Mitochondrial Plasticity Promotes Resistance to Sorafenib and Vulnerability to STAT3 Inhibition in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE189711 | GEO | 2021/11/30
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Mitochondrial Plasticity Promotes Resistance to Sorafenib and Vulnerability to STAT3 Inhibition in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma
| PRJNA784262 | ENA
Project description:The multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib is a primary treatment modality for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the therapeutic benefits are short-lived due to innate and acquired resistance. Here, we examined how HCC cells respond to sorafenib and adapt to continuous and prolonged exposure to the drug. Sorafenib-adapted HCC cells show a profound reprogramming of mitochondria function and marked activation of genes required for mitochondrial protein translation and biogenesis. Mitochondrial ribosomal proteins and components of translation and import machinery are increased in sorafenib-resistant cells and sorafenib-refractory HCC patients show similar alterations. Sorafenib-adapted cells also exhibited increased serine 727 phosphorylated (pSer727) STAT3, the prevalent form in mitochondria, suggesting that STAT3 might be an actionable target to counteract resistance. Consistently, a small-molecule STAT3 inhibitor reduces pSer727, reverts mitochondrial alterations, and enhances the response to sorafenib in resistant cells. These results sustain the importance of mitochondria plasticity in response to sorafenib and identify a clinically actionable strategy for improving the treatment efficacy in HCC patients.
| S-EPMC8657239 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly gaining importance and attention due to their diverse potential functions. Our study aims to explore the novel mechanisms by which exosome-contained circRNAs promote sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we report that a circular RNA, circRNA-MANBA (a circular RNA upregulated in exosomes derived from sorafenib-resistant HCC cells), plays a significant role in sorafenib resistance in HCC. We identified that circRNA-MANBA is increased in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells, their exosomes, and tumor samples from sorafenib-treated HCC patients. Depletion of circRNA-MANBA substantially increases the cell-killing ability of sorafenib. Co-culture experiments revealed that exosomes from sorafenib-resistant HCC cells carrying large amounts of circRNA-MANBA could transmit drug resistant capacity to parental cells. Further studies revealed that circRNA-MANBA acted as ‘miRNAs sponge’ to absorb miR-1290, which prevented miR-1290 interaction with CD109 and thus upregulated STAT3 phosphorylation subsequently. Using different HCC mouse models, we demonstrated that silencing circRNA-MANBA by injection of siRNA could substantially overcome sorafenib resistance. Our study provides a proof-of-concept demonstration for a potential strategy to overcome sorafenib resistance in HCC patients by targeting circRNA-MANBA.
2023-11-07 | GSE213242 | GEO
Project description:Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), as a class of small-molecule drugs that exert anti-tumor effects by inhibiting tyrosine kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation, have been used in the treatment of various cancers. Sorafenib, as a multi-targeted TKI drug, is the first-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, sorafenib has repeatedly been reported to cause cardiac events in patients without a history of heart diseases during clinical use, indicating that it has cardiotoxicity. Alternative splicing of cardiac contraction-related genes happens during heart development and cardiac diseases, and is critical for heart function. However, whether alternative splicing plays a role in drug-induced cardiotoxicity remains unexplored. RBM20 is an important cardiac-specific splicing factor, mutations of which cause dilated cardiomyopathy or other cardiac dysfunctions. Rbm20 also mediates alternative splicing of genes essential for heart contraction, which is often negatively affected in drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Existing studies do not fully explain the mechanism of sorafenib cardiotoxicity, and none of the relationship between cardiotoxicity of sorafenib and alternative splicing mediated by tissue-specific splicing factors, such as Rbm20, have been reported. In order to explore whether cardiac-specific alternative splicing plays a role in sorafenib-induced cardiotoxicity, we establish both cell and animal models of cardiotoxicity, and obtain the following results: (1) By constructing a rat animal model administered with sorafenib, we find that sorafenib causes abnormal cardiac function in rats, and the genes that undergo alternative splicing in rat hearts are related to cytoskeleton of actin; (2) Alternatively spliced genes induced by sorafenib in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) are enriched in sarcomere, actin filament, calcium transient regulation, mitochondria, all of which are critical for cardiac contraction. These genes are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other cardiomyopathy; (3) Sorafenib induces a decrease in the expression of cardiac-specific splicing factor RBM20; (3) Many genes whose splicing are altered by sorafenib overlap with Rbm20 targets, indicating that sorafenib may affect alternative splicing through Rbm20; (4) Sorafenib induces pathogenic alternative splicing of FHOD3, which is a RBM20 target gene and participates in myocardial sarcomere formation. Sorafenib also affects alternative splicing of SLC25A3, which encodes a phosphate transporter on the mitochondrial inner membrane and regulates ATP synthesis; (5) Enhancing the expression of RBM20 rescues the cardiotoxicity of sorafenib by reducing apoptosis and increasing ATP levels, which is mediated by reversing the alternative splicing of FHOD3 and SLC25A3 induced by sorafenib. This paper uncovers that sorafenib reduces the expression of RBM20 to cause pathogenic alternative splicing of genes related to myocardial sarcomere and energy mechanism, resulting in abnormal myocardial function. Increasing the expression of RBM20 reverses the alternative splicing of FHOD3 and SLC25A3 associated with cardiac sarcomeres and mitochondria respectively, rescuing the cardiotoxicity of sorafenib.
2023-12-07 | GSE222642 | GEO
Project description:Cancer cells voraciously consume nutrients to support their growth, exposing a metabolic vulnerability that can be therapeutically exploited. Here we show in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, xenografts, and in patient-derived HCC organoids that fasting can synergistically sensitise resistant HCC to sorafenib. Mechanistically, sorafenib acts non-canonically as inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration, causing resistant cells to depend on glycolysis for survival. Fasting, through reduction in glucose and impeded AKT/mTOR-signalling, prevents this Warburg shift. p53 is necessary and sufficient for the sorafenib-sensitizing effect of nutrient restriction and crucial for improvement of sorafenib efficacy through intermittent fasting (IF) in an orthotopic HCC mouse model. Together, our data indicate IF and sorafenib as clinically actionable, rational combination therapy for HCC with intact p53 signalling. As HCC therapy is currently severely limited by resistance, these results should instigate clinical studies with the goal of improving therapy response in advanced-stage, and possibly even early-stage, HCC.
2022-02-16 | PXD022723 | Pride
Project description:OBJECTIVE: Sorafenib is effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but patients ultimately present disease progression. Molecular mechanisms underlying acquired resistance are still unknown. Herein, we characterize the role of tumor-initiating cells (T-ICs) and signaling pathways involved in sorafenib resistance. DESIGN: HCC xenograft mice treated with sorafenib (n=22) were explored for responsiveness (n=5) and acquired resistance (n=17). Mechanism of acquired resistance were assessed by: 1) Role of T-ICs by in vitro sphere formation and in vivo tumorigenesis assays using NOD/SCID mice, 2) Activation of alternative signaling pathways and 3) Efficacy of anti-FGF and anti-IGF drugs in experimental models. Gene expression (microarray, qRT-PCR) and protein analyses (immunohistochemistry, western blot) were conducted. A novel gene signature of sorafenib resistance was generated and tested in 2 independent cohorts. RESULTS: Sorafenib-acquired resistance tumors showed significant enrichment of T-ICs (164 cells needed to create a tumor) vs. sorafenib-sensitive tumors (13400 cells) and non-treated tumors (1292 cells), p<0.001. Tumors with sorafenib-acquired resistance were enriched with IGF and FGF signaling cascades (FDR<0.05). In vitro, cells derived from sorafenib-acquired resistant tumors and two sorafenib-resistant HCC cell lines were responsive to IGF or FGF inhibition. In vivo, FGF blockade delayed tumor growth and improved survival in sorafenib-resistant tumors. A sorafenib-resistance 175-gene signature was characterized by enrichment of progenitor-cell features, aggressive tumoral traits and predicted poor survival in 2 cohorts (n=442 HCC patients). CONCLUSION: Acquired resistance to sorafenib is driven by tumor initiating cells with enrichment of progenitor markers and activation of IGF and FGF signaling. Inhibition of these pathways would benefit a subset of patients after sorafenib progression. Transcriptomic profile of subcutaneous Huh7 cells-derived tumors treated with sorafenib that developed acquired resistance to the drug (n=4), remain responsive to sorafenib (n=3) or were treated with brivanib after development of resistance (n=3). Gene profiling of hepatospheres generated from tumors with acquired resistance to sorafenib (n=3) and non-treated tumors (n=3) was also analyzed.
2016-06-16 | E-GEOD-73571 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Our gene set analysis of MV4-11-R versus MV4-11 indicated decreased depolarization of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane, mitochondrial dysfunction and anti-apoptosis as other top ranked molecular or cellular functions of differential gene sets. expression of most genes encoding glycolytic enzymes was up-regulated in MV4-11-R cells we revealed a metabolic alteration in sorafenib-resistant cell lines with mitochondrial respiration deficiency, leading to substantial decrease of mitochondria-derived ATP generation and a significant increase in glycolytic activity to maintain sufficient ATP production. Our study revealed a metabolic signature of sorafenib resistance and indicated that increase of glycolytic activity including upregulation of major glycolytic enzymes may be viewed as a marker for early detection of sorafenib resistance in AML patients with FLT3/ITD mutation and glycolytic inhibitors warrant further investigation as alternative therapeutic agents for sorafenib-resistant cells Sorafenib resistant cells MV411-R VS. parental MV4-11 cells. Biological replicates: 3 control replicates, 3 treated replicates.
2016-08-01 | E-GEOD-74666 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Background & Aims: Existing drug therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including sorafenib, extend patient survival by only three months. We sought to identify novel druggable targets for use in combination with sorafenib to increase its efficacy. Methods: We implemented an in vivo genetic screening paradigm utilizing a library of 43 genes-of-interest expressed in the context of repopulation of the injured livers of Fumarylacetoacetate Hydrolase-deficient (Fah-/-) mice, which led to highly penetrant HCC. We treated mice with vehicle or sorafenib, then determined the genetic drivers of each tumor from the library. Liver X Receptor alpha (LXRalpha) emerged as a potential target. To examine LXRalpha agonism in combination with sorafenib treatment, we added varying concentrations of sorafenib and LXRalpha agonist drugs to HCC cell lines. To elucidate the mechanism of tumor death, we performed transcriptomic analysis. Results: Fah-/- mice injected with the screening library developed HCC tumor clones containing Myc cDNA plus various other cDNAs. Treatment with sorafenib resulted in sorafenib-resistant HCCs that were significantly depleted in Nr1h3 cDNA, encoding LXRalpha, suggesting that LXRalpha activation is incompatible with tumor growth in the presence of sorafenib treatment in vivo. Combination treatment using sorafenib and LXR agonist drugs in multiple HCC cell lines led to enhanced cell death as compared to monotherapy, due to reduced expression of cell cycle regulators and increased expression of genes associated with apoptosis. Combination therapy also enhanced cell death in a sorafenib-resistant primary human HCC cell line. Conclusions: We have completed a novel drug resistance screen in vivo, and identified that LXR agonism potentiates the efficacy of sorafenib in treating HCC.
2020-05-29 | GSE151412 | GEO
Project description:Sorafenib, the first targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been utilized in clinics over a decade. However, its effectiveness is severely hindered by the acquired drug resistance, the mechanisms of which remain largely elusive. In this study, we identify that carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2) is a key regulator of sorafenib resistance. Mechanistically, sorafenib treatment decreases intracellular pH (pHi) by suppressing monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) expression, while high levels of CA2 counteract MCT4-mediated pHi dysregulation upon sorafenib treatment, maintaining pHi homeostasis to facilitate cell survival and sorafenib resistance. Targeting CA2 re-sensitizes resistant HCC cells to sorafenib both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, analysis of clinical samples demonstrates a strong correlation between CA2 expression levels and the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in HCC patients. Our findings highlight the significance of CA2 in facilitating sorafenib resistance and propose targeting CA2 as a potential strategy for overcoming sorafenib resistance in HCC patients.
2024-10-24 | PXD056884 | Pride
Project description:OBJECTIVE: Sorafenib is effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but patients ultimately present disease progression. Molecular mechanisms underlying acquired resistance are still unknown. Herein, we characterize the role of tumor-initiating cells (T-ICs) and signaling pathways involved in sorafenib resistance. DESIGN: HCC xenograft mice treated with sorafenib (n=22) were explored for responsiveness (n=5) and acquired resistance (n=17). Mechanism of acquired resistance were assessed by: 1) Role of T-ICs by in vitro sphere formation and in vivo tumorigenesis assays using NOD/SCID mice, 2) Activation of alternative signaling pathways and 3) Efficacy of anti-FGF and anti-IGF drugs in experimental models. Gene expression (microarray, qRT-PCR) and protein analyses (immunohistochemistry, western blot) were conducted. A novel gene signature of sorafenib resistance was generated and tested in 2 independent cohorts. RESULTS: Sorafenib-acquired resistance tumors showed significant enrichment of T-ICs (164 cells needed to create a tumor) vs. sorafenib-sensitive tumors (13400 cells) and non-treated tumors (1292 cells), p<0.001. Tumors with sorafenib-acquired resistance were enriched with IGF and FGF signaling cascades (FDR<0.05). In vitro, cells derived from sorafenib-acquired resistant tumors and two sorafenib-resistant HCC cell lines were responsive to IGF or FGF inhibition. In vivo, FGF blockade delayed tumor growth and improved survival in sorafenib-resistant tumors. A sorafenib-resistance 175-gene signature was characterized by enrichment of progenitor-cell features, aggressive tumoral traits and predicted poor survival in 2 cohorts (n=442 HCC patients). CONCLUSION: Acquired resistance to sorafenib is driven by tumor initiating cells with enrichment of progenitor markers and activation of IGF and FGF signaling. Inhibition of these pathways would benefit a subset of patients after sorafenib progression.
2016-06-16 | GSE73571 | GEO