Loss of monopolar spindle-binding protein 3B expression promotes colorectal cancer malignant behaviors by activation of target of rapamycin kinase/autophagy signaling

BACKGROUND Monopolar spindle-binding protein 3B(MOB3B)functions as a signal transducer and altered MOB3B expression is associated with the development of human cancers.AIM To investigate the role of MOB3B in colorectal cancer(CRC).METHODS This study collected 102 CRC tissue samples for immunohistochemical detection of MOB3B expression for association with CRC prognosis.After overexpression and knockdown of MOB3B expression were induced in CRC cell lines,changes in cell viability,migration,invasion,and gene expression were assayed.Tumor cell autophagy was detected using transmission electron microscopy,while nude mouse xenograft experiments were performed to confirm the in-vitro results.RESULTS MOB3B expression was reduced in CRC vs normal tissues and loss of MOB3B expression was associated with poor CRC prognosis.Overexpression of MOB3B protein in vitro attenuated the cell viability as well as the migration and invasion capacities of CRC cells,whereas knockdown of MOB3B expression had the opposite effects in CRC cells.At the molecular level,microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 II/I expression was elevated,whereas the expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)2,MMP9,sequestosome 1,and phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase(mTOR)was downregulated in MOB3B-overexpressing RKO cells.In contrast,the opposite results were observed in tumor cells with MOB3B knockdown.The nude mouse data confirmed these in-vitro findings,i.e.,MOB3B expression suppressed CRC cell xenograft growth,whereas knockdown of MOB3B expression promoted the growth of CRC cell xenografts.CONCLUSION Loss of MOB3B expression promotes CRC development and malignant behaviors,suggesting a potential tumor suppressive role of MOB3B in CRC by inhibition of mTOR/autophagy signaling.

Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2:A promising biomarker for colorectal cancer

According to the latest global cancer statistics,colorectal cancer(CRC)has emerged as the third most prevalent malignant tumor across the globe.In recent decades,the medical field has implemented several levels of CRC screening tests,encompassing fecal tests,endoscopic examinations,radiological examinations and blood tests.Previous studies have shown that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)is involved in inhibiting immune cell function,immune evasion,and promoting tumor progression in acute myeloid leukemia and nonsmall cell lung cancer.However,its interaction with CRC has not been reported yet.Recently,a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that LILRB2 and its ligand,angiopoietin-like protein 2,are markedly overexpressed in CRC.This overexpression is closely linked to tumor progression and is indicative of a poor prognosis.The study highlights the potential of utilizing the concentration of LILRB2 in serum as a promising biomarker for tumors.However,there is still room for discussion regarding the data processing and analysis in this research.

Action of circulating and infiltrating B cells in the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer by single-cell sequencing analysis

BACKGROUND The complexity of the immune microenvironment has an impact on the treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC),one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide.In this study,multi-omics and single-cell sequencing techniques were used to investigate the mechanism of action of circulating and infiltrating B cells in CRC.By revealing the heterogeneity and functional differences of B cells in cancer immunity,we aim to deepen our understanding of immune regulation and provide a scientific basis for the development of more effective cancer treatment strategies.AIM To explore the role of circulating and infiltrating B cell subsets in the immune microenvironment of CRC,explore the potential driving mechanism of B cell development,analyze the interaction between B cells and other immune cells in the immune microenvironment and the functions of communication molecules,and search for possible regulatory pathways to promote the anti-tumor effects of B cells.METHODS A total of 69 paracancer(normal),tumor and peripheral blood samples were collected from 23 patients with CRC from The Cancer Genome Atlas database(https://portal.gdc.cancer.gov/).After the immune cells were sorted by multicolor flow cytometry,the single cell transcriptome and B cell receptor group library were sequenced using the 10X Genomics platform,and the data were analyzed using bioinformatics tools such as Seurat.The differences in the number and function of B cell infiltration between tumor and normal tissue,the interaction between B cell subsets and T cells and myeloid cell subsets,and the transcription factor regulatory network of B cell subsets were explored and analyzed.RESULTS Compared with normal tissue,the infiltrating number of CD20+B cell subsets in tumor tissue increased significantly.Among them,germinal center B cells(GCB)played the most prominent role,with positive clone expansion and heavy chain mutation level increasing,and the trend of differentiation into memory B cells increased.However,the number of plasma cells in the tumor microenvironment decreased significantly,and the plasma cells secreting IgA antibodies decreased most obviously.In addition,compared with the immune microenvironment of normal tissues,GCB cells in tumor tissues became more closely connected with other immune cells such as T cells,and communication molecules that positively regulate immune function were significantly enriched.CONCLUSION The role of GCB in CRC tumor microenvironment is greatly enhanced,and its affinity to tumor antigen is enhanced by its significantly increased heavy chain mutation level.Meanwhile,GCB has enhanced its association with immune cells in the microenvironment,which plays a positive anti-tumor effect.

Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 overexpression as a promising therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)has become the second most deadly malignancy in the world,and the exploration of screening markers and precise therapeutic targets is urgent.Our previous research identified leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)protein as a characteristic protein of CRC,but the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features,the internal mechanism related to CRC progression,and screening diagnostic efficacy are not clear.Therefore,we hypothesized that LILRB2 is significantly highly expressed in CRC tissues,correlated with advanced stage and a poor prognosis,and could be used as a therapeutic target and potential screening biomarker for CRC.AIM To explore whether LILRB2 can be used as a potential therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC.METHODS Patients who underwent radical surgery for CRC at China-Japan Friendship Hospital between February 2021 and October 2022 were included.Cancer and paracancerous tissues were collected to verify LILRB2 expression,and the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features was analysed.Serum was collected from CRC patients,adenoma patients and healthy controls during the same period to assess the diagnostic value of LILRB2 as a noninvasive screening biomarker,and its diagnostic value was further compared with that of the traditional markers carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9).RESULTS A total of 58 CRC patients were included,and LILRB2 protein was significantly overexpressed in cancer tissues compared with paracancerous tissues(P<0.001).Angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)protein,as the ligand of LILRB2,was synergistically overexpressed in CRC tissues(P<0.001),and overexpression of LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 protein was significantly correlated with poor to moderate differentiation,vascular involvement,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage and a poor prognosis(P<0.05),which suggested that LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 are closely associated with CRC progression.In addition,serum LILRB2 concentrations increased stepwise in healthy individuals,adenoma patients and CRC patients with statistically significant differences.The sensitivity of serum LILRB2 for the diagnosis of CRC was 89.74%,the specificity was 88.89%,the area under the curve was 0.95,and the diagnostic efficacy was better than that of conventional CEA and CA19-9.CONCLUSION LILRB2 protein can be used as a potential novel therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC,which is beneficial for early screening and precise treatment.

Dukes'B期结直肠癌患者术后复发转移的临床相关因素分析

目的分析影响Dukes’B期结直肠癌患者术后复发转移的相关因素,为改善患者预后提供理论依据。方法通过医院病历系统,回顾收集2015年8月—2018年8月的120例结直肠癌手术患者的临床资料,术后随访3年(截至2021年8月),记录所有患者复发转移情况。结果随访3年间,120例Dukes’B期结直肠癌患者术后出现复发转移49例,复发转移率为40.83%。单因素分析结果显示,不同肿瘤活动程度、肿瘤直径大小、分化程度、肠壁侵袭层次、病理分级、切缘长度、术后化疗、术中输血情况、侵犯肠周程度及术前CEA水平的Dukes’B期结直肠癌患者间,术后复发转移情况差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果显示,分化程度、肠壁侵袭层次、术后化疗情况及术前CEA水平是Dukes’B期结直肠癌患者术后复发转移的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论分化程度、肠壁侵袭层次、术后化疗情况及术前CEA水平独立影响Dukes’B期结直肠癌患者术后复发转移,临床需加强对合并高危因素患者的针对性干预,以降低Dukes’B期结直肠癌患者术后复发转移率。

Overexpression of B7-H3 augments anti-apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells by Jak2-STAT3

AIM:To investigate the role of the overexpression of B7-H3 in apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:SW620 cells that highly overexpressed B7-H3(SW620-B7-H3-EGFP)and HCT8 cells stably transfected with B7-H3 sh RNA(HCT8-sh B7-H3)were previously constructed in our laboratory.Cells transfected with p IRES2-EGFP were used as negative controls(SW620-NC and HCT8-NC).Real-time PCR and western blotting analysis were used to detect the m RNA and protein expressions of the apoptosis regulator proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl and Bax.A cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the survival rate and drug sensitivity of the cells.The effect of drug resistance was detected by a cell cycle assay.Active caspase-3western blotting was used to reflect the anti-apoptotic ability of cells.Western blotting was also performed to determine the expression of proteins associated with the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway and the apoptosis regulator proteins after the treatment with AG490,a Jak2 specific inhibitor,in B7-H3 overexpressing cells.The data were analyzed by Graph Pad Prism 6 using a non-paired t-test.RESULTS:Whether by overexpression in SW620cells or downregulation in HCT8,B7-H3 significantly affected the expression of anti-and pro-apoptotic proteins,at both the transcriptional and translational levels,compared with the negative control(P<0.05).A cell proliferation assay revealed that B7-H3overexpression increased the drug resistance of cells and resulted in a higher survival rate(P<0.05).In addition,the results of cell cycle and active caspase-3western blotting proved that B7-H3 overexpression inhibited apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines(P<0.05).B7-H3 overexpression improved Jak2 and STAT3phosphorylation and,in turn,increased the expression of the downstream anti-apoptotic proteins B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-xl,based on western blotting(P<0.05).After treating B7-H3 overexpressing cells with the Jak2-specific inhibitor AG490,the phosphorylation of Jak2 and STAT3,and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl,decreased accordingly(P<0.05).This finding suggested that the Jak2-STAT3 pathway is involved in the mechanism mediating the anti-apoptotic ability of B7-H3.CONCLUSION:The overexpression of B7-H3 induces resistance to apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines by upregulating the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway,potentially providing new approaches to the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Integrin-linked kinase overexpression promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition via nuclear factor-κB signaling in colorectal cancer cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of integrin-linked kinase(ILK) on proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of the colorectal cancer cell line SW480. METHODS: In this study, the colorectal cancer cell line SW480 was stably transfected with ILK plasmids, and small interfering RNA(si RNA) was used to knockdown expression of nuclear factor(NF)-κB/p65. Methylthiazole tetrazolium(MTT) assay was performed to measure proliferation, and the wound healing migration assay and matrigel invasion assay were used to test the metastasis and invasion ability of SW480 cells. To explore the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) process, embryonic development, and the invasion and metastasis of tumors, the protein level of E-cadherin, vimentin, snail, and slug was detected by western blot. Immunofluorescence was also used to detect E-cadherin expression. Western blot was used to determine the level of phosphorylated-inhibitor of kappa B(IκB)a, inhibitor of gamma B(IγB)a, and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) expressions and toexplore the ILK signaling pathway. RESULTS: Western blot results revealed that ILK expression significantly increased when ILK was overexpressed in SW480 cells(P < 0.05). Proliferation, metastasis, and invasion ability were improved in the vector-ILK group compared to the vector group(P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence results revealed that E-cadherin fluorescence intensity decreased after ILK was overexpressed(P < 0.05). Western blot results revealed that the protein expression of E-cadherin was reduced, while vimentin, snail, and slug were upregulated when ILK was overexpressed in SW480 cells(P < 0.05). In order to determine the role of the NF-κB signaling pathway in ILK overexpression promoted EMT occurrence, we overexpressed ILK in SW480 cells and found that levels of NF-κB/p65 and cytoplasmic phosphorylated-IκBa were increased and that cytoplasmic IкBa levels were decreased compared to the control group(P < 0.05). Furthermore, NF-κB/p65 knockout revealed that E-cadherin was increased in the overexpressed ILK group. CONCLUSION: ILK overexpression improved the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion ability of SW480 cells, and this effect may be mediated by the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Tropomyosin-related kinase B/brain derived-neurotrophicfactor signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic targetfor colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in western countries. Approximately one-quarter of newly diagnosed patients for CRC have metastases, and a further 40%-50% experience disease recurrence or develop metastases after all standard therapies. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of CRC and subsequently developing novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve management of CRC and patients' long-term survival. Several tyrosine kinase receptors have been implicated in CRC development, progression and metastasis, including epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and vascular EGFR. Recently, tropomyosin-related kinase B(Trk B), a tyrosine kinase receptor, has been reported in CRC and found to clearly exert several biological and clinical features, such as tumor cell growth and survival in vitro and in vivo, metastasis formation and poor prognosis. Here we review the significance of Trk B and its ligand brain derived-neurotrophic factor in CRC. We focus on their expression in CRC tumor samples, and their functional roles in CRC cell lines and in in vivo models. Finally we discuss therapeutic approaches that can lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating Trk B-expressing CRC tumors.

Micro RNA-21 promotes phosphatase gene and protein kinase B/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase expression in colorectal cancer

AIM: To explore the regulatory mechanism of the target gene of micro RNA-21(mi R-21), phosphatase gene(p TEN), and its downstream proteins, protein kinase B(AKT) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(p I3K), in colorectal cancer(CRC) cells. METHODS: Quantitative real-time p CR(q RT-p CR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of mi R-21 and p TEN in HCT116, HT29, Colo32 and SW480 CRC cell lines. Also, the expression levels of p TEN m RNA and its downstream proteins AKT and p I3 K in HCT116 cells after downregulating mi R-21 were investigated. RESULTS: Comparing the mi R-21 expression in CRC cells, the expression levels of mi R-21 were highest in HCT116 cells, and the expression levels of mi R-21 were lowest in SW480 cells. In comparing mi R-21 and p TEN expression in CRC cells, we found that the protein expression levels of mi R-21 and p TEN were inversely correlated(p < 0.05); when mi R-21 expression was reduced, m RNA expression levels of p TEN did not significantly change(p > 0.05), but the expression levels of its protein significantly increased(p < 0.05). In comparing the levels of p TEN protein and downstream AKT and p I3 K in HCT116 cells after downregulation of mi R-21 expression, the levels of AKT and p I3 K protein expression significantly decreased(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: p TEN is one of the direct target genesof mi R-21. Thus, phosphatase gene and its downstream AKT and p I3 K expression levels can be regulated by regulating the expression levels of mi R-21, which in turn regulates the development of CRC.

Clinical correlation of B7-H3 and B3GALT4 with the prognosis of colorectal cancer

AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of B7 homolog 3(B7-H3) and β-1,3-galactosyltransferase-4(B3 GALT4) in colorectal cancer(CRC) patients.METHODS Using tissue microarray, we identified the expression of B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 in 223 CRC patient samples by immunohistochemistry and evaluated the possible correlation between B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 and clinicaloutcomes. Further, the m RNA and protein expression were identified to establish the regulatory relationship of B7-H3 with B3 GALT4 in vitro.RESULTS A significant positive correlation between B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 was observed in CRC specimens(r = 0.219, P = 0.001). High expression of B7-H3 was identified as a significant independent predictor of poor overall survival(OS) [hazard ratio(HR) = 1.781; 95%CI: 1.027-3.089; P = 0.040]. Moreover, high expression of B3 GALT4 was also recognized as an independent predictor of inferior OS(HR = 1.597; 95%CI: 1.007-2.533; P = 0.047). Additionally, CRC patients expressing both high B7-H3 and high B3 GALT4 contributed to a significant decrease in OS(HR = 2.283; 95%CI: 1.289-4.042; P = 0.005). In CRC cell lines with stable expression of high B7-H3, the m RNA and protein expressions of B3 GALT4 were significantly upregulated. Similarly, the expression of B3 GALT4 was significantly reduced when expression of B7-H3 was knocked down.CONCLUSION The expression of B3 GALT4 in CRC is positively correlated with B7-H3 expression in vitro. B7-H3/B3 GLAT4 may be used as dual prognostic biomarkers for CRC.

HBV infection decreases risk of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer:A cohort study

AIM:To evaluate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.METHODS:A total of 1298 colorectal cancer patients were recruited from January 2001 to March 2005 in this study.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test serum HBV markers for colorectal cancer.Patients were divided into study (infection) group and control (non-infection) group.Clinical features of patients in two groups were compared.RESULTS:Liver metastasis was found in 319 out of the 1298 colorectal cancer patients.The incidence of liver metastasis was significantly lower in study group than in control group (14.2% vs 28.2%,P < 0.01).HBV infection significantly decreased the risk of liver metastasis [hazard ratio (HR):0.50,95% confidence interval (95% CI):0.38-0.66],but the incidence of extrahepatic metastasis was significantly higher in study group than in control group (31.9% vs 17.0%,P < 0.01).The HR was the lowest in chronic hepatitis B group (HR:0.29,95% CI:0.12-0.72).The number of liver metastatic lesions was significantly less in study group than in control group with a higher surgical resection rate.However,no significant difference was found in survival rate between the two groups (P=0.95).CONCLUSION:HBV infection decreases the risk of liver metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer and elevates the surgical resection rate of liver metastatic lesions.

Vitamin B6 and colorectal cancer:Current evidence and future directions

Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer in both women and men worldwide.Identifying modifiable dietary factors is crucial in developing primary prevention strategies.Vitamin B6 is involved in more than 100 coenzyme reactions,and may influence colorectal cancer risk in multiple ways including through its role in one-carbon metabolism related DNA synthesis and methylation and by reducing inflammation,cell proliferation,and oxidative stress.Observational studies of dietary or dietary plus supplementary intake of vitamin B6 and colorectal cancer risk have been inconsistent with most studies reporting nonsignificant positive or inverse associations.However,published studies of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate(the active form of vitamin B6) levels consistently support an approximately 30%-50% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer comparing high with low concentrations.The reasons for the discrepancy in the results between dietary-based and plasma-based studies remain unresolved.Other unresolved questions include the effects of vitamin B6 intake in early life(i.e.,childhood or adolescence) and of suboptimal vitamin B6 status on colorectal cancer risk,whether the associations with vitamin B6 differ across molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer,and whether the vitamin B6-colorectal cancer association is modified by genetic variants of one-carbon metabolism.

Expression of netrin-1 and its receptors, deleted in colorectal cancer and uncoordinated locomotion-5 homolog B, in rat brain following focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury

Netrin-1 is currently one of the most highly studied axon guidance factors. Netrin-1 is widely expressed in the embryonic central nervous system, and together with the deleted in colorectal cancer and uncoordinated locomotion-5 homolog B receptors, netrin-1 plays a guiding role in the construction of neural conduction pathways and the directional migration of neuronal cells. In this study, we established a rat middle cerebral artery ischemia reperfusion model using the intraluminal thread technique. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the expression of netrin-1 and deleted in colorectal cancer in the ischemic penumbra was upregulated at 1 day after reperfusion, reached a peak at 14 days, and decreased at 21 days. There was no obvious change in the expression of uncoordinated locomotion-5 homolog B during this time period. Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed that netrin-1 was expressed in neuronal cells and around small vessels, but not in astrocytes and microglia, while deleted in colorectal cancer was localized in the cell membranes and protrusions of neurons and astrocytes. Our experimental findings indicate that netrin-1 may be involved in post-ischemic repair and neuronal protection via deleted in colorectal cancer receptors.

Apoptotic and cytostatic actions of maslinic acid in colorectal cancer cells through possible IKK-β inhibition

Objective:To explore the anti-cancer activity of maslinic acid against colorectal cancer(CRC)cell lines and its possible mechanism.Methods:The inhibitory effect of maslinic acid was screened against five CRC cell lines(HT-29,HCT 116,SW480,SW48,and LS 174 T)via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Apoptosis and cell cycle analyses were carried out using annexinⅤ-FITC/propidium iodide staining and propidium iodide staining,respectively and subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis.Protein expression studies of inhibitor ofκB kinase-β(IKK-β),checkpoint kinase 1(Chk1)and cyclin D1 were conducted using the JESS system.Results:Maslinic acid exhibited growth inhibitory effect in a doseand time-dependent manner in HT-29 and HCT 116 cell lines.A more prominent apoptosis induced by maslinic acid was observed in HCT 116 cell line.However,in HT-29 cell line,maslinic acid induced cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the G1-S transition,which was accompanied by the downregulation of cyclin D1.The expression of unphosphorylated IKK-βprotein was increased in both(HT-29 and HCT 116)cell lines after maslinic acid treatment.Conclusions:Maslinic acid inhibits the growth of HT-29 and HCT 116 cells in a different manner,induces cell cycle arrest in HT-29 cells and causes apoptosis in HCT 116 cells partially via NF-κB pathway inhibition.

LncRNA SNHG16 promotes colorectal cancer proliferation by regulating ABCB1 expression through sponging miR-214-3p

Mounting evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)have critical roles in colorectal cancer(CRC)progression,providing many potential diagnostic biomarkers,prognostic biomarkers,and treatment targets.Here,we sought to investigate the role and underlying regulatory mechanism of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16(SNHG16)in CRC.The expressions of SNHG16 in CRC were identified by RNA-sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR.The functions of SNHG16 were explored by a series of in vitro and in vivo assays(colony formation assay,flow cytometry assay,and xenograft model).Bioinformatics analysis,RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and luciferase reporter assay were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of effects of SNHG16.SNHG16 was found to be significantly elevated in human CRC tissues and cell lines.Functional studies suggested that SNHG16 promoted CRC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo.Mechanistically,we identified that SNHG16 is expressed predominantly in the cytoplasm.SNHG16 could interact with miR-214-3p and up-regulated its target ABCB1.This study indicated that SNHG16 plays an oncogenic role in CRC,suggesting it could be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.

PBX3 promotes migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells via activation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

AIM:To investigate the role of pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox(PBX)3 in migration and invasion of colorectal cancer(CRC)cells.METHODS:We detected PBX3 expression in five cell lines and surgical specimens from 111 patients with CRC using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.We forced expression of PBX3 in low metastatic HT-29 and SW480 cells and knocked down expression of PBX3 in highly metastatic LOVO and HCT-8 cells.Wound healing and Boyden chamber assays were used to detect cell migration and invasionafter altered expression of PBX3.Western blot was performed to detect the change of signaling molecule ERK1/2 following PBX3 overexpression.RESULTS:High level of PBX3 expression was correlated with the invasive potential of CRC cells,and significantly associated with lymph node invasion(P=0.02),distant metastasis(P=0.04),advanced TNM stage(P=0.03)and poor overall survival of patients(P<0.05).Ectopic expression of PBX3 in low metastatic cells was shown to promote migration and invasion,while inhibited PBX3 expression in highly metastatic cells suppressed migration and invasion.Furthermore,upregulation of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)1/2 was found to be one of the targeted molecules responsible for PBX3-induced CRC cell migration and invasion.CONCLUSION:PBX3 induces invasion and metastasis of CRC cells partially through activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Predictive and prognostic implications of 4E-BP1, Beclin-1, and LC3for cetuximab treatment combined with chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer with wild-type KRAS: Analysis from real-world data

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in China and around the world. Advanced CRC(ACRC) patients suffer from a low cure rate though treated with targeted therapies. The response rate is about 50% to chemotherapy and cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and used for ACRC with wild-type KRAS. It is important to identify more predictors of cetuximab efficacy to further improve precise treatment. Autophagy, showing a key role in the cancer progression, is influenced by the EGFR pathway. Whether autophagy can predict cetuximab efficacy in ACRC is an interesting topic.AIM To investigate the effect of autophagy on the efficacy of cetuximab in colon cancer cells and ACRC patients with wild-type KRAS.METHODS ACRC patients treated with cetuximab plus chemotherapy, with detailed data and tumor tissue, at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 1, 2005,to October 1, 2015, were studied. Expression of autophagy-related proteins[Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 A/B-light chain 3(LC3), and 4 Ebinding protein 1(4 E-BP1)] was examined by Western blot in CRC cells and by immunohistochemistry in cancerous and normal tissues. The effect of autophagy on cetuximab-treated cancer cells was confirmed by MTT assay. The associations between Beclin1, LC3, and 4 E-BP1 expression in tumor tissue and the efficacy of cetuximab-based therapy were analyzed.RESULTS In CACO-2 cells exposed to cetuximab, LC3 and 4 E-BP1 were upregulated, and P62 was downregulated. Autophagosome formation was observed, and autophagy increased the efficacy of cetuximab. In 68 ACRC patients,immunohistochemistry showed that Beclin1 levels were significantly correlated with those of LC3(0.657, P < 0.001) and 4 E-BP1(0.211, P = 0.042) in ACRC tissues.LC3 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues(P < 0.001). In 45 patients with wild-type KRAS, the expression levels of these three proteins were not related to progression-free survival; however, the expression levels of Beclin1(P = 0.010) and 4 E-BP1(P = 0.005), pathological grade(P = 0.002), and T stage(P = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival(OS).CONCLUSION The effect of cetuximab on colon cancer cells might be improved by autophagy.LC3 is overexpressed in tumor tissues, and Beclin1 and 4 E-BP1 could be significant predictors of OS in ACRC patients treated with cetuximab.

Assessment of the Roles of Cathepsins B, H and L in the Progression of Colorectal Cancer

Cysteine cathepsins are important regulators and signaling molecules of an unimaginable number of biological processes, while they concurrently play an essential role in cancer progression, invasion and metastasis. The purposes of our study were to: a) compare the expression levels of cathepsins B, H and L in the supernatants of colon cancer tissues from 74 patients versus the corresponding enzymic expressions of supernatants in the adjacent normal colorectal tissues;and b) correlate our results to the grade of the malignancy by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The findings indicated that cathepsins B, H and L of all malignant tissues exhibited significantly higher expression levels than their corresponding controls. Furthermore, cathepsin B expression levels doubled in all tumor samples and this increase remained quite steady with tumor stage advancement, in contrast to cathepsin H expression which rose significantly as malignancy progressed. Specifically, cathepsin H concentration was higher than the corresponding control: 155% in B1 stage and 204.44% in D stage. Among the three investigated proteases, cathepsin L has shown the highest increase, which in D stage stood 261.03% higher than the corresponding control. The results at hand suggested that cysteine protease H and L expression levels could be of critical value in the diagnosis and progression of colon cancer.

Exendin-4 inhibits the survival and invasiveness of two colorectal cancer cell lines via suppressing GS3Kβ/β-catenin/NF-κB axis through activating SIRT1

This study examined if the anti-tumorigenesis effect of Exendin-4 in HT29 and HCT116 colorectal cancer(CRC)involves modulation of SIRT1 and Akt/GSR3K/β-catenin/NF-κB axis.HT29 and HCT116 cells were treated either with increasing levels of Exendin-4(0.0-200μM)or with Exendin-4(at its IC50)in the presence or absence of EX-527(10μM/a selective SIRT1 inhibitor)or Exendin-4(9-39)amide(E(9-39)A)(1μM/an Exendin-4 antagonist).In a dose-dependent manner,Exendin-4 inhibited cell survival,but enhanced levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and single-stranded DNA(ssDNA)in both HT29 and HCT116.In both cell lines and at it has an IC50(45μM for HT29 and 35μM for HCT1165),Exendin-4 also significantly reduced cell survival,migration,and invasion of both cell types,with no effect on the expression GLP-1 receptors(GLPRs)nor of the activity of Akt.At these doses,Exendin-4 also increased the expression of SIRT1 but reduced the acetylation of NF-κB and the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and in both cell lines.Concomitantly,protein levels of p-GS3Kβ(Ser9),total and acetylatedβ-catenin,and Anix2 were significantly decreased,but levels of p-GS3Kβ(Ser9)and p-β-catenin(Ser33/37/Thr41)were significantly increased in both HT29 and HCT116-exendin-4 treated cells.All the effects exerted by Exendin-4 were completely prevented by Ex527 or E(9-39)A.In conclusion,Exendin-4 suppresses the tumorigenesis of HT29 and HCT116 CRC cell activation of GS3Kβ-induced inhibition ofβ-catenin and NF-κβin a SIRT1-dependent mechanism.

Anti-silencing function 1B knockdown suppresses the malignant phenotype of colorectal cancer by inactivating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND Mounting studies have highlighted the pivotal influence of anti-silencing function 1B(ASF1B)on the malignancy of cancers.AIM To explore the influence and mechanism of ASF1B in colorectal cancer(CRC).METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect mRNA expression of ASF1B.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect protein expression of ASF1B and Ki67 in tumor tissues.Western blot analysis was used to determine levels of ASF1B and proliferation/epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)/stemness-related proteins.In addition,the proliferation of CRC cells was assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-Ethynyl-2’-Deoxyuridine assays.The migration and invasion of CRC cells were evaluated using transwell assays.Stemness of CRC cells was tested using the sphere formation assay.To construct a xenograft tumor model,HCT116 cells were introduced into mouse flanks via subcutaneous injection.RESULTS ASF1B expression was markedly increased in CRC tissues and cells,and it was inversely correlated with overall survival of CRC patients and was positively associated with the tumor node metastasis(TNM)stage of CRC patients.Silencing of ASF1B suppressed proliferation,migration,invasion,stemness and EMT of CRC cells as well as tumorigenesis of xenograft mice.Furthermore,protein levels of Pphosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(p-PI3K)and p-AKT were decreased after silencing of ASF1B in CRC cells.The inhibitory effects of ASF1B knockdown on cell proliferation,stemness and EMT were partly abolished by PI3K activator in CRC cells.CONCLUSION Silencing of ASF1B inactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway to suppress CRC malignancy in vitro.