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Liu S, Wang Y, Wang T, Shi K, Fan S, Li C, Chen R, Wang J, Jiang W, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Xu X, Yu Y, Li C, Li X. CircPCNXL2 promotes tumor growth and metastasis by interacting with STRAP to regulate ERK signaling in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:35. [PMID: 38365721 PMCID: PMC10873941 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01950-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to exert important effects in the progression of numerous cancers. However, the functions of circRNAs in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are still unclear. METHODS circPCNXL2 (has_circ_0016956) were identified in paired ICC by circRNA microarray. Then, we assessed the biological functions of circPCNXL2 by CCK8, EdU, clone formation, transwell, wound healing assays, and xenograft models. RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were applied to explore the interaction between cirrcPCNXL2 and serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP). RNA pull-down, RIP and luciferase reporter assays were used to investigate the sponge functions of circPCNXL2. In the end, we explore the effects of circPCNXL2 and trametinib (a MEK1/2 inhibitor) in vivo. RESULTS circPCNXL2 was upregulated in ICC tissues and cell lines, which promoted the proliferation and metastasis of ICC in vitro and in vivo. In terms of the mechanisms, circPCNXL2 could directly bind to STRAP and induce the interaction between STRAP and MEK1/2, resulting in the tumor promotion in ICC by activation of ERK/MAPK pathways. Besides, circPCNXL2 could regulate the expression of SRSF1 by sponging miR-766-3p and subsequently facilitated the growth of ICC. Finally, circPCNXL2 could partially inhibit the anti-tumor activity of trametinib in vivo. CONCLUSION circPCNXL2 played a crucial role in the progression of ICC by interacting with STRAP to activate the ERK signaling pathway, as well as by modulating the miR-766-3p/SRSF1 axis. These findings suggest that circPCNXL2 may be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuochen Liu
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yirui Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tianlin Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kuangheng Shi
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shilong Fan
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chang Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ruixiang Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jifei Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wangjie Jiang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yananlan Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Changxian Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Martini A, Prasai K, Zemla TJ, Ahmed FY, Elnagar MB, Giama NH, Guzzardo V, Biasiolo A, Fassan M, Yin J, Pontisso P, Roberts LR. SerpinB3/4 Expression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:225. [PMID: 38201652 PMCID: PMC10778206 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010225] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the second most common primary liver tumor, is associated with a dismal outcome, and useful prognostic markers are not currently available in clinical practice. SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor, was recently found to play a relevant role in malignant transformation in different cancers. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum samples of patients with CCA in relation to clinical outcomes. SerpinB3/4 was assessed in the tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 123 surgically resected CCAs. ELISA assays were carried out in 188 patients with CCA to detect the free and IgM-linked forms of SerpinB3/4. Overall survival was analyzed in relation to SerpinB3/4 expression, and Cox models were used to identify the variables associated with survival. High levels of SerpinB3/4 (TMA score 2+/3+) were detected in 15 tumors (12.2%), characterized by a more advanced TNM stage (III/IV: 64.3% vs. 31.3%; p = 0.031) and lower overall patient survival, independently of CCA subclass (intrahepatic CCA: median 1.1 (0.8-Not Estimable, NE) vs. 2.4 (1.8-3.4) years; p = 0.0007; extrahepatic CCA: median 0.8 (0.2-NE) vs. 2.2 (1.5-5.4) years; p = 0.011). Vascular invasion (p = 0.027) and SerpinB3/4 scores (p = 0.0016) were independently associated with mortality in multivariate analysis. Patients who had detectable free or IgM-linked SerpinB3/4 in their serum showed poorer survival (1 vs. 2.4 years, p = 0.015, for free SerpinB3/4, and 1 vs. 2.6 years, p = 0.0026, for SerpinB3/4-IgM). In conclusion, high levels of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum in CCA are associated with poor outcomes after surgery, regardless of tumor subclass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Martini
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Kritika Prasai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Tyler J. Zemla
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (T.J.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fowsiyo Y. Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Mamoun B. Elnagar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Nasra H. Giama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Vincenza Guzzardo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Alessandra Biasiolo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Jun Yin
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (T.J.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
- European Reference Network—ERN RARE-LIVER, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
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