Jiaju Lu

Overexpression of Eg5 predicts unfavorable prognosis in non‐muscle invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma

Objective:  To investigate the relationship between Eg5 expression and prognosis of patients with non‐muscle invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis reveals potential biomarkers and pathways in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common malignancies in adults, and there is still no acknowledged biomarker for its diagnosis, prognosis, recurrence monitoring, and treatment stratification. Besides, little is known about the post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins in RCC. Here, we performed quantitative proteomic analysis on 12 matched pairs of clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and adjacent kidney tissues using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLCMS/MS) and Progenesis LC-MS software (label-free) to identify and quantify the dysregulated proteins. A total of 1872 and 1927 proteins were identified in ccRCC and adjacent kidney tissues, respectively. Among these proteins, 1037 proteins were quantified by Progenesis LC-MS, and 213 proteins were identified as dysregulated proteins between ccRCC and adjacent tissues. Pathway analysis using IPA, STRING, and David tools was performed, which demonstrated the enrichment of cancer-related signaling pathways and biological processes such as mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic pathway, cell death, and acetylation. Dysregulation of two mitochondrial proteins, acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) were selected and confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays using another 6 pairs of ccRCC and adjacent tissues. Further mass spectrometry analysis indicated that both ACAT1 and MnSOD had characterized acetylation at lysine residues, which is the first time to identify acetylation of ACAT1 and MnSOD in ccRCC. Collectively, these data revealed a number of dysregulated proteins and signaling pathways by label-free quantitative proteomic approach in RCC, which shed light on potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic molecular targets for clinical intervention of RCC.

High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Is Methylated and Transported to Cytoplasm in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a widespread nuclear protein present in most cell types. It typically locates in the nucleus and functions as a nuclear cofactor in transcription regulation. However, HMGB1 can also localize in the cytoplasm and be released into extracellular matrix, where it plays critical roles in carcinogenesis and inflammation. However, it remains elusive whether HMGB1 is relocated to cytoplasm in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS Nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins were extracted by different protocols from 20 ccRCC samples and corresponding adjacent renal tissues. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to identify the expression of HMGB1 in ccRCC. To elucidate the potential mechanism of HMGB1 cytoplasmic translocation, HMGB1 proteins were enriched by immunoprecipitation and analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). RESULTS The HMGB1 protein was overexpressed and partially localized in cytoplasm in ccRCC samples (12/20, 60%, p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry results indicated that ccRCC of high nuclear grade possess more HMGB1 relocation than those with low grade (p<0.05). Methylation of HMGB1 at lysine 112 in ccRCC was detected by MS. Bioinformatics analysis showed that post-translational modification might affect the binding ability to DNA and mediate its translocation. CONCLUSION Relocation of HMGB1 to cytoplasm was confirmed in ccRCC. Methylation of HMGB1 at lysine 112 might the redistribution of this cofactor protein.

Metformin inhibits 17β-estradiol-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via βKlotho-related ERK1/2 signaling and AMPKα signaling in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

The potential role of metformin in treating endometrial cancer remains to be explored. The current study investigated the role of metformin in 17β-estradiol-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells. We found that 17β-estradiol promoted proliferation and migration, attenuated apoptosis in both estrogen receptor (ER) positive and ER negative endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa and KLE cells, respectively). Metformin abolished 17β-estradiol-induced cell proliferation and reversed 17β-estradiol-induced EMT in Ishikawa cells. In addition, metformin increased the expression of βKlotho, a fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) coreceptor, and decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in both Ishikawa and KLE cells. Decreased expression of βKlotho was noted in human endometrial adenocarcinomas, and plasmid-driven expression of βKlotho in Ishikawa cells abolished 17β-estradiol-induced EMT via inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling. βKlotho expression and metformin show synergetic effects on the proliferation and the EMT in Ishikawa cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the anti-EMT effects of metformin could be partly abolished by introducing Compound C, a specific AMPKα signaling inhibitor. In conclusion, metformin abolishes 17β-estradiol-induced cell proliferation and EMT in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells by upregulating βKlotho expression, inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling, and activating AMPKα signaling. Our study provides novel mechanistic insight into the anti-tumor effects of metformin.

Prognostic significance of two lipid metabolism enzymes, HADHA and ACAT2, in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in adults, but there is still no acknowledged biomarker for its prognostic evaluation. Our previous proteomic data had demonstrated the dysregulation of some lipid metabolism enzymes in clear cell RCC (ccRCC). In the present study, we elucidated the expression of two lipid metabolism enzymes, hydroxyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, alpha subunit (HADHA) and acetyl-coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 (ACAT2), using Western blotting analysis, then assessed the prognostic potential of HADHA and ACAT2 using immunohistochemistry (IHC) on a tissue microarray of 145 ccRCC tissues. HADHA and ACAT2 were downregulated in ccRCC (P < 0.05); further IHC analysis revealed that HADHA expression was significantly associated with tumor grade, stage, size, metastasis, and cancer-specific survival (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.049, P < 0.001, respectively) and ACAT2 expression was significantly associated with tumor stage, size, and cancer-specific survival (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, a strong correlation was found between HADHA and ACAT2 expression (R = 0.655, P < 0.001). Further univariate survival analysis demonstrated that high stage, big tumor size, metastasis, and HADHA and ACAT2 down-expression were associated with poorer prognosis on cancer-specific survival (P = 0.007, P = 0.005, P = 0.006, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively), and multivariate analysis revealed that HADHA, stage, and metastasis were identified as independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival in patients with ccRCC (P = 0.018, P = 0.046, P = 0.001, respectively). Collectively, these findings indicated that HADHA could serve as a promising prognostic marker in ccRCC, which indicated lipid metabolism abnormality might be involved in ccRCC tumorigenesis.

A Potent Chemotherapeutic Strategy with Eg5 Inhibitor against Gemcitabine Resistant Bladder Cancer

Development of resistance to gemcitabine is a major concern in bladder cancer therapy, and the mechanism remains unclear. Eg5 has been recently identified as an attractive target in cancer chemotherapy, so novel targeted chemotherapy with Eg5 inhibitor is expected to improve the anticancer effect in gemcitabine-resistant bladder cancer. In this research, RT112-Gr cells were 350-fold less sensitive to gemcitabine than the parental cell lines, while KU7-Gr cells were 15-fold less sensitive to gemcitabine than the parental cell lines. Human OneArray Microarray analysis was performed to obtain broad spectrum information about the genes differentially expressed in RT112 and RT112-Gr cells. The anti-proliferative activity of S(MeO)TLC, an Eg5 inhibitor, was analyzed in RT112-Gr cell lines using a cell viability assay. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect was evaluated in vivo using subcutaneous xenograft tumor model. According to the result of Human OneArray® GeneChip, RRM1 and RRM2 were up-regulated, while there was no significant change in Eg5. Trypan blue staining confirmed that in S(MeO)TLC and Gemcitabine combining S(MeO)TLC group cell viability were significantly decreased in RT112-Gr cells as compared with other groups. S(MeO)TLC and S(MeO)TLC+gemcitabine groups prominently suppressed tumor growth in comparison with other groups’ in vivo. There were no significant differences in S(MeO)TLC and gemcitabine+S(MeO)TLC group in the effect of inhibition of bladder cancer in vivo and in vitro. Our data collectively demonstrated that S(MeO)TLC represents a novel strategy for the treatment of gemcitabine resistant bladder cancer.

Treatment of Renal Stones ≥20 mm with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Aims: To identify subgroups of patients with renal stones ≥20 mm that are more suitable for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy. Methods: A total of 376 patients with renal stones ≥20 mm underwent monotherapy with ESWL. The treatment outcome was evaluated after 3 months of follow-up. A stone-free status or fragmentation of stones to 4 mm or smaller was considered efficacious. Results: At 3 months after treatment, the overall stone-free rate was 64.4%, and the efficacy rate was 70.7%. The efficacy rate was 89.4% for patients with a residual stone surface area ≤50% of baseline after the first ESWL, while the efficacy rate was 32.4% for other patients. The efficacy was 92.2% for stones ≤400 mm2 and those with lower radiodensity, as determined by a plain (KUB) film. Conclusions: For renal stones with a surface area ≤400 mm2 and a radiodensity equal to or less than that of the 12th rib as determined by a KUB film, ESWL may be considered the first line of treatment, even for stones with a diameter ≥20 mm. For large stones requiring repeat treatments, the surface area of the residual stones after the first ESWL is a predictor of the final treatment result.

Truncated ERG proteins affect the aggressiveness of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a significant health problem around the world. It ranks second in newly diagnosed cancers and sixth in leading causes of cancer death among men. More than half of prostate cancer cases have E twenty-six (ETS) gene fusions, which are potential diagnostic markers for prostate cancer. TMPRSS2: ERG gene fusions are the most common types of gene fusions in prostate cancer. However, the association between TMPRSS2: ERG gene fusions and the aggressiveness of prostate cancer remains elusive. Recent studies showed conflicted results. We hypothesize that some N-terminal truncated ERG proteins encoded by TMPRSS2: ERG fusion genes account for the conflict. Overexpression of full length ERG protein promotes the transcriptional activation of oncogenes and facilitates cancer progression. However some N-terminal truncated ERG proteins might inhibit the oncogenic transcriptional activation by competitive binding to ETS domain binding sites in prostate cancer. And prostate cancers that expressing truncated ERG proteins of these types might possess less aggressive features.

Elevated expression of HIF-lα in actively growing prostate tissues is associated with clinical features of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in middle-age or older men. Increasing evidence has shown that BPH is associated with hypoxia microenvironment. Methods We retrospectively collected patient data and tissue samples from fetal prostates(FP), normal prostates(NP), intra-acinar of BPH, peri-acinar of BPH, prostate cancers and sarcomas of prostate. The expression of HIF-1α, as well as VEGF was visualized by immunohistochemistry and statistically analyzed with clinical parameters. Results Expression of HIF-lα was observed in intra-acinar of BPH (69.5%), prostate cancer (85.7%) and all FPs, while NP and peri-acinar of BPH tissues were all stained negative. HIF-lα levels in FPs and the malignant tumors were higher than BPH tissues(p < 0.05), and the expression of HIF-lα in intra-acinar of BPH was higher than NP and peri-acinar of BPH (p < 0.05). The expression of HIF-lα was correlated with the weight of intra-acinar of prostate (p < 0.05). And patients with prostate weight larger that 72.45g were prone to have HIF-lα moderate-positive expression, according to the ROC curve (AUC = 0.734, 95%CI = 0.630-0.838). Moreover, the risk of acute urine retention (AUR) for HIF-lα moderate-positive patients increased significantly (OR=5.517, 95%CI = 2.434-12.504). Conclusions HIF-lα expression is increased in highly proliferative prostate tissues and correlated with the weight of intra-acinar prostate. Moreover, HIF-lα is also an independent risk factor for AUR occurrence in BPH patients.

CYLD downregulates Livin and synergistically improves gemcitabine chemosensitivity and decreases migratory/invasive potential in bladder cancer: the effect is autophagy-associated

Although GC (gemcitabine and cisplatin) chemotherapy remains an effective method for treating bladder cancer (BCa), chemoresistance is a major obstacle in chemotherapy. In this study, we determined whether gemcitabine resistance correlates with migratory/invasive potential in BCa and whether this relationship is regulated by the cylindromatosis (CYLD)-Livin module. First, we independently investigated the correlation of CYLD/Livin and gemcitabine resistance with the potential for tumor migration and invasiveness. Second, we found that co-transfected CYLD and Livin dramatically improved sensitivity to gemcitabine chemotherapy and decreased migration/invasion potential. Next, we determined that CYLD may regulate Livin by the NF-κB-dependent pathway. We also found that CYLD overexpression and Livin knockdown might improve gemcitabine chemosensitivity by decreasing autophagy and increasing apoptosis in BCa cells. Finally, the effects of CYLD-Livin on tumor growth in vivo were evaluated. Our study demonstrates that CYLD-Livin might represent a potential therapeutic for chemoresistant BCa.