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Robinson TP, Hamidi T, Counts B, Guttridge DC, Ostrowski MC, Zimmers TA, Koniaris LG. The impact of inflammation and acute phase activation in cancer cachexia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207746. [PMID: 38022578 PMCID: PMC10644737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cachexia in the setting of cancer or other chronic diseases is a significant detriment for patients. Cachexia is associated with a decreased ability to tolerate therapies, reduction in ambulation, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Cachexia appears intricately linked to the activation of the acute phase response and is a drain on metabolic resources. Work has begun to focus on the important inflammatory factors associated with the acute phase response and their role in the immune activation of cachexia. Furthermore, data supporting the liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and tumor as all playing a role in activation of the acute phase are emerging. Although the acute phase is increasingly being recognized as being involved in cachexia, work in understanding underlying mechanisms of cachexia associated with the acute phase response remains an active area of investigation and still lack a holistic understanding and a clear causal link. Studies to date are largely correlative in nature, nonetheless suggesting the possibility for a role for various acute phase reactants. Herein, we examine the current literature regarding the acute phase response proteins, the evidence these proteins play in the promotion and exacerbation of cachexia, and current evidence of a therapeutic potential for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler P. Robinson
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Tewfik Hamidi
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Brittany Counts
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Denis C. Guttridge
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Michael C. Ostrowski
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Teresa A. Zimmers
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Leonidas G. Koniaris
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
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2
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Esteves M, Duarte M, Oliveira PA, Gil da Costa RM, Monteiro MP, Duarte JA. SKELETAL MUSCLE SENSITIVITY TO WASTING INDUCED BY UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA. Exp Oncol 2023; 45:107-119. [PMID: 37417276 DOI: 10.15407/exp-oncology.2023.01.107] [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: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle wasting is a common phenotypic feature of several types of cancer, and it is associated with functional impairment, respiratory complications, and fatigue. However, equivocal evidence remains regarding the impact of cancer-induced muscle wasting on the different fiber types. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of urothelial carcinoma induced in mice on the histomorphometric features and collagen deposition in different skeletal muscles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen ICR (CD1) male mice were randomly assigned into two groups: exposed to 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) in drinking water for 12 weeks, plus 8 weeks of tap water (BBN, n = 8) or with access to tap water for 20 weeks (CONT, n = 5). Tibialis anterior, soleus, and diaphragm muscles were collected from all animals. For cross-sectional area and myonuclear domain analysis, muscle sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and for collagen deposition assessment, muscle sections were stained with picrosirius red. RESULTS All animals from the BBN group developed urothelial preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions, and the tibialis anterior from these animals presented a reduced cross-sectional area (p < 0.001), with a decreased proportion of fibers with a higher cross-sectional area, increased collagen deposition (p = 0.017), and higher myonuclear domain (p = 0.031). BBN mice also showed a higher myonuclear domain in the diaphragm (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION Urothelial carcinoma induced muscle wasting of the tibialis anterior, expressed by a decreased cross-sectional area, higher infiltration of fibrotic tissue, and increased myonuclear domain, which also increased in the diaphragm, suggesting that fast glycolytic muscle fibers are more susceptible to be affected by cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Esteves
- FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Escola Superior de Saúde Fernando Pessoa, Porto 4200-450, Portugal
- Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - M Duarte
- Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - P A Oliveira
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB): Clinical Academic Centre, Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - R M Gil da Costa
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB): Clinical Academic Centre, Vila Real, Portugal
- Postgraduate Programme in Adult Health (PPGSAD), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, Brazil
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - M P Monteiro
- UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR - Laboratory of Integrative and Translocation Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - J A Duarte
- TOXRUN - Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
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3
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A Blueprint for Cancer-Related Inflammation and Host Innate Immunity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113211. [PMID: 34831432 PMCID: PMC8623541 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Both in situ and allograft models of cancer in juvenile and adult Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies offer a powerful means for unravelling cancer gene networks and cancer-host interactions. They can also be used as tools for cost-effective drug discovery and repurposing. Moreover, in situ modeling of emerging tumors makes it possible to address cancer initiating events-a black box in cancer research, tackle the innate antitumor immune responses to incipient preneoplastic cells and recurrent growing tumors, and decipher the initiation and evolution of inflammation. These studies in Drosophila melanogaster can serve as a blueprint for studies in more complex organisms and help in the design of mechanism-based therapies for the individualized treatment of cancer diseases in humans. This review focuses on new discoveries in Drosophila related to the diverse innate immune responses to cancer-related inflammation and the systemic effects that are so detrimental to the host.
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Drosophila Larval Models of Invasive Tumorigenesis for In Vivo Studies on Tumour/Peripheral Host Tissue Interactions during Cancer Cachexia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158317. [PMID: 34361081 PMCID: PMC8347517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a common deleterious paraneoplastic syndrome that represents an area of unmet clinical need, partly due to its poorly understood aetiology and complex multifactorial nature. We have interrogated multiple genetically defined larval Drosophila models of tumourigenesis against key features of human cancer cachexia. Our results indicate that cachectic tissue wasting is dependent on the genetic characteristics of the tumour and demonstrate that host malnutrition or tumour burden are not sufficient to drive wasting. We show that JAK/STAT and TNF-α/Egr signalling are elevated in cachectic muscle and promote tissue wasting. Furthermore, we introduce a dual driver system that allows independent genetic manipulation of tumour and host skeletal muscle. Overall, we present a novel Drosophila larval paradigm to study tumour/host tissue crosstalk in vivo, which may contribute to future research in cancer cachexia and impact the design of therapeutic approaches for this pathology.
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5
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Fernandez GJ, Ferreira JH, Vechetti IJ, de Moraes LN, Cury SS, Freire PP, Gutiérrez J, Ferretti R, Dal-Pai-Silva M, Rogatto SR, Carvalho RF. MicroRNA-mRNA Co-sequencing Identifies Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Regulatory Networks Underlying Muscle Wasting in Cancer Cachexia. Front Genet 2020; 11:541. [PMID: 32547603 PMCID: PMC7272700 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a metabolic syndrome with alterations in gene regulatory networks that consequently lead to skeletal muscle wasting. Integrating microRNAs-mRNAs omics profiles offers an opportunity to understand transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory networks underlying muscle wasting. Here, we used RNA sequencing to simultaneously integrate and explore microRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) model of cancer cachexia. We found 1,008 mRNAs and 18 microRNAs differentially expressed in cachectic mice compared with controls. Although our transcriptomic analysis demonstrated a high heterogeneity in mRNA profiles of cachectic mice, we identified a reduced number of differentially expressed genes that were uniformly regulated within cachectic muscles. This set of uniformly regulated genes is associated with the extracellular matrix (ECM), proteolysis, and inflammatory response. We also used transcriptomic data to perform enrichment analysis of transcriptional factor binding sites in promoter sequences, which revealed activation of the atrophy-related transcription factors NF-κB, Stat3, AP-1, and FoxO. Furthermore, the integration of mRNA and microRNA expression profiles identified post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs of genes involved in ECM organization, cell migration, transcription factors binding, ion transport, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Our integrative analysis of microRNA-mRNA co-profiles comprehensively characterized regulatory relationships of molecular pathways and revealed microRNAs targeting ECM-associated genes in cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geysson Javier Fernandez
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juarez Henrique Ferreira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Ivan José Vechetti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Nazario de Moraes
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Sarah Santiloni Cury
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Paula Paccielli Freire
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Jayson Gutiérrez
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Renato Ferretti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Maeli Dal-Pai-Silva
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Silvia Regina Rogatto
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Robson Francisco Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
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Rohm M, Zeigerer A, Machado J, Herzig S. Energy metabolism in cachexia. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:embr.201847258. [PMID: 30890538 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201847258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cachexia is a wasting disorder that accompanies many chronic diseases including cancer and results from an imbalance of energy requirements and energy uptake. In cancer cachexia, tumor-secreted factors and/or tumor-host interactions cause this imbalance, leading to loss of adipose tissue and skeletal and cardiac muscle, which weakens the body. In this review, we discuss how energy enters the body and is utilized by the different organs, including the gut, liver, adipose tissue, and muscle, and how these organs contribute to the energy wasting observed in cachexia. We also discuss futile cycles both between the organs and within the cells, which are often used to fine-tune energy supply under physiologic conditions. Ultimately, understanding the complex interplay of pathologic energy-wasting circuits in cachexia can bring us closer to identifying effective treatment strategies for this devastating wasting disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rohm
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine I, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Zeigerer
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine I, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juliano Machado
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine I, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Herzig
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany .,Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine I, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Chair Molecular Metabolic Control, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Saavedra P, Perrimon N. Drosophila as a Model for Tumor-Induced Organ Wasting. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1167:191-205. [PMID: 31520356 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-23629-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In humans, cancer-associated cachexia is a complex syndrome that reduces the overall quality of life and survival of cancer patients, particularly for those undergoing chemotherapy. The most easily observable sign of cachexia is organ wasting, the dramatic loss of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue mass. Estimates suggest that 80% of patients in advanced stages of cancer show signs of the syndrome and about 20% of cancer patients die directly of cachexia. Because there is no treatment or drug available to ameliorate organ wasting induced by cancer, cachexia is a relevant clinical problem. However, it is unclear how cachexia is mediated, what factors drive interactions between tumors and host tissues, and which markers of cachexia might be used to allow early detection before the observable signs of organ wasting. In this chapter, we review the current mammalian models of cachexia and the need to use new models of study. We also explain recent developments in Drosophila as a model for studying organ wasting induced by tumors and how fly studies can help unravel important mechanisms that drive cachexia. In particular, we discuss what lessons have been learned from tumor models recently reported to induce systemic organ wasting in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Saavedra
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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De Lerma Barbaro A. The complex liaison between cachexia and tumor burden (Review). Oncol Rep 2015; 34:1635-49. [PMID: 26239384 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that afflicts end-stage cancer patients. Whereas a consensus statement for a definition of cachexia recently has been accomplished, a useful measurement for this condition at present is lacking. The aim of the present review is to discuss the advantage of introducing the measurement of tumor burden for a better overall evaluation of cachexia. Our suggestion ensues from a somewhat novel perspective in the field of infectious disease research where a careful measurement of the pathogen load, between i.e. different host genotypes, leads to the definition of the concept of tolerance to the infectious insult. Indeed tolerance concurs, together the more classical resistance, in maintaining the host reproductive fitness or health state. Noticeably a similar reasoning may apply to tumor biology as well. Whereas the extent of cachexia increases with tumor burden, the relationship between these two correlates of tumor progression fluctuates in a broad range. We have selected from the literature studies in the rodent model where significant variation in the course of the wasting illness during cancer was observed and quantitatively assessed comparing experimental groups marked by different genotype, drug treatment, diet or gender. These studies may be further classified in two categories: the former where the experimental condition associated to milder cachexia is accompanied to a lesser tumor burden, the latter where the inhibition of cachexia results disentangled from the tumor burden, that is the whole number of cancer cells results unchanged or even, paradoxically, is increased. In addition we survey, even in the context of human malignancy, the significance and feasibility of plotting quantitative estimates of cachexia against the whole tumor burden. Ultimately, the principal endeavor of introducing the measurement of tumor burden, in both experimental and clinical oncology, may be to achieve a better assessment of the inter-individual variation in the host vulnerability to cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Lerma Barbaro
- Biomedical Research Division, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy
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9
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Gould DW, Lahart I, Carmichael AR, Koutedakis Y, Metsios GS. Cancer cachexia prevention via physical exercise: molecular mechanisms. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2013; 4:111-24. [PMID: 23239116 PMCID: PMC3684702 DOI: 10.1007/s13539-012-0096-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a debilitating consequence of disease progression, characterised by the significant weight loss through the catabolism of both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, leading to a reduced mobility and muscle function, fatigue, impaired quality of life and ultimately death occurring with 25-30 % total body weight loss. Degradation of proteins and decreased protein synthesis contributes to catabolism of skeletal muscle, while the loss of adipose tissue results mainly from enhanced lipolysis. These mechanisms appear to be at least, in part, mediated by systemic inflammation. Exercise, by virtue of its anti-inflammatory effect, is shown to be effective at counteracting the muscle catabolism by increasing protein synthesis and reducing protein degradation, thus successfully improving muscle strength, physical function and quality of life in patients with non-cancer-related cachexia. Therefore, by implementing appropriate exercise interventions upon diagnosis and at various stages of treatment, it may be possible to reverse protein degradation, while increasing protein synthesis and lean body mass, thus counteracting the wasting seen in cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas W Gould
- School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, Department of Physical Activity, Exercise and Health, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall, West Midlands, UK,
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10
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Abstract
Cancer cachexia is characterized by a significant reduction in body weight resulting predominantly from loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Cachexia causes reduced cancer treatment tolerance and reduced quality and length of life, and remains an unmet medical need. Therapeutic progress has been impeded, in part, by the marked heterogeneity of mediators, signaling, and metabolic pathways both within and between model systems and the clinical syndrome. Recent progress in understanding conserved, molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy/hypertrophy has provided a downstream platform for circumventing the variations and redundancy in upstream mediators and may ultimately translate into new targeted therapies.
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11
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Abstract
Up to 50% of cancer patients suffer from a progressive atrophy of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, called cachexia, resulting in weight loss, a reduced quality of life, and a shortened survival time. Anorexia often accompanies cachexia, but appears not to be responsible for the tissue loss, particularly lean body mass. An increased resting energy expenditure is seen, possibly arising from an increased thermogenesis in skeletal muscle due to an increased expression of uncoupling protein, and increased operation of the Cori cycle. Loss of adipose tissue is due to an increased lipolysis by tumor or host products. Loss of skeletal muscle in cachexia results from a depression in protein synthesis combined with an increase in protein degradation. The increase in protein degradation may include both increased activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and lysosomes. The decrease in protein synthesis is due to a reduced level of the initiation factor 4F, decreased elongation, and decreased binding of methionyl-tRNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit through increased phosphorylation of eIF2 on the alpha-subunit by activation of the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase, which also increases expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway through activation of NFkappaB. Tumor factors such as proteolysis-inducing factor and host factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, angiotensin II, and glucocorticoids can all induce muscle atrophy. Knowledge of the mechanisms of tissue destruction in cachexia should improve methods of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Tisdale
- Nutritional Biomedicine, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
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12
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Abstract
For millions of years, retroviral infections have challenged vertebrates, occasionally leading to germline integration and inheritance as ERVs, genetic parasites whose remnants today constitute some 7% to 8% of the human genome. Although they have had significant evolutionary side effects, it is useful to view ERVs as fossil representatives of retroviruses extant at the time of their insertion into the germline and not as direct players in the evolutionary process itself. Expression of particular ERVs is associated with several positive physiological functions as well as certain diseases, although their roles in human disease as etiological agents, possible contributing factors, or disease markers-well demonstrated in animal models-remain to be established. Here we discuss ERV contributions to host genome structure and function, including their ability to mediate recombination, and physiological effects on the host transcriptome resulting from their integration, expression, and other events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patric Jern
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
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Durai R, Yang W, Gupta S, Seifalian AM, Winslet MC. The role of the insulin-like growth factor system in colorectal cancer: review of current knowledge. Int J Colorectal Dis 2005; 20:203-20. [PMID: 15650828 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-004-0675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2004] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The insulin-like growth factor system, which includes insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II), IGF receptors (IGF-IR and IGF-IIR) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), plays an important role in epithelial growth, anti-apoptosis and mitogenesis. There is a growing body of evidence showing that IGFs control growth and proliferation of several types of cancer. This review introduces the latest information on the biology of the IGF system and its pathophysiological role in the development of colorectal cancer. DISCUSSION The growth promoting effects of IGF-I and IGF-II on cancer cells are mediated through the IGF-IR, which is a tyrosine kinase and cancer cells with a strong tendency to metastasise have a higher expression of the IGF-IR. Most of the IGFs in circulation are bound to the IGFBPs, which regulate the bioavailability of the IGFs. All IGFBPs inhibit IGF action by high affinity binding, while some of them also potentiate the effects of IGFs. Colon cancer cells produce specific proteases that degrade the IGFBP so that the IGF will be free to act on the cancer cell in an autocrine manner. Therefore, the IGFBPs play a crucial role in the development of the cancer. CONCLUSION The current knowledge about the link between IGFs and colon cancer is mainly based on in vitro investigations. Further in vivo study is needed to understand the exact role of the IGF system, especially its binding proteins, so that they can be manipulated for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajaraman Durai
- University Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
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14
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Monitto CL, Dong SM, Jen J, Sidransky D. Characterization of a Human Homologue of Proteolysis-Inducing Factor and Its Role in Cancer Cachexia. Clin Cancer Res 2004; 10:5862-9. [PMID: 15355918 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cachexia is an important cause of secondary morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Previous studies have suggested that cancer-associated cachexia may be due in part to tumor-specific production and secretion of a glycosylated peptide, proteolysis-inducing factor, originally identified in a murine cancer cachexia model. We report here the cloning of a human cDNA that generates a peptide having high-sequence homology to this proteolysis-inducing factor. Constitutive expression of human proteolysis-inducing factor is low or absent in most normal human tissues but appears to be elevated in some human tumors. Stable forced expression of human proteolysis-inducing factor in multiple murine and human cell lines results in a secreted protein, but no glycosylation of the protein is detected. In addition, tumor xenografts engineered to overexpress human proteolysis-inducing factor protein do not induce cachexia in vivo. These findings raise important questions as to potential cross-species differences in protein sequence and processing of murine proteolysis-inducing factor and human proteolysis-inducing factor, as well as the nature of the relationship between human proteolysis-inducing factor and the development of cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance L Monitto
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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15
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Abstract
CAUSATIVE FACTORS: Nutritional supplementation or pharmacological manipulation of appetite are unable to control the muscle atrophy seen in cancer cachexia. This suggests that tumour and/or host factors might be responsible for the depression in protein synthesis and the increase in protein degradation. An increased expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway is responsible for the increased degradation of myofibrillar proteins in skeletal muscle, and this may be due to tumour factors, such as proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF), or host factors such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In humans loss of adipose tissue is due to an increase in lipolysis rather than a decrease in synthesis, and this may be due to tumour factors such as lipid-mobilising factor (LMF) or TNF-alpha, both of which can increase cyclic AMP in adipocytes, leading to activation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Levels of mRNA for HSL are elevated twofold in adipose tissue of cancer patients, while there are no changes in lipoprotein lipase (LPL), involved in extraction of fatty acids from plasma lipoproteins for storage. TREATMENT FOR CACHEXIA: This has concentrated on increasing food intake, although that alone is unable to reverse the metabolic changes. Agents interfering with TNF-alpha have not been very successful to date, although more research is required in that area. The only agent tested clinically that is able to interfere with the action of PIF is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA attenuates protein degradation in skeletal muscle by preventing the increased expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, but has no effect on protein synthesis. When used alone EPA prevents further wasting in cachectic patients, and, when it is combined with an energy- and protein-dense nutritional supplement, weight gain is seen, which is totally lean body mass. These results suggest that mechanistic studies into the causes of cancer cachexia will allow appropriate therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Tisdale
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Institute, Aston University, B4 7ET, Birmingham, UK.
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Durand S, Abadie P, Angeletti S, Genti-Raimondi S. Identification of multiple differentially expressed messenger RNAs in normal and pathological trophoblast. Placenta 2003; 24:209-18. [PMID: 12566248 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In an attempt to assess the molecular basis of phenotypic alterations present in the gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) and to identify genes whose expression is specifically associated to these placental proliferative disorders we performed differential display techniques. Initially 19 candidate gene fragments were identified and differential expression was confirmed in eight of these fragments by Northern blot analysis. At the mRNA level ribosomal L26 (rL26), ribosomal L27 (rL27), a new Krüppel type zinc finger protein and TIS11d were preferentially expressed in normal early placenta (NEP) relative to complete hydatidiform mole (CHM), persistent gestational trophoblastic disease (PGTD) and choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell line. In contrast, heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1), the ferritin light chain mRNA, and the uncharacterized protein KIAA0992 were predominantly expressed in JEG-3 cell line. Finally, decorin, a prototype member of an expanding family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans, showed high expression in CHM. In addition we demonstrated by immunohistochemistry analysis that increased decorin mRNA in CHM reflected a genuine augmentation in average steady state mRNA levels within cells. Taken together, these findings provide several interesting candidates for regulation of tumorigenic expression as well as early placentation development, including those involved in protein synthesis (rL26 and rL27), metabolism (ferritin light chain), intercellular communication (decorin) and regulation of gene expression (Krüppel-like zinc finger, TIS11d and hnRNPA1). Information about such alterations in gene expression could be useful for elucidating the genetic events associated to gestational trophoblastic pathogenesis, developing new diagnostic markers, or determining novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Durand
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Pabellón Argentina, Ala Oeste, Ciudad Universitaria, Argentina
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Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a complex, multifactorial syndrome that results from a reduction in food intake, a variety of metabolic abnormalities (including hypermetabolism) or more often a combination of the two. Multiple mediator pathways including pro-inflammatory cytokines, neuroendocrine hormones and tumour-specific factors are involved. Therapy requires a multi-model approach that addresses both reduced food intake and metabolic change. Combination treatments such as nutritional support plus metabolic/inflammation modulation promise improved functional capacity and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C H Fearon
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (Surgery), Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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