Tumor-derived exosomal miR-1247-3p promotes angiogenesis in bladder cancer by targeting FOXO1

Tumor-derived exosomes are highly correlated with tumor progression and angiogenesis. This study was designed to probe the role of tumor-derived exosomal miR-1247-3p in mediating the angiogenesis in bladder cancer. Exosomes isolation from the culture medium of normal or bladder cancer cell lines was performed using a differential centrifugation method. miR-1247-3p expression in exosomes and cells was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The effect of exosomes on the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell and tube formation assays. The interaction between miR-1247-3p and forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) was studied using luciferase reporter and RNA pull down assays. Exosomes were successfully isolated from T24, UM-UC-3, and SV-HUC-1 cells, as confirmed by corresponding identifications. Functional experiments revealed that exosomes derived from T24 and UM-UC-3 cells significantly enhanced the abilities of proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF) secretion in HUVECs. miR-1247-3p was highly expressed in exosomes derived from T24 and UM-UC-3 cells, and exosomes derived from miR-1247-3p inhibitor-transfected cells reduced HUVEC viability, migration, tube formation, and VEGF level. FOXO1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-1247-3p. Rescue assays suggested that the effect of miR-1247-3p inhibition on the viability, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs was partly abrogated by the knockdown of FOXO1. Our data suggest that miR-1247-3p is up-regulated in tumor-derived exosomes, thereby inhibiting FOXO1 expression and facilitating angiogenesis in bladder cancer.

The prognostic marker KRT81 is involved in suppressing CD8 + T cells and predicts immunotherapy response for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Known for limited targeted therapies, it poses challenges and requires personalized treatment strategies. Differential analysis revealed a significant decrease in keratin 81 (KRT81) expression in non-TNBC samples and an increase in TNBC samples, lower KRT81 expression correlated with better TNBC patient outcomes. It emerged as an independent predictive factor for TNBC, with associations found between its expression and clinically relevant features. We further developed a nomogram for survival probability assessment based on Cox regression results, demonstrating its accuracy through calibration curves. Gene annotation analysis indicated that KRT81 is involved in immune-related pathways and tumor cell adhesion. KRT81 is associated with immune cell infiltration of Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and CD8 + T cells, suggesting its potential impact on the immunological microenvironment. The study delved into KRT81's predictive value for immunotherapy responses, high expression of KRT81 was associated with greater potential for immune evasion. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis pinpointed KRT81 expression within a specific malignant subtype which was a risk factor for TNBC. Furthermore, KRT81 promoted TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion was confirmed by gene knockout or overexpression assay. Co-culture experiments further indicated KRT81's potential role in inhibiting CD8 + T cells, and correlation analysis implied KRT81 was highly correlated with immune checkpoint CD276, providing insights into its involvement in the immune microenvironment via CD276. In conclusion, this comprehensive study positions KRT81 as a promising prognostic marker for predicting tumor progression and immunotherapy responses in TNBC.

Repression of the SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 is associated with lowered double minutes and reduced tumor progression

Double minutes (DMs), extrachromosomal gene fragments found within certain tumors, have been noted to carry onco- and drug resistance genes contributing to tumor pathogenesis and progression. After screening for SUMO-related molecule expression within various tumor sample and cell line databases, we found that SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 has been associated with genome instability and tumor cell DM counts, which was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Karyotyping determined DM counts post-UBC9 knockdown or SUMOylation inhibitor 2-D08, while RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to measure DM-carried gene expression in vitro. In vivo, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) identified micronucleus (MN) expulsion. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were then used to determine DNA damage extent, and a reporter plasmid system was constructed to detect changes in homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways. Our research has shown that UBC9 inhibition is able to attenuate DM formation and lower DM-carried gene expression, in turn reducing tumor growth and malignant phenotype, via MN efflux of DMs and lowering NHEJ activity to increase DNA damage. These findings thus reveal a relationship between heightened UBC9 activity, increased DM counts, and tumor progression, providing a potential approach for targeted therapies, via UBC9 inhibition.

Novel isobavachalcone derivatives induce apoptosis and necroptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells

In this study, seventeen isobavachalcone (IBC) derivatives (1-17) were synthesised, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against three human lung cancer cell lines. Among these derivatives, compound 16 displayed the most potent cytotoxic activity against H1975 and A549 cells, with IC50 values of 4.35 and 14.21 μM, respectively. Compared with IBC, compound 16 exhibited up to 4.11-fold enhancement of cytotoxic activity on human non-small cell lung cancer H1975 cells. In addition, we found that compound 16 suppressed H1975 cells via inducing apoptosis and necroptosis. The initial mechanism of compound 16 induced cell death in H1975 cells involves the increasing of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Cyt C protein level, down-regulating of Akt protein level, and cleaving caspase-9 and -3 induced apoptosis; the up-regulation of RIP3, p-RIP3, MLKL, and p-MLKL levels induced necroptosis. Moreover, compound 16 also caused mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby decreasing cellular ATP levels, and resulting in excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation.

Single-cell multi-omics in the study of digestive system cancers

Digestive system cancers are prevalent diseases with a high mortality rate, posing a significant threat to public health and economic burden. The diagnosis and treatment of digestive system cancer confront conventional cancer problems, such as tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Single-cell sequencing (SCS) emerged at times required and has developed from single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) to the single-cell multi-omics era represented by single-cell spatial transcriptomics (ST). This article comprehensively reviews the advances of single-cell omics technology in the study of digestive system tumors. While analyzing and summarizing the research cases, vital details on the sequencing platform, sample information, sampling method, and key findings are provided. Meanwhile, we summarize the commonly used SCS platforms and their features, as well as the advantages of multi-omics technologies in combination. Finally, the development trends and prospects of the application of single-cell multi-omics technology in digestive system cancer research are prospected.

Integration of single-nucleus and exosome RNA sequencing dissected inter-cellular communication and biomarkers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Background

Mounting evidence underscores the importance of cell communication within the tumor microenvironment, which is pivotal in tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Exosomes play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication. Although single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides insights into individual cell transcriptional characteristics, it falls short of comprehensively capturing exosome-mediated intercellular communication.

Method

We analyzed Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues, separating supernatant and precipitate for exosome purification and single-cell nucleus suspension. We then constructed Single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and small RNA-seq libraries from these components. Our bioinformatic analysis integrated these sequences with ligand-receptor analysis and public miRNA data to map the cell communication network.

Results

We established intercellular communication networks using bioinformatic analysis to track exosome miRNA effects and ligand-receptor pairs. Significantly, hsa-miR-1293 emerged as a prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer, linked to immune evasion, increased myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and poorer prognosis. Targeting this miRNA may enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve outcomes.

Conclusion

Our study offers a novel approach to constructing intercellular communication networks using snRNA-seq and exosome-small RNA sequencing. By integrating miRNA tracing with ligand-receptor analysis, we illuminate the complex interactions in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment, highlighting the pivotal role of miRNAs and identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Dihydroartemisinin enhances the anti-tumour effect of photodynamic therapy by targeting PKM2-mediated glycolysis in oesophageal cancer cell

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to provide immediate relief of oesophageal cancer patients' re-obstruction and extend their lifespan. However, tumour regrowth may occur after PDT due to enhanced aerobic glycolysis. Previous research has confirmed the inhibitory effect of Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on aerobic glycolysis. Therefore, the current study intends to investigate the function and molecular mechanism of DHA targeting tumour cell aerobic glycolysis in synergia PDT. The combined treatment significantly suppressed glycolysis in vitro and in vivo compared to either monotherapy. Exploration of the mechanism through corresponding experiments revealed that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was downregulated in treated cells, whereas overexpression of PKM2 nullified the inhibitory effects of DHA and PDT. This study proposes a novel therapeutic strategy for oesophageal cancer through DHA-synergized PDT treatment, targeting inhibit PKM2 to reduce tumour cell proliferation and metastasis.

Integrating bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq analyses revealed the function and clinical value of thrombospondins in colon cancer

Background

Acting as mediators in cell-matrix and cell-cell communication, matricellular proteins play a crucial role in cancer progression. Thrombospondins (TSPs), a type of matricellular glycoproteins, are key regulators in cancer biology with multifaceted roles. Although TSPs have been implicated in anti-tumor immunity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in several malignancies, their specific roles to colon cancer remain elusive. Addressing this knowledge gap is essential, as understanding the function of TSPs in colon cancer could identify new therapeutic targets and prognostic markers.

Methods

Analyzing 1981 samples from 10 high-throughput datasets, including six bulk RNA-seq, three scRNA-seq, and one spatial transcriptome dataset, our study investigated the prognostic relevance, risk stratification value, immune heterogeneity, and cellular origin of TSPs, as well as their influence on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Utilizing survival analysis, unsupervised clustering, and functional enrichment, along with multiple correlation analyses of the tumor-microenvironment (TME) via Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA), spatial localization, Monocle2, and CellPhoneDB, we provided insights into the clinical and cellular implications of TSPs.

Results

First, we observed significant upregulation of THBS2 and COMP in colon cancer, both of which displayed significant prognostic value. Additionally, we detected a significant positive correlation between TSPs and immune cells, as well as marker genes of EMT. Second, based on TSPs expression, patients were divided into two clusters with distinct prognoses: the high TSPs expression group (TSPs-H) was characterized by pronounced immune and stromal cell infiltration, and notably elevated T-cell exhaustion scores. Subsequently, we found that THBS2 and COMP may be associated with the differentiation of CAFs into pan-iCAFs and pan-dCAFs, which are known for their heightened matrix remodeling activities. Moreover, THBS2 enhanced CAFs communication with vascular endothelial cells and monocyte-macrophages. CAFs expressing THBS2 (THBS2+ CAFs) demonstrated higher scores across multiple signaling pathways, including angiogenic, EMT, Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, and TGF-β, when compared to THBS2- CAFs. These observations suggest that THBS2 may be associated with stronger pro-carcinogenic activity in CAFs.

Conclusions

This study revealed the crucial role of TSPs and the significant correlation between THBS2 and CAFs interactions in colon cancer progression, providing valuable insights for targeting TSPs to mitigate cancer progression.

Downregulation of ABLIM3 confers to the metastasis of neuroblastoma via regulating the cell adhesion molecules pathway

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most prevalent extracranial solid tumor in pediatric patients, and its treatment failure often associated with metastasis. In this study, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and random forest tree algorithms, was used to identify the pivotal gene involved in NB metastasis. NB cell lines (SK-N-AS and SK-N-BE2), in conjunction with NB tissue were used for further study. ABLIM3 was identified as the hub gene and can be an independent prognostic factor for patients with NB. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ABLIM3 is negatively correlated with the metastasis of NB. Patients with low expression of ABLIM3 had a poor prognosis. High ABLIM3 expression correlated with APC co-stimulation and Type1 IFN response, and TIDE analysis indicated that patients with low ABLIM3 expression exhibited enhanced responses to immunotherapy. Downregulation of ABLIM3 by shRNA transfection increased the migration and invasion ability of NB cells. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed that genes associated with ABLIM3 were primarily enriched in the cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) pathway. RT-qPCR and western blot analyses demonstrated that downregulation of ABLIM3 led to decreased expression of ITGA3, ITGA8, and KRT19, the key components of CAMs. This study indicated that ABLIM3 can be an independent prognostic factor for NB patients, and CAMs may mediate the effect of ABLIM3 on the metastasis of NB, suggesting that ABLIM3 is a potential therapeutic target for NB metastasis, which provides a novel strategy for future research and treatment strategies for NB patients.

NTCdb: Single-cell transcriptome database of human inflammatory-associated diseases

With both the advancement of technology and the decline in costs, single-cell transcriptomics sequencing has become widespread in the biomedical area in recent years. It can facilitate the pathogenic characteristics at the single-cell level, which will assist clinical researchers in exploring the mechanism of diseases. As a result, single-cell transcriptome data based on clinical samples grew exponentially. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive database about immunocytes in inflammatory-associated diseases. To address this deficiency, we propose a human inflammatory-associated disease-based single-cell transcriptome database, NTCdb (www.ntcdb.org.cn). NTCdb integrates the open-source data of 1,023,166 cells derived from 11 tissues of 17 inflammatory-associated diseases in a uniform pipeline. It provides a set of analyzing results, including cell communication analysis, enrichment analysis, and Pseudo-Time analysis, to obtain various characteristics of immune cells in inflammatory-associated disease. Taking COVID-19 as a case study, NTCdb displays important information including potentially significant functions of certain cells, genes, and signaling pathways, as well as the commonalities of specific immunocytes between different inflammatory-associated disease.

Increased Th17 and Treg levels in peripheral blood positively correlate with minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukaemia

PURPOSE

Immune dysregulation plays a key role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to explore the correlation between T helper cell 17 (Th17) and the regulatory cells (Tregs) in the peripheral blood of patients with newly diagnosed (ND) AML and bone marrow blast cells, as well as minimal residual disease (MRD) before and after treatment.

METHODS

Changes in Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of 32 patients with ND AML were observed before and after induction chemotherapy with cytarabine for seven days and anthracycline for three days. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation analysis between bone marrow blast cells and Th17 and Treg cell frequencies was performed using the Pearson's correlation test. Frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells and MRD were assessed using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and GM-CSF levels gradually increased in patients with ND AML and CR and NR patients. The percentages of Th17 and Treg cells positively correlated with those of blast cells. In addition, the frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells in MRD-positive patients were higher than those in MRD-negative patients at the initial induction and after three months of chemotherapy. The frequencies of Tregs and Th17 cells positively correlated with MRD onset.

CONCLUSION

Increased Th17 and Treg cell levels were positively correlated with onset of AML, poor remission, and MRD.

In vitro study of HPV18-positive cervical cancer HeLa cells based on CRISPR/Cas13a system

The E6 protein is a known oncogene in cervical cancer and plays a key role in the development and progression of cervical cancer by reducing the expression level of the tumor suppressor protein P53 and ultimately leading to enhanced cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis. Therefore, antiviral agents that inhibit the expression of E6 oncoprotein are expected to be potential therapies for human cervical cancer. Here we developed CRISPR/Cas13a: crRNA dual plasmid system and demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas13a could effectively and specifically knock down human papillomavirus 18 E6 mRNA, downregulate the expression level of E6 protein, and restore the expression of the tumor suppressor gene P53 protein, thereby inhibiting the growth of cervical cancer cells and increasing their apoptosis, the E6-2, E6-3, and E6-5 groups resulted in apoptosis rates of 25.4%, 22.4%, and 22.2% in HeLa cells. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas13a enhances the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction of cisplatin in cervical cancer HeLa cells. The CRISPR/Cas13a system targeting HPV E6 mRNA may be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of human papillomavirus-associated cervical cancer.

Inhibition of mitochondrial ROS-mediated necroptosis by Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids in carbon tetrachloride induced acute liver injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (DNL) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition). The previous data showed that Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) protect against CCl4-induced liver damage via oxidative stress reduction and mitochondrial function improvement, yet the exact regulatory signaling pathways remain undefined.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in the mode of CCl4-induced liver injury and determine whether DNLA protects against CCl4-induced acute liver injury (ALI) by inhibiting mitochondrial ROS (mtROS)-mediated necroptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNLA was extracted from DNL, and the content was determined using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS). In vivo experiments were conducted in C57BL/6J mice. Animals were administrated with DNLA (20 mg/kg/day, ig) for 7 days, and then challenged with CCl4 (20 μL/kg, ip). CCl4-induced liver injury in mice was evaluated through the assessment of biochemical indicators in mouse serum and histopathological examination of hepatic tissue using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The protein and gene expressions were determined with western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected using the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA, and mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated using a fluorescent probe JC-1. The mtROS level was assessed using a fluorescence probe MitoSOX.

RESULTS

DNLA lessened CCl4-induced liver injury, evident by reduced AST and ALT levels and improved liver pathology. DNLA suppressed necroptosis by decreasing RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL phosphorylation, concurrently enhancing mitochondrial function. It also broke the positive feedback loop between mtROS and RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL activation. Similar findings were observed with resveratrol and mitochondrial SOD2 overexpression, both mitigating mtROS and necroptosis. Further mechanistic studies found that DNLA inhibited the oxidation of RIPK1 and reduced its phosphorylation level, whereby lowering the phosphorylation of RIPK3 and MLKL, blocking necroptosis, and alleviating liver injury.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that DNLA inhibits the necroptosis signaling pathway by reducing mtROS mediated oxidation of RIPK1, thereby reducing the phosphorylation of RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL, and protecting against liver injury.

Bioinformatics analysis and validation of HAUS6 as a key prognostic gene in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of HAUS6 in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (TSCC) and its relationship with the clinicopathological features of patients, and to further provide new ideas and therapeutic targets for curing TSCC.

DESIGN

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TSCC and normal tissues and survival analysis. DEGs of HAUS6 were screened and analyzed for GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment. Exploring the correlation of HAUS6 with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint-related genes. The expression of HAUS6 in tumor and paraneoplastic tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot.

RESULTS

Analysis of the TCGA database results showed that expression of HAUS6 mRNA was significantly enhanced and correlated with overall survival (OS, p < 0.05) in TSCC. HAUS6 expression correlated with the level of immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint-related genes. Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot confirmed that the expression level of HAUS6 protein was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in paraneoplastic tissues, and that tumor size and hypo-differentiation were higher in the HAUS6 high expression group than in the low expression group in TSCC (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these analyses suggest that HAUS6 can act as an independent predictor of prognosis (p < 0.05) and high HAUS6 expression is strongly associated with poor prognosis.

Research on the potential mechanism of Deapioplatycodin D against pulmonary fibrosis based on bioinformatics and experimental verification

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a group of respiratory diseases that are extremely complex and challenging to treat. Due to its high mortality rate and short survival, it's often referred to as a "tumor-like disease" that poses a serious threat to human health.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed validate the potential of Deapioplatycodin D (DPD) to against PF and clarify the underlying mechanism of action of DPD for the treatment of PF based on bioinformatics and experimental verification. This finding provides a basis for the development of safe and effective therapeutic PF drugs based on DPD.

METHODS

We used LPS-induced early PF rats as a PF model to test the overall efficacy of DPD in vivo. Then, A variety of bioinformatics methods, such as WGCNA, LASSO algorithm and immune cell infiltration (ICI), were applied to analyze the gene microarray related to PF obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to obtained key targets of PF. Finally, an in vitro PF model was constructed based on BEAS-2B cells while incorporating rat lung tissues to validate the regulatory effects of DPD on critical genes.

RESULTS

DPD can effectively alleviate inflammatory and fibrotic markers in rat lungs. WGCNA analysis resulted in a total of six expression modules, with the brown module having the highest correlation with PF. Subsequently, seven genes were acquired by intersecting the genes in the brown module with DEGs. Five key genes were identified as potential biomarkers of PF by LASSO algorithm and validation dataset verification analysis. In the ICI analysis, infiltration of activated B cell, immature B cell and natural killer cells were found to be more crucial in PF. Ultimately, it was observed that DPD could modulate key genes to achieve anti-PF effects.

CONCLUSION

In short, these comprehensive analysis methods were employed to identify critical biomarkers closely related to PF, which helps to elucidate the pathogenesis and potential immunotherapy targets of PF. It also provides essential support for the potential of DPD against PF.

Identification and validation of ferroptosis-related lncRNA signature in intervertebral disc degeneration

Low back pain influences people of every age and is one of the major contributors to the global cost of illness. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major contributor to low back pain, but its pathogenesis is unknown. Recently, ferroptosis has been shown to have a substantial role in modulating IVDD progression. However, the function of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has rarely been reported in IVDD. Consequently, the research was conducted to explore the ferroptosis-related lncRNA signature in the IVDD occurrence and development. We analyzed two datasets (GSE167199 and GSE167931) archived in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public database. We screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELncs) in these datasets using the limma package. Ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were derived from the FerrDb V2 website and the intersection of DEGs and FRGs was considered as differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DFGs). These genes were then subjected to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Correlations between DFGs and DELncs were shown by Pearson test to determine differential expression of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs. The Pearson test showed that CPEB1-HTR2A-AS1 and ACSL3-DNAJC27-AS1 pairs had correlation coefficients over 0.9. Twenty ferroptosis-related lncRNAs were identified and validated in IVDD. Eight of these lncRNAs were upregulated in IVDD nucleus pulposus cells, including HTR2A-AS1, MIF-AS1, SLC8A1-AS1, LINC00942, DUXAP8, LINC00161, LUCAT1 and LINC01615. Twelve were downregulated in IVDD nucleus pulposus cells, including DNAJC27-AS1, H19, LINC01588, LINC02015, FLNC1, CARMN, PRKG1-AS1, APCDD1L-DT, LINC00839, LINC00536, LINC00710 and LINC01535. Eighteen of the 20 lncRNAs (excluding H19 and LUCAT1) were identified as ferroptosis-related lncRNAs for the first time and verified in IVDD. We have identified a ferroptosis-related lncRNA signature involved in IVDD and revealed a close relationship between CPEB1 and HTR2A-AS1, and between ACSL3 and DNAJC27-AS1. Our findings indicate that ferroptosis-related lncRNAs are a new target set for the early detection and therapy of IVDD.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes tumor glycolysis by downregulating lncRNA OIP5-AS1/HKDC1 in HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being the leading cause. This study aims to investigate the role of HBV in HCC pathogenesis involving glucose metabolism. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) OIP5-AS1 was significantly downregulated in HBV-positive HCC patients, and its low expression indicated a poor prognosis. This lncRNA was primarily localized in the cytoplasm, acting as a tumor suppressor. HBV protein X (HBx) repressed OIP5-AS1 expression by inhibiting a ligand-activated transcriptional factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Furthermore, mechanistic studies revealed that OIP5-AS1 inhibited tumor growth by suppressing Hexokinase domain component 1 (HKDC1)-mediated glycolysis. The expression of HKDC1 could be enhanced by transcriptional factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1). OIP5-AS1 facilitated the ubiquitination and degradation of SREBP1 to suppress HKDC1 transcription, which inhibited glycolysis. The results suggest that lncRNA OIP5-AS1 plays an anti-oncogenic role in HBV-positive HCC via the HBx/OIP5-AS1/HKDC1 axis, providing a promising diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for HBV-positive HCC patients.

Identification and validation of cuproptosis and disulfidptosis related genes in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer, the third most prevalent malignant cancer, is associated with poor prognosis. Recent studies have investigated the mechanisms underlying cuproptosis and disulfidptosis in colorectal cancer. However, whether genes linked to these processes impact the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients through analogous mechanisms remains unclear. In this study, we developed a model of cuproptosis and disulfidptosis in colorectal cancer and concurrently explored the role of the pivotal model gene HSPA8 in colorectal cancer cell lines. Our results revealed a positive correlation between cuproptosis and disulfidptosis, both of which are emerging as protective factors for the prognosis of CRC patients. Consequently, a prognostic model encompassing HSPA8, PDCL3, CBX3, ATP6V1G1, TAF1D, RPL4, and RPL14 was constructed. Notably, the key gene in our model, HSPA8, exhibited heightened expression and was validated as a protective prognostic factor in colorectal cancer, exerting inhibitory effects on colorectal cancer cell proliferation. This study offers novel insights into the interplay between cuproptosis and disulfidptosis. The application of the prognostic model holds promise for more effectively predicting the overall survival of colorectal cancer patients.

NIR-responsive copper nanoliposome composites for cascaded ferrotherapy via ferroptosis actived ICD and IFN-γ released

Metallic biomaterials activate tumor ferroptosis by increasing oxidative stress, but their efficacy is severely limited in tumor microenvironment. Although interferon gamma (IFN-γ) can promote tumor ferroptosis sensitivity by inhibiting the antioxidant system and promoting lipid accumulation, this effect limited by the lack of IFN-γ accumulation in tumors. Herein, we report a near-infrared (NIR)-responsive HCuS nanocomposite (HCuS-PE@TSL-tlyp-1) that can stimulate immunogenic cell death (ICD)-mediated IFN-γ secretion through exogenous oxidative stress, thereby achieving cascaded ferrotherapy by mutually reinforcing ferroptosis and systemic immunity. Upon laser irradiation, the dissolution of the thermal coating, and the introduction of Cu ions and piperazine-erastin (PE) simultaneously induce oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS)/lipid peroxide (LPO) accumulation and deplete cystine-glutamate transporter (xCT)/GSH. The onset of oxidative stress-mediated ferroptosis is thus achieved, and ICD is triggered, significantly promoting cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) infiltration for IFN-γ secretion. Furthermore, IFN-γ induces immunogenic tumor ferroptosis by inhibiting xCT-antioxidant pathways and enhancing the ACSL4-fatty acid recruitment pathway, which further promotes sensitivity to ferroptosis in cells. These HCuS nanocomposites combined with aPD-L1 effectively in inhibiting tumor metastasis and recurrence. Importantly, these cascade ferrotherapy results broadens the application of HCuS biomaterials.

Targeting CD8+ T cells with natural products for tumor therapy: Revealing insights into the mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Despite significant advances in cancer immunotherapy over the past decades, such as T cell-engaging chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), therapeutic failure resulting from various factors remains prevalent. Therefore, developing combinational immunotherapeutic strategies is of great significance for improving the clinical outcome of cancer immunotherapy. Natural products are substances that naturally exist in various living organisms with multiple pharmacological or biological activities, and some of them have been found to have anti-tumor potential. Notably, emerging evidences have suggested that several natural compounds may boost the anti-tumor effects through activating immune response of hosts, in which CD8+ T cells play a pivotal role.

METHODS

The data of this review come from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) with the keywords "CD8+ T cell", "anti-tumor", "immunity", "signal 1", "signal 2", "signal 3", "natural products", "T cell receptor (TCR)", "co-stimulation", "co-inhibition", "immune checkpoint", "inflammatory cytokine", "hesperidin", "ginsenoside", "quercetin", "curcumin", "apigenin", "dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOPS)", "luteolin", "shikonin", "licochalcone A", "erianin", "resveratrol", "procyanidin", "berberine", "usnic acid", "naringenin", "6-gingerol", "ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GL-PS)", "neem leaf glycoprotein (NLGP)", "paclitaxel", "source", "pharmacological activities", and "toxicity". These literatures were published between 1993 and 2023.

RESULTS

Natural products have considerable advantages as anti-tumor drugs based on the various species, wide distribution, low price, and few side effects. This review summarized the effects and mechanisms of some natural products that exhibit anti-tumor effects via targeting CD8+ T cells, mainly focused on the three signals that activate CD8+ T cells: TCR, co-stimulation, and inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Clarifying the role and underlying mechanism of natural products in cancer immunotherapy may provide more options for combinational treatment strategies and benefit cancer therapy, to shed light on identifying potential natural compounds for improving the clinical outcome in cancer immunotherapy.

Current knowledge of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Therapeutic strategies are the hot-spot issues in treating patients with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Mounting studies have proved that triggering ferroptosis is one of the promising targets for OSCC management. In this study, we performed a first attempt to collect the current evidence on the proposed roles of ferroptosis in OSCC through a comprehensive review. Based on clinical data from the relevant studies within this topic, we found that ferroptosis-associated tumor microenvironment, ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs), and ferroptosis-related lncRNAs exhibited a potent prognostic value for OSCC patients. Mechanistically, experimental data revealed that the proliferation and tumorigenesis of OSCC might be associated with the inhibition of cellular ferroptosis through the activation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1), suppression of glutathione (GSH) and Period 1 (PER1) expression, and modulation of specific non-coding RNAs (i.e., miR-520d-5p, miR-34c-3p, and miR-125b-5p) and their targeted proteins. Several specific interventions (i.e., Quisinostat, Carnosic acid, hyperbaric oxygen, melatonin, aqueous-soluble sporoderm-removed G. lucidum spore powder, and disulfiram/copper complex) were found to dramatically induce ferroptosis cell death of OSCC via multiple mechanisms. This review highlighted the pivotal role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and prognosis of OSCC. Future anticancer therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis and its associated molecules might provide a new insight for OSCC treatment.

Axl as a potential therapeutic target for adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas: Based on single nucleus RNA-seq and spatial transcriptome profiling

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs), particularly Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngiomas (ACPs), often exhibit a heightened risk of postoperative recurrence and severe complications of the endocrine and hypothalamic function. The primary objective of this study is to investigate potential novel targeted therapies within the microenvironment of ACP tumors. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) were identified in the craniopharyngioma microenvironment, notably in regions characterized by cholesterol clefts, wet keratin, ghost cells, and fibrous stroma in ACPs. CAFs, alongside ghost cells, basaloid-like epithelium cells and calcifications, were found to secrete PROS1 and GAS6, which can activate AXL receptors on the surface of tumor epithelium cells, promoting immune suppression and tumor progression in ACPs. Additionally, the AXL inhibitor Bemcentinib effectively inhibited the proliferation organoids and enhanced the immunotherapeutic efficacy of Atezolizumab. Furthermore, neural crest-like cells were observed in the glial reactive tissue surrounding finger-like protrusions. Overall, our results revealed that the AXL might be a potentially effective therapeutic target for ACPs.

Unveiling the intratumoral microbiota within cancer landscapes

Recent advances in cancer research have unveiled a significant yet previously underappreciated aspect of oncology: the presence and role of intratumoral microbiota. These microbial residents, encompassing bacteria, fungi, and viruses within tumor tissues, have been found to exert considerable influence on tumor development, progression, and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. This review aims to synthesize these groundbreaking discoveries, providing an integrated overview of the identification, characterization, and functional roles of intratumoral microbiota in cancer biology. We focus on elucidating the complex interactions between these microorganisms and the tumor microenvironment, highlighting their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive understanding of the microbial dimension in cancer, paving the way for innovative approaches in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Hallmarks of cancer resistance

This review explores the hallmarks of cancer resistance, including drug efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, metabolic reprogramming characterized by the Warburg effect, and the dynamic interplay between cancer cells and mitochondria. The role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in treatment resistance and the regulatory influence of non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are studied. The chapter emphasizes future directions, encompassing advancements in immunotherapy, strategies to counter adaptive resistance, integration of artificial intelligence for predictive modeling, and the identification of biomarkers for personalized treatment. The comprehensive exploration of these hallmarks provides a foundation for innovative therapeutic approaches, aiming to navigate the complex landscape of cancer resistance and enhance patient outcomes.

The role of yes activated protein (YAP) in melanoma metastasis

Hippo was first identified in a genetic screen as a protein that suppressed proliferation and cell growth. Subsequently, it was shown that hippo acted in a so-called canonical cascade to suppress Yorkie, the Drosophila equivalent of Yes-activated protein (YAP), a mechanosensitive transcriptional cofactor that enhances the activity of the TEAD family of transcription factors. YAP promotes fibrosis, activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, angiogenesis and cancer cell invasion. YAP activates the expression of the matricellular proteins CCN1 (cyr61) and CCN2 (ctgf), themselves mediators of fibrogenesis and oncogenesis, and coordination of matrix deposition and angiogenesis. This review discusses how therapeutically targeting YAP through YAP inhibitors verteporfin and celastrol and its downstream mediators CCN1 and CCN2 might be useful in treating melanoma.

Circ_0007432 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression and macrophage M2 polarization through SRSF1/KLF12 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) plays critical roles in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development. Herein, we illustrated the effects of circ_0007432 on malignant features of NSCLC. We found that circ_0007432 played a promoting role in NSCLC progression, lying in accelerating cell viability, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, suppressing cell apoptosis of NSCLC cells, and enhancing tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, the interactions among circ_0007432, SRSF1, KLF12, and IL-8 were validated by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), RNA pull-down, dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Circ_0007432 upregulated KLF12 by recruiting SRSF1. KLF12 facilitated IL-8 expression and release by binding to IL-8 promoter. Furthermore, the role of circ_0007432/SRSF1/KLF12/IL-8 axis in malignant phenotypes of tumor cells or macrophage polarization was investigated using rescue experiments. In conclusion, circ_0007432 bound with SRSF1 to stabilize KLF12 and then promote IL-8 release, thus promoting malignant behaviors of NSCLC cells and M2 macrophage polarization.

Systematic analysis of PANoptosis-related genes identifies XIAP as a functional oncogene in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignant disease affecting women globally. PANoptosis, a novel form of cell death combining features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, has recently gained attention. However, its precise function in BC and the predictive values of PANoptosis-related genes remain unclear.

METHODS

We used the expression data and clinical information of BC tissues or normal breast tissues from public databases, and then successfully developed and verified a BC PANoptosis-related risk model through a combination of univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. A nomogram was constructed to estimate survival probability, and its accuracy was assessed using calibration curves.

RESULTS

Among 37 PANoptosis-related genes, we identified 4 differentially expressed genes related to overall survival (OS). Next, a risk model incorporating these four PANoptosis-related genes was established. Patients were stratified into low/high-risk groups based on the median risk score, with the low-risk group showing better prognoses and higher levels of immune infiltration. Utilizing the risk score and clinical features, we developed a nomogram to predict 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) emerged as a potentially risky factor with the highest hazard ratio. In vitro experiments demonstrated that XIAP inhibition enhances the antitumor effect of doxorubicin through the PANoptosis pathway.

CONCLUSION

PANoptosis holds an important role in BC prognosis and treatment.

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy for the treatment of low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors: Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Function-preserving pancreatectomy can improve the long-term quality of life of patients with benign or low-grade malignant tumors, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms. However, there is limited literature on laparoscopic spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy (L-SpTP) due to technical difficulties.

CASE SUMMARY

Patient 1 was a 51-year-old male diagnosed with IPMN based on preoperative imaging, showing solid nodules in the pancreatic head and diffuse dilation of the main pancreatic duct with atrophy of the distal pancreas. We performed L-SpTP with preservation of the splenic vessels, and the postoperative pathology report revealed IPMN with invasive carcinoma. Patient 2 was a 60-year-old male with multiple cystic lesions in the pancreatic head and body. L-SpTP was performed, and intraoperatively, the splenic vein was injured and required ligation. Postoperative pathology revealed a mucinous cystic tumor of the pancreas with low-grade dysplasia. Both patients were discharged on postoperative day 7, and there were no major complications during the perioperative period.

CONCLUSION

We believe that L-SpTP is a safe and feasible treatment for low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors, but more case studies are needed to evaluate its safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes.

Pan-cancer analysis of the disulfidptosis-related gene RPN1 and its potential biological function and prognostic significance in gliomas

Background

Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between disulfidptosis and various cancers. However, the expression and function of RPN1, a crucial gene in disulfidptosis, remain unclear in the context of cancer.

Methods

Gene expression and clinical information on lung adenocarcinoma were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. RPN1 expression was analyzed using the Timer2.0 and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases. Prognostic significance was assessed using Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves. Genetic mutations and methylation levels were examined using the cBioPortal and UALCAN platforms, respectively. The relationship between RPN1 and tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) across different cancer types was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The relationship between RPN1 and immune cell infiltration was analyzed using the Timer2.0 database, whereas variations in drug sensitivity were explored using the CellMiner database. Receiver operating characteristic curves validated RPN1's diagnostic potential in glioma, and its correlation with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis elucidated a link between RPN1 and immune cells and pathways. In addition, a nomogram based on RPN1 was developed to predict patient prognosis. The functional impact of RPN1 on glioma cells was confirmed using scratch and Transwell assays.

Result

RPN1 was aberrantly expressed in various cancers and affected patient prognosis. The main mutation type of RPN1 in the cancer was amplified. RPN1 exhibited a positive correlation with myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, and a negative correlation with CD8+ T cells and hematopoietic stem cells. RPN1 expression was associated with TMB and MSI in various cancers. The expression of RPN1 affected drug sensitivity in cancer cells. RPN1 was positively correlated with multiple ICIs in gliomas. RPN1 also affected immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. RPN1 was an independent prognostic factor for gliomas, and the nomogram demonstrated excellent predictive performance. Interference with RPN1 expression reduces the migratory and invasive ability of glioma cells.

Conclusion

RPN1 exerts multifaceted effects on different stages of cancer, including immune infiltration, prognosis, and treatment outcomes. RPN1 expression affects the prognosis and immune microenvironment infiltration in patients with glioma, making RPN1 a potential target for the treatment of glioma.

Novel ferroptosis signature for improving prediction of prognosis and indicating gene targets from single-cell level in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent kinds of cancers. Therefore, there is a pressing need to create a new risk scoring model to personalize the prognosis of OSCC patients and screen for patient-specific therapeutic agents and molecular targets.

Methods

Firstly, A series of bioinformatics was performed to construct a novel ferroptosis-related prognostic model; Further, drug sensitivity analysis was used to screen for specific therapeutic agents for OSCC; Single-cell analysis was employed to investigate the enrichment of FRDEGs (ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes) in the OSCC microenvironment; Finally, various experiments were conducted to screen and validate molecular therapeutic targets for OSCC.

Results

In this study, we constructed a novel 10-FRDEGs risk scoring model. Base on the risk scoring model, we founded three potential chemotherapeutic agents for OSCC: 5Z)-7-Oxozeaenol, AT-7519, KIN001-266; In addition, FRDEGs were enriched in the epithelial cells of OSCC. Finally, we found that CA9 and CAV1 could regulate OSCC proliferation, migration and ferroptosis in vitro.

Conclusion

A novel 10-FRDEGs risk scoring model can predict the prognosis of patients with OSCC.Further,5Z)-7-Oxozeaenol, AT-7519, KIN001-266 are potential chemotherapeutic agents for OSCC.Moreover, we identified CA9、CAV1 as potential molecular target for the treatment of OSCC.Our findings provide new directions for prognostic assessment and precise treatment of oral cell squamous carcinoma.

Shaping the immune-suppressive microenvironment on tumor-associated myeloid cells through tumor-derived exosomes

Tumor-associated myeloid cells (TAMCs) play a crucial role in orchestrating the dynamics of the tumor immune microenvironment. This heterogeneous population encompasses myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells, all of which contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive milieu that fosters tumor progression. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs), small extracellular vesicles secreted by tumor cells, have emerged as central mediators in intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment. In this comprehensive review, we explore the intricate mechanisms through which TEXs modulate immune-suppressive effects on TAMCs and their profound implications in cancer progression. We delve into the multifaceted ways in which TEXs influence TAMC functions, subsequently affecting tumor immune evasion. Furthermore, we elucidate various therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting TEX-mediated immune suppression, with the ultimate goal of bolstering antitumor immunity.

The prognostic relevance of a gene expression signature in MRI-defined highly vascularized glioblastoma

Background

The vascular heterogeneity of glioblastomas (GB) remains an important area of research, since tumor progression and patient prognosis are closely tied to this feature. With this study, we aim to identify gene expression profiles associated with MRI-defined tumor vascularity and to investigate its relationship with patient prognosis.

Methods

The study employed MRI parameters calculated with DSC Perfusion Quantification of ONCOhabitats glioma analysis software and RNA-seq data from the TCGA-GBM project dataset. In our study, we had a total of 147 RNA-seq samples, which 15 of them also had MRI parameter information. We analyzed the gene expression profiles associated with MRI-defined tumor vascularity using differential gene expression analysis and performed Log-rank tests to assess the correlation between the identified genes and patient prognosis.

Results

The findings of our research reveal a set of 21 overexpressed genes associated with the high vascularity pattern. Notably, several of these overexpressed genes have been previously implicated in worse prognosis based on existing literature. Our log-rank test further validates that the collective upregulation of these genes is indeed correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. This set of genes includes a variety of molecules, such as cytokines, receptors, ligands, and other molecules with diverse functions.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the set of 21 overexpressed genes in the High Vascularity group could potentially serve as prognostic markers for GB patients. These results highlight the importance of further investigating the relationship between the molecules such as cytokines or receptors underlying the vascularity in GB and its observation through MRI and developing targeted therapies for this aggressive disease.

Decellularized tissues as platforms for digestive system cancer models

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a multifunctional network of macromolecules that regulate various cellular functions and physically support the tissues. Besides physiological conditions, the ECM also changes during pathological conditions such as cancer. As tumor cells proliferate, notable changes occur in the quantity and makeup of the surrounding ECM. Therefore, the role of this noncellular component of tissues in studies of tumor microenvironments should be considered. So far, many attempts have been made to create 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D) models that can replicate the intricate connections within the tumor microenvironment. Decellularized tissues are proper scaffolds that imitate the complex nature of native ECM. This review aims to summarize 3D models of digestive system cancers based on decellularized ECMs. These ECM-based scaffolds will enable us to study the interactive communication between cells and their surrounding environment which brings new potential for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer.

Electrochemiluminescence biosensor for specific detection of pancreatic ductal carcinoma through dual targeting of MUC1 and miRNA-196a

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant diagnostic challenges due to its asymptomatic nature in its early stages, low specificity of conventional in vitro assays, and limited efficacy of surgical interventions. However, clinical specificity of the current serum biomarkers is suboptimal, leading to diagnostic inaccuracies and oversights. Therefore, this study introduced a novel dual-target electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor to address these critical issues. The ECL biosensor synergistically employs the serum biomarker MUC1 and microRNA-196a to detect early-stage PDAC precisely. While MUC1 is a differential marker between normal and cancerous pancreatic cells, its standalone diagnostic performance is limited. However, integrating miRNA-196a as a complementary marker substantially enhances the specificity of the assay. This biosensor exhibits distinct ECL signal modulation-"on-off" in the presence of MUC1 and "off-on" upon concurrent detection of MUC1 and miRNA-196a. The biosensor achieves remarkably low limits of detection (LODs) at 0.63 fg mL-1 and 4.57 aM for MUC1 and miRNA-196a, respectively. Thus, it facilitates the real-time differentiation between human normal pancreatic (hTERT-HPNE) and pancreatic cancer (PANC-1) cells in authentic biological matrices. This innovative approach heralds a significant advancement in the early and specific detection of PDAC, offering promising prospects for clinical translation and the broader landscape of cancer diagnostics.

Ferroptosis in antitumor therapy: Unraveling regulatory mechanisms and immunogenic potential

Ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of non-apoptotic cell death, has the potential to revolutionize anti-tumor therapy. This review highlights the regulatory mechanisms and immunogenic properties of ferroptosis, and how it can enhance the effectiveness of radio and immunotherapies in overcoming tumor resistance. However, tumor metabolism and the impact of ferroptosis on the tumor microenvironment present challenges in completely realizing its therapeutic potential. A deeper understanding of the effects of ferroptosis on tumor cells and their associated immune cells is essential for developing more effective tumor treatment strategies. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the relationship between ferroptosis and tumor immunity, and sheds new light on its application in tumor immunotherapy.

IP3R1 dysregulation via mir-200c-3p/SSFA2 axis contributes to taxol resistance in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. Although current modalities offer a wide variety of therapy choices, head and neck carcinoma has poor prognosis due to its diagnosis at later stages and development of resistance to current therapeutic tools. In the current study, we aimed at exploring the roles of miR-200c-3p during head and neck carcinogenesis and acquisition of taxol resistance. We analyzed miR-200c-3p levels in HNC clinical samples and cell lines using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and evaluated the effects of differential miR-200c-3p expression on cancer-related cellular phenotypes using in-vitro tools. We identified and characterized a direct target of miR-200c-3p using in-silico tools, luciferase and various in-vitro assays. We investigated potential involvement of miR-200c-3p/SSFA2 axis in taxol resistance in-vitro. We found miR-200c-3p expression as significantly downregulated in both HNC tissues and cells compared to corresponding controls. Ectopic miR-200c-3p expression in HNC cells significantly inhibited cancer-related phenotypes such as viability, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion. We, then, identified SSFA2 as a direct target of miR-200c-3p and demonstrated that overexpression of SSFA2 induced malignant phenotypes in HNC cells. Furthermore, we found reduced miR-200c-3p expression in parallel with overexpression of SSFA2 in taxol resistant HNC cells compared to parental sensitive cells. Both involved in intracellular cytoskeleton remodeling, we found that SSFA2 works collaboratively with IP3R1 to modulate resistance to taxol in HNC cells. When considered collectively, our results showed that miR-200c-3p acts as a tumor suppressor microRNA and targets SSFA2/IP3R1 axis to sensitize HNC cells to taxol.

miR-200-mediated inactivation of cancer-associated fibroblasts via targeting of NRP2-VEGFR signaling attenuates lung cancer invasion and metastasis

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a substantial role in promoting cancer cell motility, drug resistance, angiogenesis, and metastasis; therefore, extensive research has been conducted to determine their mode of activation. We aimed to identify whether miRNA-200 (miR-200), a widely recognized suppressor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, prevents CAFs from promoting cancer progression. Overexpression of miR-200 prevented CAFs from promoting lung cancer cell migration, invasion, tumorigenicity, and metastasis. Additionally, miR-200 suppressed the ability of CAFs to recruit and polarize macrophages toward the M2 phenotype, as well as the migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells. NRP2, a co-receptor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), was confirmed to be a target of miR-200, which mediates the functional activity of miR-200 in CAFs. NRP2-VEGFR signaling facilitates the secretion of VEGF-D and pleiotrophin from CAFs, leading to the activation of cancer cell migration and invasion. These findings suggest that miR-200 remodels CAFs to impede cancer progression and metastasis and that miR-200 and NRP2 are potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of lung cancer.

Ferroptosis: principles and significance in health and disease

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by uncontrolled lipid peroxidation, is governed by molecular networks involving diverse molecules and organelles. Since its recognition as a non-apoptotic cell death pathway in 2012, ferroptosis has emerged as a crucial mechanism in numerous physiological and pathological contexts, leading to significant therapeutic advancements across a wide range of diseases. This review summarizes the fundamental molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying ferroptosis, including both GPX4-dependent and -independent antioxidant mechanisms. Additionally, we examine the involvement of ferroptosis in various pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic disorders. Specifically, we explore the role of ferroptosis in response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, nanotherapy, and targeted therapy. Furthermore, we discuss pharmacological strategies for modulating ferroptosis and potential biomarkers for monitoring this process. Lastly, we elucidate the interplay between ferroptosis and other forms of regulated cell death. Such insights hold promise for advancing our understanding of ferroptosis in the context of human health and disease.

Identification of CAF-related lncRNAs at the pan-cancer level represents a potential carcinogenic risk

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are increasingly recognized as playing a crucial role in regulating cancer progression and metastasis. These cells can be activated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), promoting the malignant biological processes of tumor cells. Therefore, it is essential to understand the regulatory relationship between CAFs and lncRNAs in cancers. Here, we identified CAF-related lncRNAs at the pan-cancer level to systematically predict their potential regulatory functions. The identified lncRNAs were also validated using various external data at both tissue and cellular levels. This study has revealed that these CAF-related lncRNAs exhibit expression perturbations in cancers and are highly correlated with the infiltration of stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts and endothelial cells. By prioritizing a list of CAF-related lncRNAs, we can further distinguish patient subtypes that show survival and molecular differences. In addition, we have developed a web server, CAFLnc (https://46906u5t63.zicp.fun/CAFLnc/), to visualize our results. In conclusion, CAF-related lncRNAs hold great potential as a valuable resource for comprehending lncRNA functions and advancing the identification of biomarkers for cancer progression and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Endothelin and the tumor microenvironment: a finger in every pie

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in the development of cancer. Within this complex milieu, the endothelin (ET) system plays a key role by triggering epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, causing degradation of the extracellular matrix and modulating hypoxia response, cell proliferation, composition, and activation. These multiple effects of the ET system on cancer progression have prompted numerous preclinical studies targeting the ET system with promising results, leading to considerable optimism for subsequent clinical trials. However, these clinical trials have not lived up to the high expectations; in fact, the clinical trials have failed to demonstrate any substantiated benefit of targeting the ET system in cancer patients. This review discusses the major and recent advances of the ET system with respect to TME and comments on past and ongoing clinical trials of the ET system.

Butyrate inhibits the malignant biological behaviors of breast cancer cells by facilitating cuproptosis-associated gene expression

BACKGROUND

Butyrate is a common short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and it has been demonstrated to regulate the development of breast cancer (BC), while the underlying mechanism is still unreported.

METHODS

Gas chromatography was used to measure the amounts of SCFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) in the feces. Cell viability was measured by the CCK-8 assay. The wound healing assay demonstrated cell migration, and the transwell assay demonstrated cell invasion. The levels of protein and gene were determined by western blot assay and RT-qPCR assay, respectively.

RESULTS

The levels of SCFA were lower in the faecal samples from BC patients compared to control samples. In cellular experiments, butyrate significantly suppressed the cell viability, migration and invasion of T47D in a dose-dependent manner. In animal experiments, butyrate effectively impeded the growth of BC tumors. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) was highly expressed in the tumors from BC patients. Butyrate inhibited the expression of TLR4. In addition, butyrate promoted the expression of cuproptosis-related genes including PDXK (pyridoxal kinase) and SLC25A28 (solute carrier family 25 member 28), which was lowly expressed in BC tumors. Importantly, overexpression of TLR4 can reverses the promotion of butyrate to PDXK and SLC25A28 expression and the prevention of butyrate to the malignant biological behaviors of T47D cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, butyrate inhibits the development of BC by facilitating the expression of PDXK and SLC25A28 through inhibition of TLR4. Our investigation first identified a connection among butyrate, TLR4 and cuproptosis-related genes in BC progression. These findings may provide novel target for the treatment of BC.

Analysis of PD-L1 promoter methylation combined with immunogenic context in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Despite the successful application of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-blocking strategies in some types of cancers and well-established prognostic indicators in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the biological and clinical implications of the methylation status of PD-L1/PD-L2 in PDAC remain largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the biological role of PD-L1/PD-L2 methylation and its association with clinicopathological features, clinical outcomes, and the immune microenvironment by analyzing the data on PD-L1/PD-L2 methylation and mRNA expression in PDAC cohorts obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas and International Cancer Genome Consortium. The correlation between PD-L1 promoter methylation and PD-L1 expression and survival was further validated in an independent validation cohort (Peking Union Medical College Hospital [PUMCH] cohort) using pyrosequencing and immunohistochemistry. These results demonstrated that hypomethylation of the PD-L1 promoter was strongly associated with upregulated PD-L1 expression and shorter overall survival in PDAC. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the PD-L1 promoter methylation was an independent prognostic factor. PD-L1 promoter hypomethylation and high expression were related to aggressive clinical phenotypes. Moreover, both PD-L1 and PD-L2 methylation correlated with immune cell infiltration and the expression of immune checkpoint genes. PD-L1 promoter methylation status was further validated as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with PDAC using the PUMCH cohort. The prognostic significance of PD-L1 promoter methylation was more discriminative in tumors with perineural/lymphovascular invasion and distant metastasis than in those without perineural/lymphovascular invasion and distant metastasis. In summary, the methylation status of the PD-L1 promoter is a promising biomarker for survival outcomes, immune infiltration, and the potential immune benefits of immunotherapy in PDAC.

Macrophages as Targets in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with a complex and diverse immunosuppressive microenvironment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are an essential component of the tumor immune microenvironment. TAMs typically exist in two primary states: anti-tumor M1 macrophages and protumor M2 macrophages. Remarkably, TAMs possess high plasticity, enabling them to switch between different subtypes or alter their biological functions in response to the tumor microenvironment. Based on research into the biological role of TAMs in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors, including HCC, TAMs are emerging as promising targets for novel tumor treatment strategies. In this review, we provide a detailed introduction to the origin and subtypes of TAMs, elucidate their interactions with other cells in the complex tumor microenvironment of HCC, and describe the biological roles, characteristics, and mechanisms of TAMs in the progression of HCC. Furthermore, we furnish an overview of the latest therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs.

Structural Basis for Multivalent MUC16 Recognition and Robust Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Activity of Humanized Antibody AR9.6

Mucin-16 (MUC16) is a target for antibody-mediated immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) among other malignancies. The MUC16-specific monoclonal antibody AR9.6 has shown promise for PDAC immunotherapy and imaging. Here, we report the structural and biological characterization of the humanized AR9.6 antibody (huAR9.6). The structure of huAR9.6 was determined in complex with a MUC16 SEA (Sea urchin sperm, Enterokinase, Agrin) domain. Binding of huAR9.6 to recombinant, shed, and cell-surface MUC16 was characterized, and anti-PDAC activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. HuAR9.6 bound a discontinuous, SEA domain epitope with an overall affinity of 88 nmol/L. Binding affinity depended on the specific SEA domain(s) present, and glycosylation modestly enhanced affinity driven by favorable entropy and enthalpy and via distinct transition state thermodynamic pathways. Treatment with huAR9.6 reduced the in vitro growth, migration, invasion, and clonogenicity of MUC16-positive PDAC cells and patient-derived organoids (PDO). HuAR9.6 blocked MUC16-mediated ErbB and AKT activation in PDAC cells, PDOs, and patient-derived xenografts and induced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. More importantly, huAR9.6 treatment caused substantial PDAC regression in subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models. The mechanism of action of huAR9.6 may depend on dense avid binding to homologous SEA domains on MUC16. The results of this study validate the translational therapeutic potential of huAR9.6 against MUC16-positive PDACs.

Circulating immune-related proteins associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) do not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. However, the phase II study CheckPAC (NCT02866383) showed a clinical benefit (CB) rate of 37% and a response rate of 14% in patients with metastatic PDAC receiving stereotactic radiation therapy and nivolumab with or without ipilimumab. Translational studies were initiated to characterize the patients who would benefit from this treatment. Here, we evaluated the association between treatment outcome and 92 circulating immuno-oncology-related proteins in patients from the CheckPAC trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 78 patients with chemoresistant metastatic PDAC treated with nivolumab ± ipilimumab combined with radiotherapy. Proteins were measured in serum samples collected at baseline and on treatment with the use of the Olink Target 96 Immuno-Oncology panel. A cohort of 234 patients with metastatic PDAC treated with first-line chemotherapy were also included.

RESULTS

High levels of Fas ligand (FASLG) and galectin 1 (Gal-1) and low levels of C-C motif chemokine 4 were associated with CB. High FASLG and Gal-1 were associated with longer progression-free survival in univariable analysis. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the association was significant for Gal-1 (P < 0.001) but not significant for FASLG (P = 0.06). A focused unsupervised hierarchal clustering analysis, including T-cell activation and immune checkpoint-related proteins, identified clusters of patients with higher CB rate and higher tumor expression of leukocyte or T-cell markers (CD3, CD45, granzyme B). Thirty-six proteins increased significantly during immunotherapy. Several proteins (including FASLG, checkpoint proteins, and immune activation markers) increased independently of response during immunotherapy but did not increase in the cohort of patients treated with chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating levels of immune-related proteins like FASLG and Gal-1 might be used to predict the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in patients with metastatic PDAC.

Metabolic Signaling in Cancer Metastasis

Metastases, which are the leading cause of death in patients with cancer, have metabolic vulnerabilities. Alterations in metabolism fuel the energy and biosynthetic needs of metastases but are also needed to activate cell state switches in cells leading to invasion, migration, colonization, and outgrowth in distant organs. Specifically, metabolites can activate protein kinases as well as receptors and they are crucial substrates for posttranslational modifications on histone and nonhistone proteins. Moreover, metabolic enzymes can have moonlighting functions by acting catalytically, mainly as protein kinases, or noncatalytically through protein-protein interactions. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on metabolic signaling in cancer metastasis.

SIGNIFICANCE

Effective drugs for the prevention and treatment of metastases will have an immediate impact on patient survival. To overcome the current lack of such drugs, a better understanding of the molecular processes that are an Achilles heel in metastasizing cancer cells is needed. One emerging opportunity is the metabolic changes cancer cells need to undergo to successfully metastasize and grow in distant organs. Mechanistically, these metabolic changes not only fulfill energy and biomass demands, which are often in common between cancer and normal but fast proliferating cells, but also metabolic signaling which enables the cell state changes that are particularly important for the metastasizing cancer cells.

Bioinformatics analysis of signature genes related to cell death in keratoconus

Keratoconus is corneal disease in which the progression of conical dilation of cornea leads to reduced visual acuity and even corneal perforation. However, the etiology mechanism of keratoconus is still unclear. This study aims to identify the signature genes related to cell death in keratoconus and examine the function of these genes. A dataset of keratoconus from the GEO database was analysed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 3558 DEGs were screened from GSE151631. The results of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that they mainly involved in response to hypoxia, cell-cell adhesion, and IL-17 signaling pathway. Then, the cell death-related genes datasets were intersected with the above 3558 DEGs to obtain 70 ferroptosis-related DEGs (FDEGs), 32 autophagy-related DEGs (ADEGs), six pyroptosis-related DEGs (PDEGs), four disulfidptosis-related DEGs (DDEGs), and one cuproptosis-related DEGs (CDEGs). After using Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), Random Forest analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, one ferroptosis-related gene (TNFAIP3) and five autophagy-related genes (CDKN1A, HSPA5, MAPK8IP1, PPP1R15A, and VEGFA) were screened out. The expressions of the above six genes were significantly decreased in keratoconus and the area under the curve (AUC) values of these genes was 0.944, 0.893, 0.797, 0.726, 0.882 and 0.779 respectively. GSEA analysis showed that the above six genes mainly play an important role in allograft rejection, asthma, and circadian rhythm etc. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that focusing on these genes and autoimmune diseases will be a beneficial perspective for the keratoconus etiology research.

Regulation of metaplasia and dysplasia in the stomach by the stromal microenvironment

Research on the microenvironment associated with gastric carcinogenesis has focused on cancers of the stomach and often underestimates premalignant stages such as metaplasia and dysplasia. Since epithelial interactions with T cells, macrophages, and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are indispensable for the formation of precancerous lesions in the stomach, understanding the cellular interactions that promote gastric precancer warrants further investigation. Although various types of immune cells have been shown to play important roles in gastric carcinogenesis, it remains unclear how stromal cells such as fibroblasts influence epithelial transformation in the stomach, especially during precancerous stages. Fibroblasts exist as distinct populations across tissues and perform different functions depending on the expression patterns of cell surface markers and secreted factors. In this review, we provide an overview of known microenvironmental components in the stroma with an emphasis on fibroblast subpopulations and their roles during carcinogenesis in tissues including breast, pancreas, and stomach. Additionally, we offer insights into potential targets of tumor-promoting fibroblasts and identify open areas of research related to fibroblast plasticity and the modulation of gastric carcinogenesis.

GJA4 expressed on cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-A 'promoter' of the mesenchymal phenotype

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Connexin is a transmembrane protein involved in gap junctions (GJs) formation. Our previous study found that connexin 37 (Cx37), encoded by gap junction protein alpha 4 (GJA4), expressed on fibroblasts acts as a promoter of CRC and is closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor immune microenvironment. However, to date, the mechanism concerning the malignancy of GJA4 in tumor stroma has not been studied.

METHODS

Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used to validate the expression and localization of GJA4. Using single-cell analysis, enrichment analysis, spatial transcriptomics, immunofluorescence staining (IF), Sirius red staining, wound healing and transwell assays, western blotting (WB), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay and in vivo experiments, we investigated the possible mechanisms of GJA4 in promoting CRC.

RESULTS

We discovered that in CRC, GJA4 on fibroblasts is involved in promoting fibroblast activation and promoting EMT through a fibroblast-dependent pathway. Furthermore, GJA4 may act synergistically with M2 macrophages to limit T cell infiltration by stimulating the formation of an immune-excluded desmoplasic barrier. Finally, we found a significantly correlation between GJA4 and pathological staging (P < 0.0001) or D2 dimer (R = 0.03, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We have identified GJA4 expressed on fibroblasts is actually a promoter of the tumor mesenchymal phenotype. Our findings suggest that the interaction between GJA4+ fibroblasts and M2 macrophages may be an effective target for enhancing tumor immunotherapy.