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Huang L, Wei Y, Ni M, Hu H, Xi L, Wang C, Zhu Z, Yang B, Zhao H. Novel Withanolides from Tubocapsicum anomalum Suppress Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Triggering Apoptosis and p53-ASCT2-SLC7A11-Mediated Ferroptosis. Molecules 2024; 29:1838. [PMID: 38675657 PMCID: PMC11052464 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081838] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a malignant breast cancer. There is an urgent need for effective drugs to be developed for TNBC. Tubocapsicum anomalum (T. anomalum) has been reported to have an anti-tumor effect, and six novel withanolides were isolated from it and designated as TAMEWs. However, its anti-TNBC effect is still unknown. The results of an MTT assay indicated a higher sensitivity of TNBC cells to TAMEWs compared to other cells. TAMEWs induced apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction. They caused increased levels of lipid ROS and Fe2+, with downregulation of GSH and cystine uptake, and it has been confirmed that TAMEWs induced ferroptosis. Additionally, the results of Western blotting indicate that TAMEWs significantly decrease the expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins. Through further investigation, it was found that the knockdown of the p53 gene resulted in a significant reversal of ferroptosis and the expressions of its associated proteins SLC7A11, ASCT2, and GPX4. In vivo, TAMEWs suppressed TNBC growth with no obvious damage. The IHC results also showed that TAMEWs induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in vivo. Our findings provide the first evidence that TAMEWs suppress TNBC growth through apoptosis and ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Yingying Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Maowei Ni
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Hongtao Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Luyi Xi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Chen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Zhihui Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Bo Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
| | - Huajun Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Gaoke Rd., Hangzhou 311402, China; (L.H.)
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Binwen Rd., Hangzhou 310053, China
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Shao L, Yang M, Sun T, Xia H, Du D, Li X, Jie Z. Role of solute carrier transporters in regulating dendritic cell maturation and function. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350385. [PMID: 38073515 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350385] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells that initiate and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Solute carrier (SLC) transporters mediate diverse physiological functions and maintain cellular metabolite homeostasis. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of SLCs in immune processes. Notably, upon activation, immune cells undergo rapid and robust metabolic reprogramming, largely dependent on SLCs to modulate diverse immunological responses. In this review, we explore the central roles of SLC proteins and their transported substrates in shaping DC functions. We provide a comprehensive overview of recent studies on amino acid transporters, metal ion transporters, and glucose transporters, emphasizing their essential contributions to DC homeostasis under varying pathological conditions. Finally, we propose potential strategies for targeting SLCs in DCs to bolster immunotherapy for a spectrum of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengxin Yang
- School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haotang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Dan Du
- Department of Stomatology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xun Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zuliang Jie
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Arimura K, Hiroshima K, Nagashima Y, Nakazawa T, Ogihara A, Orimo M, Sato Y, Katsura H, Kanzaki M, Kondo M, Tagaya E. LAG3 is an independent prognostic biomarker and potential target for immune checkpoint inhibitors in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a retrospective study. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1206. [PMID: 38062416 PMCID: PMC10704683 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11636-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3) is an immune checkpoint receptor; novel LAG3 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit therapeutic activity in melanoma. The role of LAG3and ICIs of LAG3 are unknown in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This study aimed to uncover the prognostic landscape of LAG3 in multiple cancers and investigate the potential of using LAG3 as an ICIs target in patients with MPM. METHODS We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort for assessing mRNA expression and our cohort for immunohistochemical expression. TCGA cohort were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare mRNA expression between normal and tumor tissues in multiple cancers. We used 86 MPM cases from TCGA and 38 MPM cases from our cohort to analyze the expression of LAG3 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The mean LAG3 mRNA expression was set as the cut-off and samples were classified as positive/negative for immunohistochemical expression. Overall survival (OS) of patients with MPM was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method based on LAG3 mRNA and immunohistochemical expression. OS analysis was performed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. The correlation of LAG3 expression and mRNA expression of tumor immune infiltration cells (TIICs) gene markers were estimated using Spearman correlation. To identify factors affecting the correlation of LAG3 mRNA expression, a multivariate linear regression model was performed. RESULTS LAG3 mRNA was associated with prognosis in multiple cancers. Elevated LAG3 mRNA expression was correlated with a better prognosis in MPM. LAG3 expression was detected immunohistochemically in the membrane of infiltrating lymphocytes in MPM. LAG3 immunohistochemical expression was correlated with a better prognosis in MPM. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that elevated LAG3 immunohistochemical expression indicated a better prognosis. In addition, LAG3 mRNA expression was correlated with the expression of various gene markers of TIICs, the most relevant to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) with the multivariate linear regression model in MPM. CONCLUSIONS LAG3 expression was correlated with prognosis in multiple cancers, particularly MPM; LAG3 is an independent prognostic biomarker of MPM. LAG3 regulates cancer immunity and is a potential target for ICIs therapy. PD-1 and LAG3 inhibitors may contribute to a better prognosis in MPM. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered with UMIN000049240 (registration day: August 19, 2022) and approved by the Institutional Review Board (approval date: August 22, 2022; approval number: 2022-0048) at Tokyo Women's Medical University.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Arimura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kenzo Hiroshima
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagashima
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadao Nakazawa
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akira Ogihara
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Orimo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuto Sato
- Graduate School of Public Health, Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hideki Katsura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masato Kanzaki
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuko Kondo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Tagaya
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Ye Y, Yu B, Wang H, Yi F. Glutamine metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1242059. [PMID: 37635935 PMCID: PMC10452011 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1242059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal disease with limited management strategies and poor prognosis. Metabolism alternations have been frequently unveiled in HCC, including glutamine metabolic reprogramming. The components of glutamine metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutaminase, metabolites, and metabolite transporters, are validated to be potential biomarkers of HCC. Increased glutamine consumption is confirmed in HCC, which fuels proliferation by elevated glutamate dehydrogenase or upstream signals. Glutamine metabolism also serves as a nitrogen source for amino acid or nucleotide anabolism. In addition, more glutamine converts to glutathione as an antioxidant in HCC to protect HCC cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, glutamine metabolic reprogramming activates the mTORC signaling pathway to support tumor cell proliferation. Glutamine metabolism targeting therapy includes glutamine deprivation, related enzyme inhibitors, and transporters inhibitors. Together, glutamine metabolic reprogramming plays a pivotal role in HCC identification, proliferation, and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Ye
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bodong Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Fengming Yi
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
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Fan H, Zhang S, Yuan Y, Chen S, Li W, Wang Z, Xiang Y, Li J, Ma X, Liu Y. Glutamine metabolism-related genes predict prognosis and reshape tumor microenvironment immune characteristics in diffuse gliomas. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1104738. [PMID: 36970537 PMCID: PMC10036600 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1104738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDiffuse gliomas possess a kind of malignant brain tumor with high mortality. Glutamine represents the most abundant and versatile amino acid in the body. Glutamine not only plays an important role in cell metabolism but also involves in cell survival and malignancies progression. Recent studies indicate that glutamine could also affect the metabolism of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME).Materials and methodsThe transcriptome data and clinicopathological information of patients with glioma were acquired from TCGA, CGGA, and West China Hospital (WCH). The glutamine metabolism-related genes (GMRGs) were retrieved from the Molecular Signature Database. Consensus clustering analysis was used to discover expression patterns of GMRGs, and glutamine metabolism risk scores (GMRSs) were established to model tumor aggressiveness-related GMRG expression signature. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORTx were applied to depict the TME immune landscape. The tumor immunological phenotype analysis and TIDE were utilized for predicting the therapeutic response of immunotherapy.ResultsA total of 106 GMRGs were retrieved. Two distinct clusters were established by consensus clustering analysis, which showed a close association with the IDH mutational status of gliomas. In both IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype gliomas, cluster 2 had significantly shorter overall survival compared with cluster 1, and the differentially expressed genes between the two clusters enriched in pathways related to malignant transformation as well as immunity. In silico TME analysis of the two IDH subtypes revealed not only significantly different immune cell infiltrations and immune phenotypes between the GMRG expression clusters but also different predicted responses to immunotherapy. After the screening, a total of 10 GMRGs were selected to build the GMRS. Survival analysis demonstrated the independent prognostic role of GMRS. Prognostic nomograms were established to predict 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in the four cohorts.ConclusionDifferent subtypes of glutamine metabolism could affect the aggressiveness and TME immune features of diffuse glioma, despite their IDH mutational status. The expression signature of GMRGs could not only predict the outcome of patients with glioma but also be combined into an accurate prognostic nomogram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Fan
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuxin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunbo Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siliang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yufan Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junhong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaohong Ma
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Yanhui Liu
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Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolic Reprogramming as a Potential Approach for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054954. [PMID: 36902385 PMCID: PMC10003438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal energy metabolism is a characteristic of tumor cells, and mitochondria are important components of tumor metabolic reprogramming. Mitochondria have gradually received the attention of scientists due to their important functions, such as providing chemical energy, producing substrates for tumor anabolism, controlling REDOX and calcium homeostasis, participating in the regulation of transcription, and controlling cell death. Based on the concept of reprogramming mitochondrial metabolism, a range of drugs have been developed to target the mitochondria. In this review, we discuss the current progress in mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming and summarized the corresponding treatment options. Finally, we propose mitochondrial inner membrane transporters as new and feasible therapeutic targets.
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Integrated analysis of ferroptosis-related gene signature for overall survival prediction in Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:721-730. [PMID: 36319928 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancers in Asia. Accumulating evidence suggests that ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of cell death, and has played an important role in cancer biology. METHODS Based on the manually curated ferroptosis-related gene set and TCGA-LIHC dataset of Asian patients, we used DESeq2, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and univariate Cox regression to identify differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes with significantly prognostic capacity. A risk signature was constructed based on the selected genes for predicting the survival of HCC patients in Asia. The survival prediction accuracy was confirmed by the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was used to explore the functional associations of the signature. Ferroptosis potential index (FPI) and xCell algorithm was applied to quantify ferroptosis and immune cell infiltration, respectively. Two independent datasets from the GEO and the ICGC database were used for external validation. RESULTS The ferroptosis-related signature could accurately predict the survival outcomes of HCC patients in Asian (p value < 0.0001). We showed that the signature was an independent factor and was beneficial in elevating risk stratification of current clinicopathologic features, such as the amount of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and residual tumor classification. Functional characterization showed that critical processes in tumorigenesis belonged to the high-risk groups, for example inflammatory response, which may be the main driver of HCC. The high-risk group had higher FPIs and infiltrations of macrophages and T-helper cells than the low-risk group. Furthermore, two independent cohorts confirmed the prognostic value of our signature. CONCLUSION Overall, our results demonstrated potential application of ferroptosis-related genes as independent biomarkers in Asian HCC patients. Targeting ferroptosis may be clinically useful beyond known clinicopathological factors and provide benefit in immunotherapy.
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Ferroptosis-Related Gene SLC1A5 Is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker and Correlates with Immune Microenvironment in HBV-Related HCC. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051715. [PMID: 36902506 PMCID: PMC10003624 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051715] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide with limited treatment satisfaction. Finding new therapeutic targets has remained a major challenge. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death program that plays a regulatory role in HBV infection and HCC development. It is necessary to classify the roles of ferroptosis or ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in HBV-related HCC progression. (2) Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study from the TCGA database, retrospectively collecting demographic data and common clinical indicators from all subjects. The Kaplan-Meier curve, univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis of the FRGs were used to explore the risk factors for HBV-related HCC. The CIBERSORT algorithm and TIDE algorithm were executed to evaluate the functions of FRGs in the tumor-immune environment. (3) Results: A total of 145 HBV-positive HCC patients and 266 HBV-negative HCC patients were enrolled in our study. Four ferroptosis related genes (FANCD2, CS, CISD1 and SLC1A5) were positively correlated with the progression of HBV-related HCC. Among them, SLC1A5 was an independent risk factor for HBV-related HCC, and correlated with poor prognosis, advanced progression and an immunosuppression microenvironment. (4) Conclusions: Here, we revealed that a ferroptosis-related gene, SLC1A5, may be an excellent predictor of HBV-related HCC and may provide insight into the development of innovative possible therapeutic techniques.
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Cao J, Tu DY, Zhou J, Jiang GQ, Jin SJ, Su BB, Tang H, Tang YH, Wang AQ, Wang Q, Liu RJ, Zhang C, Bai DS. Comprehensive analysis of the clinical significance, immune infiltration, and biological role of MARCH ligases in HCC. Front Immunol 2022; 13:997265. [PMID: 36263042 PMCID: PMC9573977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.997265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane‐associated RING‐CH (MARCH) family, a member of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, has been confirmed by a growing number of studies to be associated with immune function and has been highlighted as a potential immunotherapy target. In our research, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were divided into C1 and C2 MARCH ligase-related patterns by the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. Multiple analyses revealed that the MARCH ligase-related cluster was related to prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Next, the signature (risk score) of the MARCH prognosis was constructed, including eight genes associated with the MARCH ligase (CYP2C9, G6PD, SLC1A5, SPP1, ANXA10, CDC20, PON1, and FTCD). The risk score showed accuracy and stability. We found that the correlations between risk score and TIME, tumor mutation burden (TMB), prognosis, and clinicopathological characteristics were significant. Additionally, the risk score also had important guiding significance for HCC treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chi Zhang
- *Correspondence: Dou-sheng Bai, ; Chi Zhang,
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Zhang B, Zhao J, Liu B, Shang Y, Chen F, Zhang S, He J, Fan Y, Tan K. Development and Validation of a Novel Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Prognosis and Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:940575. [PMID: 35847985 PMCID: PMC9280137 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.940575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer that is sensitive to ferroptosis, and immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for HCC patients. However, the prognostic potential of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and the effect of ferroptosis on the tumor immune microenvironment in HCC remain largely obscure. Here, we analyzed the expression pattern of FRGs using the TCGA, ICGC and GEO databases. The expression of most FRGs was upregulated in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. Three independent clusters were determined by consensus clustering analysis based on FRG expression in HCC. Cluster 3 exhibited higher expression, unfavorable prognosis, and higher histological tumor stage and grade than clusters 1 and 2. CIBERSORT analysis indicated different infiltrating levels of various immune cells among the three clusters. Moreover, most immune checkpoint genes were highly expressed in cluster 3. Univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses were performed to develop a five FRG-based prognostic risk model using the TCGA and ICGC datasets. Kaplan–Meier analysis and ROC curves were performed to verify the prognostic potential of the risk model. A nomogram containing independent prognostic factors was further developed. Compared with low-risk patients, high-risk HCC patients exhibited worse overall survival (OS). In addition, this risk model was significantly correlated with the infiltrating levels of six major types of immune cells in HCC. Finally, the relationships between the five FRGs and drug sensitivity were investigated. The present study suggests that the five FRGs could elucidate the molecular mechanisms of HCC and lead to a new direction for the improvement of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jilong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanan Shang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Sidi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiayao He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Handan Central Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yumei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Yumei Fan, ; Ke Tan,
| | - Ke Tan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Yumei Fan, ; Ke Tan,
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Ke S, Wang C, Su Z, Lin S, Wu G. Integrated Analysis Reveals Critical Ferroptosis Regulators and FTL Contribute to Cancer Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:897683. [PMID: 35651950 PMCID: PMC9149379 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.897683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The carcinogenesis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involve complex molecular mechanisms, and ferroptosis is related to the development and therapeutic efficacy of HCC, but the specific mechanism and prognostic role of ferroptosis-related genes in HCC have not been elucidated. Methods: Differentially expressed gene analysis, Cox regression, and unsupervised consensus clustering were applied to identify crucial ferroptosis regulators and establish ferroptosis-related subtypes in HCC. Random forest analysis and survival analysis were adopted to confirm FTL as the hub prognostic and diagnostic ferroptosis regulator in HCC. Results: The ferroptosis-related subtypes based on the crucial prognostic ferroptosis regulators showed that patients in fescluster A had a higher survival probability (p < 0.001) and better clinical characteristics than patients in fescluster B in the TCGA-LIHC cohort. Patients with a high tumor mutation burden (TMB) in fescluster B presented a significantly poorer prognosis. FTL was the core ferroptosis regulator, and its low expression revealed a significant survival advantage compared with its high expression (p = 0.03). The expression and predictive value of FTL were both closely related to the clinical features (p < 0.05). Expression of FTL accurately distinguished HCC from normal tissues in the TCGA-LIHC cohort, ICGC cohort, and GSE14520 dataset. In addition, higher infiltrating fractions of immune cells, such as activated CD8+ T cells and Gamma delta T cells, mainly enriched immune-related signaling pathways, including the IL2-STAT3 signaling pathway and interferon-gamma response signaling pathway, and higher expression of immune checkpoints, including PDCD1, CTLA4, TIGIT, and CD83, were presented in patients with high FTL expression (p < 0.05). Patients with high FTL were more sensitive to some targeted drugs, such as cisplatin, dasatinib, and sorafenib, than those with low FTL (p < 0.05). A nomogram based on FTL accurately predicted the prognosis of HCC. Further knockdown of FTL was determined to significantly inhibit cell proliferation and migration in HCC. Conclusion: Our study validated ferroptosis-related subtypes and FTL with effective prognostic value in HCC and was beneficial for identifying candidates suitable for targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy, thereby offering further insight into individual treatment strategies to improve disease outcomes in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoying Ke
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Congren Wang
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Zijian Su
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Shaoze Lin
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Gongle Wu
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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Wu B, Chen Y, Chen Y, Xie X, Liang H, Peng F, Che W. Circ_0001273 downregulation inhibits the growth, migration and glutamine metabolism of esophageal cancer cells via targeting the miR-622/SLC1A5 signaling axis. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:1795-1805. [PMID: 35567340 PMCID: PMC9200876 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is a relatively rare cancer. However, its death rate is not to be taken lightly. Accumulating evidence indicates circular RNA (circRNA) is implicated in cancer development. The objective of this study was to unveil the role of circ_0001273 in esophageal cancer (EC). METHODS For expression analysis of circ_0001273, miR-622 and solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot were conducted. Cell proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis and cell migration were investigated using flow cytometry assay and wound healing assay. Glutamine metabolism was assessed by glutamine consumption and glutamate production using matched kits. The predicted binding relationship between miR-622 and circ_0001273 or SLC1A5 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. An in vivo xenograft model was established to determine the role of circ_0001273 on tumor growth. RESULTS Circ_0001273 was upregulated in EC tumor tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ_0001273 repressed EC cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and glutamine metabolism. Circ_0001273 knockdown also blocked tumor development in animal models. MiR-622 was targeted by circ_0001273, and its inhibition reversed the functional effects of circ_0001273 knockdown. SLC1A5 was a target gene of miR-622, and circ_0001273 targeted miR-622 to positively regulate SLC1A5 expression. The inhibitory effects of miR-622 enrichment on EC cell proliferation, migration, EMT and glutamine metabolism were recovered by SLC1A5 overexpression. CONCLUSION Circ_0001273 high expression contributed to EC progression via modulating the miR-622/SLC1A5 signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomeng Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xihao Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hanping Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fengyuan Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weibi Che
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
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Dong J, Zhao H, Wang F, Jin J, Ji H, Yan X, Wang N, Zhang J, Hu S. Ferroptosis-Related Gene Contributes to Immunity, Stemness and Predicts Prognosis in Glioblastoma Multiforme. Front Neurol 2022; 13:829926. [PMID: 35359663 PMCID: PMC8960280 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.829926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a recently discovered regulated programmed cell death, is associated with tumorigenesis and progression in glioblastoma. Based on widely recognized ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs), the regulation of ferroptosis patterns and corresponding characteristics of immune infiltration of 516 GBM samples with GSE13041, TCGA-GBM, and CGGA-325 were comprehensively analyzed. Here, we revealed the expression, mutations, and CNV of FRGs in GBM. We identified three distinct regulation patterns of ferroptosis and found the hub genes of immunity and stemness among DEGs in three patterns. A prognostic model was constructed based on five FRGs and verified at the mRNA and protein level. The risk score can not only predict the prognosis but also the degree of immune infiltration and ICB responsiveness by functional annotation. The overall assessment of FRGs in GBM patients will guide the direction of improved research and develop new prognostic prediction tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongtao Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hang Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiuwei Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaoshan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shaoshan Hu
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Zhong X, Yao L, Xu L, Ma Q, Huang G, Yang M, Gao C, Cheng J, Zhou X, Li Q, Guo X. Comprehensive Analysis of Potential Correlation Between Solute Carrier 1A (SLC1A) Family and Lung Adenocarcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:2101-2117. [PMID: 35241927 PMCID: PMC8886152 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s350986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common dangerous malignant tumor and the leading cause of global cancer incidence and mortality. The Solute Carrier 1A (SLC1A) family play a significant part in cellular biological process, inflammation, and immunity. Specific functions of the SLC1A family in lung cancer are still not systematically described. Objective This study aimed to explore the best biological understanding of SLC1A family in lung cancer. Methods To study the expression and role of the SLC1A family in lung cancer, researchers used a variety of bioinformatics databases and tools. Results Aberrant expression of SLC1A family genes were demonstrated and analyzed the association with gender, tumor grade, cancer stages, and nodal metastasis status. The ectopic expression of SLC1A family genes has prognostic value for LUAD patients. Immune infiltration revealed a significant correlation between SLC1A family genes expression in LUAD. SLC1A family genes were involved in manifold biological processes and have different levels of DNA methylation and genetic alteration. Conclusions These findings suggested that members of the SLC1A family could be a potential target for the development of LUAD therapeutics as well as a reliable indicator of LUAD prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowu Zhong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lihua Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Xu
- Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangcheng Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Miyuan Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuanli Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jibing Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qinrong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolan Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Translational Medicine Research Center, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xiaolan Guo, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-817-2282059, Fax +86-817-2282059, Email
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Scarpelli ML, Healey DR, Mehta S, Quarles CC. Imaging Glioblastoma With 18F-Fluciclovine Amino Acid Positron Emission Tomography. Front Oncol 2022; 12:829050. [PMID: 35174096 PMCID: PMC8841434 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.829050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionConventional methods of imaging brain tumors fail to assess metabolically active tumor regions, which limits their capabilities for tumor detection, localization, and response assessment. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluciclovine (fluciclovine) provides regional assessment of amino acid uptake in tumors that could overcome some of the limitations of conventional imaging. However, the biological basis of enhanced fluciclovine uptake is insufficiently characterized in brain tumors, which confounds clinical interpretation and application. This study sought to address this gap by correlating multiple biologic quantities with fluciclovine PET uptake across a range of human glioblastoma xenograft models.MethodsThirty-one rats underwent orthotopic implantations with one of five different human glioblastoma cell lines. After tumors were established, fluciclovine PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed. The fluciclovine tumor-to-normal-brain (TN) uptake ratio was used to quantify fluciclovine uptake. MRI scans were used to assess tumor volume and gadolinium enhancement status. Histologic assessments quantified tumor cell proliferation, tumor cell density, and tumor cell amino acid transporters (LAT1 and ASCT2). Multivariate linear regression models related fluciclovine uptake with the other measured quantities.ResultsWithin the multivariate regression, the fluciclovine TN uptake ratio (measured 15 to 35 minutes after fluciclovine injection) was most strongly associated with tumor ASCT2 levels (β=0.64; P=0.001). The fluciclovine TN uptake ratio was also significantly associated with tumor volume (β=0.45; P=0.001) and tumor enhancement status (β=0.40; P=0.01). Tumor cell proliferation, tumor cell density, and LAT1 levels were not significantly associated with fluciclovine uptake in any of the multivariate models. In general, both enhancing and non-enhancing tumors could be visualized on fluciclovine PET images, with the median TN uptake ratio across the five tumor lines being 2.4 (range 1.1 to 8.9).ConclusionsIncreased fluciclovine PET uptake was associated with increased levels of the amino acid transporter ASCT2, suggesting fluciclovine PET may be useful for assessing brain tumor amino acid metabolism. Fluciclovine PET uptake was elevated in both enhancing and non-enhancing tumors but the degree of uptake was greater in larger tumors and tumors with enhancement, indicating these variables could confound fluciclovine metabolic measurements if not accounted for.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debbie R. Healey
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Shwetal Mehta
- Ivy Brain Tumor Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - C. Chad Quarles
- Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: C. Chad Quarles,
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Glutamine-Derived Aspartate Biosynthesis in Cancer Cells: Role of Mitochondrial Transporters and New Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14010245. [PMID: 35008407 PMCID: PMC8750728 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, aspartate has been increasingly acknowledged as a critical player in the metabolism of cancer cells which use this metabolite for nucleotide and protein synthesis and for redox homeostasis. Most intracellular aspartate derives from the mitochondrial catabolism of glutamine. To date at least four mitochondrial transporters have been involved in this metabolic pathway. Their involvement appears to be cancer type-specific and dependent on glutamine availability. Targeting these mitochondrial transporters may represent a new attractive strategy to fight cancer. The aim of this review is to dissect the role of each of these transporters in relation to the type of cancer and the availability of nutrients in the tumoral microenvironment. Abstract Aspartate has a central role in cancer cell metabolism. Aspartate cytosolic availability is crucial for protein and nucleotide biosynthesis as well as for redox homeostasis. Since tumor cells display poor aspartate uptake from the external environment, most of the cellular pool of aspartate derives from mitochondrial catabolism of glutamine. At least four transporters are involved in this metabolic pathway: the glutamine (SLC1A5_var), the aspartate/glutamate (AGC), the aspartate/phosphate (uncoupling protein 2, UCP2), and the glutamate (GC) carriers, the last three belonging to the mitochondrial carrier family (MCF). The loss of one of these transporters causes a paucity of cytosolic aspartate and an arrest of cell proliferation in many different cancer types. The aim of this review is to clarify why different cancers have varying dependencies on metabolite transporters to support cytosolic glutamine-derived aspartate availability. Dissecting the precise metabolic routes that glutamine undergoes in specific tumor types is of upmost importance as it promises to unveil the best metabolic target for therapeutic intervention.
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