Gene expression evaluation of antioxidant enzymes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: RT-qPCR and bioinformatic analyses

Abstract Background Abnormal energy metabolism is one of the characteristics of tumor cells, and it is also a research hotspot in recent years. Due to the complexity of digestive system structure, the frequency of tumor is relatively high. We aim to clarify the prognostic significance of energy metabolism in digestive system tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Gene set variance analysis (GSVA) R package was used to establish the metabolic score, and the score was used to represent the metabolic level. The relationship between the metabolism and prognosis of digestive system tumors was explored using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Volcano plots and gene ontology (GO) analyze were used to show different genes and different functions enriched between different glycolysis levels, and GSEA was used to analyze the pathway enrichment. Nomogram was constructed by R package based on gene characteristics and clinical parameters. qPCR and Western Blot were applied to analyze gene expression. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS, GraphPad Prism 7, and R software. All validated experiments were performed three times independently. Results High glycolysis metabolism score was significantly associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). The STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and YAP1 (Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator) pathways were the most critical signaling pathways in glycolysis modulation in PAAD and LIHC, respectively. Interestingly, elevated glycolysis levels could also enhance STAT3 and YAP1 activity in PAAD and LIHC cells, respectively, forming a positive feedback loop. Conclusions Our results may provide new insights into the indispensable role of glycolysis metabolism in digestive system tumors and guide the direction of future metabolism–signaling target combined therapy.

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CircFAM13B promotes the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma by sponging miR-212, upregulating E2F5 expression and activating the P53 pathway

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-02120-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ying Xie ◽

Xiaofeng Hang ◽

Wensheng Xu ◽

Jing Gu ◽

Yuanjing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Gene Expression Omnibus ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Circular Rnas ◽

Novel Target ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Most of the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and the potential underlying mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not yet been discovered. Methods In this study, using circRNA expression data from HCC tumor tissues and adjacent tissues from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified out differentially expressed circRNAs and verified them by qRT-PCT. Functional experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of circFAM13B in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Results We found that circFAM13B was the most significantly differentially expressed circRNA in HCC tissue. Subsequently, in vitro and in vivo studies also demonstrated that circFAM13B promoted the proliferation of HCC. Further studies revealed that circFAM13B, a sponge of miR-212, is involved in the regulation of E2F5 gene expression by competitively binding to miR-212, inhibits the activation of the P53 signalling pathway, and promotes the proliferation of HCC cells. Conclusions Our findings revealed the mechanism underlying the regulatory role played by circFAM13B, miR-212 and E2F5 in HCC. This study provides a new theoretical basis and novel target for the clinical prevention and treatment of HCC.

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Royal jelly may improve sperm characteristics during preservation of rooster semen: Gene expression of antioxidant enzymes

Reproduction in Domestic Animals ◽

10.1111/rda.13902 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Atefeh Hadavand Mirzaei ◽

Hamid Deldar ◽

Zarbakht Ansari Pirsaraei ◽

Bahram Shohreh

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Antioxidant Enzymes ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Sperm Characteristics

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Distinct diagnostic and prognostic values of Glypicans gene expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08104-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jian-Yao Wang ◽

Xiang-Kun Wang ◽

Guang-Zhi Zhu ◽

Xin Zhou ◽

Jun Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Tumor Tissue ◽

Bioinformatics Analysis ◽

Mrna Level ◽

Normal Liver ◽

Predictive Index ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Interactive Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Values

Abstract Backgroud In our current work, we aimed to investigate the expressions of glypican (GPC) family genes at the mRNA level and assess their prognostic significances in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The pathological roles of GPC family genes were examined using bioinformatics analysis. The diagnostic values of GPC genes were explored with the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis. Moreover, the mRNA expression and prognostic values of GPC genes were assessed via the KM plotter database. Results Our data showed that the expression of GPC-3 was dramatically increased in the liver tumor tissue. Moreover, the expressions of the other five GPC family members were not significantly different between the tumor and normal liver tissues (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the up-regulation of GPC-1 at the mRNA level was dramatically correlated to the reduced overall survival (OS) for all HCC patients (hazard ratio = 2.03, 95% confidence intervals =1.44–2.87, P = 4.1e-05) compared with its low-expression group. Besides, the prognosis of the Caucasians was related to most GPC family genes, while the prognosis of the Asian race was only related to the expression of GPC-2. Besides, for pathological factors, including stage, grade, AJCC, and vascular invasion, the higher the pathological grade and vascular invasiveness, the lower the expression levels of GPC family genes (P < 0.05). Finally, the expression levels of GPC-1, 2, and 3 in the hepatitis group were related to the poor prognosis of HCC in the risk factor (alcohol consumption and hepatitis) subgroup (P < 0.05). Conclusions Our findings indicated that GPC-3 was dysregulated in HCC compared with paracancerous tissues. The expression of GPC-1 could be used as a potent predictive index for the general prognosis of HCC. The pathology, patients, and risk factors might affect the prognostic value of GPC family genes in HCC.

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Equine Genital Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with EcPV2 Infection: RANKL Pathway Correlated to Inflammation and Wnt Signaling Activation

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10030244 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 244

Author(s):

Samanta Mecocci ◽

Ilaria Porcellato ◽

Federico Armando ◽

Luca Mechelli ◽

Chiara Brachelente ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Wnt Signaling ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Animal Health ◽

Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽

Nuclear Factor ◽

Nuclear Factor Kappa ◽

Signaling Activation ◽

Expression Evaluation

Equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (egSCCs) are among the most common equine tumors after sarcoids, severely impairing animal health and welfare. Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is often related to these tumors. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind egSCCs associated with EcPV2 infection, investigating receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) signaling in NF-kB pathway, together with the Wnt and IL17 signaling pathways. We analyzed the innate immune response through gene expression evaluation of key cytokines and transcription factors. Moreover, Ki67 index was assessed with immunohistochemistry. EcPV2-E6 DNA was checked, and viral presence was confirmed in 21 positive out to 23 cases (91%). Oncogene expression was confirmed in 14 cases (60.8%) for E6 and in 8 (34.7%) for E2. RANKL, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFKB)-p50, NFKBp65, interleukin (IL)-6, IL17, IL23p19, IL8, IL12p35, IL12p40, β-catenin (BCATN1), FOS like 1 (FOSL1), and lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) showed a significant upregulation in tumor samples compared to healthy tissues. Our results describe an inflammatory environment characterized by the activation of RANKL/RANK and IL17 with the relative downstream pathways, and a positive modulation of inflammatory cytokines genes such as IL6 and IL8. Moreover, the increase of BCATN1, FOSL1, and LEF1 gene expression suggests an activation of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway that could be critical for carcinogenesis and tumor progression.

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Application of self-assembly peptides targeting the mitochondria as a novel treatment for sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79536-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tae Ho Hong ◽

M. T. Jeena ◽

Ok-Hee Kim ◽

Kee-Hwan Kim ◽

Ho Joong Choi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Antioxidant Enzymes ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Carcinoma Cells ◽

Anticancer Activities ◽

Anticancer Effects ◽

Novel Treatment ◽

Mitochondrial Ros ◽

Appropriate Treatment ◽

Apoptotic Effect

AbstractCurrently, there is no appropriate treatment option for patients with sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Meanwhile, pronounced anticancer activities of newly-developed mitochondria-accumulating self-assembly peptides (Mito-FF) have been demonstrated. This study intended to determine the anticancer effects of Mito-FF against sorafenib-resistant Huh7 (Huh7-R) cells. Compared to sorafenib, Mito-FF led to the generation of relatively higher amounts of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the greater reduction in the expression of antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05). Mito-FF was found to significantly promote cell apoptosis while inhibiting cell proliferation of Huh7-R cells. Mito-FF also reduces the expression of antioxidant enzymes while significantly increasing mitochondrial ROS in Huh7-R cells. The pro-apoptotic effect of Mito-FFs for Huh7-R cells is possibly caused by their up-regulation of mitochondrial ROS, which is caused by the destruction of the mitochondria of HCC cells.

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