Interleukins 4 and 13 and Their Receptors Are Differently Expressed in Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers, Depending on the Anatomical Site and Disease Advancement, and Improve Colon Cancer Cell Viability and Motility

Roles of IL-4, IL-13, and Their Receptors in Lung Cancer

Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are the main effectors of innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) of the type 2 innate immune response, which can carry out specific signal transmission between multiple cells in the tumor immune microenvironment. IL-4 and IL-13 mediate signal transduction and regulate cellular functions in a variety of solid tumors through their shared receptor chain, the transmembrane heterodimer interleukin-4 receptor alpha/interleukin-13 receptor alpha-1 (type II IL-4 receptor). IL-4, IL-13, and their receptors can induce the formation of a variety of malignant tumors and play an important role in their progression, growth, and tumor immunity. In order to explore possible targets for lung cancer prediction and treatment, this review summarizes the characteristics and signal transduction pathways of IL-4 and IL-13, and their respective receptors, and discusses in depth their possible role in the occurrence and development of lung cancer.

Role of oncogenic long noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 in colon cancer

The role of lncRNA KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in colon cancer involves various tumorigenic processes and has been studied widely. However, the mechanism by which it promotes colon cancer remains unclear. Retroviral vector pSEB61 was retrofitted in established HCT116-siKCN and SW480-siKCN cells to silence KCNQ1OT1. Cellular proliferation was measured using CCK8 assay, and flow cytometry (FCM) detected cell cycle changes. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis showed differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out to analyze enriched functions and signaling pathways. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were carried out to validate downstream gene expressions. The effects of tumorigenesis were evaluated in BALB/c nude mice by tumor xenografts. Our data revealed that the silencing of KCNQ1OT1 in HCT116 and SW480 cells slowed cell growth and decreased the number of cells in the G2/M phase. RNA-Seq analysis showed the data of DEGs enriched in various GO and KEGG pathways such as DNA replication and cell cycle. RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting confirmed downstream CCNE2 and PCNA gene expressions. HCT116-siKCN cells significantly suppressed tumorigenesis in BALB/c nude mice. Our study suggests that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.

Gradient Boosting Machine Identified Predictive Variables for Breast Cancer Patients Pre- and Post-Radiotherapy: Preliminary Results of an 8-Year Follow-Up Study

Radiotherapy (RT) is part of the standard treatment of breast cancer (BC) because of its effects on relapse reduction and survival. However, response to treatment is highly variable, and some patients may develop disease progression (DP), a second primary cancer, or may succumb to the disease. Antioxidant systems and inflammatory processes are associated with the onset and development of BC and play a role in resistance to treatment. Here, we report our investigation into the clinical evolution of BC patients, and the impact of RT on the circulating levels of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1), cytokines, and other standard biochemical and hematological variables. Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) algorithm was used to identify predictive variables. This was a retrospective study in 237 patients with BC. Blood samples were obtained pre- and post-RT, with samples of healthy women used as control subjects. Results showed that 24 patients had DP eight years post-RT, and eight patients developed a second primary tumor. The algorithm identified interleukin-4 and total lymphocyte counts as the most relevant indices discriminating between BC patients and control subjects, while neutrophils, total leukocytes, eosinophils, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and PON1 activity were potential predictors of fatal outcome.

The Anti-Colon Cancer Effects of Essential Oil of Curcuma phaeocaulis Through Tumour Vessel Normalisation

Background

Normalising tumour vessels had become a significant research focus in tumour treatment research in recent years. Curcumae rhizoma (CR) is an essential plant in traditional Chinese medicine as it promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. Similarly, CR improves local blood circulation.

Purpose

We explored the anti-colon cancer effects of essential oil from CR (OCR) by investigating its role in normalising tumour vessels. We also provided a basis for research and development into new anti-cancer drugs.

Methods

We used colon cancer as a research focus to investigate OCR. We established an in vitro co-culture model of colon cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We also established an in vivo subcutaneous implant colon cancer model in nude mice. These studies allowed us to evaluate the comprehensive effects of OCR in in vivo and in vitro colon cancer and its role in normalising tumour blood vessels.

Results

In vitro, we found that OCR inhibited Human colon cancer cells (HCT116) and HUVEC cell proliferation and inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor-a (VEGFa) mRNA and protein expression in HUVECs in a co-culture system. Our in vivo studies showed that OCR inhibited colon cancer tumour growth, reduced angiogenesis in tumours and increased vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and pericyte coverage in tumour vessels.

Conclusions

OCR inhibited colon cancer growth both in in vivo and in vitro models, reduced angiogenesis in tumours, improved tumour vessel structures and normalised tumour vessels.

IL-10 as a Th2 Cytokine: Differences Between Mice and Humans

The discovery of IL-10 more than 30 years ago marked the beginning of our understanding of how cytokines regulate immune responses, based on cross-regulation between Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Although multiple cell types were shown to produce IL-10, its identity as a Th2 cytokine remained strong because it was rigidly associated with Th2 clones in mice, whereas both Th1 and Th2 clones could secrete IL-10 in humans. However, as new Th1/Th2 cell functionalities emerged, anti-inflammatory action of IL-10 gained more attention than its inhibitory effect on Th1 cells, which may occur as an indirect consequence of suppression of APCs. This notion is also supported by the discovery of regulatory T cells, whose suppressor functions involve the mediation of IL-10, among other molecules. From this perspective, we discuss the functionalities of IL-10 by highlighting important differences between mice and humans with an emphasis on the Th1 and Th2 paradigm.

Decreased IL-6 and NK Cells in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Ground-Glass Opacity

Background

Lung ground-glass opacities (GGOs) are an early manifestation of lung adenocarcinoma. It is of great value to study the changes in the immune microenvironment of GGO to elucidate the occurrence and evolution of early lung adenocarcinoma. Although the changes of IL-6 and NK cells in lung adenocarcinoma have caught global attention, we have little appreciation for how IL-6 and NK cells in the lung GGO affect the progression of early lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We analyzed the RNA sequencing data of surgical specimens from 21 patients with GGO-featured primary lung adenocarcinoma and verified the changes in the expression of IL-6 and other important immune molecules in the TCGA and GEO databases. Next, we used flow cytometry to detect the protein expression levels of important Th1/Th2 cytokines in GGO and normal lung tissues and the changes in the composition ratio of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Then, we analyzed the effect of IL-6 on NK cells through organoid culture and immunofluorescence. Finally, we explored the changes of related molecules and pathway might be involved.

Results

IL-6 may play an important role in the tumor microenvironment of early lung adenocarcinoma. Further research confirmed that the decrease of IL-6 in GGO tissue is consistent with the changes in NK cells, and there seems to be a correlation between these two phenomena.

Conclusion

The IL-6 expression status and NK cell levels of early lung adenocarcinoma as GGO are significantly reduced, and the stimulation of IL-6 can up-regulate or activate NK cells in GGO, providing new insights into the diagnosis and pathogenesis of early lung cancer.

Biphasic Expression of Atypical Chemokine Receptor (ACKR) 2 and ACKR4 in Colorectal Neoplasms in Association with Histopathological Findings

Facilitating resolution of inflammation using atypical chemokine receptors (ACKR) as an anticancer strategy is considered but requires a deeper understanding of receptor role in carcinogenesis. We aimed at transcriptional analysis (RTqPCR) of ACKR2 and ACKR4 expression in colorectal adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence in paired normal-neoplastic tissues from 96 polyps and 51 cancers. On average, ACKR2 was downregulated in neoplastic as compared to non-affected tissue in polyp (by 2.7-fold) and cancer (by 3.1-fold) patients. The maximal downregulation (by 8.2-fold) was observed in adenomas with the highest potential for malignancy and was gradually lessening through cancer stages I-IV, owing to increased receptor expression in tumors. On average, ACKR4 was significantly downregulated solely in adenocarcinomas (by 1.5-fold), less so in patients with lymph node metastasis, owing to a gradual decrease in ACKR4 expression among N0-N1-N2 cancers in non-affected tissue without changes in tumors. In adenomas, ACKR4 downregulation in neoplastic tissue increased with increasing potential for malignancy and contribution of villous growth pattern. ACKR4 expression increased in non-affected tissue with a concomitant decrease in pathological mucosa. In conclusion, the changes in ACKRs expression occur already in precancerous colorectal lesions, culminating in the adenomas with the highest potential for malignancy. Therefore, chemoprevention by manipulating ACKRs’ expression is worth exploration.

Simultaneous LC-MS/MS-Based Quantification of Free 3-Nitro-l-tyrosine, 3-Chloro-l-tyrosine, and 3-Bromo-l-tyrosine in Plasma of Colorectal Cancer Patients during Early Postoperative Period

Quantification with satisfactory specificity and sensitivity of free 3-Nitro-l-tyrosine (3-NT), 3-Chloro-l-tyrosine (3-CT), and 3-Bromo-l-tyrosine (3-BT) in biological samples as potential inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer biomarkers is analytically challenging. We aimed at developing a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based method for their simultaneous analysis without an extract purification step by solid-phase extraction. Validation of the developed method yielded the following limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for 3-NT, 3-BT, and 3-CT: 0.030, 0.026, 0.030 ng/mL (LODs) and 0.100, 0.096, 0.098 ng/mL (LOQs). Coefficients of variation for all metabolites and tested concentrations were <10% and accuracy was within 95-105%. Method applicability was tested on colorectal cancer patients during the perioperative period. All metabolites were significantly higher in cancer patients than healthy controls. The 3-NT was significantly lower in advanced cancer and 3-BT showed a similar tendency. Dynamics of 3-BT in the early postoperative period were affected by type of surgery and presence of surgical site infections. In conclusion, a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of free 3-NT, 3-BT, and 3-CT in human plasma has been developed.

Local and Systemic Interleukin-32 in Esophageal, Gastric, and Colorectal Cancers: Clinical and Diagnostic Significance

Little is known on clinical and diagnostic relevance of interleukin-32 in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancers. We determined its mRNA (n = 52) and protein (n = 63) expression in paired (tumor-normal) samples from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, with reference to cancer-associated genes, and quantified circulating interleukin-32 in 70 cancer patients and 28 controls. IL32 expression was significantly upregulated solely in ESCC, reflecting T stage in non-transformed tumor-adjacent tissue. Fold-change in IL32 and IL-32 was higher in left-sided CRC, owing to high interleukin expression in non-transformed right-sided colonic mucosa. IL32 was independently and positively associated with Ki67, HIF1A, and ACTA2 and negatively with TJP1 in tumors and with IL10Ra and BCLxL in non-transformed tumor-adjacent tissue. IL-32 protein was significantly upregulated in colorectal tumors. In ESCC, advanced stage and lymph node metastasis were associated with significant IL-32 upregulation. Circulating interleukin was significantly elevated in cancer patients, more so in ESCC and GC than CRC. As biomarker, IL-32 detected gastroesophageal cancers with 99.5% accuracy. In conclusion, IL-32 is upregulated in GIT cancers at local and systemic level, reflecting hypoxia and proliferative and invasive/metastatic capacity in tumors and immunosuppressive and antiapoptotic potential in non-transformed mucosa, while being an accurate biomarker of gastroesophageal cancers.

Distinct Local and Systemic Molecular Signatures in the Esophageal and Gastric Cancers: Possible Therapy Targets and Biomarkers for Gastric Cancer

Gastric (GC) and esophageal (EC) cancers are highly lethal. Better understanding of molecular abnormalities is needed for new therapeutic targets and biomarkers to be found. Expression of 18 cancer-related genes in 31 paired normal-tumor samples was quantified by reversely-transcribed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) and systemic concentration of 27 cytokines/chemokines/growth factors in 195 individuals was determined using Luminex xMAP technology. Only Ki67, CLDN2, and BCLxL were altered in GC while Ki67, CDKN1A, ODC1, SLC2A1, HIF1A, VEGFA, NOS2, CCL2, PTGS2, IL10, IL10Ra, and ACTA2 were changed in EC. The relatively unaltered molecular GC landscape resulted from high expression of BCLxL, CDKN1A, BCL2, Ki67, HIF1A, VEGFA, ACTA2, TJP1, CLDN2, IL7Ra, ODC1, PTGS2, and CCL2 in non-cancerous tissue. The NOS2 expression and IL-4, IL-9, FGF2, and RANTES secretion were higher in cardiac than non-cardiac GC. Four-cytokine panels (interleukin (IL)-1β/IL-1ra/IL-6/RANTES or IL-1β/IL-6/IL-4/IL-13) differentiated GC from benign conditions with 87–89% accuracy. Our results showed increased proliferative, survival, inflammatory and angiogenic capacity in gastric tumor-surrounding tissue, what might contribute to GC aggressiveness and facilitate cancer recurrence. Further studies are needed to determine the CLDN2 and NOS2 suitability as candidate molecular targets in GC and cardiac GC, respectively, and discern the role of CLDN2 or to verify IL-1β/IL-1ra/IL-6/RANTES or IL-1β/IL-6/IL-4/IL-13 usefulness as differential biomarkers.