Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The role of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in inflammatory bowel disease and its associated colorectal cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC), as two of the major human intestinal diseases, provide challenges for the medical field. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a protein molecule that negatively regulates cytokine signaling through multiple pathways, is involved in the regulation of various inflammatory diseases and tumors. In IBD, SOCS3 acts on a variety of cells to repair mucosal damage and balance the immune response, including epithelial cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and T cells. In CRC, SOCS3 is inextricably linked to tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to systematically investigate the pathogenic involvement of SOCS3 in IBD and CRC. This article reviews the mechanisms and pathways by which SOCS3 is involved in the inhibition of IBD and the mitigation of CRC, and details the therapeutic options for targeting SOCS3.

Overexpression of MCM3 as a prognostic biomarker correlated with cell proliferation, cell cycle and immune regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor and has a poor prognosis. Minichromosome maintenance 3 (MCM3) protein is upregulated in several cancers, but the biological function, molecular mechanisms and the relationship with tumor immunity of MCM3 in HCC remain poorly understood. Methods: The expression levels and prognosis role of MCM3 in HCC were analyzed based on TCGA, GEO and LIHC databases, and 40 paired tissue samples. We conducted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses on these DEGs to explore the potential impact of MCM3 on the biological behavior of HCC. In addition, flow cytometry, CCK-8, EdU, colony formation and nude mice xenograft models were employed to investigate the biological functions of MCM3. Furthermore, immune cell infiltration, markers and checkpoint-associated genes were analyzed by TIMER 2.0, ACLBI and TCGA database. Results: In this study, we investigated the expression and function of MCM3 in HCC. MCM3 was highly expressed in a variety of tumors including HCC, and high MCM3 expression was positively associated with various clinicopathological parameters and acted as an independent factor of the poor prognosis for overall survival in HCC. Meanwhile, immune characteristics analysis indicated that high MCM3 expression was related to the level of immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints in HCC. Our functional enrichment analysis indicated that MCM3 is mainly involved in the cell cycle and cell metabolic related pathways. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments further confirmed that MCM3 could promote the proliferation of HCC by regulating cell cycle progression. Conclusions: Our results indicated that MCM3 was up-regulated in HCC and might become a biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with HCC.

Unveiling the pathological functions of SOCS in colorectal cancer: Current concepts and future perspectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, marked by increasing incidence and mortality rates in recent years. The pathogenesis of CRC is complex, involving chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, heightened immunoinflammatory responses, and resistance to apoptosis. The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family, comprised of key negative regulators within cytokine signaling pathways, plays a crucial role in cell proliferation, growth, and metabolic regulation. Deficiencies in various SOCS proteins can trigger the activation of the Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathways, following the binding of cytokines and growth factors to their receptors. Mounting evidence indicates that SOCS proteins are integral to the development and progression of CRC, positioning them as promising targets for novel anticancer therapies. This review delves into the structure, function, and molecular mechanisms of SOCS family members, examining their roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune modulation. Additionally, it explores their potential impact on the regulation of CRC immunotherapy, offering new insights and perspectives that may inform the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for CRC.

Wee1 inhibitor PD0166285 sensitized TP53 mutant lung squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin via STAT1

BACKGROUND

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSCs) is associated with high mortality (20-30%) and lacks of effective treatments. Almost all LUSC exhibit somatic mutations in TP53. Wee1, a tyrosine kinase, regulates the cell cycle at the G2/M checkpoint. In TP53-deficient cells, the dependence on G2/M checkpoints increases. PD0166285 is the first reported drug with inhibitory activity against both Wee1 and PKMYT1.

METHODS

Protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell colony formation and CCK-8 assays. Cell cycle was performed by PI staining with flow cytometry. Apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin V-Phycoerythrin double staining and flow cytometry. DNA damage was detected through comet assay and immunofluorescence assay. In vivo, apoptosis and anti-tumor effects were assessed using the TUNEL assay, a nude mouse model, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to detect protein-protein interactions. We analyzed Wee1, PKMYT1, and Stat1 expression in pan-cancer studies using the Ualcan public database and assessed their prognostic implications with Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULT

PD0166285, a Wee1 inhibitor, effectively inhibits Wee1 activity, promoting cell entry into a mitotic crisis. Moreover, PD0166285 sensitizes cells to cisplatin, enhancing clinical outcomes. Our study demonstrated that PD016628 regulates the cell cycle through Rad51 and results in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. We observed increased apoptosis in tumor cells treated with PD0166285, particularly when combined with cisplatin, indicating an enhanced apoptotic response. The upregulation of γ-H2AX serves as an indicator of mitotic catastrophe. Co-immunoprecipitation and data analysis revealed that apoptosis in LUSC is mediated through the Stat1 pathway, accompanied by decreased levels of Socs3. Furthermore, IHC staining confirmed significant differences in the expression of Phospho-CDK1 and γ-H2AX in LUSCs, suggesting involvement in DNA damage.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our study suggests that PD0166285, an inhibitor of Wee1, sensitizes LUSC cells to cisplatin and modulates DNA damage and apoptosis pathways through Rad51 and Stat1, respectively. These findings highlight the combination of PD0166285 and cisplatin as a promising therapeutic approach for treating LUSC.

Expression Characteristics, Immune Signature, and Prognostic Value of the SOCS Family Identified by Multiomics Integrative Analysis in Liver Cancer

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a high mortality rate worldwide. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family members play important roles in the proliferation, metabolism, and immunity of HCC cells by regulating cytokines and growth factors. However, it remains uncertain whether the level of SOCS family members can affect the prognosis of HCC patients.

AIMS

This study aimed to comprehensively assess the role and mechanisms of SOCS family members in the development of HCC and to guide clinical selection.

METHODS

We investigated the expression levels of SOCS family genes in HCC patients and their associations with various clinicopathological characteristics. We also utilized a public database to analyze the changes in the expression, potential functions, transcription factors, and immune invasion of SOCS family members. Additionally, we examined the prognostic value of the SOC family for HCC and its correlation with the SOC family and ferroptosis-related genes.

RESULTS

This study revealed that the expression of SOCS2-7, and CISH was downregulated in HCC. The SOCS4, SOCS5, and SOCS7 genes were associated with the clinicopathological features of HCC patients. SOCS family genes are mainly related to the PIK3R3, GHR, and TNS4 pathways. Additionally, this study revealed that STAT3, PPAR-gamma 2, and IRF-2 are important transcription factors that regulate SOCS family members. The expression levels of SOCS family members are closely related to immune infiltration in liver cancer. The study also indicated that SOCS2 and SOCS4 are risk-related genes for predicting the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. Finally, this study suggested that the SOCS2 gene may be involved in the development and progression of HCC.

CONCLUSION

Our study enhances the current understanding of SOCS gene function in liver cancer and can help clinicians select appropriate drugs and predict the prognosis of HCC patients.

Targeted silencing of SOCS1 by DNMT1 promotes stemness of human liver cancer stem-like cells

BACKGROUND

Human liver cancer stem-like cells (HLCSLCs) are widely acknowledged as significant factors in the recurrence and eradication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The sustenance of HLCSLCs' stemness is hypothesized to be intricately linked to the epigenetic process of DNA methylation modification of genes associated with anticancer properties. The present study aimed to elucidate the stemness-maintaining mechanism of HLCSLCs and provide a novel idea for the clearance of HLCSLCs.

METHODS

The clinical relevance of DNMT1 and SOCS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients was evaluated through the GEO and TCGA databases. Cellular immunofluorescence assay, methylation-specific PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation were conducted to explore the expression of DNMT1 and SOCS1 and the regulatory relationship between them in HLCSLCs. Spheroid formation, soft agar colony formation, expression of stemness-associated molecules, and tumorigenicity of xenograft in nude mice were used to evaluate the stemness of HLCSLCs.

RESULTS

The current analysis revealed a significant upregulation of DNMT1 and downregulation of SOCS1 in HCC tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal liver tissues. Furthermore, patients exhibiting an elevated DNMT1 expression or a reduced SOCS1 expression had low survival. This study illustrated the pronounced expression and activity of DNMT1 in HLCSLCs, which effectively targeted the promoter region of SOCS1 and induced hypermethylation, consequently suppressing the expression of SOCS1. Notably, the stemness of HLCSLCs was reduced upon treatment with DNMT1 inhibitors in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, the overexpression of SOCS1 in HLCSLCs significantly mitigated their stemness. The knockdown of SOCS1 expression reversed the effect of DNMT1 inhibitor on the stemness of HLCSLCs. DNMT1 directly binds to the SOCS1 promoter. In vivo, DNMT1 inhibitors suppressed SOCS1 expression and inhibited the growth of xenograft.

CONCLUSION

DNMT1 targets the promoter region of SOCS1, induces hypermethylation of its CpG islands, and silences its expression, thereby promoting the stemness of HLCSLCs.

Biological roles of SLC16A1-AS1 lncRNA and its clinical impacts in tumors

Recent studies have increasingly highlighted the aberrant expression of SLC16A1-AS1 in a variety of tumor types, where it functions as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor in the pathogenesis of different cancers. The expression levels of SLC16A1-AS1 have been found to significantly correlate with clinical features and the prognosis of cancer patients. Furthermore, SLC16A1-AS1 modulates a range of cellular functions, including proliferation, migration, and invasion, through its interactions with diverse molecules and signaling pathways. This review examines the latest evidence regarding the role of SLC16A1-AS1 in the progression of various tumors and explores its potential clinical applications as a novel prognostic and diagnostic biomarker. Our comprehensive review aims to deepen the understanding of SLC16A1-AS1's multifaceted role in oncology, underscoring its potential as a significant biomarker and therapeutic target.

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Haploinsufficiency: A New Driver of Autoimmunity and Immunodysregulation

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a negative regulator of cytokine signaling that inhibits the activation of Janus kinases. A human disease caused by SOCS1 haploinsufficiency was first identified in 2020. To date, 18 cases of SOCS1 haploinsufficiency have been described. These patients experience enhanced activation of leukocytes and multiorgan system immunodysregulation, with immune-mediated cytopenia as the most common feature. In this review, the authors provide an overview on the biology of SOCS1 and summarize their knowledge of SOCS1 haploinsufficiency including genetics and clinical manifestations. They discuss the available treatment experience and outline an approach for the evaluation of suspected cases.

Epigenomic analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples by CUT&Tag

For more than a century, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample preparation has been the preferred method for long-term preservation of biological material. However, the use of FFPE samples for epigenomic studies has been difficult because of chromatin damage from long exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde. Previously, we introduced Cleavage Under Targeted Accessible Chromatin (CUTAC), an antibody-targeted chromatin accessibility mapping protocol based on CUT&Tag. Here we show that simple modifications of our CUTAC protocol either in single tubes or directly on slides produce high-resolution maps of paused RNA Polymerase II at enhancers and promoters using FFPE samples. We find that transcriptional regulatory element differences produced by FFPE-CUTAC distinguish between mouse brain tumors and identify and map regulatory element markers with high confidence and precision, including microRNAs not detectable by RNA-seq. Our simple workflows make possible affordable epigenomic profiling of archived biological samples for biomarker identification, clinical applications and retrospective studies.

Liver Cancer: Improving Standard Diagnosis and Therapy

In 2020, liver cancer ranked sixth for incidence (841,000 cases) and fourth for deaths globally (782,000 cases) [...].

Determination of the Possible Target Genes of Hepatoma-derived Growth Factor in Hepatoma Cells

BACKGROUND/AIM

We identified a new growth factor, hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), which is a presumed growth-stimulating factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, we identified two microRNAs (miR-6072 and miR-3137) induced by HDGF, which were also found to be associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. This study aimed to identify the target genes of these HDGF-related microRNAs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A public database was searched for candidate target genes of HDGF-related microRNAs. Using the microarray system, the genes whose expression changed in response to HDGF administration were determined. Finally, a public cancer genomics database was searched for genes that were induced by HDGF and associated with the prognosis of HCC.

RESULTS

A total of 1,132 genes were identified as common target genes of the 2 HDGF-related microRNAs. Among these genes, a microarray system showed that the expression of 6 genes was increased (≥1.5-fold) or decreased (≤0.67-fold) after HDGF administration. Using a cancer genomics database, two of the six genes were found to be related to the prognosis of HCC. A high expression of alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS) was significantly associated with a poor survival (p=0.0025, 0.0063 and 0.0081 for the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival, respectively). A high expression of the shroom family member 4 (SHROOM4) gene was found to be significantly associated with a better survival (p=0.003, 0.0006 and 0.0006 for the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study identified potential target genes of HDGF-related microRNAs that were associated with the prognosis of HCC.

Exosomal miRNAs-mediated macrophage polarization and its potential clinical application

Macrophages are highly heterogeneous and plastic immune cells that play an important role in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms and tumor cells. After different stimuli, macrophages can polarize to the M1 phenotype to show a pro-inflammatory effect and the M2 phenotype to show an anti-inflammatory effect. The balance of macrophage polarization is highly correlated with disease progression, and therapeutic approaches to reprogram macrophages by targeting macrophage polarization are feasible. There are a large number of exosomes in tissue cells, which can transmit information between cells. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs) in the exosomes can regulate the polarization of macrophages and further affect the progression of various diseases. At the same time, exosomes are also effective "drug" carriers, laying the foundation for the clinical application of exosomes. This review describes some pathways involved in M1/M2 macrophage polarization and the effects of miRNA carried by exosomes from different sources on the polarization of macrophages. Finally, the application prospects and challenges of exosomes/exosomal miRNAs in clinical treatment are also discussed.

SOCS2 protects against chemical-induced hepatocellular carcinoma progression by modulating inflammation and cell proliferation in the liver

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide, but the precise intracellular mechanisms underlying the progression of this inflammation associated cancer are not well established. SOCS2 protein plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of different tumors by regulating cytokine signalling through the JAK/STAT axis. However, its role in HCC is unclear. Here, we investigate the role of SOCS2 in HCC progression and its potential as HCC biomarker. The effects of SOCS2 in HCC progression were evaluated in an experimental model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC in C57BL/6 and SOCS2 deficient mice, in cultured hepatic cells, and in liver samples from HCC patients. Mice lacking SOCS2 showed higher liver tumor burden with increased malignancy grade, inflammation, fibrosis, and proliferation than their controls. Protein and gene expression analysis reported higher pSTAT5 and pSTAT3 activation, upregulation of different proteins involved in survival and proliferation, and increased levels of proinflammatory and pro-tumoral mediators in the absence of SOCS2. Clinically relevant, downregulated expression of SOCS2 was found in neoplasia from HCC patients compared to healthy liver tissue, correlating with the malignancy grade. In summary, our data show that lack of SOCS2 increases susceptibility to chemical-induced HCC and suggest the tumor suppressor role of this protein by regulating the oncogenic and inflammatory responses mediated by STAT5 and STAT3 in the liver. Hence, SOCS2 emerges as an attractive target molecule and potential biomarker to deepen in the study of HCC treatment.

Increased expression of miR-194-5p through the circPVRL3/miR-194-5p/SOCS2 axis promotes proliferation and metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as an indispensable type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA), participate in diverse biological processes. However, the specific regulatory mechanism of certain miRNAs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear.

METHODS

The expression of miR-194-5p in PDAC tissue microarray and cell lines were detected by RNA-scope and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The function of proliferation and migration carried by miR-194-5p in vitro and vivo was observed by several functional experiments. Informatics methods and RNA sequencing data were applied to explore the target of miR-194-5p and the upstream circular RNA (circRNA) of miR-194-5p. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the relationships between miR-194-5p and SOCS2 or miR-194-5p and circPVRL3. The proliferation and migration abilities of SOCS2 and circPVRL3 were accessed by rescue experiments.

RESULTS

In this study, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of miR-194-5p, which has critical roles during PDAC progression. We found that the expression of miR-194-5p was significantly upregulated in PDAC tissue compared to tumor-adjacent tissue and was highly related to age and nerve invasion according to RNAscope and RT‒qPCR. Overexpression of miR-194-5p accelerated the cell cycle and enhanced the proliferation and migration processes according to several functional experiments in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, circPVRL3, miR-194-5p, and SOCS2 were confirmed to work as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) according to informatics methods, RIP, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Additionally, the rescue experiments confirmed the relationship among miR-194-5p, circPVRL3, and SOCS2 mRNA. Finally, the circPVRL3/miR-194-5p/SOCS2 axis activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate the proliferation and metastasis of PDAC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that an increase of miR-194-5p caused by circPVRL3 downregulation stimulates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote PDAC progression via the circPVRL3/miR-194-5p/SOCS2 axis, which suggests that the circPVRL3/miR-194-5p/SOCS2 axis may be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC patients.

Inflammasome-Mediated Cytokines: A Key Connection between Obesity-Associated NASH and Liver Cancer Progression

Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies and is commonly diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a tumor type that affects about 90% of patients. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and obesity are both risk factors for this disease. HCC initiation and progression are deeply linked with changes in the hepatic microenvironment, with cytokines playing key roles. The understanding of the pathogenic pathways that connect these disorders to liver cancer remains poor. However, the inflammasome-mediated cytokines associated with both diseases are central actors in liver cancer progression. The release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 during inflammasome activation leads to several detrimental effects on the liver microenvironment. Considering the critical crosstalk between obesity, NASH, and HCC, this review will present the connections of IL-1β and IL-18 from obesity-associated NASH with HCC and will discuss approaches to using these cytokines as therapeutic targets against HCC.

Vascular Remodeling Is a Crucial Event in the Early Phase of Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rodent Models for Liver Tumorigenesis

Simple Summary

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor and remodeling of the tumor vasculature is one of the hallmarks of tumor progression. Mouse models are elegant tools to study the onset and progression of liver tumors. However, only few data exist on the vasculature and vascular remodeling processes especially in the early phase of hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was therefore to perform a comprehensive characterization and comparison of the vasculature in mouse models used for hepatocarcinogenesis studies. For this purpose, we characterized the preneoplastic foci of cellular alteration (FCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using tissue-based techniques and computer-assisted analysis to better understand if and how vascular remodeling appears in rodent models for liver tumorigenesis. Our findings demonstrated crucial differences in the number and size of the vessels, degree of maturation and intratumoral localization of the vasculature in FCA and HCC, clearly indicating that vascular remodeling is an important step in the early phase of liver tumorigenesis of rodent models.

Abstract

The investigation of hepatocarcinogenesis is a major field of interest in oncology research and rodent models are commonly used to unravel the pathophysiology of onset and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. HCC is a highly vascularized tumor and vascular remodeling is one of the hallmarks of tumor progression. To date, only a few detailed data exist about the vasculature and vascular remodeling in rodent models used for hepatocarcinogenesis. In this study, the vasculature of HCC and the preneoplastic foci of alteration (FCA) of different mouse models with varying genetic backgrounds were comprehensively characterized by using immunohistochemistry (CD31, Collagen IV, αSMA, Desmin and LYVE1) and RNA in situ hybridization (VEGF-A). Computational image analysis was performed to evaluate selected parameters including microvessel density, pericyte coverage, vessel size, intratumoral vessel distribution and architecture using the Aperio ImageScope and Definiens software programs. HCC presented with a significantly lower number of vessels, but larger vessel size and increased coverage, leading to a higher degree of maturation, whereas FCA lesions presented with a higher microvessel density and a higher amount of smaller but more immature vessels. Our results clearly demonstrate that vascular remodeling is present and crucial in early stages of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, our detailed characterization provides a strong basis for further angiogenesis studies in these experimental models.