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Hana C, Thaw Dar NN, Galo Venegas M, Vulfovich M. Claudins in Cancer: A Current and Future Therapeutic Target. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4634. [PMID: 38731853 PMCID: PMC11083183 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094634] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Claudins are a family of 27 proteins that have an important role in the formation of tight junctions. They also have an important function in ion exchange, cell mobility, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, the latter being very important in cancer invasion and metastasis. Therapeutic targeting of claudins has been investigated to improve cancer outcomes. Recent evidence shows improved outcomes when combining monoclonal antibodies against claudin 18.2 with chemotherapy for patients with gastroesophageal junction cancer. Currently, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells targeting claudin 18 are under investigation. In this review, we will discuss the major functions of claudins, their distribution in the normal as well as cancerous tissues, and their effect in cancer metastasis, with a special focus on the therapeutic targeting of claudins to improve cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Hana
- Hematology/Oncology Department, Memorial Healthcare System, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028, USA; (N.N.T.D.); (M.G.V.)
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Ma Y, Zhu W. Development of gene panel for predicting recurrence in early-stage cervical cancer patients. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38563455 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is a common malignancy affecting women worldwide. Our objective was to develop a consensus-based gene panel using multi-omics data that could effectively predict recurrence in early-stage cervical cancer patients. We utilized the "Multi-Omics Consensus Integration Analysis (MOVICS)" package for consensus clustering design to integrate multiple omics datasets and improve the molecular classification landscape of early-stage CC. We identified the "resting and naive" tumor microenvironment (TME) as cancer subtype (CS) 2. Leveraging the feature genes from the CS classifier, we employed machine learning algorithms to identify a gene panel, including ALDH1A1, CLDN10, MUC13, and C10orf99, which could generate a consensus machine learning-driven score (CMLS) for each patient. Stratifying patients into high and low CMLS groups resulted in Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrating a significant difference in recurrence rates between the two groups. This difference remained significant even after adjusting for clinical features in multivariate Cox regression analysis, with the risk ratio of CMLS surpassing that of clinical characteristics. Furthermore, the TME exhibited notable differences between the different CMLS groups, suggesting that patients with low CMLS may exhibit a better response to immunotherapy. This study highlights the potential of the CMLS approach in predicting recurrence in early-stage cervical cancer patients and provides a screening model for selecting patients suitable for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weipei Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Qi D, Lu Y, Qu H, Dong Y, Jin Q, Sun M, Li Y, Quan C. Independent prognostic value of CLDN6 in bladder cancer based on M2 macrophages related signature. iScience 2024; 27:109138. [PMID: 38380255 PMCID: PMC10877962 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109138] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
M2 macrophages are associated with the prognosis of bladder cancer. CLDN6 has been linked to immune infiltration and is crucial for predicting the prognosis in multi-tumor. The effect of CLDN6 on M2 macrophages in bladder cancer remains elusive. Here, we compared a total of 40 machine learning algorithms, then selected optimal algorithm to develop M2 macrophages-related signature (MMRS) based on the identified M2 macrophages related module. MMRS predicted the prognosis better than other models and associated to immunotherapy response. CLDN6, as an important variable in MMRS, was an independent factor for poor prognosis. We found that CLDN6 was highly expressed and affected immune infiltration, immunotherapy response, and M2 macrophages polarization. Meanwhile, CLDN6 promoted the growth of bladder cancer and enhanced the carcinogenic effect by inducing polarization of M2 macrophages. In total, CLDN6 is an independent risk factor in MMRS to predict the prognosis of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Qi
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yan Lu
- The Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Huinan Qu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yuan Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Qiu Jin
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Minghao Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yanru Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Chengshi Quan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun 130021, China
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Deng M, Tang F, Chang X, Liu P, Ji X, Hao M, Wang Y, Yang R, Ma Q, Zhang Y, Miao J. Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Disappointing or Promising? Mol Pharm 2024; 21:454-466. [PMID: 38232985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00986] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest malignancies, lacks effective treatment, despite advancements in surgical techniques and chemotherapy. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are imperative to improving treatment outcomes. Immunotherapy, which has demonstrated considerable success in managing various cancers, has already found its place in clinical practice. This review aims to provide an overview of ovarian tumor immunotherapy, including its basics, key strategies, and clinical research data supporting its potential. In particular, this discussion highlights promising strategies such as checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, and pericyte transfer, both individually and in combination. However, the advancement of new immunotherapies necessitates large controlled randomized trials, which will undoubtedly shape the future of ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Deng
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Fan Tang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Xiangyu Chang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Penglin Liu
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Xuechao Ji
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Menglin Hao
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Yixiao Wang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Ruiye Yang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Qingqing Ma
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
- Nanyuan Hospital of Fengtai District, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Yubo Zhang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Shandong 266011, China
| | - Jinwei Miao
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
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Chacón C, Mounieres C, Ampuero S, Urzúa U. Transcriptomic Analysis of the Aged Nulliparous Mouse Ovary Suggests a Stress State That Promotes Pro-Inflammatory Lipid Signaling and Epithelial Cell Enrichment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:513. [PMID: 38203684 PMCID: PMC10779227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010513] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) incidence and mortality peaks at post-menopause while OC risk is either reduced by parity or increased by nulliparity during fertile life. The long-term effect of nulliparity on ovarian gene expression is largely unknown. In this study, we describe a bioinformatic/data-mining analysis of 112 coding genes upregulated in the aged nulliparous (NP) mouse ovary compared to the aged multiparous one as reference. Canonical gene ontology and pathway analyses indicated a pro-oxidant, xenobiotic-like state accompanied by increased metabolism of inflammatory lipid mediators. Up-regulation of typical epithelial cell markers in the aged NP ovary was consistent with synchronized overexpression of Cldn3, Ezr, Krt7, Krt8 and Krt18 during the pre-neoplastic phase of mOSE cell cultures in a former transcriptome study. In addition, 61/112 genes were upregulated in knockout mice for Fshr and for three other tumor suppressor genes (Pten, Cdh1 and Smad3) known to regulate follicular homeostasis in the mammalian ovary. We conclude that the aged NP ovary displays a multifaceted stress state resulting from oxidative imbalance and pro-inflammatory lipid signaling. The enriched epithelial cell content might be linked to follicle depletion and is consistent with abundant clefts and cysts observed in aged human and mouse ovaries. It also suggests a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in the mOSE of the aged NP ovary. Our analysis suggests that in the long term, nulliparity worsens a variety of deleterious effects of aging and senescence thereby increasing susceptibility to cancer initiation in the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Chacón
- Laboratorio de Genómica Aplicada, Departamento de Oncología Básico Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (C.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Constanza Mounieres
- Laboratorio de Genómica Aplicada, Departamento de Oncología Básico Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (C.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Sandra Ampuero
- Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
| | - Ulises Urzúa
- Laboratorio de Genómica Aplicada, Departamento de Oncología Básico Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile; (C.C.); (C.M.)
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Tao D, Guan B, Li H, Zhou C. Expression patterns of claudins in cancer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21338. [PMID: 37954388 PMCID: PMC10637965 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21338] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Claudins are four-transmembrane proteins, which were found in tight junctions. They maintain cell barriers and regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. They are involved in maintaining cellular polarity and normal functions. Different claudins show different expression patterns. The expression level and localization of claudins are altered in various cancers. They promote or inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells through multiple signaling pathways. Therefore, claudins may serve as diagnostic markers, novel therapeutic targets, and prognostic risk factors. The important roles of claudins in cancer aroused our great interest. In the present review, we provide a summary of insights into expression patterns of claudins in cancer, which is more comprehensive and provides new ideas for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyu Tao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Bingxin Guan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Chengjun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
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Alghamdi RA, Al-Zahrani MH. Identification of key claudin genes associated with survival prognosis and diagnosis in colon cancer through integrated bioinformatic analysis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1221815. [PMID: 37799140 PMCID: PMC10550083 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1221815] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The claudin multigene family is associated with various aberrant physiological and cellular signaling pathways. However, the association of claudins with survival prognosis, signaling pathways, and diagnostic efficacy in colon cancer remains poorly understood. Methods: Through the effective utilization of various bioinformatics methods, including differential gene expression analysis, gene set enrichment analysis protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, survival analysis, single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), mutational variance analysis, and identifying receiver operating characteristic curve of claudins in The Cancer Genome Atlas colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). Results: We found that: CLDN2, CLDN1, CLDN14, CLDN16, CLDN18, CLDN9, CLDN12, and CLDN6 are elevated in COAD. In contrast, the CLDN8, CLDN23, CLDN5, CLDN11, CLDN7, and CLDN15 are downregulated in COAD. By analyzing the public datasets GSE15781 and GSE50760 from NCBI-GEO (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/), we have confirmed that CLDN1, CLDN2, and CLDN14 are significantly upregulated and CLDN8 and CLDN23 are significantly downregulated in normal colon, colon adenocarcinoma tumor, and liver metastasis of colon adenocarcinoma tissues from human samples. Various claudins are mutated and found to be associated with diagnostic efficacy in COAD. Conclusion: The claudin gene family is associated with prognosis, immune regulation, signaling pathway regulations, and diagnosis of COAD. These findings may provide new molecular insight into claudins in the treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana A. Alghamdi
- Department of Chemistry, Science and Arts College, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
- Regenerative Medicine Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam H. Al-Zahrani
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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McDermott MS, O'Brien NA, Hoffstrom B, Gong K, Lu M, Zhang J, Luo T, Liang M, Jia W, Hong JJ, Chau K, Davenport S, Xie B, Press MF, Panayiotou R, Handly-Santana A, Brugge JS, Presta L, Glaspy J, Slamon DJ. Preclinical Efficacy of the Antibody-Drug Conjugate CLDN6-23-ADC for the Treatment of CLDN6-Positive Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:2131-2143. [PMID: 36884217 PMCID: PMC10233360 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Claudin-6 (CLDN6) is expressed at elevated levels in multiple human cancers including ovarian and endometrial malignancies, with little or no detectable expression in normal adult tissue. This expression profile makes CLDN6 an ideal target for development of a potential therapeutic antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). This study describes the generation and preclinical characterization of CLDN6-23-ADC, an ADC consisting of a humanized anti-CLDN6 monoclonal antibody coupled to monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) via a cleavable linker. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A fully humanized anti-CLDN6 antibody was conjugated to MMAE resulting in the potential therapeutic ADC, CLDN6-23-ADC. The antitumor efficacy of CLDN6-23-ADC was assessed for antitumor efficacy in CLDN6-positive (CLDN6+) and -negative (CLDN6-) xenografts and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of human cancers. RESULTS CLDN6-23-ADC selectively binds to CLDN6, versus other CLDN family members, inhibits the proliferation of CLDN6+ cancer cells in vitro, and is rapidly internalized in CLDN6+ cells. Robust tumor regressions were observed in multiple CLDN6+ xenograft models and tumor inhibition led to markedly enhanced survival of CLDN6+ PDX tumors following treatment with CLDN6-23-ADC. IHC assessment of cancer tissue microarrays demonstrate elevated levels of CLDN6 in 29% of ovarian epithelial carcinomas. Approximately 45% of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas and 11% of endometrial carcinomas are positive for the target. CONCLUSIONS We report the development of a novel ADC, CLDN6-23-ADC, that selectively targets CLDN6, a potential onco-fetal-antigen which is highly expressed in ovarian and endometrial cancers. CLDN6-23-ADC exhibits robust tumor regressions in mouse models of human ovarian and endometrial cancers and is currently undergoing phase I study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina S.J. McDermott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Neil A. O'Brien
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Benjamin Hoffstrom
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - KeWei Gong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ming Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tong Luo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Min Liang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Weiping Jia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jenny J. Hong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kevin Chau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Simon Davenport
- Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bin Xie
- Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael F. Press
- Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Richard Panayiotou
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abram Handly-Santana
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joan S. Brugge
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Leonard Presta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - John Glaspy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dennis J. Slamon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Kim YJ, Cho YS. Genetic association study identifies genetic variants for non-alcoholic fatty liver without comorbidities in the Korean population. Genes Genomics 2023:10.1007/s13258-023-01391-9. [PMID: 37133724 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-023-01391-9] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) refers to a disease in which fat builds up in the liver, similar to what occurs for those who drink a lot of alcohol, even in cases of not drinking alcohol at all or only in a small amount. Along with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), NAFL is a type of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Currently, the prevalence of NAFLD is increasing worldwide. A wide range of comorbidities that can increase the risk of NAFLD includes obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to discover genetic variants for NAFL in the Korean population. METHODS Differing from previous studies, we conducted a genome-wide association study for NAFL in the selected subjects without comorbidities to rule out bias due to the inclusion of confounding effects of comorbidities. We grouped 424 NAFL cases and 5,402 controls from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) subjects without comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. All subjects including cases and controls did not consume alcohol at all, or consumed less than 20 g/day for men and less than 10 g/day for women. RESULTS The logistic association analysis adjusting for sex, age, BMI, and waist circumference identified one novel genome-wide significant variant (rs7996045, P = 2.3 × 10-8) for NAFL. This variant was located in the intron of CLDN10 and was not detected using previous conventional approaches in which confounding effects resulting from comorbidities were not considered in the study design stage. In addition, we detected several genetic variants showing suggestive association for NAFL (P < 10-5). CONCLUSION The unique strategy in our association analysis of excluding major confounding factors provides, for the first time, an insight into the genuine genetic basis influencing NAFL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Jun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Shin Cho
- Department of Biomedical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, 24252, Republic of Korea.
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Qu H, Jin Q, Quan C. CLDN6: From Traditional Barrier Function to Emerging Roles in Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413416. [PMID: 34948213 PMCID: PMC8705207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Claudins (CLDNs) are the most important tight junction proteins, which are mainly expressed in endothelial cells or epithelial cells in a tissue-specific manner. As a member of the CLDNs family, CLDN6 is highly expressed in fetal tissues such as the stomach, pancreas, lung, and kidney, but is not expressed in corresponding adult tissues. The expression of CLDN6 is regulated by a variety of factors, including but not limited to stimuli and transcription factors, DNA methylation, and post-translational modifications. CLDN6 has been found to have a key role in the formation of barriers, especially the lung epithelial barrier and the epidermal permeability barrier (EPB). Importantly, the roles of CLDN6 in cancers have gained focus and are being investigated in recent years. Strong evidence indicates that the altered expression of CLDN6 is linked to the development of various cancers. Malignant phenotypes of tumors affected by CLDN6 include proliferation and apoptosis, migration and invasion, and drug resistance, which are regulated by CLDN6-mediated key signaling pathways. Given the important role in tumors and its low or no expression in normal tissues, CLDN6 is an ideal target for tumor therapy. This review aims to provide an overview of the structure and regulation of CLDN6, and its traditional barrier function, with a special emphasis on its emerging roles in cancers, including its impact on the malignant phenotypes, signal-modulating effects, the prognosis of tumor patients, and clinical applications in cancers.
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