Histological and molecular diversity and heterogeneity of precancerous lesions associated with inflammatory bowel diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianyong Gui ◽  
Martin Köbel ◽  
Jose GP Ferraz ◽  
Marietta Iacucci ◽  
Subrata Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Precancerous Lesions ◽  
Morphological Type ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Serrated Adenoma ◽  
Molecular Alteration ◽  
Mutant Type ◽  
Pten Loss ◽  
Mixed Features ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

AimsInflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated precancerous lesions may be adenomatous or non-adenomatous with various histomorphologies. We aim to validate the newly proposed classification, to explore the neoplastic nature of the non-adenomatous lesions and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the different histomorphologies.Methods44 background precursor lesions identified in 53 cases of surgically resected IBD-associated colorectal and ileal carcinomas were reviewed for the histomorphological features (classified into adenomatous, mucinous, sessile serrated adenoma (SSA)-like, traditional serrated adenoma-like, differentiated, eosinophilic and serrated not otherwise specified (NOS)) and analysed for a key panel of colonic cancer-related molecular markers.ResultsApproximately 60% of the lesions were adenomatous, of which some had mixed serrated, mucinous or eosinophilic changes. The remaining non-adenomatous lesions, including all other types except SSA-like type, mostly showed mixed features and focal adenomatous dysplasia. KRAS mutation and p53 mutant-type expression were found in about half cases across all types, while PIK3CA mutation only in some of adenomatous and eosinophilic lesions and MLH1/PMS2 loss in a subset of adenomatous, mucinous and eosinophilic but not in differentiated and serrated lesions. SAT-B2 or PTEN loss and IMP3 overexpression were seen in a small subset of lesions. No BRAF, NRAS or EGFR gene mutation was detected in any type. Certain molecular-morphological correlations were demonstrated; however, no single or combined molecular alteration(s) was specific to any particular morphological type.ConclusionsIBD-associated precancerous lesions are heterogeneous both histologically and molecularly. True colitis-associated adenomatous lesions are unlikely conventional adenomas. Non-adenomatous lesions without frank cytologic dysplasia should also be regarded as neoplastic.

scholarly journals Splicing Genomics Events in Cervical Cancer: Insights for Phenotypic Stratification and Biomarker Potency

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Flavia Zita Francies ◽  
Sheynaz Bassa ◽  
Aristotelis Chatziioannou ◽  
Andreas Martin Kaufmann ◽  
Zodwa Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Splicing Factors ◽  
Aberrant Splicing ◽  
Molecular Alteration ◽  
Common Cancer ◽  
Potential Biomarkers

Gynaecological cancers are attributed to the second most diagnosed cancers in women after breast cancer. On a global scale, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the most common cancer in developing countries with rapidly increasing mortality rates. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major contributor to the disease. HPV infections cause prominent cellular changes including alternative splicing to drive malignant transformation. A fundamental characteristic attributed to cancer is the dysregulation of cellular transcription. Alternative splicing is regulated by several splicing factors and molecular changes in these factors lead to cancer mechanisms such as tumour development and progression and drug resistance. The serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins and heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) have prominent roles in modulating alternative splicing. Evidence shows molecular alteration and expression levels in these splicing factors in cervical cancer. Furthermore, aberrant splicing events in cancer-related genes lead to chemo- and radioresistance. Identifying clinically relevant modifications in alternative splicing events and splicing variants, in cervical cancer, as potential biomarkers for their role in cancer progression and therapy resistance is scrutinised. This review will focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the aberrant splicing events in cervical cancer that may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and novel drug targets.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Responses and Gene Expression in Bermudagrass under Cold Stress

2014 ◽  
Vol 139 (6) ◽  
pp. 699-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jibiao Fan ◽  
Jing Ren ◽  
Weixi Zhu ◽  
Erick Amombo ◽  
Jinmin Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Molecular Alteration ◽  
Antioxidant Genes ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Malondialdehyde Content ◽  
Key Factor

Cold stress is a key factor limiting resource use in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). Under cold stress, bermudagrass growth is severely inhibited and the leaves undergo chlorosis. Therefore, rigorous investigation on the physiological and molecular mechanisms of cold stress in this turf species is urgent. The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological and molecular alteration in wild bermudagrass under cold stress, particularly the changes of transpiration rate, soluble sugar content, enzyme activities, and expression of antioxidant genes. Wild bermudagrass (C. dactylon) was planted in plastic pots (each 10 cm tall and 8 cm in diameter) filled with matrix (brown coal soil:sand 1:1) and treated with 4 °C in a growth chamber. The results displayed a dramatic decline in the growth and transpiration rates of the wild bermudagrass under 4 °C temperature. Simultaneously, cold severely destabilized the cell membrane as indicated by increased malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage value. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities were higher in the cold regime than the control. The expression of antioxidant genes including MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD, POD, and APX was vividly up-regulated after cold stress. In summary, our results contributed to the understanding of the role of the antioxidant system in bermudagrass’ response to cold.

scholarly journals Emerging roles of the Hedgehog signalling pathway in inflammatory bowel disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Xie ◽  
Mudan Zhang ◽  
Gaoshi Zhou ◽  
Lihui Lin ◽  
Jing Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Hedgehog Signalling Pathway ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Effective Drugs

AbstractThe Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway plays a critical role in the growth and patterning during embryonic development and maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Emerging data indicate that Hh signalling is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Current therapeutic treatments for IBD require optimisation, and novel effective drugs are warranted. Targeting the Hh signalling pathway may pave the way for successful IBD treatment. In this review, we introduce the molecular mechanisms underlying the Hh signalling pathway and its role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Then, we present interactions between the Hh signalling and other pathways involved in IBD and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), such as the Wnt and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. Furthermore, we summarise the latest research on Hh signalling associated with the occurrence and progression of IBD and CAC. Finally, we discuss the future directions for research on the role of Hh signalling in IBD pathogenesis and provide viewpoints on novel treatment options for IBD by targeting Hh signalling. An in-depth understanding of the complex role of Hh signalling in IBD pathogenesis will contribute to the development of new effective therapies for IBD patients.

Role of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 659-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Lovisa ◽  
Giannicola Genovese ◽  
Silvio Danese
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Intestinal Fibrosis ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Abstract Intestinal fibrosis is an inevitable complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], occurring in its two major clinical manifestations: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Fibrosis represents the final outcome of the host reaction to persistent inflammation, which triggers a prolonged wound healing response resulting in the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, eventually leading to intestinal dysfunction. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition [EMT] represents an embryonic program relaunched during wound healing, fibrosis and cancer. Here we discuss the initial observations and the most recent findings highlighting the role of EMT in IBD-associated intestinal fibrosis and fistulae formation. In addition, we briefly review knowledge on the cognate process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition [EndMT]. Understanding EMT functionality and the molecular mechanisms underlying the activation of this mesenchymal programme will permit designing new therapeutic strategies to halt the fibrogenic response in the intestine.

scholarly journals Immunological Mechanisms in Inflammation-Associated Colon Carcinogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiro Hirano ◽  
Daisuke Hirayama ◽  
Kohei Wagatsuma ◽  
Tsukasa Yamakawa ◽  
Yoshihiro Yokoyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
T Helper 17 ◽  
Colon Inflammation ◽  
Immunological Mechanisms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Cumulative Rate ◽  
T Helper 17 Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are at an increased risk of developing colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Chronic inflammation positively correlates with tumorigenesis. Similarly, the cumulative rate of incidence of developing CAC increases with prolonged colon inflammation. Immune signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor (NF)-κB, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and IL-23/T helper 17 cell (Th17), have been shown to promote CAC tumorigenesis. In addition, gut microbiota contributes to the development and progression of CAC. This review summarizes the signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis following colon inflammation to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms in CAC tumorigenesis.

scholarly journals Natural Compounds as Inhibitors of Aβ Peptide Aggregation: Chemical Requirements and Molecular Mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katiuscia Pagano ◽  
Simona Tomaselli ◽  
Henriette Molinari ◽  
Laura Ragona
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Preventive Therapy ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Aβ Peptide ◽  
Aβ Oligomers ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
The Brain

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, with no cure and preventive therapy. Misfolding and extracellular aggregation of Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides are recognized as the main cause of AD progression, leading to the formation of toxic Aβ oligomers and to the deposition of β-amyloid plaques in the brain, representing the hallmarks of AD. Given the urgent need to provide alternative therapies, natural products serve as vital resources for novel drugs. In recent years, several natural compounds with different chemical structures, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and vitamins from plants have received attention for their role against the neurodegenerative pathological processes. However, only for a small subset of them experimental evidences are provided on their mechanism of action. This review focuses on those natural compounds shown to interfere with Aβ aggregation by direct interaction with Aβ peptide and whose inhibitory mechanism has been investigated by means of biophysical and structural biology experimental approaches. In few cases, the combination of approaches offering a macroscopic characterization of the oligomers, such as TEM, AFM, fluorescence, together with high-resolution methods could shed light on the complex mechanism of inhibition. In particular, solution NMR spectroscopy, through peptide-based and ligand-based observation, was successfully employed to investigate the interactions of the natural compounds with both soluble NMR-visible (monomer and low molecular weight oligomers) and NMR-invisible (high molecular weight oligomers and protofibrils) species. The molecular determinants of the interaction of promising natural compounds are here compared to infer the chemical requirements of the inhibitors and the common mechanisms of inhibition. Most of the data converge to indicate that the Aβ regions relevant to perturb the aggregation cascade and regulate the toxicity of the stabilized oligomers, are the N-term and β1 region. The ability of the natural aggregation inhibitors to cross the brain blood barrier, together with the tactics to improve their low bioavailability are discussed. The analysis of the data ensemble can provide a rationale for the selection of natural compounds as molecular scaffolds for the design of new therapeutic strategies against the progression of early and late stages of AD.

scholarly journals Curcumin and Intestinal Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms of Protection

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Burge ◽  
Aarthi Gunasekaran ◽  
Jeffrey Eckert ◽  
Hala Chaaban
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Immunological Response ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Dietary Antigens ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Intestinal Inflammatory Disease

Intestinal inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis, are becoming increasingly prevalent. While knowledge of the pathogenesis of these related diseases is currently incomplete, each of these conditions is thought to involve a dysfunctional, or overstated, host immunological response to both bacteria and dietary antigens, resulting in unchecked intestinal inflammation and, often, alterations in the intestinal microbiome. This inflammation can result in an impaired intestinal barrier allowing for bacterial translocation, potentially resulting in systemic inflammation and, in severe cases, sepsis. Chronic inflammation of this nature, in the case of inflammatory bowel disease, can even spur cancer growth in the longer-term. Recent research has indicated certain natural products with anti-inflammatory properties, such as curcumin, can help tame the inflammation involved in intestinal inflammatory diseases, thus improving intestinal barrier function, and potentially, clinical outcomes. In this review, we explore the potential therapeutic properties of curcumin on intestinal inflammatory diseases, including its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, as well as its potential to alter the intestinal microbiome. Curcumin may play a significant role in intestinal inflammatory disease treatment in the future, particularly as an adjuvant therapy.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induction by Aberrant NRF2 Activation-Mediated Transcription Networks: Interaction of NRF2-KEAP1 Controls the Fate of Hepatocarcinogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Effi Haque ◽  
M. Rezaul Karim ◽  
Aamir Salam Teeli ◽  
Magdalena Śmiech ◽  
Paweł Leszczynski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Precancerous Lesions ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Detoxification Enzymes ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Basic Leucine Zipper ◽  
Nrf2 Activation

NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, a master regulator of redox homeostasis regulating a variety of genes for antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. NRF2 was, therefore, initially thought to protect the liver from oxidative stress. Recent studies, however, have revealed that mutations in NRF2 cause aberrant accumulation of NRF2 in the nucleus and exert the upregulation of NRF2 target genes. Moreover, among all molecular changes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), NRF2 activation has been revealed as a more prominent pathway contributing to the progression of precancerous lesions to malignancy. Nevertheless, how its activation leads to poor prognosis in HCC patients remains unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of how aberrant activation of NRF2 triggers HCC development. We also summarize the emerging roles of other NRF family members in liver cancer development.

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