2D-DIGE-MS Proteomics Approaches for Identification of Gelsolin and Peroxiredoxin 4 with Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

Exploring the role of PRDX4 in the development of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma

Peroxicedoxin 4 (PRDX4), a member of the peroxicedoxins (PRDXs), has been reported in many cancer-related studies, but its role in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is not fully understood. In the present study, we found that PRDX4 was highly expressed in UCEC tissues and cell lines through the combination of bioinformatics analysis and experiments, and elevated PRDX4 levels were associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of PRDX4 significantly blocked the proliferation and migration of the UCEC cell line Ishikawa and reduced degree of cell confluence. These findings highlight the oncogenic role of PRDX4 in UCEC. In addition, genes that interact with PRDX4 in UCEC were MT-ATP8, PBK, and PDIA6, and we speculated that these genes interacted with each other to promote disease progression in UCEC. Thus, PRDX4 is a potential diagnostic biomarker for UCEC, and targeting PRDX4 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with UCEC.

Histone modification: Biomarkers and potential therapies in colorectal cancer

The complex mechanism of colorectal cancer development is closely associated with epigenetic modifications and is caused by overexpression and/or inactivation of oncogenes. Histone modifying enzymes catalyze histone modifications to alter gene expression, which plays a crucial role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. Currently, there is more frequent study on histone acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, and their mechanisms in colorectal cancer development are clearer. This article elaborates on the role of histone modification in epigenetics in colorectal cancer development and discusses recent advances in using it as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The review aims to demonstrate the significant role of histone modification as a new therapeutic target in colorectal cancer and provides insights into the novel diagnostic and therapeutic options it offers.

Progress in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer: a review

Historically, the chief focus of lymph node metastasis research has been molecular and clinical studies of a few essential pathways and genes. Recent years have seen a rapid accumulation of massive omics and imaging data catalyzed by the rapid development of advanced technologies. This rapid increase in data has driven improvements in the accuracy of diagnosis of lymph node metastasis, and its analysis further demands new methods and the opportunity to provide novel insights for basic research. In fact, the combination of omics data, imaging data, clinical medicine, and diagnostic methods has led to notable advances in our basic understanding and transformation of lymph node metastases in rectal cancer. Higher levels of integration will require a concerted effort among data scientists and clinicians. Herein, we review the current state and future challenges to advance the diagnosis of lymph node metastases in rectal cancer.

New insights into the roles of peroxiredoxins in cancer

Oxidative stress is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Tumorigenesis and progression are accompanied by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adaptive elevation of antioxidant expression levels. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are among the most important antioxidants and are widely distributed in a variety of cancers. PRDXs are involved in the regulation of a variety of tumor cell phenotypes, such as invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. PRDXs are also associated with tumor cell resistance to cell death, such as apoptosis and ferroptosis. In addition, PRDXs are involved in the transduction of hypoxic signals in the TME and in the regulation of the function of other cellular components of the TME, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages. This implies that PRDXs are promising targets for cancer treatment. Of course, further studies are needed to realize the clinical application of targeting PRDXs. In this review, we highlight the role of PRDXs in cancer, summarizing the basic features of PRDXs, their association with tumorigenesis, their expression and function in cancer, and their relationship with cancer therapeutic resistance.

The Role of Peroxiredoxins in Cancer Development

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are antioxidant enzymes with ubiquitous expression in human tissues. Prxs are expressed in archaea, bacteria, and eukaryota, often in multiple isoforms. Because of their abundant expression in different cellular organelles and extraordinary sensitivity to H2O2, Prxs are among the first defenses against oxidative stress. Prxs undergo reversible oxidation to disulfides, and some family members perform chaperone or phospholipase functions upon further oxidation. Prxs are upregulated in cancer cells. Research has suggested that Prxs can function as tumor promoters in various cancers. The major objective of this review is to summarize novel findings regarding the roles of Prxs in common cancer types. Prxs have been shown to influence differentiation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, remodeling of extracellular matrix, and regulation of stemness. Since aggressive cancer cells have higher intracellular levels of ROS that they can utilize to proliferate and metastasize compared to normal cells, it is critical that we understand the regulation and functions of primary antioxidants such as Prxs. These small but mighty proteins could prove to be key for improving cancer therapeutics and patient survival.

Proteome profiling of endogenous and potential S-nitrosylation in colorectal cancer

Background

As a common cancer with high incidence rate and mortality, colorectal cancer (CRC) is seriously threatening human health. S-nitrosylation (SNO) proteins mediated by nitric oxide (NO) has important implications in the genesis, progression, and apoptosis of CRC. It's worth noting that the SNO proteins also play an important role in the tumor endocrine and metabolic pathways of CRC.

Materials and methods

In this study, the protein extracts of human tissues and cell lines were treated by biotin switch technology and magnetic beads enrichment. The proteomic results of endogenous and potential SNO proteins were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Through the comparison and analysis of MS results, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, and literatures, some endogenous and potential SNO proteins were identified in CRC, which were closely related to the tumor endocrine and metabolic pathways, the apoptotic signaling pathways, protein maturation, and other biological processes of the proliferation and apoptosis of CRC cells.

Results

A total of 19 proteins containing potential or endogenous SNO sites were detected in both human cancer tissue and SW 480 cells. Through the cross validation of MS results, GO analysis, and literatures, several SNO proteins were identified frequently in CRC, such as the actin, cytoplasmic 1 (ACTB), peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4), protein S100A8 (S100A8), pyruvate kinase PKM (PKM), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which were closely related to the tumor endocrine and metabolic pathways and the apoptotic signaling pathways of CRC.

Conclusion

Different CRC cells and tissues contained potential and endogenous SNO modified proteins. In addition, some SNO proteins could participate in the proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis of CRC by regulating the tumor endocrine and metabolic pathways.

Antrodin C Isolated from Antrodia Cinnamomea Induced Apoptosis through ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 Signaling Pathway and Epigenetic Histone Acetylation of TNFα in Colorectal Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Antrodin C, a maleimide derivative compound isolated from the ethanol extract of the mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea, is an endemic fungus of Taiwan and a potential chemoprotective agent. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the mode of action of antrodin C on cancer cells, especially in human colorectal cancer (CRC), remain unclear.

METHODS

The cell death and ROS of the antrodin-C-treated HCT-116 cells were measured by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining, DCFDA, and Fluo-3 fluorescence staining assays. Moreover, signaling molecules regulating TNFα cell death pathways and ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 pathways were also detected in cells treated with antrodin C by Western blotting and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The effects of antrodin C were determined in HCT-116 cell xenograft animal models in terms of tumor volumes and histopathological evaluation.

RESULTS

Treatment with antrodin C triggered the activation of extrinsic apoptosis pathways (TNFα, Bax, caspase-3, and -9), and also suppressed the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 in HCT-116 cells in a time-dependent manner. Antrodin C also decreased cell proliferation and growth through the inactivation of cyclin D1/cyclin for the arrest of the cell cycle at the G1 phase. The activation of the ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 pathways was involved in antrodin-C-induced transcriptional activation, which implicates the role of the histone H3K9K14ac (Acetyl Lys9/Lys14) of the TNFα promoters. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that antrodin C treatment significantly induced TNFα levels, whereas it decreased the levels of PCNA, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and MMP-9 in an in vivo xenograft mouse model. Thus, antrodin C induces cell apoptosis via the activation of the ROS/AKT/ERK/P38 signaling modules, indicating a new mechanism for antrodin C to treat CRC in vitro and in vivo.

Loss of Peroxiredoxin IV Protects Mice from Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colorectal Cancer Development

Peroxiredoxin IV (Prx4), a typical two-cysteine-containing member of the peroxidase family, functions as an antioxidant to maintain cellular redox homeostasis through the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via cycles of oxidation-reduction reactions. Under oxidative stress, all Prxs including Prx4 are inactivated as their catalytic cysteines undergo hyperoxidation, and hyperoxidized two-cysteine Prxs can be exclusively repaired and revitalized through the reduction cycle catalyzed by sulfiredoxin (Srx). Previously, we showed that Prx4 is a preferred substrate of Srx, and knockout of Srx in mice leads to resistance to azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced colon carcinogenesis. To further understand the significance of the Srx/Prx4 axis in colorectal cancer development, Prx4-/- mice were established and subjected to standard AOM/DSS protocol. Compared with wildtype littermates, mice with Prx4-/- genotype had significantly fewer and smaller tumors. Histopathological analysis revealed that loss of Prx4 leads to increased cell death through lipid peroxidation and lower infiltration of inflammatory cells in the knockout tumors compared to wildtype. Treatment with DSS alone also showed decreased infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes in the colon of knockout mice, suggesting a role for Prx4 in inflammatory response. In addition, loss of Prx4 caused alterations in plasma cytokines and chemokines after DSS and AOM/DSS treatments. These findings suggest that loss of Prx4 protects mice from AOM/DSS-induced colon tumorigenesis. Thus, targeting Prx4 may provide novel strategies for colon cancer prevention and treatment.

Gelsolin: A comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of potential prognosis, diagnostic, and immune biomarkers

Introduction: Gelsolin (GSN), a calcium-regulated actin-binding protein, is out of balance in various cancers. It can mediate cytoskeletal remodeling and regulate epithelial-mesenchymal conversion (EMT), but the studies on GSN function in pan-cancer are limited. Methods: We studied the transcription level, prognostic impact, diagnostic value, genetic, epigenetic modification, methylation level and immune significance of GSN in pan-cancer to fully comprehend the function of GSN in various malignancies based on multiple databases like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Results: Pan-cancer research showed that GSN was downregulated in most tumors and expressed differently in immunological and molecular subtypes of many cancers. GSN had varying impacts on the prognosis of various tumor types. However, all had moderate to high diagnostic efficiency, and serum GSN had good diagnostic value in breast cancer patients (AUC = 0.947). Moreover, GSN was a distinguishing prognosis factor for some specific cancer types. The GSN protein was hypophosphorylated, and its promoter was hypermethylated in most cancers. GSN was linked to the infiltration level of several immunity cells and was essential in anti-tumor immune cell infiltration. KEGG and GSEA analyses showed that GSN was vital in the functions and proteoglycans processes in cancer, chemokine signaling pathway and other immune-related pathways, DNA methylation and cell cycle. Discussion: In conclusion, GSN possesses the ability to be a predictive, diagnostic, and immune indicator in pan-cancer.

The targeting imaging and treatment capacity of gelsolin-targeted and paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

As a vital sign of carcinomas, lymph node metastasis is closely related to poor prognosis due to a lack of identification and effective treatment in the early stage. Nanoscale contrast agents targeting specific tumor antigens are expected to identify tumor metastasis in the early stage and achieve precise treatment. As a biomarker in the early stage of tumor invasion and metastasis, gelsolin (GSN) might be a promising molecular target to identify and screen tumor metastasis through the lymphatic system. Therefore, GSN-targeted paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, and dissolution were determined. Besides, uptake experiments and the fluorescent imaging system were used to evaluate their targeting capability. The targeting imaging and treatment capacity were also assessed by experiments in vitro and in vivo. The diameter of the GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs was 328.59 ± 3.82 nm. Hca-F cells with GSN-PLGA NPs showed stronger green fluorescence than Hca-P cells. DiI-labeled GSN-PLGA NPs in tumor-bearing mice and isolated organs exhibited more prominent fluorescence aggregation. The imaging of GSN-PLGA NPs was satisfactory in vitro, and the echo intensity gradually increased with increasing concentrations of GSN-PLGA NPs. After treatment with GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs, there was an obvious decrease in tumor volume and lymph node metastasis rate compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GSN-PTX-PLGA NPs have a remarkable targeting capacity in vivo and in vitro, and they effectively inhibit tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in vivo.

Essential Roles of Peroxiredoxin IV in Inflammation and Cancer

Peroxiredoxin IV (Prx4) is a 2-Cysteine peroxidase with ubiquitous expression in human tissues. Prx4 scavenges hydrogen peroxide and participates in oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, Prx4 is secreted outside the cell. Prx4 is upregulated in several cancers and is a potential therapeutic target. We have summarized historical and recent advances in the structure, function and biological roles of Prx4, focusing on inflammatory diseases and cancer. Oxidative stress is known to activate pro-inflammatory pathways. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cancer development. Hence, redox enzymes such as Prx4 are important players in the crosstalk between inflammation and cancer. Understanding molecular mechanisms of regulation of Prx4 expression and associated signaling pathways in normal physiological and disease conditions should reveal new therapeutic strategies. Thus, although Prx4 is a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancer, further research needs to be conducted to bridge the gap to clinical application.