CDH4 suppresses the progression of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma via E-cadherin co-expression

Transcriptome analysis revealed a novel nine-gene prognostic risk score of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) continues to pose a significant global health concern, with rising incidence and high mortality rate. Accordingly, identifying molecular alternations associated with ccRCC is crucial to boost our understanding of its onset, persistence, and progression as well as developing prognostic biomarkers and novel therapies. Bulk RNA sequencing data and its associated clinicopathological variables of ccRCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program. Atypical differential gene expression analysis of advanced disease states using the extreme categories of staging and grading components was performed. Upregulated differentially expressed genes shared across the aforementioned components were selected. The risk-score construction pipeline started with univariate Cox logistic regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and multivariate Cox logistic regression analysis in sequence. The generated risk score classified patients into low- vs high-risk groups. The predictive power of the constructed risk score was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves analysis, multivariate Cox logistic regression analysis, and receiver operator curve of the overall survival. External validation of the risk score was performed using the E-MTAB-1980 cohort. The analysis work scheme established a novel nine-gene prognostic risk score composed of the following genes: ZIC2, TNNT1, SAA1, OTX1, C20orf141, CDHR4, HOXB13, IGFL2, and IGFN1. The high-risk group was associated with shortened overall survival and possessed an independent predictive power (hazard ratio: 1.942, 95% CI: 1.367-2.758, P < .0001, area under the curve = 0.719). In addition, the high-risk score was associated with advance clinicopathological parameters. The same pattern was observed within the external validation dataset (E-MTAB-1980 cohort), in which the high-risk score held a poor prognostic signature as well as independent predictive potential (hazard ratio: 5.121, 95% CI: 1.412-18.568, P = .013, area under the curve = 0.787). In the present work, a novel nine-gene prognostic risk score was constructed and validated. The risk score correlated with tumor immune microenvironment, somatic mutation patterns, and altered molecular pathways involved in tumorigenesis. Further experimental data are warranted to expand the work.

Cadherin Expression Profiles Define Glioblastoma Differentiation and Patient Prognosis

Cadherins are cell-cell adhesion proteins which have been strongly implicated in cancer invasion, dissemination and metastasis capacity; thus, they are key players in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. However, their role in glioblastoma (GBM), a primary central nervous system aggressive tumor, remains to be clarified. N-, E- and P-cadherin expression was analyzed on a large series of GBMs, characterized with clinical, imaging and neuropathological parameters, as well as with patients' survival data. In addition, cadherins' expression was studied in match-recurrent cases. Using TCGA data, cadherin expression profiles were also evaluated according to GBM transcription subtypes. N-cadherin expression was observed in 81.5% of GBM, followed by E-cadherin in 31% and P-cadherin in 20.8%. Upon tumor recurrence, P-cadherin was the only significantly upregulated cadherin compared with the primary tumor, being positive in 65.8% of the cases. Actually, P-cadherin gain was observed in 51.4% of matched primary-recurrent cases. Cadherins' co-expression was also explored. Interestingly, E- and N-cadherin co-expression identified a GBM subgroup with frequent epithelial differentiation and a significant survival benefit. On the other hand, subgroups with P-cadherin expression carried the worse prognosis. P- and N-cadherin co-expression correlated with the presence of a mesenchymal phenotype. Expressions of isolated P-cadherin or E- and P-cadherin co-expression were associated with imaging characteristics of aggressiveness, to highly heterogeneous tumors, an d to worse patient survival. Classical cadherins co-expression subgroups present consistent clinical, imaging, neuropathological and survival differences, which probably reflect different states of an EMT-like program in GBM.

CDH4 inhibits ferroptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

The cadherin-4 gene (CDH4), a member of the cadherin family genes, encodes R-cadherin (R-cad); however, the function of this gene in different types of cancer remains controversial. The function of CDH4 in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) is unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We use the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to find the expression of CDH4 in OSCC is more than normal tissue. Our tissue samples also confirmed that CDH4 gene was highly expressed in OSCC. The related cell function assay detected that CDH4 promotes the ability of cell proliferation, migration, self-renewal and invasion. Cell staining experiment confirmed that the change of CDH4 expression would change the cell mortality. The western blot of GPX4 (glutathione-dependent peroxidase-4), GSH (reduced glutathione) test assay and MDA(Malondialdehyde) test assay show that the expression of CDH4 may resist the sensitivity of ferropotosis in OSCC.

RESULTS

CDH4 was upregulated in OSCC samples and was correlation with poor survival of patients. High expression of CDH4 effectively promotes the proliferation, mobility of OSCC cells and reduce the sensitivity of OSCC cells to ferroptosis. CDH4 is positively correlated with EMT pathway genes, negatively correlated with fatty acid metabolism pathway genes and peroxisome pathway genes, and positively correlated with ferroptosis suppressor genes in OSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CDH4 may play a positive role in tumor progression and resistance ferroptosis and may be a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.

Unraveling the Role of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands: A Comprehensive Review

Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is considered a challenging malignancy; it is characterized by a slow-growing nature, yet a high risk of recurrence and distant metastasis, presenting significant hurdles in its treatment and management. At present, there are no approved targeted agents available for the management of SACC and systemic chemotherapy protocols that have demonstrated efficacy remain to be elucidated. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process that is closely associated with tumor progression and metastasis, enabling epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal properties, including increased mobility and invasiveness. Several molecular signaling pathways have been implicated in the regulation of EMT in SACC, and understanding these mechanisms is crucial to identifying new therapeutic targets and developing more effective treatment approaches. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research on the role of EMT in SACC, including the molecular pathways and biomarkers involved in EMT regulation. By highlighting the most recent findings, this review offers insights into potential new therapeutic strategies that could improve the management of SACC patients, especially those with recurrent or metastatic disease.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Salivary Glands: A Ten-Year Review and an Assessment of the Current Management, Surgery, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer that arises from the salivary glands and other sites in the body, such as the lung and breast. Although the tumor accounts for 10% of all salivary gland malignancies, it only accounts for 1% of head and neck malignancies. It can affect both major and minor salivary glands; here, it is called salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma or SACC, with a slight predilection to the latter, and commonly manifests between the 6_th and 7_th decades of life. The disease also shows a slight female predilection, with a reported female to male ratio of 3 : 2. Lesions of SACC are often insidious and slow-growing, and symptoms such as pain and altered sensation are frequently associated with advanced stages of the disease. Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma is characterized by perineural invasion (PNI), a distinctive feature that potentially plays a significant role in the tumor's relapse and recurrence, which is approximately 50%. The disease is not prevalent, and its etiopathogenesis is poorly understood, although several genetic patterns and biomarkers have been linked to its initiation and/or progression. The discovery of these mutations and biomarkers has encouraged several clinical studies to use therapeutic agents to target the specific receptors on the cancer cells to potentially prevent further proliferation of the tumor cells and metastasis of the disease. Diagnosis of SACC is often challenging and frequently requires a combination of clinical examination, imaging, and histopathology. Management of SACC is primarily surgical excision, while radiotherapy has shown to be effective in improving local control in cases with microscopic residual disease. However, treatment of recurrent or metastatic tumors by radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy has so far shown limited success. The aim of this thesis is to provide an update of literature on SACC with a particular focus on the latest management approaches and future trends.

Are dietary factors involved in the association of CDH4 methylation and breast cancer risk?

DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic modifications in breast cancer (BC) development, and long-term dietary habits can alter DNA methylation. Cadherin-4 (CDH4, a member of the cadherin family) encodes Ca²⁺-dependent cell-cell adhesion glycoproteins. We conducted a case-control study (380 newly diagnosed BC and 439 cancer-free controls) to explore the relationship of CDH4 methylation in peripheral blood leukocyte DNA (PBL DNA), as well as its combined and interactive effects with dietary factors on BC risk. A case-only study (335 newly diagnosed BC) was conducted to analyse the association between CDH4 methylation in breast tissue DNA and dietary factors. CDH4 methylation was detected using quantitative methylation-specific PCR. Unconditional logistic regressions were used to analyse the association of CDH4 methylation in PBL DNA and BC risk. Cross-over analysis and unconditional logistic regression were used to calculate the combined and interactive effects between CDH4 methylation in PBL DNA and dietary factors in BC. CDH4 hypermethylation was significantly associated with increased BC risk in PBL DNA (OR_adjusted (OR_adj) = 2·70, (95 % CI 1·90, 3·83), P < 0·001). CDH4 hypermethylation also showed significant combined effects with the consumption of vegetables (OR_adj = 4·33, (95 % CI 2·63, 7·10)), allium vegetables (OR_adj = 7·00, (95 % CI 4·17, 11·77)), fish (OR_adj = 7·92, (95 % CI 3·79, 16·53)), milk (OR_adj = 6·30, (95 % CI 3·41, 11·66)), overnight food (OR_adj = 4·63, (95 % CI 2·69, 7·99)), pork (OR_adj = 5·59, (95 % CI 2·94, 10·62)) and physical activity (OR_adj = 4·72, (95 % CI 2·87, 7·76)). Moreover, consuming milk was significantly related with decreased risk of CDH4 methylation (OR = 0·61, (95 % CI 0·38, 0·99)) in breast tissue. Our findings may provide direct guidance on the dietary intake for specific methylated carriers to decrease their risk for developing BC.

Genetic Aspects of Dental Erosive Wear and Dental Caries

Objectives

The present review aims to give an overview of the literature focusing on novel genetic aspects of dental erosion and dental caries. Once the tooth erupts into the oral cavity, the regenerative capability of enamel is fundamentally limited due to the loss of dental epithelium during eruption. The susceptibility or resistance to dental erosion and caries is presumably a result of environmental, phenotypic, and/or genetic influence. Even though it is evident that individuals frequently exposing their teeth to acid and sugar are at high risk of developing dental erosion and caries, the findings exclusively based on these factors are elusive. Data resources and study selection. The present review was based on data collected from the National Library of Medicine database with different combinations of the following terms: "tooth," "dental," "dentin," "enamel," "erosion," "erosive wear," "caries," "decay," "gene," and "genetic." A total of forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by another.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of erosion and caries among certain groups, and observations that not all individuals appearing to be at risk develop these lesions, has sparked research on identifying genetic effects to these conditions. A connection of genome-wide and candidate gene studies has increased considerably in the literature. This review reveals largely varying success among studies, demonstrating the difficulties of developing the study with adequate sample sizes and durable phenotype definitions that permit enough statistical power to identify genetic contributors.

Advanced maternal age causes premature placental senescence and malformation via dysregulated α-Klotho expression in trophoblasts

Advanced maternal age (AMA) pregnancy is associated with higher risks of adverse perinatal outcomes, which may result from premature senescence of the placenta. α-Klotho is a well-known antiaging protein; however, its expression and effect on the placenta in AMA pregnancies have not yet been fully elucidated. The expression patterns of α-Klotho in mouse and human placentas from AMA pregnancies were determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. α-Klotho expression in JAR cells was manipulated to investigate its role in trophoblastic senescence, and transwell assays were performed to assess trophoblast invasion. The downstream genes regulated by α-Klotho in JAR cells were first screened by mRNA sequencing in α-Klotho-knockdown and control JAR cells and then validated. α-Klotho-deficient mice were generated by injecting klotho-interfering adenovirus (Ad-Klotho) via the tail vein on GD8.5. Ablation of α-Klotho resulted in not only a senescent phenotype and loss of invasiveness in JAR cells but also a reduction in the transcription of cell adhesion molecule (CAM) genes. Overexpression of α-Klotho significantly improved invasion but did not alter the expression of senescence biomarkers. α-Klotho-deficient mice exhibited placental malformation and, consequently, lower placental and fetal weights. In conclusion, AMA results in reduced α-Klotho expression in placental trophoblasts, therefore leading to premature senescence and loss of invasion (possibly through the downregulation of CAMs), both of which ultimately result in placental malformation and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Immunophenotypical alterations with impact on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinomas

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most common malignant salivary glands neoplasms with an indolent clinical course, slow-growing but locally aggressive and quite often with delayed recurrence and distant metastasis. In order to elucidate this tumoral behavior, we conducted an immunohistochemical study investigating the alterations of epithelial phenotype with anti-cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3 and anti-E-cadherin antibodies, and the acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype with vimentin, fibronectin, N-cadherin and P-cadherin in salivary ACCs. Thus, we recorded a reduction of CK AE1/AE3, E-cadherin, P-cadherin and fibronectin reactivity in the solid variant and especially in the cells from the periphery of invasive neoplastic proliferations, regardless histological type. These phenotypical alterations suggest the involvement of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in the progression of salivary ACCs.

Expression and Prognostic Significance of Cadherin 4 (CDH4) in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background

Aberrant expression of cadherin family members and their possible biological function have been widely studied in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the expression of cadherin 4 (CDH4) and its value in RCC diagnosis and prognosis remains elusive.

Material/Methods

The TCGA database was used to analyze the expression of CDH4 and its clinical parameters and prognosis in 891 RCC patients. In addition, real-time PCR was used to verify the transcription of CDH4 in renal clear cell carcinoma tissue, and the distribution of protein was observed by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

We found that the mRNA level of CDH4 was elevated in primary RCC in contrast with normal kidney samples using bioinformatics analysis based on the TCGA database. Among the 3 main subtypes of RCC, transcriptional CDH4 was significantly increased in KIRC and KIRP, while it was downregulated in KICH. Interestingly, CDH4 mRNA gradually decreased with the progression of KIRC and KIRP. The transcription of CDH4 in the primary tumor of KIRP patients at T3–T4 stages and KIRC patients with lymph node and distant metastasis were decreased significantly. Overall survival (OS) showed that KIRC and KICH patients with lower expression of CDH4 had worse outcomes.

Conclusions

The transcriptional level of CDH4 may serve as an effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for RCC patients.

HypoxamiRs Profiling Identify miR-765 as a Regulator of the Early Stages of Vasculogenic Mimicry in SKOV3 Ovarian Cancer Cells

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a novel cancer hallmark in which malignant cells develop matrix-associated 3D tubular networks with a lumen under hypoxia to supply nutrients needed for tumor growth. Recent studies showed that microRNAs (miRNAs) may have a role in VM regulation. In this study, we examined the relevance of hypoxia-regulated miRNAs (hypoxamiRs) in the early stages of VM formation. Data showed that after 48 h hypoxia and 12 h incubation on matrigel SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells undergo the formation of matrix-associated intercellular connections referred hereafter as 3D channels-like structures, which arose previous to the apparition of canonical tubular structures representative of VM. Comprehensive profiling of 754 mature miRNAs at the onset of hypoxia-induced 3D channels-like structures showed that 11 hypoxamiRs were modulated (FC>1.5; p < 0.05) in SKOV3 cells (9 downregulated and 2 upregulated). Bioinformatic analysis of the set of regulated miRNAs showed that they might impact cellular pathways related with tumorigenesis. Moreover, overall survival analysis in a cohort of ovarian cancer patients (n = 485) indicated that low miR-765, miR-193b, miR-148a and high miR-138 levels were associated with worst patients outcome. In particular, miR-765 was severely downregulated after hypoxia (FC < 32.02; p < 0.05), and predicted to target a number of protein-encoding genes involved in angiogenesis and VM. Functional assays showed that ectopic restoration of miR-765 in SKOV3 cells resulted in a significant inhibition of hypoxia-induced 3D channels-like formation that was associated with a reduced number of branch points and patterned tubular-like structures. Mechanistic studies confirmed that miR-765 decreased the levels of VEGFA, AKT1 and SRC-α transducers and exerted a negative regulation of VEGFA by specific binding to its 3'UTR. Finally, overall survival analysis of a cohort of ovarian cancer patients (n = 1435) indicates that high levels of VEGFA, AKT1 and SRC-α and low miR-765 expression were associated with worst patients outcome. In conclusion, here we reported a novel hypoxamiRs signature which constitutes a molecular guide for further clinical and functional studies on the early stages of VM. Our data also suggested that miR-765 coordinates the formation of 3D channels-like structures through modulation of VEGFA/AKT1/SRC-α axis in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Erosive Tooth Wear in a Finnish Cohort

Erosive tooth wear is defined as irreversible loss of dental tissues due to intrinsic or extrinsic acids, exacerbated by mechanical forces. Recent studies have suggested a higher prevalence of erosive tooth wear in males, as well as a genetic contribution to susceptibility to erosive tooth wear. Our aim was to examine erosive tooth wear by performing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a sample of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 1,962). Erosive tooth wear was assessed clinically using the basic erosive wear examination. A GWAS was performed for the whole sample as well as separately for males and females. We identified one genome-wide significant signal (rs11681214) in the GWAS of the whole sample near the genes PXDN and MYT1L. When the sample was stratified by sex, the strongest genome-wide significant signals were observed in or near the genes FGFR1, C8orf86, CDH4, SCD5, F2R, and ING1. Additionally, multiple suggestive association signals were detected in all GWASs performed. Many of the signals were in or near the genes putatively related to oral environment or tooth development, and some were near the regions considered to be associated with dental caries, such as 2p24, 4q21, and 13q33. Replications of these associations in other samples, as well as experimental studies to determine the biological functions of associated genetic variants, are needed.

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most prevalent human malignancies worldwide, with a high morbidity and mortality. Implementation of interdisciplinary treatment modalities has improved the quality of life, but only minor changes in overall survival have been achieved over the past decades. Main causes for treatment failure are an aggressive and invasive tumor growth in combination with a high degree of intrinsic or acquired treatment resistance. A subset of tumor cells gain these properties during malignant progression by reactivating a complex program of epithelia-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is integral in embryonic development, wound healing, and stem cell behavior. EMT is mediated by a core set of key transcription factors, which are under the control of a large range of developmental signals and extracellular cues. Unraveling molecular principles that drive EMT provides new concepts to better understand tumor cell plasticity and response to established as well as new treatment modalities, and has the potential to identify new drug targets for a more effective, less toxic, and individualized therapy of HNC patients. Here, we review the most recent findings on the clinical relevance of a mesenchymal-like phenotype for HNC patients, including more rare cases of mucosal melanoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.