Crosstalk Between Four Types of RNA Modification Writers Characterizes the Tumor Immune Microenvironment Infiltration Patterns in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma.

The "writers" of four types of adenosine (A)-related RNA modifications (N6-methyladenosine, N1-methyladenosine, alternative polyadenylation, as well as A-to-inosine RNA editing) are closely related to the tumorigenesis and progression of many cancer types, including skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). However, the potential roles of the crosstalk between these RNA modification "writers" in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain unclear. The RNA modification patterns were identified using an unsupervised clustering method. Subsequently, based on differentially expressed genes responsible for the aforementioned RNA modification patterns, an RNA modification "writer" scoring model (W_Score) was constructed to quantify the RNA modification-associated subtypes in individual patients. Moreover, a correlation analysis for W_Score and the TME characteristics, clinical features, molecular subtypes, drug sensitivities, immune responses, and prognosis was performed. We identified three RNA modification patterns, corresponding to distinct tumor immune microenvironment characteristics and survival outcomes. Based on the W_Score score, which was extracted from the RNA modification-related signature genes, patients with SKCM were divided into high- and low-W_Score groups. The low-W_Score group was characterized by better survival outcomes and strengthened immunocyte infiltration. Further analysis showed that the low-W_Score group was positively associated with higher tumor mutation burden and PD-L1 expression. Of note, two immunotherapy cohorts demonstrated that patients with low W_Score exhibited long-term clinical benefits and an enhanced immune response. This study is the first to systematically analyze four types of A-related RNA modifications in SKCM, revealing that these "writers" essentially contribute to TME complexity and diversity. We quantitatively evaluated the RNA modification patterns in individual tumors, which could aid in developing personalized immunotherapy strategies for patients.

SERPINA11 Inhibits Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Suppressing MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway.

PURPOSE: By using integrative RNA sequencing analysis, we identified a novel tumor suppressor, serpin family A member 11 (SERPINA11), which is a serine proteinase inhibitor that belongs to the serpin superfamily. However, the function of SERPINA11 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and molecular mechanism of SERPINA11 in HCC. METHODS: Gene expression patterns of SERPINA11 were analyzed in tissue samples of HCC patients by qRT-PCR. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to characterize the function and molecular mechanism of SERPINA11 in the tumor metastasis capacity. RESULTS: SERPINA11 was downregulated in approximately 50% of HCC and significantly associated with metastasis and poor outcome of patients. Functional study demonstrated that SERPINA11 could inhibit cell growth, cell migration and tumor metastasis. Mechanistic investigations suggested that SERPINA11 accelerated urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) degradation to suppress extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, and thereby subdued metastatic capabilities of HCC cells. CONCLUSION: SERPINA11 plays an important tumor suppressive role in HCC, with possible use as a biomarker and an intervention point for new therapeutic strategies.

Alternative splicing acts as an independent prognosticator in ovarian carcinoma.

Alternative splicing (AS) events associated with oncogenic processes present anomalous perturbations in many cancers, including ovarian carcinoma. There are no reliable features to predict survival outcomes for ovarian cancer patients. In this study, comprehensive profiling of AS events was conducted by integrating AS data and clinical information of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV). Survival-related AS events were identified by Univariate Cox regression analysis. Then, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to construct the prognostic signatures within each AS type. Furthermore, we established a splicing-related network to reveal the potential regulatory mechanisms between splicing factors and candidate AS events. A total of 730 AS events were identified as survival-associated splicing events, and the final prognostic signature based on all seven types of AS events could serve as an independent prognostic indicator and had powerful efficiency in distinguishing patient outcomes. In addition, survival-related AS events might be involved in tumor-related pathways including base excision repair and pyrimidine metabolism pathways, and some splicing factors might be correlated with prognosis-related AS events, including SPEN, SF3B5, RNPC3, LUC7L3, SRSF11 and PRPF38B. Our study constructs an independent prognostic signature for predicting ovarian cancer patients' survival outcome and contributes to elucidating the underlying mechanism of AS in tumor development.

[Study on molecular mechanism of Solanum nigrum in treatment of hepatocarcinoma based on network pharmacology and molecular docking].

This study aimed to explore the main active ingredients and potential targets of Solanum nigrum(SN), so as to reveal the potential molecular mechanism of SN in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. First,the main active ingredients and predictive targets of SN were collected in the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform(TCMSP). Then,the targets relating to HCC were collected through retrieval of integrated bio-pharmacological network database for traditional Korean medicine(PharmDB-K), oncogenomic database of hepatocellular carcinoma(OncoDB.hcc). The common targets of disease-drug component were selected through intersection between predictive targets and disease targets. Next, based on the String platform, protein-protein interaction network(PPI) model of the potential anti-HCC targets was constructed using the software Cytoscape 3.7.1. ClueGO and CluePedia APP in Cytoscape were used to analyze the gene function of SN in the treatment of HCC, and construct the main active ingredients-potential targets-signal pathways topology network of SN. Finally,DISCOVERY STUDIO software was applied in verifying the molecular docking between the key active ingredient and potential protein target. The results showed that there were 4 main active ingredients of SN, involving 22 potential targets relating to HCC and 7 signal pathways relating to potential anti-HCC targets of SN. Network analysis showed that SN may play a therapeutic role in HCC by acting on key targets, such as EGFR, TP53, MYC, CCND1 and CTNNB1. Molecular docking results showed that quercetin and EGFR could bind stably and interact through amino acid residues LEU718, LYS745 and GLN791. This study revealed the potential active ingredients and the possible molecular mechanism of SN for treatment of HCC, providing scientific basis for follow-up exploration of the molecular mechanism of SN against HCC.

Matrine enhances the efficacy of adriamycin chemotherapy in osteosarcoma cells by the STAT3 pathway.

Matrine and adriamycin have been extensively considered to be effective in anticancer therapies. However, the role of matrine in the antitumor activity of adriamycin against human osteosarcoma (OS) remains elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of matrine in OS chemotherapy of adriamycin. In the study, we found that matrine promoted the inhibitory effect of adriamycin against OS cell proliferation and growth. Wound healing and transwell assays showed that the inhibitory effect of adriamycin against migration and invasion of OS cells was significantly enhanced by matrine. For the underlying mechanism investigation, we showed that adriamycin reduced the protein level of PCNA, MMP-9, phosphorylated STAT3, and survivin, which was further intensified by the application of matrine. These results show that matrine could promote the therapeutic efficacy of adriamycin against human OS.

Fucoidan elevates surface organic cation transporter 2 expression via upregulation of protein kinase A in uric acid nephropathy.

Uric acid nephropathy (UAN) is caused by excessive uric acid, and is a key risk factor for uric acid nephrolithiasis, gouty arthritis, renal diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide component of brown algae, on UAN and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. A rat model of UAN was induced by adenine treatment, and rats were then randomly assigned to control, model or fucoidan treatment groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the kidney tissues of rats with UAN was subjected to conventional morphological evaluation. Cellular infiltrate in the tubules, atrophic glomeruli, tubular ectasia, granuloma hyperplasia focal fibrosis and accumulated urate crystals in the tubules of UAN rat renal tissues were observed. These symptoms of kidney damage were reduced in the fucoidan treatment group. Periodic acid methenamine silver-Masson staining was performed and the results indicated that renal interstitial fibrosis was reduced among renal tissues from the fucoidan treatment group compared with the model group. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling staining revealed a lower proportion of apoptotic nuclei in the kidneys of the fucoidan treatment group compared with the model group. Protein kinase A (PKA) 2ß and phosphorylated PKA 2ß protein levels were significantly elevated in renal tissues of the fucoidan treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), suggesting that PKA expression was upregulated by fucoidan. Immunohistochemistry staining of PKA in rat renal tissues demonstrated increased expression of PKA. The surface organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) level was significantly increased by fucoidan treatment compared with the model group (P<0.01), with no significant change in total OCT2 level. COS-7 cells ectopically expressing OCT2 were established. It was indicated that fucoidan was able to activate PKA and upregulate surface OCT2 in OCT2-expressing COS-7 cells. This further demonstrated that upregulation of surface OCT2 expression in OCT2-expressing cells was induced by PKA upregulation. In conclusion, fucoidan upregulated surface OCT2 expression in renal tissues to alleviate the symptoms of UAN via upregulated expression of PKA.

Psoralen Inhibited Apoptosis of Osteoporotic Osteoblasts by Modulating IRE1-ASK1-JNK Pathway.

Osteoporosis is a common disease causing fracture in older populations. Abnormal apoptosis of osteoblasts contributes to the genesis of osteoporosis. Inhibiting apoptosis of osteoblasts provides a promising strategy to prevent osteoporosis. The proliferation of osteoblasts isolated from osteoporotic patients or healthy subjects was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/PI assay. Protein expression was measured by western blot. The proliferation of osteoblasts isolated from osteoporotic patients was inhibited and the apoptosis level of these cells was higher than the osteoblasts from healthy subjects. Incubation with psoralen or estradiol significantly enhanced the proliferation and decreased the apoptosis level of osteoporotic osteoblasts. Western blot demonstrated that psoralen or estradiol treatment downregulated the expression of IRE1, p-ASK, p-JNK, and Bax. Meanwhile, expression of Bcl-2 was upregulated. Pretreatment by IRE1 agonist tunicamycin or JNK agonist anisomycin attenuated the effect of psoralen on osteoporotic osteoblasts. Psoralen inhibited apoptosis of osteoporotic osteoblasts by regulating IRE1-ASK1-JNK pathway.

Inhibition of peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer by hyperthermic CO2 insufflation: A novel approach to prevent intraperitoneal tumor spread.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of laparoscopic surgery for advanced gastrointestinal cancer raises concerns about intra-peritoneal tumor spread. Prevention of peritoneal dissemination is extremely important but a preventive modality is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine a novel approach (hyperthermic CO2 insufflation, HT-CO2) for preventing peritoneal dissemination during laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: A peritoneal dissemination model was established in Balb/c nu/nu mice by intraperitoneal injection of human colon cancer cells (SW1116, 1×106). The mice (n = 48) were subsequently randomized into two groups and subjected to hyperthermic CO2 (43°C, >95% humidity, HT-CO2 group) or standard normothermic CO2 (21°C, <1% relative humidity, NT-CO2 group) insufflation for 3 hours. The mice were sacrificed 28 days later. The peritoneal dissemination was quantitatively analyzed by counting and weighing the peritoneal nodules. The port sites and ascites volume were measured. The peritoneal damage of HT-CO2 was histologically examined with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Intra-abdominal adhesions were evaluated 4 weeks later. RESULTS: The number of peritoneal nodules in the HT-CO2 group was significantly less than that in the NT-CO2 group (10.21±3.72 vs. 67.12±5.49, P<0.01). The mean weight of metastatic tumors in the HT-CO2 group was significantly lower than that in the NT-CO2 group (0.31±0.10g vs. 2.16±0.31g, P<0.01). Massive ascites were found in the NT-CO2 group while significantly less ascites developed in HT-CO2- treated mice (8.26±0.31ml vs. 1.27±0.28ml, P<0.01). No port-site metastases were detected in the HT-CO2 group while the incidence of the NT-CO2 group was 12.5% (3/24). HT-CO2 subjection resulted in slight peritoneal damage; the peritoneum returned to normal within five days. No adhesions formed after HT-CO2 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HT-CO2 can suppress peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer cells and only causes slight and transient peritoneal damage. HT-CO2 may serve as a promising adjuvant treatment for preventing peritoneal dissemination in laparoscopic resection of advanced colorectal cancer.

The Chinese Herb Jianpijiedu Contributes to the Regulation of OATP1B2 and ABCC2 in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Transplantation Liver Cancer Pretreated with Food Restriction and Diarrhea.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Jianpijiedu decoction (JPJD) could improve the general status of liver cancer patients in clinics, especially the symptoms of decreased food intake and diarrhea. In this study, our results showed that the survival rate of the liver cancer with food restriction and diarrhea (FRD-LC) rats was lower than the liver cancer (LC) rats, and the tumor volume of the FRD-LC rats was higher than the LC rats. It was also shown that the high dose of JPJD significantly improved the survival rate, weight, and organ weight when compared with FRD-LC-induced rats. Moreover, JPJD administration upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of ABCC2 and downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of OATP1B2 in liver tissues. However, opposite results were observed in the cancer tissues. In conclusion, the study indicated that the Chinese Medicine JPJD could contribute to the rats with liver cancer which were pretreated with food restriction and diarrhea by regulating the expression of ABCC2 and OATP1B2 in liver tissues and cancer tissues.

Uric acid crystal could inhibit Numb-induced URAT1 lysosome degradation in uric acid nephropathy.

To investigate whether uric acid could regulate urate transporter 1 (URAT1) protein and activity level, we established uric acid nephropathy (UAN) rat model and detected their serum uric acid and URAT1 level with or without the treatment of allopurinol. Results here showed that allopurinol could reduce serum uric acid level in UAN rat model. We further found that in UAN rats, the total and surface URAT1 expression level were both increased while this increase could be blocked by allopurinol treatment. By treating URAT1 stable expressed HEK cell with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, we found that URAT1 level showed an increase in both total and cell surface level, and it would colocalize more with Rab11 instead of Rab7. Consistently, we also found that the total URAT1 protein level will show an increase in the presence of lysosome inhibitors but not ubiquitin-proteasome inhibitors. Furthermore, we also found that MSU crystal could drive Numb, a clathrin-coated adaptor protein which performs a key function in cell division, out of cell surface and disassociated it from URAT1. Finally, we found that Numb short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-transfected showed a phenocopy as MSU treatment, while Numb-2A mutation over-expression could resist crystal-induced phenotypes. These findings indicated that uric acid crystal could increase URAT1 membrane distribution through inhibiting Numb-induced URAT1 lysosome degradation.

[Effect of Jianpi Jiedu decoction to PTEN/ERK1 of athymic mice with hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To research the effect of Jianpi Jiedu decoction (JPJDT) to PTEN/ERK1 of athymic mice with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHOD: N2 male BALB/c athymic mice models were built by Bel-7402 with an indirect method. After 24 h of postoperation, the 90 athymic mice were distributed randomly into JPJDT groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, NS, FT each group had 10 athymic mice. Another 10 male BALB/c athymic mice without HCC was treated by NS as normal control (DZ). Group A to G were treated by intragastric administration with JPJDT that had been deliquated into 7 kinds of density for 8 wk. Group NS were were treated by intragastric administration with Sodium Chloride for 8 wk. Group FT were were treated by intragastric administration with FT207 (tegafur) for 8 wk . At last, athymic mice were sacrificed. PTEN/ERK1 was detected in hepatic tissue, latero-cancer tissue and cancer tissue by immunohistochemistry (PowerVision two-step histostaining reagent). RESULT: The expression intensity of PTEN: The result showed that the intensity of PTEN in the normal hepatic tissue was the highest, and then latero-cancer tissue, the lowest was cancer tissue. In the normal hepatic tissue, the intensity of PTEN in Group B, D, E was higher than the Group NS, Group FT, Group DZ (P < 0.05). In the latero-cancer tissue, the intensity of PTEN in Group D was higher than the Group NS (P < 0.05). In the cancer tissue, the intensity of PTEN in Group JPJDT was higher than the Group NS and Group FT (P < 0.05). The expression intensity of ERK1: The result showed that the intensity of PTEN in the cancer tissue was the highest, and then latero-cancer tissue, the lowest was normal hepatic tissue. In the latero-cancer tissue, the intensity of ERK1 in Group FT was higher than the Group NS and Group JPJDT (P < 0.05). In the cancer tissue, the intensity of PTEN in Group NS and Group FT was higher than the Group C, D, E, G, F (P < 0.05). The correlation between PTEN and ERK1: The result showed that there was inverse correlation between the expression intensity of PTEN and ERK1 in the cancer tissue (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: One of mechanism of antitumous effect of JPJDT maybe up-regulate anti-oncogene PTEN, restrain the signal way of ERK1, suppress the proliferation of hepatoma carcinoma cell. The carcinogenesis of primary hepatic carcinoma may exist the deletion of PTEN. Owing to low expression or deletion of PTEN in the cancer tissue, ERK1 signal transduction pathway cannot be actively suppressed which was activated by carcinogenic factor. So hepatoma carcinoma cell multiplicated.