Nude Mice Assay Research Articles

MARCHF1 promotes breast cancer through accelerating REST ubiquitylation and following TFAM transcription.

Breast cancer has become the leading cause of death in women. Membrane associated ring-CH-type finger 1 (MARCHF1) is associated with the development of various types of cancer, but the exact role of MARCHF1 in breast cancer remains unclear. In our study, the higher MARCHF1 expression was observed in tumor samples of patients with breast cancer and then the role of MARCHF1 in breast cancer was further evaluated. Overexpression of MARCHF1 contributed to proliferation of cancer cells and inhibition of oxidative stress. Knockdown of MARCHF1 reduced breast cancer cell proliferation, increased mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress, eventually aggravating cell death. In vivo, MARCHF1 promoted the tumor growth and oppositely, MARCHF1 silencing suppressed the tumor development. Moreover, MARCHF1 interacted with repressor Element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) and facilitated its ubiquitylation and degradation. Subsequently, REST negatively regulated the transcription of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). The subcutaneous tumor formation assay in nude mice also supported these conclusions. In details, knockdown of MARCHF1 upregulated the protein expression of REST and downregulated the mRNA level of TFAM. On the contrary, MARCHF1 overexpression exhibited opposite effects. Thus, MARCHF1 is conducive to the progression of breast cancer via promoting the ubiquitylation and degradation of RSET and then the transcription of TFAM. Downregulating MARCHF1 could provide a novel direction for treating breast cancer.

Branched oncolytic peptides target HSPGs, inhibit metastasis, and trigger the release of molecular determinants of immunogenic cell death in pancreatic cancer.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) can be exploited to treat non-immunoreactive tumors that do not respond to current standard and innovative therapies. Not all chemotherapeutics trigger ICD, among those that do exert this effect, there are anthracyclines, irinotecan, some platinum derivatives and oncolytic peptides. We studied two new branched oncolytic peptides, BOP7 and BOP9 that proved to elicit the release of damage-associated molecular patterns DAMPS, mediators of ICD, in pancreatic cancer cells. The two BOPs selectively bound and killed tumor cells, particularly PANC-1 and Mia PaCa-2, but not cells of non-tumor origin such as RAW 264.7, CHO-K1 and pgsA-745. The cancer selectivity of the two BOPs may be attributed to their repeated cationic sequences, which enable multivalent binding to heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSPGs), bearing multiple anionic sulfation patterns on cancer cells. This interaction of BOPs with HSPGs not only fosters an anti-metastatic effect in vitro, as demonstrated by reduced adhesion and migration of PANC-1 cancer cells, but also shows promising tumor-specific cytotoxicity and low hemolytic activity. Remarkably, the cytotoxicity induced by BOPs triggers the release of DAMPs, particularly HMGB1, IFN-β and ATP, by dying cells, persisting longer than the cytotoxicity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as irinotecan and daunorubicin. An in vivo assay in nude mice showed an encouraging 20% inhibition of tumor grafting and growth in a pancreatic cancer model by BOP9.

Hsa_circ_0001776 targeting miR-1265 regulates the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma and clinical significance

Objective: To further explore the role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0001776 and mir-1265 in lung squamous carcinoma by verifying the expression level of hsa_circ_0001776 in plasma, tissues, and cells of lung squamous carcinoma. Methods: Plasma was collected from patients with lung squamous carcinoma treated at Tangshan People's Hospital and healthy individuals from 2020 to 2022. Lung squamous carcinoma tissue microarrays purchased from Shanghai Xinchao Biotechnology Company in 2022. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_0001776 in lung squamous carcinoma plasma, tissues, and cells, and fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to verify the expression of hsa_circ_0001776 in lung squamous carcinoma. The localization of hsa_circ_0001776 in NCI-H1703 was verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The lung squamous carcinoma cells NCI-H1703 and NCI-H226 were cultured in vitro and divided into the circ-negative control (NC) group, hsa_circ_0001776 overexpression group, miR-NC group, miR-1265 mimic group, hsa_circ_0001776+miR-NC group, and hsa_circ_0001776+miR-1265 mimic group.The cell proliferation, motility and apoptosis were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, clone formation, Transwell invasion and migration, and scratch assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The downstream of hsa_circ_0001776 was predicted by circular RNA interactome website, and the interaction between hsa_circ_0001776, miR-1265 was further determined by dual luciferase reporter gene assay, and nude mice subcutaneous tumorigenesis assay detected the growth of transplanted tumors. Results: Fluorescence in situ hybridization results showed that the fluorescence intensity of hsa_circ_0001776 in lung squamous carcinoma tissues was lower than that in paracancerous tissues, and the fluorescence intensity of miR-1265 in lung squamous carcinoma tissues was higher than that in paracancerous tissues (both P＜0.05). The expression level of hsa_circ_0001776 in the plasma of lung squamous carcinoma patients was lower than that in the plasma of healthy people, and the expression level of miR-1265 was higher than that in the plasma of healthy people (both P＜0.05). The expression levels of hsa_circ_0001776 in lung squamous carcinoma cells NCI-H1703, NCI-H226 and SK-MES-1 were lower than that in bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B (all P＜0.05), and the relative expression levels of miR-1265 in NCI-H1703 and NCI-H226 were higher than that in human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS -2B (all P＜0.05). The expression of hsa_circ_0001776 was correlated with age, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, and tumor stage in patients with lung squamous carcinoma (all P＜0.05). Fluorescence in situ hybridization results showed that hsa_circ_0001776 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed complementary binding of miR-1265 to hsa_circ_0001776. The absorbance values of the hsa_circ_0001776 overexpression group in NCI-H1703 and NCI-H226 cells were lower than that of the circ-NC group (P＜0.05). The number of cell clones in the hsa_circ_0001776 overexpressed group was (52±3) and (53±4), the number of migrating cells was (476±17) and (113±7), the number of invading cells was (100±2) and (184±2), and the cell migration rate was (25.00±4.36)% and (36.02±5.55)%, which were lower than those of the circ-NC group [(104±4) and (106±2), (783±29) and (517±16), (657±45) and (473±9), (48.95±8.69)% and (48.70±1.57)%, all P＜0.05]. The apoptosis rates in the overexpression hsa_circ_0001776 group were (24.77±2.303)% and (19.67±1.16)%, respectively, both higher than those in the circ-NC group [(11.83±1.15)% and (9.50±0.66)%, respectively, both P＜0.05]. MiR-1265 mimic group had a higher apoptotic rate in the NCI-H1703 and NCI-H226 than those of the miR-NC groups (P＜0.05). miR-1265 mimic group had (56±13) and (51±8) cell clones, (556±13) and (405±6) migrating cells, (486±6) and (359±7) invading cells, cell migration rates of (68.56±5.51)%, (81.74±8.04)%, were higher than those of miR-NC group [(31±4) and (21±8), (154±19) and (186±5), (227±6) and (176±7), (25.83±4.26)% and (53.12±4.14) %, all P＜0.05]. The apoptotic rates in the miR-1265 mimic group were (11.83±2.55)% and (17.50±1.05)%, respectively, which were lower than those in the miR-NC group [(32.67±4.44)% and (39.90±2.88)%, respectively, both P<0.05]. The absorbance values of NCI-H1703 and NCI-H226 in the overexpression of hsa_circ_0001776+miR-1265 mimic group were higher than those of the overexpression of hsa_circ_0001776+miR-NC group (P<0.05). The overexpression of hsa_circ_0001776+miR-1265 mimic group had (128±15) and (133±8) cell clones, (623±10) and (310±7) migrating cells, (643±16) and (420±7) invading cells, (66.39±4.46)% cell migration rate and (68.60±3.53)%, were higher than those of the hsa_circ_0001776+miR-NC group [(86±7) and (80±16), (380±11) and (115±5), (152±7) and (94±4), respectively, (31.41±5.91)% and (30.94±0.67)%, all P＜0.05]. The apoptotic rates in the overexpression of hsa_circ_0001776+miR-1265 mimic group were (19.27±0.15)% and (11.53±0.75)%, respectively, both lower than those in the overexpression of hsa_circ_0001776+miR-NC group [(27.77±1.29)% and (18.43±0.71)%, both P＜0.05]. The results of the subcutaneous tumorigenesis assay in nude mice showed that the volume of tumors in the overexpression of hsa_circ_0001776 group was lower than that in the circ-NC group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: hsa_circ_0001776 is downregulated in lung squamous cell carcinoma, and hsa_circ_0001776 can inhibit the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma by targeting miR-1265.

Inhibiting circ_0000673 blocks the progression of colorectal cancer through downregulating CPSF6 via targeting miR-548b-3p.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers, and its progression is regulated by several factors, including circular RNA (circRNA). The objective of this study was to determine the role, or roles, of circ_0000673 in CRC. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect the expression of circ_0000673, miR-548b-3p and cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 6 (CPSF6) in DLD-1 and RKO cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to determine circ_0000673 roles in proliferation. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect cell migration and invasion abilities. Expression of CPSF6 protein and stem cell-associated proteins were examined using western blot. The putative relationship between miR-548b-3p and circ_0000673 or CPSF6 was verified with dual-luciferase reporter assay. The role of circ_0000673 in CRC was also investigated in a tumor xenograft assay in nude mice. Circ_0000673 expression was increased in CRC tissues and cancer cells. Silencing circ_0000673 reduced tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while also decreasing cell stemness. MiR-548b-3p was found to be a target of circ_0000673, while CPSF6 was a downstream target of miR-548b-3p. The tumor-regulatory effects of si-circ_0000673, anti-miR-548b-3p and oe-CPSF6 were partially reversed by anti-miR-548b-3p, si-CPSF6 and si-circ_0000673, respectively, in rescue assays. Downregulation of circ_0000673 reduced solid tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0000673 inhibition reduced CPSF6 expression by targeting miR-548b-3p, thereby blocking proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC tumor cells.

The Role of miR-132-3p in Inhibiting the Proliferation, Invasion and Metastasis of Colon Cancer by Targeted Regulation of PDGF

This study investigated the impact of miR-132-3p on colon cancer cell behavior by targeting PDGF, offering insights into potential approaches for understanding colon cancer development and gene-targeted therapy. The study involved qRT-PCR analysis to assess miR-132-3p expression in colon cancer and adjacent tissues. Overexpression of miR-132-3p in HCT-116 cells was examined through CCK-8 assays for proliferation, flow cytometry for apoptosis, and Transwell/scratch assays for invasion/metastasis. Pearson correlation analysis evaluated miR-132-3p-PDGF relationship, validated via luciferase assays. qRT-PCR/Western blot assessed PDGF mRNA/protein levels. In vivo tumorigenesis assays in nude mice confirmed miR-132-3p’s inhibitory effect on HCT-116 cells. Results showed reduced miR-132-3p expression in colon cancer tissues (vs. adjacent tissues), correlating with decreased cell proliferation and invasion upon miR-132-3p overexpression. Luciferase activity confirmed PDGF as a miR-132-3p target. Additionally, miR-132-3p inhibited tumor growth, while miR-132-3p+PDGF reversed these effects. In conclusion, miR-132-3p regulates PDGF, suppressing colon cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, thereby promoting apoptosis. This highlights the potential of miR-132-3p as a therapeutic target for colon cancer treatment.

RGS1 targeted by miR-191-3p inhibited the stemness properties of esophageal cancer cells by suppressing CXCR4/PI3K/AKT signaling

BackgroundEsophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. It is urgent to prevent the development and progression of esophageal cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were reported to have the ability to initiate tumorigenesis, and reducing the stem cell-like characteristics of tumors is an important strategy to inhibit the occurrence and development of tumors. miRNAs are key regulators of the stemness of cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-191-3p in the stemness properties of esophageal cancer cells. MethodsEsophageal cancer cells with stable expression of miR-191-3p were established by lentivirus system. CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, wound healing assay were used to evaluate the effect of miR-191-3p on proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer cells. The expression of stemness-related markers (NANOG, OCT4, SOX2), ALDH activity, sphere-forming assay and subcutaneous tumor model in nude mice were performed to evaluate the stemness properties of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the molecular mechanism. ResultHere we found that overexpression of miR-191-3p promoted the stemness properties of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, including increasing esophageal cancer cell proliferation and metastasis ability, the expression of stemness-related markers NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2, ALDH activity, the number of spheres formed and tumor growth. Bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase assay demonstrated that regulator of G protein signaling 1 (RGS1) was the directed target gene of miR-191-3p and attenuated the promotion effect of miR-191-3p on the stemness of esophageal cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that RGS1 knockdown activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by negatively regulating CXCR4 to promote the stemness of esophageal cancer cells. ConclusionsOur findings revealed that RGS1 targeted by miR-191-3p inhibited the stemness of esophageal cancer cells by suppressing the CXCR4/PI3K/AKT pathway, which provide potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in the future.

PPM1F regulates ovarian cancer progression by affecting the dephosphorylation of ITGB1.

PPM1F has been shown to play diverse biological functions in the progression of multiple tumors. PPM1F controls the T788/T789 phosphorylation switch of ITGB1 and regulates integrin activity. However, the impacts of PPM1F and ITGB1 on ovarian cancer (OV) progression remain unclear. Whether there is such a regulatory relationship between PPM1F and ITGB1 in ovarian cancer has not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to elucidate the function and the mechanism of PPM1F in ovarian cancer. The expression level and the survival curve of PPM1F were analyzed by databases. Gain of function and loss of function were applied to explore the function of PPM1F in ovarian cancer. A tumor formation assay in nude mice showed that knockdown of PPM1F inhibited tumor formation. We tested the effect of PPM1F on ITGB1 dephosphorylation in ovarian cancer cells by co-immunoprecipitation and western blotting. Loss of function was applied to investigate the function of ITGB1 in ovarian cancer. ITGB1-mut overexpression promotes the progression of ovarian cancer. Rescue assays showed the promoting effect of ITGB1-wt on ovarian cancer is attenuated due to the dephosphorylation of ITGB1-wt by PPM1F. PPM1F and ITGB1 play an oncogene function in ovarian cancer. PPM1F regulates the phosphorylation of ITGB1, which affects the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer.

Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of a Novel Teoptinib Derivative as an Effective Anti-hepatocellular Carcinoma Agent.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer known for its poor prognosis and high mortality. Teoptinib is a highly selective MET inhibitor that has been used in the treatment of liver cancer. Although good progress has been made in clinical treatment, further improvement is still needed. In this study, a series of novel Teoptinib derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as anti-cancer agents for the treatment of liver cancer, and an oral nanodrug delivery system was also explored. A series of novel Teoptinib derivatives were synthesized, and an oral nanodrug delivery system was also explored. HPLC, high-resolution mass spectrometer and NMR were used to determine the structure and molecular formula of the synthesized compounds. Zeta potential assay was used to access the particle size distribution and zeta potential of the nanoparticles. MTT assay, cell colony formation assay, cell apoptosis inhibition assay, cell scratch assay, and the MHCC-97H xenograft model of nude mice assay were used to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity of the synthesized compounds. Compound (R)-10 showed the best antitumor activity with 0.010 μM of the IC50 value against MHCC-97H, a human liver cancer cell line with high c-Met expression. The MHCC-97H xenograft model of nude mice assay showed that nano-prodrug of compound (R)-10 exhibited good in vivo activity with 87.67% of the TGI at the dosage of 8 mg/kg. We designed and synthesized a series of c-Met inhibitors containing different side chains and chiral centers as anti-liver cancer agents. Among them, compound (R)-10 shows a promising effect as a lead molecule for further study in the treatment of liver cancer. The successful incorporation of (R)-10 into a novel oral nanodrug delivery system highlights the importance of effective drug delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Identification and validation of the prognostic signature of a novel demethylation-related gene associated with the clinical features of colon cancer

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to construct a prognostic model of colon cancer based on demethylation-related genes. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between the set of demethylated genes and colon cancer not only assists in revealing the pathogenesis of colon cancer but also provides strong support for future therapeutic strategies and individualized medicine. MethodsData were obtained from the TCGA database and the GEO-GSE39582 cohort. A risk score model for demethylation-related genes was developed using univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis. The accuracy and reliability of the model were confirmed using K–M survival analysis and ROC curve analysis. Additionally, a nomogram was created by integrating the risk score and clinicopathological variables. Finally, the biological function of the RCOR2 gene was verified by performing qPCR, MTT, colony formation, Transwell, and subcutaneous tumor formation assays in nude mice. ResultsWe constructed a risk score model containing 30 demethylation-related genes for predicting the survival risk of patients with colon cancer. COAD patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups, and Kaplan–Meier (KM) curve analysis revealed that the high-risk group was associated with a worse prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses validated the risk score as an independent prognostic factor for COAD. We also analyzed the differences in the sensitivity to nine chemotherapeutic agents and small molecule targeted drugs between the high-risk and low-risk groups. Moreover, we performed experiments in COAD cell lines and nude mice to verify that RCOR2 was differentially expressed between tumor tissues and normal tissues and that high RCOR2 expression promoted a malignant phenotype of colon cancer. ConclusionThis study demonstrated the potential roles of demethylation-related genes in colon cancer by conducting a comprehensive analysis and constructing a risk score. These findings also highlight the ability of these genes to indicate patient prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, this study provides a reliable predictive tool that can assist in guiding the treatment and management of colon cancer patients.

Acetylation- and ubiquitination-regulated SFMBT2 acts as a tumor suppressor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BackgroundClear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common kidney tumor. The analysis from medical database showed that Scm-like with four MBT domains protein 2 (SFMBT2) was decreased in advanced clear cell RCC cases, and its downregulation was associated with the poor prognosis. This study aims to investigate the role of SFMBT2 in clear cell RCC.MethodsThe expression of SFMBT2 in clear cell RCC specimens were determined by immunohistochemistry staining and western blot. The overexpression and knockdown of SFMBT2 was realized by infection of lentivirus loaded with SFMBT2 coding sequence or silencing fragment in 786-O and 769-P cells, and its effects on proliferation and metastasis were assessed by MTT, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell assay, xenograft and metastasis experiments in nude mice. The interaction of SFMBT2 with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and seven in absentia homolog 1 (SIAH1) was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation.ResultsIn our study, SFMBT2 exhibited lower expression in clear cell RCC specimens with advanced stages than those with early stages. Overexpression of SFMBT2 inhibited the growth and metastasis of clear cell RCC cells, 786-O and 769-P, in vitro and in vivo, and its silencing displayed opposites effects. HDAC3 led to deacetylation of SFMBT2, and the HDAC3 inhibitor-induced acetylation prevented SFMBT2 from SIAH1-mediated ubiquitination modification and proteasome degradation. K687 in SFMBT2 protein molecule may be the key site for acetylation and ubiquitination.ConclusionsSFMBT2 exerted an anti-tumor role in clear cell RCC cells, and HDAC3-mediated deacetylation promoted SIAH1-controlled ubiquitination of SFMBT2. SFMBT2 may be considered as a novel clinical diagnostic marker and/or therapeutic target of clear cell RCC, and crosstalk between its post-translational modifications may provide novel insights for agent development.

The role and the molecular mechanism of abietic acid in the proliferation, invasion and migration of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Objective:To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of abietic acid in the cell proliferation, invasion and migration of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Methods:①Cisplatin-resistant C666/DDP cell line was constructed by increasing drug concentration method. ②The effects of abietic acid on proliferation, invasion and migration of C666/DDP cells were investigated by CCK-8 method, reactive oxygen species（ROS） and mitochondrial membrane potential（MMP） level assay and subcutaneous tumorigenesis assay in nude mice to detect the effects of abietic acid on proliferation and apoptosis of C666/DDP cells in vitro and in vivo. The effect of abietic acid on the proliferation and apoptosis of C666/DDP cells in vitro and in vivo was measured by Transwell assay. ③Western blot and IHC method to detect the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway related proteins. Results:①The IC50 of cisplatin cytotoxicity to C666-1 was about 25 μmol/L. RI=25 μmol/L /4 μmol/L=6.25, resistance was obtained, and the C666-1-DDP resistant strain was successfully constructed. ②Abietic acid promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of C666/DDP cells, and showed G2/M phase block; transwell showed that abietic acid inhibited C666/DDP cell migration and invasion, increased ROS level of C666/DDP cells and decreased MMP. Transwell showed that abietic acid inhibited the migration and invasion ability of C666/DDP cells, increased the ROS level of C666/DDP cells and decreased MMP. ③Animal experiments showed that abietic acid inhibited the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vivo in a concentration gradient and suppressed the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins. Conclusion:Abietic acid inhibits proliferation, invasion and migration of cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by a mechanism related to inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate exerts anti-tumor effects on cholangiocarcinoma cells through inhibiting JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate exhibits significant antitumor effects on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells by effectively inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the antitumor properties of trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate, and to explore its potential as a therapeutic agent for CCA. This study illustrates that trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate efficiently suppresses CCA cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress and initiation of apoptosis via the activation of the mitochondrial pathway. Data from xenograft tumor assays in nude mice confirms that TBB inhibits tumor growth, and that there are no obvious toxic effects or side effects in vivo. Mechanistically, trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate exerts antitumor effects by inhibiting STAT3 transcriptional activation, reducing PCNA and Bcl-2 expression, and increasing P21 expression. These findings emphasizes the potential of trilobolide-6-O-isobutyrate as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of CCA.

ANGPTL4 regulates ovarian cancer progression by activating the ERK1/2 pathway

BackgroundOvarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate among all gynecological malignancies. A hypoxic microenvironment is a common feature of solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, and an important driving factor of tumor cell survival and chemo- and radiotherapy resistance. Previous research identified the hypoxia-associated gene angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as both a pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic factor in tumors. Hence, this work aimed to further elucidate the contribution of ANGPTL4 to OC progression.MethodsThe expression of hypoxia-associated ANGPTL4 in human ovarian cancer was examined by bioinformatics analysis of TCGA and GEO datasets. The CIBERSORT tool was used to analyze the distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in ovarian cancer cases in TCGA. The effect of ANGPTL4 silencing and overexpression on the proliferation and migration of OVCAR3 and A2780 OC cells was studied in vitro, using CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays, and in vivo, through subcutaneous tumorigenesis assays in nude mice. GO enrichment analysis and WGCNA were performed to explore biological processes and genetic networks associated with ANGPTL4. The results obtained were corroborated in OC cells in vitro by western blotting.ResultsScreening of hypoxia-associated genes in OC-related TCGA and GEO datasets revealed a significant negative association between ANGPTL4 expression and patient survival. Based on CIBERSORT analysis, differential representation of 14 distinct tumor-infiltrating immune cell types was detected between low- and high-risk patient groups. Silencing of ANGPTL4 inhibited OVCAR3 and A2780 cell proliferation and migration in vitro and reduced the growth rate of xenografted OVCAR3 cells in vivo. Based on results from WGCNA and previous studies, western blot assays in cultured OC cells demonstrated that ANGPTL4 activates the Extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway and this results in upregulation of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, and MMP2 expression. Suggesting that the above mechanism mediates the pro-oncogenic actions of ANGPTL4T in OC, the pro-survival effects of ANGPTL4 were largely abolished upon inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling with PD98059.ConclusionsOur work suggests that the hypoxia-associated gene ANGPTL4 stimulates OC progression through activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. These findings may offer a new prospect for targeted therapies for the treatment of OC.

GRWD1 Over-Expression Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating Notch Signaling Pathway via Up-Regulation of ADAM17.

Glutamate-rich WD repeat containing 1 (GRWD1) is over-expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and is considered to be a potential oncogene. However, its mechanism of action in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. Data analysis, Immunohistochemistry, and Western Blot (WB) were performed to verify the expression of GRWD1 in GC and para-cancerous tissues. The association between GRWD1 expression and tumor size, tissue differentiation, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and prognosis was analyzed according to the high and low expression levels of GRWD1. The relationship between GRWD1 and Notch pathway was verified by data analysis and WB. The effects of GRWD1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells were verified by cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. We confirmed that the high expression of GRWD1 promoted the proliferation of GC cells in vivo through the tumor formation assay in nude mice. The expression of GRWD1 was higher in GC tissues than in para-cancerous tissues, and its expression was positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage, but negatively correlated with differentiation grade and prognosis. GRWD1 over-expression increased ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17) expression and promoted Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) release to promote GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Results from animal studies have shown that high GRWD1 expression could promote GC cell proliferation in vivo by activating the Notch signaling pathway. GRWD1 promotes GC progression through ADAM17-dependent Notch signaling, and GRWD1 may be a novel tumor marker and therapeutic target.

The Role MicroRNA-135a in Suppressing Tumor Growth in Kidney Cancer Through the Regulation of Phosphoprotein Phosphatase2A and the Activation of the AKT and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways.

Background: Kidney cancer is a frequently occurring malignant tumor in the urinary system, with rising morbidity and mortality rates in recent times. Developing new biomarkers and therapeutic targets is essential to improve the prognosis of patients affected by kidney cancer. In recent years, miRNAs' role in tumorigenesis and development has received growing attention. miRNAs constitute a group of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, affecting various biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Of the many miRNAs, miR-135a plays a pivotal role in several cancers. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms and functions concerning miR-135a in renal cancer remain incompletely understood. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effects of miR-135a on renal cancer replication and migration and its possible mechanisms, and to provide new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of renal cancer. Methods: Renal cell lines (ACHN, A498) with stable hyperexpression of miR-135a and reduced expression of miR-135a were constructed by lentivirus packaging. The changes of replication, clone formation and migration ability of overexpressed miR-135a and overexpressed miR-135a in ACHN and A498 renal cell lines were detected. The possible mechanism of miR-135a affecting the replication of kidney cancer was analyzed by target gene prediction, double luciferase test, Western blotting and subcutaneous tumorigenicity assay in nude mice. Results: Hyperexpression of miR-135a can inhibit kidney cancer replication, whereas miR-135a knockdown potentially enhances replication. However, neither hyperexpression nor knockdown of miR-135a affects the migration ability of kidney cancer cells. The protein expression of PP2A-B56-γ, PP2A-Cα and PP2A-Cβ in renal cell line decreased after hyperexpression of miR-135a, while the protein expression of PP2A-B56-γ, PP2A-Cα and PP2A-Cβ increased after knockdown of miR-135a. In addition, the protein expression of p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 proteins in kidney cancer cells after hyperexpression of miR-135a were down-regulated, while the protein expression of p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 were up-regulated in kidney cancer cells after knockdown of miR-135a. In subcutaneous tumor formation experiments in nude mice, tumor size within nude mice in the miR-135a group was significantly smaller than in the control group. Conclusion: MiR-135a could suppress the replication of kidney cancer by modulating PP2A and AKT, ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Structure-based virtual screening towards the discovery of novel thrombin inhibitors with Anti-HCC activities.

Hepatic carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors in the world, and new treatment regimens for this disease are urgently needed. Studies have shown that thrombin stimulates tumor progression by forming fibrin and activating platelets. Dabigatran etexilate, a thrombin inhibitor, can inhibit the activity of thrombin and prevent the proliferation and metastasis of HCC in cells and nude mice. The present study was designed to find thrombin inhibitors with novel skeletons, and further confirm the correlation between thrombin inhibition and HCC prevention to identify potential anti-HCC drug leads. The potential thrombin inhibitors were firstly screened in the Topscience Database, and 20 potential active molecules were found by molecular docking. The effect of these molecules on thrombin inhibition, coagulation and tumor proliferation were evaluated, and the definite activity of ZXX-4 was identified. Further in vivo assays in nude mice showed that ZXX-4 inhibited tumor proliferation in nude mice, reduced tumor metastasis, and enhanced the clinical efficacy of first-line drug sorafenib for the treatment of HCC. ZXX-4 can be further explored as an anti-tumor lead compound with a novel skeleton, and inhibition of thrombin can serve as a potential treatment strategy for HCC.

THBS2 promotes gastric cancer progression and stemness via the Notch signaling pathway.

Thrombospondin-2 (THBS2), a secreted extracellular matrix protein, plays a crucial role in various biological processes including angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, and inflammation. Our study focuses on its function in human gastric cancer (GC). Through bioinformatics and tumor tissue analysis, we compared THBS2 expression in GC tissues and adjacent tissues, and predicted regulatory upstream and downstream molecules. The direct regulatory effect of miR-29b-3p on THBS2 was evaluated through dual-luciferase reporter assays, showing that miR-29b-3p targets the 3'-UTR of THBS2 mRNA, reducing its expression in GC cells. The influence of THBS2 on tumorigenesis and stemness was examined on protein expression levels via Western blot. In vivo, THBS2's role was investigated through xenograft and metastasis assays in nude mice, demonstrating that downregulation of THBS2 impairs GC tumorigenesis and liver metastasis. Our study identified THBS2 as a highly expressed prognostic factor in GC patients. Functionally, THBS2 promotes GC progression through the Notch signaling pathway by regulating Notch3, NEY1, and HES1 proteins, and sustains cancer stem cell-like characteristics by Notch3, including the expression of CD44, Nanog, OCT4, and SOX2. In sum, our study reveals that THBS2 promotes GC progression and stemness, modulated negatively by miR-29b-3p. This suggests potential therapeutic targets within the THBS2/Notch signaling axis for combating gastric cancer.

Low expression of ZHX3 is associated with progression and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

Accumulating studies suggest that ZHX3, the member of ZHX family, is involved in a variety of biological functions such as development and differentiation. Recently, ZHX3 may also be involved in the progression of several cancer types including renal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer. However, the potential role of ZHX3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the protein levels of ZHX3 by immunohistochemistry and evaluated its relationship with the clinicopathological features and prognosis in 286 CRC patients. In vitro cell proliferation assay, plate colony formation assay and xenograft model in nude mice were applied to evaluate CRC cell proliferative ability. Our results showed that the expression of ZHX3 was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues compared with paired adjacent nontumor tissues. Furthermore, the ZHX3 expression was found to have a strong correlation with tumor size, tumor invasion depth and TNM stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that low ZHX3 expression was related to a poorer overall survival and disease-free survival in CRC patients. In addition, cox's proportional hazards analysis indicated that low ZHX3 expression was an independent prognostic indicator of poor prognosis. Functionally, reduced expression of ZHX3 promotes the proliferation of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of ZHX3 inhibited the growth of CRC cells, indicated that ZHX3 was significantly correlated with CRC progression. Our results indicate for the first time that ZHX3 may be a potential marker of cancer prognosis and CRC recurrence.

Nicotinamide Riboside Modulates HIF-1 Signaling to Maintain and Enhance Odontoblastic Differentiation in Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells.

Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) play a vital role in the regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex after pulp disease. While the regeneration efficiency relies on the odontoblastic differentiation capacity of hDPSCs, this is difficult to regulate within the pulp cavity. Although nicotinamide riboside (NR) has been found to promote tissue regeneration, its specific role in pulp-dentin complex regeneration is not fully understood. Here, we aimed to explore the role of NR in the odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs and its underlying molecular mechanism. It was found that NR enhanced the viability and retarded senescence in hDPSCs with higher NAD+/NADH levels. In contrast to the sustained action of NR, the multi-directional differentiation of hDPSCs was enhanced after NR pre-treatment. Moreover, in an ectopic pulp regeneration assay in nude mice, transplantation of hDPSCs pretreated with NR promoted the formation of a dentin-like structure surrounded by cells positively expressing DMP-1 and DSPP. RNA-Seq demonstrated inhibition of the HIF-1 signaling pathway in hDPSCs pretreated with NR. The number of HIF-1α-positive cells was significantly decreased in hDPSCs pretreated by NR in vivo. Similarly, NR significantly downregulated the expression of HIF-1α in vitro. The findings suggested that NR could potentially regulate hDPSC odontoblastic differentiation and promote the development of innovative strategies for dental pulp repair.

DARS2 promotes the occurrence of lung adenocarcinoma via the ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway.

DARS2 expression is upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) which correlates with tumor patient stage and prognosis. The mechanism of DARS2 involvement in LUAD still needs to be further explored. In this study, we found that DARS2 expression in LUAD tissue was significantly higher than that in normal tissue. At the same time, the Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the survival prognosis of LUAD patients with high expression of DARS2 was significantly worse than low expression of DARS2. The expression of DARS2 was detected in LUAD and adjacent normal tissues by IHC staining, histochemical scoring and a survival curve was generated. In addition, we demonstrated that the knockdown and overexpression of DARS2 significantly affected the proliferation, invasion, and migration of LUAD cells in vitro and in vivo. Finally, western blot and rescue assay were performed on LUAD cells to further explore and verify the signaling pathway. DARS2 expression was significantly upregulated in LUAD tissues and cell lines. What is more, the increased expression of DARS2 was closely related to proliferation, invasion and metastasis. The tumorigenic assay in nude mice further showed that the tumorigenic ability of nude mice was significantly improved with the increase in DARS2 expression. Finally, we determined that DARS2 plays its role in LUAD by targeting the ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway. Our data revealed the oncogenic role of DARS2 in LUAD, indicating that DARS2 may be a predictive biomarker and novel therapeutic target for LUAD.