BackgroundThere is a demand for serum markers for the routine assessment of the progression of liver cancer. We previously found that serum N-linked sugar chains are altered in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we studied glycomic alterations during development of HCC in a rat model.ResultsRat HCC was induced by the hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DENA). N-glycans were profiled using the DSA-FACE technique developed in our laboratory.In comparison with control rats, DENA rats showed a gradual but significant increase in two glycans (R5a and R5b) in serum total N-glycans during progression of liver cirrhosis and cancer, and a decrease in a biantennary glycan (P5). The log of the ratio of R5a to P1 (NGA2F) and R5b to P1 [log(R5a/P1) and log(R5b/P1)] were significantly (p < 0.0001) elevated in HCC rats, but not in rats with cirrhosis or fibrosis or in control rats. We thus propose a GlycoTest model using the above-mentioned serum glycan markers to monitor the progression of cirrhosis and HCC in the DENA-treated rat model. When DENA-treated rats were subsequently treated with farnesylthiosalicyclic acid, an anticancer drug, progression to HCC was prevented and GlycoTest markers (P5, R5a and R5b) reverted towards non-DENA levels, and the HCC-specific markers, log(R5a/P1) and log(R5b/P1), normalized completely. Conclusions: We found an increase in core-α-1,6-fucosylated glycoproteins in serum and liver of rats with HCC, which demonstrates that fucosylation is altered during progression of HCC. Our GlycoTest model can be used to monitor progression of HCC and to follow up treatment of liver tumors in the DENA rat. This GlycoTest model is particularly important because a rapid non-invasive diagnostic procedure for tumour progression in this rat model would greatly facilitate the search for anticancer drugs.
Background: Besides multiple genetic and epigenetic changes of protein coding genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), growing evidence indicate that deregulation of miRNAs contribute to HCC development by influencing cell growth, apoptosis, migration, or invasion. IKBKE is amplified and over-expressed in a large percentage of human breast tumors and identified as an oncogene of human breast tumor. Microarray analysis showed that miR-4458 was down-regulated in HCC tissues. Methods: The level of miR-4458 was up-regulated by miR-4458 mimics transfection, or down-regulated by miR-4458 ASO transfection. Cell proliferation was assayed by MTT analysis. MiRNAs and mRNA expression were assayed by qRT-PCR. These potential targeted genes of miR-4458 were predicted by bioinformatic algorithms. Dual luciferase reporter assay system was used to analyze the interaction between miR-4458 and IKBKE. IKBKE protein level was assayed by Western blot. The role of miR-4458 or IKBKE in the survival of HCC patients were revealed by Kaplan-Meier plot of overall survival. Results: Lower miR-4458 expression level or higher IKBKE level in HCC tissues correlated with worse prognosis of HCC patients. Overexpression of miR-4458 inhibited the HCC cells growth and vice versa. MiR-4458 played its role via targeting 3'UTR of IKBKE. Conclusions: MiR-4458 or IKBKE may be potential predictors of HCC prognosis. Restoration of miR-4458 or inhibition of IKBKE could be a prospective therapeutic approach for HCC.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) are important in the immune response. In vitro, DCs are derived from myeloid precursors by stimulation with granulocyte macrophage colony‑stimulating factor and interleukin‑4. Previous studies demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with interferon‑γ inhibited DC development but enhanced MDSC functions. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), derived from LPS, is a unique immunomodulatory Toll‑like receptor 4 agonist. In the present study, MPL was used to disturb DC differentiation from myeloid precursors and it was observed that prolonged stimulation with MPL led to the accumulation of MDSCs in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that stimulation by MPL from the beginning of cell differentiation disturbed the development of DCs and led to the accumulation of MDSCs.
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