scholarly journals Role of NRF2 in Lung Cancer

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1879
Author(s):  
Miriam Sánchez-Ortega ◽  
Ana Clara Carrera ◽  
Antonio Garrido

The gene expression program induced by NRF2 transcription factor plays a critical role in cell defense responses against a broad variety of cellular stresses, most importantly oxidative stress. NRF2 stability is fine-tuned regulated by KEAP1, which drives its degradation in the absence of oxidative stress. In the context of cancer, NRF2 cytoprotective functions were initially linked to anti-oncogenic properties. However, in the last few decades, growing evidence indicates that NRF2 acts as a tumor driver, inducing metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. Constitutive activation of NRF2 has been found to be frequent in several tumors, including some lung cancer sub-types and it has been associated to the maintenance of a malignant cell phenotype. This apparently contradictory effect of the NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway in cancer (cell protection against cancer versus pro-tumoral properties) has generated a great controversy about its functions in this disease. In this review, we will describe the molecular mechanism regulating this signaling pathway in physiological conditions and summarize the most important findings related to the role of NRF2/KEAP1 in lung cancer. The focus will be placed on NRF2 activation mechanisms, the implication of those in lung cancer progression and current therapeutic strategies directed at blocking NRF2 action.

Oncogenesis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guofang Chen ◽  
Binya Liu ◽  
Shasha Yin ◽  
Shuangdi Li ◽  
Yu’e Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) are stem-like cells endowed with self-renewal and differentiation abilities, and these cells are essential for cancer progression in endometrial cancer (EC). As hallmarks of the tumour microenvironment (TME), hypoxia and hypoxia-inducing factors (HIFs) give rise to the dysregulation of tumour stemness genes, such as SOX2. Against this backdrop, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms regulated by HIFs and SOX2 in ECSCs during EC development. Here, ECSCs isolated from EC cell lines and tissues were found to express stemness genes (CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase, ALDH1) following the induction of their ECSC expansion. Notably, m6A methylation of RNA and HIF-1α/2α-dependent AlkB homologue 5 (ALKBH5) participate in the regulation of HIFs and SOX2 in EC, as confirmed by the observations that mRNA levels of m6A demethylases and ALKBH5 significantly increase under hypoxic conditions in ECSCs. Moreover, hypoxia and high ALKBH5 levels restore the stem-like state of differentiated ECSCs and increase the ECSC-like phenotype, whereas the knockdown of HIFs or ALKBH5 significantly reduces their tumour initiation capacity. In addition, our findings validate the role of ALKBH5 in promoting SOX2 transcription via mRNA demethylation, thereby maintaining the stem-like state and tumorigenicity potential of ECSCs. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate a critical role for m6A methylation-mediated regulation of the HIF-ALKBH5-SOX2 axis during ECSC expansion in hypoxic TMEs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Xian Zhang ◽  
Shasha Yang ◽  
Yanqiu Bao ◽  
Dongyuan Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The expression of forkhead box protein H1 (FOXH1) is frequently upregulated in various cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between FOXH1 expression and lung cancer progression still remain poorly understood. Thus, the main objective of this study is to explore the role of FOXH1 in lung cancer. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset was used to investigate FOXH1 expression in lung cancer tissues, and the Kaplan–Meier plotter dataset was used to determine the role of FOXH1 in patient prognosis. A549 and PC9 cells were transfected with short hairpin RNA targeting FOXH1 mRNA. The Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, soft agar, wound healing, transwell invasion and flow cytometry assays were performed to evaluate proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Tumorigenicity was examined in a BALB/c nude mice model. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the molecular mechanisms, and β-catenin activity was measured by a luciferase reporter system assay. Results Higher expression level of FOXH1 was observed in tumor tissue than in normal tissue, and this was associated with poor overall survival. Knockdown of FOXH1 significantly inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cycle. In addition, the mouse xenograft model showed that knockdown of FOXH1 suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Further experiments revealed that FOXH1 depletion inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells by downregulating the expression of mesenchymal markers (Snail, Slug, matrix metalloproteinase-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin) and upregulating the expression of an epithelial marker (E-cadherin). Moreover, knockdown of FOXH1 significantly downregulated the activity of β-catenin and its downstream targets, p-GSK-3β and cyclin D1. Conclusion FOXH1 exerts oncogenic functions in lung cancer through regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. FOXH1 might be a potential therapeutic target for patients with certain types of lung cancer.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Er-Chieh Cho ◽  
Mei-Ling Kuo ◽  
Jia-hui Cheng ◽  
Yu-Chi Cheng ◽  
Yi-Chen Hsieh ◽  
...  

RRM2B is a critical ribonucleotide reductase (RR) subunit that exists as p53-inducible and p53-dependent molecule. The p53-independent regulation of RRM2B has been recently studied, and FOXO3 was identified as a novel regulator of RRM2B. However, the p53-independent regulation of RRM2B, particularly under oxidative stress, remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of RRM2B underoxidative stress-induced DNA damage and further examined the regulation of mitochondrial and inflammatory genes by RRM2B. Our study is the first to report the critical role of RRM2B in mitochondrial homeostasis and the inflammation signaling pathway in a p53-independent manner. Furthermore, our study provides novel insights into the role of the RR in inflammatory diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 683-695
Author(s):  
Feng Gu ◽  
Junhan Zhang ◽  
Lin Yan ◽  
Dong Li

AbstractLung cancer is a lethal malignancy. Plenty of circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified to be the vital regulators in lung cancer development. Here, we intended to clarify the functional role of circRNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3, also called hsa_circ_0021593) and its underlying mechanism of action. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to evaluate the levels of circHIPK3 and miR-381-3p. Cell viability and apoptosis rate were monitored by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell migration was estimated through the Transwell assay. To assess glycolysis, commercial kits were utilized to measure the levels of glucose and lactate and the enzyme activity of hexokinase-2 (HK2). Expression of related proteins was detected via western blot analysis. The target connection between circHIPK3 and miR-381-3p was validated by dual-luciferase reporter, RIP, and pull-down assays. The role of circHIPK3 in vivo was determined via the xenograft assay. CircHIPK3 was upregulated, while miR-381-3p was downregulated in lung cancer tissues and cells. And circHIPK3 deficiency inhibited lung cancer progression by lowering cell proliferation, migration, glycolysis, and promoting apoptosis of lung cancer cells in vitro. MiR-381-3p was a target of circHIPK3, and miR-381-3p interference alleviated circHIPK3 knockdown-induced lung cancer progression inhibition. CircHIPK3 could activate the protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway. Moreover, circHIPK3 knockdown suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inactivating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, the silencing of circHIPK3 inhibited lung cancer progression, at least in part, by sponging miR-381-3p and inactivating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-401
Author(s):  
Yuanhua Wu ◽  
Yuan Huang ◽  
Jing Cai ◽  
Donglan Zhang ◽  
Shixi Liu ◽  
...  

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury involves complex biological processes and molecular mechanisms such as autophagy. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of I/R injury. LncRNAs are the regulatory factor of cerebral I/R injury. Methods: This study constructs cerebral I/R model to investigate role of autophagy and oxidative stress in cerebral I/R injury and the underline regulatory mechanism of SIRT1/ FOXO3a pathway. In this study, lncRNA SNHG12 and FOXO3a expression was up-regulated and SIRT1 expression was down-regulated in HT22 cells of I/R model. Results: Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG12 significantly increased the cell viability and inhibited cerebral ischemicreperfusion injury induced by I/Rthrough inhibition of autophagy. In addition, the transfected p-SIRT1 significantly suppressed the release of LDH and SOD compared with cells co-transfected with SIRT1 and FOXO3a group and cells induced by I/R and transfected with p-SNHG12 group and overexpression of cells co-transfected with SIRT1 and FOXO3 further decreased the I/R induced release of ROS and MDA. Conclusion: In conclusion, lncRNA SNHG12 increased cell activity and inhibited oxidative stress through inhibition of SIRT1/FOXO3a signaling-mediated autophagy in HT22 cells of I/R model. This study might provide new potential therapeutic targets for further investigating the mechanisms in cerebral I/R injury and provide.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Francisca Félix ◽  
Catarina C. V. Oliveira ◽  
Elsa Cabrita

In recent years, the effects of novel antioxidants have played an important role in the research focusing on fish cell protection. As food demand grows, aquaculture production becomes more intensive, and fish are more exposed to oxidative stress conditions, like high densities, temperature shifting, frequent fish handling and samplings, and prophylactic or disease treatments, which expose fish to a different environment. Particularly in reproduction, germ cells lose antioxidant capacity with spermatogenesis, as spermatozoa are more prone to oxidative stress. Antioxidants have been used in a variety of fish physiological problems including in reproduction and in the establishment of cryopreservation protocols. From the most used antioxidants to natural plant food and herbs, and endogenously produced antioxidants, like melatonin, a review of the literature available in terms of their effects on the protection of fish spermatozoa is presented here in a classified structure. Several direct and indirect approaches to improve gamete quality using antioxidants administration are mentioned (through feed supplementation or by adding in cryopreservation media), as well as factors affecting the efficiency of these molecules and their mechanisms of action. Special attention is given to the unclear melatonin pathway and its potential scavenger activity to prevent and counteract oxidative stress damage on fish spermatozoa.


Author(s):  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Yuxia Liu ◽  
Shuang Li ◽  
Zhaoyun Peng ◽  
Xiantao Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide (Ferlay et al., Int J Cancer 136:E359–386, 2015). In addition, lung cancer is associated with the highest mortality among all cancer types (Wu et al., Exp Ther Med 16:3004–3010, 2018). Previous studies report that microbiota play an important role in lung cancer. Notably, changes in lung and gut microbiota, are associated with progression of lung cancer. Several studies report that lung and gut microbiome promote lung cancer initiation and development by modulating metabolic pathways, inhibiting the function of immune cells, and producing pro-inflammatory factors. In addition, some factors such as microbiota dysbiosis, affect production of bacteriotoxins, genotoxicity and virulence effect, therefore, they play a key role in cancer progression. These findings imply that lung and gut microbiome are potential markers and targets for lung cancer. However, the role of microbiota in development and progression of lung cancer has not been fully explored. Purpose The aim of this study was to systemically review recent research findings on relationship of lung and gut microbiota with lung cancer. In addition, we explored gut–lung axis and potential mechanisms of lung and gut microbiota in modulating lung cancer progression. Conclusion Pulmonary and intestinal flora influence the occurrence, development, treatment and prognosis of lung cancer, and will provide novel strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Carmen Griñan-Lison ◽  
Jose L. Blaya-Cánovas ◽  
Araceli López-Tejada ◽  
Marta Ávalos-Moreno ◽  
Alba Navarro-Ocón ◽  
...  

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Oxidative stress and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been related to cancer progression. Compared to their normal counterparts, tumor cells show higher ROS levels and tight regulation of REDOX homeostasis to maintain a low degree of oxidative stress. Traditionally antioxidants have been extensively investigated to counteract breast carcinogenesis and tumor progression as chemopreventive agents; however, there is growing evidence indicating their potential as adjuvants for the treatment of breast cancer. Aimed to elucidate whether antioxidants could be a reality in the management of breast cancer patients, this review focuses on the latest investigations regarding the ambivalent role of antioxidants in the development of breast cancer, with special attention to the results derived from clinical trials, as well as their potential use as plausible agents in combination therapy and their power to ameliorate the side effects attributed to standard therapeutics. Data retrieved herein suggest that antioxidants play an important role in breast cancer prevention and the improvement of therapeutic efficacy; nevertheless, appropriate patient stratification based on “redoxidomics” or tumor subtype is mandatory in order to define the dosage for future standardized and personalized treatments of patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norahayu Othman ◽  
Noor Hasima Nagoor

Lung cancer remains to be one of the most common and serious types of cancer worldwide. While treatment is available, the survival rate of this cancer is still critically low due to late stage diagnosis and high frequency of drug resistance, thus highlighting the pressing need for a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in lung carcinogenesis. Studies in the past years have evidenced that microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical players in the regulation of various biological functions, including apoptosis, which is a process frequently evaded in cancer progression. Recently, miRNAs were demonstrated to possess proapoptotic or antiapoptotic abilities through the targeting of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. This review examines the involvement of miRNAs in the apoptotic process of lung cancer and will also touch on the promising evidence supporting the role of miRNAs in regulating sensitivity to anticancer treatment.


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