NF-kappaB controls cell growth and differentiation through transcriptional regulation of cyclin D1

CXCL1 promotes colon cancer progression through activation of NF-κB/P300 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

The upregulated expression of CXCL1 has been validated in colorectal cancer patients. As a potential biotherapeutic target for colorectal cancer, the mechanism by which CXCL1 affects the development of colorectal cancer is not clear.

METHODS

Expression data of CXCL1 in colorectal cancer were obtained from the GEO database and verified using the GEPIA database and the TIMER 2.0 database. Knockout and overexpression of CXCL1 in colorectal cancer cells by CRISPR/Cas and "Sleeping Beauty" transposon-mediated gene editing techniques. Cell biological function was demonstrated by CCK-8, transwell chamber and Colony formation assay. RT-qPCR and Western Blot assays measured RNA and protein expression. Protein localization and expression were measured by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis showed significant overexpression of CXCL1 in the colorectal cancer tissues compared to normal human tissues, and identified CXCL1 as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. We demonstrate that CXCL1 promotes the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells and has a facilitative effect on tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, CXCL1 elevation promoted the migration of M2-tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) while disrupting the aggregation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at tumor sites. Mechanistic studies suggested that CXCL1 activates the NF-κB pathway. In the in vivo colon cancer transplantation tumor model, treatment with the P300 inhibitor C646 significantly inhibited the growth of CXCL1-overexpressing colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

CXCL1 promotes colon cancer development through activation of NF-κB/P300, and that CXCL1-based therapy is a potential novel strategy to prevent colon cancer development.

Biological relevance of ZNF224 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its implication IN NF-kB pathway regulation

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease, whose presentation and clinical course are highly variable. Identification of novel prognostic factors may contribute to improving the CLL classification and providing indications for treatment options. The zinc finger protein ZNF224 plays a key role in cell transformation, through the control of apoptotic and survival pathways. In this study, we evaluated the potential application of ZNF224 as a novel marker of CLL progression and therapy responsiveness. To this aim, we analyzed ZNF224 expression levels in B lymphocytes from CLL patients at different stages of the disease and in patients showing different treatment outcomes. The expression of ZNF224 was significantly increased in disease progression and dramatically decreased in patients in complete remission after chemotherapy. Gene expression correlation analysis performed on datasets of CLL patients revealed that ZNF224 expression was well correlated with that of some prognostic and predictive markers. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis coupled ZNF224 to NF-κB pathway, and experimental data demonstrated that RNA interference of ZNF224 reduced the activity of the NF-κB survival pathway in CLL cells. Consistently with a pro-survival role, ZNF224 knockdown raised spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CLL patients. Our findings provide evidence for the involvement of ZNF224 in the survival of CLL cells via NF-κB pathway modulation, and also suggest ZNF224 as a prognostic and predictive molecular marker of CLL disease.

Exosome biopotentiated hydrogel restores damaged skeletal muscle in a porcine model of stress urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence afflicts up to 40% of adult women in the United States. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) accounts for approximately one-third of these cases, precipitating ~200,000 surgical procedures annually. Continence is maintained through the interplay of sub-urethral support and urethral sphincter coaptation, particularly during activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure. Currently, surgical correction of SUI focuses on the re-establishment of sub-urethral support. However, mesh-based repairs are associated with foreign body reactions and poor localized tissue healing, which leads to mesh exposure, prompting the pursuit of technologies that restore external urethral sphincter function and limit surgical risk. The present work utilizes a human platelet-derived CD41a and CD9 expressing extracellular vesicle product (PEP) enriched for NF-κB and PD-L1 and derived to ensure the preservation of lipid bilayer for enhanced stability and compatibility with hydrogel-based sustained delivery approaches. In vitro, the application of PEP to skeletal muscle satellite cells in vitro drove proliferation and differentiation in an NF-κB-dependent fashion, with full inhibition of impact on exposure to resveratrol. PEP biopotentiation of collagen-1 and fibrin glue hydrogel achieved sustained exosome release at 37 °C, creating an ultrastructural “bead on a string” pattern on scanning electron microscopy. Initial testing in a rodent model of latissimus dorsi injury documented activation of skeletal muscle proliferation of healing. In a porcine model of stress urinary incontinence, delivery of PEP-biopotentiated collagen-1 induced functional restoration of the external urethral sphincter. The histological evaluation found that sustained PEP release was associated with new skeletal muscle formation and polarization of local macrophages towards the regenerative M2 phenotype. The results provided herein serve as the first description of PEP-based biopotentiation of hydrogels implemented to restore skeletal muscle function and may serve as a promising approach for the nonsurgical management of SUI.

ZBP1: A Powerful Innate Immune Sensor and Double-Edged Sword in Host Immunity

Z-conformation nucleic acid binding protein 1 (ZBP1), a powerful innate immune sensor, has been identified as the important signaling initiation factor in innate immune response and the multiple inflammatory cell death known as PANoptosis. The initiation of ZBP1 signaling requires recognition of left-handed double-helix Z-nucleic acid (includes Z-DNA and Z-RNA) and subsequent signaling transduction depends on the interaction between ZBP1 and its adapter proteins, such as TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), and RIPK3. ZBP1 activated innate immunity, including type-I interferon (IFN-I) response and NF-κB signaling, constitutes an important line of defense against pathogenic infection. In addition, ZBP1-mediated PANoptosis is a double-edged sword in anti-infection, auto-inflammatory diseases, and tumor immunity. ZBP1-mediated PANoptosis is beneficial for eliminating infected cells and tumor cells, but abnormal or excessive PANoptosis can lead to a strong inflammatory response that is harmful to the host. Thus, pathogens and host have each developed multiplex tactics targeting ZBP1 signaling to maintain strong virulence or immune homeostasis. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanisms of ZBP1 signaling, the effects of ZBP1 signaling on host immunity and pathogen infection, and various antagonistic strategies of host and pathogen against ZBP1. We also discuss existent gaps regarding ZBP1 signaling and forecast potential directions for future research.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals physiological responses in liver tissues of Epinephelus coioides under acute hypoxia stress

Hypoxia is a common stressor for aquatic animals, including Epinephelus coioides, with a considerable impact on sustainable aquaculture. E. coioides is a widely consumed fish in China owing to its high nutritious value and taste. However, water hypoxia caused by high density culture process has become a great threat to E. coioides culture, and its response to hypoxia stress has not been discussed before. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the response of E. coioides to acute hypoxia using transcriptomic techniques. To this end, RNA sequencing was performed on the liver tissues of fish exposed to normoxic and hypoxic conditions for 1 h. The results presented 503 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver tissue of fish exposed to hypoxic condition compared with those in the normoxic group. Enrichment analysis using the Gene Ontology database showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched for functions related to cell apoptosis signaling pathways, insulin resistance, antioxidant enzymes, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis signaling pathways. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that HIF-1, PI3K-AKT, IL-17, NF-kappa B, and MAPK signaling pathways were significantly enriched by the DEGs. The DEGs were mainly involved in immune response, inflammatory response, cell apoptosis regulation, energy metabolism, and substance metabolism. Additionally, the hypoxia response in E. coioides was mainly regulated via the PI3K-AKT-HIF-1 signaling axis. Overall, the findings of this study contribute to the understanding of hypoxia stress response in E. coioides, and provides target genes for breeding hypoxia-tolerant Epinephelus spp.

Atypical IκB Bcl3 enhances the generation of the NF-κB p52 homodimer

The NF-κB family of dimeric transcription factors regulate diverse biological functions. Their cellular expression profiles differ, which lead to different concentrations in different cell/tissue types. Although the activation mechanisms of different NF-κB dimers have been widely investigated, there is limited information on specific NF-κB dimers’ formation. The NF-κB p52:p52 homodimer regulates an important subset of target genes in cancer cells; however, the molecular mechanism of the generation of this specific homodimer remains unclear. Our study has revealed that the atypical IκB protein, Bcl3, plays an essential role in enhancing the p52:p52 homodimer population which is a unique mechanism to p52 within the NF-κB family. p52 was shown to heterodimerize with four other NF-κB subunits (RelA, RelB, cRel, and p50); all heterodimers, except p52:p50, are significantly more stable than the p52:p52 homodimer. Bcl3 is able to compete with all other NF-κB subunits in cells for efficient p52:p52 homodimer formation which consequently leads to the upregulation of target genes that are involved in cell proliferation, migration, and inflammation, which explain why aberrant activation of Bcl3 and p52 leads to cancer.

PCDH1 promotes progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via activation of NF-κB signalling by interacting with KPNB1

Uncontrolled growth, distant metastasis and chemoresistance are critical characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and they result in high mortality; however, the mechanisms triggering these effects have not been fully investigated. In this study, we analysed a dataset in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and identified PCDH1, a rarely studied transmembrane protein, as a novel prognostic marker in PDAC patients. We demonstrated that PCDH1 expression was upregulated in PDAC tissues, and its expression levels were associated with the depth of tumour invasion and lymph node metastasis. Patients with high PCDH1 levels showed poor overall survival (OS). We also investigated the biological significance of PCDH1 in PDAC cell growth, metastasis, and side population (SP) phenotype acquisition and explored the internal molecular mechanisms of PCDH1 action. Our results demonstrated that PCDH1 enhanced p65 nuclear localization by interacting with KPNB1, a well-characterized nuclear transporter, thereby activating the NF-κB signalling pathway and increasing its functional effects during PDAC progression. Hence, our results indicate that PCDH1 can be used as a negative prognostic marker and may be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC patients.

Relish regulates innate immunity via mediating ATG5 activity in Antheraea pernyi

In innate immunity, autophagy is an important molecular mechanism that plays a critical role in the animal defense system. Given the importance of anti-microbial autophagy in the innate immune processes, the relationship between anti-microbial autophagy and LPS-induced innate immunity in A. pernyi was investigated. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that autophagy-related genes (ATG6, ATG5, and ATG12) were induced following LPS injection. LPS treatment in the Relish knockdown larvae reduced the expression of autophagy-related genes, especially ATG5. Furthermore, ATG5 depletion decreased the innate immune effect, while its over-expression with ATG12 was induced after the LPS challenge. The dual-luciferase assay revealed that Relish could regulate ATG5 expression by binding directly to the promoter of the ATG5 gene. Overall, our findings show that Relish regulates the ATG5 transcription to eliminate Gram-negative bacteria by anti-microbial autophagy, implying a strong connection between autophagy and innate immunity in immunologic homeostasis.

Regenerating myofiber directs Tregs and Th17 responses in inflamed muscle through the intrinsic TGF-β signaling-mediated IL-6 production

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is considered to be an important immune regulatory cytokine. However, it remains unknown whether and how the muscle fiber specific-TGF-β signaling is directly involved in intramuscular inflammatory regulation by affecting T cells. Here, we addressed these in a mouse tibialis anterior muscle Cardiotoxin injection-induced injury repair model in muscle creatine kinase (MCK)-Cre control or transgenic mice with TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βr2) being specifically deleted in muscle cells (SM TGF-βr2^-/-). In control mice, TGF-β2 and TGF-βr2 were found significantly upregulated in muscle after the acute injury. In mutant mice, deficiency of TGF-β signaling in muscle cells caused more serious muscle inflammation, with the increased infiltration of macrophages and CD4⁺ T cells at the degeneration stage (D4) and the early stage of regeneration (D7) after myoinjury. Notably, the loss of TGF-β signaling in myofibers dramatically affected CD4⁺ T cell function and delayed T cells withdrawal at the later stage of muscle regeneration (D10 and D15), marked by the elevated Th17, but the impaired Tregs response. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro, the intrinsic TGF-β signaling affected immune behaviors of muscle cells and directed CD4⁺ T cells differentiation by impairing IL-6 production and release. It suggests that local muscle inflammation can be inhibited potentially by directly activating the TGF-β signaling pathway in muscle cells to suppress Th17, but induce Tregs responses. Thus, according to the results of this study, we found a new idea for the control of local acute inflammation in skeletal muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Myofiber mediates muscle inflammatory response through activating the intrinsic TGF-β signaling. The specific TGF-β signaling activation contributes to myofiber IL-6 production and directs muscle-specific Th17 and Treg cell responses.

EV-Mediated Chemoresistance in the Tumor Microenvironment: Is NF-κB a Player?

Drug resistance is a major impediment to patient survival and remains the primary cause of unsuccessful cancer therapy. Drug resistance occurs in many tumors and is frequently induced by chemotherapy which triggers a defensive response both in cancerous and cancer-associated cells that constitute the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cell to cell communication within the TME is often mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs) which carry specific tumor-promoting factors able to activate survival pathways and immune escape mechanisms, thus sustaining tumor progression and therapy resistance. NF-κB has been recognized as a crucial player in this context. NF-κB activation is involved in EVs release and EVs, in turn, can trigger NF-κB pathway activation in specific contexts, based on secreting cytotype and their specific delivered cargo. In this review, we discuss the role of NF-κB/EVs interplay that sustain chemoresistance in the TME by focusing on the molecular mechanisms that underlie inflammation, EVs release, and acquired drug resistance.

Remote ischemic preconditioning causes transient cell-cycle arrest and renal protection by a NF-kB-dependent Sema5B pathway

Acute kidney injury increases morbidity and mortality, and previous studies have shown that remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces the risk of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. RIPC increases urinary high mobility group box protein-1 (HMGB1) levels in patients, and this correlates with kidney protection. Here, we show that RIPC reduces renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and improves kidney function in mice. Mechanistically, RIPC increases HMGB1 levels in the plasma and urine, and HMGB1 binds to TLR4 on renal tubular epithelial cells, inducing transcriptomic modulation of renal tubular epithelial cells and providing renal protection, whereas TLR4 activation on nonrenal cells was shown to contribute to renal injury. This protection is mediated by activation of induction of AMPKα and NF-κB; this induction contributes to the upregulation of Sema5b, which triggers a transient, protective G₁ cell cycle arrest. In cardiac surgery patients at high risk for postoperative acute kidney injury, increased HMGB1 and Sema5b levels after RIPC were associated with renal protection after surgery. The results may help to develop future clinical treatment options for acute kidney injury.

Molecular Pathways and Roles for Vitamin K2-7 as a Health-Beneficial Nutraceutical: Challenges and Opportunities

Vitamin K2-7, also known as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is a form of vitamin K that has health-beneficial effects in osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Compared to vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), K2-7 is absorbed more readily and is more bioavailable. Clinical studies have unequivocally demonstrated the utility of vitamin K2-7 supplementation in ameliorating peripheral neuropathy, reducing bone fracture risk and improving cardiovascular health. We examine how undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and matrix Gla protein (ucMGP) are converted to carboxylated forms (cOC and cMGP respectively) by K2-7 acting as a cofactor, thus facilitating the deposition of calcium in bones and preventing vascular calcification. K2-7 is beneficial in managing bone loss because it upregulates osteoprotegerin which is a decoy receptor for RANK ligand (RANKL) thus inhibiting bone resorption. We also review the evidence for the health-beneficial outcomes of K2-7 in diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we discuss the K2-7-mediated suppression of growth in cancer cells via cell-cycle arrest, autophagy and apoptosis. The mechanistic basis for the disease-modulating effects of K2-7 is mediated through various signal transduction pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAP Kinase, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, etc. Interestingly, K2-7 is also responsible for suppression of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α. We elucidate various genes modulated by K2-7 as well as the clinical pharmacometrics of vitamin K2-7 including K2-7-mediated pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD). Further, we discuss the current status of clinical trials on K2-7 that shed light on dosing strategies for maximum health benefits. Taken together, this is a synthetic review that delineates the health-beneficial effects of K2-7 in a clinical setting, highlights the molecular basis for these effects, elucidates the clinical pharmacokinetics of K2-7, and underscores the need for K2-7 supplementation in the global diet.

Ethanol Extract of Sargassum siliquastrum Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide Generation by Downregulating the Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling Pathway

Sargassum siliquastrum (SS) is an edible brown seaweed widely consumed in Korea and considered a functional food source. Previous studies have reported various biological activities of SS extracts, including antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the SS extract and assessed the underlying mechanism of action. The SS extract significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner (% of NO production at 500 μg/mL: 60.1 ± 0.9%), with no obvious toxicity. Furthermore, the SS extract inhibited mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible NO synthase, as well as LPS-induced expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α (IL-6 production (ng/mL) : LPS−: 0.7 ± 0.3; LPS+: 68.1 ± 2.8; LPS + SS extract: 51.9 ± 1.2; TNF-α production (ng/mL) : LPS−: 0.3 ± 0.1; LPS+: 23.0 ± 0.1; LPS + SS extract: 18.2 ± 10.8). Mechanistically, the SS extract attenuated LPS-induced activation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (nuclear factor-kappa B, NF-κB) signaling pathway such as phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and degradation of IκB-α, thereby blocking LPS-induced activation of NF-κB transcriptional activity. The SS extract also enhanced LPS-induced heme oxygenase-1 expression and attenuated LPS-induced cellular reactive oxygen species production (% of ROS production at 500 μg/mL: 52.2 ± 1.3%). Collectively, these findings suggest that the SS extract elicits anti-inflammatory effects in mouse macrophage cells.

Calcium-binding protein S100P is a new target gene of MACC1, drives colorectal cancer metastasis and serves as a prognostic biomarker

Background

The metastasis inducing gene MACC1 is a prognostic and predictive biomarker for metastasis in several cancers. Its mechanism of inducing metastasis includes the transcriptional control of other cancer-related target genes. Here, we investigate the interplay with the metastasis driver S100P in CRC progression.

Methods

MACC1-dependent S100P expression was analysed by qRT-PCR. The binding of MACC1 to the S100P promoter was determined by ChIP. Alterations in cell proliferation and motility were determined by functional in vitro assays. In vivo metastasis after intrasplenic transplantation was assessed by bioluminescence imaging and evaluation of tumour growth and liver metastasis. The prognostic value of S100P was determined in CRC patients by ROC-based Kaplan–Meier analyses.

Results

Expression of S100P and MACC1 correlated positively in CRC cells and colorectal tumours. MACC1 was found binding to the S100P promoter and induces its expression. The overexpression of S100P increased proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and significantly induced liver metastasis in vivo. S100P expression was significantly elevated in metachronously metastasising CRC and was associated with shorter metastasis-free survival.

Conclusions

We identified S100P as a transcriptional target gene of MACC1. Expression of S100P increases the metastatic potential of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo, and serves as a prognostic biomarker for metastasis-free survival of CRC patients, emphasising novel therapeutic interventions targeting S100P.

The role and therapeutic implication of endoplasmic reticulum stress in inflammatory cancer transformation

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs when proteins are affected by various factors, fail to fold properly into higher structures and accumulate in the lumen of the ER, which activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore normal cellular function or induce apoptosis as a self-protective mechanism. However, a growing number of studies have shown that the three branches of ER stress and the UPR can mediate inflammation and cancer development by interacting with inflammatory transformation-related signaling pathways. Targeting the UPR, especially the use of small molecules that target the active sites of the enzymes IRE1α and PERK and BIP/GRP78 inhibitors are potential strategies for treating tumors and have shown promising results in some tumor models. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the progress of ER stress/UPR research and the signaling pathways associated with inflammatory cancer transformation, provide an in-depth description of the mechanisms of these pathways, and outline strategies in the field of UPR biology in tumor therapy to provide new ideas for the mechanisms of inflammatory cancer transformation and tumor-related treatment.

Factors Regulating or Regulated by Myogenic Regulatory Factors in Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells

MyoD, Myf5, myogenin, and MRF4 (also known as Myf6 or herculin) are myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). MRFs are regarded as master transcription factors that are upregulated during myogenesis and influence stem cells to differentiate into myogenic lineage cells. In this review, we summarize MRFs, their regulatory factors, such as TLE3, NF-κB, and MRF target genes, including non-myogenic genes such as taste receptors. Understanding the function of MRFs and the physiology or pathology of satellite cells will contribute to the development of cell therapy and drug discovery for muscle-related diseases.

ZFTA-fusion in supratentorial ependymomas: low prevalence in South Asians and no correlation with survival

BACKGROUND

- Supratentorial ependymomas (STEs) are an aggressive group of ependymoma, topographically distinct from their posterior fossa and spinal counterparts. ZFTA fusion-positive cases have been reported to account for the majority of STEs, although data on its association with poorer outcomes is inconsistent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

- We assessed the prevalence of the ZFTA-fusion by RT PCR and FISH in a cohort of 61 patients (68 samples) with STE. Our primary outcome was to determine the role of the ZFTA-fusion on progression-free and overall survival of patients with STE. Our secondary objectives were to assess the impact of ZFTA-fusion on NF-kB pathway signalling via surrogate markers of this pathway, namely COX-2, CCND1 and L1CAM.

RESULTS

- ZFTA-fusion was noted in 21.3% of STEs in our cohort. The presence of this rearrangement did not significantly impact the PFS or OS of patients with STEs and was not associated with upregulation of markers of the NF-kB pathway. Only gross total resection was significantly associated with better progression-free survival.

CONCLUSION

- In contradiction to prior reports from across the world, the ZFTA-fusion is far less prevalent among our population. It does not appear to drive NF-kB signaling or significantly affect outcomes. Gross total resection (GTR) must be attempted in all cases of STE and adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy employed when GTR is not achieved.

The Expression, Prognostic Value, and Immunological Correlation of MCEMP1 and its Potential Role in Gastric Cancer

Purpose

Gastric cancer (GC) is a lethal cancer with a poor 5-year relative survival, which requires a new research perspective. Our study aims to explore the biological impact of the mast cell-expressed membrane protein 1 (MCEMP1) in GC, which includes its expression and potential biological functions.

Methods

The expression of MCEMP1 was assessed through public databases. The GO, KEGG, and GESA analyses were conducted to explore the biofunction of MCEMP1. And ssGSEA was used to analyze the infiltration of the immune cells for MCEMP1. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells were analyzed through CCK8, colony-forming, wound healing, Transwell, and Western blot assay.

Results

The expression of MCEMP1 was higher in GC tissues. Further, we found a close relationship between MCEMP1 and poorer prognosis of gastric cancer by prognostic analysis. The functional analysis showed that MCEMP1 is involved in immune, inflammation, and metabolism-related pathways. The ssGSEA analysis indicated MCEMP1 mRNA expression was associated with immune infiltration of multiple immune cells. In cellular experiments, the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells could be promoted by regulating the rise of MCEMP1 expression. Western blot analysis showed that regulation of MCEMP1 expression can affect EMT-related protein expression and that NF-κB expression is involved in this process.

Conclusion

MCEMP1 shows a potential value for the prognosis in GC. And, abnormal expression of MCEMP1 in GC is correlated with tumor immune cell infiltration. In in vitro experiments, MCEMP1 can affect the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells by regulating EMT, in which TLR4/NOD2/NF-κB was involved.

Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Suppresses the Proinflammatory Cytokines in Human Glioblastoma Cells through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Signaling Pathway In Vitro

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), extracted from cruciferous vegetables, showed anticancer activity in many human cancer cells. Our previous studies disclosed the anticancer activity of PEITC in human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) 8401 cells, including suppressing the cell proliferation, inducing apoptotic cell death, and suppressing cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, PEITC also inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors of human glioblastoma cells. We are the first to investigate PEITC effects on the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathway and the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on glioblastoma. The cell viability was analyzed by flow cytometric assay. The protein levels and mRNA expressions of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, respectively. Furthermore, nuclear factor-kappa B- (NF-κB-) associated proteins were evaluated by western blotting. NF-κB expression and nuclear translocation were confirmed by confocal laser microscopy. NF-κB binding to the DNA was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Our results indicated that PEITC decreased the cell viability and inhibited the protein levels and expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α genes at the transcriptional level in GBM 8401 cells. PEITC inhibited the binding of NF-κB on promoter site of DNA in GBM 8401 cells. PEITC also altered the protein expressions of protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and NF-κB signaling pathways. The inflammatory responses in human glioblastoma cells may be suppressed by PEITC through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, PEITC may have the potential to be an anti-inflammatory agent for human glioblastoma in the future.

β-Catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma

Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is one of the main genetic alterations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed that gain-of-function mutation of CTNNB1, which encodes β-catenin, and loss-of-function mutation of AXIN1 occur in approximately 35% of human HCC samples. Human HCCs with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway demonstrate unique gene expression patterns and pathological features. Activated Wnt/β-catenin synergizes with multiple signaling cascades to drive HCC formation, and it functions through its downstream effectors. Therefore, strategies targeting Wnt/β-catenin have been pursued as possible therapeutics against HCC. Here, we review the genetic alterations and oncogenic roles of aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling during hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we discuss the implication of this pathway in HCC diagnosis, classification, and personalized treatment.

1'-Acetoxychavicol Acetate from Alpinia galanga Represses Proliferation and Invasion, and Induces Apoptosis via HER2-signaling in Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients have a good prognosis, but 30% of these patients will experience recurrence due to the development of resistance through various signaling pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the mode of anticancer effects of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, which is isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga in estrogen receptor positive (MCF7) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressed (MCF7/HER2), and endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF7/LCC2 and MCF7/LCC9). 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate showed antiproliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion and had higher potency in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressed cell lines. This was associated with down-regulation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, pERK1/2, pAKT, estrogen receptor coactivator, cyclin D1, and MYC proto-oncogene while in vivo and significant reduction in the tumor mass of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate-treated zebrafish-engrafted breast cancer groups. The anti-invasive effects of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate were confirmed in vitro by the matrigel invasion assay and with down-regulation of C - X-C chemokine receptor type 4, urokinase plasminogen activator, vascular endothelial growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor 2 genes. The down-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator and fibroblast growth factor 2 proteins was also validated by molecular docking analysis. Moreover, 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate-treated cells exhibited lower expression levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins in addition to enhanced stress-activated kinases/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 and poly-ADP ribose polymerase cleavage, indicating apoptotic cell induction by 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate. Moreover, 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate had higher potency in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressed cell lines regarding its inhibition on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, pAKT, pERK1/2, PSer¹¹⁸, and PSer¹⁶⁷-ERα proteins. Our findings suggest 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate mediates its anti-cancer effects via human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 signaling pathway.

Versatile approach for the synthesis of furo-coumarin derivatives

Abstract:

Owing to useful physio-chemical properties of furo-coumarin derivatives, their synthetic and mechanistic investigation has been reported here. We have demonstrated a range of synthetic approach to access furan-fused coumarin derivatives. Many metal mediated, base and acid catalyzed approach have been revealed for the construction of thiscoumarin based fused heterocycles of biological importance. In addition to this, microwave assisted synthetic routes have been also revealed. The last and useful approach for the synthesis of these heterocycles includes use of purely solvent as a reaction media for synthesizing these interesting classes of heterocycles.

Molecular Mechanisms of Parathyroid Disorders in Chronic Kidney Disease

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that induces morbidity and mortality in patients. How CKD stimulates the parathyroid to increase parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, gene expression and cell proliferation remains an open question. In experimental SHP, the increased PTH gene expression is post-transcriptional and mediated by PTH mRNA–protein interactions that promote PTH mRNA stability. These interactions are orchestrated by the isomerase Pin1. Pin1 participates in conformational change-based regulation of target proteins, including mRNA-binding proteins. In SHP, Pin1 isomerase activity is decreased, and thus, the Pin1 target and PTH mRNA destabilizing protein KSRP fails to bind PTH mRNA, increasing PTH mRNA stability and levels. An additional level of post-transcriptional regulation is mediated by microRNA (miRNA). Mice with parathyroid-specific knockout of Dicer, which facilitates the final step in miRNA maturation, lack parathyroid miRNAs but have normal PTH and calcium levels. Surprisingly, these mice fail to increase serum PTH in response to hypocalcemia or uremia, indicating a role for miRNAs in parathyroid stimulation. SHP often leads to parathyroid hyperplasia. Reduced expressions of parathyroid regulating receptors, activation of transforming growth factor α-epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclooxygenase 2-prostaglandin E2 and mTOR signaling all contribute to the enhanced parathyroid cell proliferation. Inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin prevents and corrects the increased parathyroid cell proliferation of SHP. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms that stimulate the parathyroid cell at multiple levels in SHP.

SRPK1 promotes cell proliferation and tumor growth of osteosarcoma through activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway

To explore the expression and the functions of SRPK1 in osteosarcoma, we retrieved transcription profiling dataset by array of human bone specimens from patients with osteosarcoma from ArrayExpress (accession E-MEXP-3628) and from Gene Expression Omnibus (accession GSE16102) and analyzed expression level of SRPK1 and prognostic value in human osteosarcoma. Then we examined the effect of differential SRPK1 expression levels on the progression of osteosarcoma, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and investigated its underlying molecular mechanism using in vitro osteosarcoma cell lines and in vivo nude mouse xenograft models. High expression level of SRPK1 was found in human osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines as compared to the normal bone tissues and osteoblast cells, and predicted poor prognosis of human osteosarcoma. Overexpression of SRPK1 in osteosarcoma U2OS cells led to cell proliferation but inhibition of apoptosis. In contrast, knockdown of SRPK1 in HOS cells impeded cell viability and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, silencing SRPK1 inhibited osteosarcoma tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that SRPK1 promoted cell cycle transition in osteosarcoma cells and activation of NF-κB is required for SRPK1 expression and its pro-survival signaling. SRPK1 promoted human osteosarcoma cell proliferation and tumor growth by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.

The Synergistic Effects of SHR6390 Combined With Pyrotinib on HER2+/HR+ Breast Cancer

HER2+/HR+ breast cancer is a special molecular type of breast cancer. Existing treatment methods are prone to resistance; “precision treatment” is necessary. Pyrotinib is a pan-her kinase inhibitor that can be used in HER2-positive tumors, while SHR6390 is a CDK4/6 inhibitor that can inhibit ER+ breast cancer cell cycle progression and cancer cell proliferation. In cancer cells, HER2 and CDK4/6 signaling pathways could be nonredundant; co-inhibition of both pathways by combination of SHR6390 and pyrotinib may have synergistic anticancer activity on HER2+/HR+ breast cancer. In this study, we determined the synergy of the two-drug combination and underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that the combination of SHR6390 and pyrotinib synergistically inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HER2+/HR+ breast cancer cells in vitro. The combination of two drugs induced G1/S phase arrest and apoptosis in HER2+/HR+ breast cancer cell lines. The combination of two drugs prolonged the time to tumor recurrence in the xenograft model system. By second-generation RNA sequencing technology and enrichment analysis of the pyrotinib-resistant cell line, we found that FOXM1 was associated with induced resistance to HER2-targeted therapy. In HER2+/HR+ breast cancer cell lines, the combination of the two drugs could further reduce FOXM1 phosphorylation, thereby enhancing the antitumor effect to a certain extent. These findings suggest that SHR6390 combination with pyrotinib suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HER2+/HR+ breast cancers through regulation of FOXM1.

Origin of the Functional Distinctiveness of NF-κB/p52

The transcription regulators of the NF-κB family have emerged as a critical factor affecting the function of various adult tissues. The NF-κB family transcription factors are homo- and heterodimers made up of five monomers (p50, p52, RelA, cRel and RelB). The family is distinguished by sequence homology in their DNA binding and dimerization domains, which enables them to bind similar DNA response elements and participate in similar biological programs through transcriptional activation and repression of hundreds of genes. Even though the family members are closely related in terms of sequence and function, they all display distinct activities. In this review, we discuss the sequence characteristics, protein and DNA interactions, and pathogenic involvement of one member of family, NF-κB/p52, relative to that of other members. We pinpoint the small sequence variations within the conserved region that are mostly responsible for its distinct functional properties.

NF-κB signaling in inflammation and cancer

Since nuclear factor of κ-light chain of enhancer-activated B cells (NF-κB) was discovered in 1986, extraordinary efforts have been made to understand the function and regulating mechanism of NF-κB for 35 years, which lead to significant progress. Meanwhile, the molecular mechanisms regulating NF-κB activation have also been illuminated, the cascades of signaling events leading to NF-κB activity and key components of the NF-κB pathway are also identified. It has been suggested NF-κB plays an important role in human diseases, especially inflammation-related diseases. These studies make the NF-κB an attractive target for disease treatment. This review aims to summarize the knowledge of the family members of NF-κB, as well as the basic mechanisms of NF-κB signaling pathway activation. We will also review the effects of dysregulated NF-κB on inflammation, tumorigenesis, and tumor microenvironment. The progression of the translational study and drug development targeting NF-κB for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment and the potential obstacles will be discussed. Further investigations on the precise functions of NF-κB in the physiological and pathological settings and underlying mechanisms are in the urgent need to develop drugs targeting NF-κB for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment, with minimal side effects.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha regulates myogenesis to inhibit differentiation and promote proliferation in satellite cells

TNF-α and NF-κB signaling is involved in the wasting of skeletal muscle in various conditions, in addition to cancer cachexia. TNF-α and NF-κB signaling promotes the expression level of muscle RING finger protein 1, a ubiquitin ligase, causing muscle degradation. Several studies have indicated that of TNF-α and NF-κB signaling suppresses muscle differentiation by reducing the levels of MyoD protein. On the other hand, TNF-α and NF-κB is required for myoblast proliferation. Thus, the role of TNF-α and NF-κB signaling in the process of myogenesis and regeneration of skeletal muscle is not completely elucidated. Here, we reported that TNF-α reduced the width of single fibers of skeletal muscle in an organ culture model. TNF-α and p65 repressed the transactivation of MyoD and suppressed myoblast differentiation. In addition, TNF-α increased the number of satellite cells, and NF-κB signaling was promoted at the proliferation stage during skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo. TNF-α and NF-κB signaling regulate myogenesis to inhibit differentiation and promote proliferation in satellite cells.

Fermented Oyster Extract Attenuated Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy by Decreasing Oxidative Stress

It is well known that oxidative stress induces muscle atrophy, which decreases with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1. Fermented oyster extracts (FO), rich in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and lactate, have shown antioxidative effects. We evaluated whether FO decreased oxidative stress by upregulating Nrf2/HO-1 and whether it decreased NF-κB, leading to decreased IL-6 and TNF-α. Decreased oxidative stress led to the downregulation of Cbl-b ubiquitin ligase, which increased IGF-1 and decreased FoxO3, atrogin1, and Murf1, and eventually decreased muscle atrophy in dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy animal model. For four weeks, mice were orally administered with FO, GABA, lactate, or GABA+Lactate, and then Dexa was subcutaneously injected for ten days. During Dexa injection period, FO, GABA, lactate, or GABA+Lactate were also administered, and grip strength test and muscle harvesting were performed on the day of the last Dexa injection. We compared the attenuation effect of FO with GABA, lactate, and GABA+lactate treatment. Nrf2 and HO-1 expressions were increased by Dexa but decreased by FO; SOD activity and glutathione levels were decreased by Dexa but increased by FO; NADPH oxidase activity was increased by Dexa but decreased by FO; NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α activities were increased by Dexa were decreased by FO; Cbl-b expression was increased by Dexa but restored by FO; IGF-1 expression was decreased by Dexa but increased by FO; FoxO3, Atrogin-1, and MuRF1 expressions were increased by Dexa but decreased by FO. The gastrocnemius thickness and weight were decreased by Dexa but increased by FO. The cross-sectional area of muscle fiber and grip strength were decreased by Dexa but increased by FO. In conclusion, FO decreased Dexa-induced oxidative stress through the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1. Decreased oxidative stress led to decreased Cbl-b, FoxO3, atrogin1, and MuRF1, which attenuated muscle atrophy.

DEAD-Box Helicase 3 X-Linked Promotes Metastasis by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via p62/Sequestosome-1

BACKGROUND

DEAD-Box Helicase 3 X-Linked (DDX3X) is a member of the DEAD-box helicases that play a crucial role in RNA metabolism. Although DDX3X has been shown to contribute to tumorigenesis, the detailed mechanisms by which DDX3X functions in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) biogenesis remain poorly understood.

AIMS

The goal of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which DDX3X contributes to tumorigenesis in PDAC.

METHODS

Kaplan-Meier curves, the log-rank test, t test and Cox regression were used to analyze the relationship between DDX3X expression and the clinicopathological features of PDAC patients. DDX3X and p62 expression in human PDAC tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Monolayer scratch healing assays, cell migration assays and nude mouse lung metastasis models were used to evaluate the effect of DDX3X on metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of proteins in the signaling pathway.

RESULTS

We authenticated high DDX3X expression was associated with a poor prognosis in PDAC. The loss of DDX3X attenuated the migratory capacity of PDAC cells in vitro and in vivo. DDX3X was shown to facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the phosphorylation of p65 and eIF2α. Moreover, DDX3X displayed oncogenic activity by promoting p62 accumulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that DDX3X activates NF-κB and promotes metastasis by inducing EMT via p62.

Alkaloids exhibit a meaningful function as anticancer agents by restraining cellular signaling pathways

Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing organic compounds widely found in natural products, which play an essential role in clinical treatment. Cellular signaling pathways in tumors are a series of enzymatic reaction pathways that convert extracellular signals into intracellular signals to produce biological effects. The ordered function of cell signaling pathways is essential for tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, and programmed death. This review describes the antitumor progression mediated by various alkaloids after inhibiting classical signaling pathways; related studies are systematically retrieved and collected through PubMed. We selected the four currently most popular pathways for discussion and introduced the molecular mechanisms mediated by alkaloids in different signaling pathways, including the NF-kB signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and P53 signaling pathway. The research progress of alkaloids related to tumor signal transduction pathways and the realization of alkaloids as cancer prevention drugs by targeting signal pathways remains.

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that GRPEL2 plays an oncogenic role in HCC development

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to cause severe burden worldwide. The limited options especially toward HCC with metastasis prompts us to identify novel molecules for either diagnostic/prognostic or therapeutic purposes. GRPEL2 is well defined in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, which is critical to multiple biological processes for cancer survival. However, its role in HCC progression was not investigated before. In our analysis using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA LIHC) dataset and tissue microarray, higher expression levels of GRPEL2 were obseved in HCC tissues compared to in normal liver tissues, and indicated higher tumor grade, higher tumor stage, and shorter overall survival (OS). Consistent with the results of above analyses, the functional experiments validated that GRPEL2 acted as a tumor-promoting factor in HCC progression. GRPEL2 knockdown suppressed cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, GRPEL2 deficiency also accelerated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), leading to cell apoptosis. In addition, we found that the cell cycle and NF-κB signaling pathways were responsible for GRPEL2-induced HCC progression, based on the results of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and subsequent experimental validation. Our study, for the first time, identified the role of GRPEL2 in HCC development and provided a compelling biomarker for targted therapy in HCC treatment.

Pathological RANK signaling in B cells drives autoimmunity and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Clinical evidence suggests alterations in receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) signaling are key contributors to B cell autoimmunity and malignancy, but the pathophysiological consequences of aberrant B cell–intrinsic RANK signaling remain unknown. We generated mice that express a human lymphoma–derived, hyperactive RANK^K240E variant in B lymphocytes in vivo. Forced RANK signaling disrupted B cell tolerance and induced a fully penetrant systemic lupus erythematosus–like disease in addition to the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Importantly, RANK^K240E transgenic CLL cells as well as CLL cells of independent murine and of human origin depend on microenvironmental RANK ligand (RANKL) for tumor cell survival. Consequently, inhibition of the RANKL–RANK axis with anti-RANKL antibodies killed murine and human CLL cells in vitro and in vivo. These results establish pathological B cell–intrinsic RANK signaling as a potential driver of autoimmunity and B cell malignancy, and they suggest the exploitation of clinically available anti-RANKL compounds for CLL treatment.

The indole-hydantoin derivative exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by preventing the transactivation of NF-κB through the inhibition of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation at Ser276

Indole- and hydantoin-based derivatives both exhibit anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting that the structures of indole and hydantoin are functional for this activity. In the present study, we synthesized two types of indole-hydantoin derivatives, IH-1 (5-(1H-indole-3-ylmethylene) imidazolidine-2,4-dione) and IH-2 (5-(1H-indole-3-ylmethyl) imidazolidine-2,4-dione) and examined their effects on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. LPS-induced inflammatory responses were not affected by indole, hydantoin, or IH-2. In contrast, IH-1 significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and secretion of CCL2 and CXCL1 by suppressing the mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), CCL2, and CXCL1. IH-1 markedly inhibited the LPS-induced activation of NF-κB without affecting the degradation of IκBα or nuclear translocation of NF-κB. IH-1 markedly attenuated the transcriptional activity of NF-κB by suppressing the LPS-induced phosphorylation of the NF-κB p65 subunit at Ser276. Furthermore, IH-1 prevented the LPS-induced interaction of NF-κB p65 subunit with a transcriptional coactivator, cAMP response element-binding protein (CBP). Collectively, these results revealed the potential of the novel indole-hydantoin derivative, IH-1 as an anti-inflammatory drug.

The multifaceted NF-kB: are there still prospects of its inhibition for clinical intervention in pediatric central nervous system tumors?

Despite advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the basic biology and pathogenesis of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, patients still have an extremely unfavorable prognosis. Over the years, a plethora of natural and synthetic compounds has emerged for the pharmacologic intervention of the NF-kB pathway, one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling cascades in human cancer with key roles in cell growth, survival, and therapy resistance. Here, we provide a review about the state-of-the-art concerning the dysregulation of this hub transcription factor in the most prevalent pediatric CNS tumors: glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. Moreover, we compile the available literature on the anti-proliferative effects of varied NF-kB inhibitors acting alone or in combination with other therapies in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. As the wealth of basic research data continues to accumulate, recognizing NF-kB as a therapeutic target may provide important insights to treat these diseases, hopefully contributing to increase cure rates and lower side effects related to therapy.

NF-κB and Human Cancer: What Have We Learned over the Past 35 Years?

Transcription factor NF-κB has been extensively studied for its varied roles in cancer development since its initial characterization as a potent retroviral oncogene. It is now clear that NF-κB also plays a major role in a large variety of human cancers, including especially ones of immune cell origin. NF-κB is generally constitutively or aberrantly activated in human cancers where it is involved. These activations can occur due to mutations in the NF-κB transcription factors themselves, in upstream regulators of NF-κB, or in pathways that impact NF-κB. In addition, NF-κB can be activated by tumor-assisting processes such as inflammation, stromal effects, and genetic or epigenetic changes in chromatin. Aberrant NF-κB activity can affect many tumor-associated processes, including cell survival, cell cycle progression, inflammation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and regulatory T cell function. As such, inhibition of NF-κB has often been investigated as an anticancer strategy. Nevertheless, with a few exceptions, NF-κB inhibition has had limited success in human cancer treatment. This review covers general themes that have emerged regarding the biological roles and mechanisms by which NF-κB contributes to human cancers and new thoughts on how NF-κB may be targeted for cancer prognosis or therapy.

Phytochemicals targeting NF-κB signaling: Potential anti-cancer interventions

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a ubiquitous regulator of the signalome and is indispensable for various biological cell functions. NF-κB consists of five transcription factors that execute both cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling processes in cells. NF-κB is the only signaling molecule that governs both pro- and anti-apoptotic, and pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. This is due to the canonical and non-canonical components of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Together, these pathways orchestrate cancer-related inflammation, hyperplasia, neoplasia, and metastasis. Non-canonical NF-κB pathways are particularly involved in the chemoresistance of cancer cells. In view of its pivotal role in cancer progression, NF-κB represents a potentially significant therapeutic target for modifying tumor cell behavior. Several phytochemicals are known to modulate NF-κB pathways through the stabilization of its inhibitor, IκB, by inhibiting phosphorylation and ubiquitination thereof. Several natural pharmacophores are known to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and associated pro-inflammatory responses and cell survival pathways. In view of this and the high degree of specificity exhibited by various phytochemicals for the NF-κB component, we herein present an in-depth overview of these phytochemicals and discuss their mode of interaction with the NF-κB signaling pathways for controlling the fate of tumor cells for cancer-directed interventions.

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NF-κB plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of homeostasis and various inflammation-mediated pathologies.

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NF-κB is involved in cancer development and progression by modulating growth signaling and apoptosis pathways.

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Phytochemicals modulating NF-κB activity should be exploited to design anticancer drugs with minimal side effects.

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Use of these phytochemicals in adjunctive chemotherapy may enhance the chemosensitivity of existing chemotherapeutic drugs.

Mechanism of hydrogen on cervical cancer suppression revealed by high‑throughput RNA sequencing

Cervical cancer is considered one of the diseases with the highest mortality among women and with limited treatment options. Hydrogen (H₂) inhalation has been reported to have a variety of tumor-suppressive effects, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, HeLa cervical cancer cells and HaCaT keratinocytes treated with H₂, and a HeLa xenograft mouse model subjected to H₂ inhalation were established. TUNEL, Cell Counting Kit-8 and Ki67 staining assays were used to detect cell apoptosis and proliferation. Oxidative stress was determined according to the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Tumor growth was recorded every 3 days, and the excised tumors were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. High-throughput RNA sequencing and subsequent Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed in HeLa-treated and un-treated HeLa cells. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and NF-κB p65 was verified by western blotting, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The results revealed an increased apoptosis rate, and reduced cell proliferation and oxidative stress in H₂-treated HeLa cells but not in HaCaT cells. Similarly, decreased tumor growth and cell proliferation, and enhanced cell apoptosis were observed in H₂-treated HeLa tumors. RNA sequencing and GO analysis suggest that downregulated HIF1A (HIF-1α mRNA) and RelA (NF-κB p65) levels, and reduced NF-κB signaling were associated with the antitumor effect of H₂. Finally, decreased HIF-1α and NF-κB p65 expression both at the transcriptional and translational levels were observed in H₂-treated HeLa cells and in HeLa-derived tumors. In conclusion, the present study reveals a novel mechanism of H₂ against cervical cancer, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target in clinical practice.

Nuciferine Inhibits Skin Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Growth by Suppressing TLR4/NF-κB Signaling

BACKGROUND

Melanoma causes more than 80% of deaths from all dermatologic cancers. Hence, screening and identifying effective compounds to inhibit the growth of melanoma have crucial importance in basic and clinical treatment.

METHODS

High throughput screening was performed to screen and identify compounds that have anti-melanoma ability. Melanoma cell and mouse allograft models were used to examine the anti-tumor effects of Nuciferine (NCFR). Western blot, qPCR, and lentivirus overexpression were applied to detect the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

RESULTS

NCFR administration significantly suppressed melanoma cell growth and tumor size by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p65. NCFR treatment also could suppress TNF-α-induced activation of NF-κB signaling. The anti-tumor effect of NCFR might be mediated by targeting Toll-like receptors 4.

CONCLUSION

NCFR inhibits melanoma cell growth and suppresses tumor size, which provides potential therapeutic strategies for melanoma treatment.

Radiation Resistance: A Matter of Transcription Factors

Currently, radiation therapy is one of the standard therapies for cancer treatment. Since the first applications, the field of radiotherapy has constantly improved, both in imaging technologies and from a dose-painting point of view. Despite this, the mechanisms of resistance are still a great problem to overcome. Therefore, a more detailed understanding of these molecular mechanisms will allow researchers to develop new therapeutic strategies to eradicate cancer effectively. This review focuses on different transcription factors activated in response to radiotherapy and, unfortunately, involved in cancer cells’ survival. In particular, ionizing radiations trigger the activation of the immune modulators STAT3 and NF-κB, which contribute to the development of radiation resistance through the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes, the promotion of proliferation, the alteration of the cell cycle, and the induction of genes responsible for the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Moreover, the ROS-dependent damaging effects of radiation therapy are hampered by the induction of antioxidant enzymes by NF-κB, NRF2, and HIF-1. This protective process results in a reduced effectiveness of the treatment, whose mechanism of action relies mainly on the generation of free oxygen radicals. Furthermore, the previously mentioned transcription factors are also involved in the maintenance of stemness in Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), a subset of tumor cells that are intrinsically resistant to anti-cancer therapies. Therefore, combining standard treatments with new therapeutic strategies targeted against these transcription factors may be a promising opportunity to avoid resistance and thus tumor relapse.

Pyropia yezoensis protein protects against TNF‑α‑induced myotube atrophy in C2C12 myotubes via the NF‑κB signaling pathway

The protein extracted from red algae Pyropia yezoensis has various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antiobesity properties. However, the effects of P. yezoensis protein (PYCP) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced muscle atrophy are unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated the protective effects and related mechanisms of PYCP against TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy in C2C12 myotubes. Treatment with TNF-α (20 ng/ml) for 48 h significantly reduced myotube viability and diameter and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels; these effects were significantly reversed in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with 25–100 µg/ml PYCP. PYCP inhibited the expression of TNF receptor-1 in TNF-α-induced myotubes. In addition, PYCP markedly downregulated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by inhibiting the phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB. Furthermore, PYCP treatment suppressed 20S proteasome activity, IL-6 production, and the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, atrogin-1/muscle atrophy F-box and muscle RING-finger protein-1. Finally, PYCP treatment increased the protein expression levels of myoblast determination protein 1 and myogenin in TNF-α-induced myotubes. The present findings indicate that PYCP may protect against TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy by inhibiting the proinflammatory NF-κB pathway.

Role of Hypoxia in the Control of the Cell Cycle

The cell cycle is an important cellular process whereby the cell attempts to replicate its genome in an error-free manner. As such, mechanisms must exist for the cell cycle to respond to stress signals such as those elicited by hypoxia or reduced oxygen availability. This review focuses on the role of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms initiated in hypoxia that interface with cell cycle control. In addition, we discuss how the cell cycle can alter the hypoxia response. Overall, the cellular response to hypoxia and the cell cycle are linked through a variety of mechanisms, allowing cells to respond to hypoxia in a manner that ensures survival and minimal errors throughout cell division.

Cigarette smoke-associated inflammation impairs bone remodeling through NFκB activation

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking constitutes a major lifestyle risk factor for osteoporosis and hip fracture. It is reported to impair the outcome of many clinical procedures, such as wound infection treatment and fracture healing. Importantly, although several studies have already demonstrated the negative correlation between cigarette consume and impaired bone homeostasis, there is still a poor understanding of how does smoking affect bone health, due to the lack of an adequately designed animal model. Our goal was to determine that cigarette smoke exposure impairs the dynamic bone remodeling process through induction of bone resorption and inhibition of bone formation.

METHODS

We developed cigarette smoke exposure protocols exposing mice to environmental smoking for 10 days or 3 months to determine acute and chronic smoke exposure effects. We used these models, to demonstrate the effect of smoking exposure on the cellular and molecular changes of bone remodeling and correlate these early alterations with subsequent bone structure changes measured by microCT and pQCT. We examined the bone phenotype alterations in vivo and ex vivo in the acute and chronic smoke exposure mice by measuring bone mineral density and bone histomorphometry. Further, we measured osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation gene expression levels in each group. The function changes of osteoclast or osteoblast were evaluated.

RESULTS

Smoke exposure caused a significant imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. A 10-day exposure to cigarette smoke sufficiently and effectively induced osteoclast activity, leading to the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation, although it did not immediately alter bone structure as demonstrated in mice exposed to smoke for 3 months. Cigarette smoke exposure also induced DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappaB (NFκB) in osteoclasts, which subsequently gave rise to changes in bone remodeling-related gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that smoke exposure induces RANKL activation-mediated by NFκB, which could be a "smoke sensor" for bone remodeling.

IL-1R1 deficiency impairs liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy in aged mice

Inflammation has a dual effect: it can protect the body and destroy tissue and cell as well. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the role of IL-1R1 in liver regeneration (LR) after partial hepatectomy (PH) in aged mice. The wild-type (WT, n = 36) and the IL-1R1 knockout (KO, n = 36) 24-month-old C57BL/6J mice underwent two-thirds PH; 33 WT mice underwent sham operation. Liver coefficient was calculated by liver/body weight. The mRNA and protein expressions of genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting methods, respectively. Compared with WT mice, liver coefficient was lower in the IL-1R1 KO aged mice at 168 and 192 h (p = 0.039 and p = 0.027). The mRNA transcription of inflammation-related genes and cell cycle-associated genes decreased or delayed. The protein expressions of proliferation-related marker PCNA and proliferation-associated signaling pathway components JNK1, NF-κB and STAT3 reduced or retarded. There was stronger activation of proapoptotic proteins caspase-3, caspase-8 and BAX in the IL-1R1 KO mice at different time points (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). IL-1R1 KO reduced inflammation and caused impaired liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy in aged mice. Maintaining proper inflammation may contribute to regeneration after liver partly surgical resection in the elderly.

MiRNAs and Muscle Regeneration: Therapeutic Targets in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs required for the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. MicroRNAs play a critical role in modulating muscle regeneration and stem cell behavior. Muscle regeneration is affected in muscular dystrophies, and a critical point for the development of effective strategies for treating muscle disorders is optimizing approaches to target muscle stem cells in order to increase the ability to regenerate lost tissue. Within this framework, miRNAs are emerging as implicated in muscle stem cell response in neuromuscular disorders and new methodologies to regulate the expression of key microRNAs are coming up. In this review, we summarize recent advances highlighting the potential of miRNAs to be used in conjunction with gene replacement therapies, in order to improve muscle regeneration in the context of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Repurposing of sildenafil as antitumour; induction of cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G pathway, caspase-dependent apoptosis and pivotal reduction of Nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells in lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancers that lead to death. Sildenafil is a potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-5 and showed potential anticancer effects, which has not yet been fully evaluated. Thus, this study aims to investigate the potential anticancer effect of sildenafil in urethane-induced lung cancer in BALB/c mice.

METHODS

Five-week-old male BALB/c mice were treated with either (i) normal saline only, (ii) sildenafil only 50 mg kg-1/ P.O every other day for the last four successive weeks, (iii) urethane 1.5 gm kg-1 i.p (at day 1 and day 60), (iv) carboplatin after urethane induction, or (v) sildenafil after urethane induction.

KEY FINDINGS

It was shown that sildenafil significantly increased the levels of cGMP and Caspase-3 with a reduction of NF-κB, Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels and normalisation of Nrf2 along with pronounced improvement in the histological patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that sildenafil markedly induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and inhibits the metastatic activity through activation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G pathway and down-regulation of cyclin D1 and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells with downstream anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2, which underscores the critical importance of future using sildenafil in the treatment of lung cancer.