Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy for Predicting Therapy Targets of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xihuang Pill on Liver Cancer
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Authors: Zhao, Xu; Hao, Jian; Chen, Sinuan
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the potential therapy targets and pharmacological mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Xihuang pill in liver cancer based on network pharmacology. Methods. Drug ingredients-target network was constructed based on the target sets of Xihuang pill and liver cancer. The overlapping genes between Xihuang pill targets and liver cancer-related molecular targets were investigated using comparative analysis. Moreover, the PPI network and module was constructed based on overlapping genes and hub nodes, respectively, followed by the pathway enrichment analysis. Results. A drug ingredients-target network was established with 1184 nodes and 11035 interactions. Moreover, a total of 106 overlapping genes were revealed between drug targets and liver cancer molecular targets. Furthermore, a PPI network and 4 modules were further investigated based on overlapping genes, respectively. These hub nodes such as VEGFA and EGFR were mainly enriched in GO functions including positive regulation of MAP kinase activity, activation of protein kinase activity, regulation of MAP kinase activity, and pathways like proteoglycans in cancer, bladder cancer, and estrogen signaling. Conclusion. VEGFA and EGFR might be potential therapy targets of Xihuang pill in liver cancer. Furthermore, the effect of Xihuang pill on liver cancer might be realized by targeting VEGFA and EGFR in pathways like proteoglycans in cancer and estrogen signaling.
Aberrant DNA hypermethylation-silenced LINC00886 gene accelerates malignant progression of laryngeal carcinoma
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Authors: Lan, Lili; Cao, Huan; Chi, Weiwei; Meng, Wenxia; Zhao, Lei; Cui, Weina; Wang, Baoshan
Abstract
Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial role in formation and progression of tumors. DNA methylation has become increasingly recognized as a frequent event of epigenetic alterations and one of the primary mechanisms of gene inactivation. The research aims to investigate the biofunction of a novel lncRNA in LSCC. Methods: qRT-PCR, BGS, and MSP methods were employed to measure the relative expression level and methylation status of LINC00886. Additionally, we examined the effects of LINC00886 on cells proliferation and invasion using LINC00886 over-expression. Nude mouse xenograft models were conducted to assess LINC00886 effects on LSCC growth in vivo. High-throughput sequencing technology and Western blot assay were carried out to have an in-depth study of the downstream target genes and signaling pathways in which LINC00886 may participate. Results: The remarkable downregulation of LINC00886 was observed in tumor tissues and laryngeal cancer cell lines. The significant decrease of LINC00886 was correlated with pathological grade in LSCC tissues. The expression level of LINC00886 in laryngeal cancer cell lines was significantly reversed by 5-Aza-dC. The occurrence of aberrant methylation events in the LINC00886 TSS was more responsible for the down-expression of LINC00886. Over-expression of LINC00886 dramatically mitigated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro as well as suppressed tumor growth in vivo. LINC00886 may be associated with VEGFA/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Conclusions: We provide the first evidence of the involvement of LINC00886 in laryngeal carcinoma, which was downregulated due to methylation of the promoter region and served as tumor suppressor genes. LINC00886 is expected to become a novel biomarker in laryngeal carcinoma.