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Zhao X, Chen K, Wang J, Qiu Y. Analysis of Prospective Genetic Indicators for Prenatal Exposure to Arsenic in Newborn Cord Blood of Using Machine Learning. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:2466-2473. [PMID: 37740142 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03863-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Using a machine learning methods, we aim to find biological effect biomarkers of prenatal arsenic exposure in newborn cord blood. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, two datasets (GSE48354 and GSE7967) pertaining to cord blood sequencing while exposed to arsenic were retrieved and merged for additional study. Using the "limma" package in the R, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were eliminated. Machine learning techniques of the LASSO regression algorithm and SVM-RFE algorithm were used to find potential biological effect biomarkers for cord blood sequencing in pregnant women exposed to arsenic. To evaluate the efficacy of biomarkers, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used. Furthermore, we investigated the proportion of invading immune cells in each sample using CIBERSORT, and we investigated the relationship between biomarkers and immune cells using the Spearman approach. Using LASSO regression and the SVM-RFE technique, 28 DEGs were discovered, and the main biomarkers of cord blood exposed to arsenic were discovered to be DENND2D, OLIG1, RGS18, CXCL16, DDIT4, FOS, G0S2, GPR183, JMJD6, and SOCS3. According to an immune infiltration analysis and correlation analysis, key biomarkers were substantially associated with the invading immune cells. Ten genes are important biomarkers of cord blood exposed to arsenic connected with infiltrating immune cells, and infiltrating immune cells may play important roles in cord blood exposed to arsenic, according to the study's findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Zhao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, 56 Xinjian Nan Road, Taiyuan, CN 030001, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, 56 Xinjian Nan Road, Taiyuan, CN 030001, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, 56 Xinjian Nan Road, Taiyuan, CN 030001, China
| | - Yulan Qiu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, 56 Xinjian Nan Road, Taiyuan, CN 030001, China.
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Liu Q, Yuan Y, Shang X, Xin L. Cyclin B2 impairs the p53 signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:25. [PMID: 38166895 PMCID: PMC10763327 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11768-4] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclin B2 (CCNB2), a member of the cyclin family, is an oncogene in multiple cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the epigenetics mechanism for CCNB2 overexpression in NPC remains unclear. This study dissects the regulatory role of CCNB2 in NPC and the molecular mechanism. METHODS Differentially methylated genes (DMG) and differentially expressed genes (DEG) were screened out in GSE52068 and GSE13597 databases, respectively, and candidate targets were identified by the Venn diagram. GO annotation and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on selected DMG and DEG, and a PPI network was constructed to pinpoint hub genes. PCR and qMSP were conducted to detect the expression and methylation of CCNB2 in cells. The siRNA targeting CCNB2 was transfected into NPC cells, and the migration, proliferation, cell cycle, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumorigenesis, and metastasis were examined. The upstream factor responsible for CCNB2 overexpression in NPC was explored. The p53 activity in NPC cells was assessed using western blot analysis. RESULTS CCNB2 showed hypomethylation and overexpression in NPC. CCNB2 silencing inhibited cell migration, proliferation, cell cycle entry, and EMT. JMJD6 was overexpressed in NPC and upregulated CCNB2 through demethylation. JMJD6 reversed the effects of CCNB2 downregulation, resulting in elevated cellular activity in vitro and tumorigenic and metastatic activities in vivo. CCNB2 blocked the p53 pathway, while the p53 pathway inhibitor reversed the effect of CCNB2 silencing to increase the activity of NPC cells. CONCLUSIONS JMJD6 enhanced CCNB2 transcription by demethylating CCNB2, thereby repressing the p53 pathway and promoting NPC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinsong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, NO. 1, Shibei District, Jiaozhou Road, 266011, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, NO. 1, Shibei District, Jiaozhou Road, 266011, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofen Shang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, NO. 1, Shibei District, Jiaozhou Road, 266011, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Lu Xin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, NO. 1, Shibei District, Jiaozhou Road, 266011, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China.
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Chang K, Gao D, Yan J, Lin L, Cui T, Lu S. Critical Roles of Protein Arginine Methylation in the Central Nervous System. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6060-6091. [PMID: 37415067 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03465-x] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
A remarkable post-transitional modification of both histones and non-histone proteins is arginine methylation. Methylation of arginine residues is crucial for a wide range of cellular process, including signal transduction, DNA repair, gene expression, mRNA splicing, and protein interaction. Arginine methylation is modulated by arginine methyltransferases and demethylases, like protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMTs) and Jumonji C (JmjC) domain containing (JMJD) proteins. Symmetric dimethylarginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine, metabolic products of the PRMTs and JMJD proteins, can be changed by abnormal expression of these proteins. Many pathologies including cancer, inflammation and immune responses have been closely linked to aberrant arginine methylation. Currently, the majority of the literature discusses the substrate specificity and function of arginine methylation in the pathogenesis and prognosis of cancers. Numerous investigations on the roles of arginine methylation in the central nervous system (CNS) have so far been conducted. In this review, we display the biochemistry of arginine methylation and provide an overview of the regulatory mechanism of arginine methyltransferases and demethylases. We also highlight physiological functions of arginine methylation in the CNS and the significance of arginine methylation in a variety of neurological diseases such as brain cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, we summarize PRMT inhibitors and molecular functions of arginine methylation. Finally, we pose important questions that require further research to comprehend the roles of arginine methylation in the CNS and discover more effective targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Chang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dan Gao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jidong Yan
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liyan Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingting Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shemin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Zhou S, Van Bortle K. The Pol III transcriptome: Basic features, recurrent patterns, and emerging roles in cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1782. [PMID: 36754845 PMCID: PMC10498592 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcriptome is universally comprised of short, highly structured noncoding RNA (ncRNA). Through RNA-protein interactions, the Pol III transcriptome actuates functional activities ranging from nuclear gene regulation (7SK), splicing (U6, U6atac), and RNA maturation and stability (RMRP, RPPH1, Y RNA), to cytoplasmic protein targeting (7SL) and translation (tRNA, 5S rRNA). In higher eukaryotes, the Pol III transcriptome has expanded to include additional, recently evolved ncRNA species that effectively broaden the footprint of Pol III transcription to additional cellular activities. Newly evolved ncRNAs function as riboregulators of autophagy (vault), immune signaling cascades (nc886), and translation (Alu, BC200, snaR). Notably, upregulation of Pol III transcription is frequently observed in cancer, and multiple ncRNA species are linked to both cancer progression and poor survival outcomes among cancer patients. In this review, we outline the basic features and functions of the Pol III transcriptome, and the evidence for dysregulation and dysfunction for each ncRNA in cancer. When taken together, recurrent patterns emerge, ranging from shared functional motifs that include molecular scaffolding and protein sequestration, overlapping protein interactions, and immunostimulatory activities, to the biogenesis of analogous small RNA fragments and noncanonical miRNAs, augmenting the function of the Pol III transcriptome and further broadening its role in cancer. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihang Zhou
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Kevin Van Bortle
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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Mohl DA, Lagies S, Zodel K, Zumkeller M, Peighambari A, Ganner A, Plattner DA, Neumann-Haefelin E, Adlesic M, Frew IJ, Kammerer B. Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Modified Nucleosides for Biomarker Discovery in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081102. [PMID: 37190010 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for ~75% of kidney cancers. The biallelic inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene (VHL) is the truncal driver mutation of most cases of ccRCC. Cancer cells are metabolically reprogrammed and excrete modified nucleosides in larger amounts due to their increased RNA turnover. Modified nucleosides occur in RNAs and cannot be recycled by salvage pathways. Their potential as biomarkers has been demonstrated for breast or pancreatic cancer. To assess their suitability as biomarkers in ccRCC, we used an established murine ccRCC model, harboring Vhl, Trp53 and Rb1 (VPR) knockouts. Cell culture media of this ccRCC model and primary murine proximal tubular epithelial cells (PECs) were investigated by HPLC coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry using multiple-reaction monitoring. VPR cell lines were significantly distinguishable from PEC cell lines and excreted higher amounts of modified nucleosides such as pseudouridine, 5-methylcytidine or 2'-O-methylcytidine. The method's reliability was confirmed in serum-starved VPR cells. RNA-sequencing revealed the upregulation of specific enzymes responsible for the formation of those modified nucleosides in the ccRCC model. These enzymes included Nsun2, Nsun5, Pus1, Pus7, Naf1 and Fbl. In this study, we identified potential biomarkers for ccRCC for validation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Mohl
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Lagies
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kyra Zodel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Zumkeller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Asin Peighambari
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Athina Ganner
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietmar A Plattner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elke Neumann-Haefelin
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mojca Adlesic
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ian J Frew
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Signalling Research Centre BIOSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Kammerer
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Signalling Research Centre BIOSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Wang N, Ma T, Yu B. Targeting epigenetic regulators to overcome drug resistance in cancers. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:69. [PMID: 36797239 PMCID: PMC9935618 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is mainly responsible for cancer recurrence and poor prognosis. Epigenetic regulation is a heritable change in gene expressions independent of nucleotide sequence changes. As the common epigenetic regulation mechanisms, DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation have been well studied. Increasing evidence has shown that aberrant epigenetic regulations contribute to tumor resistance. Therefore, targeting epigenetic regulators represents an effective strategy to reverse drug resistance. In this review, we mainly summarize the roles of epigenetic regulation in tumor resistance. In addition, as the essential factors for epigenetic modifications, histone demethylases mediate the histone or genomic DNA modifications. Herein, we comprehensively describe the functions of the histone demethylase family including the lysine-specific demethylase family, the Jumonji C-domain-containing demethylase family, and the histone arginine demethylase family, and fully discuss their regulatory mechanisms related to cancer drug resistance. In addition, therapeutic strategies, including small-molecule inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeting histone demethylases to overcome drug resistance, are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ting Ma
- Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Bin Yu
- Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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Liu S, Yang L, Fu J, Li T, Zhou B, Wang K, Wei C, Fu J. Comprehensive analysis, immune, and cordycepin regulation for SOX9 expression in pan-cancers and the matched healthy tissues. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1149986. [PMID: 37020558 PMCID: PMC10067558 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1149986] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) (OMIM 608160) is a transcription factor. The expression of SOX9 in pan-cancers and the regulation by small molecules in cancer cell lines are unclear. In the current study, we comprehensively analyzed the expression of SOX9 in normal tissues, tumor tissues and their matched healthy tissues in pan-cancers. The study examined the correlation between immunomodulators and immune cell infiltrations in normal and tumor tissues. Cordycepin (CD), an adenosine analog for SOX9 expression regulation, was also conducted on cancer cells. The results found that SOX9 protein is expressed in a variety of organs, including high expression in 13 organs and no expression in only two organs; in 44 tissues, there was high expression in 31 tissues, medium expression in four tissues, low expression in two tissues, and no expression in the other seven tissues. In pan-cancers with 33 cancer types, SOX9 expression was significantly increased in fifteen cancers, including CESC, COAD, ESCA, GBM, KIRP, LGG, LIHC, LUSC, OV, PAAD, READ, STAD, THYM, UCES, and UCS, but significantly decreased in only two cancers (SKCM and TGCT) compared with the matched healthy tissues. It suggests that SOX9 expression is upregulated in the most cancer types (15/33) as a proto-oncogene. The fact that the decrease of SOX9 expression in SKCM and the increase of SOX9 in the cell lines of melanoma inhibit tumorigenicity in both mouse and human ex vivo models demonstrates that SOX9 could also be a tumor suppressor. Further analyzing the prognostic values for SOX9 expression in cancer individuals revealed that OS is long in ACC and short in LGG, CESC, and THYM, suggesting that high SOX9 expression is positively correlated with the worst OS in LGG, CESC, and THYM, which could be used as a prognostic maker. In addition, CD inhibited both protein and mRNA expressions of SOX9 in a dose-dependent manner in 22RV1, PC3, and H1975 cells, indicating CD's anticancer roles likely via SOX9 inhibition. Moreover, SOX9 might play an important role in tumor genesis and development by participating in immune infiltration. Altogether, SOX9 could be a biomarker for diagnostics and prognostics for pan-cancers and an emerging target for the development of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuguang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lisha Yang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiewen Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Baixu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Chunli Wei
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Chen YL, Lowery AKT, Lin S, Walker AM, Chen KHE. Tumor cell-derived asymmetric dimethylarginine regulates macrophage functions and polarization. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:351. [PMID: 36376929 PMCID: PMC9664648 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02769-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which is significantly elevated in the plasma of cancer patients, is formed via intracellular recycling of methylated proteins and serves as a precursor for resynthesis of arginine. However, the cause of ADMA elevation in cancers and its impact on the regulation of tumor immunity is not known. METHODS Three mouse breast cell lines (normal breast epithelial HC11, breast cancer EMT6 and triple negative breast cancer 4T1) and their equivalent 3D stem cell culture were used to analyze the secretion of ADMA using ELISA and their responses to ADMA. Bone marrow-derived macrophages and/or RAW264.7 cells were used to determine the impact of increased extracellular ADMA on macrophage-tumor interactions. Gene/protein expression was analyzed through RNAseq, qPCR and flow cytometry. Protein functional analyses were conducted via fluorescent imaging (arginine uptake, tumor phagocytosis) and enzymatic assay (arginase activity). Cell viability was measured via MTS assay and/or direct cell counting using Countess III FL system. RESULTS For macrophages, ADMA impaired proliferation and phagocytosis of tumor cells, and even caused death in cultures incubated without arginine. ADMA also led to an unusual macrophage phenotype, with increased expression of arginase, cd163 and cd206 but decreased expression of il10 and dectin-1. In contrast to the severely negative impacts on macrophages, ADMA had relatively minor effects on proliferation and survival of mouse normal epithelial HC11 cells, mouse breast cancer EMT6 and 4T1 cells, but there was increased expression of the mesenchymal markers, vimentin and snail2, and decreased expression of the epithelial marker, mucin-1 in EMT6 cells. When tumor cells were co-cultured ex vivo with tumor antigen in vivo-primed splenocytes, the tumor cells secreted more ADMA and there were alterations in the tumor cell arginine metabolic landscape, including increased expression of genes involved in arginine uptake, metabolism and methylation, and decreased expression of a gene that is responsible for arginine demethylation. Additionally, interferon-gamma, a cytokine involved in immune challenge, increased secretion of ADMA in tumor cells, a process attenuated by an autophagy inhibitor. CONCLUSION Our results suggest initial immune attack promotes autophagy in tumor cells, which then secrete ADMA to manipulate macrophage polarization favoring tumor tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ling Chen
- Department of Electronic Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - AKaychia T Lowery
- Division of Mathematics and Sciences, Delta State University, 38733, Cleveland, MS, USA
| | - Samuel Lin
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 92521, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Ameae M Walker
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 92521, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kuan-Hui E Chen
- Division of Mathematics and Sciences, Delta State University, 38733, Cleveland, MS, USA.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 92521, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 79409, Lubbock, TX, USA.
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