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Yousef EH, El-Mesery ME, Habeeb MR, Eissa LA. Diosgenin potentiates the anticancer effect of doxorubicin and volasertib via regulating polo-like kinase 1 and triggering apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:4883-4894. [PMID: 38165424 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02894-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
A common approach to cancer therapy is the combination of a natural product with chemotherapy to overcome sustained cell proliferation and chemotherapy resistance obstacles. Diosgenin (DG) is a phytosteroidal saponin that is naturally present in a vast number of plants and has been shown to exert anti-cancer activities against several tumor cells. Herein, we assessed the chemo-modulatory effects of DG on volasertib (Vola) as a polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor and doxorubicin (DOX) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. DOX and Vola were applied to two human HCC cell lines (HepG2 and Huh-7) alone or in combination with DG. The cell viability was determined, and gene expressions of PLK1, PCNA, P53, caspase-3, and PARP1 were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Moreover, apoptosis induction was determined by measuring active caspase-3 level using ELISA method. DG enhanced the anticancer effects of Vola and DOX. Moreover, DG enhanced Vola- and DOX-induced cell death by downregulating the expressions of PLK1 and PCNA, elevating the expressions of P53 and active caspase-3. DG showed promising chemo-modulatory effects to Vola and DOX against HCC that may be attributed partly to the downregulation of PLK1 and PCNA, upregulation of tumor suppressor protein P53, and apoptosis induction. Thus, DG combination with chemotherapy may be a promising treatment approach for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman H Yousef
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, Damietta, 34511, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed E El-Mesery
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Maha R Habeeb
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Laila A Eissa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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Younis MA, Harashima H. Understanding Gene Involvement in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Gene Therapy and Personalized Medicine. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2024; 17:193-213. [PMID: 38737776 PMCID: PMC11088404 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s431346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the dominant type of liver cancers and is one of the deadliest health threats globally. The conventional therapeutic options for HCC are hampered by low efficiency and intolerable side effects. Gene therapy, however, now offers hope for the treatment of many disorders previously considered incurable, and gene therapy is beginning to address many of the shortcomings of conventional therapies. Herein, we summarize the involvement of genes in the pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC, with a special focus on dysregulated signaling pathways, genes involved in immune evasion, and non-coding RNAs as novel two-edged players, which collectively offer potential targets for the gene therapy of HCC. Herein, the opportunities and challenges of HCC gene therapy are discussed. These include innovative therapies such as genome editing and cell therapies. Moreover, advanced gene delivery technologies that recruit nanomedicines for use in gene therapy for HCC are highlighted. Finally, suggestions are offered for improved clinical translation and future directions in this area of endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A Younis
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
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Liao Z, Zhang Q, Yang L, Li H, Mo W, Song Z, Huang X, Wen S, Cheng X, He M. Increased hsa-miR-100-5p Expression Improves Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis in the Asian Population with PLK1 Variant rs27770A>G. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:129. [PMID: 38201556 PMCID: PMC10778516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has the highest incidence and mortality in the Asian population, and race is an independent risk factor affecting survival time in liver cancer. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are remarkably dysregulated in HCC and closely associated with HCC prognosis. Recent studies show that genetic variability between ethnic groups may result in differences in the specificity of HCC miRNA biomarkers. Here, we reveal a high expression level of hsa-miR-100-5p, an HCC prognosis-related miRNA, which improves HCC prognosis in the Asian Population with Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) variant rs27770A>G. In this study, we discovered that hsa-miR-100-5p was downregulated in various HCC cell lines. While mimics transient transfection and mouse liver cancer model confirmed the interaction between hsa-miR-100-5p and PLK1, a stratified analysis based on the Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) data suggest both low hsa-miR-100-5p expression level and high PLK1 expression level associated with poor HCC prognosis, especially in the Asian population. According to the 1000 Genomes Project database, the SNP rs27770 located in 3'UTR of PLK1 had a significantly higher G allele frequency in the East Asian population. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that rs27770 A>G affects PLK1 mRNA secondary structure and alters the hsa-miR-100-5p/PLK1 interaction by forming an additional seedless binding site. This racial variation caused PLK1 to be more vulnerable to hsa-miR-100-5p inhibition, resulting in hsa-miR-100-5p being more favorable for HCC prognosis in the Asian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouxiang Liao
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Z.L.); (H.L.); (W.M.); (Z.S.); (X.C.)
| | - Qi Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Q.Z.); (L.Y.); (X.H.)
| | - Lichao Yang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Q.Z.); (L.Y.); (X.H.)
| | - Hui Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Z.L.); (H.L.); (W.M.); (Z.S.); (X.C.)
| | - Wanling Mo
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Z.L.); (H.L.); (W.M.); (Z.S.); (X.C.)
| | - Zhenyu Song
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Z.L.); (H.L.); (W.M.); (Z.S.); (X.C.)
| | - Xuejing Huang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Q.Z.); (L.Y.); (X.H.)
| | - Sha Wen
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Q.Z.); (L.Y.); (X.H.)
| | - Xiaojing Cheng
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Z.L.); (H.L.); (W.M.); (Z.S.); (X.C.)
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Min He
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Z.L.); (H.L.); (W.M.); (Z.S.); (X.C.)
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; (Q.Z.); (L.Y.); (X.H.)
- Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, China
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El-Khobar KE, Tay E, Diefenbach E, Gloss BS, George J, Douglas MW. Polo-like kinase-1 mediates hepatitis C virus-induced cell migration, a drug target for liver cancer. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201630. [PMID: 37648284 PMCID: PMC10468647 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a regulator of cell mitosis and cytoskeletal dynamics. PLK1 overexpression in liver cancer is associated with tumour progression, metastasis, and vascular invasion. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A protein stimulates PLK1-mediated phosphorylation of host proteins, so we hypothesised that HCV-PLK1 interactions might be a mechanism for HCV-induced liver cancer. We used a HCV cell-culture model (Jc1) to investigate the effects of virus infection on the cytoskeleton. In HCV-infected cells, a novel posttranslational modification in β-actin was observed with phosphorylation at Ser239. Using in silico and in vitro approaches, we identified PLK1 as the mediating kinase. In functional experiments with a phosphomimetic mutant form of β-actin, Ser239 phosphorylation influences β-actin polymerization and distribution, resulting in increased cell motility. The changes were prevented by treating cells with the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib. In HCV-infected hepatocytes, increased cell motility contributes to cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. PLK1 is an important mediator of these effects and early treatment with PLK1 inhibitors may prevent or reduce HCC progression, particularly in people with HCV-induced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korri E El-Khobar
- https://ror.org/04zj3ra44 Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Researchhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12 , University of Sydney https://ror.org/04gp5yv64 at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Enoch Tay
- https://ror.org/04zj3ra44 Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Researchhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12 , University of Sydney https://ror.org/04gp5yv64 at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| | - Eve Diefenbach
- https://ror.org/04zj3ra44 Protein Core Facility, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, Australia
| | - Brian S Gloss
- https://ror.org/04zj3ra44 Westmead Research Hub, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- https://ror.org/04zj3ra44 Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Researchhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12 , University of Sydney https://ror.org/04gp5yv64 at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| | - Mark W Douglas
- https://ror.org/04zj3ra44 Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Researchhttps://ror.org/0384j8v12 , University of Sydney https://ror.org/04gp5yv64 at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney https://ror.org/04gp5yv64 at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
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Chen YY, Liang JJ, Wang DL, Chen JB, Cao JP, Wang Y, Sun CD. Nobiletin as a chemopreventive natural product against cancer, a comprehensive review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:6309-6329. [PMID: 35089821 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2030297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As a leading cause of death, second only to heart disease, cancer has always been one of the burning topics in medical research. When targeting multiple signal pathways in tumorigenesis chemoprevention, using natural or synthetic anti-cancer drugs is a vital strategy to reduce cancer damage. However, toxic effects, multidrug resistance (MDR) as well as cancer stem cells (CSCs) all prominently limited the clinical application of conventional anticancer drugs. With low side effects, strong biological activity, unique mechanism, and wide range of targets, natural products derived from plants are considered significant sources for new drug development. Nobiletin is one of the most attractive compounds, a unique flavonoid primarily isolated from the peel of citrus fruits. Numerous studies in vitro and in vivo have suggested that nobiletin and its derivatives possess the eminent potential to become effective cancer chemoprevention agents through various cellular and molecular levels. This article aims to comprehensively review the anticancer efficacy and specific mechanisms of nobiletin, enhancing our understanding of its chemoprevention properties and providing the latest research findings. At the end of this review, we also give some discussion and future perspectives regarding the challenges and opportunities in nobiletin efficient exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Yi Chen
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Liang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Deng-Liang Wang
- Citrus Research Institute, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Quzhou, China
| | - Jie-Biao Chen
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Ping Cao
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chong-De Sun
- Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Kressin M, Fietz D, Becker S, Strebhardt K. Modelling the Functions of Polo-Like Kinases in Mice and Their Applications as Cancer Targets with a Special Focus on Ovarian Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:1176. [PMID: 34065956 PMCID: PMC8151477 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinases (PLKs) belong to a five-membered family of highly conserved serine/threonine kinases (PLK1-5) that play differentiated and essential roles as key mitotic kinases and cell cycle regulators and with this in proliferation and cellular growth. Besides, evidence is accumulating for complex and vital non-mitotic functions of PLKs. Dysregulation of PLKs is widely associated with tumorigenesis and by this, PLKs have gained increasing significance as attractive targets in cancer with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential. PLK1 has proved to have strong clinical relevance as it was found to be over-expressed in different cancer types and linked to poor patient prognosis. Targeting the diverse functions of PLKs (tumor suppressor, oncogenic) are currently at the center of numerous investigations in particular with the inhibition of PLK1 and PLK4, respectively in multiple cancer trials. Functions of PLKs and the effects of their inhibition have been extensively studied in cancer cell culture models but information is rare on how these drugs affect benign tissues and organs. As a step further towards clinical application as cancer targets, mouse models therefore play a central role. Modelling PLK function in animal models, e.g., by gene disruption or by treatment with small molecule PLK inhibitors offers promising possibilities to unveil the biological significance of PLKs in cancer maintenance and progression and give important information on PLKs' applicability as cancer targets. In this review we aim at summarizing the approaches of modelling PLK function in mice so far with a special glimpse on the significance of PLKs in ovarian cancer and of orthotopic cancer models used in this fatal malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kressin
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (S.B.); (K.S.)
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Gynecology, Goethe-University, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (S.B.); (K.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center, Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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