Devaraja Rajasekaran

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7): a promising gene therapeutic for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly fatal disease mandating development of novel, targeted therapies to elicit prolonged survival benefit to the patients. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7), a secreted protein belonging to the IGFBP family, functions as a potential tumor suppressor for HCC. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a replication-incompetent adenovirus expressing IGFBP7 (Ad.IGFBP7) in human HCC. Ad.IGFBP7 profoundly inhibited viability and induced apoptosis in multiple human HCC cell lines by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating a DNA damage response (DDR) and p38 MAPK. In orthotopic xenograft models of human HCC in athymic nude mice, intravenous administration of Ad.IGFBP7 profoundly inhibited primary tumor growth and intrahepatic metastasis. In a nude mice subcutaneous model, xenografts from human HCC cells were established in both flanks and only left-sided tumors received intratumoral injection of Ad.IGFBP7. Growth of both left-sided injected tumors and right-sided uninjected tumors were markedly inhibited by Ad.IGFBP7 with profound suppression of angiogenesis. These findings indicate that Ad.IGFBP7 might be a potent therapeutic eradicating both primary HCC and distant metastasis and might be an effective treatment option for terminal HCC patients.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly fatal disease mandating development of novel, targeted therapies to elicit prolonged survival benefit to the patients. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7), a secreted protein belonging to the IGFBP family, functions as a potential tumor suppressor for HCC. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a replication-incompetent adenovirus expressing IGFBP7 (Ad.IGFBP7) in human HCC. Ad.IGFBP7 profoundly inhibited viability and induced apoptosis in multiple human HCC cell lines by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating a DNA damage response (DDR) and p38 MAPK. In orthotopic xenograft models of human HCC in athymic nude mice, intravenous administration of Ad.IGFBP7 profoundly inhibited primary tumor growth and intrahepatic metastasis. In a nude mice subcutaneous model, xenografts from human HCC cells were established in both flanks and only left-sided tumors received intratumoral injection of Ad.IGFBP7. Growth of both left-sided injected tumors and right-sided uninjected tumors were markedly inhibited by Ad.IGFBP7 with profound suppression of angiogenesis. These findings indicate that Ad.IGFBP7 might be a potent therapeutic eradicating both primary HCC and distant metastasis and might be an effective treatment option for terminal HCC patients.

AEG-1 Regulates Retinoid X Receptor and Inhibits Retinoid Signaling

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) regulates key cellular responses such as cell growth and development, and this regulation is frequently perturbed in various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecule(s) that physically govern this deregulation are mostly unknown. Here, we identified RXR as an interacting partner of astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG-1)/metadherin (MTDH), an oncogene upregulated in all cancers. Upon interaction, AEG-1 profoundly inhibited RXR/retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-mediated transcriptional activation. Consequently, AEG-1 markedly protected HCC and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells from retinoid- and rexinoid-induced cell death. In nontumorigenic cells and primary hepatocytes, AEG-1/RXR colocalizes in the nucleus in which AEG-1 interferes with recruitment of transcriptional coactivators to RXR, preventing transcription of target genes. In tumor cells and AEG-1 transgenic hepatocytes, overexpressed AEG-1 entraps RXR in cytoplasm, precluding its nuclear translocation. In addition, ERK, activated by AEG-1, phosphorylates RXR that leads to its functional inactivation and attenuation of ligand-dependent transactivation. In nude mice models, combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and AEG-1 knockdown synergistically inhibited growth of human HCC xenografts. The present study establishes AEG-1 as a novel homeostatic regulator of RXR and RXR/RAR that might contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Targeting AEG-1 could sensitize patients with HCC and AML to retinoid- and rexinoid-based therapeutics.

Genetic deletion of AEG-1 prevents hepatocarcinogenesis.

Activation of the oncogene AEG-1 (MTDH, LYRIC) has been implicated recently in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In mice, HCC can be initiated by exposure to the carcinogen DEN, which has been shown to rely upon activation of NF-κB in liver macrophages. Because AEG-1 is an essential component of NF-κB activation, we interrogated the susceptibility of mice lacking the AEG-1 gene to DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. AEG-1-deficient mice displayed resistance to DEN-induced HCC and lung metastasis. No difference was observed in the response to growth factor signaling or activation of AKT, ERK, and β-catenin, compared with wild-type control animals. However, AEG-1-deficient hepatocytes and macrophages exhibited a relative defect in NF-κB activation. Mechanistic investigations showed that IL6 production and STAT3 activation, two key mediators of HCC development, were also deficient along with other biologic and epigenetics findings in the tumor microenvironment, confirming that AEG-1 supports an NF-κB-mediated inflammatory state that drives HCC development. Overall, our findings offer in vivo proofs that AEG-1 is essential for NF-κB activation and hepatocarcinogenesis, and they reveal new roles for AEG-1 in shaping the tumor microenvironment for HCC development.

Role of the staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain containing 1 in oncogenesis (Review)

The staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain containing 1 (SND1) is a multifunctional protein overexpressed in breast, prostate, colorectal and hepatocellular carcinomas and malignant glioma. Molecular studies have revealed the multifaceted activities of SND1 involved in regulating gene expression at transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional levels. Early studies identified SND1 as a transcriptional co-activator. SND1 is also a component of RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) thus mediating RNAi function, a regulator of mRNA splicing, editing and stability, and plays a role in maintenance of cell viability. Such diverse actions allow the SND1 to modulate a complex array of molecular networks, thereby promoting carcinogenesis. Here, we describe the crucial role of SND1 in cancer development and progression, and highlight SND1 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Astrocyte elevated gene-1 and c-Myc cooperate to promote hepatocarcinogenesis in mice

Astrocyte elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) and c‐Myc are overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) functioning as oncogenes. AEG‐1 is transcriptionally regulated by c‐Myc, and AEG‐1 itself induces c‐Myc by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin–signaling pathway. We now document the cooperation of AEG‐1 and c‐Myc in promoting hepatocarcinogenesis by analyzing hepatocyte‐specific transgenic mice expressing either AEG‐1 (albumin [Alb]/AEG‐1), c‐Myc (Alb/c‐Myc), or both (Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc). Wild‐type and Alb/AEG‐1 mice did not develop spontaneous HCC. Alb/c‐Myc mice developed spontaneous HCC without distant metastasis, whereas Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice developed highly aggressive HCC with frank metastasis to the lungs. Induction of carcinogenesis by N‐nitrosodiethylamine significantly accelerated the kinetics of tumor formation in all groups. However, in Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc, the effect was markedly pronounced with lung metastasis. In vitro analysis showed that Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc hepatocytes acquired increased proliferation and transformative potential with sustained activation of prosurvival and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition–signaling pathways. RNA‐sequencing analysis identified a unique gene signature in livers of Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice that was not observed when either AEG‐1 or c‐Myc was overexpressed. Specifically, Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice overexpressed maternally imprinted noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as Rian, Meg‐3, and Mirg, which are implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. Knocking down these ncRNAs significantly inhibited proliferation and invasion by Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc hepatocytes. Conclusion: Our studies reveal a novel cooperative oncogenic effect of AEG‐1 and c‐Myc that might explain the mechanism of aggressive HCC. Alb/AEG‐1/c‐Myc mice provide a useful model to understand the molecular mechanism of cooperation between these two oncogenes and other molecules involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. This model might also be of use for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies targeting HCC. (Hepatology 2015;61:915–929)

Combination of Nanoparticle-Delivered siRNA for Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) and All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA): An Effective Therapeutic Strategy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fatal cancer with no effective therapy. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) plays a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis and inhibits retinoic acid-induced gene expression and cell death. The combination of a lentivirus expressing AEG-1 shRNA and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) profoundly and synergistically inhibited subcutaneous human HCC xenografts in nude mice. We have now developed liver-targeted nanoplexes by conjugating poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lactobionic acid (Gal) (PAMAM-PEG-Gal) which were complexed with AEG-1 siRNA (PAMAM-AEG-1si). The polymer conjugate was characterized by (1)H-NMR, MALDI, and mass spectrometry; and optimal nanoplex formulations were characterized for surface charge, size, and morphology. Orthotopic xenografts of human HCC cell QGY-7703 expressing luciferase (QGY-luc) were established in the livers of athymic nude mice and tumor development was monitored by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Tumor-bearing mice were treated with PAMAM-siCon, PAMAM-siCon+ATRA, PAMAM-AEG-1si, and PAMAM-AEG-1si+ATRA. In the control group the tumor developed aggressively. ATRA showed little effect due to high AEG-1 levels in QGY-luc cells. PAMAM-AEG-1si showed significant reduction in tumor growth, and the combination of PAMAM-AEG-1si+ATRA showed profound and synergistic inhibition so that the tumors were almost undetectable by BLI. A marked decrease in AEG-1 level was observed in tumor samples treated with PAMAM-AEG-1si. The group treated with PAMAM-AEG-1si+ATRA nanoplexes showed increased necrosis, inhibition of proliferation, and increased apoptosis when compared to other groups. Liver is an ideal organ for RNAi therapy and ATRA is an approved anticancer agent. Our exciting observations suggest that the combinatorial approach might be an effective way to combat HCC.

Staphylococcal nuclease domain containing-1 (SND1) promotes migration and invasion via angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and TGFβ signaling

Staphylococcal nuclease domain containing‐1 (SND1) is overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and promotes tumorigenesis by human HCC cells. We now document that SND1 increases angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) levels by increasing AT1R mRNA stability. This results in activation of ERK, Smad2 and subsequently the TGFβ signaling pathway, promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration and invasion by human HCC cells. A positive correlation was observed between SND1 and AT1R expression levels in human HCC patients. Small molecule inhibitors of SND1, alone or in combination with AT1R blockers, might be an effective therapeutic strategy for late‐stage aggressive HCC.

Staphylococcal Nuclease and Tudor Domain Containing 1 (SND1 Protein) Promotes Hepatocarcinogenesis by Inhibiting Monoglyceride Lipase (MGLL).

Staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain containing 1 (SND1) is overexpressed in multiple cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and functions as an oncogene. This study was carried out to identify novel SND1-interacting proteins to better understand its molecular mechanism of action. SND1-interacting proteins were identified by a modified yeast two-hybrid assay. Protein-protein interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. Monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. MGLL-overexpressing clones were analyzed for cell proliferation and cell cycle analysis and in vivo tumorigenesis in nude mice. MGLL was identified as an SND1-interacting protein. Interaction of SND1 with MGLL resulted in ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation of MGLL. MGLL expression was detected in normal human hepatocytes and mouse liver, although it was undetected in human HCC cell lines. An inverse correlation between SND1 and MGLL levels was identified in a human HCC tissue microarray as well as in the TCGA database. Forced overexpression of MGLL in human HCC cells resulted in marked inhibition in cell proliferation with a significant delay in cell cycle progression and a marked decrease in tumor growth in nude mouse xenograft assays. MGLL overexpression inhibited Akt activation that is independent of enzymatic activity of MGLL and overexpression of a constitutively active Akt rescued cells from inhibition of proliferation and restored normal cell cycle progression. This study unravels a novel mechanism of SND1 function and identifies MGLL as a unique tumor suppressor for HCC. MGLL might function as a homeostatic regulator of Akt restraining its activation.

Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) regulates lipid homeostasis

Background: The physiological function of the oncogene astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) was analyzed using a knock-out mouse (AEG-1KO). Results: The AEG-1KO mouse shows a lean phenotype, which may be due to decreased intestinal fat absorption because of hyperactivation of LXR and PPARα. Conclusion: A novel role of AEG-1 is identified, regulating lipid metabolism. Significance: AEG-1 may play a role in regulating obesity and its associated disorders. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), also known as MTDH (metadherin) or LYRIC, is an established oncogene. However, the physiological function of AEG-1 is not known. To address this question, we generated an AEG-1 knock-out mouse (AEG-1KO) and characterized it. Although AEG-1KO mice were viable and fertile, they were significantly leaner with prominently less body fat and lived significantly longer compared with wild type (WT). When fed a high fat and cholesterol diet (HFD), WT mice rapidly gained weight, whereas AEG-1KO mice did not gain weight at all. This phenotype of AEG-1KO mice is due to decreased fat absorption from the intestines, not because of decreased fat synthesis or increased fat consumption. AEG-1 interacts with retinoid X receptor (RXR) and inhibits RXR function. In enterocytes of AEG-1KO mice, we observed increased activity of RXR heterodimer partners, liver X receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, key inhibitors of intestinal fat absorption. Inhibition of fat absorption in AEG-1KO mice was further augmented when fed an HFD providing ligands to liver X receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α. Our studies reveal a novel role of AEG-1 in regulating nuclear receptors controlling lipid metabolism. AEG-1 may significantly modulate the effects of HFD and thereby function as a unique determinant of obesity.

Small molecule inhibitors of Late SV40 Factor (LSF) abrogate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Evaluation using an endogenous HCC model.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis. Oncogenic transcription factor Late SV40 Factor (LSF) plays an important role in promoting HCC. A small molecule inhibitor of LSF, Factor Quinolinone Inhibitor 1 (FQI1), significantly inhibited human HCC xenografts in nude mice without harming normal cells. Here we evaluated the efficacy of FQI1 and another inhibitor, FQI2, in inhibiting endogenous hepatocarcinogenesis. HCC was induced in a transgenic mouse with hepatocyte-specific overexpression of c-myc (Alb/c-myc) by injecting N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) followed by FQI1 or FQI2 treatment after tumor development. LSF inhibitors markedly decreased tumor burden in Alb/c-myc mice with a corresponding decrease in proliferation and angiogenesis. Interestingly, in vitro treatment of human HCC cells with LSF inhibitors resulted in mitotic arrest with an accompanying increase in CyclinB1. Inhibition of CyclinB1 induction by Cycloheximide or CDK1 activity by Roscovitine significantly prevented FQI-induced mitotic arrest. A significant induction of apoptosis was also observed upon treatment with FQI. These effects of LSF inhibition, mitotic arrest and induction of apoptosis by FQI1s provide multiple avenues by which these inhibitors eliminate HCC cells. LSF inhibitors might be highly potent and effective therapeutics for HCC either alone or in combination with currently existing therapies.