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Targeting hydrogen sulphide signaling in breast cancer
Rana Ahmed Youness1, Ahmed Zakaria Gad2,3,4,5, Khaled Sanber3,4,6
1Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt.
Introduction:
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has been established as a key member of the gasotransmitters family that recently showed a pivotal role in various pathological conditions including cancer.
Objectives:
This study investigated the role of H2S in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis, on BC immune recognition capacity and the consequence of targeting H2S using non-coding RNAs.
Methods:
Eighty BC patients have been recruited for the study. BC cell lines were cultured and transfected using validated oligonucleotide delivery system. Gene and protein expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR, western blot and flow-cytometry. In-vitro analysis for BC hallmarks was performed using MTT, BrdU, Modified Boyden chamber, migration and colony forming assays. H2S and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Primary natural killer cells (NK cells) and T cell isolation and chimeric antigen receptor transduction (CAR T cells) were performed using appropriate kits. NK and T cells cytotoxicity was measured. Finally, computational target prediction analysis and binding confirmation analyses were performed using different software and dual luciferase assay kit, respectively.
Results:
The H2S synthesizing enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), exhibited elevated levels in the clinical samples that correlated with tumor proliferation index. Knock-down of CBS and CSE in the HER2+ BC and triple negative BC (TNBC) cells resulted in significant attenuation of BC malignancy. In addition to increased susceptibility of HER2+ BC and TNBC to the cytotoxic activity of HER2 targeting CAR T cells and NK cells, respectively. Transcriptomic and phosphoprotein analysis revealed that H2S signaling is mediated through Akt in MCF7, STAT3 in MDA-MB-231 and miR-155/ NOS2/NO signaling in both cell lines. Lastly, miR-4317 was found to function as an upstream regulator of CBS and CSE synergistically abrogates the malignancy of BC cells.
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrate the potential role of H2S signaling in BC pathogenesis and the potential of its targeting for disease mitigation.
Insights
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a key role in breast cancer (BC) development. Targeting H2S signaling, particularly with miR-4317, can reduce BC malignancy and enhance immune cell effectiveness against tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is recognized as a gasotransmitter with a significant role in various pathological conditions, including cancer.
- Emerging evidence highlights H2S's involvement in cancer development and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of H2S in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis.
- To assess the impact of H2S on BC immune recognition.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting H2S using non-coding RNAs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of H2S synthesizing enzymes (CBS and CSE) in 80 BC patients.
- In vitro studies using BC cell lines (HER2+ BC, TNBC, MCF7, MDA-MB-231) involving gene/protein expression, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays.
- Measurement of H2S and nitric oxide (NO) levels.
- Isolation and functional assessment of natural killer (NK) cells and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells.
- Computational target prediction and validation of non-coding RNA interactions.
Main Results:
- Elevated CBS and CSE levels in BC correlated with tumor proliferation.
- Downregulation of CBS and CSE attenuated BC malignancy and enhanced NK and CAR T cell cytotoxicity.
- H2S signaling pathways involve Akt, STAT3, and miR-155/NOS2/NO.
- miR-4317 was identified as an upstream regulator that abrogates BC cell malignancy by targeting CBS and CSE.
Conclusions:
- H2S signaling is implicated in BC pathogenesis.
- Targeting H2S represents a potential therapeutic strategy for BC mitigation.
- Non-coding RNAs, such as miR-4317, offer a promising approach for H2S-targeted BC therapy.
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