Linoleate-pazopanib conjugation as active pharmacological ingredient to abolish hepatocellular carcinoma growth

Small molecule compounds targeting multiple kinases involved in neoangiogenesis have shown survival benefits in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, despite the beneficial effects of multikinase inhibitors (MKIs), a lack of boosting adjuvant limits their objective response rate. Lipid conjugates have been used to improve delivery efficacy or pharmaceutical benefits for decades. However, the feasibility of utilizing lipid-drug conjugates (LDCs) in HCC regimens remains untested. In this study, oral feeding of linoleate-fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugates showed that the compound was well distributed in a spontaneous HCC mouse model. Therefore, a rationale design was developed for chemically synthesizing a linoleate-pazopanib conjugate (LAPC). The LAPC showed a significantly improved cytotoxicity compared to the parental drug pazopanib. Pazopanib's angiogenic suppressing signals were not observed in LAPC-treated HCC cells, potentially suggesting an altered mechanism of action (MOA). In an efficacy trial comparing placebo, oral pazopanib, and LAPC treatments in the hepatitis B virus transgene-related spontaneous HCC mouse model (HBVtg-HCC), the LAPC treatment demonstrated superior tumor ablating capacity in comparison to both placebo and pazopanib treatments, without any discernible systemic toxicity. The LAPC exposure is associated with an apoptosis marker (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling [TUNEL]) and an enhanced ferroptosis (glutathione peroxidase 4 [GPX4]) potential in HBVtg-HCC tumors. Therefore, the LAPC showed excellent HCC ablative efficacy with altered MOA. The molecular mechanisms of the LAPC and LDCs for HCC therapeutics are of great academic interest. Further comprehensive preclinical trials (e.g., chemical-manufacture-control, toxicity, distribution, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics) are expected.

Phenotypic and metabolomic characteristics of mouse models of metabolic associated steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND

Metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is metabolic disease that may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mouse models of diet-induced MASH, which is characterized by the high levels of fats, sugars, and cholesterol in diets, are commonly used in research. However, mouse models accurately reflecting the progression of MASH in humans remain to be established. Studies have explored the potential use of serological metabolites as biomarkers of MASH severity in relation to human MASH.

METHODS

We performed a comparative analysis of three mouse models of diet-induced MASH in terms of phenotypic and metabolomic characteristics; MASH was induced using different diets: a high-fat diet; a Western diet; and a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed using standard clinical approaches (e.g., METAVIR score, hyaluronan level, and collagen deposition level). Mouse serum samples were subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based metabolomic profiling followed by bioinformatic analyses. Metabolomic analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was performed; the corresponding cirrhosis scores were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Using clinically relevant quantitative diagnostic methods, the severity of MASH was evaluated. Regarding metabolomics, the number of lipoprotein metabolites increased with both diet and MASH progression. Notably, the levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased with fibrosis progression. During the development of diet-induced MASH in mice, the strongest upregulation of expression was noted for VLDL receptor. Metabolomic analysis of a retrospective cohort of patients with cirrhosis indicated lipoproteins (e.g., VLDL and LDL) as predominant biomarkers of cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide insight into the pathophysiology and metabolomics of experimental MASH and its relevance to human MASH. The observed upregulation of lipoprotein expression reveals a feedforward mechanism for MASH development that may be targeted for the development of noninvasive diagnosis.

Role of Ketogenic Diets in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Animal Models: An Updated Review

Prescribing a ketogenic diet (KD) is a century-old dietary intervention mainly used in the context of intractable epilepsy. The classic KD and its variants regained popularity in recent decades, and they are considered potentially beneficial in a variety of neurological conditions other than epilepsy. Many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have attempted diet modification for better control of their disease, although evidence thus far remains insufficient to recommend a specific diet for these patients. The results of 3 pilot clinical trials of KD therapy for MS, as well as several related studies, have been reported in recent years. The preliminary findings suggest that KD is safe, feasible, and potentially neuroprotective and disease-modifying for patients with MS. Research on corresponding rodent models has also lent support to the efficacy of KD in the prevention and treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and toxin-induced inflammatory demyelinating conditions in the brain. Furthermore, the animal studies have yielded mechanistic insights into the molecular mechanisms of KD action in relevant situations, paving the way for precision nutrition. Herein we review and synthesize recent advances and also identify unresolved issues, such as the roles of adipokines and gut microbiota, in this field. Hopefully this panoramic view of current understanding can inform future research directions and clinical practice with regard to KD in MS and related conditions.

Androgen Receptor Enhances the Efficacy of Sorafenib Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Enriched EpCAM Stemness

BACKGROUND/AIM

The role of androgen receptor (AR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is controversial. Therefore, the translational value of targeting AR in HCC is unknown. Sorafenib, a multiple kinase inhibitor, is the standard therapy for patients with unresectable HCC. This study investigated sorafenib effect on AR in experimental models of HCC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

AR cDNA was introduced into HCC cells and in vitro cell growth and in vivo tumor growth were measured. Sphere cells, as well as epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive (EpCAM⁺) and CD133⁺ cells were isolated from HCC cells with/without AR expression to observe in vitro/in vivo effects. Liver specific AR knockout in mouse models of spontaneous HCC (carcinogen-induced and hepatitis B virus-related HCC) was also implemented to examine gene expression. HCC cells/tumors were treated with sorafenib in order to determine effects on tumor growth and related gene expression.

RESULT

AR cDNA increased transactivation function, increased colony/sphere-forming activities, and enhanced tumorigenicity in HCC cells compared to their parental cells. Expression of the stemness marker EpCAM was also dramatically increased. In carcinogen-and HBV-induced HCC models, EpCAM+ cells were significantly reduced in AR-knockout mice compared to wild-type HCCs. In addition, AR reduced sorafenib-related signals, e.g. extracellular-regulated kinase, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, compared to that in parental cells. Regarding sorafenib cytotoxicity, AR-expressing cells were vulnerable to treatment. Moreover, the half maximal-inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was drastically lowered in AR⁺/EpCAM⁺ compared to AR^-/EpCAM^- sphere cells. Strikingly, the IC₅₀ in AR⁺/CD133⁺ vs. AR^-/CD133⁺ cells were similar. Moreover, sorafenib robustly suppressed tumor growth in implanted AR⁺/EpCAM⁺ cells but not AR^-/EpCAM^- ones. Finally, bioinformatics analyses revealed EpCAM to be a prognostic biomarker in Asian and non-alcohol-consuming patients with HCC, suggesting suitability of a sorafenib regimen for such patients.

CONCLUSION

AR⁺/EpCAM⁺ may be a marker of responsiveness to sorafenib for patients with HCC. Prospective surveys associating AR/EpCAM expression with therapy outcomes are essential.

Survival benefit of sphingosin-1-phosphate and receptors expressions in breast cancer patients

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that exerts various pathophysiological functions through binding to its receptor family (S1PRs). Since first report of the breast cancer (BCA) promoting function by S1P production (through the function of sphingosine kinases) and S1P/S1PR signaling, their antagonists have never been successfully progress to clinics after three decades. Taking advantage of bioinformatics linking to gene expression to disease prognosis, we examined the impact of associated genes in BCA patients. We found high gene expressions involved in S1P anabolism suppressed disease progression of patients who are basal cell type BCA or receiving adjuvant therapy. In addition, S1PRs expression also suppressed disease progress of multiple categories of BCA patient progression. This result is contradictory to tumor promoter role of S1P/S1PRs which revealed in the literature. Further examination by directly adding S1P in BCA cells found a cell growth suppression function, which act via the expression of S1PR1. In conclusion, our study is the first evidence claiming a survival benefit function of S1P/S1PR signaling in BCA patients, which might explain the obstacle of relative antagonist apply in clinics.

Abstract 3467: Androgen receptor expression reduces post-hepatectomy surgery recurrence risks of hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: Androgen Receptor (AR) promotes hepatocarcinogenesis, yet, suppresses HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) progression of HCC mouse models. Yet, the translational value of AR expression in HCC patients is not clear. The CD90 membrane protein is cancer stem/progenitor cells (CSPC) marker, which can be detected in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC). It's recognized as post-surgery HCC recurrence confounder. In this report, we examined the roles of AR expressions in post-hepatectomy HCC recurrence, and provide cellular and molecular insight to AR effect in HCC recurrence.

Methods: We detected AR vs. CD90 expressions in primary tumor and CTC of HCC patients whom subjected to hepatectomy surgery to associated with HCC recurrence. In addition, we delineated the cellular and molecular mechanisms in AR knockout (ARKO)-HCC model, as well as in human HCC cell lines. Furthermore, systems biological approach was also introduced to examine AR-mediated gene expression pathways enrichment.

Result: We found opposite association power of AR vs. CD90 that higher CD90 was related to higher risk; yet, higher AR was refer to lower risks of HCC recurrence. The mechanisms are summarized as follow:

1). AR suppresses CD90 through Histone 3H2A (H3H2A) acetylation: The AR vs. CD90 is reversely expressed in the specimens. The CD90+ cells increases in ARKO compared to that in wildtype (WT) mouse HCC. AR abolishes CD90 expression in two HCC cell lines, in which H3H2A upregulation and acetylation also noted. Knockdown of H3H2A could recover CD90 expression under AR effect.

2). AR reprogram gene expression to inhibit cell migration: AR suppresses HCC cell migration in an AR-level dependent manner with shifted gene expression pattern. Systems biological analysis revealed that low AR is related to cell-cycle enrichment gene settings; yet, shift to cell migration suppression setting while AR level increased.

3). AR promotes cell anoikis through facilitating cellular stress produced by resolving cytoskeletons (amorphosis) in circulation: AR promotes cell anoikis through a non-classical AR function, by which to activate PI3K/AKT- and ROCK-related cytoskeletal rearrangement stress while the cells in anchorage independent condition.

Conclusion: To sum up, this report demonstrated that AR expressions could serves as prognostic marker for HCC recurrence. And there are three mechanisms involved: AR reduces CD90 population through epigenetic modification, AR inhibits cell migration through gene expression shift, and AR promote anoikis through increasing amorphosis stress.

Citation Format: Wen-Lung Ma, Pei-Yin Liao, Chun-Chieh Yeh, Long-Bin Jeng, Hsueh-Chou Lai, Shang-Feng Huang, Fu-Ju Lei. Androgen receptor expression reduces post-hepatectomy surgery recurrence risks of hepatocellular carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3467. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3467

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha and 3 beta have distinct functions during cardiogenesis of zebrafish embryo

Background

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase, is known to play roles in many biological processes. Two closely related GSK3 isoforms encoded by distinct genes: GSK3α (51 kDa) and GSK3β (47 kDa). In previously studies, most GSK3 inhibitors are not only inhibiting GSK3, but are also affecting many other kinases. In addition, because of highly similarity in amino acid sequence between GSK3α and GSK3β, making it difficult to identify an inhibitor that can be selective against GSK3α or GSK3β. Thus, it is relatively difficult to address the functions of GSK3 isoforms during embryogenesis. At this study, we attempt to specifically inhibit either GSK3α or GSK3β and uncover the isoform-specific roles that GSK3 plays during cardiogenesis.

Results

We blocked gsk3α and gsk3β translations by injection of morpholino antisense oligonucleotides (MO). Both gsk3α- and gsk3β-MO-injected embryos displayed similar morphological defects, with a thin, string-like shaped heart and pericardial edema at 72 hours post-fertilization. However, when detailed analysis of the gsk3α- and gsk3β-MO-induced heart defects, we found that the reduced number of cardiomyocytes in gsk3α morphants during the heart-ring stage was due to apoptosis. On the contrary, gsk3β morphants did not exhibit significant apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes, and the heart developed normally during the heart-ring stage. Later, however, the heart positioning was severely disrupted in gsk3β morphants. bmp4 expression in gsk3β morphants was up-regulated and disrupted the asymmetry pattern in the heart. The cardiac valve defects in gsk3β morphants were similar to those observed in axin1 and apc^mcr mutants, suggesting that GSK3β might play a role in cardiac valve development through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Finally, the phenotypes of gsk3α mutant embryos cannot be rescued by gsk3β mRNA, and vice versa, demonstrating that GSK3α and GSK3β are not functionally redundant.

Conclusion

We conclude that (1) GSK3α, but not GSK3β, is necessary in cardiomyocyte survival; (2) the GSK3β plays important roles in modulating the left-right asymmetry and affecting heart positioning; and (3) GSK3α and GSK3β play distinct roles during zebrafish cardiogenesis.

Specific stabilization of DNA triple helices by indolo[2,1-b]quinazolin-6,12-dione derivatives

Derivatives of indolo[2,1-b]quinazolinone containing aminoalkylamino side chains were synthesized as specific DNA triplex stabilizing agents. The aminoalkylamino side chains are essential for triplex stabilization. The position-8 fluorine atom or a methyl group to the nitrogen adjacent to the planar core can enhance triplex stability by 6 degrees C and the effect is additive. Conformational analysis reveals that the orientation of the side chain underlies the ability of this compound to stabilize a DNA triplex.

Mutagenesis and expression of the E3-19k lumenal domain of adenovirus type 2

CD8+ T cells recognize viral or tumor antigens of 8-10 residues derived from cytosolic proteins that are bound to the class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). To escape this immune surveillance, adenovirus expresses a protein, E3-19k, that specifically down-regulates the cell surface expression of class I MHC molecules on infected cells. To most effectively manipulate the T-cell response to virus-infected cells, it is essential to understand the mechanism by which viruses, such as adenoviruses, down-regulate the class I MHC function. We have subcloned the lumenal domain of adenovirus E3-19k protein in order to characterize its interactions with the class I MHC molecules. Several point mutations have also been generated on the E3-19k lumenal domain with either the first 96 or 108 amino acids. Attempts to crystallize the complexes between E3-19k and class I MHC molecule had been initiated.

Endocrine and cytogenetic studies in a patient with Turner's phenotype and a ring chromosome

A 27-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhea and some of the somatic stigmata of Turner's syndrome was found to have a ring chromosome. Laparoscopy and ovarian biopsy showed hypoplastic ovaries and an absence of primordial follicles. Endocrine evaluation showed a normal 24-h mean LH level (12.5 mIU/ml), an elevated FSH level (28 mIU/ml) and a normal plasma estradiol level (64 pg/ml). The augmented FSH and normal LH response to LH-RH is similar to what is found in men with germinal cell aplasia (Sertoli-cell only). The synchronous initiations of normal LH and abnormally augmented FSH secretory episodes in this patient suggests the absence or decrease of some factor normally produced by the ovarian follicle which modulates the release of FSH in response to LH-RH.