1
|
Kovale L, Singh MK, Kim J, Ha J. Role of Autophagy and AMPK in Cancer Stem Cells: Therapeutic Opportunities and Obstacles in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8647. [PMID: 39201332 PMCID: PMC11354724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168647] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells represent a resilient subset within the tumor microenvironment capable of differentiation, regeneration, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, often using dormancy as a shield. Their unique properties, including drug resistance and metastatic potential, pose challenges for effective targeting. These cells exploit certain metabolic processes for their maintenance and survival. One of these processes is autophagy, which generally helps in energy homeostasis but when hijacked by CSCs can help maintain their stemness. Thus, it is often referred as an Achilles heel in CSCs, as certain cancers tend to depend on autophagy for survival. Autophagy, while crucial for maintaining stemness in cancer stem cells (CSCs), can also serve as a vulnerability in certain contexts, making it a complex target for therapy. Regulators of autophagy like AMPK (5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) also play a crucial role in maintaining CSCs stemness by helping CSCs in metabolic reprogramming in harsh environments. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the interplay between autophagy and AMPK in CSCs, highlighting the challenges in targeting autophagy and discussing therapeutic strategies to overcome these limitations. This review focuses on previous research on autophagy and its regulators in cancer biology, particularly in CSCs, addresses the remaining unanswered questions, and potential targets for therapy are also brought to attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lochana Kovale
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (L.K.); (M.K.S.)
| | - Manish Kumar Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (L.K.); (M.K.S.)
| | - Joungmok Kim
- Department of Oral Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (L.K.); (M.K.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Han J, Itoh T, Shioya A, Sakurai M, Oyama T, Kumagai M, Takamura H, Okuro M, Mukai T, Kitakata H, Inagaki M, Higashi M, Guo X, Yamada S. The combination of the low immunohistochemical expression of peroxiredoxin 4 and perilipin 2 predicts longer survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with peroxiredoxin 4 possibly playing a main role. Histol Histopathol 2023; 38:1415-1427. [PMID: 37787446 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease with poor prognosis. Therefore, indicators that can be used for the early prediction of the prognosis of PDAC are needed. Peroxiredoxin (PRDX) 4 is a secretion-type antioxidant enzyme located in the cytoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum. Recent studies have reported that it is closely related to the development and prognosis of many types of cancer. Perilipin (PLIN) 2 is a lipid droplet coating protein. The high expression of PLIN2 is known to be an indicator of some types of cancer and oxidative stress management. It is highly suggestive of the interplay between PRDX4 and PLIN2 to some degree. In this study, we collected 101 patients' clinical data and paraffin-embedded specimens with PDAC and analyzed them with immunohistochemical staining of PRDX4 and PLIN2. We found that the low expression of PRDX4 predicts longer survival and a better clinical condition in PDAC patients. Moreover, when the low expression of PRDX4 is combined with the low expression of PLIN2, the 3-year survival is significantly improved. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that the PRDX4 expression in PDAC was an independent prognostic factor for survival. Taken together, between PRDX4 and PLIN2, PRDX4 plays a main role in prognosis and has the potential to become a clinical prognostic indicator of PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Han
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tohru Itoh
- The Director Laboratory, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterological Endoscopy, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Akihiro Shioya
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masaru Sakurai
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
- Health Evaluation Center, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takeru Oyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Motona Kumagai
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Pathology II, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takamura
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masashi Okuro
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Mukai
- Department of Gastroenterological Endoscopy, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Kitakata
- Department of Gastroenterological Endoscopy, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masaru Inagaki
- Department of Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Fukuyama Medical Center, Fukuyama, Japan
| | - Michiyo Higashi
- Department of Pathology, Field of Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan
- Research Center, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Sohsuke Yamada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bu X, Zhang J, Sun H, Wang W, Ma X, Sun L. SEC61 translocon subunit gamma enhances low-dose cisplatin-induced cancer-stem cell properties of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via enhancing Ca 2+-mediated autophagy. J Dent Sci 2023; 18:1685-1692. [PMID: 37799908 PMCID: PMC10547946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose High SEC61 translocon subunit gamma (SEC61G) expression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Materials and methods HNSCC representative cell lines SCC15 and CAL27 were used to explore the regulation of SEC61G on Ca2+ leak from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Ca2+-activated autophagy was monitored by fluorescent labeling of autophagosomes and western blotting assays. CSC marker expression, sphere formation, colony formation, and transwell of invasion were detected to investigate the role of SEC61G in regulating cancer-stem cell (CSC) properties. Results Among the SEC61 complex genes, only SEC61G upregulation is consistently associated with unfavorable progression-free interval and disease-specific survival in patients with HNSCC. Low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) treatment induced SEC61G upregulation in SCC15 and CAL27 cells. SEC61G knockdown significantly impaired CDDP-induced Ca2+ from the ER and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AMPK. CDDP-induced autophagy in HNSCC cells were hampered by SEC61G shRNA, in terms of impaired autophagosome formation, lowered LC3-II/GAPDH ratio and restored p62 expression. CDDP-induced CSC properties, including CSC marker expression, sphere formation, colony formation, and invasive capabilities could be suppressed by shSEC61G and chloroquine, a specific autophagy inhibitor. Conclusion Findings of this study revealed the contribution of SEC61G in promoting cisplatin-induced CSC properties of HNSCC cells via promoting Ca2+-mediated autophagy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangbin Bu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Interventional Catheter Room, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Hengyan Sun
- Department of Stomatology, Yantai Penglai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Wenlong Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangrui Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Legang Sun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|