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Dos Santos GA, Viana NI, Pimenta R, de Camargo JA, Guimaraes VR, Romão P, Candido P, Dos Santos VG, Ghazarian V, Reis ST, Leite KRM, Srougi M. Upregulation of shelterin and CST genes and longer telomeres are associated with unfavorable prognostic characteristics in prostate cancer. Cancer Genet 2024; 284-285:20-29. [PMID: 38503134 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2024.03.006] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Search for new clinical biomarkers targets in prostate cancer (PC) is urgent. Telomeres might be one of these targets. Telomeres are the extremities of linear chromosomes, essential for genome stability and control of cell divisions. Telomere homeostasis relies on the proper functioning of shelterin and CST complexes. Telomeric dysfunction and abnormal expression of its components are reported in most cancers and are associated with PC. Despite this, there are only a few studies about the expression of the main telomere complexes and their relationship with PC progression. We aimed to evaluate the role of shelterin (POT1, TRF2, TPP1, TIN2, and RAP1) and CST (CTC1, STN1, and TEN1) genes and telomere length in the progression of PC. METHODS We evaluated genetic alterations of shelterin and CST by bioinformatics in samples of localized (n = 499) and metastatic castration-resistant PC (n = 444). We also analyzed the expression of the genes using TCGA (localized PC n = 497 and control n = 152) and experimental approaches, with surgical specimens (localized PC n = 81 and BPH n = 10) and metastatic cell lines (LNCaP, DU145, PC3 and PNT2 as control) by real-time PCR. Real-time PCR also determined the telomere length in the same experimental samples. All acquired data were associated with clinical parameters. RESULTS Genetic alterations are uncommon in PC, but POT1, TIN2, and TEN1 showed significantly more amplifications in the metastatic cancer. Except for CTC1 and TEN1, which are differentially expressed in localized PC samples, we did not detect an expression pattern relative to control and cell lines. Nevertheless, except for TEN1, the upregulation of all genes is associated with a worse prognosis in localized PC. We also found that increased telomere length is associated with disease aggressiveness in localized PC. CONCLUSION The upregulation of shelterin and CST genes creates an environment that favors telomere elongation, giving selective advantages for localized PC cells to progress to more aggressive stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Arantes Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Nayara I Viana
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ruan Pimenta
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Alves de Camargo
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa R Guimaraes
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Poliana Romão
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Candido
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Genuino Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitória Ghazarian
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina T Reis
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Katia Ramos Moreira Leite
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miguel Srougi
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Liu J, Zhang W, Jin S, Zhang H, Xu Y, Xiong P, Qin X, Jia B. Plant-derived inducers in tumor differentiation therapy:A systematic review. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 130:155749. [PMID: 38763009 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiation therapy, a highly regarded treatment method in tumor research, aims to induce tumor cells to differentiate back to normal cells, deviating from the malignant pathway and returning to a benign state. Its development relies on the continuous discovery of efficient and low-toxic differentiation inducers, including plant-derived active components that offer significant biological utilization and therapeutic potential. For this reason, the exploration of plant-derived inducers, particularly in their application in differentiation therapy, holds great promise in advancing cancer treatment strategies toward more effective and safer alternatives. PURPOSE This paper aims to provide a valuable reference for researchers seeking to identify natural, efficient, and low-toxic differentiation inducers from plants and highlights a promising research direction for the application of differentiation therapy in malignant tumor treatment. METHODS For the collection of pertinent information, an extensive search was conducted across diverse literature and electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar. This comprehensive approach aimed to retrieve and include all relevant literature from 1985 to 2023. Primary keywords such as "Natural medicinal plant," "Differentiation therapy," and "Differentiation inducer" were utilized, supplemented by secondary search terms including "Cancer," "Tumor," "Herbal medicine," "Induced differentiation," and "Cancer treatment." RESULTS This study systematically evaluated the application of plant-derived inducers in tumor-induced differentiation therapy. Through extensive literature review, specific plant components with confirmed differentiation-inducing properties were identified. Furthermore, potential molecular mechanisms underlying this process were outlined, shedding light on the future development of differentiation therapy in cancer treatment. CONCLUSION Plant-derived active components exhibit substantial biological utility and therapeutic potential. Delving deeper into the research on these components as differentiation inducers holds promise for the selection of novel cancer drugs and the unveiling of novel pathways for cancer treatment. These results emphasize the importance of continued exploration and in-depth research into natural, efficient, and low-toxic differentiation inducers from plants, which could significantly advance cancer treatment strategies. Moreover, the highlighted research direction underscores the relevance of differentiation therapy in the context of malignant tumor treatment, indicating its potential as a safer and more effective alternative in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Liu
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China
| | - Shenrui Jin
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Nanbu Hospital of County Chinese Medicine, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637399, China
| | - Yi Xu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Peiyu Xiong
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China
| | - Xuhua Qin
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China.
| | - Bo Jia
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China.
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Shou S, Li Y, Chen J, Zhang X, Zhang C, Jiang X, Liu F, Yi L, Zhang X, Geer E, Pu Z, Pang B. Understanding, diagnosing, and treating pancreatic cancer from the perspective of telomeres and telomerase. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00768-6. [PMID: 38594465 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase is associated with cellular aging, and its presence limits cellular lifespan. Telomerase by preventing telomere shortening can extend the number of cell divisions for cancer cells. In adult pancreatic cells, telomeres gradually shorten, while in precancerous lesions of cancer, telomeres in cells are usually significantly shortened. At this time, telomerase is still in an inactive state, and it is not until before and after the onset of cancer that telomerase is reactivated, causing cancer cells to proliferate. Methylation of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter and regulation of telomerase by lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is the mechanism of telomerase reactivation in pancreatic cancer. Understanding the role of telomeres and telomerase in pancreatic cancer will help to diagnose and initiate targeted therapy as early as possible. This article reviews the role of telomeres and telomerase as biomarkers in the development of pancreatic cancer and the progress of research on telomeres and telomerase as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songting Shou
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanliang Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Jiang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fudong Liu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yi
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - En Geer
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenqing Pu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Gao Z, Zhang N, An B, Li D, Fang Z, Xu D. Comprehensive analyses of the cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes and their score system for prediction of outcomes and immunosuppressive microenvironment in prostate cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:127. [PMID: 38580966 PMCID: PMC10996219 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03305-5] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) drive cancer progression and treatment failure on one hand, while their tumor-restraining functions are also observed on the other. Recent single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses demonstrates heterogeneity of CAFs and defines molecular subtypes of CAFs, which help explain their different functions. However, it remains unclear whether these CAF subtypes have the same or different biological/clinical implications in prostate cancer (PCa) or other malignancies. METHODS PCa cells were incubated with supernatant from normal fibroblasts and CAFs to assess their effects on cell behaviors. Sequencing, genomic, and clinical data were collected from TCGA, MSKCC, CPGEA and GEO databases. CAF molecular subtypes and total CAF scores were constructed and grouped into low and high groups based on CAF-specific gene expression. Progression free interval (PFI), clinicopathological features, telomere length, immune cell infiltration, drug treatment and somatic mutations were compared among CAF molecular subtypes and low/high score groups. RESULTS The PCa CAF-derived supernatant promoted PCa cell proliferation and invasion. Based on differentially expressed genes identified by scRNA-seq analyses, we classified CAFs into 6 molecular subtypes in PCa tumors, and each subtype was then categorized into score-high and low groups according to the subtype-specific gene expression level. Such score models in 6 CAF subtypes all predicted PFI. Telomeres were significantly shorter in high-score tumors. The total CAF score from 6 CAF subtypes was also associated with PFI in PCa patients inversely, which was consistent with results from cellular experiments. Immunosuppressive microenvironment occurred more frequently in tumors with a high CAF score, which was characterized by increased CTLA4 expression and indicated better responses to CTLA4 inhibitors. Moreover, this model can also serve as a useful PFI predictor in pan-cancers. CONCLUSION By combining scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data analyses, we develop a CAF subtype score system as a prognostic factor for PCa and other cancer types. This model system also helps distinguish different immune-suppressive mechanisms in PCa, suggesting its implications in predicting response to immunotherapy. Thus, the present findings should contribute to personalized PCa intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Gao
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Institute of Andrology, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Bingzheng An
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Dawei Li
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Institute of Andrology, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Institute of Andrology, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute and, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, SE-17176, Sweden.
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Wang G, Ren X, Li J, Cui R, Zhao X, Sui F, Liu J, Chen P, Yang Q, Ji M, Hou P, Gao K, Qu Y. High expression of RTEL1 predicates worse progression in gliomas and promotes tumorigenesis through JNK/ELK1 cascade. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:385. [PMID: 38532312 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12134-8] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor worldwide. The maintenance of telomeres serves as an important biomarker of some subtypes of glioma. In order to investigate the biological role of RTEL1 in glioma. Relative telomere length (RTL) and RTEL1 mRNA was explored and regression analysis was performed to further examine the relationship of the RTL and the expression of RTEL1 with clinicopathological characteristics of glioma patients. We observed that high expression of RTEL1 is positively correlated with telomere length in glioma tissue, and serve as a poor prognostic factor in TERT wild-type patients. Further in vitro studies demonstrate that RTEL1 promoted proliferation, formation, migration and invasion ability of glioma cells. In addition, in vivo studies also revealed the oncogene role of RTEL1 in glioma. Further study using RNA sequence and phospho-specific antibody microarray assays identified JNK/ELK1 signaling was up-regulated by RTEL1 in glioma cells through ROS. In conclusion, our results suggested that RTEL1 promotes glioma tumorigenesis through JNK/ELK1 cascade and indicate that RTEL1 may be a prognostic biomarker in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanjie Wang
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, Xi'an Central Hospital, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojuan Ren
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Jianying Li
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Xi'an Central Hospital, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Rongrong Cui
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Xumin Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Fang Sui
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Pu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Qi Yang
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Meiju Ji
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Peng Hou
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Ke Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, China.
| | - Yiping Qu
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, P.R. China.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, China.
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Mervic A, Goricar K, Blagus T, Franko A, Trebusak-Podkrajsek K, Fikfak MD, Dolzan V, Kovac V. Telomere length and TERT polymorphisms as biomarkers in asbestos-related diseases. Radiol Oncol 2024; 58:87-98. [PMID: 38378028 PMCID: PMC10878767 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2024-0009] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asbestos exposure has been proposed as a risk factor for shorter telomere length. The aim of our study was to investigate whether telomere length in leukocytes and hTERT genetic polymorphisms may serve as potential biomarkers for the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases and as biomarkers of progression and chemotherapy response rate in malignant mesothelioma (MM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS We conducted two retrospective studies. In the first study, a case-control study, telomere length and hTERT polymorphisms were determined in patients with MM, subjects with pleural plaques and controls without the asbestos related disease, who were occupationally exposed to asbestos. In the second study, a longitudinal observational study, telomere length was also determined in samples from MM patients before and after chemotherapy. Telomere length was determined by monochromatic multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while competitive allele-specific PCR was used to genotype hTERT rs10069690, rs2736100 and rs2736098. Logistic regression and survival analysis were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS Patients with MM had shorter telomere length than subjects with pleural plaques (p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, rs2736098 CT, and rs10069690 TT and CT+TT genotypes were significantly associated with a higher risk of MM (padj = 0.023; padj = 0.026 and padj = 0.017), while rs2736100 AA and CA+AA genotypes conferred to a lower risk for MM compared to all other subjects (padj = 0.017, and padj = 0.026). Telomere length was not associated with a response to chemotherapy (p > 0.05) or time to disease progression (p > 0.05). Carriers of one or two polymorphic rs10069690 T alleles had a good response to chemotherapy (p = 0.039, and p = 0.048), these associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for age (padj = 0.019; padj = 0.017). Carriers of two polymorphic rs2736100 A alleles had a longer time to disease progression (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS Shorter telomere length and hTERT polymorphisms may serve as a biomarker for the risk of developing MM. Additionally, rs10069690 and rs2736100 polymorphisms, but not telomere length, were associated with a chemotherapy response or MM progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mervic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Goricar
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Blagus
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Franko
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Clinical Institute of Occupational Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Trebusak-Podkrajsek
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Clinical Institute for Special Laboratory Diagnostics, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Metoda Dodic Fikfak
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Clinical Institute of Occupational Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vita Dolzan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Viljem Kovac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Liu X, Ou J. The development of prognostic gene markers associated with disulfidptosis in gastric cancer and their application in predicting drug response. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26013. [PMID: 38384541 PMCID: PMC10878937 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignancy known for its high fatality rate. Disulfidptosis, a potentially innovative therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, has been proposed. Nevertheless, the specific involvement of disulfidptosis in the context of GC remains uncertain. Methods The mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the TCGA and GEO databases. Univariate and LASSO Cox regression analyses were employed to identify differentially expressed genes and develop a risk model for disulfidptosis-related genes. The performance of the model was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curve, ROC curve, and nomogram. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to determine if the risk model could serve as an independent prognostic factor. The biological function of the identified genes was assessed through GO, KEGG, and GSEA analyses. The prediction of drug response was conducted employing the package "pRRophetic". Furthermore, gene expression was determined using qRT-PCR. Results An eight-gene signature were identified and utilized to categorize patients into low- and high-risk groups. Survival, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Cox analyses provided clarification that these eight hub genes served as a favorable independent prognostic factor for patients with GC. A nomogram was constructed by integrating clinical parameters with the risk signatures, demonstrating high precision in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Additionally, drug sensitivity was different in the high-risk and low-risk groups, and the expression of three genes was verified by qRT-PCR. Conclusion The prognostic risk model developed in this study demonstrates the potential to accurately forecast the prognosis of patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jianghong Ou
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Changsha Central Hospital, Nanhua University, Changsha, 410000, China
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Xue J, Liu Z, Liao Y, Zhang X, Liu Y, Mo L, Dong R, Li Q, Sun X, Xie J, Yang P. Undersized telomeres in regulatory T cells link to the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. iScience 2024; 27:108615. [PMID: 38205251 PMCID: PMC10777067 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108615] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are an important biomarker in the cell destiny. The relationship between telomeres and regulatory T cells (Tregs) has not yet been investigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the link between Tregs' telomere length and allergic rhinitis (AR)'s pathogenesis. Here, we report that low telomerase activity and high endoplasmic reticulum stress status were observed in Tregs from AR patients, as shown in the results. Immune regulatory molecules levels were correlated with the length of Tregs' telomeres. The immune-suppressive functions of Tregs were associated with the telomere length/Telomerase reverse transcriptase/Telomerase protein component 1 status in Tregs. The levels of telomere length/telomerase in airway Tregs were reduced by sensitization. Endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway of proline-rich receptor-like protein kinase-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2A (eIF2a) was associated with the regulation of telomerase. Inhibiting eIF2a had an effect on upregulating telomerase activity in Tregs and mitigating experimental AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmei Xue
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhizhen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Ministry of Education of China, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yun Liao
- Shenzhen Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Allergy & Immunology of Shenzhen University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Allergy Division at Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Shenzhen Clinical School of Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Allergy & Immunology of Shenzhen University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Allergy Division at Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of General Practice Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lihua Mo
- Institute of Allergy & Immunology of Shenzhen University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Allergy Division at Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of General Practice Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rui Dong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xizhuo Sun
- Department of General Practice Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Ministry of Education of China, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Pingchang Yang
- Institute of Allergy & Immunology of Shenzhen University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Allergy Division at Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Yan S, Lin S, Qiu H, Wang X, He Y, Wang C, Huang Y. Regulation of telomerase towards tumor therapy. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:228. [PMID: 38111043 PMCID: PMC10726632 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01181-6] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is an aging-related disease, while aging plays an important role in the development process of tumor, thus the two are inextricably associated. Telomere attrition is one of the recognized hallmark events of senescence. Hence, targeting telomerase which could extends telomere sequences to treat tumors is widely favored. Cancer cells rely on high activity of telomerase to maintain a strong proliferative potential. By inhibiting the expression or protein function of telomerase, the growth of cancer cells can be significantly suppressed. In addition, the human immune system itself has a defense system against malignant tumors. However, excessive cell division results in dramatic shortening on telomeres and decline in the function of immune organs that facilitates cancer cell evasion. It has been shown that increasing telomerase activity or telomere length of these immune cells can attenuate senescence, improve cellular viability, and enhance the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumor. In this paper, we review the telomerase-targeting progress using different anti-tumor strategies from the perspectives of cancer cells and immune cells, respectively, as well as tracking the preclinical and clinical studies of some representative drugs for the prevention or treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Lumiere Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Song Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Hongxin Qiu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xining Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yijun He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Chuanle Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
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10
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Zhang W. Big data analysis identified a telomere-related signature predicting the prognosis and drug sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35526. [PMID: 37986388 PMCID: PMC10659611 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres exert a critical role in chromosome stability and aberrant regulation of telomerase may result in telomeres dysfunction and genomic instability, which are involved in the occurrence of cancers. However, limited studies have been performed to fully clarify the immune infiltration and clinical significance of telomeres-related genes (TRGs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The number of clusters of LUAD was determined by consensus clustering analysis. The prognostic signature was constructed and verified using TCGA and GSE42127 dataset with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator cox regression analysis. The correlation between different clusters and risk-score and drug therapy response was analyzed using TIDE and IMvigor210 dataset. Using several miRNA and lncRNA related databases, we constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axis. We identified 2 telomeres-related clusters in LUAD, which had distinct differences in prognostic stratification, TMB score, TIDE score, immune characteristics and signal pathways and biological effects. A prognostic model was developed based on 21 TRGs, which had a better performance in risk stratification and prognosis prediction compared with other established models. TRGs-based risk score could serve as an independent risk factor for LUAD. Survival prediction nomogram was also developed to promote the clinical use of TRGs risk score. Moreover, LUAD patients with high risk score had a high TMB score, low TIDE score and IC50 value of common drugs, suggesting that high risk score group might benefit from receiving immunotherapy, chemotherapy and target therapy. We also developed a lncRNA KCNQ1QT1/miR-296-5p/PLK1 regulatory axis. Our study identified 2 telomeres-related clusters and a prognostic model in LUAD, which could be helpful for risk stratification, prognosis prediction and treatment approach selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan City People’s Hospital, Zhongshan, China
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11
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Zhao J, Xu Y. PITX1 plays essential functions in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1253238. [PMID: 37841446 PMCID: PMC10570508 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1253238] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
PITX1, also known as the pituitary homeobox 1 gene, has emerged as a key regulator in animal growth and development, attracting significant research attention. Recent investigations have revealed the implication of dysregulated PITX1 expression in tumorigenesis, highlighting its involvement in cancer development. Notably, PITX1 interacts with p53 and exerts control over crucial cellular processes including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and chemotherapy resistance. Its influence extends to various tumors, such as esophageal, colorectal, gastric, and liver cancer, contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. Despite its significance, a comprehensive review examining PITX1's role in oncology remains lacking. This review aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of PITX1 in different cancer types, with a particular focus on its clinicopathological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingpu Zhao
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yongfeng Xu
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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12
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Maleknia M, Ahmadirad N, Golab F, Katebi Y, Haj Mohamad Ebrahim Ketabforoush A. DNA Methylation in Cancer: Epigenetic View of Dietary and Lifestyle Factors. Epigenet Insights 2023; 16:25168657231199893. [PMID: 37720354 PMCID: PMC10504848 DOI: 10.1177/25168657231199893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations in DNA methylation play an important role in cancer development and progression. Dietary nutrients and lifestyle behaviors can influence DNA methylation patterns and thereby modulate cancer risk. Introduction To comprehensively review available evidence on how dietary and lifestyle factors impact DNA methylation and contribute to carcinogenesis through epigenetic mechanisms. Materials and methods A literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies published between 2005 and 2022 that examined relationships between dietary/lifestyle factors and DNA methylation in cancer. Studies investigating the effects of dietary components (eg, micronutrients, phytochemicals), physical activity, smoking, and obesity on global and gene-specific DNA methylation changes in animal and human cancer models were included. Data on specific dietary/lifestyle exposures, cancer types, DNA methylation targets and underlying mechanisms were extracted. Results Multiple dietary and lifestyle factors were found to influence DNA methylation patterns through effects on DNA methyltransferase activity, methyl donor availability, and generation of oxidative stress. Altered methylation of specific genes regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation were linked to cancer development and progression. Conclusion Dietary and lifestyle interventions aimed at modulating DNA methylation have potential for both cancer prevention and treatment through epigenetic mechanisms. Further research is needed to identify actionable targets for nutrition and lifestyle-based epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Maleknia
- Noorgene Genetic & Clinical Laboratory, Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nooshin Ahmadirad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Golab
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasmina Katebi
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Yue K, Yao X. Prognostic model based on telomere-related genes predicts the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Oral Health 2023; 23:484. [PMID: 37452322 PMCID: PMC10347773 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03157-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated a potential prognostic model based on telomere-related genes (TRGs) for the clinical prediction of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS Gene expression data and associated clinical phenotypes were obtained from online databases. Differentially expressed (DE)-TRGs were identified between OSCC and normal samples, followed by protein-protein interaction and enrichment analyses. Subsequently, the prognostic genes explored based on the DE-TRGs and survival data were applied in the establishment of the current prognostic model, and an integrated analysis was performed between high- and low-risk groups using a prognostic model. The expression of certain prognostic genes identified in the present study was validated using qPCR analysis and/or western blot in OSCC cell lines and clinical samples. RESULTS 169 DE-TRGs were identified between the OSCC samples and controls. DE-TRGs are mainly involved in functions such as hypoxia response and pathways such as the cell cycle. Eight TRGs (CCNB1, PDK4, PLOD2, RACGAP1, MET, PLK1, KPNA2, and CCNA2) associated with OSCC survival and prognosis were used to construct a prognostic model. qPCR analysis and western blot showed that most of the eight prognostic genes were consistent with the current bioinformatics results. Analysis of the high- and low-risk groups for OSCC determined by the prognostic model showed that the current prognostic model was reliable. CONCLUSIONS A novel prognostic model for OSCC was constructed by TRGs. PLOD2 and APLK1 may participate in the progression of OSCC via responses to hypoxia and cell cycle pathways, respectively. TRGs, including KPNA2 and CCNA2, may serve as novel prognostic biomarkers for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yue
- Department of Stomatology, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China
| | - Xue Yao
- Department of Stomatology, Sunshine Union Hospital, 9000 Yingqian Road, High-tech Zone, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China.
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14
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Chen S, Hu S, Zhou B, Cheng B, Tong H, Su D, Li X, Chen Y, Zhang G. Telomere-related prognostic biomarkers for survival assessments in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10586. [PMID: 37391503 PMCID: PMC10313686 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37836-0] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomeres are linked to genetic instability and a higher risk of developing cancer. Therefore, to improve the dismal prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients, a thorough investigation of the association between telomere-related genes and pancreatic cancer is required. Combat from the R package "SVA" was performed to correct the batch effects between the TCGA-PAAD and GTEx datasets. After differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed, we constructed a prognostic risk model through univariate Cox regression, LASSO-Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Data from the ICGC, GSE62452, GSE71729, and GSE78229 cohorts were used as test cohorts for validating the prognostic signature. The major impact of the signature on the tumor microenvironment and its response to immune checkpoint drugs was also evaluated. Finally, PAAD tissue microarrays were fabricated and immunohistochemistry was performed to explore the expression of this signature in clinical samples. After calculating 502 telomere-associated DEGs, we constructed a three-gene prognostic signature (DSG2, LDHA, and RACGAP1) that can be effectively applied to the prognostic classification of pancreatic cancer patients in multiple datasets, including TCGA, ICGC, GSE62452, GSE71729, and GSE78229 cohorts. In addition, we have screened a variety of tumor-sensitive drugs targeting this signature. Finally, we also found that protein levels of DSG2, LDHA, and RACGAP1 were upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues compared to normal tissues by immunohistochemistry analysis. We established and validated a telomere gene-related prognostic signature for pancreatic cancer and confirmed the upregulation of DSG2, LDHA, and RACGAP1 expression in clinical samples, which may provide new ideas for individualized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Shuiquan Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Baizhong Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Bingbing Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Hao Tong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Dongchao Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xiaoyong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Kangfu Front Street 3#, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Genhao Zhang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Zhengzhou University First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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15
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Shi X, Cao S, Wang X, Huang S, Wang Y, Liu Z, Liu W, Leng X, Peng Y, Wang N, Wang Y, Ma Z, Xu X, Zhang F, Xue H, Zhong H, Wang Y, Zhang K, Velt A, Avia K, Holtgräwe D, Grimplet J, Matus JT, Ware D, Wu X, Wang H, Liu C, Fang Y, Rustenholz C, Cheng Z, Xiao H, Zhou Y. The complete reference genome for grapevine ( Vitis vinifera L.) genetics and breeding. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2023; 10:uhad061. [PMID: 37213686 PMCID: PMC10199708 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Grapevine is one of the most economically important crops worldwide. However, the previous versions of the grapevine reference genome tipically consist of thousands of fragments with missing centromeres and telomeres, limiting the accessibility of the repetitive sequences, the centromeric and telomeric regions, and the study of inheritance of important agronomic traits in these regions. Here, we assembled a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gap-free reference genome for the cultivar PN40024 using PacBio HiFi long reads. The T2T reference genome (PN_T2T) is 69 Mb longer with 9018 more genes identified than the 12X.v0 version. We annotated 67% repetitive sequences, 19 centromeres and 36 telomeres, and incorporated gene annotations of previous versions into the PN_T2T assembly. We detected a total of 377 gene clusters, which showed associations with complex traits, such as aroma and disease resistance. Even though PN40024 derives from nine generations of selfing, we still found nine genomic hotspots of heterozygous sites associated with biological processes, such as the oxidation-reduction process and protein phosphorylation. The fully annotated complete reference genome therefore constitutes an important resource for grapevine genetic studies and breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Siyang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Plant Science Education, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zhongjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Xiangpeng Leng
- College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yanling Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Zhiyao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Xiaodong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Hui Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Haixia Zhong
- Institute of Horticulture Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Science and Enology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Kekun Zhang
- College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Amandine Velt
- SVQV, INRAE - University of Strasbourg, 68000 Colmar, France
| | - Komlan Avia
- SVQV, INRAE - University of Strasbourg, 68000 Colmar, France
| | - Daniela Holtgräwe
- Genetics and Genomics of Plants, CeBiTec & Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jérôme Grimplet
- Unidad de Hortofruticultura, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Tomás Matus
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Systems Biotech Program, Universitat de València-CSIC, Paterna, 46908, Valencia, Spain
| | - Doreen Ware
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
- USDA ARS NEA Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xinyu Wu
- Institute of Horticulture Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Germplasm Resources Utilization), Ministry of Agriculture/Key Laboratory of Mineral Nutrition and Fertilizers Efficient Utilization of Deciduous Fruit Tree, Liaoning Province, Xingcheng 125100, China
| | - Chonghuai Liu
- Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Yuling Fang
- College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | | | | | - Hua Xiao
- Corresponding authors: E-mail: ; ; ;
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Liu S, Nong W, Ji L, Zhuge X, Wei H, Luo M, Zhou L, Chen S, Zhang S, Lei X, Huang H. The regulatory feedback of inflammatory signaling and telomere/telomerase complex dysfunction in chronic inflammatory diseases. Exp Gerontol 2023; 174:112132. [PMID: 36849001 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is believed to play a role in the progression of numerous human diseases. Research has shown that inflammation and telomeres are involved in a feedback regulatory loop: inflammation increases the rate of telomere attrition, leading to telomere dysfunction, while telomere components also participate in regulating the inflammatory response. However, the specific mechanism behind this feedback loop between inflammatory signaling and telomere/telomerase complex dysfunction has yet to be fully understood. This review presents the latest findings on this topic, with a particular focus on the detailed regulation and molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of aging, various chronic inflammatory diseases, cancers, and different stressors. Several feedback loops between inflammatory signaling and telomere/telomerase complex dysfunction, including NF-κB-TERT feedback, NF-κB-RAP1 feedback, NF-κB-TERC feedback, STAT3-TERT feedback, and p38 MAPK-shelterin complex-related gene feedback, are summarized. Understanding the latest discoveries of this feedback regulatory loop can help identify novel potential drug targets for the suppression of various inflammation-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Liu
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Weihua Nong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi 533300, China
| | - Lin Ji
- Reproductive Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021 Nanning, China
| | - Xiuhong Zhuge
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, China
| | - Huimei Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, China
| | - Min Luo
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Leguang Zhou
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Shenghua Chen
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Shun Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541001, China.
| | - Xiaocan Lei
- Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Hua Huang
- Reproductive Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021 Nanning, China.
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17
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Franco PIR, Neto JRDC, de Menezes LB, Machado JR, Miguel MP. Revisiting the hallmarks of cancer: A new look at long noncoding RNAs in breast cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 243:154381. [PMID: 36857948 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide. The increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying its heterogeneity favors a better understanding of tumor biology and consequently the development of better diagnostic and treatment techniques. The advent of tumor genome sequencing techniques has highlighted more participants in the process, in addition to protein-coding genes. Thus, it is now known that long noncoding RNAs, previously described as transcriptional noise with no biological function, are intimately associated with tumor development. In breast cancer, they are abnormally expressed and closely associated with tumor progression, which makes them attractive diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic and specific therapeutic targets. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs in breast cancer is essential for the search for new treatment strategies. In this review, we summarize the major long noncoding RNAs and their association with the cancer characteristics of the ability to sustain proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, replicative immortality, activation of invasion and metastasis, induction of angiogenesis, resistance to cell death, reprogramming of energy metabolism, genomic instability and sustained mutations, promotion of tumor inflammation, and evasion of the immune system. In addition, we report and suggest how they can be used as prognostic biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Igor Ribeiro Franco
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Liliana Borges de Menezes
- Setor de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Juliana Reis Machado
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Genética e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marina Pacheco Miguel
- Setor de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
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18
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Liu T, Li S, Xia C, Xu D. TERT promoter mutations and methylation for telomerase activation in urothelial carcinomas: New mechanistic insights and clinical significance. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1071390. [PMID: 36713366 PMCID: PMC9877314 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1071390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase synthesizing telomeric TTAGGG sequences, is primarily silent in normal human urothelial cells (NHUCs), but widely activated in urothelial cell-derived carcinomas or urothelial carcinomas (UCs) including UC of the bladder (UCB) and upper track UC (UTUC). Telomerase activation for telomere maintenance is required for the UC development and progression, and the key underlying mechanism is the transcriptional de-repression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), a gene encoding the rate-limiting, telomerase catalytic component. Recent mechanistic explorations have revealed important roles for TERT promoter mutations and aberrant methylation in activation of TERT transcription and telomerase in UCs. Moreover, these TERT-featured genomic and epigenetic alterations have been evaluated for their usefulness in non-invasive UC diagnostics, recurrence monitoring, outcome prediction and response to treatments such as immunotherapy. Importantly, the detection of the mutated TERT promoter and TERT mRNA as urinary biomarkers holds great promise for urine-based UC liquid biopsy. In the present article, we review recent mechanistic insights into altered TERT promoter-mediated telomerase activation in UCs and discuss potential clinical implications. Specifically, we compare differences in senescence and transformation between NHUCs and other types of epithelial cells, address the interaction between TERT promoter mutations and other factors to affect UC progression and outcomes, evaluate the impact of TERT promoter mutations and TERT-mediated activation of human endogenous retrovirus genes on UC immunotherapy including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, we suggest the standardization of a TERT assay and evaluation system for UC clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shihong Li
- Department of Pathology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Liaocheng, Liaocheng, China
| | - Chuanyou Xia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Chuanyou Xia, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden,*Correspondence: Chuanyou Xia, ; Dawei Xu,
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Wang C, Qin X, Guo W, Wang J, Liu L, Fang Z, Yuan H, Fan Y, Xu D. The chromosomal instability 25 gene signature is identified in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and serves as a predictor for survival and Sunitinib response. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1133902. [PMID: 37197417 PMCID: PMC10183591 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1133902] [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: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a cancer hallmark and it is difficult to directly measure its phenotype, while a CIN25 gene signature was established to do so in several cancer types. However, it is currently unclear whether there exists this signature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and if so, which biological and clinical implications it has. Methods Transcriptomic profiling was performed on 10 ccRCC tumors and matched renal non-tumorous tissues (NTs) for CIN25 signature analyses. TCGA and E-MBAT1980 ccRCC cohorts were analyzed for the presence of CIN25 signature, CIN25 score-based ccRCC classification, and association with molecular alterations and overall or progression-free survival (OS or PFS). IMmotion150 and 151 cohorts of ccRCC patients treated with Sunitinib were analyzed for the CIN25 impact on Sunitinib response and survival. Results The transcriptomic analysis of 10 patient samples showed robustly upregulated expression of the CIN25 signature genes in ccRCC tumors, which were further confirmed in TCGA and E-MBAT1980 ccRCC cohorts. Based on their expression heterogeneity, ccRCC tumors were categorized into CIN25-C1 (low) and C2 (high) subtypes. The CIN25-C2 subtype was associated with significantly shorter patient OS and PFS, and characterized by increased telomerase activity, proliferation, stemness and EMT. The CIN25 signature reflects not only a CIN phenotype, but also levels of the whole genomic instability including mutation burden, microsatellite instability and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). Importantly, the CIN25 score was significantly associated with Sunitinib response and survival. In IMmotion151 cohort, patients in the CIN25-C1 group exhibited 2-fold higher remission rate than those in the CIN25-C2 group (P = 0.0004) and median PFS in these two groups was 11.2 and 5.6 months, respectively (P = 7.78E-08). Similar results were obtained from the IMmotion150 cohort analysis. Higher EZH2 expression and poor angiogenesis, well characterized factors leading to Sunitinib resistance, were enriched in the CIN25-C2 tumors. Conclusion The CIN25 signature identified in ccRCC serves as a biomarker for CIN and other genome instability phenotypes and predicts patient outcomes and response to Sunitinib treatment. A PCR quantification is enough for the CIN25-based ccRCC classification, which holds great promises in clinical routine application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Wang
- Department of Emergency, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huiyang Yuan
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Huiyang Yuan, ; Yidong Fan, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Emergency, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Huiyang Yuan, ; Yidong Fan, ; Dawei Xu,
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Huiyang Yuan, ; Yidong Fan, ; Dawei Xu,
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20
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Wen J, Zhong X, Gao C, Yang M, Tang M, Yuan Z, Wang Q, Xu L, Ma Q, Guo X, Fang L. TPP1 Inhibits DNA Damage Response and Chemosensitivity in Esophageal Cancer. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 2023; 33:77-91. [PMID: 37606165 DOI: 10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.2023048720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
TPP1, as one of the telomere-protective protein complex, functions to maintain telomere stability. In this study, we found that TPP1 was significantly upregulated in esophageal cancer (EC). We found that the proliferation and migration ability were significantly inhibited, while the results of flow cytometry assay indicated that the growth was hindered in the G1 phase after TPP1 knockdown. However, the proliferative viability and migratory ability were reversed after TPP1 overexpression in EC cells. Then, we found a significant increase in β-galactosidase positivity following TPP1 knockdown and the opposite following TPP1 overexpression in EC cells. Furthermore, TPP1 knockdown increased DNA damage and upregulated expression of the γ-H2AXS139 in the cell nucleus. Correspondingly, DNA damage was reversed after TPP1 overexpression in EC cells. Similarly, we found that the expression of ATM/ATR pathway proteins were upregulated after TPP1 knockdown, while the expression of the above proteins was downregulated after TPP1 overexpression in EC cells. TPP1 knockdown significantly inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors and upregulated the expression of ATM/ATR pathway proteins in transplanted tissues, whereas TPP1 overexpression significantly promoted their proliferation and downregulated the expression of the above proteins in vivo. Strikingly, we found that TPP1 could reduce the chemosensitivity of EC cells to cisplatin, which may have a potential link to clinical chemoresistance. In conclusion, TPP1 regulates the DNA damage response through the ATM/ATR-p53 signaling pathway and chemoresistance and may be a new target for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in the treatment of EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilin Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Xiaowu Zhong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Chuanli Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Miyuan Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Maoju Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Zichun Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China; Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Li Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
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21
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Afshari N, Al-Gazally ME, Rasulova I, Jalil AT, Matinfar S, Momeninejad M. Sensitive bioanalytical methods for telomerase activity detection: a cancer biomarker. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:4174-4184. [PMID: 36254582 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01315k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is an enzyme that protects the length of telomeres by adding guanine-rich repetitive sequences. In tumors, gametes, and stem cells, telomerase activity is exerted. Telomerase activity can be a cancer biomarker for therapeutic and diagnosis approaches. So, a number of studies concentrating on the discovery of telomerase activity were reported. Bioanalytical devices, in comparison with other tests, have numerous advantages including low expense, simplicity, and excellent sensitivity and specificity. In this article we reviewed recent studies on the subject of various bioanalytical methods based on different nanomaterials. Optical, electrochemical, and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) are prominent analytical techniques that are mentioned in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Afshari
- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University Science & Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Iroda Rasulova
- "Kasmed" Private Medical Centre, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- School of Medicine, Akfa University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Abduladheem Turki Jalil
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Hilla, 51001, Iraq
| | - Solmaz Matinfar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Momeninejad
- Department of Social Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
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22
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Yuan X, Yuan H, Zhang N, Liu T, Xu D. Thyroid carcinoma-featured telomerase activation and telomere maintenance: Biology and translational/clinical significance. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1111. [PMID: 36394204 PMCID: PMC9670192 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex consisting of a catalytic component telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), internal RNA template and other co-factors, and its essential function is to synthesize telomeric DNA, repetitive TTAGGG sequences at the termini of linear chromosomes. Telomerase is silent in normal human follicular thyroid cells, primarily due to the TERT gene being tightly repressed. During the development and progression of thyroid carcinomas (TCs), TERT induction and telomerase activation is in general required to maintain telomere length, thereby conferring TC cells with immortal and aggressive phenotypes. METHODS The genomic alterations of the TERT loci including TERT promoter's gain-of-function mutations, copy number gain, fusion and rearrangements, have recently been identified in TCs as mechanisms to induce TERT expression and to activate telomerase. Importantly, numerous studies have consistently shown that TERT promoter mutations and TERT expression occur in all TC subtypes, and are robustly associated with TC malignancy, aggressiveness, treatment failure and poor outcomes. Therefore, the assessment of TERT promoter mutations and TERT expression is highly valuable in TC diagnostics, prognosis, treatment decision, and follow-up design. In addition, the TERT promoter is frequently hypermethylated in TC cells and tumors, which is required to activate TERT transcription and telomerase. Dysregulation of other components in the telomerase complex similarly upregulate telomerase. Moreover, shortened telomeres lead to altered gene expression and metabolism, thereby actively promoting TC aggressiveness. Here we summarize recent findings in TCs to provide the landscape of TC-featured telomere/telomerase biology and discuss underlying implications in TC precision medicine. CONCLUSION Mechanistic insights into telomerase activation and TERT induction in TCs are important both biologically and clinically. The TERT gene aberration and expression-based molecular classification of TCs is proposed, and for such a purpose, the standardization of the assay and evaluation system is required. Moreover, the TERT-based system and 2022 WHO TC classification may be combined to improve TC care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Laboratory Animal CenterShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Huiyang Yuan
- Department of UrologyQilu HospitalCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Breast SurgeryGeneral Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of PathologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of MedicineDivision of HematologyBioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM)Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
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23
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Wang J, Dai M, Xing X, Wang X, Qin X, Huang T, Fang Z, Fan Y, Xu D. Genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic signatures for telomerase complex components: a pan-cancer analysis. Mol Oncol 2022; 17:150-172. [PMID: 36239411 PMCID: PMC9812836 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activation is required for malignant transformation. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have enabled the generation of complex datasets, thus providing alternative approaches to exploring telomerase biology more comprehensively, which has proven to be challenging due to the need for laborious assays required to test for telomerase activity. To solve these issues, several groups have analyzed TCGA pan-cancer tumor datasets by investigating telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit for telomerase activity, or its surrogates. However, telomerase is a multiunit complex containing not only TERT, but also numerus cofactors required for telomerase function. Here we determined genomic and molecular alterations of 10 well-characterized telomerase components in the TCGA and CCLE datasets. We calculated a telomerase score (TS) based on their expression profiles and clustered tumors into low, high, and intermediate subtypes. To validate the in silico analysis result, we used immunoblotting and telomerase assays. High TS subtypes were significantly associated with stemness, proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, hyperactivation of oncogenic signaling pathways, shorter patient survival, and infiltration of dysfunctional T-cells or poor response to immunotherapy. Copy number alterations in 10 telomerase components were widespread and associated with the level of their expression. Surprisingly, primary tumors and cancer cell lines frequently displayed a homozygous deletion of the TCAB1 gene, encoding a telomerase protein essential for telomerase trafficking, assembling, and function, as previously reported. However, tumors or cells carrying a TCAB1 deletion still exhibited telomerase activity comparable to or even higher than their wildtype counterparts. Collectively, applying telomerase component-based TS in complex datasets provided a robust tool for telomerase analyses. Our findings also reveal a tight connection between telomerase and other oncogenic signaling pathways; TCAB1 may acts as a dispensable telomerase component. Moreover, TS may serve as a useful biomarker to predict patient outcomes and response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular MedicineKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
| | - Xiangling Xing
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular MedicineKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Urology SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Wannan Medical collegeWuhuChina
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of UrologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Urologic Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina,Department of Urology SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Wannan Medical collegeWuhuChina
| | - Zhiqing Fang
- Department of UrologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of UrologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Dawei Xu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular MedicineKarolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
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Kroupa M, Tomasova K, Kavec M, Skrobanek P, Buchler T, Kumar R, Vodickova L, Vodicka P. TElomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA): Physiological functions and relevance in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913314. [PMID: 35982970 PMCID: PMC9380590 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are complex protective structures located at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. Their purpose is to prevent genomic instability. Research progress in telomere biology during the past decades has identified a network of telomeric transcripts of which the best-studied is TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). TERRA was shown to be important not only for the preservation of telomere homeostasis and genomic stability but also for the expression of hundreds of genes across the human genome. These findings added a new level of complexity to telomere biology. Herein we provide insights on the telomere transcriptome, its relevance for proper telomere function, and its implications in human pathology. We also discuss possible clinical opportunities of exosomal telomere transcripts detection as a biomarker in cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kroupa
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Michal Kroupa, ; Pavel Vodicka,
| | - Kristyna Tomasova
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Miriam Kavec
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Skrobanek
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomas Buchler
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludmila Vodickova
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Vodicka
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Michal Kroupa, ; Pavel Vodicka,
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25
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Telomeric Repeat-Containing RNA (TERRA): A Review of the Literature and First Assessment in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030539. [PMID: 35328092 PMCID: PMC8953746 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) are long non-coding RNAs transcribed from telomeric DNA sequences from multiple chromosome ends. Major research efforts have been made to understand TERRA roles and functions in several physiological and pathological processes. We summarize herein available data regarding TERRA’s roles in human cells and we report the first investigation in cutaneous T-cells lymphomas (CTCL) using real-time PCR. Among the TERRA analysed, our data suggest a particular role for TERRA 16p downregulation and TERRA 11q upregulation in CTCL lymphomagenesis.
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26
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Telomerase ( hTERT) Overexpression Reveals a Promising Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutical Target in Different Clinical Subtypes of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101632. [PMID: 34681025 PMCID: PMC8535500 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a neoplasm of the hematopoietic system defined as a clonal expansion of an abnormal lymphoid precursor cell. It mostly affects children under five years of age and is the most common tumor to afflict pediatric patients. The expression of the human telomerase gene (hTERT) in patients with ALL has been studied as a biomarker and could become a new therapeutic target. We evaluate the role of hTERT gene expression in ALL pediatric patients, through quantitative real-time PCR technique, and the possible correlation between hTERT expression and clinical variables: gender, age, white blood cells (WBC), gene fusions, and immunophenotyping. The analysis between healthy controls and ALL patients (N = 244) was statistically significant (p < 0.001), demonstrating hTERT overexpression in these patients. In comparison with the usual set of clinical variables, the data were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), indicating that hTERT is equally overexpressed among patients regardless of gender, age, gene fusions, and immunophenotyping. Moreover, patients who presented a higher hTERT expression level had a significant (p < 0.0001) lower overall survival rate. In summary, hTERT expression emerges as an important molecular pathway in leukemogenesis regardless patient's clinical variables, thus, the data here presented pointed it as a valuable biomarker in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a promising target for new therapeutic and prognostic measures.
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Dos Santos GA, Viana NI, Pimenta R, de Camargo JA, T Reis S, Moreira Leite KR, Srougi M. Telomeric zinc-finger associated protein (TZAP) in cancer biology: friend or foe? MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 10:121-129. [PMID: 34476265 DOI: 10.22099/mbrc.2021.40106.1607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
The new identified protein telomeric zinc-finger associated protein (TZAP) is a negative regulator of telomere length. Since telomere length and telomere maintenance mechanisms are essential to cancer progression, TZAP is considered a new player in cancer biology. Here we aimed to analyze TZAP using the Cancer Genome Atlas data in a Pan-Cancer approach. We gathering data from TCGA Pan-Cancer studies utilizing cBioPortal, GEPIA and UALCAN. In total we analyzed 33 types of cancer (n=9664) and their respective controls (n=711). TZAP is transcribed in all cancers but less than 5% of all tumors show any somatic changes. TZAP was downregulated in kidney chromophobe carcinoma, and upregulated in esophageal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma and in liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally, TZAP expression is related to favorable prognosis, associated to better overall and disease-free survival. Looking to specific tumors, TZAP expression has a dual behavior. Its downregulation is associated with poor prognosis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, kidney papillary cell carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma and pancreas adenocarcinoma. On the contrary, in adrenocortical carcinoma, colon and rectal cancer, brain lower grade glioma and prostate adenocarcinoma the upregulation of TZAP is related with poor prognosis. TZAP expression has a positive correlation with TRF1 and TRF2 in normal tissue but not in cancer. Our analyses indicate that TZAP has an important role in oncology and may be considered as a potential biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Arantes Dos Santos
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nayara Izabel Viana
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ruan Pimenta
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Alves de Camargo
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sabrina T Reis
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Athens University Center (UniAtenas), Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Katia Ramos Moreira Leite
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Miguel Srougi
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Sao Paulo, Brazil
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A scalable and reproducible preparation for the antitumor protein TLC, a human-derived telomerase inhibitor. Protein Expr Purif 2021; 187:105942. [PMID: 34284069 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2021.105942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase, which is overexpressed in approximately 90% of liver cancer cells, is an ideal target for anti-liver cancer therapy. LPTS, a putative liver tumor suppressor, is the only human-derived protein that can bind telomerase directly and inhibit the extension of telomere activity. Our previous studies demonstrated that TAT-LPTS-LC (TLC), a recombinant protein fused by the C-terminal 133-328 fragment of LPTS and TAT peptides, could be delivered into cells to inhibit telomerase-positive hepatoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo with very low toxicity. In the present study, E. coli strains which expressed TLC in abundance were screened and cultured in a laboratory bioreactor. A reproducible protein separation process was built, and this process was suitable for industrial amplification. The yields of TLC protein were up to 184 mg in one batch with a purity of approximately 95%. The purified TLC protein had a similar inhibitory effect on telomerase activity in vitro compared with those purified by Ni-affinity chromatography. Furthermore, TLC protein could be delivered into the cell nucleus to increase the doubling time of the cell and suppress cell growth in telomerase-positive liver cancer cell lines. Cell growth inhibition was negatively correlated with telomere length, suggesting that TLC is a highly targeted telomerase-telomere anticancer agent. These results will contribute to future preclinical studies of the TLC protein.
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Telomeres: New players in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases? J Autoimmun 2021; 123:102699. [PMID: 34265700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of linear chromosomes that preserve the integrity and stability of the genome. Telomere dysfunctions due to short telomeres or altered telomere structures can ultimately lead to replicative cellular senescence and chromosomal instability, both mechanisms being hallmarks of ageing. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and finally telomere length (TL) dynamics have been shown to be involved in various age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), including affections such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and uveitis belong to this group of age-related NCDs. Although in recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of studies in the literature linking these IMIDs to TL dynamics, the causality between these diseases and telomere attrition is still unclear and controversial. In this review, we provide an overview of available studies on telomere dynamics and discuss the utility of TL measurements in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Xing X, Yuan X, Liu T, Dai M, Fan Y, Liu C, Strååt K, Björkholm M, Xu D. Regulatory region mutations of TERT, PLEKHS1 and GPR126 genes as urinary biomarkers in upper tract urothelial carcinomas. J Cancer 2021; 12:3853-3861. [PMID: 34093793 PMCID: PMC8176235 DOI: 10.7150/jca.56779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The hotspot regulatory region mutations of the TERT, PLEKHS1 and GPR126 genes have been shown to occur frequently in urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC). However, it is currently unclear whether these mutations are all present in upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) including renal pelvic carcinoma (RPC) and ureter carcinoma (UC), although TERT promoter mutations were previously observed in these malignancies. Methods: The hotspot mutations of TERT and PLEKHS1 promoters and GPR126 intron 6 (enhancer) in tumors derived from 164 patients with UTUC were determined using Sanger sequencing, and the obtained results were further compared with the mutation frequency in 106 UBCs. The mutations were also assessed in urine from patients with UTUC and UBC. Results: The mutation frequencies in UTUC tumors were 28%, 5.8% and 11% for TERT and PLEKHS1 promoters and GPR126 intron 6, respectively, which were lower than those (44.3%, 26.4%, and 31.4%, respectively) in UBCs. The total frequencies for the presence of any of these mutations were 50.8% and 34.4% for RPCs and UCs, respectively. All these mutated DNA sequences were detectable in urine from both UTUC and UBC patients and disappeared rapidly in most patients after surgery. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that the hotspot mutations in the TERT, PLEKHS1 and GPR126 non-coding regions are present in UTUCs, and that urinary assays of these mutated sequences serve as potential biomarkers for UTUC diagnostics and disease monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Xing
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Pathology Department, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, PR China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Klas Strååt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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Chen X, Deng Y, Cao G, Liu X, Gu T, Feng R, Huo D, Xu F, Hou C. An ultrasensitive and point-of-care sensor for the telomerase activity detection. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1146:61-69. [PMID: 33461720 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase owns great application potential in diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, and drug screening of cancers. Thus, the ultrasensitive and point-of-care detection of telomerase activity meets the clinical demands extremely. Here, a sensor based on telomerase extends activators to unlock the ssDNase activity of CRISPR/Cas12a was created for the first time to detect the telomerase activity. Based on the fluorescence or CRISPR/Cas12a-based lateral flow assay, we achieve the ultrasensitive and point-of-care detection of telomerase activity in MCF-7 cells low to 57 cells·mL-1 and 5.7 × 102 cells·mL-1 in about 1 h, respectively. Besides, the detection of telomerase activity in different subtype breast cancer cells indicates that the proposed sensor possesses potential in the classification of breast cancer cell subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Yuanyi Deng
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Gaihua Cao
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Hongshen Honors College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Tao Gu
- Hongshen Honors College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Ruoyang Feng
- Hongshen Honors College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China
| | - Danqun Huo
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-perception & Intelligent Information Processing, School of Microelectronics and Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.
| | - Faliang Xu
- Treatment Center of Breast Diseases, Chongqing Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, PR China.
| | - Changjun Hou
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, PR China.
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Nogueira BMD, Machado CB, Montenegro RC, DE Moraes MEA, Moreira-Nunes CA. Telomere Length and Hematological Disorders: A Review. In Vivo 2020; 34:3093-3101. [PMID: 33144412 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres compose the end portions of human chromosomes, and their main function is to protect the genome. In hematological disorders, telomeres are shortened, predisposing to genetic instability that may cause DNA damage and chromosomal rearrangements, inducing a poor clinical outcome. Studies from 2010 to 2019 were compiled and experimental studies using samples of patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies that reported the size of the telomeres were described. Abnormal telomere shortening is described in cancer, but in hematological neoplasms, telomeres are still shortened even after telomerase reactivation. In this study, we compared the sizes of telomeres in leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome and lymphomas, identifying that the smallest telomeres are present in patients at relapse. In conclusion, the experimental and clinical data analyzed in this review demonstrate that excessive telomere shortening is present in major hematological malignancies and its analysis and measurement is a crucial step in determining patient prognosis, predicting disease risk and assisting in the decision for targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Maria Dias Nogueira
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Caio Bezerra Machado
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Raquel Carvalho Montenegro
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisabete Amaral DE Moraes
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Caroline Aquino Moreira-Nunes
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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Yuan X, Liu T, Xu D. Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in thyroid carcinomas: implications in precision oncology-a narrative review. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1244. [PMID: 33178776 PMCID: PMC7607115 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as a catalytic component. In normal human follicular thyroid cells or thyrocytes, telomerase is silent due to the TERT gene being tightly repressed. However, during the formation of thyroid carcinoma (TC), telomerase becomes activated via TERT induction. The TERT promoter’s gain-of-function mutation has recently been identified in TCs and many other malignancies. The mutation creates a de novo ETS-binding motif through which TERT transcription is de-repressed and telomerase is activated; through this, the mutant TERT promoter promotes the development of TC, contributes to disease aggressiveness and treatment resistance, and thereby leads to poor patient outcomes. From a clinical point of view, the strong association between the TERT promoter mutation and disease malignancy and aggressiveness holds great promise for its value in TC diagnostics, risk stratification, prognostication, treatment decision, and follow-up design. In the present review article, we summarize the recent findings of studies of TERT promoter mutations in TC and underscore the implications of TERT hyperactivity driven by genetic events in the pathogenesis and management of TC. Finally, the targeting of TERT promoter mutations and the disruption of telomere maintenance are considered as potential therapeutic strategies against TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden
| | - Tiantian Liu
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden.,Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
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Essentiality of CTNNB1 in Malignant Transformation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells under Long-Term Suboptimal Conditions. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:5823676. [PMID: 33029148 PMCID: PMC7532415 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5823676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) gradually accumulate abnormal karyotypes during long-term suboptimal culture, which hinder their application in regenerative medicine. Previous studies demonstrated that the activation of CTNNB1 might be implicated in this process. Hence, the hESC line with stably silenced CTNNB1 was established to further explore the role of CTNNB1 in the malignant transformation of hESCs. It was shown to play a vital role in the maintenance of the physiological properties of stem cells, such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and telomere regulation. Furthermore, the malignant transformation of hESCs was induced by continuous exposure to 0.001 μg/ml mitomycin C (MMC). The results showed that CTNNB1 and its target genes, including proto-oncogenes CCND1 and C-MYC, were aberrantly upregulated in hESCs after MMC treatment. Moreover, the high expression of CTNNB1 accelerated cell transition from G0/G1 phase to the S phase and stimulated the growth of cells containing breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycles. Conversely, CTNNB1 silencing inhibited these effects and triggered a survival crisis. The current data indicated that CTNNB1 is intimately associated with the physiological properties of stem cells; however, the aberrant expression of CTNNB1 is involved in the malignant transformation of hESCs, which might advance the process by facilitating telomere-related unstable cell proliferation. Thus, the aberrant CTNNB1 level might serve as a potential biomarker for detecting the malignant transformation of hESCs.
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Yuan X, Dai M, Xu D. TERT promoter mutations and GABP transcription factors in carcinogenesis: More foes than friends. Cancer Lett 2020; 493:1-9. [PMID: 32768523 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional de-repression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene and subsequent activation of telomerase is a prerequisite step in malignant transformation and progression. Recently, the gain-of-function mutation of the TERT promoter was identified in many types of human malignancies, and the mutated promoter acquires de novo ETS binding motifs through which the TERT transcription is activated. The ETS family transcription factors GABPA and GABPB1 have been shown to act as master drivers for the mutant TERT promoter activity. Indeed, GABPA or GABPB1 depletion leads to the down-regulation of TERT expression in the mutant TERT promoter-bearing cancer cells, and is thus proposed as targets for cancer therapy. Surprisingly, however, despite its key role in activating the mutant TERT promoter and telomerase, GABPA may itself function as a potent tumor suppressor in several malignancies. In this review, we address the collaboration between GABPA and mutant TERT promoter in cancer development, discuss selection trade-offs among different activities of GABPA in cancer evolution, and underscore the suppressive function of GABPA in cancer progression and implications in precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, PR China.
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China; Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, PR China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, PR China; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
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Cheng G, Dai M, Xin Q, Wang L, Kong F, Xu D. Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia show shorter leukocyte telomere length but no association with telomerase gene polymorphisms in Han Chinese males. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2020; 13:2123-2129. [PMID: 32922609 PMCID: PMC7476938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease, occurring in >70% of men of age >60. Because telomeres and telomerase play a key role in aging and age-related diseases, and certain telomerase gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are shown to be associated with the susceptibility to age-related diseases, we wanted to determine the relationship between BPH and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and telomere length-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the telomerase holoenzyme genes. METHODS Peripheral blood was collected from both BPH patients and age-matched healthy male controls and genomic DNA was extracted. rs2736100 and rs2736098 at the TERT and rs12696304 at the TERC locus were analysed using pre-designed TaqMan SNP genotyping assay kits. LTL was determined using qPCR. RESULTS Patients with BPH had significantly shorter LTL (1.231 ± 0.532 vs 0.899 ± 0.322, P < 0.001). The genotyping results show similar frequencies in rs2736100, rs2736098 and rs12696304 between healthy and BPH individuals. CONCLUSIONS Shorter telomeres but not telomerase SNPs at the TERT and TERC loci, are associated with BPH. Short telomeres may promote senescence of a fraction of prostatic epithelial cells, while senescent cells in turn facilitate epithelial and stromal cell proliferation by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype mechanism, thereby eventually leading to BPH development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinan 250033, PR China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinan 250033, PR China
| | - Qian Xin
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinan 250033, PR China
| | - Lina Wang
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinan 250033, PR China
| | - Feng Kong
- Engineering Laboratory of Urinary Organ and Functional Reconstruction of Shandong Province250013, PR China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Bioclinicum, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholm, SE-17176, Sweden
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Sun Q, Liu J, Cheng G, Dai M, Liu J, Qi Z, Zhao J, Li W, Kong F, Liu G, Björkholm M, Xu D. The telomerase gene polymorphisms, but not telomere length, increase susceptibility to primary glomerulonephritis/end stage renal diseases in females. J Transl Med 2020; 18:184. [PMID: 32366311 PMCID: PMC7199377 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary glomerulonephritis (GN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and frequently progresses into end stage renal diseases (ESRDs). Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been implicated in the CKD susceptibility and diminished kidney function, however, it is unclear whether the variants in telomerase genes contribute to risk to GN/CKD/ESRD. Here we address this issue by determining their association with the genetic variants of rs12696304 at the telomerase RNA component (TERC) and rs2736100 at the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) loci. Methods The study includes 769 patients (243 primary GN-derived CKD and 526 ESRD cases) and sex-/age-matched healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of both controls and patients. Genotyping of rs12696304 and rs2736100 variants was carried out using PCR-based assays. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was determined using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results A significantly higher frequency of TERC rs12696304 G allele was observed in patients and associated with increased disease risk (C vs G: OR = 1.334, 95% CI 1.112–1.586, P = 0.001; CC + GC vs GG: OR = 1.334, 95% CI 1.122–1.586, P = 0.001). Further analyses showed that such significant differences were only present between female controls and patients (C vs G: OR = 1.483, 95% CI 1.140–1.929, P = 0.003; CC + GC vs CC: OR = 1.692, 95% CI 1.202–2.383, P = 0.003), but not males. There were no differences in rs2736100 variants between controls and patients, but female ESRD patients carried significantly higher C allele frequencies than did female controls (A vs C: OR = 1.306, 95% CI 1.005–1.698, P = 0.046; AA vs CC: OR = 1.781, 95% CI 1.033–3.070, P = 0.037). There was no difference in LTL between controls and patients. Conclusions Our results reveal that the TERC rs12696304 and TERT rs2736100 polymorphisms, but not LTL per se, contribute to GN/CDK/ESRD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Sun
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Junli Liu
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxi Liu
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenqiang Qi
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjie Zhao
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Kong
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Nephrology Research Institute of Shandong University, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China.
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Dahlström J, Xia C, Xing X, Yuan X, Björkholm M, Xu D. JAK2 inhibition in JAK2 V617F-bearing leukemia cells enriches CD34 + leukemic stem cells that are abolished by the telomerase inhibitor GRN163L. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 527:425-431. [PMID: 32334833 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The activating-mutation of JAK2V617F drives the development of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Several JAK2 inhibitors such as ruxolitinib and gandotinib (LY2784544) currently in clinical trials and, provide improvements in MPNs including myelofibrosis. However, JAK2 inhibitors are non-curative and murine experiments show that JAK2 inhibitors don't eradicate MPN stem cells and it is currently unclear how they escape. We thus determined the effect of the specific JAK2V617F inhibitor LY2784544 on leukemic stem (CD34+) cells (LSCs) using the JAK2V617F-bearing erythroleukemia cell line HEL. The LY2784544 treatment caused a transient proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of HEL cells, but a recovery occurred within a week. Thereafter, the continuous LY2784544 exposure induced the accumulation of CD34+ LSCs, and the CD34+ cells increased from 2% to >90% by week 9, which was accompanied by increased clonogenic potentials. LY2784544 was capable of stimulating CD34 expression even in CD34- HEL cells, which indicated cellular de-differentiation. A significantly enhanced expression of the stem cell factor KLF4 was observed in LY2784544-treated HEL cells. Inhibiting KLF4 expression attenuated LY2784544-mediated accumulation of CD34+ LSCs. Moreover, the telomerase inhibitor GRN163L abolished the LY2784544-effect. JAK2 inhibitors thus cause enrichment of LSCs and are unlikely to cure MPN as a monotherapy. Simultaneously targeting JAK2V617F and KLF4 or telomerase may be a novel strategy for MPN therapy, which should be of significance both biologically and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Dahlström
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Chuanyou Xia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiangling Xing
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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Cheng G, Wang L, Dai M, Wei F, Xu D. Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length coupled with lower expression of Telomerase Genes in patients with Essential Hypertension. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:2180-2186. [PMID: 32922179 PMCID: PMC7484671 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.48456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The essential hypertension (EH) pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Many studies indicate that reduced leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is involved in the EH pathogenesis, however, the direct analysis of arterial telomere length (ATL) from EH patients and normotensive individuals did not show a difference. To address these discrepant observations between LTL and ATL, we performed comprehensive analyses of LTL, telomerase gene expression and their genetic variants in healthy normotensive controls and EH patients. Methods: Sex-matched 206 EH patients and equal numbers of healthy controls were recruited. LTL, and the expression of two key telomerase components, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and internal RNA template (TERC) were determined using qPCR. Genetic variants of rs2736100 at the TERT and rs12696304 at the TERC loci were determined using TaqMan genotyping kits. Results: LTL was significantly shorter in EH patients than in their normotensive controls (0.96 ± 0.52 vs 1.19 ± 0.58, P = 0.001). Moreover, TERT and TERC expression in patients' leukocytes were substantially lower compare to that in healthy controls (TERT, 0.98 ± 0.98 vs 1.76 ± 1.75, P = 0.003; TERC, 1.26 ± 1.62 vs 4.69 ± 3.61, P < 0.001). However, there were no differences in the genetic variants of rs2736100 and rs12696304 between patient and control groups. Conclusions: EH patients have significantly shorter LTL, which may result from defective TERT and TERC expression in leukocytes. Collectively, lower telomerase expression contributes to shorter LTL observed in EH patients, and telomerase activators may be considered for EH therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China
| | - Lina Wang
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China
| | - Fengtao Wei
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76 Solna, Sweden
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