Seasonal Variation in TP53 R249S-Mutated Serum DNA with Aflatoxin Exposure and Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure are etiological factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in countries with hot, humid climates. HCC often harbors a TP53 (tumor protein p53) mutation at codon 249 (R249S). In chronic carriers, 1762T/1764A mutations in the HBV X gene are associated with increased HCC risk. Both mutations have been detected in circulating cell-free DNA (CFDNA) from asymptomatic HBV carriers

Détection des mutations de /TP53/ et /CTNNB1/ dans l'ADN tumoral ou plasmatique : signification comme biomarqueurs de l'hépatocancérogenèse

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequent in tropical regions where its diagnosis is late and its treatments are inefficient. Early diagnosis implies identification of HCC specific molecular markers which can be detectable in easily collected samples such as blood samples. In this work, we have studied the interest of mutations in /TP53/ and /CTNNB1/ genes as biomarkers for early detection and determination of HCC etiology. On one hand, we have analysed a specific mutation at codon 249 of /TP53/ gene (Ser249). We have shown that variations in concentration of Ser249 mutation in circulating DNA are a marker of exposure to aflatoxin B1 and hepatitis B virus, and that they may predict hepatocarcinogenesis. On the other hand, we have observed that mutations in /TP53/ and /CTNNB1/ genes can occur in the same HCC revealing complex mechanisms integrating the two pathways depending on etiology. Understanding these mechanisms will allow us to determine the value of mutations as molecular markers of HCC.Le carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC) est fréquent dans les régions tropicales, où son diagnostic est tardif et les traitements inefficaces. Pour permettre un diagnostic précoce, il faut identifier des marqueurs moléculaires spécifiques au CHC et détectables dans des prélèvements simples à obtenir tels que les échantillons de sang. Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié l'intérêt des mutations des gènes /TP53/ et /CTNNB1/ comme biomarqueurs pour la détection précoce et l'identification de l'étiologie des CHC. D'une part, nous avons analysé une mutation spécifique au codon 249 du gène /TP53/ (Ser249). Nous avons vu que les variations temporelles de la concentration en mutation Ser249 dans l'ADN circulant sont un marqueur d'exposition à l'aflatoxine B1 et au virus de l'hépatite B, et qu'elles pourraient être prédictives de l'hépatocancérogenèse. D'autre part, nous avons observé que les mutations dans les gènes /TP53/ et /CTNNB1/ peuvent co-exister dans les CHC, révélant des mécanismes complexes intégrant les deux voies, en fonction de l'étiologie. La compréhension de ces mécanismes permettra de déterminer la valeur des mutations comme marqueurs moléculaires du CHC

Cytolethal distending toxin induces the formation of transient messenger-rich ribonucleoprotein nuclear invaginations in surviving cells

International audienceHumans are frequently exposed to bacterial genotoxins involved in digestive cancers, colibactin and Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT), the latter being secreted by many pathogenic bacteria. Our aim was to evaluate the effects induced by these genotoxins on nuclear remodeling in the context of cell survival. Helicobacter infected mice, coculture experiments with CDT- and colibactin-secreting bacteria and hepatic, intestinal and gastric cells, and xenograft mouse-derived models were used to assess the nuclear remodeling in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that CDT and colibactin induced-nuclear remodeling can be associated with the formation of deep cytoplasmic invaginations in the nucleus of giant cells. These structures, observed both in vivo and in vitro, correspond to nucleoplasmic reticulum (NR). The core of the NR was found to concentrate ribosomes, proteins involved in mRNA translation, polyadenylated RNA and the main components of the complex mCRD involved in mRNA turnover. These structures are active sites of mRNA translation, correlated with a high degree of ploidy, and involve MAPK and calcium signaling. Additional data showed that insulation and concentration of these adaptive ribonucleoprotein particles within the nucleus are dynamic, transient and protect the cell until the genotoxic stress is relieved. Bacterial genotoxins-induced NR would be a privileged gateway for selected mRNA to be preferably transported therein for local translation. These findings offer new insights into the context of NR formation, a common feature of many cancers, which not only appears in response to therapies-induced DNA damage but also earlier in response to genotoxic bacteria