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Li J, Ma X, Xu F, Yan Y, Chen W. Babaodan overcomes cisplatin resistance in cholangiocarcinoma via inhibiting YAP1. Pharm Biol 2024; 62:314-325. [PMID: 38571483 PMCID: PMC10997361 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2024.2331060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cholangiocarcinoma with highly heterogeneous, aggressive, and multidrug resistance has a poor prognosis. Although babaodan (BBD) combined with cisplatin improved non-small cell lung cancer efficacy, its impact on overcoming resistance in cholangiocarcinoma remains unexplored. OBJECTIVE This study explored the role and mechanism of BBD on cisplatin resistance in cholangiocarcinoma cells (CCAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Cisplatin-resistant CCAs were exposed to varying concentrations of cisplatin (25-400 μg/mL) or BBD (0.25-1.00 mg/mL) for 48 h. IC50 values, inhibition ratios, apoptosis levels, DNA damage, glutathione (GSH) levels, oxidized forms of GSH, total GSH content, and glutaminase relative activity were evaluated using the cell counting kit 8, flow cytometry, comet assay, and relevant assay kits. RESULTS BBD-reduced the cisplatin IC50 in CCAs from 118.8 to 61.83 μg/mL, leading to increased inhibition rate, apoptosis, and DNA damage, and decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma-2, p-Yes-associated protein 1/Yes-associated protein 1, solute carrier family 1 member 5, activating transcription factor 4, and ERCC excision repair 1 in a dose-dependent manner with maximum reductions of 78.97%, 51.98%, 54.03%, 56.59%, and 63.22%, respectively; bcl2-associated X and gamma histone levels were increased by 0.43-115.77% and 22.15-53.39%. The impact of YAP1 knockdown on cisplatin-resistant CCAs resembled BBD. GSH, oxidized GSH species, total GSH content, and glutaminase activity in cisplatin-resistant CCAs with BBD treatment also decreased, while YAP1 overexpression countered BBD's effects. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study provides a scientific basis for BBD clinical application and provides a new direction for BBD biological mechanism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Lin’an District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangjun Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Lin’an District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Faying Xu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuanliang Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weiqing Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Lin’an District, Hangzhou, China
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Amano Y, Matsubara D, Kihara A, Yoshimoto T, Fukushima N, Nishino H, Mori Y, Niki T. The significance of Hippo pathway protein expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1247625. [PMID: 38444414 PMCID: PMC10912186 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1247625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Hippo pathway consists of mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1/2 (MST1/2), large tumor suppressor 1/2 (LATS1/2), and yes-associated protein (YAP)1. Herein, we present the first report on the significance of major Hippo pathway protein expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods The analyses included oral epithelial dysplasia (OED, n = 7), carcinoma in situ (CIS, n = 14), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC, n = 109). Results Cytoplasmic expression of MST1, LATS1, and LATS2 was low in OED, CIS, and OSCC. The cytoplasmic expression of MST2 was high in OED (5/7 cases), CIS (9/14 cases), and poorly differentiated OSCC (8/8 cases) but was low/lost in a proportion of differentiated OSCC (60/101 cases). The expression of YAP1 was associated with differentiation; low YAP expression was significantly more frequent in well-differentiated OSCC (35/71 cases), compared to moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC (11/38 cases). An infiltrative invasion pattern was associated with a high expression of MST2 and high expression of YAP1. The high expression of YAP1 was associated with features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), such as the loss of E-cadherin and high expression of vimentin, laminin 5, and Slug. High expression of protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 1 or 5, which positively regulates YAP activity, was associated with the high expression of YAP1 (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Among the major Hippo pathway proteins, MST2 displayed a distinctive expression pattern in a significant proportion of differentiated OSCC, suggesting a possible differential role for MST2 depending on the course of OSCC progression. A high YAP1 expression may indicate aggressive OSCC with EMT via PRMTs at the invasive front.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Amano
- Department of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsubara
- Department of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kihara
- Department of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Taichiro Yoshimoto
- Department of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Fukushima
- Department of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishino
- Department of Otolaryngology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Mori
- Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saitama Medical Center Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toshiro Niki
- Department of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
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Martini A, Prasai K, Zemla TJ, Ahmed FY, Elnagar MB, Giama NH, Guzzardo V, Biasiolo A, Fassan M, Yin J, Pontisso P, Roberts LR. SerpinB3/4 Expression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:225. [PMID: 38201652 PMCID: PMC10778206 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the second most common primary liver tumor, is associated with a dismal outcome, and useful prognostic markers are not currently available in clinical practice. SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor, was recently found to play a relevant role in malignant transformation in different cancers. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum samples of patients with CCA in relation to clinical outcomes. SerpinB3/4 was assessed in the tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 123 surgically resected CCAs. ELISA assays were carried out in 188 patients with CCA to detect the free and IgM-linked forms of SerpinB3/4. Overall survival was analyzed in relation to SerpinB3/4 expression, and Cox models were used to identify the variables associated with survival. High levels of SerpinB3/4 (TMA score 2+/3+) were detected in 15 tumors (12.2%), characterized by a more advanced TNM stage (III/IV: 64.3% vs. 31.3%; p = 0.031) and lower overall patient survival, independently of CCA subclass (intrahepatic CCA: median 1.1 (0.8-Not Estimable, NE) vs. 2.4 (1.8-3.4) years; p = 0.0007; extrahepatic CCA: median 0.8 (0.2-NE) vs. 2.2 (1.5-5.4) years; p = 0.011). Vascular invasion (p = 0.027) and SerpinB3/4 scores (p = 0.0016) were independently associated with mortality in multivariate analysis. Patients who had detectable free or IgM-linked SerpinB3/4 in their serum showed poorer survival (1 vs. 2.4 years, p = 0.015, for free SerpinB3/4, and 1 vs. 2.6 years, p = 0.0026, for SerpinB3/4-IgM). In conclusion, high levels of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum in CCA are associated with poor outcomes after surgery, regardless of tumor subclass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Martini
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Kritika Prasai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Tyler J. Zemla
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (T.J.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fowsiyo Y. Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Mamoun B. Elnagar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Nasra H. Giama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Vincenza Guzzardo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Alessandra Biasiolo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Jun Yin
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (T.J.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
- European Reference Network—ERN RARE-LIVER, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
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Hrncir HR, Hantelys F, Gracz AD. Panic at the Bile Duct: How Intrahepatic Cholangiocytes Respond to Stress and Injury. Am J Pathol 2023; 193:1440-1454. [PMID: 36870530 PMCID: PMC10548281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
In the liver, biliary epithelial cells (BECs) line intrahepatic bile ducts (IHBDs) and are primarily responsible for modifying and transporting hepatocyte-produced bile to the digestive tract. BECs comprise only 3% to 5% of the liver by cell number but are critical for maintaining choleresis through homeostasis and disease. To this end, BECs drive an extensive morphologic remodeling of the IHBD network termed ductular reaction (DR) in response to direct injury or injury to the hepatic parenchyma. BECs are also the target of a broad and heterogenous class of diseases termed cholangiopathies, which can present with phenotypes ranging from defective IHBD development in pediatric patients to progressive periductal fibrosis and cancer. DR is observed in many cholangiopathies, highlighting overlapping similarities between cell- and tissue-level responses by BECs across a spectrum of injury and disease. The following core set of cell biological BEC responses to stress and injury may moderate, initiate, or exacerbate liver pathophysiology in a context-dependent manner: cell death, proliferation, transdifferentiation, senescence, and acquisition of neuroendocrine phenotype. By reviewing how IHBDs respond to stress, this review seeks to highlight fundamental processes with potentially adaptive or maladaptive consequences. A deeper understanding of how these common responses contribute to DR and cholangiopathies may identify novel therapeutic targets in liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Hrncir
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fransky Hantelys
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Adam D Gracz
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Yoshizumi A, Kuboki S, Takayashiki T, Takano S, Takayanagi R, Sonoda I, Ohtsuka M. Tspan15-ADAM10 signalling enhances cancer stem cell-like properties and induces chemoresistance via Notch1 activation in ICC. Liver Int 2023; 43:2275-2291. [PMID: 37545390 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Notch1 activation promotes ICC progression and is associated with chemoresistance; however, therapies directly targeting Notch1 showed severe adverse effects. Notch1 activation is mediated by ADAM10, a molecular scissor that separates the target protein from its substrates in the cell membrane. Tspan15 regulates ADAM10 function, but the role of Tspan15 in ICC progression is unclear. METHODS Tspan15, ADAM10, and Notch1 expression and activation in fresh surgical specimens from 80 ICC patients and ICC cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS Tspan15 expression was increased in ICC compared with adjacent liver tissue, and high Tspan15 expression was an independent factor for poor prognosis. In ICC with high Tspan15 expression, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and haematogenous recurrence were increased. Tspan15 was co-expressed with ADAM10 in ICC, and associated with the expression of stemness and EMT markers. In ICC cells, Tspan15 induced ADAM10 activation by mediating the translocation of activated m-ADAM10 from the cytoplasm to the surface of the cell membrane, which further activated Notch1 by separating the intracellular domain of Notch1 from its extracellular domain, leading to enhancement of CSC-like properties and EMT. This signalling was associated with enhanced chemoresistance against gemcitabine and cisplatin. Inhibition of Tspan15 or ADAM10 is a promising therapeutic strategy in ICC, as Tspan15 or ADAM10 knockdown or treatment with ADAM10 inhibitor reduced chemoresistance and invasiveness by suppressing Notch1-mediated CSC-like properties and EMT. CONCLUSIONS Tspan15-ADAM10-Notch1 signalling is associated with aggressive tumour progression and poor prognosis in ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arihito Yoshizumi
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuboki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Takayashiki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shigetsugu Takano
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takayanagi
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Itaru Sonoda
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohtsuka
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Golino JL, Wang X, Bian J, Ruf B, Kelly M, Karim BO, Cam MC, Xie C. Anti-Cancer Activity of Verteporfin in Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092454. [PMID: 37173920 PMCID: PMC10177077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogenous malignancy that arises from the biliary epithelium and has a poor clinical prognosis. The Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway has been reported to affect various aspects of tumorigenesis, with high expression of YAP1 being negatively associated with survival in CCA patients. Thus, we investigated the antitumoral effect of verteporfin, a YAP1 pathway inhibitor, in YAP1/AKT hydrodynamic tail vein injected murine models. We also used flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze the change in the immune cell profile and malignant cell stemness following verteporfin treatment. Our results demonstrated reduced liver weight and tumor formation in verteporfin-treated groups compared to that of a vehicle-treated group. Immune cell profiling through flow cytometry showed that relative to the vehicle, verteporfin induced a higher ratio of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) M1/M2 and increased the percentage of activated CD8 T cell population (CD8+CD25+ and CD8+CD69+). scRNA-seq analysis showed significantly increased TAM M1 populations following verteporfin treatment and decreased proportions of stem-like cells within the malignant cell population. In summary, this study indicates that in CCA YAP/AKT murine models, verteporfin reduces tumorigenesis by polarizing anti-tumoral TAM and activating CD8 T cells and decreasing stem-like malignant cell proportions in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihye L Golino
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jing Bian
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin Ruf
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael Kelly
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Baktiar O Karim
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Maggie C Cam
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Changqing Xie
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Suoangbaji T, Zhang VX, Ng IOL, Ho DWH. Single-Cell Analysis of Primary Liver Cancer in Mouse Models. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030477. [PMID: 36766817 PMCID: PMC9914042 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC), consisting mainly of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The curative therapy for PLC is surgical resection and liver transplantation, but most PLCs are inoperable at diagnosis. Even after surgery, there is a high rate of tumor recurrence. There is an unmet clinical need to discover more effective treatment options for advanced PLCs. Pre-clinical mouse models in PLC research have played a critical role in identifying key oncogenic drivers and signaling pathways in hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have provided an unprecedented degree of resolution in such characterization. In this review, we will summarize the recent studies that utilized pre-clinical mouse models with the combination of scRNA-seq to provide an understanding of different aspects of PLC. We will focus particularly on the potentially actionable targets regarding the cellular and molecular components. We anticipate that the findings in mouse models could complement those in patients. With more defined etiological background, mouse models may provide valuable insights.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Correspondence: (I.O.-L.N.); (D.W.-H.H.); Fax: +852-28872-5197 (I.O.-L.N.); +852-2819-5375 (D.W.-H.H.)
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Correspondence: (I.O.-L.N.); (D.W.-H.H.); Fax: +852-28872-5197 (I.O.-L.N.); +852-2819-5375 (D.W.-H.H.)
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Piccolo S, Panciera T, Contessotto P, Cordenonsi M. YAP/TAZ as master regulators in cancer: modulation, function and therapeutic approaches. Nat Cancer 2023; 4:9-26. [PMID: 36564601 PMCID: PMC7614914 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the function of the transcriptional regulators YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ) in cancer is advancing. In this Review, we provide an update on recent progress in YAP/TAZ biology, their regulation by Hippo signaling and mechanotransduction and highlight open questions. YAP/TAZ signaling is an addiction shared by multiple tumor types and their microenvironments, providing many malignant attributes. As such, it represents an important vulnerability that may offer a broad window of therapeutic efficacy, and here we give an overview of the current treatment strategies and pioneering clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Piccolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- IFOM-ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
| | - Tito Panciera
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Fu J, McGrath NA, Lee J, Wang X, Brar G, Xie C. Verteporfin synergizes the efficacy of anti-PD-1 in cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:485-492. [PMID: 35307294 PMCID: PMC9463402 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the primary hepatobiliary malignant neoplasms with only 10% of 5-year survival rate. Promising immunotherapy with the blockade of immune checkpoints has no clear benefit in CCA. The inhibition of YAP1 signaling by verteporfin has shown encouraging results by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefit of the combination of verteporfin and anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) in CCA mouse model. METHODS We assessed the cytotoxicity of verteporfin in human CCA cell lines in vitro, including both intrahepatic CCA and extrahepatic CCA cells. We examined the in vitro effect of verteporfin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and stemness. We evaluated the in vivo efficacy of verteporfin, anti-PD-1, and a combination of both in subcutaneous CCA mouse model. RESULTS Our study showed that verteporfin reduced tumor cell growth and enhanced apoptosis of human CCA tumor cells in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion. Nevertheless, verteporfin impaired stemness evidenced by reduced spheroid formation and colony formation, decreased numbers of cells with aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and positive cancer stem cell markers (all P < 0.05). The combination of verteporfin and anti-PD-1 reduced tumor burden in CCA subcutaneous SB1 tumor model compared to either agent alone. CONCLUSIONS Verteporfin exhibits antitumor effects in both intrahepatic and extrahepatic CCA cell lines and the combination with anti-PD-1 inhibited tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyang Fu
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nicole A McGrath
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jihye Lee
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gagandeep Brar
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Changqing Xie
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Ballout F, Lu H, Chen L, Sriramajayam K, Que J, Meng Z, Wang TC, Giordano S, Zaika A, McDonald O, Peng D, El-Rifai W. APE1 redox function is required for activation of Yes-associated protein 1 under reflux conditions in Barrett's-associated esophageal adenocarcinomas. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:264. [PMID: 36045416 PMCID: PMC9434868 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02472-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is characterized by poor prognosis and low survival rate. Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the main risk factor for the development of Barrett's esophagus (BE), a preneoplastic metaplastic condition, and its progression to EAC. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) activation mediates stem-like properties under cellular stress. The role of acidic bile salts (ABS) in promoting YAP1 activation under reflux conditions remains unexplored. METHODS A combination of EAC cell lines, transgenic mice, and patient-derived xenografts were utilized in this study. mRNA expression and protein levels of APE1 and YAP1 were evaluated by qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. YAP1 activation was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and luciferase transcriptional activity reporter assay. The functional role and mechanism of regulation of YAP1 by APE1 was determined by sphere formation assay, siRNA mediated knockdown, redox-specific inhibition, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS We showed that YAP1 signaling is activated in BE and EAC cells following exposure to ABS, the mimicry of reflux conditions in patients with GERD. This induction was consistent with APE1 upregulation in response to ABS. YAP1 activation was confirmed by its nuclear accumulation with corresponding up-regulation of YAP1 target genes. APE1 silencing inhibited YAP1 protein induction and reduced its nuclear expression and transcriptional activity, following ABS treatment. Further investigation revealed that APE1-redox-specific inhibition (E3330) or APE1 redox-deficient mutant (C65A) abrogated ABS-mediated YAP1 activation, indicating an APE1 redox-dependent mechanism. APE1 silencing or E3330 treatment reduced YAP1 protein levels and diminished the number and size of EAC spheroids. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that APE1 regulated YAP1 stability through interaction with β-TrCP ubiquitinase, whereas APE1-redox-specific inhibition induced YAP1 poly-ubiquitination promoting its degradation. CONCLUSION Our findings established a novel function of APE1 in EAC progression elucidating druggable molecular vulnerabilities via targeting APE1 or YAP1 for the treatment of EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Ballout
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Kannappan Sriramajayam
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA
| | - Jianwen Que
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Zhipeng Meng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology & Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Timothy C Wang
- Department of Medicine and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino and Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Alexander Zaika
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami Healthcare System, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Oliver McDonald
- Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Dunfa Peng
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Rosenstiel Med Science Bldg., 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 4007, Miami, FL, 33136-1015, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami Healthcare System, Miami, FL, USA.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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11
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Kim YS, Kim M, Cho DI, Lim SY, Jun JH, Kim MR, Kang BG, Eom GH, Kang G, Yoon S, Ahn Y. PSME4 Degrades Acetylated YAP1 in the Nucleus of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081659. [PMID: 36015285 PMCID: PMC9415559 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensive research has focused on minimizing the infarct area and stimulating endogenous regeneration after myocardial infarction. Our group previously elucidated that apicidin, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, robustly accelerates the cardiac commitment of naïve mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through acute loss of YAP1. Here, we propose the novel regulation of YAP1 in MSCs. We found that acute loss of YAP1 after apicidin treatment resulted in the mixed effects of transcriptional arrest and proteasomal degradation. Subcellular fractionation revealed that YAP1 was primarily localized in the cytoplasm. YAP1 was acutely relocalized into the nucleus and underwent proteasomal degradation. Interestingly, phosphor-S127 YAP1 was shuttled into the nucleus, suggesting that a mechanism other than phosphorylation governed the subcellular localization of YAP1. Apicidin successfully induced acetylation and subsequent dissociation of YAP1 from 14-3-3, an essential molecule for cytoplasmic restriction. HDAC6 regulated both acetylation and subcellular localization of YAP1. An acetylation-dead mutant of YAP1 retarded nuclear redistribution upon apicidin treatment. We failed to acquire convincing evidence for polyubiquitination-dependent degradation of YAP1, suggesting that a polyubiquitination-independent regulator determined YAP1 fate. Nuclear PSME4, a subunit of the 26 S proteasome, recognized and degraded acetyl YAP1 in the nucleus. MSCs from PSME4-null mice were injected into infarcted heart, and aberrant sudden death was observed. Injection of immortalized human MSCs after knocking down PSME4 failed to improve either cardiac function or the fibrotic scar area. Our data suggest that acetylation-dependent proteasome subunit PSME4 clears acetyl-YAP1 in response to apicidin treatment in the nucleus of MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Sook Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
| | - Mira Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | - Dong Im Cho
- Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Lim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
| | - Ju Hee Jun
- Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
| | - Mi Ra Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
| | - Bo Gyeong Kang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
| | - Gwang Hyeon Eom
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | - Gaeun Kang
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (S.Y.); (Y.A.)
| | - Somy Yoon
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (S.Y.); (Y.A.)
| | - Youngkeun Ahn
- Department of Cardiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Korea
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (S.Y.); (Y.A.)
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12
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Macias RIR, Cardinale V, Kendall TJ, Avila MA, Guido M, Coulouarn C, Braconi C, Frampton AE, Bridgewater J, Overi D, Pereira SP, Rengo M, Kather JN, Lamarca A, Pedica F, Forner A, Valle JW, Gaudio E, Alvaro D, Banales JM, Carpino G. Clinical relevance of biomarkers in cholangiocarcinoma: critical revision and future directions. Gut 2022; 71:1669-1683. [PMID: 35580963 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumour arising from the biliary system. In Europe, this tumour frequently presents as a sporadic cancer in patients without defined risk factors and is usually diagnosed at advanced stages with a consequent poor prognosis. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers represents an utmost need for patients with CCA. Numerous studies proposed a wide spectrum of biomarkers at tissue and molecular levels. With the present paper, a multidisciplinary group of experts within the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma discusses the clinical role of tissue biomarkers and provides a selection based on their current relevance and potential applications in the framework of CCA. Recent advances are proposed by dividing biomarkers based on their potential role in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy response. Limitations of current biomarkers are also identified, together with specific promising areas (ie, artificial intelligence, patient-derived organoids, targeted therapy) where research should be focused to develop future biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio I R Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) group, University of Salamanca, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain.,Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Timothy J Kendall
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matias A Avila
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.,Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cedric Coulouarn
- UMR_S 1242, COSS, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, INSERM University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Chiara Braconi
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Adam E Frampton
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - John Bridgewater
- Department of Medical Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Diletta Overi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stephen P Pereira
- Institute for Liver & Digestive Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marco Rengo
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Jakob N Kather
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Angela Lamarca
- Medical Oncology/Institute of Cancer Sciences, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust/University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Federica Pedica
- Department of Pathology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alejandro Forner
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.,BCLC group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic Barcelona. IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan W Valle
- Medical Oncology/Institute of Cancer Sciences, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust/University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Guido Carpino
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome 'Foro Italico', Rome, Italy
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13
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Li J, Jiang X, Xu Y, Kang P, Huang P, Meng N, Wang H, Zheng W, Wang H, Wang Z, Zhong X, Cui Y. YY1-induced DLEU1/miR-149-5p Promotes Malignant Biological Behavior of Cholangiocarcinoma through Upregulating YAP1/TEAD2/SOX2. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:4301-4315. [PMID: 35864972 PMCID: PMC9295058 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.66224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma is an extremely malignant cancer with poor prognosis. Finding efficient diagnosis and treatment is the indispensable way to improve the prognosis of CCA patients. Therefore, exploring molecular abnormalities in CCA development is urgently needed. DLEU1 is a potential tumor-related lncRNA and abnormally expressed in multiple cancers. In this study, TCGA data analysis showed upregulation of DLEU1 expression in CCA. Furthermore, we confirmed that DLEU1 expression was increased in CCA tissues and cells compared with corresponding controls. Upregulated DLEU1 was related to poor clinicopathological characteristics. Functionally, silencing DLEU1 inhibited CCA proliferation, invasion, stemness maintenance and chemo-resistance, whereas amplifying DLEU1 promoted malignant biological behavior of CCA cells. Mechanistically, DLEU1 expression was transcriptionally facilitated by transcription factor YY1. Moreover, DLEU1 promoted oncogene YAP1 expression by functioning as a sponge to competitively bind to miR-149-5p. YAP1 promoted CCA proliferation, invasion and stemness maintenance, whereas miR-149-5p inhibited malignant biological behavior of CCA. Rescue experiments confirmed that the cancer-promoting effect of DLEU1 was saved by interfering miR-149-5p or YAP1. Furthermore, YAP1 promoted tumor stemness maintenance partly by acting as a transcriptional coactivator to promote TEAD2-induced SOX2 expression. These findings indicated that YY1-induced DLEU1 played a crucial role in CCA progression via miR-149-5p/YAP1/TEAD2/SOX2 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Li
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xingming Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Pengcheng Kang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Nanfeng Meng
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Hang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Wangyang Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Zhidong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yunfu Cui
- Department of General Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Street, Harbin 150086, Heilongjiang Province, China
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14
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Moon H, Park H, Chae MJ, Choi HJ, Kim DY, Ro SW. Activated TAZ induces liver cancer in collaboration with EGFR/HER2 signaling pathways. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:423. [PMID: 35439973 PMCID: PMC9019950 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cancer is a major global health concern due to the steady increases in its incidence and mortality. Transcription factors, yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1 (WWTR1, also known as TAZ) have emerged as critical regulators in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), the two major types of primary liver cancer. However, our study as well as other previous reports have shown that activation of YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ) in adult murine livers is insufficient for the development of liver cancer, suggesting a requirement for an additional oncogenic collaborator for liver carcinogenesis in adulthood. Therefore, we sought to identify the oncogenic partners of YAP/TAZ that promote hepatocarcinogenesis in adults. Methods Data analysis of the transcriptome of patients with liver cancer was performed using the national center for biotechnology information (NCBI) gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). The cancer therapeutics response portal (CTRP) was used to investigate the correlation between sensitivity to chemicals and the copy number of TAZ in human cancer cell lines. Transposons encoding constitutively activated forms of TAZ (TAZS89A), BRAF (BRAFV600E), and PIK3CA (PI3KE545K) were used for hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Mice were monitored at least twice per week and sacrificed when moribund. Tumor-bearing livers were formalin fixed for hematoxylin–eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Results Through database analyses, we identified EGFR/HER2 signaling to be essential in human cancers with high TAZ activity. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analyses showed that human HCC and CC tissues with high YAP/TAZ activities exhibited concomitant activation of EGFR/HER2 signaling pathways. To demonstrate that EGFR/HER2 signaling promotes YAP/TAZ-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis, TAZS89A was simultaneously expressed in murine adult livers with BRAFV600E or PI3KE545K, activated forms of effector molecules downstream of EGFR/HER2 signaling pathways. Expression of TAZS89A plus BRAFV600E induced HCC, whereas TAZS89A and PI3KE545K led to the development of CC-like cancer. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that TAZ collaborates with EGFR/HER2 signaling pathways to induce both HCC and CC. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09516-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyuk Moon
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 17104, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Hyunjung Park
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 17104, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Min Jee Chae
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 17104, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Hye Jin Choi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 03722, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, 03722, Seoul, South Korea. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 03722, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Simon Weonsang Ro
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 17104, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
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15
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Cadamuro M, Strazzabosco M. Inflammatory pathways and cholangiocarcinoma risk mechanisms and prevention. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:39-73. [PMID: 35961707 PMCID: PMC10916841 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a neoplasm burdened by a poor prognosis and currently lacking adequate therapeutic treatments, can originate at different levels of the biliary tree, in the intrahepatic, hilar, or extrahepatic area. The main risk factors for the development of CCA are the presence of chronic cholangiopathies of various etiology. To date, the most studied prodromal diseases of CCA are primary sclerosing cholangitis, Caroli's disease and fluke infestations, but other conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, are emerging as associated with an increased risk of CCA development. In this review, we focused on the analysis of the pro-inflammatory mechanisms that induce the development of CCA and on the role of cells of the immune response in cholangiocarcinogenesis. In very recent times, these cellular mechanisms have been the subject of emerging studies aimed at verifying how the modulation of the inflammatory and immunological responses can have a therapeutic significance and how these can be used as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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16
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Ko S, Kim M, Molina L, Sirica AE, Monga SP. YAP1 activation and Hippo pathway signaling in the pathogenesis and treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:283-317. [PMID: 35961703 PMCID: PMC9972177 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), the second most common primary liver cancer, is a highly lethal epithelial cell malignancy exhibiting features of cholangiocyte differentiation. iCCAs can potentially develop from multiple cell types of origin within liver, including immature or mature cholangiocytes, hepatic stem cells/progenitor cells, and from transdifferentiation of hepatocytes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and genetic drivers that diversely drive specific cell lineage pathways leading to iCCA has important biological and clinical implications. In this context, activation of the YAP1-TEAD dependent transcription, driven by Hippo-dependent or -independent diverse mechanisms that lead to the stabilization of YAP1 is crucially important to biliary fate commitment in hepatobiliary cancer. In preclinical models, YAP1 activation in hepatocytes or cholangiocytes is sufficient to drive their malignant transformation into iCCA. Moreover, nuclear YAP1/TAZ is highly prevalent in human iCCA irrespective of the varied etiology, and significantly correlates with poor prognosis in iCCA patients. Based on the ubiquitous expression and diverse physiologic roles for YAP1/TAZ in the liver, recent studies have further revealed distinct functions of active YAP1/TAZ in regulating tumor metabolism, as well as the tumor immune microenvironment. In the current review, we discuss our current understanding of the various roles of the Hippo-YAP1 signaling in iCCA pathogenesis, with a specific focus on the roles played by the Hippo-YAP1 pathway in modulating biliary commitment and oncogenicity, iCCA metabolism, and immune microenvironment. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the YAP1/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional machinery in iCCA, its current limitations, and what future studies are needed to facilitate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Ko
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Laura Molina
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alphonse E Sirica
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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17
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Wu K, Wang Z, Huang Y, Yao L, Kang N, Ge W, Zhang R, He W. LncRNA PTPRG-AS1 facilitates glycolysis and stemness properties of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells through miR-599/PDK1 axis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:507-517. [PMID: 34676588 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most significant subtype of esophageal cancer featured with high occurrence. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proved to modulate the biological properties of cancer cells, including cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. LncRNA protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type G-antisense RNA 1 (PTPRG-AS1) has been reported to play as an oncogene in diverse cancers. However, the detailed function PTPRG-AS1 may exert in ESCC is unclear. METHODS PTPRG-AS1 expression in ESCC cells was investigated via quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The effects of PTPRG-AS1 on ESCC cell proliferation, migration, glycolysis, and stemness were verified through functional assays. Mechanism assays including RIP assay, RNA pull down assay, and luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify the molecular mechanism of PTPRG-AS1. RESULTS PTPRG-AS1 silencing hindered the proliferation, migration, glycolysis and stemness of ESCC cells. PTPRG-AS1 regulated pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) expression via sponging miR-599. The PTPRG-AS1/miR-599/PDK1 axis was further verified to aggravate the progression of ESCC cells. CONCLUSION PTPRG-AS1 sponged miR-599 to up-regulate PDK1 expression, thereby promoting the proliferation and migration as well as glycolysis and stemness properties of ESCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiming Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ziao Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yunlong Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Long Yao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ningning Kang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Renquan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Basic Medical Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Tamai K, Fujimori H, Mochizuki M, Satoh K. Cancer Stem Cells in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma; Their Molecular Basis, and Therapeutic Implications. Front Physiol 2022; 12:824261. [PMID: 35111082 PMCID: PMC8801575 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.824261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer tissue consists of heterogenous cell types, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of the tissue which possess therapy resistance, tumor reconstruction capability, and are responsible for metastasis. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is one of the most common type of liver cancer that is highly aggressive with poor prognosis. Since no target therapy is efficient in improving patient outcomes, new therapeutic approaches need to be developed. CSC is thought to be a promising therapeutic target because of its resistance to therapy. Accumulating evidences suggests that there are many factors (surface marker, stemness-related genes, etc.) and mechanisms (epithelial-mesenchymal transition, mitochondria activity, etc.) which are linked to CSC-like phenotypes. Nevertheless, limited studies are reported about the application of therapy using these mechanisms, suggesting that more precise understandings are still needed. In this review, we overview the molecular mechanisms which modulate CSC-like phenotypes, and discuss the future perspective for targeting CSC in iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Tamai
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute, Natori, Japan
- *Correspondence: Keiichi Tamai,
| | - Haruna Fujimori
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute, Natori, Japan
| | - Mai Mochizuki
- Division of Cancer Stem Cells, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute, Natori, Japan
| | - Kennichi Satoh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
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Suwannakul N, Midorikawa K, Du C, Qi YP, Zhang J, Xiang BD, Murata M, Ma N. Subcellular localization of HMGB1 in human cholangiocarcinoma: correlation with tumor stage. Discov Oncol 2021; 12:49. [PMID: 35201494 PMCID: PMC8777519 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-021-00446-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant disease with a poor prognosis, and several studies have been conducted using different molecular markers as a tool for CCA diagnosis, including Clonorchis sinensis (CS)-CCA. We initially identified the expression profiles of the three markers of interest, HMGB1, SOX9, and YAP1, using GSE (GSE76297 and GSE32958) datasets. Upregulated levels of these three proteins were detected in CCA samples compared to those in normal samples. To clarify this issue, 24 human CCA tissues with paired adjacent normal tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. Of the three markers, the total cellular staining intensities were scanned, and subcellular localization was scored in the nuclear and cytoplasmic regions. The intensities of HMGB1, SOX9, and YAP1 were elevated in CCA tissues than the adjacent normal tissues. Individual scoring of subcellular localization revealed that the expression levels of HMGB1 (nucleus) and YAP1 (nucleus and cytoplasm) were significantly different from the pathologic M stage. Moreover, the translocation pattern was categorized using "site-index", and the results demonstrated that the overexpression of HMGB1 and SOX9 was mostly observed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas YAP1 was predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. Interestingly, the site index of HMGB1 was moderately correlated with the tumor stage (r = 0.441, p = 0.031). These findings imply that the overexpression of subcellular HMGB1 could be associated with the metastatic status of patients with CS-CCA, which was shown to be effective for CS-CCA prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattawan Suwannakul
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Kaoru Midorikawa
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Chunping Du
- Department of Pathology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi, China
| | - Ya-Peng Qi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi, China
| | - Bang-De Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi, China
| | - Mariko Murata
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.
| | - Ning Ma
- Graduate School of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1, Kishioka, Suzuka, Mie, 510-0293, Japan.
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20
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Vaquero J, Keitel V. Deciphering FAK in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A novel therapeutic target? J Hepatol 2021; 75:765-767. [PMID: 34252516 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Vaquero
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain; National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Verena Keitel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
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21
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Shim J, Goldsmith KC. A New Player in Neuroblastoma: YAP and Its Role in the Neuroblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184650. [PMID: 34572875 PMCID: PMC8472533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor that accounts for more than 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. High risk neuroblastomas that recur during or after intense multimodal therapy have a <5% chance at a second sustained remission or cure. The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized to play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including in neuroblastoma. The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in the Hippo pathway can regulate cancer proliferation, tumor initiation, and therapy response in many cancer types and as such, its role in the TME has gained interest. In this review, we focus on YAP and its role in neuroblastoma and further describe its demonstrated and potential effects on the neuroblastoma TME. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting YAP in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kelly C. Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-727-2655
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22
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Ngo MHT, Peng SW, Kuo YC, Lin CY, Wu MH, Chuang CH, Kao CX, Jeng HY, Lin GW, Ling TY, Chang TS, Huang YH. A Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) Signaling Loop Is Involved in Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3812. [PMID: 34359714 PMCID: PMC8345119 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of a YAP-IGF-1R signaling loop in HCC resistance to sorafenib remains unknown. METHOD Sorafenib-resistant cells were generated by treating naïve cells (HepG2215 and Hep3B) with sorafenib. Different cancer cell lines from databases were analyzed through the ONCOMINE web server. BIOSTORM-LIHC patient tissues (46 nonresponders and 21 responders to sorafenib) were used to compare YAP mRNA levels. The HepG2215_R-derived xenograft in SCID mice was used as an in vivo model. HCC tissues from a patient with sorafenib failure were used to examine differences in YAP and IGF-R signaling. RESULTS Positive associations exist among the levels of YAP, IGF-1R, and EMT markers in HCC tissues and the levels of these proteins increased with sorafenib failure, with a trend of tumor-margin distribution in vivo. Blocking YAP downregulated IGF-1R signaling-related proteins, while IGF-1/2 treatment enhanced the nuclear translocation of YAP in HCC cells through PI3K-mTOR regulation. The combination of YAP-specific inhibitor verteporfin (VP) and sorafenib effectively decreased cell viability in a synergistic manner, evidenced by the combination index (CI). CONCLUSION A YAP-IGF-1R signaling loop may play a role in HCC sorafenib resistance and could provide novel potential targets for combination therapy with sorafenib to overcome drug resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai-Huong T. Ngo
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (C.-X.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
| | - Sue-Wei Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
| | - Chun-Yen Lin
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (C.-H.C.)
| | - Ming-Heng Wu
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsien Chuang
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (C.-H.C.)
| | - Cheng-Xiang Kao
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (C.-X.K.)
| | - Han-Yin Jeng
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
| | - Gee-Way Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thai-Yen Ling
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
| | - Te-Sheng Chang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33382, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-H.T.N.); (C.-X.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (S.-W.P.); (G.-W.L.)
- TMU Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-C.K.); (H.-Y.J.)
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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23
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Lu X, Peng B, Chen G, Pes MG, Ribback S, Ament C, Xu H, Pal R, Rodrigues PM, Banales JM, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Chen X, Fan B, Wang J. YAP Accelerates Notch-Driven Cholangiocarcinogenesis via mTORC1 in Mice. Am J Pathol 2021; 191:1651-1667. [PMID: 34129844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a lethal malignant neoplasm with limited therapeutic options. Previous studies have found that Notch1 overexpression alone suffices to induce iCCA in the mouse, albeit after long latency. The current study found that activation of the Yes-associated protein (Yap) proto-oncogene occurs during Notch1-driven iCCA progression. After co-expressing activated Notch1 intracellular domain (Nicd) and Yap (YapS127A) in the mouse liver, rapid iCCA formation and progression occurred in Nicd/Yap mice. Mechanistically, an increased expression of amino acid transporters and activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway was detected in Nicd/Yap mouse liver tumors. Significantly, the genetic deletion of Raptor, the major mTORC1 component, completely suppressed iCCA development in Nicd/Yap mice. Elevated expression of Notch1, YAP, amino acid transporters, and members of the mTORC1 pathway was also detected ubiquitously in a collection of human iCCA specimens. Their levels were associated with a poor patient outcome. This study demonstrates that Notch and YAP concomitant activation is frequent in human cholangiocarcinogenesis. Notch and YAP synergize to promote iCCA formation by activating the mTORC1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjun Lu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Baogang Peng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ge Chen
- University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mario G Pes
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institute of Pathology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Cindy Ament
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California; Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Rajesh Pal
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Biao Fan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China.
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California; School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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24
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Abstract
Purpose of review Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are increasingly understood to play a central role in tumor progression. Growing evidence implicates tumor microenvironments as a source of signals that regulate or even impose CSC states on tumor cells. This review explores points of integration for microenvironment-derived signals that are thought to regulate CSCs in carcinomas. Recent findings CSC states are directly regulated by the mechanical properties and extra cellular matrix (ECM) composition of tumor microenvironments that promote CSC growth and survival, which may explain some modes of therapeutic resistance. CSCs sense mechanical forces and ECM composition through integrins and other cell surface receptors, which then activate a number of intracellular signaling pathways. The relevant signaling events are dynamic and context-dependent. Summary CSCs are thought to drive cancer metastases and therapeutic resistance. Cells that are in CSC states and more differentiated states appear to be reversible and conditional upon the components of the tumor microenvironment. Signals imposed by tumor microenvironment are of a combinatorial nature, ultimately representing the integration of multiple physical and chemical signals. Comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment-imposed signaling that maintains cells in CSC states may guide future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina A Jokela
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd, Duarte CA 91010
| | - Mark A LaBarge
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd, Duarte CA 91010
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25
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Wang H, Wang J, Zhang S, Jia J, Liu X, Zhang J, Wang P, Song X, Che L, Liu K, Ribback S, Cigliano A, Evert M, Wu H, Calvisi DF, Zeng Y, Chen X. Distinct and Overlapping Roles of Hippo Effectors YAP and TAZ During Human and Mouse Hepatocarcinogenesis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:1095-1117. [PMID: 33232824 PMCID: PMC7903139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog transcriptional co-activator with post synaptic density protein, drosophila disc large tumor suppressor and zonula occludens-1-binding motif (TAZ) are 2 co-activators downstream of Hippo tumor-suppressor cascade. Both have been implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether YAP and TAZ have distinct or overlapping functions during hepatocarcinogenesis remains unknown. METHODS Expression patterns of YAP and TAZ were analyzed in human HCC samples. The requirement of Yap and/or Taz in protein kinase B (Akt)/ neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRas) -driven liver tumorigenesis was analyzed using conditional Yap, Taz, and Yap;Taz knockout mice. Transcriptional programs regulated by YAP and/or TAZ were identified via RNA sequencing. RESULTS We found that in human HCC samples, an almost ubiquitous activation of YAP or TAZ occurs, underlying their role in this tumor type. Intriguingly, 70% of HCC samples showed only nuclear YAP or TAZ immunoreactivity. In the Akt/NRas liver tumor model, where nuclear Yap and Taz can be detected readily, deletion of Yap or Taz alone only mildly delayed liver tumor development, whereas their concomitant ablation strongly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and significantly suppressed Akt/NRas-driven hepatocarcinogenesis. In HCC cell lines, silencing of either YAP or TAZ led to decreased expression of both overlapping and distinct sets of genes, with the most prominent gene signatures related to cell-cycle progression and DNA replication. CONCLUSIONS YAP and TAZ have overlapping and distinct roles in hepatocarcinogenesis. HCCs may display unique activation of YAP or TAZ, thus relying on either YAP or TAZ for their growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichuan Wang
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jiaoyuan Jia
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; Department of Oncology and Hematology, The Second Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xianqiong Liu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Xinhua Song
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Li Che
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, East Lansing, Michigan; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institute of Pathology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Antonio Cigliano
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinic of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinic of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hong Wu
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinic of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Yong Zeng
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California.
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26
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Abstract
Verteporfin (VP) has long been clinically used to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through photodynamic therapy (PDT). Recent studies have reported a significant anti-tumor effect of VP as well. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a pro-tumorigenic factor that is aberrantly expressed in various cancers and is a central effector of the Hippo signaling pathway that regulates organ size and tumorigenesis. VP can inhibit YAP without photoactivation, along with suppressing autophagy, and downregulating germinal center kinase-like kinase (GLK) and STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK). In addition, VP can induce mitochondrial damage and increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon photoactivation, and is an effective photosensitizer (PS) in anti-tumor PDT. We have reviewed the direct and adjuvant therapeutic action of VP as a PS, and its YAP/TEA domain (TEAD)-dependent and independent pharmacological effects in the absence of light activation against cancer cells and solid tumors. Based on the present evidence, VP may be repositioned as a promising anti-cancer chemotherapeutic and adjuvant drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changran Wei
- Department of The First Clinical Medical School, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangqi Li
- Department of The First Clinical Medical School, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Tai'an, China
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Abstract
The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma has been increasing steadily over the past 50 years, but the survival rates remained low due to the disease being highly resistant to non-surgical treatment interventions. Cancer stem cell markers are expressed in cholangiocarcinoma, suggesting that they serve a significant role in the physiology of the disease. Cancer stem cells are frequently implicated in tumor relapse and acquired resistance to a number of therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, radiation and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Novel targeted therapies to eradicate cancer stem cells may assist in overcoming treatment resistance in cholangiocarcinoma and reduce the rates of relapse and recurrence. Several signaling pathways have been previously documented to regulate the development and survival of cancer stem cells, including Notch, janus kinase/STAT, Hippo/yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), Wnt and Hedgehog signaling. Although pharmacological agents have been developed to target these pathways, only modest effects were reported in clinical trials. The Hippo/YAP1 signaling pathway has come to the forefront in the field of cancer stem cell research due to its reported involvement in epithelium-mesenchymal transition, cell adhesion, organogenesis and tumorigenesis. In the present article, recent findings in terms of cancer stem cell research in cholangiocarcinoma were reviewed, where the potential therapeutic targeting of cancer stem cells in this disease was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Mcgrath
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Jianyang Fu
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Sophie Z Gu
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 20215, USA
| | - Changqing Xie
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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28
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Kulkarni A, Chang MT, Vissers JHA, Dey A, Harvey KF. The Hippo Pathway as a Driver of Select Human Cancers. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:781-96. [PMID: 32446746 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway regulates myriad biological processes in diverse species and is a key cancer signaling network in humans. Although Hippo has been linked to multiple aspects of cancer, its role in this disease is incompletely understood. Large-scale pan-cancer analyses of core Hippo pathway genes reveal that the pathway is mutated at a high frequency only in select human cancers, including malignant mesothelioma and meningioma. Hippo pathway deregulation is also enriched in squamous epithelial cancers. We discuss cancer-related functions of the Hippo pathway and potential explanations for the cancer-restricted mutation profile of core Hippo pathway genes. Greater understanding of Hippo pathway deregulation in cancers will be essential to guide the imminent use of Hippo-targeted therapies.
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Takagi Y, Sakai N, Yoshitomi H, Furukawa K, Takayashiki T, Kuboki S, Takano S, Suzuki D, Kagawa S, Mishima T, Nakadai E, Miyauchi H, Matsubara H, Ohtsuka M. High expression of Krüppel-like factor 5 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2078-2092. [PMID: 32279400 PMCID: PMC7293098 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel‐like factor 5 (KLF5) plays an oncogenic role and has diverse functions in cancer cells. However, correlation between KLF5 and clinical outcome has not been determined in patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal liver metastasis. Herein, we analyzed 65 patients with colorectal cancer who developed colorectal liver metastasis. Clinical effects were assessed through immunohistochemical analysis of primary colorectal cancer lesions and metastatic liver lesions. High expression of KLF5 in these tissues correlated with the presence of vascular invasion, elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 levels, large diameters of metastatic liver tumors, and poor prognosis following surgery. Multivariate analyses revealed that high expression of KLF5 was an independent prognostic factor. Increased expression of KLF5 in both colorectal cancer primaries and colorectal liver metastasis was significantly associated with shorter overall survival time and time to surgical failure. Krüppel‐like factor 5 expression positively correlated with Ki‐67 and c‐Myc expression in colorectal cancer tissues. In vitro experiments with colon cancer cell lines showed that siRNA knockdown of KLF5 inhibited cell proliferation. Western blot analyses revealed that knockdown of KLF5 expression reduced cyclin D1 and c‐Myc expression. It also impaired the stem cell‐like properties of cancer cells in tumorsphere formation assays. Furthermore, anoikis assay indicated that KLF5 contributed to anoikis resistance. High KLF5 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis by promoting cell proliferation and cancer stem cell‐like properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Takagi
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Nozomu Sakai
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yoshitomi
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsunori Furukawa
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Takayashiki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuboki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shigetsugu Takano
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daisuke Suzuki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shingo Kagawa
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takashi Mishima
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Eri Nakadai
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hideaki Miyauchi
- Department of Frontier Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hisahiro Matsubara
- Department of Frontier Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohtsuka
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Baglo Y, Sorrin AJ, Liang BJ, Huang HC. Harnessing the Potential Synergistic Interplay Between Photosensitizer Dark Toxicity and Chemotherapy. Photochem Photobiol 2020; 96:636-645. [PMID: 31856423 DOI: 10.1111/php.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The combination of photodynamic therapy and taxol- or platinum-based chemotherapy (photochemotherapy) is an effective and promising cancer treatment. While the mechanisms of action of photochemotherapy are actively studied, relatively little is known about the cytotoxicity and molecular alterations induced by the combination of chemotherapy and photosensitizers without light activation in cancer cells. This study investigates the interplay between the photosensitizer benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) without light activation and cisplatin or paclitaxel in two glioblastoma lines, U87 and U251. The combination effect of BPD and cisplatin in U87 cells is slightly synergistic (combination index, CI = 0.93), showing 1.8- to 2.6-fold lower half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50 ) compared to those of individual drugs. In contrast, combining BPD and paclitaxel is slightly antagonistic (CI = 1.14) in U87 cells. In U251 cells, the combinations of BPD and cisplatin or paclitaxel are both antagonistic (CI = 1.24 and 1.34, respectively). Western blotting was performed to investigate changes in the expression levels of YAP, TAZ, Bcl-2 and EGFR in U87 and U251 cells treated with BPD, cisplatin and paclitaxel, both as monotherapies and in combination. Our study provides insights into the molecular alterations in two glioma lines caused by each monotherapy and the combinations, in order to inform the design of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Baglo
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
| | - Aaron J Sorrin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
| | - Barry J Liang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Jewell ML, Gibson JR, Guy CD, Hyun J, Du K, Oh SH, Premont RT, Hsu DS, Ribar T, Gregory SG, Diehl AME. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Identifies Yes-Associated Protein 1-Dependent Hepatic Mesothelial Progenitors in Fibrolamellar Carcinoma. Am J Pathol 2020; 190:93-107. [PMID: 31669305 PMCID: PMC10069284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is characterized by in-frame fusion of DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B1 (DNAJB1) with protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit α (PRKACA) and by dense desmoplasia. Surgery is the only effective treatment because mechanisms supporting tumor survival are unknown. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize a patient-derived FLC xenograft model and identify therapeutic targets. Human FLC cells segregated into four discrete clusters that all expressed the oncogene Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). The two communities most enriched with cells coexpressing FLC markers [CD68, A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12), cytokeratin 7, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM), and carbamoyl palmitate synthase-1] also had the most cells expressing YAP1 and its proproliferative target genes (AREG and CCND1), suggesting these were proliferative FLC cell clusters. The other two clusters were enriched with cells expressing profibrotic YAP1 target genes, ACTA2, ELN, and COL1A1, indicating these were fibrogenic FLC cells. All clusters expressed the YAP1 target gene and mesothelial progenitor marker mesothelin, and many mesothelin-positive cells coexpressed albumin. Trajectory analysis predicted that the four FLC communities were derived from a single cell type transitioning among phenotypic states. After establishing a novel FLC cell line that harbored the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion, YAP1 was inhibited, which significantly reduced expression of known YAP1 target genes as well as cell growth and migration. Thus, both FLC epithelial and stromal cells appear to arise from DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion in a YAP1-dependent liver mesothelial progenitor, identifying YAP1 as a target for FLC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L Jewell
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jason R Gibson
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia D Guy
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jeongeun Hyun
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kuo Du
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Seh-Hoon Oh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Richard T Premont
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David S Hsu
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Thomas Ribar
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Simon G Gregory
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anna Mae E Diehl
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
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