CARMA3 regulates the invasion, migration, and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by activating NF-кB and suppressing the P38 MAPK signaling pathway

CARMA3: A potential therapeutic target in non-cancer diseases

Caspase recruitment domain and membrane-associated guanylate kinase-like protein 3 (CARMA3) is a scaffold protein widely expressed in non-hematopoietic cells. It is encoded by the caspase recruitment domain protein 10 (CARD10) gene. CARMA3 can form a CARMA3-BCL10-MALT1 complex by recruiting B cell lymphoma 10 (BCL10) and mucosa-​associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1), thereby activating nuclear factor-​κB (NF-κB), a key transcription factor that involves in various biological responses. CARMA3 mediates different receptors-dependent signaling pathways, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Inappropriate expression and activation of GPCRs and/or RTKs/CARMA3 signaling lead to the pathogenesis of human diseases. Emerging studies have reported that CARMA3 mediates the development of various types of cancers. Moreover, CARMA3 and its partners participate in human non-cancer diseases, including atherogenesis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, liver fibrosis, insulin resistance, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. Here we provide a review on its structure, regulation, and molecular function, and further highlight recent findings in human non-cancerous diseases, which will provide a novel therapeutic target.

The role of the CBM complex in allergic inflammation and disease

The caspase activation and recruitment domain-coiled-coil (CARD-CC) family of proteins-CARD9, CARD10, CARD11, and CARD14-is collectively expressed across nearly all tissues of the body and is a crucial mediator of immunologic signaling as part of the CARD-B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 10-mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (CBM) complex. Dysfunction or dysregulation of CBM proteins has been linked to numerous clinical manifestations known as "CBM-opathies." The CBM-opathy spectrum encompasses diseases ranging from mucocutaneous fungal infections and psoriasis to combined immunodeficiency and lymphoproliferative diseases; however, there is accumulating evidence that the CARD-CC family members also contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of allergic inflammation and allergic diseases. Here, we review the 4 CARD-CC paralogs, as well as B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 10 and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1, and their individual and collective roles in the pathogenesis and progression of allergic inflammation and 4 major allergic diseases (allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and allergic rhinitis).

Deficiency of CARMA3 attenuates the development of bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has attracted more and more attention due to its irreversibility and high mortality rate. Currently, there is no effective treatment option is available to reverse the disease. Caspase recruitment domain-containing membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein (CARMA3) has been recognized as a proinflammatory molecule involved in many lung diseases, such as Allergic airway inflammation and lung cancer. Bleomycin (Bleo), as an alkaline sugar peptide antibiotics, is often used as a first-line anti-tumor agent. Its toxic effect is to induce pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and its clinical symptoms, so it has been widely used in the construction of pulmonary fibrosis model.

METHODS

Wild type mice (WT, n = 20) and CARMA3 knockout mice (CARMA3-KO, n = 20) were generated and injected with bleomycin or saline via trachea. The severity of fibrosis was evaluated by fibrosis markers and lung histological morphology. Furthermore, the amount of alveolar epithelial cells and inflammation in lung tissue were examined. Finally, epithelial-mesenchymal transition was further investigated.

RESULTS

We found CARMA3 expression in the mice alveolar epithelial cells. And compared with WT mice, CARMA3-KO mice showed reduced deposition of collagen fibers, inflammation and destruction of alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissue. In addition, after bleomycin induction, the expressions of proinflammatory factors and collagen-related factors in CARMA3-KO mice were much lower than those in WT mice. The epithelial-mesenchymal transformation phenotype was also improved in CARMA3-KO mice compared to WT mice.

CONCLUSION

Our Results shows that CARMA3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. CARMA3 could alleviate the fibrosis by improving inflammation, deposition of collagen and damage of alveolar epithelial cells, which revealed that CARMA3 may be a potential target for pulmonary fibrosis.

CARMA3 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cell Motility and Cancer Stemness via YAP-Mediated NF-κB Activation

Simple Summary

CARMA3 is overexpressed in most cancers, and its expression is positively associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we evaluated the detailed mechanisms of CARMA3-mediated CRC metastasis. We found that overexpression of CARMA3 induced the expression of YAP and NF-κB activation, then elicited EMT induction to enhance cell migration and invasion. We demonstrate for the first time that YAP is a critical downstream regulator of CARMA3 in CRC. Our findings reveal a regulation axis between CARMA3 and Hippo oncoprotein YAP and further support the potential role of CARMA3 in the metastasis and cancer stemness of CRC.

Abstract

CARD-recruited membrane-associated protein 3 (CARMA3) is overexpressed in various cancers and is associated with cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and tumor progression; however, the underlying mechanisms of CARMA3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remain unclear. Here, we found that higher CARMA3 expression was correlated with poor overall survival and metastasis in CRC patients from the TNMplot database and Human Tissue Microarray staining. Elevating CARMA3 expression promoted cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction, migration/invasion abilities, sphere formation, and cancer stem cell markers expression. Knockdown of CARMA3 decreased these processes via the EMT-related transcription factor Slug. Moreover, CARMA3 depletion significantly reduced tumor growth in mice that were consistent with the in vitro results. CRC migration/invasion could be regulated by CARMA3/YAP/Slug signaling axis using genetic inhibition of Yes-associated protein (YAP). Interestingly, CARMA3 induced activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB through YAP expression, contributing to upregulation of Slug. YAP expression positively correlated with CARMA3, NF-κB, and Slug gene expression and poor clinical outcomes in CRC patients. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that CARMA3 plays an important role in CRC progression, which may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and candidate therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

MicroRNA‑16‑5p/BIMP1/NF‑κB axis regulates autophagy to exert a tumor‑suppressive effect on bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common urological disease worldwide. Previous studies have reported that microRNA (miR)-16-5p is associated with the development of BC, but whether miR-16-5p regulates BC cell autophagy remains unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate this issue. miR-16-5p expression in BC cells was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected via Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. For cell autophagy detection, autophagic flux was detected using a mCherry-green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3) puncta formation assay, followed by determination of autophagy-related protein markers. The targeting relationship between miR-16-5p and caspase recruitment domain family member 10 (BIMP1) was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, followed by detection of the BIMP1/NF-κB signaling pathway. The results showed that miR-16-5p overexpression inhibited cell viability, whereas miR-16-5p knockdown promoted cell viability in BC. Furthermore, miR-16-5p overexpression induced autophagy, which was accompanied by increased autophagic flux and expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-II and beclin 1, as well as decreased p62 expression, whereas miR-16-5p silencing led to an inhibition of autophagy in BC cells. Moreover, autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine treatment inhibited cell autophagy and apoptosis in miR-16-5p-overexpressing cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that miR-16-5p could inhibit the BIMP1/NF-κB signaling pathway and this inhibition was achieved by directly targeting BIMP1. Furthermore, it was found that blockade of the BIMP1/NF-κB signaling pathway inversed the inhibitory effects of miR-16-5p knockdown on autophagy in BC cells. In vivo experiments further verified the tumor-suppressive effect on BC of the miR-16-5p/BIMP1/NF-κB axis. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that miR-16-5p promotes autophagy of BC cells via the BIMP1/NF-κB signaling pathway, and an improved understanding of miR-16-5p function may provide therapeutic targets for clinical intervention in this disease.

CARD10 cleavage by MALT1 restricts lung carcinoma growth in vivo

CARD-CC complexes involving BCL10 and MALT1 are major cellular signaling hubs. They govern NF-κB activation through their scaffolding properties as well as MALT1 paracaspase function, which cleaves substrates involved in NF-κB regulation. In human lymphocytes, gain-of-function defects in this pathway lead to lymphoproliferative disorders. CARD10, the prototypical CARD-CC protein in non-hematopoietic cells, is overexpressed in several cancers and has been associated with poor prognosis. However, regulation of CARD10 remains poorly understood. Here, we identified CARD10 as the first MALT1 substrate in non-hematopoietic cells and showed that CARD10 cleavage by MALT1 at R587 dampens its capacity to activate NF-κB. Preventing CARD10 cleavage in the lung tumor A549 cell line increased basal levels of IL-6 and extracellular matrix components in vitro, and led to increased tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model, suggesting that CARD10 cleavage by MALT1 might be a built-in mechanism controlling tumorigenicity.

MAP17 contributes to non-small cell lung cancer progression via suppressing miR-27a-3p expression and p38 signaling pathway

PROBLEM AND AIM

The overexpression of MAP17 has been reported in various human carcinomas. However, its molecular mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully understood. Our study aimed to reveal the molecular mechanism of NSCLC that involved MAP17 and identify its target miRNA.

METHODS

RT-qPCR and immunoblot assays were conducted to measure the expression of mRNA and protein in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, the A549 cells (an NSCLC cell line) were randomly assigned to the MAP17 overexpression group, the MAP17 knockdown group and negative control group to study the roles of MAP17 in cell viability, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis by performing Trypan blue exclusion, MTT, colony formation, transwell, wound healing and flow-cytometric apoptosis assays. The luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the target relationship between MAP17 and miR-27a-3p.

RESULTS

The upregulation of MAP17 mRNA and protein was observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. In vitro, the positive roles of MAP17 on cell viability, migration, and invasion were confirmed in A549 cells. It was also found that MAP17 could inhibit cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of the p38 pathway. This research eventually proved the target relationship between MAP17 and miR-27a-3p, and that miR-27a-3p reversed the effects of MAP17 in A549 cells by directly targeting MAP17.

CONCLUSIONS

MAP17 plays an oncogenic role in NSCLC by suppressing the activation of the p38 pathway. Apart from that, the miR-27a-3p can inhibit the expression of MAP17 to suppress the NSCLC progression.

Caspase recruitment domain family member 10 regulates carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 and promotes cancer growth in bladder cancer cells

Bladder cancer, which can be divided into non‐muscle‐invasive and muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, is the most common urinary cancer in the United States. Caspase recruitment domain family member 10 (CARD10), also named CARD‐containing MAGUK protein 3 (CARMA3), is a member of the CARMA family and may activate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway. We utilized RNA sequencing and metabolic mass spectrometry to identify the molecular and metabolic feature of CARD10. The signalling pathway of CARD10 was verified by Western blotting analysis and functional assays. RNA sequencing and metabolic mass spectrometry of CARD10 knockdown identified the metabolic enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1) in the urea cycle as the downstream gene regulated by CARD10. We confirmed that CARD10 affected cell proliferation and nucleotide metabolism through regulating CPS1. We indicated that CARD10 promote bladder cancer growth via CPS1 and maybe a potential therapeutic target in bladder cancer.

Sevoflurane regulates CARMA3 to inhibit migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by targeting NF-κB signaling pathway

AIM

To investigate the effect of sevoflurane on cell migration and invasion in gastric cancer (GC) cells, and to explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

After SGC7901 cells were transfected with siCARMA3 (siCARMA3 group), siControl (NC group), pcDNA 3.1-CARMA3 (CARMA3 group), or pcDNA 3.1 (vector group) by liposome method, the expression of CARMA3 mRNA in cells was detected by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression of CARMA3, p-p65, and p65 was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, sevoflurane inhibited the migration and invasion of GC cells and down-regulated the expression of CARMA3. Silencing of CARMA3 inhibited the migration and invasion of GC cells, while overexpression of CARMA3 promoted the migration and invasion of GC cells. CARMA3 targeted the NF-κB pathway. Thus, sevoflurane regulated CARMA3 to inhibit migration and invasion of GC cells by targeting the NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSION

Sevoflurane could inhibit the migration and invasion of GC cells via mechanisms that may be related to the regulation of CARMA3 to target the NF-κB pathway. This finding will provide a basis for clinical treatment of GC with sevoflurane.

CARMA3: Scaffold Protein Involved in NF-κB Signaling

Scaffold proteins are defined as pivotal molecules that connect upstream receptors to specific effector molecules. Caspase recruitment domain protein 10 (CARD10) gene encodes a scaffold protein CARMA3, belongs to the family of CARD and membrane-associated guanylate kinase-like protein (CARMA). During the past decade, investigating the function of CARMA3 has revealed that it forms a complex with BCL10 and MALT1 to mediate different receptors-dependent signaling, including GPCR and EGFR, leading to activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. More recently, CARMA3 and its partners are also reported to be involved in antiviral innate immune response and DNA damage response. In this review, we summarize the biology of CARMA3 in multiple receptor-induced NF-κB signaling. Especially, we focus on discussing the function of CARMA3 in regulating NF-κB activation and antiviral IFN signaling in the context of recent progress in the field.

The circINTS4/miR-146b/CARMA3 axis promotes tumorigenesis in bladder cancer

Accumulating evidence shows that circular RNAs (circRNAs) function as microRNA sponges that regulate gene expression in the progression of human cancers. However, the roles of circRNAs and functional miRNA sponges in bladder cancer (BC) remain largely unknown. In the present study, we applied bioinformatics methods and hypothesised that miR-146b may target the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of CARMA3 mRNA and circINTS4 may serve as a sponge for miR-146b in BC tumorigenesis. Expression of circINTS4 was significantly increased in miR-146b-downregulated BC tissues and cell lines compared to adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, circINTS4 was found to control multiple pathological processes, including cell proliferation and migration, the cell cycle and apoptosis. Regarding the mechanism, circINTS4 directly bound to miR-146b to inhibit its activity of targeting the 3'-UTR of CARMA3 mRNA. In addition, circINTS4 could activate the NF-kB signalling pathway and suppress the P38 MAPK signalling pathway in a CARMA3-mediated manner in BC cells. In summary, the circINTS4/miR-146b/CARMA3 axis might serve as a promising therapeutic target for BC intervention.

Long noncoding RNA NSCLCAT1 increases non-small cell lung cancer cell invasion and migration through the Hippo signaling pathway by interacting with CDH1

Metastatic growth is the leading cause of cancer-related death in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Metastasis is believed to be initiated by an increase in cell motility mediated by the loss of cell-cell adhesion because of the suppression of E-cadherin [encoded by cadherin 1 ( CDH1)]. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanism of CDH1 regulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that non-small cell lung cancer-associated transcript-1 (NSCLCAT1) suppresses functional CDH1 and mediates the Hippo signaling pathway, resulting in increased cell migration and invasion, and reduced apoptosis. Initially, microarray profiling and target prediction programs were employed to identify whether NSCLCAT1 targets CDH1. Next, quantitative PCR was used to determine the expression pattern of NSCLCAT1 in 114 specimens. The biologic functions of NSCLCAT1 in NSCLC were assessed through the up-regulation and down-regulation of the levels of endogenous NSCLCAT1 with the use of NSCLCAT1 vector or small interfering RNA against NSCLCAT1 in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the Hippo signaling pathway in NSCLC cells was blocked by applying the verteporfin treatment to have a better understanding on the pivotal role of the Hippo signaling pathway in NSCLC. Microarray expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs, GSE19804 and GSE27262), revealed that NSCLCAT1 was up-regulated in NSCLC. Among patients with NSCLC, we determined that the NSCLCAT1 was robustly induced, whereas CDH1 was suppressed. The luciferase activity determination identified CDH1 as a NSCLCAT1 target. NSCLCAT1 was found to increase cell viability, migration, and invasion and to reduce apoptosis in NSCLC cells. The results from the quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that NSCLCAT1 modulated the Hippo signaling pathway. Furthermore, the inhibition of the Hippo signaling pathway by verteporfin treatment led to the loss of the effect of NSCLCAT1 on NSCLC cells. In summary, our findings suggested that NSCLCAT1 potentially has a role in NSCLC and NSCLCAT1-mediated regulation of the Hippo signaling pathway through the transcriptional repression of CDH1; therefore, the functional suppression or inhibition of NSCLCAT1 could be used as a novel therapeutic pathway in the control of aggressive and metastatic NSCLC.-Zhao, W., Zhang, L.-N., Wang, X.-L., Zhang, J., Yu, H.-X. Long noncoding RNA NSCLCAT1 increases non-small cell lung cancer cell invasion and migration through the Hippo signaling pathway by interacting with CDH1.

CARD14/CARMA2 Signaling and its Role in Inflammatory Skin Disorders

CARMA proteins represent a family of scaffold molecules which play several crucial biological functions, including regulation of immune response and inflammation, tissue homeostasis, and modulation of G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) signaling. Among the CARMA proteins, CARD14/CARMA2 and its alternatively spliced isoforms are specifically expressed in epithelial cells and keratinocytes. Recent evidences have shown that CARD14/CARMA2 mediates induction of inflammatory response in keratinocytes, and that mutations in CARD14/CARMA2 gene segregate with familial transmission of chronic inflammatory disorders of the human skin. Similarly to CARD11/CARMA1 and CARD10/CARMA3, CARD14/CARMA2 signaling occurs trough formation of a trimeric complex which includes BCL10 and MALT1 proteins. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that in addition to the CBM complex components, a number of accessory molecules are able to finely modulate the signals conveyed on and amplified by CARD14/CARMA2. The study of these molecules is important both to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of CARMA2 in keratinocytes and because they represent potential therapeutic targets for the development of therapeutic strategies aiming at the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the human skin. In this review, we provide an overview on the molecular mechanisms mediating CARD14/CARMA2 signaling and its implication in our understanding of the pathogenesis of human inflammatory skin disorders.

Effects of amiloride on physiological activity of stem cells of human lung cancer and possible mechanism

Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor, the cancer stem cells (CSCs) were regarded responsible for the development of cancer tissue. The effects of amiloride on lung cancer stem cells and the possible mechanism were not much investigated. In this study, human NCI-H1975 lung CSCs were selected by flow cytometry, and the effects of amiloride at different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μmol/L) were evaluated on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of CSCs using cell counting kit-8 and Transwell migration assays as well as flow cytometry. Wstern blot analysis was performed to investigate the effect of amiloride on the level of proteins in uPA system, NF-kB pathway, and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in CSCs. As a result, we found that amiloride inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of lung CSCs, and promoted apoptosis. Further, we found that amiloride decreased levels of target proteins in the uPA system, as well as the NF-kB and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways. These results indicated that amiloride could inhibit proliferation, migration and invasion of lung CSCs, and promotes apoptosis, these effects may be related to decreased levels of proteins in the uPA system, the NF-kB pathway, and the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.

TMPYP4 exerted antitumor effects in human cervical cancer cells through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of the 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (1-methylpyridinium-4-yl) porphyrin (TMPyP4) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms by which TMPyP4 exerted its actions.

Results

After human cervical cancer cells were treated with different doses of TMPyP4, cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, the apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry (FCM), and the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), capase-3, MAPKAPK2 (MK-2) and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) was measured by Western blot analysis. The analysis revealed that TMPyP4 potently suppressed cell viability and induced the apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the up-regulation of p-p38 MAPK expression levels was detected in TMPyP4-treated human cervical cancer cells. However, followed by the block of p38 MAPK signaling pathway using the inhibitor SB203580, the effects of TMPyP4 on proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells were significantly changed.

Conclusions

It was indicated that TMPyP4-inhibited proliferation and -induced apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells was accompanied by activating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, our study demonstrates that TMPyP4 may represent a potential therapeutic method for the treatment of cervical carcinoma.

Protective Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on Deoxynivalenol-Induced Injury of Porcine Macrophage via Attenuating p38 MAPK Signal Pathway

The aims of our study were to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) on deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced injury in porcine alveolar macrophage cells (PAMCs) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometric analysis, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and western blot were performed to assess whether S. boulardii could prevent DON-induced injury by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signal pathway. The results showed that pretreatment with 8 μM DON could decrease the viability of PAMC and significantly increase the apoptosis rate of PAMC, whereas S. boulardii could rescue apoptotic PAMC cells induced by DON. Further experiments revealed that S. boulardii effectively reversed DON-induced cytotoxicity via downregulating the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-lβ. In addition, S. boulardii significantly alleviated DON-induced phosphorylation and mRNA expression of p38 and further increased the expression of apoptosis regulation genes Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 and inhibited the activation of Bax. Our results suggest that S. boulardii could suppress DON-induced p38 MAPK pathway activation and reduce the expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines, as well as promote the expression of anti-apoptotic genes to inhibit apoptosis induced by DON in PAMC.

Paris saponin I inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis through down-regulating AKT activity in human non-small-cell lung cancer cells and inhibiting ERK expression in human small-cell lung cancer cells

PSI regulated AKT activity in NSCLC and inhibited ERK expression in SCLC.