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Li L, Zhang P. Elevation of LEM Domain Containing 1 Predicts Poor Prognosis of NSCLC Patients and Triggers Malignant Stemness and Invasion of NSCLC Cells by Stimulating PI3K/AKT Pathway. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:366-378. [PMID: 36967459 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230324135330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death globally. LEM domain containing 1 (LEMD1) function has been identified in several cancers but not in NSCLC. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the LEMD1 function in NSCLC. METHODS NSCLC tissues were obtained from 66 patients, and LEMD1 expressions were measured using quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemical assay, and Western blot. Overall survival of NSCLC patients was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Meanwhile, LEMD1 function and mechanism were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine analysis, Transwell, Sphere formation assay, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, LEMD1 function in vivo was evaluated by establishing a xenograft tumor model, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunohistochemical assay. RESULTS LEMD1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and was interrelated to tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis of patients. Overall survival of NSCLC patients with high LEMD1 was found to be lower than that of patients with low LEMD1. Functionally, interference with LEMD1 restrained NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness characteristics. Mechanistically, LEMD1 facilitated the malignant phenotype of NSCLC, and 740 Y-P reversed this impact, prompting that LEMD1 aggravated NSCLC by activating PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, LEMD1 knockdown hindered NSCLC proliferation in vivo. Conclusion: LEMD1 accelerated NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness characteristics via activating PI3K/AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402177, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402177, China
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Li X, Jiang S, Jiang T, Sun X, Guan Y, Fan S, Cheng Y. LEM Domain Containing 1 Acts as a Novel Oncogene and Therapeutic Target for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112924. [PMID: 37296887 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common deadly malignancy in women worldwide. In particular, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) exhibits the worst prognosis among four subtypes of breast cancer due to limited treatment options. Exploring novel therapeutic targets holds promise for developing effective treatments for TNBC. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that LEMD1 (LEM domain containing 1) is highly expressed in TNBC and contributes to reduced survival in TNBC patients, through analysis of both bioinformatic databases and collected patient samples. Furthermore, LEMD1 silencing not only inhibited the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells in vitro, but also abolished tumor formation of TNBC cells in vivo. Knockdown of LEMD1 enhanced the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel. Mechanistically, LEMD1 promoted the progress of TNBC by activating the ERK signaling pathway. In summary, our study revealed that LEMD1 may act as a novel oncogene in TNBC, and targeting LEMD1 may be exploited as a promising therapeutic approach to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy against TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Shilong Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ting Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Xinyuan Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yidi Guan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug, Changsha 410011, China
- Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Central South University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410011, China
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Wieder R. Fibroblasts as Turned Agents in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2014. [PMID: 37046676 PMCID: PMC10093070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072014] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiated epithelial cells reside in the homeostatic microenvironment of the native organ stroma. The stroma supports their normal function, their G0 differentiated state, and their expansion/contraction through the various stages of the life cycle and physiologic functions of the host. When malignant transformation begins, the microenvironment tries to suppress and eliminate the transformed cells, while cancer cells, in turn, try to resist these suppressive efforts. The tumor microenvironment encompasses a large variety of cell types recruited by the tumor to perform different functions, among which fibroblasts are the most abundant. The dynamics of the mutual relationship change as the sides undertake an epic battle for control of the other. In the process, the cancer "wounds" the microenvironment through a variety of mechanisms and attracts distant mesenchymal stem cells to change their function from one attempting to suppress the cancer, to one that supports its growth, survival, and metastasis. Analogous reciprocal interactions occur as well between disseminated cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment, where the microenvironment attempts to eliminate cancer cells or suppress their proliferation. However, the altered microenvironmental cells acquire novel characteristics that support malignant progression. Investigations have attempted to use these traits as targets of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Wieder
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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Hong K, Cen K, Chen Q, Dai Y, Mai Y, Guo Y. Identification and validation of a novel senescence-related biomarker for thyroid cancer to predict the prognosis and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1128390. [PMID: 36761753 PMCID: PMC9902917 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1128390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cellular senescence is a hallmark of tumors and has potential for cancer therapy. Cellular senescence of tumor cells plays a role in tumor progression, and patient prognosis is related to the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study aimed to explore the predictive value of senescence-related genes in thyroid cancer (THCA) and their relationship with the TME. Methods Senescence-related genes were identified from the Molecular Signatures Database and used to conduct consensus clustering across TCGA-THCA. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the clusters used to perform multivariate Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) analyses to construct a senescence-related signature. TCGA dataset was randomly divided into training and test datasets to verify the prognostic ability of the signature. Subsequently, the immune cell infiltration pattern, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity of the two subtypes were analyzed. Finally, the expression of signature genes was detected across TCGA-THCA and GSE33630 datasets, and further validated by RT-qPCR. Results Three senescence clusters were identified based on the expression of 432 senescence-related genes. Then, 23 prognostic DEGs were identified in TCGA dataset. The signature, composed of six genes, showed a significant relationship with survival, immune cell infiltration, clinical characteristics, immune checkpoints, immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity. Low-risk THCA shows a better prognosis and higher immunotherapy response than high-risk THCA. A nomogram with perfect stability constructed using signature and clinical characteristics can predict the survival of each patient. The validation part demonstrated that ADAMTSL4, DOCK6, FAM111B, and SEMA6B were expressed at higher levels in the tumor tissue, whereas lower expression of MRPS10 and PSMB7 was observed. Discussion In conclusion, the senescence-related signature is a promising biomarker for predicting the outcome of THCA and has the potential to guide immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Hong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Hospital of Zhejiang University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kenan Cen
- Department of Geriatrics Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Department of Geriatrics Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yifeng Mai
- Department of Geriatrics Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Yangyang Guo, ; Yifeng Mai,
| | - Yangyang Guo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Hospital of Zhejiang University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Yangyang Guo, ; Yifeng Mai,
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Li D, Wang D, Liu H, Jiang X. LEM domain containing 1 (LEMD1) transcriptionally activated by SRY-related high-mobility-group box 4 (SOX4) accelerates the progression of colon cancer by upregulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. Bioengineered 2022; 13:8087-8100. [PMID: 35294319 PMCID: PMC9161920 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2047556] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is a highly malignant tumor in the digestive system. LEM domain containing 1 (LEMD1) is supposed to be a survival marker of poor prognosis in colon cancer. We aimed to explore the role and mechanism of LEMD1 in colon cancer progression. GEPIA database analyzed LEMD1 expression in colon cancer tissues and prognosis of colon cancer patients. LEMD1 expression in tumor cells was tested by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Proliferation of colon cancer cells was estimated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Transwell and wound healing assays were used to appraise the cell invasion and migration. Meanwhile, tube formation assays were used to evaluate angiogenesis. The possible binding sites between SRY-related high-mobility-group box 4 (SOX4) and LEMD1 were predicted by JASPAR database. Besides, SOX4 expression in colon cancer tissues and the correlation between SOX4 and LEMD1 were examined using the GEPIA database. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assays were used to verify the interaction between SOX4 and LEMD1. The expression of proteins in PI3K/Akt signaling was evaluated by western blotting. LEMD1 was overexpressed in colon cancer tissues and cells and associated with poor prognosis. Functionally, LEMD1 deficiency impeded the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of colon cancer cells. Additionally, SOX4 had a positive correlation with LEMD1 and could bind to LEMD1 promoter. Rescue assays validated that SOX4 elevation reversed the suppressive role of LEMD1 deletion in the development of colon cancer and the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT. Collectively, LEMD1 induced by SOX4 drove the progression of colon cancer by activating PI3K/Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong Cancer Hospital, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ding Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong Cancer Hospital, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haofeng Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong Cancer Hospital, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaohui Jiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong Cancer Hospital, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China
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Cao X, Yao N, Zhao Z, Fu Y, Hu Y, Zhu P, Shi W, Tang L. LEM domain containing 1 promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis by p53 and mTORC1 signaling pathway. Bioengineered 2022; 13:7771-7784. [PMID: 35286235 PMCID: PMC9208498 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2047404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common type of malignancy originating from the epithelium of the pancreatic duct, with the most lethal feature and worst prognosis. LEM domain containing 1 (LEMD1) is overexpressed in multiple tumor tissues and plays a key role in cancer carcinogenesis and progression. However, little is known about the potential of LEMD1 in PC. In this study, we explored the clinical values, as well as the potential roles and mechanisms of LEMD1 in PC. We, for the first time, showed that LEMD1 was upregulated in PC and negatively correlated with the overall and disease-free survival of patients with PC. Of the function, LEMD1 knockdown inhibited cancer cell growth, migration and invasion, while LEMD1 overexpression promoted tumor aggressiveness. The tumor-promoting influences of LEMD1 in PC were also proved by in vivo assays. Mechanistically, GSEA identified that LEMD1 promoted PC aggressiveness, as well as affecting cell cycle dysregulation and apoptosis resistance, by p53 suppression and the activation of the mTORC1 signal pathway. In short, LEMD1 could serve as a valuable prognostic candidate and a potential therapeutic target of PC.Abbreviations: ATCC: American Type Culture Collection; CCK-8: Cell counting kit 8; CDK: Cyclin-dependent kinases; CTA: Cancer-testis antigen; DMEM: Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium; ECL: enhanced chemiluminescence; FBS: Fetal bovine serum; GEO: Gene Expression Omnibus; LEMD1: LEM domain containing 1; mTOR: mammalian target of rapamycin; NC: Negative control; PC: Pancreatic cancer; PVDF: Polyvinylidene difluoride membranes; qRT-PCR: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; SDS-PAGE: Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; SD: Standard deviation; SKP2: S-Phase kinase-associated protein 2; TAA: Tumor-associated antigen; TBST: Tris-buffered Saline Tween-20; TCGA: The Cancer Genome Atlas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Na Yao
- Department of Thyroid & Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuxi City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zidan Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Fu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuting Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weihai Shi
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liming Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Nuclear Dynamics and Chromatin Structure: Implications for Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102624. [PMID: 34685604 PMCID: PMC8534098 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in nuclear shape have been extensively associated with the dynamics and functionality of cancer cells. In most normal cells, nuclei have a regular ellipsoid shape and minimal variation in nuclear size; however, an irregular nuclear contour and abnormal nuclear size is often observed in cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, alterations in nuclear morphology have become the 'gold standard' for tumor staging and grading. Beyond the utility of altered nuclear morphology as a diagnostic tool in cancer, the implications of altered nuclear structure for the biology and behavior of cancer cells are profound as changes in nuclear morphology could impact cellular responses to physical strain, adaptation during migration, chromatin organization, and gene expression. Here, we aim to highlight and discuss the factors that regulate nuclear dynamics and their implications for pancreatic cancer biology.
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