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Published on: May 5, 2021
Multi-Organ DIA Proteomics Reveals a Shared Xenobiotic Metabolism Stress Program in a Patient-Derived Xenograft Model
Julia Osaki1, Yomogi Shiota1, Kazuyoshi Yanagihara1
1Division of Rare Cancer Research, National Cancer Center, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Cancer cachexia is a devastating systemic syndrome characterized by progressive body weight loss and multi-organ dysfunction, yet the proteome-level mechanisms driving synchronized organ remodeling remain incompletely defined. Here, we applied large-scale data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics to a reproducible xenograft model using cachexia-inducing human neuroendocrine carcinoma cells (AkuNEC). Compared with non-implanted controls, AkuNEC-bearing mice developed severe wasting of the heart, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. Quantitative profiling revealed extensive multi-organ proteome remodeling, with xenobiotic metabolism emerging as a recurrently altered program across all tissues. This shared "chemical stress" signature was overlaid with distinct organ-specific alterations. The liver, heart, and kidney exhibited convergent suppression of mTORC1 signaling, with the liver displaying additional complex reprogramming involving interferon responses and fatty acid metabolism. In contrast, skeletal muscle showed unique stress features, with coagulation emerging as the most prominent signature alongside xenobiotic metabolism. These findings establish a comprehensive multi-organ proteomic framework for cachexia, identifying systemic remodeling of xenobiotic and endobiotic stress pathways as a unifying pathophysiological feature. This pan-organ alteration implies a fundamental compromise in the host's capacity to detoxify endobiotics and therapeutics, providing a molecular rationale for the unpredictable pharmacokinetics and heightened drug toxicity frequently complicating cachexia management.
Insights
Cancer cachexia causes severe organ wasting and proteome remodeling. A key finding is the systemic alteration of xenobiotic metabolism, impacting detoxification and drug efficacy in patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome with significant weight loss and organ dysfunction.
- The underlying proteomic mechanisms driving synchronized organ remodeling in cachexia are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multi-organ proteome remodeling in a preclinical cancer cachexia model.
- To identify shared and organ-specific molecular pathways involved in cachexia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics in a xenograft mouse model with cachexia-inducing neuroendocrine carcinoma cells (AkuNEC).
- Performed quantitative proteomic profiling across multiple organs (heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle).
Main Results:
- Observed severe wasting and extensive proteome remodeling in heart, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle of AkuNEC-bearing mice.
- Identified xenobiotic metabolism as a consistently altered pathway across all affected organs, indicating systemic chemical stress.
- Discovered organ-specific alterations, including mTORC1 signaling suppression in liver, heart, and kidney, and coagulation pathway activation in skeletal muscle.
Conclusions:
- Established a comprehensive multi-organ proteomic framework for cancer cachexia.
- Highlighted systemic remodeling of xenobiotic and endobiotic stress pathways as a unifying feature of cachexia.
- Provided a molecular basis for altered drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity in cachexia patients due to compromised detoxification capacity.
