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International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024The autonomic nervous system plays an integral role in motion and sensation as well as the physiologic function of visceral organs. The nervous system additionally plays... (Review)
Review
The autonomic nervous system plays an integral role in motion and sensation as well as the physiologic function of visceral organs. The nervous system additionally plays a key role in primary liver diseases. Until recently, however, the impact of nerves on cancer development, progression, and metastasis has been unappreciated. This review highlights recent advances in understanding neuroanatomical networks within solid organs and their mechanistic influence on organ function, specifically in the liver and liver cancer. We discuss the interaction between the autonomic nervous system, including sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, and the liver. We also examine how sympathetic innervation affects metabolic functions and diseases like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We also delve into the neurobiology of the liver, the interplay between cancer and nerves, and the neural regulation of the immune response. We emphasize the influence of the neuroimmune axis in cancer progression and the potential of targeted interventions like neurolysis to improve cancer treatment outcomes, especially for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Topics: Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Neuroimmunomodulation; Animals; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Autonomic Nervous System
PubMed: 38892423
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116237 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Cancer has been one of the most problematic health issues globally. Typically, all cancers share a common characteristic or cancer hallmark, such as sustaining cell... (Review)
Review
Cancer has been one of the most problematic health issues globally. Typically, all cancers share a common characteristic or cancer hallmark, such as sustaining cell proliferation, evading growth suppressors, and enabling replicative immortality. Indeed, cell cycle regulation in cancer is often found to be dysregulated, leading to an increase in aggressiveness. These dysregulations are partly due to the aberrant cellular signaling pathway. In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been widely studied and classified as one of the regulators in various cancers. Numerous studies have reported that circRNAs antagonize or promote cancer progression through the modulation of cell cycle regulators or their associated signaling pathways, directly or indirectly. Mostly, circRNAs are known to act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. However, they also hold additional mechanisms for regulating cellular activity, including protein binding, RNA-binding protein (RBP) recruitment, and protein translation. This review will discuss the current knowledge of how circRNAs regulate cell cycle-related proteins through the abovementioned mechanisms in different cancers.
Topics: RNA, Circular; Humans; Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Cycle; Animals; MicroRNAs; RNA-Binding Proteins; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38892280
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116094 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Marine natural products constitute a great source of potential new antidiabetic drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phosphoeleganin (PE), a...
Marine natural products constitute a great source of potential new antidiabetic drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phosphoeleganin (PE), a polyketide purified from the Mediterranean ascidian , and its derivatives PE/2 and PE/3 on insulin sensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. In our experiments, insulin stimulates the phosphorylation of its receptor (INSR) and AKT by 1.5- and 3.5-fold, respectively, whereas in the presence of PE, PE/2, and PE/3, the insulin induced INSR phosphorylation is increased by 2.1-, 2-, and 1.5-fold and AKT phosphorylation by 7.1-, 6.0-, and 5.1-fold, respectively. Interestingly, PE and PE/2 have an additive effect on insulin-mediated reduction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression. Finally, PE and PE/2, but not PE/3, decrease interleukin 6 (IL6) secretion and expression before and after palmitic acid incubation, while in the presence of high glucose (HG), only PE reduces IL6. Levels of other cytokines are not significantly affected by PE and its derivates. All these data suggest that PE and its synthetic-derived compound, PE/2, significantly decrease IL6 and improve hepatic insulin signaling. As IL6 impairs insulin action, it could be hypothesized that PE and PE/2, by inhibiting IL6, may improve the hepatic insulin pathway.
Topics: Humans; Interleukin-6; Insulin; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Signal Transduction; Hep G2 Cells; Animals; Receptor, Insulin; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Insulin Resistance; Antigens, CD
PubMed: 38892230
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116039 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Circadian rhythms are essential regulators of a multitude of physiological and behavioral processes, such as the metabolism and function of the liver. Circadian rhythms...
Circadian rhythms are essential regulators of a multitude of physiological and behavioral processes, such as the metabolism and function of the liver. Circadian rhythms are crucial to liver homeostasis, as the liver is a key metabolic organ accountable for the systemic equilibrium of the body. Circadian rhythm disruption alone is sufficient to cause liver cancer through the maintenance of hepatic metabolic disorder. Although there is evidence linking CRD to hepatocarcinogenesis, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the circadian crosstalk that leads to hepatocellular carcinoma remain unknown. The expression of CRD-related genes in HCC was investigated in this study via bulk RNA transcriptomic analysis and single-cell sequencing. Dysregulated CRD-related genes are predominantly found in hepatocytes and fibroblasts, according to the findings. By using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing analyses, the dysregulated CRD-related genes ADAMTS13, BIRC5, IGFBP3, MARCO, MT2A, NNMT, and PGLYRP2 were identified. The survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method revealed a significant correlation between the expression levels of BIRC5 and IGFBP3 and the survival of patients diagnosed with HCC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Humans; Single-Cell Analysis; Circadian Rhythm; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Survivin; Gene Expression Profiling; Transcriptome; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
PubMed: 38891936
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115748 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024As one of the emerging hallmarks of tumorigenesis and tumor progression, metabolic remodeling is common in the tumor microenvironment. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is... (Review)
Review
As one of the emerging hallmarks of tumorigenesis and tumor progression, metabolic remodeling is common in the tumor microenvironment. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of global tumor-related mortality, causing a series of metabolic alterations in response to nutrient availability and consumption to fulfill the demands of biosynthesis and carcinogenesis. Despite the efficacy of immunotherapy in treating HCC, the response rate remains unsatisfactory. Recently, research has focused on metabolic reprogramming and its effects on the immune state of the tumor microenvironment, and immune response rate. In this review, we delineate the metabolic reprogramming observed in HCC and its influence on the tumor immune microenvironment. We discuss strategies aimed at enhancing response rates and overcoming immune resistance through metabolic interventions, focusing on targeting glucose, lipid, or amino acid metabolism, as well as systemic regulation.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Tumor Microenvironment; Liver Neoplasms; Immunotherapy; Animals; Metabolic Reprogramming
PubMed: 38891772
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115584 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2024Incomplete radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often leads to local recurrence and distant metastasis of the residual tumor. This is closely...
BACKGROUND
Incomplete radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often leads to local recurrence and distant metastasis of the residual tumor. This is closely linked to the development of a tumor immunosuppressive environment (TIME). In this study, underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets involved in the formation of TIME in residual tumors following iRFA were explored. Then, TAK-981-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel was constructed, and its therapeutic effects on residual tumors were investigated.
RESULTS
This study reveals that the upregulation of small ubiquitin-like modifier 2 (Sumo2) and activated SUMOylation is intricately tied to immunosuppression in residual tumors post-iRFA. Both knockdown of Sumo2 and inhibiting SUMOylation with TAK-981 activate IFN-1 signaling in HCC cells, thereby promoting dendritic cell maturation. Herein, we propose an injectable PDLLA-PEG-PDLLA (PLEL) nanocomposite hydrogel which incorporates self-assembled TAK-981 and BSA nanoparticles for complementary localized treatment of residual tumor after iRFA. The sustained release of TAK-981 from this hydrogel curbs the expansion of residual tumors and notably stimulates the dendritic cell and cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated antitumor immune response in residual tumors while maintaining biosafety. Furthermore, the treatment with TAK-981 nanocomposite hydrogel resulted in a widespread elevation in PD-L1 levels. Combining TAK-981 nanocomposite hydrogel with PD-L1 blockade therapy synergistically eradicates residual tumors and suppresses distant tumors.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the potential of the TAK-981-based strategy as an effective therapy to enhance RFA therapy for HCC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Animals; Hydrogels; Nanocomposites; Humans; Mice; Radiofrequency Ablation; Sumoylation; Cell Line, Tumor; Male
PubMed: 38890737
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02579-1 -
BMC Gastroenterology Jun 2024Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC....
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC. Therefore, the discovery of common markers for hepatitis B or LC and HCC is crucial for the prevention of HCC.
METHODS
Expressed genes for to chronic active hepaititis B (CAH-B), LC and HCC were obtained from the GEO and TCGA databases, and co-expressed genes were screened using Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), random forest (RF) and support vector machine - recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). The prognostic value of genes was assessed using Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves. Columnar line plots, calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of individual genes were used for evaluation. Validation was performed using GEO datasets. The association of these key genes with HCC clinical features was explored using the UALCAN database ( https://ualcan.path.uab.edu/index.html ).
RESULTS
Based on WGCNA analysis and TCGA database, the co-expressed genes (565) were screened. Moreover, the five algorithms of MCODE (ClusteringCoefficient, MCC, Degree, MNC, and DMNC) was used to select one of the most important and most closely linked clusters (the top 50 genes ranked). Using, LASSO regression model, RF model and SVM-RFE model, four key genes (UBE2T, KIF4A, CDCA3, and CDCA5) were identified for subsequent research analysis. These 4 genes were highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis and clinical features in HCC patients.
CONCLUSION
These four key genes (UBE2T, KIF4A, CDCA3, and CDCA5) may be common biomarkers for CAH-B and HCC or LC and HCC, promising to advance our understanding of the molecular basis of CAH-B/LC/HCC progression.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Humans; Kinesins; Liver Cirrhosis; Computational Biology; Cell Cycle Proteins; Prognosis; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Biomarkers, Tumor; Protein Interaction Maps; Male; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Support Vector Machine
PubMed: 38890649
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03288-7 -
BMC Medical Imaging Jun 2024Abdominal CT scans are vital for diagnosing abdominal diseases but have limitations in tissue analysis and soft tissue detection. Dual-energy CT (DECT) can improve these...
BACKGROUND
Abdominal CT scans are vital for diagnosing abdominal diseases but have limitations in tissue analysis and soft tissue detection. Dual-energy CT (DECT) can improve these issues by offering low keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI), enhancing lesion detection and tissue characterization. However, its cost limits widespread use.
PURPOSE
To develop a model that converts conventional images (CI) into generative virtual monoenergetic images at 40 keV (Gen-VMI) of the upper abdomen CT scan.
METHODS
Totally 444 patients who underwent upper abdominal spectral contrast-enhanced CT were enrolled and assigned to the training and validation datasets (7:3). Then, 40-keV portal-vein virtual monoenergetic (VMI) and CI, generated from spectral CT scans, served as target and source images. These images were employed to build and train a CI-VMI model. Indexes such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and Structural Similarity (SSIM) were utilized to determine the best generator mode. An additional 198 cases were divided into three test groups, including Group 1 (58 cases with visible abnormalities), Group 2 (40 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) and Group 3 (100 cases from a publicly available HCC dataset). Both subjective and objective evaluations were performed. Comparisons, correlation analyses and Bland-Altman plot analyses were performed.
RESULTS
The 192nd iteration produced the best generator mode (lower MAE and highest PSNR and SSIM). In the Test groups (1 and 2), both VMI and Gen-VMI significantly improved CT values, as well as SNR and CNR, for all organs compared to CI. Significant positive correlations for objective indexes were found between Gen-VMI and VMI in various organs and lesions. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the differences between both imaging types mostly fell within the 95% confidence interval. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients for objective scores between Gen-VMI and VMI in Groups 1 and 2 ranged from 0.645 to 0.980. In Group 3, Gen-VMI yielded significantly higher CT values for HCC (220.5HU vs. 109.1HU) and liver (220.0HU vs. 112.8HU) compared to CI (p < 0.01). The CNR for HCC/liver was also significantly higher in Gen-VMI (2.0 vs. 1.2) than in CI (p < 0.01). Additionally, Gen-VMI was subjectively evaluated to have a higher image quality compared to CI.
CONCLUSION
CI-VMI model can generate Gen-VMI from conventional CT scan, closely resembling VMI.
Topics: Humans; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography, Abdominal; Aged; Adult; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Liver Neoplasms; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Aged, 80 and over; Contrast Media
PubMed: 38890572
DOI: 10.1186/s12880-024-01331-3 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), a mitochondrial isoenzyme, supports the growth of cancer cells under glucose deficiency conditions in vitro. This...
Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), a mitochondrial isoenzyme, supports the growth of cancer cells under glucose deficiency conditions in vitro. This study investigated the role and potential mechanism of PCK2 in the occurrence and development of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and other databases distinguish the expression of PCK2 and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Kaplan-Meier was conducted to assess PCK2 survival in HCC. The potential biological function of PCK2 was verified by enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The correlation between PCK2 expression and immune invasion and checkpoint was found by utilizing Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Lastly, the effects of PCK2 on the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were evaluated by cell tests, and the expressions of Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and apoptosis related proteins were detected. PCK2 is down-regulated in HCC, indicating a poor prognosis. PCK2 gene mutation accounted for 1.3% of HCC. Functional enrichment analysis indicated the potential of PCK2 as a metabolism-related therapeutic target. Subsequently, we identified several signaling pathways related to the biological function of PCK2. The involvement of PCK2 in immune regulation was verified and key immune checkpoints were predicted. Ultimately, after PCK2 knockdown, cell proliferation and migration were significantly increased, and N-cadherin and vimentin expression were increased. PCK2 has been implicated in immune regulation, proliferation, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and is emerging as a novel predictive biomarker and metabolic-related clinical target.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Humans; Prognosis; Cell Proliferation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Line, Tumor; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP); Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Mitochondria; Male; Female; Apoptosis; Cell Movement; Biomarkers, Tumor; Middle Aged; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)
PubMed: 38890507
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64907-7 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Although some progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),...
Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Although some progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the diagnosis and treatment of HCC is still facing great challenges because of the high mortality rate and poor prognosis of HCC. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between adhesion-regulating molecule1 (ADRM1), and liver cancer, and the relationship between prognoses. ADRM1 is highly expressed in tumors and is closely associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. In our previous study, we found that ADRM1 was highly expressed in HCC and was closely related to tumor immune and immune checkpoint levels in HCC. We validated the immune expression of ADRM1 in liver cancer cells using flow cytometry. In hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, miR-891a-5p regulates ADRM1. Upregulation of miR-891a-5p upregulates ADRM1, and downregulation of miR-891a-5p downregulates ADRM1. It is suggested that ADRM1 plays a key role in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study is expected to provide new ideas for the research and development of anti-HCC drugs targeting miR-891a-5p/ADRM1. However, further trials are needed to confirm these results and explore the actual results in patients with HCC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; MicroRNAs; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Line, Tumor; Prognosis; Male; Female; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38890391
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64928-2