Pterostilbene inhibits lung squamous cell carcinoma growth in�vitro and in�vivo by inducing S phase arrest and apoptosis

Abstract Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a dynamic and reversible internal RNA structure of eukaryotic mRNA. YTH domain family 2 (YTHDF2), an m6A-specific reader YTH domain family, plays fundamental roles in several types of cancer. However, the function of YTHDF2 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains elusive. Methods The knockdown and overexpression of YTHDF2 in LUSC cells were conducted to detect the biological characteristics of YTHDF2. In vivo assays, the role of YTHDF2 in tumor growth was further uncovered. In vitro assays, YTHDF2 was confirmed to be involved in activating the mTOR/AKT signaling and YTHDF2 overexpression induced the EMT process in LUSC. Clinically, immunohistochemical staining revealed the relationship between YTHDF2 expression levels and the clinicopathological characteristics of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. Moreover, quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blot, CCK8 assay, transwell assay, and wound-healing assay were used to detect the expression level and function of YTHDF2 under hypoxia exposure in LUSC cells. Results The results showed that hypoxia-mediated YTHDF2 overexpression promotes cell proliferation and invasion by activating the mTOR/AKT axis, and YTHDF2 overexpression induces the EMT process in LUSC. Moreover, YTHDF2 is closely associated with pN (pN– 37.0%, pN + 73.9%; P = 0.002) and pTNM stage (pI 50.0%, PII 43.3%, pIIIa 80.6%; P = 0.007), ultimately resulting in poor survival for LUSC patients. Conclusion In brief, the results highlight high-YTHDF2 expression predicted a worse prognosis of LUSC, while hypoxia-mediated YTHDF2 overexpression promotes lung squamous cell carcinoma progression by activation of the mTOR/AKT signaling pathway.

Download Full-text

FGFR1 Promotes Tumor Immune Evasion via YAP-Mediated PD-L1 Expression Upregulation in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-770194/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Min Lu ◽

Kaixuan Wang ◽

Wenxiang Ji ◽

Yongfeng Yu ◽

Ziming Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

T Cells ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Immune Evasion ◽

Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Tumor Immune Evasion ◽

Programmed Death

Abstract Background: Variations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), which occur frequently, are common driver mutations of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) are powerful anticancer weapons. Activation of FGFR1 leads to tumorigenesis through multiple downstream molecules, including Yes-associated protein (YAP), but whether and how FGFR1 regulates tumor immune evasion remain largely unclear. Methods: H520 and HCC95 cells were treated with siRNA and plasmids to increase or decrease the expression of FGFR1, YAP and PD-L1, as assessed by molecular assays of protein and mRNA expression. The interaction between YAP and PD-L1 was verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation. After FGFR1 knockdown by shRNA, cancer cells were cocultured with Jurkat T cells, and then cell proliferation and activity were assessed. In C57BL/6 mice, the tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry after FGFR1 knockdown. The effect of the combination of FGFR1 knockdown and PD-1 blockade was explored both in vitro and in vivo. Results: In H520 and HCC95 cells, FGFR1 upregulated PD-L1 expression via YAP, and YAP initiated the transcription of PD-L1 after binding to its promoter region. Both in vitro and in vivo, FGFR1 knockdown decreased tumor growth and reduced immune escape and reactivation of T cells. The combination of FGFR1 knockdown and PD-1 blockade synergistically exerted antitumor effects. In human LSQCC, the expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), the activator of FGFR1, was positively correlated with that of PD-L1 at the mRNA level. Conclusions: The FGFR1/YAP/PD-L1 regulatory axis mediates tumor-associated immune suppression in lung squamous cell carcinoma, and FGFR1 knockdown reactivates T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Synergistic inhibition of both FGFR1 and PD-1/PD-L1 may be a possible treatment for lung cancer patients.

Download Full-text

Telmisartan Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Inducing S-Phase Arrest In Vitro and In Vivo

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20133197 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (13) ◽

pp. 3197 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Takanori Matsui ◽

Taiga Chiyo ◽

Hideki Kobara ◽

Shintaro Fujihara ◽

Koji Fujita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cell Proliferation ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

S Phase ◽

Phase Arrest ◽

S Phase Arrest

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common primary esophageal malignancy. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker (ARB) and a widely used antihypertensive, has been shown to inhibit proliferation of various cancer types. This study evaluated the effects of telmisartan on human ESCC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and sought to identify the microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in these antitumor effects. We examined the effects of telmisartan on three human ESCC cell lines (KYSE150, KYSE180, and KYSE850). Telmisartan inhibited proliferation of these three cell lines by inducing S-phase arrest, which was accompanied by decreased expression of cyclin A2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, and other cell cycle-related proteins. Additionally, telmisartan reduced levels of phosphorylated ErbB3 and thrombospondin-1 in KYSE180 cells. Furthermore, expression of miRNAs was remarkably altered by telmisartan in vitro. Telmisartan also inhibited tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. In conclusion, telmisartan inhibited cell proliferation and tumor growth in ESCC cells by inducing cell-cycle arrest.

Download Full-text

Mapping lung squamous cell carcinoma pathogenesis through in vitro and in vivo models

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-021-02470-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Gómez-López ◽

Zoe E. Whiteman ◽

Sam M. Janes

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Premalignant Lesions ◽

Murine Models ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

2D And 3D

AbstractLung cancer is the main cause of cancer death worldwide, with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) being the second most frequent subtype. Preclinical LUSC models recapitulating human disease pathogenesis are key for the development of early intervention approaches and improved therapies. Here, we review advances and challenges in the generation of LUSC models, from 2D and 3D cultures, to murine models. We discuss how molecular profiling of premalignant lesions and invasive LUSC has contributed to the refinement of in vitro and in vivo models, and in turn, how these systems have increased our understanding of LUSC biology and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Download Full-text

CircPVT1 promotes proliferation of lung squamous cell carcinoma by binding to miR-30d/e

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-021-01976-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jie Shi ◽

Xin Lv ◽

Lizhong Zeng ◽

Wei Li ◽

Yujie Zhong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Circular Rnas

Abstract Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new type of extensive non-coding RNAs that regulate the activation and progression of different human diseases, including cancer. However, information on the underlying mechanisms and clinical significance of circRNAs in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains scant. Methods The expression profile of RNAs in 8 LUSC tissues, and 9 healthy lung tissues were assayed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to profile the expression of circPVT1 and its relationship with the prognosis of LUSC, i.e., survival analysis. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the impacts of circPVT1 on the growth of tumors. RNA pull-down tests, mass spectrometry, dual-luciferase reporter assessment, and RNA immune-precipitation tests were further conducted to interrogate the cross-talk between circPVT1, HuR, or miR-30d/e in LUSC. Results Our data showed that circPVT1 was upregulated in LUSC tissues, serum, and cell lines. LUSC patients with higher circPVT1 expression exhibited shorter survival rates. The in vivo and in vitro data revealed that circPVT1 promotes the proliferation of LUSC cells. Additionally, mechanistic analysis showed that HuR regulated circPVT1. On the other hand, circPVT1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-30d and miR-30e in alleviating the suppressive influences of miR-30d and miR-30e on its target cyclin F (CCNF). Conclusion CircPVT1 promotes LUSC progression via HuR/circPVT1/miR-30d and miR-30e/CCNF cascade. Also, it acts as a novel diagnostic biomarker or treatment target of individuals diagnosed with LUSC.

Download Full-text

Comparison of in vivo and in vitro prostaglandin E production by squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/s0194-5998(94)70590-9 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 111 (3) ◽

pp. 189-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

C SNYDERMAN ◽

I KLAPAN ◽

M MILANOVICH ◽

D HEO ◽

R WAGNER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Prostaglandin E

Download Full-text

Pan-ERBB kinase inhibition augments CDK4/6 inhibitor efficacy in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Gut ◽

10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323276 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. gutjnl-2020-323276

Author(s):

Jin Zhou ◽

Zhong Wu ◽

Zhouwei Zhang ◽

Louisa Goss ◽

James McFarland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Large Scale ◽

Cell Cancer ◽

Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cancer ◽

Striking Success

ObjectiveOesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), like other squamous carcinomas, harbour highly recurrent cell cycle pathway alterations, especially hyperactivation of the CCND1/CDK4/6 axis, raising the potential for use of existing CDK4/6 inhibitors in these cancers. Although CDK4/6 inhibition has shown striking success when combined with endocrine therapy in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer, CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib monotherapy has not revealed evidence of efficacy to date in OSCC clinical studies. Herein, we sought to elucidate the identification of key dependencies in OSCC as a foundation for the selection of targets whose blockade could be combined with CDK4/6 inhibition.DesignWe combined large-scale genomic dependency and pharmaceutical screening datasets with preclinical cell line models, to identified potential combination therapies in squamous cell cancer.ResultsWe identified sensitivity to inhibitors to the ERBB family of receptor kinases, results clearly extending beyond the previously described minority of tumours with EGFR amplification/dependence, specifically finding a subset of OSCCs with dual dependence on ERBB3 and ERBB2. Subsequently. we demonstrated marked efficacy of combined pan-ERBB and CDK4/6 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that squamous lineage transcription factor KLF5 facilitated activation of ERBBs in OSCC.ConclusionThese results provide clear rationale for development of combined ERBB and CDK4/6 inhibition in these cancers and raises the potential for KLF5 expression as a candidate biomarker to guide the use of these agents. These data suggested that by combining existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents, we have the capacity to improve therapy for OSCC and other squamous cancer.

Download Full-text

JOSD1 promotes proliferation and chemoresistance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma under the epigenetic regulation of BRD4

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-02060-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chao Jing ◽

Dandan Liu ◽

Qingchuan Lai ◽

Linqi Li ◽

Mengqian Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Gene Expression Omnibus ◽

Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

In Vivo Experiments

Abstract Background Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) play critical roles in various cancers by modulating functional proteins post-translationally. Previous studies have demonstrated that DUB Josephin Domain Containing 1 (JOSD1) is implicated in tumor progression, however, the role and mechanism of JOSD1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain to be explored. In this study, we aimed to identify the clinical significance and function of JOSD1 in HNSCC. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were analyzed to find novel DUBs in HNSCC. Immunohistochemistry assay was performed to determine the expression of JOSD1 in our cohort of 42 patients suffered with HNSCC. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to identify the correlation between JOSD1 and the prognosis of HNSCC patients. The regulation of BRD4 on JOSD1 was determined by using pharmacological inhibition and gene depletion. The in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to elucidate the role of JOSD1 in HNSCC. Results The results of IHC showed that JOSD1 was aberrantly expressed in HNSCC specimens, especially in the chemoresistant ones. The overexpression of JOSD1 indicated poor clinical outcome of HNSCC patients. Moreover, JOSD1 depletion dramatically impaired cell proliferation and colony formation, and promoted cisplatin-induced apoptosis of HNSCC cells in vitro. Additionally, JOSD1 suppression inhibited the tumor growth and improved chemosensitivity in vivo. The epigenetic regulator BRD4 contributed to the upregulation of JOSD1 in HNSCC. Conclusions These results demonstrate that JOSD1 functions as an oncogene in HNSCC progression, and provide a promising target for clinical diagnosis and therapy of HNSCC.

Download Full-text

Cirsiliol targets tyrosine kinase 2 to inhibit esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-021-01903-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xuechao Jia ◽

Chuntian Huang ◽

Yamei Hu ◽

Qiong Wu ◽

Fangfang Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Tumor Model ◽

Kinase Assay ◽

Tyrosine Kinase 2

Abstract Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive and lethal cancer with a low 5 year survival rate. Identification of new therapeutic targets and its inhibitors remain essential for ESCC prevention and treatment. Methods TYK2 protein levels were checked by immunohistochemistry. The function of TYK2 in cell proliferation was investigated by MTT [(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and anchorage-independent cell growth. Computer docking, pull-down assay, surface plasmon resonance, and kinase assay were used to confirm the binding and inhibition of TYK2 by cirsiliol. Cell proliferation, western blot and patient-derived xenograft tumor model were used to determine the inhibitory effects and mechanism of cirsiliol in ESCC. Results TYK2 was overexpressed and served as an oncogene in ESCC. Cirsiliol could bind with TYK2 and inhibit its activity, thereby decreasing dimer formation and nucleus localization of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Cirsiliol could inhibit ESCC growth in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions TYK2 is a potential target in ESCC, and cirsiliol could inhibit ESCC by suppression of TYK2.

Download Full-text