of miR-181 affects cell fate and targets drug resistance-related mechanisms. Mol Aspects Med 2019; 70:90-105. [PMID: 31703947 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding transcripts which regulate genetic and epigenetic events by interfering with mRNA translation. miRNAs are involved in regulation of cell fate due to their ability of interfering with physiological or pathological processes. In this review paper, we evaluate the role of miR-181 family members as prognostic or diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets in malignant pathologies in connection with the main hallmarks of cancer that are modulated by the family. Also, we take over the dual role of this family in dependency with the tumour suppressor and oncogenic features presented in cell and cancer type specific manner. Restoration of the altered expression levels contributes to the activation of cell death pathways or to a reduction in the invasion and migration mechanism; moreover, the mechanism of drug resistance is also modulated by miR-181 sequences with important applications in therapeutic strategies for malignant cells sensitisation. Overall, the main miR-181 family regulatory mechanisms are presented in a cancer specific context, emphasizing the possible clinical application of this family in terms of novel diagnosis and therapy approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Diana Gulei
- MedFuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lajos Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Antonia Harangus
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; "Leon Daniello" Pneumophtisiology Clinic, 6 Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu Street, 400332, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | | | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; MedFuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta", Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen Y, Di C, Zhang X, Wang J, Wang F, Yan JF, Xu C, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Li H, Yang H, Zhang H. Transforming growth factor β signaling pathway: A promising therapeutic target for cancer. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:1903-1914. [PMID: 31332789 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is part of the transforming growth factor β superfamily which is involved in many physiological processes and closely related to the carcinogenesis. Here, we discuss the TGF-β structure, function, and its canonical Smads signaling pathway. Importantly, TGF-β has been proved that it plays both tumor suppressor as well as an activator role in tumor progression. In an early stage, TGF-β inhibits cell proliferation and is involved in cell apoptosis. In an advanced tumor, TGF-β signaling pathway induces tumor invasion and metastasis through promoting angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune escape. Furthermore, we are centered on updated research results into the inhibitors as drugs which have been studied in preclinical or clinical trials in tumor carcinogenesis to prevent the TGF-β synthesis and block its signaling pathways such as antibodies, antisense molecules, and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Thus, it is highlighting the crucial role of TGF-β in tumor therapy and may provide opportunities for the new antitumor strategies in patients with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Chen
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cuixia Di
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuetian Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Fang Yan
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Caipeng Xu
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianjing Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongying Yang
- Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hao P, Cao X, Zhu Z, Gao C, Chen Y, Qi D. Effects of miR-181a targeting XIAP gene on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and its mechanism. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:8385-8392. [PMID: 30485521 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the effect of miR-181a targeting XIAP gene on the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and its mechanism. The primary cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with hypoxia for 3 hours and reoxygenation for 4 hours to construct H/R cell model. The expression of miR-181a and XIAP messenger RNA in cardiomyocytes was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the expression of XIAP protein in cardiomyocytes was detected by Western blot analysis. H/R cardiomyocytes with low expression of miR-181a and overexpression of XIAP were constructed, and the effects of low expression of miR-181a and upregulation of XIAP on cardiomyocyte apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the target relationship between miR-181a and XIAP. Further, H/R myocardial cells with low XIAP expression were constructed to observe the effect of downregulation of XIAP expression on apoptosis of myocardial cells with low expression of microarray-181a. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 in myocardial cells was detected by Western blot analysis. After H/R treatment, the expression of microRNAs-181a was high but that of XIAP was low. The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes could be inhibited by both the low expression of miR-181a and the upregulation of XIAP. The results of dual luciferase reporter gene showed that XIAP was a potential target gene for miR-181a. The inhibitory effect of low expression of miR-181a on myocardial apoptosis could be reversed and the inhibitory effect of low expression of miR-181a on Bax protein expression and the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression could be reversed by the downregulation of XIAP. MiR-181a can inhibit the apoptosis of hypoxic-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes by targeting XIAP to downregulate Bax and upregulate Bcl expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peiyuan Hao
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueming Cao
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongyu Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chuanyu Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Datun Qi
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Erstad DJ, Tanabe KK. Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2019; 26:1474-1493. [PMID: 30788629 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-019-07227-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a morbid condition for which surgical and ablative therapy are the only options for cure. Nonetheless, over half of patients treated with an R0 resection will develop recurrence. Early recurrences within 2 years after resection are thought to be due to the presence of residual microscopic disease, while late recurrences > 2 years after resection are thought to be de novo metachronous HCCs arising in chronically injured liver tissue. Microvascular invasion (MVI) is defined as the presence of micrometastatic HCC emboli within the vessels of the liver, and is a critical determinant of early recurrence and survival. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis and clinical relevance of MVI, which correlates with adverse biological features, including high grade, large tumor size, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Multiple classification schemas have been proposed to capture the heterogeneous features of MVI that are associated with prognosis. However, currently, MVI can only be determined based on surgical specimens, limiting its clinical applicability. Going forward, advances in axial imaging technologies, molecular characterization of biopsy tissue, and novel serum biomarkers hold promise as future methods for non-invasive MVI detection. Ultimately, MVI status may be used to help clinicians determine treatment plans, particularly with respect to surgical intervention, and to provide more accurate prognostication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Derek J Erstad
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth K Tanabe
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jiang Y, Gong Y, Lin N, Qiu W. Expression of miR-181a and TGF-β2 in lens epithelial cells of patients with cataractous retinal detachment and its clinical significance. Exp Ther Med 2019; 17:4435-4440. [PMID: 31086578 PMCID: PMC6489007 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression and clinical significance of miR-181a and TGF-β2 in lens epithelial cells of patients with cataract-induced retinal detachment were investigated. Forty patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with age-related cataract (cast-off group) and another 40 patients with simple age-related cataract (non-exfoliated group) in Tongren Hospital were enrolled between January 2017 and June 2018. Lens epithelial cells were collected, and expression levels of miR-181a and TGF-β2 mRNA in lens epithelial cells were measured by RT-qPCR. Expression of protein was detected by western blot analysis. miR-181a overexpression vector (miR-181a-mimic group) was constructed and transfected into lens epithelial cells isolated from patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with age-related cataract. Empty vector (miR-control group) transfection was performed. Untransfected lens epithelial cells were the control group. Independent sample t-test was performed for comparison between groups. Correlation between miR-181a and TGF-β2 protein expression levels was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. Relative expression level of miR-181a in the non-exfoliated group was significantly higher than that in the cast-off group (P<0.05). Relative expression levels of TGF-β2 mRNA and TGF-β2 protein in the cast-off group were significantly higher than those in the non-exfoliated group (P<0.05). Relative expression level of E-cadherin in the miR-control group was significantly lower than that in the miR-181a-mimic group (P<0.05). Relative expression level of vimentin in the miR-control group was significantly higher than that in the miR-181a-mimic group (P<0.05). Relative expression level of TGF-β2 protein in the miR-control group was significantly higher than that in the miR-181a-mimic group (P<0.05). The expression level of miR-181a was negatively correlated with the expression level of TGF-β2 protein (r= −0.875, P<0.001). miR-181a expression is decreased, while TGF-β2 expression is increased in lens epithelial cells of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with age-related cataract. Over-expression of miR-181a may inhibit epithelial cell epithelial-inhibition by inhibiting TGF-β2 expression. Our findings may provide guidance for future postoperative prevention and treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in cataract patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Gong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, P.R. China
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, P.R. China
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Role of Noncoding RNA in Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8690592. [PMID: 30931332 PMCID: PMC6413411 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8690592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in prevalence globally, but little is known about its specific molecular mechanisms. During the past decade, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been linked to NAFLD initiation and progression. They are a class of RNAs that play an important role in regulating gene expression despite not encoding proteins. This review summarizes recent research on the relationship between ncRNAs and NAFLD. We discussed the potential applicability of ncRNAs as a biomarker for early NAFLD diagnosis and assessment of disease severity. With further study, ncRNAs should prove to be valuable new targets for NAFLD treatment and benefit the development of noninvasive diagnostic methods.
Collapse
|
24
|
Zou Y, Li S, Li Z, Song D, Zhang S, Yao Q. MiR-146a attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting transforming growth factor-β1 mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocytes. Cell Signal 2019; 58:1-8. [PMID: 30711634 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged as a vital process in embryogenesis, carcinogenesis, and tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-mediated signaling pathways play important roles in the EMT process. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been suggested as a significant regulatory molecule in fibrogenesis. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of miR-146a on the EMT of hepatocytes and to investigate the role of overexpressing miR-146a on rat hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that the miR-146a level decreased during the EMT process of L02 hepatocytes induced by TGF-β1 in vitro. Moreover, miR-146a overexpression led to significant reduction of EMT-related markers expression in hepatocytes. Subsequent experiments revealed that miR-146a attenuated the EMT process in hepatocytes by targeting small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 4. Meanwhile, restoration of SMAD4 expression rescued the inhibitory effect of miRNA-146a on EMT. Further in vivo studies revealed that intravenous injection of miR-146a-expressing adenovirus (Ad-miR-146a) successfully restored the miR-146a levels and mitigated fibrogenesis in the livers of CCl4-treated rats. More importantly, after Ad-miR-146a treatment, inhibition of both EMT traits and SMAD4 expression was observed. The results of the present study showed that miR-146a/SMAD4 is a key signaling cascade that inhibits hepatocyte EMT, and the introduction of miR-146a might present a promising therapeutic option for liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver disease, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shuyu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver disease, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhengliang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver disease, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Dongqiang Song
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shuncai Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver disease, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Qunyan Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Liver disease, Shanghai, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lu Q, Chen Y, Sun D, Wang S, Ding K, Liu M, Zhang Y, Miao Y, Liu H, Zhou F. MicroRNA-181a Functions as an Oncogene in Gastric Cancer by Targeting Caprin-1. Front Pharmacol 2019; 9:1565. [PMID: 30687106 PMCID: PMC6335395 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-181a (miRNA-181a) is a multifaceted miRNA implicated in various cellular processes, particularly in cell fate determination and cellular invasion. It is frequently expressed aberrantly in human tumors and shows opposing functions in different types of cancers. In this study, we found that miRNA-181a is overexpressed in Gastric cancer (GC) tissues. Clinical and pathological analyses revealed that the expression of miRNA-181a is correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that overexpression of miRNA-181a is associated with poor overall survival of patients with GC. Moreover, miRNA-181a is overexpressed in GC cells, and downregulation of miRNA-181a induced cell apoptosis and suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Target prediction and luciferase reporter assay showed that caprin-1 was a direct target of miRNA-181a. Downregulation of caprin-1 expression resulted in a converse change with miRNA-181a in GC. Spearman’s correlation test confirmed that the expression of miRNA-181a expression was inversely correlated with that of caprin-1 in GC cells. Furthermore, the expression of caprin-1 increased after downregulation of miRNA-181a in the GC cells. Caprin-1 siRNA can rescue the oncogenic effect of miRNA-181a on GC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. These findings suggest that miRNA-181a directly inhibits caprin-1 and promotes GC development. miRNA-181a could be a target for anticancer drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Lu
- Department of Pathology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yanchun Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.,Neurological Disorders and Regenerative Repair Key Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Dan Sun
- Department of Pathology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Shukun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Kang Ding
- Department of Pathology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Meiyi Liu
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yujuan Miao
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Huancai Liu
- Department of Joint Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Fenghua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.,Neurological Disorders and Regenerative Repair Key Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Han TS, Ban HS, Hur K, Cho HS. The Epigenetic Regulation of HCC Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123978. [PMID: 30544763 PMCID: PMC6321007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations, such as histone modification, DNA methylation, and miRNA-mediated processes, are critically associated with various mechanisms of proliferation and metastasis in several types of cancer. To overcome the side effects and limited effectiveness of drugs for cancer treatment, there is a continuous need for the identification of more effective drug targets and the execution of mechanism of action (MOA) studies. Recently, epigenetic modifiers have been recognized as important therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on their reported abilities to suppress HCC metastasis and proliferation in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Therefore, here, we introduce epigenetic modifiers and alterations related to HCC metastasis and proliferation, and their molecular mechanisms in HCC metastasis. The existing data suggest that the study of epigenetic modifiers is important for the development of specific inhibitors and diagnostic targets for HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Su Han
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Hyun Seung Ban
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Keun Hur
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea.
| | - Hyun-Soo Cho
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bi JG, Zheng JF, Li Q, Bao SY, Yu XF, Xu P, Liao CX. MicroRNA-181a-5p suppresses cell proliferation by targeting Egr1 and inhibiting Egr1/TGF-β/Smad pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 106:107-116. [PMID: 30503931 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Early growth response factor 1 (Egr1) plays a crucial role in cancer progression. However, its precise role in HCC has not been clear. Here, we identified the aggravating role of Egr1 in cell proliferation of HCC firstly. The expression of Egr1 was significantly increased in HCC tissues. Functionally, overexpression of Egr1 enhanced, whereas silenced Egr1 expression attenuated HCC cells proliferation in vitro. Mechanistically, up-regulated Egr1 induced cell proliferation through activating Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling pathway concomitantly with upregulation of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. Secondly, miR-181a-5p was down-regulated in clinical HCC specimens and its expression was inversely correlated with Egr1 expression. Functionally, overexpression of miR-181a-5p inhibited, whereas decreased expression of miR-181a-5p promoted HCC cells proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-181a-5p overexpression directly suppressed Egr1, resulting in a down-regulated TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Besides, the silenced Egr1 expression could rescue the enhanced cell proliferation induced by miR-181a-5p inhibitor. Thus, we concluded that miR-181a-5p is a negative regulator of Egr1 that can suppress tumor proliferation in HCC through targeting Egr1/TGF-β1/Smad pathway, which may be a potential therapeutic approach of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Gang Bi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jin-Feng Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shi-Yun Bao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Fang Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Cai-Xian Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu S, Yao X, Zhang D, Sheng J, Wen X, Wang Q, Chen G, Li Z, Du Z, Zhang X. Analysis of Transcription Factor-Related Regulatory Networks Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Validation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:1431396. [PMID: 30228980 PMCID: PMC6136478 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1431396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for a significant proportion of liver cancer, which has become the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. To investigate the potential mechanisms of invasion and progression of HCC, bioinformatics analysis and validation by qRT-PCR were performed. We found 237 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including EGR1, FOS, and FOSB, which were three cancer-related transcription factors. Subsequently, we constructed TF-gene network and miRNA-TF-mRNA network based on data obtained from mRNA and miRNA expression profiles for analysis of HCC. We found that 42 key genes from the TF-gene network including EGR1, FOS, and FOSB were most enriched in the p53 signaling pathway. The qRT-PCR data confirmed that mRNA levels of EGR1, FOS, and FOSB all were decreased in HCC tissues. In addition, we confirmed that the mRNA levels of CCNB1, CCNB2, and CHEK1, three key markers of the p53 signaling pathway, were all increased in HCC tissues by bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR validation. Therefore, we speculated that miR-181a-5p, which was upregulated in HCC tissues, could regulate FOS and EGR1 to promote the invasion and progression of HCC by p53 signaling pathway. Overall, the study provides support for the possible mechanisms of progression in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Translational Medicine of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Translational Medicine of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Translational Medicine of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Jiyao Sheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Translational Medicine of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Xin Wen
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Qingyu Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Gaoyang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Zhaoyan Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Zhenwu Du
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
- Research Center of Second Clinical College, Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Xuewen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Translational Medicine of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kim J, Hyun J, Wang S, Lee C, Jung Y. MicroRNA-378 is involved in hedgehog-driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in hepatocytes of regenerating liver. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:721. [PMID: 29915286 PMCID: PMC6006434 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0762-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Healthy livers have a remarkable regenerative capacity for reconstructing functional hepatic parenchyma after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH). Hepatocytes, usually quiescent in normal healthy livers, proliferate to compensate for hepatic loss after PH. However, the mechanism of hepatocyte involvement in liver regeneration remains unclear. Hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays an important role in tissue reconstitution by regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in liver disease. MicroRNA (miRNA) is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development and carcinogenesis. It was recently reported that miR-378 inhibits transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblasts by suppressing Gli-Krüppel family member 3 (Gli3), the Hh-target gene. We hypothesized that miR-378 influences EMT in hepatocytes by interfering with Hh signaling during liver regeneration. As hepatocytes were highly proliferative after PH in mice, miR-378 and epithelial marker, Ppar-g or E-cadherin were downregulated, whereas both Hh activators, Smoothened (Smo) and Gli3, and the EMT-inducing genes, Tgfb, Snail and Vimentin, were upregulated in the regenerating livers and in hepatocytes isolated from them. Compared to cells with or without scramble miRNA, primary hepatocytes transfected with miR-378 inhibitor contained higher levels of Gli3 with increased expression of the EMT-promoting genes, Tgfb, Snail, Col1a1, and Vimentin, suggesting that miR-378 influenced EMT in hepatocytes. Smo-depleted hepatocytes isolated from PH livers of Smo-flox mice showed downregulation of EMT-promoting genes and Gli3, with upregulation of miR-378 and E-cadherin compared to Smo-expressing hepatocytes from PH liver. In addition, delivery hepatocyte-specific AAV8 viral vector bearing Cre recombinase into Smo-flox mice impeded EMT in Smo-suppressed hepatocytes of PH liver, indicating that Smo is critical for regulating hepatocyte EMT. Furthermore, the application of miR-378 mimic into mice with PH delayed liver regeneration by interrupting hepatocyte EMT. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that miR-378 is involved in hepatocyte EMT by regulating Hh signaling during liver regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Korea
| | - Jeongeun Hyun
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Korea
| | - Sihyung Wang
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Korea
| | - Chanbin Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Korea
| | - Youngmi Jung
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Korea. .,Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chen P, Pan J, Zhang X, Shi Z, Yang X. The Role of MicroRNA-181a in Myocardial Fibrosis Following Myocardial Infarction in a Rat Model. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:4121-4127. [PMID: 29908129 PMCID: PMC6036961 DOI: 10.12659/msm.908056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of miR-181a in the development of cardiac disease and in particular, myocardial fibrosis following myocardial infarction (MI) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the role of miR-181a in myocardial fibrosis in a rat model of MI and the expression of TGF-β receptor III (TβRIII). Material/Methods Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into an MI model group (n=30) and a control group with (n=10). The rat MI model involved ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in the model group; the control group was treated with a sham operation. Cardiac function was assessed using cardiac ultrasound. Myocardial fibroblasts were extracted from the rat hearts and transfected with a miR-mimic or miR-inhibitor, and cell growth was measured using an MTT assay. The level of miR-181a expression was detected using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blots. Results miR-181a expression was significantly increased during the progression of MI (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-181a was associated with increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, collagen I and fibronectin. This effect was reversed with the use of a miR-181a inhibitor (P<0.05). Upregulation of miR-181a suppressed the expression of TGF-β receptor III (TβRIII) by binding with 3′-UTR. Conclusions In this rat model of MI, the findings were that miR-181a had a role in the progression of myocardial fibrosis. The findings require further studies to determine whether miR-181a might provide a novel therapeutic target to limit myocardial fibrosis following MI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (mainland).,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Jialin Pan
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xinming Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zhewei Shi
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xiangjun Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
The role of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in diseases of the salivary glands. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:133-147. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1680-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
32
|
Janakiraman H, House RP, Gangaraju VK, Diehl JA, Howe PH, Palanisamy V. The Long (lncRNA) and Short (miRNA) of It: TGFβ-Mediated Control of RNA-Binding Proteins and Noncoding RNAs. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:567-579. [PMID: 29555893 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBP) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNA), such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) and microRNAs (miRNA), control co- and posttranscriptional gene regulation (PTR). At the PTR level, RBPs and ncRNAs contribute to pre-mRNA processing, mRNA maturation, transport, localization, turnover, and translation. Deregulation of RBPs and ncRNAs promotes the onset of cancer progression and metastasis. Both RBPs and ncRNAs are altered by signaling cascades to cooperate or compete with each other to bind their nucleic acid targets. Most importantly, transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling plays a significant role in controlling gene expression patterns by targeting RBPs and ncRNAs. Because of TGFβ signaling in cancer, RBP-RNA or RNA-RNA interactions are altered and cause enhanced cell growth and tumor cell dissemination. This review focuses on the emerging concepts of TGFβ signaling on posttranscriptional gene regulation and highlights the implications of RBPs and ncRNAs in cancer progression and metastasis. Mol Cancer Res; 16(4); 567-79. ©2018 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harinarayanan Janakiraman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Reniqua P House
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Vamsi K Gangaraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - J Alan Diehl
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Philip H Howe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Viswanathan Palanisamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular functions and pathological implications. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 15:137-151. [PMID: 29317776 DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading lethal malignancy worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying liver carcinogenesis remain poorly understood. Over the past two decades, overwhelming evidence has demonstrated the regulatory roles of different classes of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in liver carcinogenesis related to a number of aetiologies, including HBV, HCV and NAFLD. Among the ncRNAs, microRNAs, which belong to a distinct class of small ncRNAs, have been proven to play a crucial role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Deregulation of microRNAs has been broadly implicated in the inactivation of tumour-suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes in HCC. Modern high-throughput sequencing analyses have unprecedentedly identified a very large number of non-coding transcripts. Divergent groups of long ncRNAs have been implicated in liver carcinogenesis through interactions with DNA, RNA or proteins. Overall, ncRNAs represent a burgeoning field of cancer research, and we are only beginning to understand the importance and complicity of the ncRNAs in liver carcinogenesis. In this Review, we summarize the common deregulation of small and long ncRNAs in human HCC. We also comprehensively review the pathological roles of ncRNAs in liver carcinogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and HCC metastasis and discuss the potential applications of ncRNAs as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in human HCC.
Collapse
|
34
|
Du H, Yu H, Yang Y, Song Y, Wang F, Li S, Jiang Y. Computational identification of microRNAs and their targets in liver cirrhosis. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:7691-7698. [PMID: 29250171 PMCID: PMC5727606 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed that the deregulation of circulating miRNAs is associated with liver cirrhosis. The present study aimed to identify reliable candidate biomarkers to improve the early detection of liver cirrhosis. An integrated analysis of expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) and mRNAs in liver cirrhosis tissues from the GEO database was performed. Next, the regulatory targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs in liver cirrhosis tissues were predicted. In addition, a regulatory network of miRNA-target genes was constructed. A total of 4 eligible mRNA expression profiling studies and 2 miRNA expression profiling studies met the inclusion criteria, and were thus included. A total of 48 differentially expressed miRNAs and 1,773 differentially expressed genes were identified in liver cirrhosis tissues compared with normal tissues. There were 240 miRNA-target pairs whose expression was negatively correlated. In the miRNA-target regulatory network, overexpression of miR-21 and miR-199a-3p was suggested to be closely associated with the progression of liver cirrhosis. In addition, functional enrichment analysis of the target genes indicated that cell cycle was the most significantly enriched pathway, and the dysregulation of leukemia inhibitory factor, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A and retinoblastoma-associated protein 1 clearly suggested their importance in the development of liver cirrhosis. We hypothesized that miR-21 and miR-199a-3p may be promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for the early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. The miRNA-target regulatory network may provide additional insight into the current data regarding the role of miRNAs in liver cirrhosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100007, P.R. China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Yuying Yang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Song
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Shangheng Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Yuyong Jiang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
MiR-181a contributes gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting GAS7. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 495:2482-2489. [PMID: 29269300 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.12.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) exert potent therapeutic efficacy in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations. However, a major impediment for the effective treatment is the development of drug resistance. Some evidence supports a role for miRNAs in modulating NSCLC TKIs resistance. Here we show that miR-181a is significantly up-regulated in gefitinib-resistant cells compared with gefitinib-sensitive cells. Upregulation of miR-181a caused resistance of gefitinib, whereas downregulation of miR-181a sensitized NSCLC cells to gefitinib. Furthermore, the miR-181a plasma levels were significantly increased in acquired gefitinib resistant NSCLC patients compared with the plasma levels prior to gefitinib treatment in each patient. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) was a direct target gene of miR-181a. A significant inverse correlation between the expression of miR-181a and GAS7 was identified in NSCLC tissues. Downregulation of GAS7 expression could antagonize gefitinib re-sensitivity in PC9GR mediated by knockdown of miR-181a via AKT/ERK pathways and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers. Additionally, GAS7 expression was downregulated in a large cohort of NSCLC patients, and a high mRNA level of GAS7 was associated with improved overall survival. Collectively, our findings provide a novel basis for using miR-181a/GAS7-based therapeutic strategies to reverse gefitinib resistance in NSCLC.
Collapse
|
36
|
Tangtanatakul P, Thammasate B, Jacquet A, Reantragoon R, Pisitkun T, Avihingsanon Y, Leelahavanichkul A, Hirankarn N. Transcriptomic profiling in human mesangial cells using patient-derived lupus autoantibodies identified miR-10a as a potential regulator of IL8. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14517. [PMID: 29109423 PMCID: PMC5673966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibody-mediated inflammation directed at resident kidney cells mediates lupus nephritis (LN) pathogenesis. This study investigated the role of miRNA in human mesangial cells (HMCs) stimulated with auto anti-dsDNA immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies. HMCs were treated with antibodies purified from active LN patients or non-specific IgG controls in the presence of normal serum. Aberrant miRNA was screened using high throughput sequencing. Anti-dsDNA IgG up-regulated 103 miRNAs and down-regulated 30 miRNAs. The miRNAs regulated genes in the cell cycle, catabolic processes, regulation of transcription and apoptosis signalling. miR-10a was highly abundant in HMCs but was specifically downregulated upon anti-dsDNA IgG induction. Interestingly, the expression of miR-10a in kidney biopsies from class III and IV LN patients (n = 26) was downregulated compared with cadaveric donor kidneys (n = 6). Functional studies highlighted the downstream regulator of miR-10a in the chemokine signalling and cell proliferation or apoptosis pathways. Luciferase assay confirmed for the first time that IL8 was a direct target of miR-10a in HMCs. In conclusion, anti-dsDNA IgG Ab down-regulated miR-10a expression in HMCs resulting in the induction of various target genes involved in HMC proliferation and chemokine expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pattarin Tangtanatakul
- Medical Microbiology Interdisciplinary Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Boonyakiat Thammasate
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Alain Jacquet
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Rangsima Reantragoon
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Trairak Pisitkun
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Chulalongkorn University Systems Biology (CUSB), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Yingyos Avihingsanon
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Nattiya Hirankarn
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-mediated Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhang SF, Chen JC, Zhang J, Xu JG. miR-181a involves in the hippocampus-dependent memory formation via targeting PRKAA1. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8480. [PMID: 28814760 PMCID: PMC5559581 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09095-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional gene regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in memory formation. However, the roles of individual miRNAs in these processes remain largely unknown. In this study, we want to clarify the role of miR-181a in hippocampus-dependent memory formation. A transient increase in miR-181a expression was observed after conditioned fear conditioning (CFC) and object location task (OLT) training. Selective overexpression or inhibition of miR-181a in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) via the injection of a miR-181a agomir or antagomir enhanced or impaired the CFC- and OLT-dependent memory formation, respectively. Using bioinformatics and luciferase assays, we identified PRKAA1 as a potential target gene of miR-181a. After CFC or OLT training, the expression and activity of PRKAA1 decreased as miR-181a expression increased and was effectively blocked by the miR-181a antagomir. Moreover, microinjection of the PRKAA1 agonist AICAR or inhibitor compound C in the DH reversed the roles of the miR-181a agomir or antagomir in CFC- and OLT-dependent memory formation. In conclusion, this work provides novel evidence describing the role and mechanism of miR-181a in hippocampus-dependent memory formation, which sheds light on the potential regulation of cognition and future treatments for cognitive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Fu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Chen Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan 81 Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Guo Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Liao TT, Yang MH. Revisiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer metastasis: the connection between epithelial plasticity and stemness. Mol Oncol 2017. [PMID: 28649800 PMCID: PMC5496497 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important process in embryonic development, fibrosis, and cancer metastasis. During cancer progression, the activation of EMT permits cancer cells to acquire migratory, invasive, and stem‐like properties. A growing body of evidence supports the critical link between EMT and cancer stemness. However, contradictory results have indicated that the inhibition of EMT also promotes cancer stemness, and that mesenchymal‐epithelial transition, the reverse process of EMT, is associated with the tumor‐initiating ability required for metastatic colonization. The concept of ‘intermediate‐state EMT’ provides a possible explanation for this conflicting evidence. In addition, recent studies have indicated that the appearance of ‘hybrid’ epithelial‐mesenchymal cells is favorable for the establishment of metastasis. In summary, dynamic changes or plasticity between the epithelial and the mesenchymal states rather than a fixed phenotype is more likely to occur in tumors in the clinical setting. Further studies aimed at validating and consolidating the concept of intermediate‐state EMT and hybrid tumors are needed for the establishment of a comprehensive profile of cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Tsen Liao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Genome Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ma F, Li W, Liu C, Li W, Yu H, Lei B, Ren Y, Li Z, Pang D, Qian C. MiR-23a promotes TGF-β1-induced EMT and tumor metastasis in breast cancer cells by directly targeting CDH1 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Oncotarget 2017; 8:69538-69550. [PMID: 29050223 PMCID: PMC5642498 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proved to be associated with metastasis of breast cancer cells. We attempted to detect a novel mechanism that microRNAs mediated the TGF-β1-induced EMT in the process of breast cancer metastasis. Here we reported that the expression of miR-23a was higher in breast cancer cells with high metastasis ability and patients with lymph node metastasis and the treatment of TGF-β1 significantly upregulated the expression of miR-23a in breast cancer cells. We found that miR-23a was upregulated by TGF-β1 post-transcriptionally and Smads directly bound the RNA Smad binding element (R-SBE) of miR-23a. Functional studies showed that inhibition of miR-23a suppressed the TGF-β1-induced EMT, migration, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we determined that miR-23a directly targeted and suppressed CDH1, one important gene in EMT phenomenon. Notably, Wnt/β-catenin signaling was activated by the suppression of CDH1 in the miR-23a mediated process of TGF-β1-induced EMT and tumor invasion. These results demonstrate that miR-23a promotes TGF-β1-induced tumor metastasis in breast cancer by targeting CDH1 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Taken together, our results indicate a novel regulatory mechanism of TGF-β1-induced EMT and suggest that miR-23a might be a potential target in breast cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Chunxiao Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Haining Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Bo Lei
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yanlv Ren
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Zhigao Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Da Pang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.,Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.,Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Chang S, Chen B, Wang X, Wu K, Sun Y. Long non-coding RNA XIST regulates PTEN expression by sponging miR-181a and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:248. [PMID: 28388883 PMCID: PMC5383949 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor metastasis often occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and influences the patient's prognosis, and microRNAs are reported to play key roles in tumor metastasis. This study was conducted to explore the effect of microRNAs on HCC metastasis. METHODS The levels of miR-181a in HCC tissues, adjacent tissues, metastatic HCC tissues, and non-metastatic HCC tissues at different stages were determined by qRT-PCR. Effect of miR-181a on the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells was estimated by cell counting kits-8 (CCK-8), wound-healing, and Transwell assays. Software analysis and luciferase assays were used to explore the target gene of miR-181a. RESULTS MiR-181a was up-regulated in HCC tissues and its expression level in metastatic HCC tissues was much higher than in non-metastasis samples. PTEN was found to be a target gene of miR-181a. MiR-181a had multiple binding sites with the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) XIST. The regulation of miR-181a on PTEN was mediated by lncRNA XIST. The proliferation and invasion of cells with siXIST were significantly enhanced compared with those of control cells, while knockdown of miR-181a abolished the enhancing effects. CONCLUSIONS MiR-181a can promote HCC metastasis by targeting PTEN, which is regulated by lncRNA XIST.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Chang
- Division of Liver Disease, Ji'nan Infectious Disease Hospital, No. 22029 Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Binhe Chen
- Healthy Food Laboratory, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ji'nan, Shandong, 250101, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Division of Liver Disease, Ji'nan Infectious Disease Hospital, No. 22029 Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Keqin Wu
- Division of Liver Disease, Ji'nan Infectious Disease Hospital, No. 22029 Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Yuqiu Sun
- Division of Liver Disease, Ji'nan Infectious Disease Hospital, No. 22029 Jingshi Road, Ji'nan, Shandong, 250021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Li XM, Liu WL, Chen X, Wang YW, Shi DB, Zhang H, Ma RR, Liu HT, Guo XY, Hou F, Li M, Gao P. Overexpression of TMPRSS4 promotes tumor proliferation and aggressiveness in breast cancer. Int J Mol Med 2017; 39:927-935. [PMID: 28259959 PMCID: PMC5360421 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4) is a novel type II transmembrane serine protease that is overexpressed in various types of human cancers and has an important function in cancer progression. However, there is a paucity of data available regarding the biological effects of TMPRSS4 on breast cancer (BC) cells and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, expression of TMPRSS4 in BC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between TMPRSS4 expression and clinicopathological characteristics as well as prognosis was evaluated. The effects of TMPRSS4 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated in BC cell lines in vitro. Additionally, RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to determine the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers and TMPRSS4 in BC cell lines. We found that TMPRSS4 was overexpressed in BC tissues and its expression level was closely correlated with tumor size, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage as well as poor survival (all P<0.05) and could be recognized as an independent prognostic factor for BC patients. Overexpression of TMPRSS4 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells in vitro. Moreover, TMPRSS4 knockdown significantly enhanced the expression of E-cadherin and claudin-1 and inhibited the expression of vimentin and Slug, indicating suppression of EMT. Our results suggest that TMPRSS4 plays a crucial role in the progression of BC. Moreover, TMPRSS4 overexpression promoted the proliferation, invasion and migration of BC cells by possibly inducing EMT. To conclude, TMPRSS4 may be a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Lou Liu
- Department of Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Ya-Wen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Duan-Bo Shi
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Ran-Ran Ma
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Ting Liu
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xiang-Yu Guo
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Feng Hou
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Pathology, Dezhou Renmin Hospital, Dezhou, Shandong 253000, P.R. China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
The significant parallels between cell plasticity during embryonic development and carcinoma progression have helped us understand the importance of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human disease. Our expanding knowledge of EMT has led to a clarification of the EMT program as a set of multiple and dynamic transitional states between the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, as opposed to a process involving a single binary decision. EMT and its intermediate states have recently been identified as crucial drivers of organ fibrosis and tumor progression, although there is some need for caution when interpreting its contribution to metastatic colonization. Here, we discuss the current state-of-the-art and latest findings regarding the concept of cellular plasticity and heterogeneity in EMT. We raise some of the questions pending and identify the challenges faced in this fast-moving field.
Collapse
|
43
|
Lee J, Kim Y, Friso S, Choi SW. Epigenetics in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Mol Aspects Med 2016; 54:78-88. [PMID: 27889327 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a common hepatic disorder ranging from simple steatosis through steatohepatitis to fibrosis and cirrhosis, is an emerging health concern. NAFLD is a pathologic condition characterized by the buildup of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol consumption. Excess hepatic fat accumulation results from increased delivery of triglycerides (TG) to the liver or conversion of surplus carbohydrates to TG. Importantly, a subgroup of NAFLD results in hepatocellular injury and inflammation, which is referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and may progress to irreversible cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD shares, in part, the common pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome including obesity, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress response, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Epigenetics, an inheritable phenomenon that affects gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, provides a new perspective on the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Reversible epigenetic changes take place at the transcriptional level and provide a phenotypic connection between the host and environment. An accumulating body of evidence suggests the importance of epigenetic roles in NAFLD, which in turn can be identified as potential therapeutic targets and non-invasive biomarkers of NAFLD. It is anticipated that the epigenetic modifiers in NAFLD may provide novel molecular indicators that can determine not only the initial risk but also the disease progression and prognosis. In the present review, we update the roles of epigenetics as pathologic mechanisms, therapeutic targets and biomarkers in NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jooho Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University of Medicine and Science, Seongnam, 13496, South Korea
| | - Yuri Kim
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, South Korea
| | - Simonetta Friso
- University of Verona School of Medicine, Verona, 37134, Italy
| | - Sang-Woon Choi
- Chaum Life Center, CHA University of Medicine and Science, Seoul, 06062, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Chen J, Gao S, Wang C, Wang Z, Zhang H, Huang K, Zhou B, Li H, Yu Z, Wu J, Chen C. Pathologically decreased expression of miR-193a contributes to metastasis by targeting WT1-E-cadherin axis in non-small cell lung cancers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2016; 35:173. [PMID: 27821145 PMCID: PMC5100283 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background The metastatic cascade is a complex and multistep process with many potential barriers. Recently, miR-193a has been reported to be a suppressive miRNA in multiple types of cancers, but its underlying anti-oncogenic activity in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) is not fully elucidated. Methods The expressions of miR-193a (miR-193a-5p) in human lung cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by real-time PCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the direct target of miR-193a. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis were assessed by CCK-8, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay, respectively. Results The expression of miR-193a in lung cancer tissues was decreased comparing to adjacent non-tumor tissues due to DNA hypermethylation in lung cancer tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-193a inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in A549 and H1299 cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-193a partially reversed tumor growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, miR-193a reduced the expression of WT1, which negatively regulated the protein level of E-cadherin, suggesting that miR-193a might prevent EMT via modulating WT1-E-cadherin axis. Importantly, knockdown of WT1 resembled the anti-cancer activity by miR-193a and overexpression of WT1 partially reversed miR-193a-induced anti-cancer activity, indicating that WT1 plays an important role in miR-193a-induced anti-cancer activity. Finally, overexpression of miR-193a decreased the growth of tumor xenografts in mice. Conclusion Collectively, our results have revealed an important role of miR-193a-WT1-E-cadherin axis in metastasis, demonstrated an important molecular cue for EMT, and suggested a therapeutic strategy of restoring miR-193a expression in NSCLC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-016-0450-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Chen
- Department of Respiration, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shenmeng Gao
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chunjing Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine & School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhonggai Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine & School of Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Huxiang Zhang
- Pathology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kate Huang
- Pathology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhijie Yu
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianbo Wu
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Chengshui Chen
- Department of Respiration, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Nagai T, Arao T, Nishio K, Matsumoto K, Hagiwara S, Sakurai T, Minami Y, Ida H, Ueshima K, Nishida N, Sakai K, Saijo N, Kudo K, Kaneda H, Tamura D, Aomatsu K, Kimura H, Fujita Y, Haji S, Kudo M. Impact of Tight Junction Protein ZO-1 and TWIST Expression on Postoperative Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Dig Dis 2016; 34:702-707. [PMID: 27750241 DOI: 10.1159/000448860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered to play a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the impact of EMT on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still elusive. In this study, we examined the relationship between the expression of EMT markers and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in HCC patients after hepatic resection. SUMMARY The mRNA expression of 15 genes related to EMT was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in cancerous tissues from 72 patients who underwent hepatic resection of HCC between January 2005 and December 2010 at our hospital. The upregulation of TWIST and the downregulation of tight junction protein ZO-1 (TJP1) were significantly associated with shorter RFS as well as OS. Increased levels of TWIST and decreased levels of TJP1 should be predictive markers for poor prognosis in patients with HCC after hepatectomy; those could serve as potential biomarkers for the treatment of HCC. Key Messages: A low level of TJP1 and high level of TWIST expression were prognostic factors predicting HCC after hepatic resection.
Collapse
|
46
|
Lee SY, Lee J, Lee H, Kim B, Lew J, Baek N, Kim SH. MicroRNA134 Mediated Upregulation of JNK and Downregulation of NFkB Signalings Are Critically Involved in Dieckol Induced Antihepatic Fibrosis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:5508-14. [PMID: 27321552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Though Dieckol, a phlorotannin of Ecklonia cava, was known to have antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, the underlying antifibrotic mechanism of Dieckol still remains unclear until now. Thus, in the current study, the inhibitory mechanism of Dieckol on liver fibrosis was elucidated mainly in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Dieckol exerted cytotoxicity in LX-2, HSC-T6, and HepG2 cells with the reduced fibrosis features of large, spread out, and flattened polygonal shapes in LX-2 cells compared to untreated control. Dieckol attenuated the expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1, increased sub-G1 phase population, and induced caspase-3 activation and cleavages of PARP in HSCs. Furthermore, Dieckol decreased phosphorylation of ERK, p38, AKT, NF-kB, and IkB and activated the microRNA(miR)134 level and JNK phosphorylation in HSCs. Conversely, JNK inhbitor SP600125 reversed the effect of Dieckol on PARP, p-NF-kB, α -SMA, and p-JNK in LX-2 cells. Likewise, miR134 overexpression mimic enhanced phosphorylation of JNK and NF-kB and reduced the expression of α-SMA and PARP cleavage, while miR134 inhibitor reversed the ability of Dieckol to cleave PARP and attenuate the expression of α-SMA in LX-2 cells. Overall, our findings suggest that Dieckol suppresses liver fibrosis via caspase activation and miR134 mediated JNK activation and NF-kB inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jihyun Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University , Seoul 131-701, South Korea
| | - HyoJung Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University , Seoul 131-701, South Korea
| | - Bonglee Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University , Seoul 131-701, South Korea
| | | | | | - Sung-Hoon Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University , Seoul 131-701, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Liu F, Yu X, Huang H, Chen X, Wang J, Zhang X, Lin Q. Upregulation of microRNA-450 inhibits the progression of lung cancer in vitro and in vivo by targeting interferon regulatory factor 2. Int J Mol Med 2016; 38:283-90. [PMID: 27246609 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non‑coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in human lung cancer development. The majority of studies have focused on either non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In the present study, we investigated a plausible mechanism of action of miR‑450 in these types of lung cancer. We found that the level of miR‑450 was decreased in lung cancer cell lines, as well as in solid tumors. As exemplified in the H510A (SCLC) and H2291 (NSCLC) cells, transfection with lentivirus carrying miR‑450 upregulated miR‑450 expression and significantly attenuated lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion, as well as the growth of implantated tumors. Interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF2) was also verified to be a direct target of miR‑450 in lung cancer cells. The overexpression of IRF2 in the H510A and H2291 cells abrogated the inhibitory effects of miR‑450 on lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Taken together, in this study, we identified a novel role of miR‑450 in lung cancer. miR-450 targets IRF2 and thus supresses lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabing Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Haihua Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomiao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Afonso MB, Rodrigues PM, Simão AL, Castro RE. Circulating microRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5030030. [PMID: 26950158 PMCID: PMC4810101 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5030030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and metabolic syndrome are growing epidemics worldwide and greatly responsible for many liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD often progresses to cirrhosis, end-stage liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer and one of the leading causes for cancer-related deaths globally. Currently available tools for the diagnosis of NAFLD staging and progression towards HCC are largely invasive and of limited accuracy. In light of the need for more specific and sensitive noninvasive molecular markers, several studies have assessed the potential of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers of liver injury and hepatocarcinogenesis. Indeed, extracellular miRNAs are very stable in the blood, can be easily quantitated and are differentially expressed in response to different pathophysiological conditions. Although standardization procedures and larger, independent studies are still necessary, miRNAs constitute promising, clinically-useful biomarkers for the NAFLD-HCC spectrum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta B Afonso
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - André L Simão
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Rui E Castro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ma M, He M, Jiang Q, Yan Y, Guan S, Zhang J, Yu Z, Chen Q, Sun M, Yao W, Zhao H, Jin F, Wei M. MiR-487a Promotes TGF-β1-induced EMT, the Migration and Invasion of Breast Cancer Cells by Directly Targeting MAGI2. Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12:397-408. [PMID: 27019625 PMCID: PMC4807160 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a complex and multistep process and its exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We attempted to find novel microRNAs (miRNAs) contributing to the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-487a was higher in MDA-MB-231breast cancer cells with high metastasis ability than MCF-7 breast cancer cells with low metastasis ability and the treatment with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) significantly increased the expression of miR-487a in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Subsequently, we found that the transfection of miR-487a inhibitor significantly decreased the expression of vimentin, a mesenchymal marker, while increased the expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, in both MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, the inactivation of miR-487a inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that miR-487a directly targeted the MAGI2 involved in the stability of PTEN. The down-regulation of miR-487a increased the expression of p-PTEN and PTEN, and reduced the expression of p-AKT in both cell lines. In addition, the results showed that NF-kappaB (p65) significantly increased the miR-487a promoter activity and expression, and TGF-β1 induced the increased miR-487a promoter activity via p65 in MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, we further confirmed the expression of miR-487a was positively correlated with the lymph nodes metastasis and negatively correlated with the expression of MAGI2 in human breast cancer tissues. Overall, our results suggested that miR-487a could promote the TGF-β1-induced EMT, the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by directly targeting MAGI2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengtao Ma
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Miao He
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yan
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Shu Guan
- 2. Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zhaojin Yu
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qiuchen Chen
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mingli Sun
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Weifan Yao
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Haishan Zhao
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Feng Jin
- 2. Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Minjie Wei
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Revisiting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Liver Fibrosis: Clues for a Better Understanding of the "Reactive" Biliary Epithelial Phenotype. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:2953727. [PMID: 26880950 PMCID: PMC4736590 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2953727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether liver epithelial cells contribute to the development of hepatic scarring by undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a controversial issue. Herein, we revisit the concept of EMT in cholangiopathies, a group of severe hepatic disorders primarily targeting the bile duct epithelial cell (cholangiocyte), leading to progressive portal fibrosis, the main determinant of liver disease progression. Unfortunately, therapies able to halt this process are currently lacking. In cholangiopathies, fibrogenesis is part of ductular reaction, a reparative complex involving epithelial, mesenchymal, and inflammatory cells. Ductular reactive cells (DRC) are cholangiocytes derived from the activation of the hepatic progenitor cell compartment. These cells are arranged into irregular strings and express a “reactive” phenotype, which enables them to extensively crosstalk with the other components of ductular reaction. We will first discuss EMT in liver morphogenesis and then highlight how some of these developmental programs are partly reactivated in DRC. Evidence for “bona fide” EMT changes in cholangiocytes is lacking, but expression of some mesenchymal markers represents a fundamental repair mechanism in response to chronic biliary damage with potential harmful fibrogenetic effects. Understanding microenvironmental cues and signaling perturbations promoting these changes in DRC may help to identify potential targets for new antifibrotic therapies in cholangiopathies.
Collapse
|