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Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection significantly elevates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with the HBV X protein (HBx) playing a crucial role in cancer progression. Sorafenib, the primary therapy for advanced HCC, shows limited effectiveness in HBV-infected patients due to HBx-related resistance. Numerous studies have explored combination therapies to overcome this resistance. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), known for its anticancer effects and its inhibition of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), is hypothesized to counteract sorafenib (SF) resistance in HBV-positive HCCs. Our research demonstrates that combining DDC with SF significantly reduces HBx and SOD1 expressions in HBV-positive HCC cells and human tissues. This combination therapy disrupts the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and promotes apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These cellular changes lead to reduced tumour viability and enhanced sensitivity to SF, as evidenced by the synergistic suppression of tumour growth in xenograft models. Additionally, DDC-mediated suppression of SOD1 further enhances SF sensitivity in HBV-positive HCC cells and xenografted animals, thereby inhibiting cancer progression more effectively. These findings suggest that the DDC-SF combination could serve as a promising strategy for overcoming SF resistance in HBV-related HCC, potentially optimizing therapy outcomes.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Virus de la Hepatitis B , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinasas , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-akt , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno , Transducción de Señal , Sorafenib , Superóxido Dismutasa-1 , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR , Sorafenib/farmacología , Sorafenib/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/virología , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/virología , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/patología , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-akt/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutasa-1/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutasa-1/genética , Animales , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR/metabolismo , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR/antagonistas & inhibidores , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinasas/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Ratones , Virus de la Hepatitis B/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de Xenoinjerto , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Hepatitis B/complicaciones , Hepatitis B/tratamiento farmacológico , Hepatitis B/virología , Ditiocarba/farmacología , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/efectos de los fármacos , Ratones Desnudos , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Transactivadores , Proteínas Reguladoras y Accesorias ViralesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Human mesenchymal stem cells originating from umbilical cord matrix are a promising therapeutic resource, and their differentiated cells are spotlighted as a tissue regeneration treatment. However, there are limitations to the medical use of differentiated cells from human umbilical cord matrix-mesenchymal stem cells (hUCM-MSCs), such as efficient differentiation methods. METHODS: To effectively differentiate hUCM-MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), we used the ROCK inhibitor, fasudil, which is known to induce endoderm formation, and gelatin, which provides extracellular matrix to the differentiated cells. To estimate a differentiation efficiency of early stage according to combination of gelatin and fasudil, transcription analysis was conducted. Moreover, to demonstrate that organelle states affect differentiation, we performed transcription, tomographic, and mitochondrial function analysis at each stage of hepatic differentiation. Finally, we evaluated hepatocyte function based on the expression of mRNA and protein, secretion of albumin, and activity of CYP3A4 in mature HLCs. RESULTS: Fasudil induced endoderm-related genes (GATA4, SOX17, and FOXA2) in hUCM-MSCs, and it also induced lipid droplets (LDs) inside the differentiated cells. However, the excessive induction of LDs caused by fasudil inhibited mitochondrial function and prevented differentiation into hepatoblasts. To prevent the excessive LDs formation, we used gelatin as a coating material. When hUCM-MSCs were induced into hepatoblasts with fasudil on high-viscosity (1%) gelatin-coated dishes, hepatoblast-related genes (AFP and HNF4A) showed significant upregulation on high-viscosity gelatin-coated dishes compared to those treated with low-viscosity (0.1%) gelatin. Moreover, other germline cell fates, such as ectoderm and mesoderm, were repressed under these conditions. In addition, LDs abundance was also reduced, whereas mitochondrial function was increased. On the other hand, unlike early stage of the differentiation, low viscosity gelatin was more effective in generating mature HLCs. In this condition, the accumulation of LDs was inhibited in the cells, and mitochondria were activated. Consequently, HLCs originated from hUCM-MSCs were genetically and functionally more matured in low-viscosity gelatin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an effective method for differentiating hUCM-MSCs into hepatic cells using fasudil and gelatin of varying viscosities. Moreover, we suggest that efficient hepatic differentiation and the function of hepatic cells differentiated from hUCM-MSCs depend not only on genetic changes but also on the regulation of organelle states.
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1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonil)-2-Metilpiperazina , Diferenciación Celular , Gelatina , Hepatocitos , Células Madre Mesenquimatosas , Cordón Umbilical , Humanos , Células Madre Mesenquimatosas/metabolismo , Células Madre Mesenquimatosas/efectos de los fármacos , Células Madre Mesenquimatosas/citología , Diferenciación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonil)-2-Metilpiperazina/análogos & derivados , 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonil)-2-Metilpiperazina/farmacología , Gelatina/química , Gelatina/farmacología , Hepatocitos/metabolismo , Hepatocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Hepatocitos/citología , Cordón Umbilical/citología , Viscosidad , Células Cultivadas , Mitocondrias/metabolismo , Mitocondrias/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
We set up this study to understand the underlying mechanisms of reduced ceramides on immune cells in acute rejection (AR). The concentrations of ceramides and sphingomyelins were measured in the sera from hepatic transplant patients, skin graft mice and hepatocyte transplant mice by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Serum concentrations of C24 ceramide, C24:1 ceramide, C16:0 sphingomyelin, and C18:1 sphingomyelin were lower in liver transplantation (LT) recipients with than without AR. Comparisons with the results of LT patients with infection and cardiac transplant patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy in humans and in mouse skin graft and hepatocyte transplant models suggested that the reduced C24 and C24:1 ceramides were specifically involved in AR. A ceramide synthase inhibitor, fumonisin B1 exacerbated allogeneic immune responses in vitro and in vivo, and reduced tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs), while increased P3-like plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in the draining lymph nodes from allogeneic skin graft mice. The results of mixed lymphocyte reactions with ceranib-2, an inhibitor of ceramidase, and C24 ceramide also support that increasing ceramide concentrations could benefit transplant recipients with AR. The results suggest increasing ceramides as novel therapeutic target for AR, where reduced ceramides were associated with the changes in DC subsets, in particular tDCs.
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Ceramidas , Trasplante de Hígado , Humanos , Ratones , Animales , Esfingomielinas , Cromatografía Liquida , Trasplante de Piel , Espectrometría de Masas en Tándem , Hepatocitos , Células DendríticasRESUMEN
Background: Solid organ transplant recipients exhibit decreased antibody responses, mainly due to their weakened immune systems. However, data are limited on antibody responses after the primary series of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines among recipients of various solid organ transplant types. Thus, we compared the antibody responses after three COVID-19 vaccine doses between liver transplant (LT) and kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled solid organ transplant recipients who received three COVID-19 vaccine doses from June 2021 to February 2022 and measured S1-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Seventy-six LT and 17 KT recipients were included in the final analysis. KT recipients showed consistently lower antibody responses even after the third vaccine dose (86.2% vs. 52.9%, P=0.008) and lower antibody titers (median, 423.0 IU/mL [interquartile range, 99.6-2,057 IU/mL] vs. 19.7 IU/mL [interquartile range, 6.9-339.4 IU/mL]; P=0.006) than were observed in LT recipients. Mycophenolic acid was a significant risk factor for a seropositive antibody response after the third vaccine dose in the multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 0.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.00-0.39; P=0.02). Conclusions: We found a weaker antibody response despite the completion of the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines in KT recipients than in LT recipients. Mycophenolic acid use in KT recipients might be the main contributor to this observation.
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Postoperative management after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is important; however, the guidelines for resuming daily activities after TSS are insufficient. This study aimed to examine the time to return to activities of daily living (ADL) after TSS for pituitary tumors. A 4-month prospective data collection was completed for 114 of 117 patients who underwent TSS for pituitary tumors from April to July 2021. The time when the patient returned to ADL after surgery was measured using the self-recording sheet. More than 97% and 92% of the patients returned within 1 month (median: within 7 days) for the elements of basic ADL and within 2 months (median: within 15 days) for the elements of instrumental ADL, excluding a few. Notably, 73.3% of patients returned to work within 4 months. The median time for the activities included 64 days for washing hair head down, 44 days for blowing nose, 59 days for lifting heavy objects, and 102 days for sexual activity. For patients who received extended-TSS or had postoperative problems, the time to return was delayed. Based on these results, it will be possible to provide practical information and guidelines on the time to return to ADL after TSS in pituitary tumor patients.
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Actividades Cotidianas , Neoplasias Hipofisarias , Humanos , Neoplasias Hipofisarias/cirugía , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos/métodos , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/cirugía , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There are few studies on the time to return to activities of daily living (ADL) after craniotomy in patients with brain tumors. This study aimed to investigate the duration before returning to ADLs after craniotomy for brain tumors and present data that can provide information and guidelines on the appropriate time needed. METHODS: Patients (n = 183 of 234) who underwent craniotomy for brain tumors between April 2021 and July 2021 capable of self-care upon discharge were enrolled, and data of 158 were collected. The start time of 85 ADL items was prospectively investigated for 4 months postoperatively, using the self-recording sheet. RESULTS: Over 89% and 87% of the patients performed basic ADL items within a month and instrumental ADL items within 2 months (medians: within 18 days), except for a few. Regarding work, 50% of the patients returned within 4 months. Washing hair with a wound was performed at 18 days of median value, after 4 months of dyeing/perming hair, 6 days of drinking coffee/tea, after 4 months of air travel, and 40 days of complementary and alternative medicine. In patients with infratentorial tumors or surgical problems, return times were much later for various items. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to provide practical information and guidelines on the duration to return to ADL after craniotomy in brain tumor patients. These study findings also reduce uncertainty about recovery and daily life and help patients return to their daily life at the appropriate time, thereby maintaining function and daily well-being after surgery.
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Actividades Cotidianas , Neoplasias Encefálicas , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de Tiempo , Neoplasias Encefálicas/cirugía , CraneotomíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIM: We previously showed that human hepatic intrasinusoidal (HI) natural killer (NK) T cells selectively eliminate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms on how HI γδ T cells, expanded with zoledronate, exhibit a superior cytotoxic effect on HI NK-resistant Huh7 HCC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: γδ T cells were obtained from living liver transplant donors or from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy volunteers and were expanded in the presence of IL-2, IL-15, and zoledronate for 2 weeks. Cytotoxicity was measured using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay in vitro and by flow cytometry using carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) in vivo. RESULTS: The cytotoxicity of expanded HI γδ T cells against Huh7 cells was associated with a higher pyrophosphate expression in Huh7 cells compared to SNU398 cells. In contrast, the cytotoxicity of HI γδ T cells against SNU398 cells depended on NKG2D. HI γδ T cells expressed less PD-1 than PB γδ T cells. The cytotoxicity of HI γδ T cells against Du145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells was also associated with pyrophosphate expression in these cells, as well as NKG2D and DNAM-1. CONCLUSION: The expression levels of phospho-antigen in tumor cells determined the cytotoxicity of HI γδ T cells, although the NK activating receptors, death ligands, and immune checkpoint molecules also contribute to their cytotoxicity. γδ T cells are attractive candidates for cancer immune cell therapy.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Masculino , Humanos , Ácido Zoledrónico , Leucocitos Mononucleares , Difosfatos/metabolismo , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/metabolismo , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfocitos T gamma-delta/metabolismo , Subfamilia K de Receptores Similares a Lectina de Células NK , Neoplasias Hepáticas/metabolismo , Citotoxicidad Inmunológica , Línea Celular TumoralRESUMEN
BACKGROUNDS: The anatomy of the left hepatic vein (LHV) is variable; thus, it should be considered for graft hepatic vein (GHV) venoplasty for left lateral section (LLS) and left liver grafts. This study assessed the incidence of superficial LHV (sLHV) branches according to LHV anatomy and its usability for GHV venoplasty in pediatric liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: This study consisted of three parts: (1) anatomical classification of LHV variations and the incidence of sLHV branches; (2) morphometric simulative analysis of GHV reconstruction and (3) clinical application based on LHV anatomy. RESULTS: The LHV anatomy of 248 potential LLS graft donors was classified into four types according to the number and location of GHV openings: one single opening (type 1; n = 186 [75.0%]), two large openings (type 2; n = 35 [14.1%]), one large and one small adjacent opening (type 3; n = 14 [5.6%]), and two large widely-separated openings (type 4; n = 13 [5.2%]). An sLHV branch was identified in 87 of 248 (35.1%) donor livers. Morphometric analysis of simulative GHV venoplasty with an sLHV branch increased GHV diameters by 30% in type 1 LLS grafts and 20% in type 2/3 LLS grafts. An analysis of 50 consecutive patients who underwent pediatric LT showed that the 2-year rates of GHV obstruction were 2.0% with LLS grafts and 0% with left liver grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The GHV orifice can be enlarged through LHV anatomy-based unification venoplasty. Unification venoplasty with an sLHV branch provided sufficient enlargement of the GHV orifice.
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Venas Hepáticas , Trasplante de Hígado , Humanos , Niño , Venas Hepáticas/cirugía , Incidencia , Donadores Vivos , Hígado/cirugía , Hígado/irrigación sanguíneaRESUMEN
In the liver, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly released during cellular metabolic processes, and excess ROS production can cause redox stress. The redox stress is both beneficial for and harmful to the survival of cells since it modulates the cellular redox control system. The redox control system is a series of cellular responses that are responsible for maintaining a balanced oxidation-reduction status. Many cellular processes including growth, proliferation, and senescence are sensitively regulated by the redox control system. Imbalance of redox induces redox stress and damages DNA, proteins, and lipids in cells, and further contributes to the pathogenesis of severe diseases and disorders like cancer. However, the cellular redox control system also utilizes redox stress-responsive pathways and increases antioxidant enzymes to aid cell survival. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the connection between the redox control system and liver disease is likely to pave the way for the future development of new therapeutic strategies. This review will examine the redox control systems in liver with responsive regulating molecules, current knowledge of the redox control system and liver disease, and suggest potential therapeutic targets for liver diseases.
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Hepatopatías , Estrés Oxidativo , Humanos , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Oxidación-Reducción , Hepatopatías/tratamiento farmacológico , Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Antioxidantes/metabolismoRESUMEN
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-ß (Aß) aggregates in the brain. Clusterin (CLU), also known as apolipoprotein J, is a potent risk factor associated with AD pathogenesis, in which Aß aggregation is essentially involved. We observed close colocalization of CLU and Aß(1-42) (Aß42) in parenchymal amyloid plaques or vascular amyloid deposits in the brains of human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP)-transgenic Tg2576 mice. Therefore, to elucidate the binding interaction between CLU and Aß42 and its impact on amyloid aggregation and toxicity, the two synthetic proteins were incubated together under physiological conditions, and their structural and morphological variations were investigated using biochemical, biophysical, and microscopic analyses. Synthetic CLU spontaneously bound to different possible variants of Aß42 aggregates with very high affinity (Kd = 2.647 nM) in vitro to form solid CLU-Aß42 complexes. This CLU binding prevented further aggregation of Aß42 into larger oligomers or fibrils, enriching the population of smaller Aß42 oligomers and protofibrils and monomers. CLU either alleviated or augmented Aß42-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in the neuroblastoma-derived SH-SY5Y and N2a cells, depending on the incubation period and the molar ratio of CLU:Aß42 involved in the reaction before addition to the cells. Thus, the effects of CLU on Aß42-induced cytotoxicity were likely determined by the extent to which it bound and sequestered toxic Aß42 oligomers or protofibrils. These findings suggest that CLU could influence amyloid neurotoxicity and pathogenesis by modulating Aß aggregation.
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Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Neuroblastoma , Síndromes de Neurotoxicidad , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/patología , Amiloide/metabolismo , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Animales , Clusterina , Humanos , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Fragmentos de Péptidos/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Péptidos/toxicidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIM: Locoregional treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induce immunogenic cell death and a tumor-specific immune response, but infiltration and activation of immune cells in the liver have not been clearly described. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or transarterial chemotherapy (TAC) without embolization have been used to treat intermediate or advanced stage HCC patients. The identification of intrahepatic immune cell changes after locoregional therapy provides a theoretical basis for the combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in HCC. This study aimed to determine the anticancer effect and changes in the liver immune cell population and function after direct injection of polymerized phenylboronic acid-conjugated doxorubicin (pPBA-Dox) nanocomplexes into the liver through TAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: pPBA-Dox nanocomplexes were delivered directly to the liver cancer in a rat model by transarterial methods. Anticancer effect was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the immune cell population and functional changes were confirmed by flow cytometry (FACS). RESULTS: We first established a rat liver cancer model by implanting McA-RH7777 into rats and confirmed the formation of liver cancer through MRI, pathological examinations, and biochemical tests. Transarterial injection of pPBA-Dox nanocomplexes had a stronger anticancer effect than conventional Dox alone. Higher numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells with activated phenotypes were infiltrated into the tumor microenvironment after transarterial pPBA-Dox treatments than after Dox alone treatment, suggesting the induction of stronger local immune responses by pPBA-Dox than Dox alone. CONCLUSION: This study provides a theoretical basis for TAC combined with ICIs and insight into novel targeted therapies using nanocomplexes for the treatment of HCC.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Quimioembolización Terapéutica , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Animales , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamiento farmacológico , Quimioembolización Terapéutica/métodos , Doxorrubicina , Inmunidad , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Ratas , Microambiente TumoralRESUMEN
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in immunocompromised, especially transplant recipients, may induce a weaker immune response. But there are limited data on the immune response after COVID-19 vaccination in liver transplant (LT) recipients, especially on the comparison of Ab responses after different vaccine platforms between mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccines. Thus, we conducted a prospective study on LT recipients who received two doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (ChAdOx1), mRNA-1273, or BNT162b2 vaccines compared with healthy healthcare workers (HCWs). SARS-CoV-2 S1-specific IgG Ab titers were measured using ELISA. Overall, 89 LT recipients (ChAdOx1, n=16 [18%]) or mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273 vaccine, n=23 [26%]; BNT162b2 vaccine, n=50 [56%]) received 3 different vaccines. Of them, 16 (18%) had a positive Ab response after one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 62 (73%) after 2 doses. However, the median Ab titer after two doses of mRNA vaccines was significantly higher (44.6 IU/ml) than after two doses of ChAdOx1 (19.2 IU/ml, p=0.04). The longer time interval from transplantation was significantly associated with high Ab titers after two doses of vaccine (p=0.003). However, mycophenolic acid use was not associated with Ab titers (p=0.53). In conclusion, about 3-quarters of LT recipients had a positive Ab response after 2 doses of vaccine, and the mRNA vaccines induced higher Ab responses than the ChAdOx1 vaccine.
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We aimed to investigate the dynamic changes of gene expression profiles and immune microenvironment linked to resistance to cetuximab-based treatments in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A total of 106 patients with RAS-wild type mCRC who were treated with cetuximab-based treatments were included as the study population. RNA-sequencing and multiplexed immunohistochemistry were performed using paired or unpaired pre-treatment and post-treatment tumor tissues. Differentially expressed gene analysis of paired pre-treatment and post-treatment tumor tissues that develop acquired resistance (AR) identified the AR signature. Gene ontology analysis of the AR signature indicated enrichment of immune-related pathway genes. Among the immune subsets whose abundance was estimated by CIBERSORT, M2 macrophages showed the most prominent positive correlation with the expression of the AR signature. Among the post-treatment samples, progressive disease (PD) tumors showed a significantly higher abundance of M2 macrophages compared to non-PD tumors. These findings were validated by multiplexed immunohistochemistry analysis: the density of CD68+CD206+ M2 macrophages significantly increased at the time of PD following cetuximab-based treatment, whereas it did not consistently change in the tumor pairs of non-PD. In conclusion, a dynamic increase of M2 macrophages is associated with disease progression during cetuximab-based treatment of mCRCs. Targeting M2 macrophages is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy in this clinical context.
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Antineoplásicos Inmunológicos/uso terapéutico , Cetuximab/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Macrófagos Asociados a Tumores/efectos de los fármacos , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antígenos CD/genética , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Antígenos de Diferenciación Mielomonocítica/genética , Antígenos de Diferenciación Mielomonocítica/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos Inmunológicos/efectos adversos , Cetuximab/efectos adversos , Neoplasias Colorrectales/genética , Neoplasias Colorrectales/inmunología , Neoplasias Colorrectales/metabolismo , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fenotipo , Supervivencia sin Progresión , Receptores Inmunológicos/genética , Receptores Inmunológicos/metabolismo , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Tiempo , Transcriptoma , Microambiente Tumoral , Macrófagos Asociados a Tumores/inmunología , Macrófagos Asociados a Tumores/metabolismo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Neurofibromin 1 (NF1) is a tumor suppressor that has been previously reported to regulate RASMAPK signaling. The present study investigated the possible relationship between NF1 expression and antiEGFR antibody (cetuximab) sensitivity in colorectal cancer cell lines. In addition, primary or metastatic colorectal cancer samples from patients treated with cetuximab were assessed for the association of cetuximab sensitivity. The quantities of the NF1 transcript, NF1related pathway enrichment and NF1 mutation profile were measured and investigated using RNA sequencing and targeted DNA sequencing. Based on growth inhibition and colony formation assay results, cell lines were designated to be cetuximabsensitive (NCIH508 and Caco2) or cetuximabresistant (KM12C and SM480). Western blotting revealed NF1 was highly expressed in cetuximabsensitive cell lines whilst there was little expression in their cetuximabresistant counterparts. Knocking down NF1 expression using small interfering RNA in the cetuximabsensitive cell lines enhanced the phosphorylation of MEK and ERK according to western blotting. NF1 knockdown also reduced apoptosis, as observed by the decreased number of apoptotic bodies by DAPI nuclear staining and reduced cleavage of caspase and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase. NF1 overexpression by transfection with GTPaseactivating proteinrelated domain subunit rendered the cetuximabresistant cell lines, KM12C and SW480, more susceptible to cetuximabinduced apoptosis. RNA sequencing of 111 RAS and BRAFV600 wildtype tumor samples collected from cetuximabtreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer revealed that the pretreatment NF1 expression levels were not associated with the cetuximab response. However, tumor samples obtained after cetuximab treatment displayed slightly lower NF1 transcript levels compared with those in the pretreatment samples, suggesting that exposure to the antiEGFR antibody may be associated with reduced NF1 expression levels. Nextgeneration sequencing revealed that the frequency of inactivating mutations in NF1 were rare (1.8%) in patients with colorectal cancer and were not associated with the protein expression levels of NF1 except for in a small number of cases (0.5%), where the biallelic inactivation of NF1 was observed. To conclude, the present study showed that modification of NF1 expression can affect sensitivity to cetuximab in colorectal cancer cell lines, though a limitation exists in terms of its potential application as a biomarker for RAS and BRAFV600 wildtype tumors.
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Cetuximab/administración & dosificación , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Colorrectales/genética , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/genética , Neurofibromina 1/genética , Células CACO-2 , Línea Celular Tumoral , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , HumanosRESUMEN
Label-free optical diffraction tomography (ODT), an imaging technology that does not require fluorescent labeling or other pre-processing, can overcome the limitations of conventional cell imaging technologies, such as fluorescence and electron microscopy. In this study, we used ODT to characterize the cellular organelles of three different stem cells-namely, human liver derived stem cell, human umbilical cord matrix derived mesenchymal stem cell, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-based on their refractive index and volume of organelles. The physical property of each stem cell was compared with that of fibroblast. Based on our findings, the characteristic physical properties of specific stem cells can be quantitatively distinguished based on their refractive index and volume of cellular organelles. Altogether, the method employed herein could aid in the distinction of living stem cells from normal cells without the use of fluorescence or specific biomarkers.
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Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas/metabolismo , Orgánulos/metabolismo , Tomografía Óptica/métodos , HumanosRESUMEN
Recurrent gene mutations and copy number alterations in cancer patients are presumably associated with resistance to targeted therapy. In the present study, we assessed the gene mutations and copy number alterations that recurrently occurred in cetuximab-treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed in the tumor samples obtained pre- and postcetuximab treatment to assess the variations that occurred during cetuximab treatment. Moreover, we identified the emergent gene mutations (CDK6, EPHA3, ERCC2, MYC, PCMTD1, PIK3CA, PRIM2, RICTOR, and ZNRF3) and copy number alterations (ARAF, BCL2, BRCA2, EGFR, MYC, and SMAD4) that were recurrently observed only in postprogression samples and not in pretreatment or posttreatment samples from patients revealing clinical response. Furthermore, to identify the feasible candidate variations implicated in treatment resistance, we examined the variants with clonal expansion during treatment and discovered PCBP1 as a variant associated with posttreatment progression. Various recurrent mutations were enriched in the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Collectively, we identified recurrent variations in mCRC samples exhibiting post-cetuximab progression. Additionally, future studies are required to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these variations.
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Antineoplásicos Inmunológicos/uso terapéutico , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Cetuximab/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Colorrectales/tratamiento farmacológico , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Mutación , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Anciano , Neoplasias Colorrectales/genética , Neoplasias Colorrectales/patología , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/genética , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/patología , Pronóstico , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
ABSTRACT: Programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway is one of the most critical mechanisms in tumor biology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study aimed to assess the prognostic influence of pretransplant serum soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) in patients undergoing liver transplantation for treatment of HCC.Data from 229 patients with HCC who underwent living donor liver transplantation between January 2010 and December 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Stored serum samples were used to measure sPD-1 concentrations.Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 94.3% and 74.5% at 1âyear; 78.2% and 59.2% at 3âyears; and 75.4% and 55.5% at 5âyears, respectively. Prognostic analysis using pretransplant serum sPD-1 with a cut-off of 93.6âµg/mL (median value of the study cohort) did not have significant prognostic influence on OS (Pâ=â.69) and DFS (Pâ=â.26). Prognostic analysis using sPD-1 with a cut-off of 300âµg/mL showed similar OS (Pâ=â.46) and marginally lower DFS (Pâ=â.070). Combination of Milan criteria and sPD-1 with a cutoff of 300âµg/mL showed similar outcomes of OS and DFS in patients within and beyond Milan criteria. Multivariate analysis revealed that only Milan criteria was an independent prognostic for OS and DFS, but pretransplant sPD1 with a cut-off of 300âµg/mL did not become a prognostic factor.The results of this study demonstrate that pretransplant serum sPD-1 did not show significant influences on post-transplant outcomes in patients with HCC. Further large-scale, multicenter studies are necessary to clarify the role of serum sPD-1 in liver transplantation recipients.
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Carcinoma Hepatocelular/sangre , Neoplasias Hepáticas/sangre , Trasplante de Hígado/mortalidad , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1/sangre , Adulto , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/mortalidad , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/cirugía , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/mortalidad , Neoplasias Hepáticas/cirugía , Trasplante de Hígado/métodos , Donadores Vivos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Periodo Preoperatorio , Pronóstico , Valores de Referencia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury contributes to the morbidity and mortality associated with liver transplantation. microRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a family of noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranslational level through the repression of specific target genes. Here, we hypothesized that miRNAs could be targeted to enhance hepatic ischemia tolerance. A miRNA screen in a murine model of hepatic IR injury pointed us toward the liver-specific miRNA miR122. Subsequent studies in mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of miR122 (miR122loxP/loxP Alb-Cre+ mice) during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion revealed exacerbated liver injury. Transcriptional studies implicated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) in the induction of miR122 and identified the oxygen-sensing prolyl hydroxylase domain 1 (PHD1) as a miR122 target. Further studies indicated that HIF1α-dependent induction of miR122 participated in a feed-forward pathway for liver protection via the enhancement of hepatic HIF responses through PHD1 repression. Moreover, pharmacologic studies utilizing nanoparticle-mediated miR122 overexpression demonstrated attenuated liver injury. Finally, proof-of-principle studies in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation showed elevated miR122 levels in conjunction with the repression of PHD1 in post-ischemic liver biopsies. Taken together, the present findings provide molecular insight into the functional role of miR122 in enhancing hepatic ischemia tolerance and suggest the potential utility of pharmacologic interventions targeting miR122 to dampen hepatic injury during liver transplantation.
Asunto(s)
Hepatocitos/metabolismo , Subunidad alfa del Factor 1 Inducible por Hipoxia/metabolismo , Hepatopatías/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , MicroARNs/metabolismo , Daño por Reperfusión/metabolismo , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Subunidad alfa del Factor 1 Inducible por Hipoxia/genética , Isquemia/genética , Isquemia/metabolismo , Hígado/irrigación sanguínea , Hepatopatías/genética , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , MicroARNs/genética , Daño por Reperfusión/genéticaRESUMEN
Anti-cancer strategies using nanocarrier systems have been explored in a variety of cancers; these systems can easily be incorporated into tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect leading to enhanced anti-tumor activity while reducing systemic toxicity by specific tumor-targeting. The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extremely poor when the condition is diagnosed at the unresectable stage as treatment options are limited. In order to improve the treatment of cancer and the overall anti-cancer effect, polymerized phenylboronic acid conjugated doxorubicin (pPBA-Dox) nanocomplexes were generated, and conjugated doxorubicin, which is conventionally used in HCC. The nanocomplexes exhibited enhanced anti-tumor activity via tumor-specific targeting in the subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC syngeneic mice tumor model, implying that the nanocomplexes facilitate the targeted Dox delivery to liver cancer in which the sialic acid is over-expressed. Therefore, this study provides insight into the novel targeted therapy using the nanocomplexes for the treatment of HCC.
Asunto(s)
Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Ácidos Borónicos/química , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamiento farmacológico , Doxorrubicina/uso terapéutico , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Nanoconjugados/química , Animales , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/administración & dosificación , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/química , Línea Celular Tumoral , Doxorrubicina/administración & dosificación , Doxorrubicina/química , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
Hepatic steatosis (HS) beyond a certain degree can jeopardize living donor (LD) safety, particularly in right lobe (RL) donors, making it a major obstacle for donor pool expansion in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). From July 2004 to June 2016, 58 LDs donated their RLs despite having moderate HS (30%-50% steatosis) determined by intraoperative biopsy at a single center. We performed greedy matching to compare the outcomes of the donors and recipients of this group with those of LDs with no HS. The mean left lobe (LL) HS value in the 58 cases was 20.9 ± 12.4%, which was significantly lower than the mean RL HS value (38.8 ± 6.7%, P < 0.001). The mean ratio of the remnant LL to the total liver volume was 37.8 ± 2.2. No differences were observed in the postoperative liver function and donor and recipient morbidity and mortality rates. The liver regeneration rates in recipients and donors at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively did not differ significantly. The patient and graft survival rates of the recipients showed no differences. The use of well-selected RL grafts with moderate steatosis does not impair graft function, recipient outcomes, or donor safety.