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Cancer letters
Elsevier
Cancer letters

Elsevier

0304-3835

Cancer letters/Journal Cancer lettersSCIISTP
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    Radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer and radiation-induced gut damages are regulated by gasdermin E

    Shi Y.Zhi F.Tan G.Lin C....
    10页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2021 Elsevier B.V.Although radiotherapy is an important clinical option available for colorectal cancer (CRC), its use is restricted due to low radiosensitivity of CRC and high toxicity to surrounding normal tissues. The purpose of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanism by which CRC is not sensitive to radiation and radiation causes toxicity to surrounding normal tissues. Here we found that GSDME was silenced in CRC but markedly expressed in their surrounding normal tissues. GSDME determines radiation-induced pyroptosis in CRC cells and normal epithelial cells through the caspase-3-dependent pathway. GSDME expression sensitizes radioresistant CRC cells to radiation. In the homograft model, after radiation treatment, the tumor volume and weight were significantly decreased in GSDME-expressed homograft tumors compared to GSDME-knockout homograft tumors. On the mechanism, radiation induced GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in CRC cells, which recruited and activated NK cells to enhance antitumor immunity. In addition, GSDME-knockout mice were protected from radiation-induced weight loss and tissue damages in the intestine, stomach, liver and pancreas compared to wild-type control littermates. In summary, we show that GSDME determines CRC radiosensitivity and radiation-related toxicity to surrounding normal tissues through caspase-3-dependent pyroptosis. Our finding reveals a previously unrecognized link between radiation and pyroptosis.

    SPOP-mutant prostate cancer: Translating fundamental biology into patient care

    Bernasocchi T.Theurillat J.-P.P.
    8页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2021Comprehensive cancer genome studies have revealed genetically-defined subtypes of prostate cancer with distinct truncal driver mutations. Because prostate cancer has been largely seen as a rather uniform disease, the clinical significance of this discovery remained largely obscure. However, recent findings imply distinct biological features and therapeutic vulnerabilities linked to specific truncal mutations. Here we review our current understanding of prostate cancers harboring recurrent point mutations in the ubiquitin ligase adaptor protein SPOP and discuss opportunities for future clinical translation. More specifically, activation of the androgen receptor (AR) signaling emerges as the key oncogenic pathway. SPOP-mutant prostate cancer patients respond to AR inhibition in various clinical settings. Molecular insights on how mutant SPOP promotes tumorigenesis may open more specific therapeutic avenues which, in combination with conventional AR-targeting agents, could improve the outcome of patients with SPOP-mutant prostate cancer.

    PINK1 deficiency in gastric cancer compromises mitophagy, promotes the Warburg effect, and facilitates M2 polarization of macrophages

    Xu Y.Lu J.Tang Y.Xie W....
    18页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2022 Elsevier B.V.Cancer cells are typically characterized by abnormal quality control of mitochondria, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), dysregulation of the cell redox state, and the Warburg effect. Mutation or depletion of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) or Parkin leads to mitophagy defects and accumulation of malfunctioning mitochondria, and is often detected in a variety of tumors. However, PINK1's role in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear, with its main effect being on mitochondrial turnover, metabolic reprogramming, and tumor microenvironment (TME) alteration. To address these issues, we first assessed the expression levels of PINK1, mitophagy-associated molecules, ROS, HIF-1α, glycolysis-associated genes, and macrophage signatures in GC tissues and matched tumor-adjacent normal samples. In addition, GC cell lines (AGS and MKN-45) and xenograft mouse models were used to determine the mechanism by which PINK1 regulates mitophagy, metabolic reprogramming, tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization, and GC progression. We found that PINK1 loss correlated with advanced stage GC and poorer overall survival. GC tissues with lower PINK1 levels showed compromised mitophagy signaling and enhanced glycolytic enzyme expression. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PINK1 deficiency promoted GC cell proliferation and migration through the inhibition of mitophagy, production of mitochondrial ROS, stabilization of HIF-1α, and facilitation of the Warburg effect under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Moreover, PINK1 deficiency in GC cells promoted TAM polarization toward the M2-like phenotype. Reintroduction of PINK1 or inhibition of HIF-1α effectively repressed PINK1 deficiency-mediated effects on GC cell growth, metabolic shift, and TAM polarization. Thus, mitophagy defects caused by PINK1 loss conferred a metabolic switch through accumulation of mtROS and stabilization of HIF-1α, thereby facilitating the M2 polarization of TAM to remodel an immunosuppressive microenvironment in GC. Our results clarify the mechanism between PINK1 and GC progression and may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of GC.

    LC3 and NLRC5 interaction inhibits NLRC5-mediated MHC class I antigen presentation pathway in endometrial cancer

    Zhan L.Zhang J.Liu X.Zhu S....
    16页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2021 The AuthorsThe major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) transactivator, nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain containing 5 (NLRC5), serves as a target for immune evasion in many cancers, including endometrial cancer (EC). An inhibition of autophagy can contribute to immunotherapy by assisting the MHC-I-mediated antigen presentation in cancer. However, the underlying mechanism for autophagy-regulated MHC-I in EC remains unclear. In this study, we found that autophagy was upregulated in EC tissues when compared to that in normal endometrial tissues. MHC I and NLRC5 expressions were lower in EC endometrium than in normal endometrium. Autophagy inhibited the MHC-I genes expression in vitro. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between NLRC5 and LC3 levels, and LC3 interacted with NLRC5 to inhibit NLRC5-mediated MHC-I antigen presentation pathway in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our findings demonstrated that an upregulation of LC3 in EC patients may contribute to tumor immune escape by restricting the NLRC5-mediated MHC-I antigen presentation pathway, signifying inhibiting LC3 and promoting NLRC5 may be a promising immunotherapy strategy in the management of EC.

    Elevated MMP10/13 mediated barrier disruption and NF-κB activation aggravate colitis and colon tumorigenesis in both individual or full miR-148/152 family knockout mice

    Tang K.Wu Z.Sun M.Huang X....
    17页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2022 The AuthorsDynamic miRNA alteration is known to occur in colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), while the molecular mechanisms underpinning how miRNAs modulate the development from chronic inflammation to CAC is lacking. For the first time, we constructed knockout (KO) mice for individual miR-148/152 family members and entire miR-148/152 family. Based on these KO mice, we conduct the first comprehensive analysis of miR-148/152 family, demonstrating that deficiency of any member of miR-148/152 family aggravate colitis and CAC. Loss of individual miR-148/152 family members or full-family enhance MMP10 and MMP13 expression, causing disruption of intestinal barrier and cleaving pro-TNF-α into bioactive TNF-α fragments to activate NF-κB signaling, thereby aggravating colitis. Individual and full-family deletion also increase accumulation of IKKα and IKKβ, resulting in further hyperactivation of NF-κB signaling, exacerbating colitis and CAC. Moreover, blocking NF-κB signaling exerts a restorative effect on colitis and CAC models only in KO mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrate deleting the full miR-148/152 family or individual members exhibit similar effects in colitis and CAC. Mechanically, miR-148/152 family members deficiency in mice elevates MMP10 and MMP13 to accelerate colitis and CAC via disrupting intestinal barrier function and activating NF-κB signaling, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for colitis and CAC.

    Complement C5a induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps by myeloid-derived suppressor cells to promote metastasis

    Lecanda F.Ajona D.Pio R.Ortiz-Espinosa S....
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2021 Elsevier B.V.Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a major role in cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which complement C5a increases the capacity of polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs) to promote tumor growth and metastatic spread. Stimulation of PMN-MDSCs with C5a favored the invasion of cancer cells via a process dependent on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETosis was dependent on the production of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) by cancer cells. Moreover, C5a induced the surface expression of the HMGB1 receptors TLR4 and RAGE in PMN-MDSCs. In a mouse lung metastasis model, inhibition of C5a, C5a receptor-1 (C5aR1) or NETosis reduced the number of circulating-tumor cells (CTCs) and the metastatic burden. In support of the translational relevance of these findings, C5a was able to stimulate migration and NETosis in PMN-MDSCs obtained from lung cancer patients. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complexes, as markers of NETosis, were elevated in lung cancer patients and significantly correlated with C5a levels. In conclusion, C5a induces the formation of NETs from PMN-MDSCs in the presence of cancer cells, which may facilitate cancer cell dissemination and metastasis.

    TRIM29 regulates the SETBP1/SET/PP2A axis via transcription factor VEZF1 to promote progression of ovarian cancer

    Qiao H.-Y.Zhang Q.Wang J.-M.Jiang J.-Y....
    15页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2021Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecological malignant tumor that seriously endangers the health of women worldwide. Tripartite motif containing 29 (TRIM29) is a TRIM family member that is frequently overexpressed in OC. However, the specific role of TRIM29 in OC remains obscure. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanism, a global proteomics analysis identified SET binding protein 1 (SETBP1) as a crucial target of TRIM29. Subsequently, the SETBP1/SET/Protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A) axis was confirmed to be required for the recovery of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotype suppressed by TRIM29 knockdown. Mechanistically, TRIM29 facilitated SETBP1 transcriptional activation via the VEZF1 transcription factor. More importantly, TRIM29 promoted VEZF1 mRNA translation by recruiting RNA binding protein BICC1 to its 3′UTR. The clinical significance was established by the association of TRIM29 and SETBP1 expression with clinicopathological features in OC samples. The SETBP1/SET/PP2A axis driven by TRIM29 via transcription factor VEZF1 is at least one of the primary mechanisms underlying TRIM29 maintenance of the CSC-like characteristics in OC.

    An orally available small molecule BCL6 inhibitor effectively suppresses diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells growth in vitro and in vivo

    Xing Y.Guo W.Wu M.Xie J....
    12页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2021The transcription factor B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) is an oncogenic driver of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mediates lymphomagenesis through transcriptional repression of its target genes by recruiting corepressors to its N-terminal broad-complex/tramtrack/bric-a-brac (BTB) domain. Blocking the protein-protein interactions of BCL6 and its corepressors has been proposed as an effective approach for the treatment of DLBCL. However, BCL6 inhibitors with excellent drug-like properties are rare. Hence, the development of BCL6 inhibitors is worth pursuing. We screened our internal chemical library by luciferase reporter assay and Homogenous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) assay and a small molecule compound named WK500B was identified. WK500B engaged BCL6 inside cells, blocked BCL6 repression complexes, reactivated BCL6 target genes, killed DLBCL cells and caused apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest. In animal models, WK500B inhibited germinal center (GC) formation and DLBCL tumour growth without toxic and side effects. Moreover, WK500B displayed strong efficacy and favourable pharmacokinetics and presented superior druggability. Therefore, WK500B is a promising candidate that could be developed as an effective orally available therapeutic agent for DLBCL.

    Decreased CXCR2 expression on circulating monocytes of colorectal cancer impairs recruitment and induces Re-education of tumor-associated macrophages

    Wang H.Shao Q.Wang J.Zhao L....
    14页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2022 Elsevier B.V.Though circulating monocytes are the main source of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), the regulatory mechanisms of their recruitment to tumours and further differentiation remain unclear. In the present study, we observed a significant decrease in CXCR2 expression in classical circulating monocytes of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly those in the late TNM stage. The percentage of CXCR2+ monocytes was negatively associated with systemic inflammatory markers and positively associated with intratumoural immunocyte infiltration. The pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ, which was overexpressed in patients with CRC, down-regulated CXCR2 expression of monocytes/TAMs by promoting GRK-2 expression. In vitro, inhibition of CXCR2 signalling in monocytes led to impaired chemotaxis to the tumour cell line supernatant and lower responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Finally, monocytes from patients with CRC with decreased CXCR2 expression showed distinct phenotypes and functions after differentiating into CRC cell line-educated TAMs, including expression of co-stimulatory factors and secretion profile, than those from healthy controls. GRK-2 inhibitor altered the functional characteristics of TAMs. In summary, our findings suggest that CXCR2 expression on circulating monocytes reflects CRC stages and is an important factor determining TAM composition in the tumour microenvironment.

    N-myristoyltransferase-1 deficiency blocks myristoylation of LAMTOR1 and inhibits bladder cancer progression

    Sun Y.Guan Z.Sheng Q.Duan W....
    13页
    查看更多>>摘要:? 2022N-myristoyltransferase-1 (NMT1) catalyzes protein posttranslational myristoylation and functions as an oncogene in various cancers, although its roles in bladder cancer remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that NMT1 was obviously upregulated in bladder cancer and correlated with overall survival and poor prognosis. Elevation of NMT1 promotes cancer progression and inhibits autophagy in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we confirm that LAMTOR1 was myristoylated by NMT1 at Gly 2, resulting in increased LAMTOR1 protein stability and lysosomal localization. Importantly, B13, an inhibitor of NMT1 enzymatic activity, exerted its anti-tumor effects against bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these findings uncover a molecular mechanism of NMT1 in modulating bladder cancer progression and indicate that targeting NMT1 may represent a novel clinical intervention in bladder cancer.