Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis reveal insights into the molecular mechanism of Gualou Qumai Wan in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background:To initially clarify the potential therapeutic targets and pharmacological mechanism regarding Gualou Qumai Wan(GQW),a kind of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),in clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)by virtue of the network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking analysis.Methods:The screening of bioactive components and targets of GQW was based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology(TCMSP)and the UniProt platform served for standardizing their targets.Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM),PharmGkb,TTD,DrugBank and GeneCards databases were searched to collect the disease targets of ccRCC.Cytoscape assisted in constructing herb-compound-target(H-C-T)networks.The STRING database was searched for constructing the target protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks,while the R programming language served for analyzing GO functional terms and the KEGG pathways related to potential targets.Analyses of core genes related to survival and tumor microenvironment(TME)were conducted respectively based on the GEPIA2 database and TIMER 2.0 database.Human Protein Atlas(HPA)and The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)helped to obtain core genes’protein expression as well as transcriptome expression level.Autodock Vina software validated the molecular docking regarding GQW components and pivotal targets.Results:The constructed H-C-T networks mainly had 33 compounds and 65 targets.A topological analysis of the PPI network identified that ESR1,AKT1,HIF1A,PTGS2,TP53 and VEGFA serve as core targets in the way GQW affects ccRCC.According to the GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses,the effects of GQW are mediated by genes related to hypoxia and oxidative stress as well as the Chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.AKT1 shows a close relation to the recruitment of various immune cells and can remarkably affect disease prognosis according to reports.Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that diosgenin has higher affinity with core targets.Conclusion:The study makes a comprehensive explanation of the biological activity,potential targets,as well as molecular mechanism regarding GQW against ccRCC,which promisingly assists in revealing the action mechanism of TCM formulae in disease treatment and the respective and scientific basis.

Aberrant DNA methyltransferase 1 expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma development and progression

Objective： To better understand the contribution of dysregulated DNA methyltransferase 1 （DNMT1） expression to the progression and biology of clear cell renal cell carcinoma （ccRCC）. Methods： We examined the differences in the expression of DNMT1 in 89 ecRCC and 22 normal tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. In addition, changes in cell viability, apoptosis, colony formation and invading ability of ccRCC cell lines （786-0 and Caki-1） were assessed after transfection with DNMT1 siRNA. Results： We found DNMT1 protein was significantly higher expressed in ccRCC than that of in no-tumor tissues （56.2% and 27.3%, respectively, P=0.018）. The expression of DNMT1 was strongly associated with ccRCC tumor size, tumor pathology stage, histological grading, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, recurrence and prognosis. Moreover, knockdown of DNMT1 expression significantly inhibited ccRCC cell viability, induced apoptosis, decreased colony formation and invading ability. Conclusions： Expression of DNMTI protein is increased in ccRCC tissues, and DNMT1 expression is associated with poor prognosis of patients. Experiments in vitro further showed DNMT1 played an essential role in proliferation and invasion of renal cancer cells. Moreover, targeting this enzyme could be a promising strategy for treating ccRCC, as evidenced by inhibited cell viability, increased apoptosis, decreased colony formation and invading ability.

Netrin-1:the new tumor markers in renal clear cell carcinoma

Objective:To explore the expression of Netrin-1 protein in human renal clear cell carcinoma(RCCC) and the relationships between Netrin-1.pathology and prognosis.Methods:72 cases of RCCC admitted in our hospital from 2008 June to 2009 June and their adjacent tissues were selected for study.They included 30 cases in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ.42 cases in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ;9 cases in grade Ⅰ.9 cases in grade Ⅱ.40 cases in grade Ⅲ and 14 cases in grade Ⅳ.All cases were followed up for more than 5 years.Survival analysis lines were made by Kaplan—Meier method and the difference between groups was tested by the Log-rank test.The expression of Netrin-1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and its clinical significance was analyzed.Results:Renal clear cell carcinoma:51 cases in high expression of Netrin-1and 21 cases in low expression,normal tissues:12 cases in high expression of Netrin-1and 60 cases in low expression,the difference between the two groups is significant(x^2=42.921,P<0.01).The difference of the expression of Netrin-lin Fuhrman grade and AJCC clinical stage is significant(x^2=8.000.x^2=6.203:P<0.05).The 5-year survival rate in low protein expression group and in high protein expression group was 79% (17/21) and 62% (32/51).The survival curve had different trend,with no significant difference between groups(x^2=1.360.P=0.245).Conclusions:Netrin-1 protein plays an important role in the development of RCCC.It might be a new specific tumor marker of RCCC.and might become a new target in treatment of RCCC.

Association of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) 1772C/T genepolymorphism with susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma/prostatecancer

In this study,we used a meta-analysis method to evaluate the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF1α)1772C/T gene polymorphism(rs 11549465)and renal cell carcinoma(RCC)/prostate cancer risk.We searched for relevant studies(before March 1,2019)on Cochrane Library,Embase,and PubMed.Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited into this meta-analysis.The outcome of dichotomous data was showed in the way of odds ratios(OR),and 95%confidence intervals(CI)were also counted.In this investigation,there was no association between HIF1α1772C/T gene polymorphism and susceptibility to RCC in Caucasians,Asians as well as overall populations.In addition,HIF1α1772C/T gene polymorphism was not found to be relevant to the survival in RCC.Interestingly,the T allele was relevant to prostate cancer risk in all populations,but not in Caucasians and Asians.However,the TT genotype and the CC genotype were not related to prostate cancer susceptibility in Asian,Caucasian,and all populations.In conclusion,the T allele of the HIF1α1772C/T gene polymorphism was related to prostate cancer risk in the overall populations.

A potential impact of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain-Like Protein Decysin-1(ADAMDEC1)on clear cell renal cell carcinoma propagation

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma(KIRC)is the most common and aggressivemalignancy subtype of renal neoplasm that arises from proximal convoluted tubules.It is characterized by poor clinical outcomes and high mortality of patients due to the lack of specific biomarkers for varying stages of the disease and no effective treatment.Proteases are associated with the development of several malignant tumors in humans by their ability to degrade extracellular matrices,facilitating metastasis.Herein,differentially expressed genes in KIRC cases compared to healthy kidneys were screened out from the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA)database.This data was applied to determine the most elevated protease in KIRC and as a result,A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain-Like Protein Decysin-1(ADAMDEC1)was selected.This expression pattern was exclusive for KIRC and not observed for papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinomas,in which ADAMDEC1 was at the same level in tumors and non-cancer specimens.Furthermore,the ADAMDEC1 significant increase was detected in the fourteen other human malignancies compared to healthy samples,which suggested its strong involvement in cancer development.Next,GEPIA and Pathology Atlas correlated ADAMDEC1 high expression with more advanced tumor grade and shorter survival of KIRC patients.Xena Functional Genomics Explorer presented that ADAMDEC1 could be hypermethylated in some tumor cases and one somatic mutation in the gene sequence was detected.Finally,a Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins;STRING base was utilized to predict the interactions of ADAMDEC1 with other molecules and construct the signaling network.In summary,ADAMDEC1 showed the tremendous potential to be the predictive marker for the KIRC and its development.Therefore,this review with data analysis can be a good base for further in vitro and in vivo research that experimentally can confirm the ADAMDEC1 as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic target of KIRC.

BRMS1 performs an anti-tumor effect on renal cell carcinoma via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Objective:To explore the anti-tumor of breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1(BRMS1)on renal cell carcinoma.Methods:BRSM1 stabilized overexpressed and knockdown cell models were constructed to detect the effect of BRMS1 overexpression and knockdown on viability rate of 769-P cells.Activation of PI3K/AKT-mTOR-NFκB signaling pathway,expression of cellular apoptosis-related proteins,DNA damage repair-related proteins and angiogenesis-related proteins were detected using Western blotting analysis.Results:The viability rate of 769-P cells were significantly decreased in BRMS1 overexpression cells while significantly increased in BRMS1 knockdown cells(P<0.05).The activity of PI3K/AKT-mTOR-NFκB signaling pathway was significantly inhibited with BRMS1 overexpression(P<0.05),and expression of BAX was significantly increased with significantly decreased expression of Bcl-2(P<0.05).Besides,BRMS1 overexpression could significantly decrease the expression of DNA damage repair-related proteins and angiogenesis and cell-matrix degradation related proteins(P<0.05).Conclusion:BRMS1 induces apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma and performs an anti-tumor effect via inhibition of PI3K/AKT-mTOR-NFκB signaling pathway,expression of DNA damage repair-related proteins and angiogenesis-related proteins.

Expression of DLK1 protein and its correlation with renal cell carcinoma pathological characteristics

Objective To identify the expression of DLK1 protein in different types of renal cell carcinomas and its correlations with pathological characteristics and metastasis. Methods Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of DLK1 protein in

手术标本YAP1、POU2F2、Cath-D表达与局限性肾癌术后复发的相关性及预测意义

目的研究手术标本Yes相关蛋白1(YAP1)、POU2家族同源框2(POU2F2)和组织蛋白酶D(Cath-D)表达与局限性肾癌术后复发的相关性及预测意义。方法回顾性分析2019年1月至2022年3月新乡医学院第一附属医院收治的282例局限性肾癌手术患者的临床资料,根据术后2年随访期内(2例失访)复发情况分为复发组42例和未复发组238例。比较两组患者的基线资料以及手术标本YAP1、POU2F2、Cath-D表达水平,采用多因素Logistic回归分析局限性肾癌术后复发的影响因素,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析手术标本YAP1、POU2F2和Cath-D表达单一及联合预测局限性肾癌术后复发价值,采用Pearson相关分析法分析手术标本YAP1、POU2F2和Cath-D表达与复发时间的相关性。结果复发组患者的2017AJCCTNM分期T2期、Fuhrman分级Ⅳ级患者占比分别为80.95%、40.48%,明显高于未复发组患者的62.31%、21.85%,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);复发组患者的YAP1阳性率、POU2F2 mRNA和Cath-D阳性率分别为78.57%、1.70±0.36和83.33%,明显高于未复发组患者的47.90%、1.48±0.41、50.00%,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);校正前多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,2017AJCCTNM分期T2期、Fuhrman分级>Ⅱ级、YAP1阳性、POU2F2mRNA、Cath-D阳性均与局限性肾癌术后复发相关(P<0.05),校正后YAP1阳性、POU2F2 mRNA和Cath-D阳性仍是局限性肾癌术后复发的独立相关危险因素(P<0.05);ROC分析结果显示,三者联合预测局限性肾癌术后复发的AUC为0.915,敏感度为80.95%,特异度为89.00%,明显高于各指标单独预测(P<0.05);Pearson相关性分析结果显示,手术标本YAP1、POU2F2、Cath-D表达与复发时间呈负相关(r=-0.802、-0.769、-0.834,P<0.05)。结论局限性肾癌患者手术标本YAP1、POU2F2和Cath-D表达水平与术后复发密切相关,其联合预测局限性肾癌术后复发具有良好参考价值。

RNA干扰受体相互作用蛋白激酶1基因表达对肾透明细胞癌生物活性的影响

目的探讨受体相互作用蛋白激酶1(RIPK1)对肾透明细胞癌(ccRCC)生物功能的影响及机制。方法通过RNA干扰技术降低RIPK1在ccRCC中的表达后,光镜观察细胞形态变化,CCK-8法检测细胞增殖变化情况,Transwell细胞迁移实验检测细胞迁移能力的变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞发生凋亡、坏死水平,Western blot法检测cleaved caspase-3、混合谱系蛋白激酶样结构域(MLKL)和RIPK3表达变化。结果小干扰RNA(siRNA)干扰48 h后,RIPK1-siRNA组细胞增殖吸光度值(0.563±0.042)低于NC-siRNA组(0.944±0.039;t=11.550,P=0.003);siRNA干扰72 h后,RIPK1-siRNA组吸光度值(0.408±0.019)低于NC-siRNA组(1.717±0.108;t=20.620,P<0.001)。与NC-siRNA组(72.000±12.120)比较,RIPK1-siRNA组(31.660±10.020)ccRCC细胞的迁移数量明显减少(t=4.442,P=0.011)。与NC-siRNA组(0.360±0.090、0.510±0.060、0.880±0.070)比较,RIPK1-siRNA组ccRCC细胞内cleaved caspase3、MLKL、RIPK3表达明显增加(0.780±0.070、1.490±0.100、1.680±0.130;t=6.380,P=0.003;t=8.656,P=0.001;t=14.150,P=0.001)。结论RIPK1是ccRCC内调控细胞增殖、死亡及迁移能力的重要基因,抑制RIPK1能够促进ccRCC发生凋亡及坏死性凋亡。

NAT10-mediated ac 4 C-modified ANKZF1 promotes tumor progression and lymphangiogenesis in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma by attenuating YWHAE-driven cytoplasmic retention of YAP1

Background:Lymphatic metastasis is one of the most common metastatic routes and indicates a poor prognosis in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC).N-acetyltransferase 10(NAT10)is known to catalyze N4-acetylcytidine(ac4C)modification of mRNA and participate in many cellular processes.However,its role in the lymphangiogenic process of ccRCC has not been reported.This study aimed to elucidate the role of NAT10 in ccRCC lymphangiogenesis,providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for intervention.Methods:ac4C modification and NAT10 expression levels in ccRCC were assessed using public databases and clinical samples.Functional investigations involved manipulating NAT10 expression in cellular and mouse models to study its role in ccRCC.Mechanistic insights were gained through a combination of RNA sequencing,mass spectrometry,co-immunoprecipitation,RNA immuno-precipitation,immunofluorescence,and site-specific mutation analyses.Results:We found that ac4C modification and NAT10 expression levels increased in ccRCC.NAT10 promoted tumor progression and lymphangiogene-sis of ccRCC by enhancing the nuclear import of Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator(YAP1).Subsequently,we identified ankyrin repeat and zinc fin-ger peptidyl tRNA hydrolase 1(ANKZF1)as the functional target of NAT10,and its upregulation in ccRCC was caused by NAT10-mediated ac4C modifi-cation.Mechanistic analyses demonstrated that ANKZF1 interacted with tyro-sine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein epsilon(YWHAE)to competitively inhibit cytoplasmic retention of YAP1,leading to transcriptional activation of pro-lymphangiogenic factors.Conclusions:These results suggested a pro-cancer role of NAT10-mediated acetylation in ccRCC and identified the NAT10/ANKZF1/YAP1 axis as an under-reported pathway involving tumor progression and lymphangiogenesis in ccRCC.

Inhibition of Cyclin F Promotes Cellular Senescence through Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1-mediated Cell Cycle Regulation

Objective Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma(KIRC)is a common renal malignancy that has a poor prognosis.As a member of the F box family,cyclin F(CCNF)plays an important regulatory role in normal tissues and tumors.However,the underlying mechanism by which CCNF promotes KIRC proliferation still remains unclear.Methods Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database to obtain gene expression and clinical prognosis data.The CCK8 assay,EdU assay,and xenograft assay were used to detect cell proliferation.The cell senescence and potential mechanism were assessed by SA-β-gal staining,Western blotting,as well as ELISA.Results Our data showed that CCNF was highly expressed in KIRC patients.Meanwhile,downregulation of CCNF inhibited cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro.Further studies showed that the reduction of CCNF promoted cell senescence by decreasing cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1),increasing the proinflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-8,and then enhancing the expression of p21 and p53.Conclusion We propose that the high expression of CCNF in KIRC may play a key role in tumorigenesis by regulating cell senescence.Therefore,CCNF shows promise as a new biomarker to predict the clinical prognosis of KIRC patients and as an effective therapeutic target.

Combination drug regimens for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinomas(RCC)make up about 90%of kidney cancers,of which 80%are of the clear cell subtype.About 20%of patients are already metastatic at the time of diagnosis.Initial treatment is often cytoreductive nephrectomy,but systemic therapy is required for advanced RCC.Single agent targeted therapies are moderately toxic and only somewhat effective,leading to development of immunotherapies and combination therapies.This review identifies limitations of monotherapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma,discusses recent advances in combination therapies,and highlights therapeutic options under development.The goal behind combining various modalities of systemic therapy is to potentiate a synergistic antitumor effect.However,combining targeted therapies may cause increased toxicity.The initial attempts to create therapeutic combinations based on inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor or mammalian target of rapamycin pathways were largely unsuccessful in achieving a profile of increased synergy without increased toxicity.To date,five combination therapies have been approved by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration,with the most recently approved therapies being a combination of checkpoint inhibition plus targeted therapy.Several other combination therapies are under development,including some in the phase 3 stage.The new wave of combination therapies for metastatic RCC has the potential to increase response rates and improve survival outcomes while maintaining tolerable side effect profiles.

EXPRESSION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TUMOR INFILTRATING DENDRITIC CELLS IN RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Objective: To study the expression of dendritic cells in human renal cell carcinoma and explore the cause, so to reveal the mechanism of escaping immune surveillance in RCC. Methods: The expressions of CD83+DCS, CD1a+DCS,VEGF and TGF-β1 in tumoral, peritumoral and normal kidney tissues of RCC in 30 cases were detected by immunohistochemistry using streptavidin/peroxidese(SP) Results: CD83+DCS were mainly located in the peritumoral areas; whereas CD1a+DCS、were mainly retained within the cancer nests. The number of CD83+DCS was inversely correlated with the clinical stage(P<0.05); but there were no significant correlations between the number of CD1a+DCS、and the clinical stage(P>0.05). The expressions of CD83+DCS and CD1a+DCS have significant difference between the tumoral, peritumoral and normal kidney tissues(P<0.001). The expression of VEGF and TGF-β1 were significantly lower in samples with highly infiltrating CD83+DCS(P<0.05); Whereas CD1a+DCS were not (P>0.05). Conclusion: DC has the tendency to gathering in tumor, but because of the immunosuppressive cytokins, for example VEGF and TGF-β1, inhibits the maturation of DC, there are less mature TIDCS(CD83+TIDCS) in the tumoral tissues, they are mainly located in the peritumoral areas. This may contribute to the mechanism of escaping immune surveillance in RCC.

Renal cell carcinoma:An update for the practicing urologist

Systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma(mRCC)has evolved drastically,with agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)now representing a standard of care.The present paper is to review the current status of relevant clinical trials that were either recently completed or ongoing.(1)Though observation remains a standard of care following resection of localized disease,multiple trials are underway to assess VEGF-and mTOR-directed therapies in this setting.(2)While the preponderance of retrospective data favors cytoreductive nephrectomy in the context of targeted agents,prospective data to support this approach is still forthcoming.(3)The first-line management of mRCC may change substantially with multiple studies exploring vaccines,immune checkpoint inhibitors,and novel targeted agents currently underway.In general,prospective studies that will report within the next several years will be critical in defining the role of adjuvant therapy and cytoreductive nephrectomy.Over the same span of time,the current treatment paradigm for first-line therapy may evolve.

Immunotherapy:A new standard in the treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell cancer(RCC)represents 2%-3% of all adulthood cancers and is the most common malignant neoplasm of the kidney(90%).In the mid-nineties of the last century,the standard of treatment for patients with metastatic RCC was cytokines.Sunititib and pazopanib were registered in 2007 and 2009,respectively,and have since been the standard first-line treatment for metastatic clear cell RCC(mccRCC).Renal cell cancer is a highly immunogenic tumor with tumor infiltrating cells,including CD8+T lymphocytes,dendritic cells,natural killer cells(NK)and macrophages.This observation led to the design of new clinical trials in which patients were treated with immunotherapy.With the growing evidence that proangiogenic factors can have immunomodulatory effects on the host’s immune system,the idea of combining angiogenic drugs with immunotherapy has emerged,and new clinical trials have been designed.In the last few years,several therapeutic options have been approved[immunotherapy and immunotherapy/tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKI)]for the first-line treatment of mccRCC.Nivolumab/ipilimumab is approved for the treatment of patients with intermediate and poor prognoses.Several checkpoint inhibitors(pembrolizumab,nivolumab,avelumab)in combination with TKI(axitinib,lenvatinib,cabozantinib)are approved for the treatment of patients regardless of their International mRCC Database Consortium prognostic group and PD-L1 expression.There is no specific and ideal biomarker that could help in selecting the ideal patient for the appropriate first-line treatment.

神经上皮细胞转化因子1在肾细胞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨神经上皮细胞转化因子1(NET1)在肾细胞癌(RCC)中的表达及临床意义。方法 收集RCC组织60例、癌旁组织60例、正常肾组织20例。采用免疫组化法检测各组织中NET1表达情况,分析其表达情况与RCC患者临床特征的相关性。结果 60例RCC组织中NET1阳性表达率明显高于癌旁组织和正常肾组织,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.01)。不同临床分期、分化程度、淋巴结转移情况、远处转移情况RCC患者RCC组织中NET1表达情况比较,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。RCC组织中NET1阳性表达与临床分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移均呈正相关,与分化程度呈负相关(P﹤0.01)。结论 RCC组织中NET1阳性表达率较高,其阳性表达与RCC患者分化程度、淋巴结转移、远处转移、临床分期相关。

HECW2通过被CREB1转录激活而增强KIRC细胞活力并促进细胞侵袭和迁移

目的:探究E3泛素连接酶HECW2(HECT,C2 and WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2)在肾透明细胞癌(kidney renal clear cell carcinoma,KIRC)细胞活力、凋亡、侵袭和迁移中的作用及其分子调控机制。方法:借助GEPIA(Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis)数据库分析HECW2在泛癌中的表达水平,同时利用SangerBox数据库分析HECW2表达水平与泛癌免疫浸润和预后的关系。在此基础上,进一步通过体外实验探究HECW2在KIRC中的调控作用及相关分子机制。首先,通过RT-qPCR和Western blot分析HECW2在KIRC细胞系中的表达水平;其次,通过CCK-8实验分析敲减HECW2对KIRC细胞活力的影响;再者,通过流式细胞术分析敲减HECW2对KIRC细胞凋亡的影响;最后,通过划痕实验和Transwell实验分析敲减HECW2对KIRC细胞迁移和侵袭的影响。此外,通过Western blot和ChIP-qPCR探究HECW2是否在转录因子cAMP反应元件结合蛋白1(cAMP response element-binding protein 1,CREB1)的转录激活作用下影响KIRC细胞。结果:泛癌分析结果显示,HECW2在KIRC和胰腺癌中显著高表达,而在肺腺癌和肺鳞状细胞癌中显著低表达,且HECW2表达水平与这4种肿瘤的免疫浸润水平呈显著正相关;但HECW2高表达组和低表达组相比,仅KIRC患者生存期长短有显著差异,即HECW2表达水平越高,KIRC患者总生存期、疾病特异性生存期和无进展间期越长,预后越好。体外实验结果表明,HECW2在KIRC组织和细胞系中均呈显著高表达;敲减HECW2可显著抑制KIRC细胞活力、侵袭和迁移,并促进其凋亡。敲减CREB1可显著降低KIRC细胞中HECW2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平,而过表达CREB1则观察到相反的结果。ChIP-qPCR实验结果表明CREB1能够与HECW2的启动子区域结合,提示HECW2能够被CREB1转录激活。结论:HECW2可在CREB1的转录激活作用下增强KIRC细胞活力并促进细胞侵袭和迁移。

肾透明细胞癌中核蛋白1对阿昔替尼耐药的作用及机制

目的:寻找肾透明细胞癌(clear cell renal cell carcinoma,ccRCC)对阿昔替尼耐药的潜在机制,以期拓展对阿昔替尼耐药的理解,便于设计更有针对性的治疗方案,提高患者的治疗效果及生存预后。方法:通过摸索阿昔替尼对ccRCC细胞系786-O与Caki-1的半抑制浓度(half maximal inhibitory concentration,IC_(50)),使用此浓度下的阿昔替尼体外反复刺激细胞30个周期,构建对阿昔替尼耐药的细胞系,未被阿昔替尼处理过的细胞系为敏感细胞系,检测耐药细胞系及敏感细胞系在细胞增殖、细胞凋亡水平上的表型差异。通过转录组测序,在两耐药细胞系共同上调表达的差异基因内筛选出可能参与耐药过程的基因,通过实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)及蛋白质免疫印迹(Western blot,WB)验证耐药细胞系中靶基因的表达量。在基因表达谱交互分析(Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis,GEPIA)数据库中分析靶基因在ccRCC肿瘤及瘤旁组织的表达差异,在卡普兰-梅尔绘图(Kaplan-Meier Plotter,K-M Plotter)数据库中分析靶基因对ccRCC患者的预后影响。对耐药细胞系的靶基因使用慢病毒载体的核糖核酸干扰进行敲低后,再次检测细胞表型差异。使用WB检测不同处理细胞系的细胞凋亡相关蛋白的水平,寻找可能导致耐药的分子通路。结果:体外成功构建出对阿昔替尼耐药的ccRCC细胞系786-O-R与Caki-1-R,其较敏感细胞系的IC_(50)显著升高(分别高出10.99μmol/L,P<0.01;11.96μmol/L,P<0.01)。细胞计数试剂盒-8(cell counting kit-8,CCK-8)、集落形成、5-乙炔基-2’-脱氧尿苷(5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine,EdU)实验结果显示耐药细胞系的增殖能力较敏感细胞系下降,但凋亡染色结果显示耐药细胞系的细胞凋亡水平显著降低(P<0.01)。尽管对阿昔替尼耐药,但耐药细胞系在20μmol/L阿昔替尼环境中无明显的新生肿瘤细胞产生。转录组测序筛选出核蛋白1(nuclear protein 1,NUPR1)基因,其核糖核酸(P<0.0001)及蛋白表达水平在耐药细胞系中显著上升。GEPIA数据库分析结果显示NUPR1在ccRCC肿瘤组织中显著高表达(P<0.05);NUPR1高表达的ccRCC患者生存预后更差(P<0.001)。细胞凋亡染色结果显示,敲低NUPR1后抑制了各耐药细胞系对阿昔替尼的抗凋亡能力(786-O,P<0.01;Caki-1,P<0.05)。WB结果显示,敲低NUPR1,被阿昔替尼处理后耐药细胞系的B细胞淋巴瘤(B-cell lymphoma-2,BCL2)蛋白水平下降,BCL2相关X蛋白(BCL2-associated X protein,BAX)水平增加,前体caspase3蛋白表达水平下降,剪切体c-caspase3水平上升。结论:ccRCC细胞系通过NUPR1-BAX/BCL2-caspase3通路减少细胞凋亡,参与了对阿昔替尼的耐药过程。

转录通读环状RNA rt-circ-HS促进低氧诱导因子1α表达和肾癌细胞增殖与侵袭

目的:鉴定肾癌细胞中由染色体14q23上相邻基因低氧诱导因子1α(hypoxia inducible factor 1α,HIF1α)和小核RNA激活复合多肽(small nuclear RNA activating complex polypeptide 1,SNAPC1)形成的转录通读RNA及转录通读环状RNA(read-through circular RNA HIF1α-SNAPC1,rt-circ-HS),研究rt-circ-HS在肾癌细胞及组织样本中的表达、对肾癌细胞生物学行为的影响以及对其亲本分子HIF1α的调控机制。方法:逆转录PCR(reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,RT-PCR)和Sanger测序检测不同肿瘤细胞中由HIF1α-SNAPC1形成的转录通读RNA和rt-circ-HS的表达。构建不同类型的肾细胞癌(renal cell carcinoma,RCC)组织芯片共437例,用原位杂交检测rt-circ-HS表达。采用小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,si-RNA)和人工过表达质粒干预rt-circ-HS,用细胞计数实验(cell counting kit 8,CCK8)、EdU掺入实验、Transwell细胞迁移和细胞侵袭实验分别检测rt-circ-HS对肾癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。用RT-PCR和Western blot验证干预rt-circ-HS对亲本分子HIF1α和SNAPC1表达的影响。构建包含rt-circ-HS、HIF1α3′端非翻译区(3′untranslated region,3′UTR)与微小RNA 539(microRNA 539,miR-539)结合序列的野生型和突变型质粒,用双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测rt-circ-HS、HIF1α3′UTR与miR-539的结合。结果:发现一个新的rt-circ-HS,由HIF1α外显子(exon)6-SNAPC1 exon 2转录通读本产生,在肾癌细胞786-O中高表达。Sanger测序证实rt-circ-HS全长1144 nt,包括HIF1αexon 2-exon 6和SNAPC1 exon 2-exon 4,是一个新的转录通读环状RNA。原位杂交结果显示,rt-circ-HS在RCC中阳性表达率为67.5%(295/437),在不同类型RCC中表达率不同。发现miR-539是HIF1α的转录后负调控分子;rt-circ-HS作为分子海绵与miR-539结合,竞争性抑制miR-539与HIF1α3′UTR的结合,解除其对HIF1α的转录后负调控作用,促进亲本分子HIF1α表达及肾癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。结论:rt-circ-HS作为分子海绵结合miR-539,抑制其对HIF1α的负调控作用,促进亲本分子HIF1α表达及肾癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。

SCD1在TFE3-rRCC中的表达及其对TFE3-rRCC细胞增殖和迁移的影响

目的:探讨SCD1在TFE3-rRCC中的表达及对TFE3-rRCC细胞增殖和迁移的影响。方法:通过GEPIA数据库分析SCD1在不同肿瘤中的表达水平以及对患者预后的影响。通过QPCR和Western印迹检测SCD1在TFE3-rRCC患者和细胞系UOK109、UOK120的表达水平。利用shRNA敲低细胞系中SCD1的表达。通过CCK-8、Transwell等实验,检测细胞在敲低SCD1前后的增殖、迁移能力的变化。结果:SCD1在3种常见肾癌中的表达水平均较高,且SCD1高表达的患者生存期更短,预后更差(Logrank P<0.001)。在TFE3高度表达患者的肾癌组织以及TFE3-rRCC细胞系UOK109、UOK120中,SCD1在mRNA和蛋白水平也均显著提高。敲低SCD1后,UOK109和UOK120细胞的增殖和迁移能力均明显下降。结论:SCD1在TFE3-rRCC中高度表达,并且能够促进TFE3-rRCC细胞系的增殖和迁移能力,可能是促进TFE3-rRCC发生发展的关键分子。