TRPV1 inhibition suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression by inhibiting tumour growth and enhancing the immune response

PURPOSE

TRPV1 is a nonselective Ca2+ channel protein that is widely expressed and plays an important role during the occurrence and development of many cancers. Activation of TRPV1 channels can affect tumour progression by regulating proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Some studies have also shown that activating TRPV1 can affect tumour progression by modulating tumour immunity. However, the effects of TRPV1 on the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been explored clearly.

METHOD

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and spatial transcriptomics datasets from 10 × Genomics were used to analyze TRPV1 expression in various tumour tissues. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), colony formation, and flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blotting were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPV1 and other related molecules. Tumour xenografts in BALB/C and C57BL/6J mice were used to determine the effects of TRPV1 on NSCLC development in vivo. Neurotransmitter content was examined by LC-MS/MS, ELISA and Immunohistochemistry. Immune cell infiltration was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that TRPV1 expression was significantly upregulated in NSCLC and that patients with high TRPV1 expression had a poor prognosis. TRPV1 knockdown can significantly inhibit NSCLC proliferation and induce cell apoptosis through Ca2+-IGF1R signaling. In addition, TRPV1 knockdown resulted in increased infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, GZMB+CD8+ T cells and DCs and decreased infiltration of immunosuppressive MDSCs in NSCLC. In addition, TRPV1 knockout effectively decreased the expression of M2 macrophage markers CD163 and increased the expression of M1-associated, costimulatory markers CD86. Knockdown or knockout of TRPV1 significantly inhibit tumour growth and promoted an antitumour immune response through supressing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) secretion in NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that TRPV1 acts as a tumour promoter in NSCLC, mediating pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects on NSCLC through IGF1R signaling and regulating GABA release to affect the tumour immune response.

Dissecting the role of cell signaling versus CD8+ T cell modulation in propranolol antitumor activity

Preclinical and early clinical mechanistic studies of antitumor activity from the beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blocker propranolol have revealed both cell signaling and immune function pathway effects. Intertumoral studies were performed using propranolol, a β₁-AR selective agent (atenolol), and a β₂-AR selective agent (ICI 118,551) in a preclinical in vivo model, as a step to dissect the contribution of cell signaling and CD8⁺ immunological effects on anticancer activity. We found that repression of β₂-AR but not β₁-AR signaling selectively suppressed cell viability and inhibited xenograft growth in vivo. Moreover, western blot analysis indicated that the phosphorylation levels of AKT/MEK/ERK were significantly decreased following the inhibition of β₂-AR. Furthermore, propranolol was found to activate the tumor microenvironment by inducing an increased intratumoral frequency of CD8⁺ T cells, whereas neither selective β₁ nor β₂-AR blockers had a significant effect on the tumor immune microenvironment. Thus, the results of this mechanistic dissection support a predominant role of tumor cell signaling, rather than the accumulation of CD8⁺ T cells, as the basis for propranolol antitumor activity. KEY MESSAGES : Molecular signaling of AKT/MAPK pathway contributes to propranolol caused cancer control. CD8+ T cells in tumor microenvironment were activated upon propranolol exposure. The basis for propranolol antitumor activity was predominantly dependent on cell signaling, rather than the activation of CD8+ T cells.

High levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes showed better clinical outcomes in FOLFOX-treated gastric cancer patients

Background: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and postoperative chemotherapeutics interact in the tumor micro-environment. This interaction has not been well investigated in gastric cancer. Materials & methods: A total of 129 patients were divided into high or low TILs based on the median number of positive CD3⁺ and FoxP3⁺ T cells, which was assessed by immunocytochemistry. Results: Cox regression analysis showed that the stage III disease with shorter overall survival was significant. The analysis showed that high numbers of CD3⁺ or FoxP3⁺ T cells have better clinical outcomes in FOLFOX-treated patients. Conclusion: High CD3⁺ and FoxP3⁺ T-cell infiltration was associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer treated with FOLFOX, suggesting TILs incorporated into algorithms to improve the therapeutic efficacy of optimal chemotherapy.

β‑blockers inhibit the viability of breast cancer cells by regulating the ERK/COX‑2 signaling pathway and the drug response is affected by ADRB2 single‑nucleotide polymorphisms

The β2‑adrenergic receptor (β2‑AR, encoded by the ADRB2 gene) is a member of the G‑protein‑coupled receptor superfamily that can be stimulated by catecholamines. Studies in vivo and in vitro have confirmed that β‑blockers (β‑AR antagonists) exert antitumor effects on various tumors. Furthermore, ADRB2 single‑nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified to alter the expression and conformation of β2‑AR, which may alter the β‑blocker drug response. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of β‑blockers on triple‑negative breast cancer cells and determine whether ADRB2 SNPs affect the response to β‑blocker drugs. Propranolol and ICI 118,551 significantly inhibited the viability of MDA‑MB‑231 cells, arrested cell cycle progression at G0/G1 and S phase and induced cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis indicated that the phosphorylation levels of extracellular‑signal‑regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and the expression levels of cyclo‑oxygenase 2 (COX‑2) were significantly decreased following β‑blocker treatment. Four haplotypes, which comprised ADRB2 SNPs rs1042713 and rs1042714, were transfected into 293 cells. After 24 and 48 h of transfection, ADRB2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in mutant groups compared with the wild‑type group. The ADRB2 SNPs exerted no effect on cell viability, but did affect the drug response of ICI 118,551. Furthermore, ADRB2 SNPs also affected the regulatory function of ICI 118,551 on the ERK/COX‑2 signaling pathway. Collectively, propranolol and ICI 118,551 inhibited the viability of MDA‑MB‑231 cells by downregulating the ERK/COX‑2 signaling pathway and inducing apoptosis. The results of the present study indicated that SNPs rs1042713 and rs1042714 of ADRB2 affected the response to ICI 118,551, and the underlying molecular mechanism was elucidated.

Genome-scale analysis identifies SERPINE1 and SPARC as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common types of malignancy and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates around the world. With poor clinical outcomes, potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis are important to investigate.

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the gene expression module of GC and to identify potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Method

Microarray data (GSE13911, GSE29272, GSE54129, and GSE79973), including 293 stomach tumor tissues and 196 normal tissues, were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were identified in four profiles by intersecting four overlapping subsets, including 90 downregulated and 45 upregulated DEGs in common. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses have been showed that extracellular matrix was the most enriched signal pathway. Furthermore, hub genes were analyzed by protein-protein interaction network and clinical outcomes were assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Two independent datasets were used to validate the differential expression of two hub genes: Serpin Family E Member 1 (SERPINE1) and Secreted Protein Acidic and Cysteine Rich (SPARC).

Results

Validation of independent datasets indicated that SERPINE1 and SPARC expression were drastically increased in gastric tumor tissues and associated with poor outcomes in GC patients. The expression of SERPINE1 was related to race (Asian and White) (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

SERPINE1 and SPARC were significantly upregulated in gastric tissues and associated with poor outcomes. The investigations of SERPINE1 and SPARC may promote their predictive and prognostic value in GC.

The relationship between miR-302b and EphA2 and their clinical significance in gastric cancer

Introduction: EphA2 is a crucial oncogene in gastric cancer (GC) development and metastasis, and miR-302b can target EphA2 in gastric cancer. This study plans to investigate their relationship and clinical significance in clinical samples. Materials and Methods: We explored the correlation of the expression of EphA2 and miR-302b, and their clinical significance in the training (n=226) cohort of GC patients, and then validated the results in the validation (n=128) cohort. Results: miR-302b was remarkably downregulated in GC tissues, while high EphA2 expression were detected, and they were inversely correlated both in mRNA and protein, (r=-0.4209, P<0.0001; r=-0.336, P <0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the pattern of high EphA2 and low miR-302b expression were found to be associated with poor overall survival in stage IV GC patients in both training and validation cohort. Conclusions: The expression of miR-302b and EphA2 was inversely correlated, and had prognostic significance on GC in clinic.

Immunoclassification characterized by CD8 and PD-L1 expression is associated with the clinical outcome of gastric cancer patients

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major cause of cancer deaths, especially in Eastern Asia. Current classification systems, including the WHO, Lauren, and TCGA, have clarified the pathological and molecular profiles of GC. However, these classifications lack an association with clinical outcome and guidance for medication selection.

Objective

We aimed to identify a new immunoclassification for GC to better predict patient prognosis and aid in patient selection for immunotherapy.

Results

For all samples, 35 were EBV positive (+) and 112 were EBV negative (-). EBV infection was associated with the number of CD3+ T cells (OR = 2.91 95% CI 1.27-6.68, p = 0.012) and PD-L1 expression in TME (OR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.13–5.82, p = 0.024). EBV+ patients showed a poor overall survival (OS) compared with EBV- patients (HR = 2.37; 95% CI, 1.03–5.41; p = 0.011). Importantly, WIR patients lived significantly shorter than SIR patients with high CD8+ T cells and low PD-L1 expression (HR = 3.37; 95% CI, 1.63–6.97; p = 0.015).

Materials and Methods

147 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of GC were obtained. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was measured. Immune markers including CD3, CD8 and PD-L1 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) at tumor infiltration area (TI) and invasive margin area (IM) in tumor microenvironment (TME). PD-L1 expression was assessed by immunoreactive score (IRS) system. For immunoclassification, patients were classified into two subgroups: strong immunoreaction (SIR) and weak immunoreaction (WIR) defined by the number of CD8+ T cells and PD-L1 expression in TI.

Conclusions

In this study, we suggest a new immunoclassification for gastric cancer which is associated with patient outcome and may provide a way to guide immunotherapy in the future.

miR-302b inhibits tumorigenesis by targeting EphA2 via Wnt/ β-catenin/EMT signaling cascade in gastric cancer

Background

EphA2 is a crucial oncogene in gastric cancer (GC) development and metastasis, this study aims to identify microRNAs that target it and serve as key regulators of gastric carcinogenesis.

Methods

We identified several potential microRNAs targeting EphA2 by bioinformatics websites and then analyzed the role of miR-302b in modulating EphA2 in vitro and in vivo of GC, and it’s mechanism.

Results

Our analysis identified miR-302b, a novel regulator of EphA2, as one of the most significantly downregulated microRNA (miRNA) in GC tissues. Overexpression of miR-302b impaired GC cell migratory and invasive properties robustly and suppressed cell proliferation by arresting cells at G0–G1 phase in vitro. miR-302b exhibited anti-tumor activity by reversing EphA2 regulation, which relayed a signaling transduction cascade that attenuated the functions of N-cadherin, β-catenin, and Snail (markers of Wnt/β-catenin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT). This modulation of EphA2 also had distinct effects on cell proliferation and migration in GC in vivo.

Conclusions

miR-302b serves as a critical suppressor of GC cell tumorigenesis and metastasis by targeting the EphA2/Wnt/β-catenin/EMT pathway.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3875-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

EBV infection and MSI status significantly influence the clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and microsatellite instability (MSI) are associated with the carcinogenesis of many kinds of tumors, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the impact of EBV and MSI status on the prognosis of stage II and III GC is still unclear. The aim of this study was to find out the prognostic value of EBV and MSI status in a population of GC patients from Southern China.

METHODS

Patients were genotyped for EBV infection based on the detection of EBV DNA from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. Sequentially, MSI status was measured by direct sequencing. Clinical characteristics and overall survival (OS) were analyzed in 202 GC patients. Additionally, the association of EBV and MSI status with chemotherapy-based toxicity was analyzed in 324 GC patients.

RESULTS

The survival analysis revealed EBV+ patients had a poorer OS than EBV- patients (HR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.08-2.82, FDR p=0.04). This survival advantage for EBV- patients was also found in patients <60y (FDR p=0.04) and patient with stage III disease (FDR p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

EBV infection and MSI status are associated with overall survival of gastric cancer patients. However, traditional chemotherapy showed no difference on outcome of patients in EBV and MSI subgroups.

Celecoxib pre-treatment in human colorectal adenocarcinoma patients is associated with gene expression alterations suggestive of diminished cellular proliferation

Cancer cells treated with the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib show growth inhibition and induced apoptosis. This study was conducted to determine if the same processes are relevant to celecoxib's effects on human colorectal adenocarcinomas treated in vivo. A cohort of 23 patients with primary colorectal adenocarcinomas was randomised to receive a 7-d course of celecoxib (400mg b.i.d.) or no drug prior to surgical resection. Gene expression profiling was performed on resected adenocarcinomas from the cohort of patients. Using fold change (>1.5) and p-value (<0.05) cut-offs, 190 genes were differentially expressed between adenocarcinomas from patients receiving celecoxib and those that did not. The celecoxib pre-treated samples showed decreased expression levels in multiple genes involved in cellular lipid and glutathione metabolism; changes associated with diminished cellular proliferation. Celecoxib pre-treatment for 7 d in vivo is associated with alterations in colorectal adenocarcinoma gene expression which are suggestive of diminished cellular proliferation.