scholarly journals FGFR3△7–9 promotes tumor progression via the phosphorylation and destabilization of ten-eleven translocation-2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijian Jin ◽  
Haoran Feng ◽  
Juyong Liang ◽  
Xiaoqian Jing ◽  
Qiwu Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Overexpression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) correlates with more severe clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous study has shown that FGFR3∆7–9, a novel splicing mutation of FGFR3, contributes significantly to HCC malignant character, but the epigenetic mechanism is still elusive. In this study, through mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation studies, we discover a close association between FGFR3∆7–9 and the DNA demethylase Ten-Eleven Translocation-2 (TET2). Unlike other certain types of cancer, mutation of TET2 is rare in HCC. However, activation of FGFR3∆7–9 by FGF1 dramatically shortens TET2 half-life. FGFR3∆7–9, but not wild-type FGFR3, directly interacts with TET2 and phosphorylates TET2 at Y1902 site, leading to the ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of TET2. Overexpression of a phospho-deficient mutant TET2 (Y1902F) significantly reduces the oncogenic potential of FGFR3∆7–9 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, FGFR3∆7–9 significantly enhances HCC cell proliferation through the TET2-PTEN-AKT pathway. Specifically, TET2 offsets the elevation of p-AKT level induced by FGFR3∆7–9 through directly binding to PTEN promoter and increasing 5-hmC. Therefore, through phosphorylation and inhibition of TET2, FGFR3∆7–9 reduces PTEN expression and substantiates AKT activation to stimulate HCC proliferation. Together, this study identifies TET2 as a key regulator of the oncogenic role of FGFR3∆7–9 in HCC carcinogenesis and sheds light on new therapeutic strategies for HCC treatment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 160 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 650-658
Author(s):  
Yichen Le ◽  
Yi He ◽  
Meirong Bai ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Jiaxue Wu ◽  
...  

Ajuba has been found to be mutated or aberrantly regulated in several human cancers and plays important roles in cancer progression via different signaling pathways. However, little is known about the role of Ajuba in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we found an upregulation of Ajuba expression in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues, while a poor prognosis was observed in HCC patients with high Ajuba expression. Knockout of Ajuba in HCC cells inhibited cell growth in vitro and in vivo, suppressed cell migration, and enhanced the cell apoptosis under stress. Moreover, re-expression of Ajuba in Ajuba-deficient cells could restore the phenotype of Ajuba-deficient cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that Ajuba is upregulated in HCC and promotes cell growth and migration of HCC cells, suggesting that Ajuba could possibly be a new target for HCC diagnosis and treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yarong Guo ◽  
Bao Chai ◽  
Junmei Jia ◽  
Mudan Yang ◽  
Yanjun Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Dysregulation of KLF7 participates in the development of various cancers, but it is unclear whether there is a link between HCC and aberrant expression of KLF7. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of KLF7 in proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods CCK8, colony growth, transwell, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis detection were performed to explore the effect of KLF7, VPS35 and Ccdc85c on cell function in vitro. Xenografted tumor growth was used to assess in vivo role of KLF7. Chip-qPCR and luciferase reporter assays were applied to check whether KLF7 regulated VPS35 at transcriptional manner. Co-IP assay was performed to detect the interaction between VPS35 and Ccdc85c. Immunohistochemical staining and qRT-PCR analysis were performed in human HCC sampels to study the clinical significance of KLF7, VPS35 and β-catenin. Results Firstly, KLF7 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and correlated with patients’ differentiation and metastasis status. KLF7 overexpression contributed to cell proliferation and invasion of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. KLF7 transcriptional activation of VPS35 was necessary for HCC tumor growth and metastasis. Further, co-IP studies revealed that VPS35 could interact with Ccdc85c in HCC cells. Rescue assay confirmed that overexpression of VPS35 and knockdown of Ccdc85c abolished the VPS35-medicated promotion effect on cell proliferation and invasion. Finally, KLF7/VPS35 axis regulated Ccdc85c, which involved in activation of β-catenin signaling pathway, confirmed using β-catenin inhibitor, GK974. Functional studies suggested that downregulation of Ccdc85c partly reversed the capacity of cell proliferation and invasion in HCC cells, which was regulated by VPS35 upregulation. Lastly, there was a positive correlation among KLF7, VPS35 and active-β-catenin in human HCC patients. Conclusion We demonstrated that KLF7/VPS35 axis promoted HCC cell progression by activating Ccdc85c-medicated β-catenin pathway. Targeting this signal axis might be a potential treatment strategy for HCC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Sissaoui ◽  
Stuart Egginton ◽  
Ling Ting ◽  
Asif Ahmed ◽  
Peter W. Hewett

AbstractPlacenta growth factor (PlGF) is a pro-inflammatory angiogenic mediator that promotes many pathologies including diabetic complications and atherosclerosis. Widespread endothelial dysfunction precedes the onset of these conditions. As very little is known of the mechanism(s) controlling PlGF expression in pathology we investigated the role of hyperglycaemia in the regulation of PlGF production in endothelial cells. Hyperglycaemia stimulated PlGF secretion in cultured primary endothelial cells, which was suppressed by IGF-1-mediated PI3K/Akt activation. Inhibition of PI3K activity resulted in significant PlGF mRNA up-regulation and protein secretion. Similarly, loss or inhibition of Akt activity significantly increased basal PlGF expression and prevented any further PlGF secretion in hyperglycaemia. Conversely, constitutive Akt activation blocked PlGF secretion irrespective of upstream PI3K activity demonstrating that Akt is a central regulator of PlGF expression. Knock-down of the Forkhead box O-1 (FOXO1) transcription factor, which is negatively regulated by Akt, suppressed both basal and hyperglycaemia-induced PlGF secretion, whilst FOXO1 gain-of-function up-regulated PlGF in vitro and in vivo. FOXO1 association to a FOXO binding sequence identified in the PlGF promoter also increased in hyperglycaemia. This study identifies the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signalling axis as a key regulator of PlGF expression and unifying pathway by which PlGF may contribute to common disorders characterised by endothelial dysfunction, providing a target for therapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Fei Liu ◽  
Jing-Wei Li ◽  
Hong-Zhi Chen ◽  
Zi-Yuan Sun ◽  
Guang-Xi Shi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Yanghe Huayan Decoction (YHD), a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the most common complementary medicine currently used in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). It has been recently linked to suppress precancerous lesion and tumor development. The current study sought to explore the role of YHD on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis of BC. Methods: HER2+ BC cells were treated with YHD, Trastuzumab, or the combination in vitro and in vivo to compare the effects of them on trans-endothelium and angiogenesis features. The present study also investigated the potential molecular mechanism of YHD in inhibiting angiogenesis of BC. Results: YHD significantly suppressed the invasion and angiogenesis of BC cells via elevated pAkt signaling. Administration of YHD in vivo also strikingly repressed angiogenesis in tumor grafts. Conclusion: YHD could partially inhibit and reverse tumorigenesis of BC. It also could inhibit Akt activation and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Its effect was superior to trastuzumab. Thus it was suitable for prevention and treatment of BC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhimin Zhang ◽  
Xiaojuan Lian ◽  
Wei Xie ◽  
Jin Quan ◽  
Maojun Liao ◽  
...  

AbstractResistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has become the main clinical challenge of advanced lung cancer. This research aimed to explore the role of PARP1-mediated autophagy in the progression of TKI therapy. PARP1-mediated autophagy was evaluated in vitro by CCK-8 assay, clonogenic assay, immunofluorescence, and western blot in the HCC-827, H1975, and H1299 cells treated with icotinib (Ico), rapamycin, and AZD2281 (olaparib) alone or in combination. Our results and GEO dataset analysis confirmed that PARP1 is expressed at lower levels in TKI-sensitive cells than in TKI-resistant cells. Low PARP1 expression and high p62 expression were associated with good outcomes among patients with NSCLC after TKI therapy. AZD2281 and a lysosomal inhibitor reversed resistance to Ico by decreasing PARP1 and LC3 in cells, but an mTOR inhibitor did not decrease Ico resistance. The combination of AZD2281 and Ico exerted a markedly enhanced antitumor effect by reducing PARP1 expression and autophagy in vivo. Knockdown of PARP1 expression reversed the resistance to TKI by the mTOR/Akt/autophagy pathway in HCC-827IR, H1975, and H1299 cells. PARP1-mediated autophagy is a key pathway for TKI resistance in NSCLC cells that participates in the resistance to TKIs. Olaparib may serve as a novel method to overcome the resistance to TKIs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qingmin Chen ◽  
Ludong Tan ◽  
Zhe Jin ◽  
Yahui Liu ◽  
Ze Zhang

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) binds retinoic acid (RA) in the cytoplasm and transports it into the nucleus, allowing for the regulation of specific downstream signal pathway. Abnormal expression of CRABP2 has been detected in the development of several tumors. However, the role of CRABP2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has never been revealed. The current study aimed to investigate the role of CRABP2 in HCC and illuminate the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression of CRABP2 in HCC tissues and cell lines was detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays. Our results demonstrated that the expression levels of CRABP2 in HCC tissues were elevated with the tumor stage development, and it was also elevated in HCC cell lines. To evaluate the function of CRABP2, shRNA-knockdown strategy was used in HCC cells. Cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8, EdU staining, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Based on our results, knockdown of CRABP2 by shRNA resulted in the inhibition of tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, followed by increased tumor apoptosis-related protein expression and decreased ERK/VEGF pathway-related proteins expression. CRABP2 silencing in HCC cells also resulted in the failure to develop tumors in vivo. These results provide important insights into the role of CRABP2 in the development and development of HCC. Based on our findings, CRABP2 may be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker, and regulation of CRABP2 in HCC may provide a potential molecular target for the therapy of HCC.


Gut ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 530-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Tovar ◽  
Helena Cornella ◽  
Agrin Moeini ◽  
Samuel Vidal ◽  
Yujin Hoshida ◽  
...  

ObjectiveSorafenib is effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but patients ultimately present disease progression. Molecular mechanisms underlying acquired resistance are still unknown. Herein, we characterise the role of tumour-initiating cells (T-ICs) and signalling pathways involved in sorafenib resistance.DesignHCC xenograft mice treated with sorafenib (n=22) were explored for responsiveness (n=5) and acquired resistance (n=17). Mechanism of acquired resistance were assessed by: (1) role of T-ICs by in vitro sphere formation and in vivo tumourigenesis assays using NOD/SCID mice, (2) activation of alternative signalling pathways and (3) efficacy of anti-FGF and anti-IGF drugs in experimental models. Gene expression (microarray, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)) and protein analyses (immunohistochemistry, western blot) were conducted. A novel gene signature of sorafenib resistance was generated and tested in two independent cohorts.ResultsSorafenib-acquired resistant tumours showed significant enrichment of T-ICs (164 cells needed to create a tumour) versus sorafenib-sensitive tumours (13 400 cells) and non-treated tumours (1292 cells), p<0.001. Tumours with sorafenib-acquired resistance were enriched with insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling cascades (false discovery rate (FDR)<0.05). In vitro, cells derived from sorafenib-acquired resistant tumours and two sorafenib-resistant HCC cell lines were responsive to IGF or FGF inhibition. In vivo, FGF blockade delayed tumour growth and improved survival in sorafenib-resistant tumours. A sorafenib-resistance 175 gene signature was characterised by enrichment of progenitor cell features, aggressive tumorous traits and predicted poor survival in two cohorts (n=442 patients with HCC).ConclusionsAcquired resistance to sorafenib is driven by T-ICs with enrichment of progenitor markers and activation of IGF and FGF signalling. Inhibition of these pathways would benefit a subset of patients after sorafenib progression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e46310112028
Author(s):  
Claudriana Locatelli ◽  
Joyce Kelly Busolin Jardim ◽  
Vilmair Zancanaro

Theorical framework: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a unique cancer that typically arises in the setting of chronic liver disease at a rate dependent upon the complex interplay between the host, disease, and environmental factors. Unfortunately, with contemporary management, patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma have few treatment options, and the prognosis is poor. Objective: Evaluate the role of antioxidants in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methodology: It is an integrative review, with a qualitative approach. Based on research on ScienceDirect and PubMed databases, 12 articles were selected that were consistent with the theme and the inclusion and exclusion criteria, through the association of descriptors and keywords. Results: Studies in vivo demonstrated a positive correlation of antioxidants in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The antioxidants were able to promote inhibition of development tumor through promotes decrease of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 and changes the ratios of Bax/Bcl2 that supports apoptosis. In oxidative stress, may be able to direct free radical scavenging activity. Among the main antioxidants with advanced preclinical evidence in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is curcumin with tests in humans, and gallic acid, quercetin and resveratrol with several tests in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: This study highlights that antioxidants can be a promising therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Chen ◽  
Huiyan Li ◽  
Chunxun Liu ◽  
Yongmei Han ◽  
Yubao Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been shown to play important roles in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this report, we examined the role of lncRNA LINC00645 in HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on public databases and integrating bioinformatics analyses, the over-expression of LINC00645 in HCC tissues was detected and further validated in a cohort of liver tissues. A series of in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were executed to investigate the role of LINC00645 in the carcinogenesis and development of HCC. Comprehensive transcriptional analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blot etc. were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of LINC00645. RESULTS: LINC00645 was significantly upregulated in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues, which was correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. LINC00645 knockdown remarkably suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00645 could competitively bind with miR-141-3p to prevent the degradation of its target gene GP73, which acts as a tumor-promoter in HCC. Furthermore, the ChIP assay showed that the transcription factor MAZ could bind to the LINC00645 promoter and increase its transcription. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, this study demonstrated that LINC00645 plays a critical regulatory role in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and LINC00645 may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of HCC. Thus, targeting MAZ/LINC00645/miR-141-3p/GP73 signaling axis may prevent the progression of HCC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
kunwei niu ◽  
Shibin Qu ◽  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Jimin Dai ◽  
Jianlin Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often diagnosed at a late stage, when the prognosis is poor. The regulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays a crucial role in HCC. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA signaling in HCC remain largely unknown. We study aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms of lncRNA (upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma) URHC in HCC. Methods: RT-qPCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining, EdU, colony formation, and tumor xenografts experiments were used to identify localized and biological effects of URHC on HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. The bioinformatics analysis, Dual-luciferase reporter assay, and rescue experiments revealed the potential mechanism of URHC.Results: URHC silencing may inhibit the HCC cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo. We found that URHC was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. The expression of miR-5007-3p was negatively regulated by URHC. And miR-5007-3p could reverse the effect of URHC in HCC cells. The expression of DNAJB9 was negatively regulated by miR-5007-3p but positively regulated by URHC. These suggesting of lncRNA-URHC positively regulated the level of DNAJB9 by sponging miR-5007-3p.Conclusion: Together, our study elucidated the role of URHC as a miRNA sponge in HCC, and shed new light on lncRNA-directed diagnostics and therapeutics in HCC.


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