Lactate Secreted by PKM2 Upregulation Promotes Galectin-9-Mediated Immunosuppression via Inhibiting NF-κB Pathway in HNSCC

Author(s):  
Hanyue Chang ◽  
Qiaoshi Xu ◽  
Jiayi Li ◽  
Mingyu Li ◽  
Zhiyuan Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, and which plays a critical role in tumor progression in various malignancies. However, whether PKM2 can promote head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression and immunosuppression remains unknown. Methods: PKM2 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. The biological functions of PKM2 were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Lactate production and the expression of galectin-9, a critical immunosuppression molecule, were detected after PKM2 knockdown and overexpression in HNSCC cells. Results: Overexpression of PKM2 correlates with poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. Silencing PKM2 markedly inhibits proliferation and metastasis capacity in vivo and in vitro, and vice versa. Furthermore, lactate production induced by PKM2 significantly promotes migration and invasion. A positive correlation between PKM2 and galectin-9 expression is observed in HNSCC tissues. Finally, the induction of galectin-9 expression by PKM2 can be affected by a lactate transporter inhibitor.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that PKM2 promotes tumor progression and galectin-9-mediated immunosuppression via NF-κB signaling inhibition in HNSCC, which bridges metabolism and immunosuppression. The novel PKM2-lactate-galectin-9 axis might be a potential therapeutic target in HNSCC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanyue Chang ◽  
Qiaoshi Xu ◽  
Jiayi Li ◽  
Mingyu Li ◽  
Zhiyuan Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractPyruvate kinase M2 as a key rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, it plays a critical role in metabolic reprogramming and carcinogenesis. However, whether PKM2 can promote immunosuppressive microenvironment formation remains unknown in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). PKM2 expression was detected using immunohistochemical staining. The biological functions of PKM2 were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Lactate production and the expression of Galectin-9, a critical immunosuppression molecule, were detected after PKM2 knockdown and overexpression in HNSCC cells. The mechanism of lactate regulating Galectin-9 expression through NF-κB signaling was explored in vitro. Overexpression of PKM2 correlates with poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. Silencing PKM2 markedly inhibits proliferation and metastasis capacity in vivo and in vitro, and vice versa. The glycolysis and glycolytic capacity are significantly decreased after PKM2 silencing. Lactate secretion induced by PKM2 significantly promotes migration and invasion capacity. Furthermore, a positive correlation between PKM2 and Galectin-9 expression is observed in HNSCC tissues. The induction of Galectin-9 expression by PKM2 can be affected by a lactate transporter inhibitor. Mechanically, lactate impeded the suppressive transcriptional complex formation of NF-κB and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), which released the transcription of Galectin-9 mediated by NF-κB signaling. Our findings demonstrate that lactate produced by PKM2 upregulation promotes tumor progression and Galectin-9-mediated immunosuppression via NF-κB signaling inhibition in HNSCC, which bridges metabolism and immunosuppression. The novel PKM2-lactate-Galectin-9 axis might be a potential therapeutic target in HNSCC.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Cui ◽  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Mu Su ◽  
ShiYou Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractSuper-enhancers or stretch enhancers (SEs) consist of large clusters of active transcription enhancers which promote the expression of critical genes that define cell identity during development and disease. However, the role of many super-enhancers in tumor cells remains unclear. This study aims to explore the function and mechanism of a new super-enhancer in various tumor cells. A new super-enhancer that exists in a variety of tumors named EphA2-Super-enhancer (EphA2-SE) was found using multiple databases and further identified. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of EphA2-SE results in the significant downregulation of its target gene EphA2. Mechanistically, we revealed that the core active region of EphA2-SE comprises E1 component enhancer, which recruits TCF7L2 and FOSL2 transcription factors to drive the expression of EphA2, induce cell proliferation and metastasis. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-seq data and functional experiments in vitro illustrated that EphA2-SE deletion inhibited cell growth and metastasis by blocking PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HeLa, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells. Overexpression of EphA2 in EphA2-SE−/− clones rescued the effect of EphA2-SE deletion on proliferation and metastasis. Subsequent xenograft animal model revealed that EphA2-SE deletion suppressed tumor proliferation and survival in vivo. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that EphA2-SE plays an oncogenic role and promotes tumor progression in various tumors by recruiting FOSL2 and TCF7L2 to drive the expression of oncogene EphA2.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehua Zhang ◽  
Fei Dai ◽  
Fei Luo ◽  
Wenjie Wu ◽  
Shuai Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractOsteosarcoma is a malignant osteoblastic tumor that can gravely endanger the lives and health of children and adolescents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new biomarkers for osteosarcoma and determine new targeted therapies to improve the efficacy of osteosarcoma treatment. Diaphanous related formin 3 (DIAPH3) promotes tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting that DIAPH3 may be a target for tumor therapy. To date, there have been no reports on the function of DIAPH3 in osteosarcoma. DIAPH3 protein expression in osteosarcoma tissues and healthy bone tissues adjacent to cancer cells was examined by immunohistochemical staining. DIAPH3 mRNA expression correlates with overall survival and reduced disease-free survival. DIAPH3 protein is upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues, and its expression is significantly associated with tumor size, tumor stage, node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Functional in vitro experiments revealed that DIAPH3 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and suppressed cell migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cell lines MG-63 and HOS. Functional experiments demonstrated that DIAPH3 knockdown inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. In conclusion, DIAPH3 expression can predict the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma. In addition, DIAPH3 is involved in the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma, and as such, DIAPH3 may be a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Guo ◽  
Jianping Zou ◽  
Ling Zhou ◽  
Yan He ◽  
Miao Feng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:Nucleolar and spindle associated protein (NUSAP1) is involved in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. However, there are limited studies regarding the role of NUSAP1 in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: The expression profile and clinical significance of NUSAP1 in GC were analysed in online database using GEPIA, Oncomine and KM plotter, which was further confirmed in clinical specimens.The functional role of NUSAP1 were detected utilizing in vitro and in vivo assays. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, the cycloheximide-chase, immunofluorescence staining and Co-immunoprecipitaion (Co-IP) assays were performed to explore the possible molecular mechanism by which NUSAP1 stabilizes YAP protein. Results:In this study, we found that the expression of NUSAP1 was upregulated in GC tissues and correlates closely with progression and prognosis. Additionally, abnormal NUSAP1 expression promoted malignant behaviors of GC cells in vitro and in a xenograft model. Mechanistically, we discovered that NUSAP1 physically interacts with YAP and furthermore stabilizes YAP protein expression, which induces the transcription of Hippo pathway downstream target genes. Furthermore, the effects of NUSAP1 on GC cell growth, migration and invasion were mainly mediated by YAP. Conclusions:Our data demonstrates that the novel NUSAP1-YAP axis exerts an critical role in GC tumorigenesis and progression, and therefore could provide a novel therapeutic target for GC treatment.



2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Xu ◽  
Heshui Wu ◽  
Jiongxin Xiong ◽  
Tao Peng

Gemcitabine (GEM) resistance remains a challenging clinical issue to overcome in chemotherapy against pancreatic cancer. We previously demonstrated that miR-210 derived from pancreatic cancer stem cells enhanced the GEM-resistant properties of pancreatic cancer cells, thus identifying miR-210 as an oncogenic miRNA. Herein, we report the existence of an upstream effector that acts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to miR-210. Bioinformatic screening was performed to identify lncRNAs with a binding relationship to miR-210. Overexpression and interference vectors were constructed to demonstrate the effect of ceRNA activity in pancreatic cell behavior, both in vitro and in vivo. DLEU2L (deleted in lymphocytic leukemia 2-like), which is expressed at low levels in pancreatic cancer tissues, was shown to exhibit a binding relationship with miR-210-3p. Overexpression of DLEU2L and silencing of miR-210-3p suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells while promoting apoptosis. These effects occurred via the inhibition of the Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) and AKT/mTOR signaling. In addition, we showed that BRCA2 is a target gene of miR-210-3p, and the downregulation of miR-210-3p by DLEU2L effectively induced an upregulation of BRCA2 via the ceRNA mechanism. In vivo, DLEU2L overexpression and miR-210-3p interference suppressed pancreatic tumor progression, consistent with the results of in vitro studies. The findings of our study establish DLEU2L as a ceRNA to miR-210-3p and reveal the critical role of the DLEU2L/miR-210-3p crosstalk in targeting GEM resistance.



2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 565-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongqiang Wang ◽  
Rui Zhou ◽  
Li Sun ◽  
Jianling Xia ◽  
Xuchun Yang ◽  
...  

Aerobic glycolysis plays an important role in cancer progression. New target genes regulating cancer aerobic glycolysis must be explored to improve patient prognosis. Mitochondrial topoisomerase I (TOP1MT) deficiency suppresses glucose oxidative metabolism but enhances glycolysis in normal cells. Here, we examined the role of TOP1MT in gastric cancer (GC) and attempted to determine the underlying mechanism. Using in vitro and in vivo experiments and analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC, we found that TOP1MT expression was lower in GC samples than in adjacent nonmalignant tissues. TOP1MT knockdown significantly promoted GC migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, TOP1MT silencing increased glucose consumption, lactate production, glucose transporter 1 expression and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC. Additionally, regulation of glucose metabolism induced by TOP1MT was significantly associated with lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression. A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 295 patients with GC demonstrated that low TOP1MT expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, recurrence and high mortality rates. TOP1MT deficiency enhanced glucose aerobic glycolysis by stimulating LDHA to promote GC progression.



2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Dai ◽  
Jingyi Deng ◽  
Jinrong Zhou ◽  
Zhuhong Wang ◽  
Xiao-feng Yuan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence indicates that the long noncoding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1(TUG1) plays a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the overall biological role and clinical significance of TUG1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. Methods The expressions of TUG1, microRNA-216b-5p and distal-less homeobox 2 (DLX2) were detected by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The target relationships were predicted by StarBase v.2.0 or TargetScan and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The cell growth, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), Flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. All protein expression levels were detected by western blot. Tumor xenografts were implemented to explore the role of TUG1 in vivo. Results We found that there was a marked rise in TUG1 expression in HCC tissues and cells, and knockdown of TUG1 repressed the growth and metastasis and promoted apoptosis of HCC cells. In particular, TUG1 could act as a ceRNA, effectively becoming a sink for miR-216b-5p to fortify the expression of DLX2. Additionally, repression of TUG1 impared the progression of HCC cells by inhibiting DLX2 expression via sponging miR-216b-5p in vitro. More importantly, TUG1 knockdown inhibited HCC tumor growth in vivo through upregulating miR-216b-5p via inactivation of the DLX2. Conclusion TUG1 interacting with miR-216b-5p contributed to proliferation, metastasis, tumorigenesis and retarded apoptosis by activation of DLX2 in HCC.



2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Koudong Zhang ◽  
Hang Hu ◽  
Juan Xu ◽  
Limin Qiu ◽  
Haitao Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lung cancer (LC) is a malignant tumor originating in the bronchial mucosa or gland of the lung. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are proved to be key regulators of tumor progression. However, the regulatory effect of circ_0001421 on lung cancer tumorigenesis remains unclear. Methods The expression levels of circ_0001421, microRNA-4677-3p (miR-4677-3p) and cell division cycle associated 3 (CDCA3) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), Transwell and Tumor formation assays were performed to explore the role of circ_0001421 in LC. Glucose consumption and lactate production were examined by a Glucose assay kit and a Lactic Acid assay kit. Western blot was utilized to examine the protein levels of Hexokinase 2 (HK2) and CDCA3. The interaction between miR-4677-3p and circ_0001421 or CDCA3 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results Circ_0001421 was increased in LC tissues and cells, and knockdown of circ_0001421 repressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis in vitro. Meanwhile, circ_0001421 knockdown inhibited LC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0001421 could bind to miR-4677-3p, and CDCA3 was a target of miR-4677-3p. Rescue assays manifested that silencing miR-4677-3p or CDCA3 overexpression reversed circ_0001421 knockdown-mediated suppression on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis in LC cells. Conclusion Circ_0001421 promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis in LC by regulating the miR-4677-3p/CDCA3 axis, which providing a new mechanism for LC tumor progression.



2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 1636-1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta F Bustamante ◽  
Patricia G Oliveira ◽  
Ricard Garcia-Carbonell ◽  
Adam P Croft ◽  
Jeff M Smith ◽  
...  

ObjectivesRecent studies indicate that glucose metabolism is altered in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Hexokinases (HKs) catalyse the first step in glucose metabolism, and HK2 constitutes the principal HK inducible isoform. We hypothesise that HK2 contributes to the synovial lining hypertrophy and plays a critical role in bone and cartilage damage.MethodsHK1 and HK2 expression were determined in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissue by immunohistochemistry. RA FLS were transfected with either HK1 or HK2 siRNA, or infected with either adenovirus (ad)-GFP, ad-HK1 or ad-HK2. FLS migration and invasion were assessed. To study the role of HK2 in vivo, 108 particles of ad-HK2 or ad-GFP were injected into the knee of wild-type mice. K/BxN serum transfer arthritis was induced in HK2F/F mice harbouring Col1a1-Cre (HK2Col1), to delete HK2 in non-haematopoietic cells.ResultsHK2 is particular of RA histopathology (9/9 RA; 1/8 OA) and colocalises with FLS markers. Silencing HK2 in RA FLS resulted in a less invasive and migratory phenotype. Consistently, overexpression of HK2 resulted in an increased ability to migrate and invade. It also increased extracellular lactate production. Intra-articular injection of ad-HK2 in normal knees dramatically increased synovial lining thickness, FLS activation and proliferation. HK2 was highly expressed in the synovial lining after K/BxN serum transfer arthritis. HK2Col1 mice significantly showed decreased arthritis severity, bone and cartilage damage.ConclusionHK2 is specifically expressed in RA synovial lining and regulates FLS aggressive functions. HK2 might be an attractive selective metabolic target safer than global glycolysis for RA treatment.



Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1676
Author(s):  
Monserrat Olea-Flores ◽  
Juan C. Juárez-Cruz ◽  
Miriam D. Zuñiga-Eulogio ◽  
Erika Acosta ◽  
Eduardo García-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

Leptin is a hormone secreted mainly by adipocytes; physiologically, it participates in the control of appetite and energy expenditure. However, it has also been linked to tumor progression in different epithelial cancers. In this review, we describe the effect of leptin on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in different study models, including in vitro, in vivo, and patient studies and in various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, and ovarian cancer. The different studies report that leptin promotes the expression of mesenchymal markers and a decrease in epithelial markers, in addition to promoting EMT-related processes such as cell migration and invasion and poor prognosis in patients with cancer. Finally, we report that leptin has the greatest biological relevance in EMT and tumor progression in breast, lung, prostate, esophageal, and ovarian cancer. This relationship could be due to the key role played by the enriched tumor microenvironment in adipose tissue. Together, these findings demonstrate that leptin is a key biomolecule that drives EMT and metastasis in cancer.



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