Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yang Zhao, Wenling Ye, Yan-Dong Wang, Wei-Dong Chen
Summary: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates cell growth, proliferation, and survival by activating the c-Met signaling pathway, and it plays a crucial role in liver regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nour Y. S. Yassin, Sameh F. AbouZid, Asmaa M. El-Kalaawy, Tarek M. Ali, Mazen M. Almehmadi, Osama M. Ahmed
Summary: The study evaluated the anticancer efficacy of Silybum marianum extract, silymarin, and silibinin against experimentally-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats, showing inhibition of cancerous lesions and improvement in liver function biomarkers. The treatment also inhibited Ki-67 expression and suppressed multiple signaling pathways while enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sunil Singh, Astha Lamichhane, Pouria Rafsanjani Nejad, Jacob Heiss, Hannah Baumann, Ravindra Gudneppanavar, Nic D. Leipzig, Michael Konopka, Gary D. Luker, Hossein Tavana
Summary: Using a three-dimensional organotypic tumor model, we investigated the interactions between patient-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, identifying the predominant secretion of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by CAF and its activation of MET receptor tyrosine kinase in TNBC cells. This interaction promoted invasiveness and oncogenic pathway activities in TNBC cells. We also demonstrated resistance to monotherapy in TNBC cells and identified effective drug combinations to inhibit TNBC cell functions. Additionally, we found that HGF from lung fibroblasts enhanced colony formation by TNBC cells, suggesting a potential target for both primary tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in TNBC.
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanyan Lin, Houshun Fang, Chunshuang Ma, Jiquan Zhou, Ming Ding, Huiying Sun, Yan Xu, Yuhua Shan, Hongxiang Gao, Liyuan Yang, Song Gu, Hui Li
Summary: HB is the most common type of liver cancer in children with limited treatment options. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of HB and identifying new therapeutic targets are crucial. This study found that ACLY, a key enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, is highly expressed in HB tissues and essential for HB cell proliferation. Knocking down ACLY resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HB cells. Mechanistically, ACLY knockdown suppressed the Wnt signaling pathway and decreased the expression of beta-catenin in HB cells. Overexpression of ACLY alleviated apoptosis in HB cells, which was blocked by silencing beta-catenin, suggesting a role of ACLY-beta-catenin axis in modulating HB cells. These findings provide insights into the role of ACLY in HB cells and offer a theoretical approach for targeted therapy in the future.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Griselda Awanis, Salonee Banerjee, Robert Johnson, Sathuwarman Raveenthiraraj, Aya Elmeligy, Derek Warren, Jelena Gavrilovic, Anastasia Sobolewski
Summary: Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) play a crucial role in intercellular communication and tumor progression. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying TNT formation and identifies potential targets for inhibiting TNT formation as a novel approach for cancer treatment.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Mahdia Benkhoucha, Ngoc Lan Tran, Gautier Breville, Isis Senoner, Paul F. Bradfield, Thalia Papayannopoulou, Doron Merkler, Thomas Korn, Patrice H. Lalive
Summary: CD4(+)c-Met(+) T cells are increased in multiple sclerosis models and exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype with enhanced adhesion and migration.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Xin Yang, Hai-Yang Liao, Hai-Hong Zhang
Summary: The MET gene plays a significant role in the initiation and development of various human cancers, affecting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. MET serves as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis, and is also a potential therapeutic target. Inhibiting MET expression and function may have clinical benefits in cancer treatment.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Edward H. Hurley, Junyan Tao, Silvia Liu, Yekaterina Krutsenko, Sucha Singh, Satdarshan P. Monga
Summary: Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver malignancy. The study found that HSF1 expression levels were higher in HB patients compared to normal liver, and correlated with mortality. Inhibition of HSF1 reduced tumor growth and promoted apoptosis, suggesting that HSF1 may be a potential therapeutic target for HB treatment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ruhi Gulati, Margaret A. Hanlon, Maggie Lutz, Tyler Quitmeyer, James Geller, Gregory Tiao, Lubov Timchenko, Nikolai Timchenko
Summary: This study found that phosphorylated beta-catenin plays a role in hepatoblastoma (HBL) by activating oncogenes through the CEGRs/ALCDs pathway. Inhibition of this pathway can suppress cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in HBL.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Natali S. Sobel Naveh, Emily M. Traxler, Kelly A. Duffy, Jennifer M. Kalish
Summary: The study provides a multi-omic analysis of hepatoblastoma samples collected from patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) to understand the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic landscape of BWS-associated HB. The study identifies specific genes and pathways associated with 11p15-altered HB and suggests their potential as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Chunyi Ji, Lijian Chen, Miaoxian Yuan, Weixin Xie, Xinyi Sheng, Qiang Yin
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of KDM1A-regulated hepatoblastoma (HB) development. The expression levels of KDM1A and DKK3 were analyzed in HB patients, and experiments were conducted on cell lines and nude mice to study the effects of knockdown of KDM1A and DKK3. The results suggest that KDM1A stimulates HB development by activating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway through inhibition of DKK3 transcription.
Review
Oncology
Fatemeh Moosavi, Elisa Giovannetti, Godefridus J. Peters, Omidreza Firuzi
Summary: MET receptor is a promising therapeutic target in various human cancers, with HGF/MET combination therapies showing potential in overcoming drug resistance, targeting tumor microenvironment, and modulating drug metabolism. Further research is needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying successful pharmacological combinations.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rishav Sharma, Rishabha Malviya
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal and difficult to treat, with hypoxia promoting its development and spread. The interaction between cancer cells, stromal cells, and pancreatic stellate cells mediated by the HGF/c-MET pathway plays a crucial role in disease progression. Hypoxia and HGF/c-MET expression are important factors in pancreatic cancer treatment.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Chiara Modica, Marco Cortese, Francesca Bersani, Andrea Maria Lombardi, Francesca Napoli, Luisella Righi, Riccardo Taulli, Cristina Basilico, Elisa Vigna
Summary: The MET receptor and its ligand Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) play important roles in cell proliferation, survival, motility, and invasion. The HGF/MET axis regulates both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous functions in cancer cell dissemination. Knocking out the MET gene in cancer cells allowed for the evaluation of the role of the HGF/MET axis in cell-autonomous functions independently of its effect on tumor microenvironment cells. The results suggest a crucial contribution of the HGF/MET axis in driving the metastatic process.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Robin Loesch, Stefano Caruso, Valerie Paradis, Cecile Godard, Angelique Gougelet, Gilles Renault, Simon Picard, Ingrid Tanaka, Yoan Renoux-Martin, Christine Perret, Makoto Mark Taketo, Jessica Zucman-Rossi, Sabine Colnot
Summary: The study explored the relationship between the deletion of exon 3 in the CTNNBI gene and liver tumor development, and compared it with the mutation in exon 15 of the APC gene. The results showed that both mutation models could generate tumors similar to human liver cancer, providing a powerful preclinical model.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Roy Rabbie, Peter Ferguson, Kim Wong, Dominique-Laurent Couturier, Una Moran, Clinton Turner, Patrick Emanuel, Kerstin Haas, Jodi M. Saunus, Morgan R. Davidson, Sunil R. Lakhani, Brindha Shivalingam, Georgina Long, Christine Parkinson, Iman Osman, Richard A. Scolyer, Pippa Corrie, David J. Adams
Summary: Brain metastases in melanoma patients have a similar mutational landscape to cutaneous melanomas, with KRAS being the most significantly enriched driver gene. Mutations in KRAS may help identify patients with primary melanoma at higher risk of brain metastases who may benefit from more intensive surveillance.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biology
Deidre Jansson, Victor Birger Dieriks, Justin Rustenhoven, Leon C. D. Smyth, Emma Scotter, Miranda Aalderink, Sheryl Feng, Rebecca Johnson, Patrick Schweder, Edward Mee, Peter Heppner, Clinton Turner, Maurice Curtis, Richard Faull, Mike Dragunow
Summary: The study focuses on designing a high content screening system to investigate neuroinflammation in human brain cells, identifying cardiac glycosides as powerful regulators of inflammatory pathways in brain barrier tissues.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jason H. Y. Yeung, Joshua L. Walby, Thulani H. Palpagama, Clinton Turner, Henry J. Waldvogel, Richard L. M. Faull, Andrea Kwakowsky
Summary: The study identified specific changes in glutamate receptor subunit expression in different brain regions of AD patients through immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. These findings suggest potential pathological receptor functioning in AD and highlight the therapeutic potential of glutamatergic receptor subunits as targets for further research.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fouzia Ziad, Thomas Robertson, Matthew R. Watts, Justin Copeland, Graham Chiu, David Wang, Damien Stark, Linda Graham, Clinton Turner, Richard Newbury
Summary: This case report describes the first New Zealand case of Anncaliia algerae myositis in a 55-year-old man with a history of psoriatic arthritis treated with long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The patient lived in Rotorua, known for its geothermal hot springs. Despite treatment with cholestyramine wash and albendazole, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his death 3 weeks after diagnosis. Post-mortem examination confirmed disseminated disease involving skeletal muscle.
NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Abigail K. Suwala, Marius Felix, Dennis Friedel, Damian Stichel, Daniel Schrimpf, Felix Hinz, Ekkehard Hewer, Leonille Schweizer, Hildegard Dohmen, Ute Pohl, Ori Staszewski, Andrey Korshunov, Marco Stein, Thidathip Wongsurawat, Pornsuk Cheunsuacchon, Sith Sathornsumetee, Christian Koelsche, Clinton Turner, Emilie Le Rhun, Angelika Muhlebner, Philippe Schucht, Koray Ozduman, Takahiro Ono, Hiroaki Shimizu, Marco Prinz, Till Acker, Christel Herold-Mende, Tobias Kessler, Wolfgang Wick, David Capper, Pieter Wesseling, Felix Sahm, Andreas von Deimling, Christian Hartmann, David E. Reuss
Summary: Oligosarcomas are a distinct subgroup of IDH-mutant gliomas, characterized by their differences from conventional oligodendrogliomas in histology, epigenetics, proteomics, molecular features, and clinical outcomes. The diagnosis can be based on the combined presence of sarcomatous histology, IDH mutation, TERT promoter mutation and/or 1p/19q codeletion, or in unresolved cases, on its characteristic DNA methylation profile.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Clinton P. Turner, Jessica McLay, Ian F. Hermans, Jason Correia, Arnold Bok, Nasim Mehrabi, Stephen Gock, Blake Highet, Maurice A. Curtis, Michael Dragunow
Summary: This study investigated the differences in tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density in meningioma and its significance in predicting recurrence. The findings suggested that CD3+ and CD8+ TIL density is prognostically significant in atypical meningioma.
Article
Surgery
Brendan Davis, Otari Beldishevski-Shotadze, Zaid Ibrahim, Frances McHugh, Clinton Turner, Sarah Olson, Richard Faull, Mike Dragunow, Andrew J. J. Law, Jason A. Correia
Summary: Maori and Pasifika populations in New Zealand have a higher incidence and volumetric growth rate of intracranial meningioma compared to the control population, highlighting the need for further clinical, histopathological, and genomic analysis.
ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Leon C. D. Smyth, Blake Highet, Deidre Jansson, Jane Wu, Justin Rustenhoven, Miranda Aalderink, Adelie Tan, Susan Li, Rebecca Johnson, Natacha Coppieters, Renee Handley, Pritika Narayan, Malvindar K. Singh-Bains, Patrick Schweder, Clinton Turner, Edward W. Mee, Peter Heppner, Jason Correia, Thomas I-H Park, Maurice A. Curtis, Richard L. M. Faull, Mike Dragunow
Summary: Smyth et al. found that PDGF-BB:PDGFR beta signalling components are reduced in AD patient brains, and identified pathways by which PDGF-BB:PDGFR beta signalling in brain pericytes is disrupted in AD. These findings suggest that enhancing PDGF-BB signalling may be a potential therapeutic strategy for improving brain vasculature in AD.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elizabeth Cooper, Peter J. Choi, Kihwan Hwang, Kyung M. Nam, Chae-Yong Kim, Tina Shaban, Patrick Schweder, Edward Mee, Jason Correia, Clinton Turner, Richard L. M. Faull, William A. Denny, Katsuya Noguchi, Mike Dragunow, Jiney Jose, Thomas I-H. Park
Summary: The cellular uptake of heptamethine cyanine dyes (HMCD), a group of tumour-specific and BBB permeable near-infrared fluorescent dyes, is found to be hindered by strongly ionisable groups like sulphonic acids in patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines, highlighting cell line-specific differences in HMCD uptake. These findings will guide the design and structural modifications of HMCDs for drug-delivery applications for glioblastoma.
CHEMICAL BIOLOGY & DRUG DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Florence E. Layburn, Adelie Y. S. Tan, Nasim F. Mehrabi, Maurice A. Curtis, Lynette J. Tippett, Clinton P. Turner, Nathan Riguet, Lorene Aeschbach, Hilal A. Lashuel, Mike Dragunow, Richard L. M. Faull, Malvindar K. Singh-Bains
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and expression of the huntingtin (Htt) protein in the human brain, specifically focusing on its role in Huntington's disease (HD). The researchers conducted immunohistochemistry on post-mortem brain tissue samples and found that Htt aggregates were significantly increased in HD cases compared to control cases. The number of Htt aggregates correlated with CAG repeat length and age of symptom onset. However, the degree of striatal degeneration or cortical neuron loss did not affect the number of Htt aggregates. These findings highlight the importance of studying Htt protein in understanding and developing treatments for HD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anna McCool, Clinton Turner, Sarah Turner, Peter Heppner, Frank Saran
Summary: This case report presents a recurrent primary intraventricular synovial sarcoma that was initially misdiagnosed as a haemangiopericytoma. The study highlights the importance of considering synovial sarcoma as part of the differential diagnosis for intraventricular spindle cell tumors in the brain.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mei Sze Lee, Alben Thomas, John F. Pearson, Rachel Purcell, Francis Frizelle, Tamara Glyn
Summary: A study found that patients over the age of 40 years presenting with appendicitis have an increased risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) over the subsequent 3 years. The rate of CRC was significantly higher in this cohort compared to the background population. It is recommended to perform luminal investigation on adults aged 40 years and over who present with acute appendicitis.
COLORECTAL DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Astrid Ahler, Debra Gook, Dehlia Moussaoui, Janell Archer, Margaret Zacharin, Colleen E. D'Arcy, Michael Sullivan, Yasmin Jayasinghe
Summary: This article reports the detection of metastatic neuroblastoma in testicular tissue extracted for fertility preservation. It emphasizes the importance of routine histological examination during testicular cryopreservation.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Elizabeth Cooper, Zoe Woolf, Molly E. Swanson, Jason Correia, Patrick Schweder, Edward Mee, Peter Heppner, Clinton Turner, Richard L. M. Faull, Emma L. Scotter, William A. Denny, Peter J. Choi, Mike Dragunow, Jiney Jose, Thomas I-H Park
Summary: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the expression of four OATP isoforms in human GBM tissue, with upregulation within the tumor microenvironment by myeloid cells and tumor vasculature, as well as isoform-specific upregulation within hypoxic niches.
NEURO-ONCOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sarah Waters, Molly E. Swanson, Birger Dieriks, Yibin B. Zhang, Natasha L. Grimsey, Helen C. Murray, Clinton Turner, Henry J. Waldvogel, Richard L. M. Faull, Jiyan An, Robert Bowser, Maurice A. Curtis, Mike Dragunow, Emma Scotter
Summary: ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. In ALS patients, there is evidence of blood-spinal cord barrier leakage during life, but the regions with the most severe barrier damage do not correlate with the areas of most abundant TDP-43 accumulation. This suggests that BSCB leakage and TDP-43 pathology are independent pathologies in ALS.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)