The proteomic landscape shows oncologic relevance in cystitis glandularis

BACKGROUND

The relationship between cystitis glandularis (CG) and bladder malignancy remains unclear.

METHODS

We identified the oncologic significance of CG at the molecular level using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of 10 CG, 12 urothelial carcinoma (UC), and nine normal urothelium (NU) specimens. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified based on an analysis of variance false discovery rate < 0.05, and their functional enrichment was analyzed using a network model, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and Gene Ontology annotation.

RESULTS

We identified 9,890 proteins across all samples and 1,139 DEPs among the three entities. A substantial number of DEPs overlapped in CG/NU, distinct from UC. Interestingly, we found that a subset of DEP clusters (n = 53, 5%) was differentially expressed in NU but similarly between CG and UC. This "UC-like signature" was enriched for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and energy metabolism, growth and DNA repair, transport, motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cell survival. Using the top 10 shortlisted DEPs, including SOD2, PRKCD, CYCS, and HCLS1, we identified functional elements related to ROS metabolism, development, and transport using network analysis. The abundance of these four molecules in UC/CG than in NU was consistent with the oncologic functions in CG.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a proteomic approach, we identified a predominantly non-neoplastic landscape of CG, which was closer to NU than to UC. We also confirmed a small subset of common DEPs in UC and CG, suggesting that altered ROS metabolism might imply potential cancerous risks in CG.

Therapeutic potential of TRPM8 channels in cancer treatment

Cancer is a multifactorial process associated with changes in signaling pathways leading to cell cycle variations and gene expression. The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel is a non-selective cation channel expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues, where it is involved in several processes, including thermosensation, differentiation, and migration. Cancer is a multifactorial process associated with changes in signaling pathways leading to variations in cell cycle and gene expression. Interestingly, it has been shown that TRPM8 channels also participate in physiological processes related to cancer, such as proliferation, survival, and invasion. For instance, TRPM8 channels have an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. In addition, it has been reported that TRPM8 channels are involved in the progress of pancreatic, breast, bladder, colon, gastric, and skin cancers, glioblastoma, and neuroblastoma. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of TRPM8 channels in cancer progression. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of TRPM8 in carcinogenesis, which has been proposed as a molecular target for cancer therapy.

Characterizing the Role of Calcium Sensing Receptor in the Progression of Obesity-Mediated Aggressive Prostate Cancer Phenotype

Obesity increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer (PCa). The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) has been shown to be responsive to obesity-mediated cytokines and is upregulated in metastatic PCa. This study used a novel in vitro approach, involving the exposure of PCa cells to sera, from obese or normal weight males, and to CaSR inhibitor NPS-2143. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. MMP-9 activity and invasion were assessed using zymography and invasion chambers, respectively. Microscopy was used to visualize EMT proteins. qRT-PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to quantify changes in genes and proteins important for tumorigenesis. Exposure to obese sera increased the proliferation, and the invasive capacity of PCa cells and de-localized epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, which were attenuated with CaSR inhibition. Exposure to obese sera upregulated mRNA expression of PTHrP and protein expression of COX-2, IL-6, and CaSR. Inhibition of CaSR downregulated the mRNA expression of PTHrP and RANK, and protein expression of pERK and TNF-α. Obesity was shown to increase invasion and upregulate the expression of genes and proteins involved in PCa tumorigenesis. CaSR inhibition downregulated the expression of several of these factors. Thus, CaSR is a potentially important protein to target in obesity-mediated PCa progression.

Protein kinase C epsilon promotes de novo lipogenesis and tumor growth in prostate cancer cells by regulating the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of pyruvate kinase isoform M2

Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) belongs to a family of serine/threonine kinases that control cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Aberrant PKCε activation and overexpression is a frequent feature of numerous cancers. However, its role in regulation of lipid metabolism in cancer cells remains elusive. Here we report a novel function of PKCε in regulating of prostate cancer cell proliferation by modulation of PKM2-mediated de novo lipogenesis. We show that PKCε promotes de novo lipogenesis and tumor cell proliferation via upregulation of lipogenic enzymes and lipid contents in prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, PKCε interacts with NABD (1-388) domain of C-terminal deletion on pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) and enhances the Tyr105 phosphorylation of PKM2, leading to its nuclear localization. Moreover, forced expression of mutant Tyr105 (Y105F) or PKM2 inhibition suppressed de novo lipogenesis and cell proliferation induced by overexpression of PKCε in prostate cancer cells. In a murine tumor model, inhibitor of PKM2 antagonizes lipogenic enzymes expression and prostate cancer growth induced by overexpression of PKCε in vivo. These data indicate that PKCε is a critical regulator of de novo lipogenesis, which may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer.

The Many Faces of Hemolysis

Hemolysis is a problem associated with a variety of red cell pathologies and physiologies not limited to the transfusion of cells. Various pathways lead to the observed outcomes when a hemolytic event occurs. Each event, and the pathway it follows, is based on characteristics of the red cell, the location in which the hemolysis occurs, and the interaction of the immune system. The severity of an event can be predicted with the knowledge of how these 3 factors interface. Although not all hemolytic events are alike, similarities may exist when the pathways overlap.

Evidence of Chronic Complement Activation in Asymptomatic Pediatric Brain Injury Patients: A Pilot Study

Physical insult from a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) leads to changes in blood flow in the brain and measurable changes in white matter, suggesting a physiological basis for chronic symptom presentation. Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is frequently reported by persons after an mTBI that may persist beyond the acute period (>3 months). It remains unclear whether ongoing inflammation may contribute to the clinical trajectory of PTH. We recruited a cohort of pediatric subjects with PTH who had an acute or a persistent clinical trajectory, each around the 3-month post-injury time point, as well as a group of age and sex-matched healthy controls. We collected salivary markers of mRNA expression as well as brain imaging and psychological testing. The persistent PTH group showed the highest levels of psychological burden and pain symptom reporting. Our data suggest that the acute and persistent PTH cohort had elevated levels of complement factors relative to healthy controls. The greatest change in mRNA expression was found in the acute-PTH cohort wherein the complement cascade and markers of vascular health showed a prominent role for C1Q in PTH pathophysiology. These findings (1) underscore a prolonged engagement of what is normally a healthy response and (2) show that a persistent PTH symptom trajectory may parallel a poorly regulated inflammatory response.

Curcuminoid supplementation in canine diabetic mellitus and its complications using proteomic analysis

Introduction

Inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to diabetes pathogenesis and consequences. Therapeutic approaches for canine diabetes remain a challenge. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects and is beneficial for humans with diabetes mellitus (DM); however, data on its impact on canine diabetes is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for causing adverse effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-oxidative effects and proteomic patterns of curcuminoid supplementation on canine DM.

Methods

Altogether, 18 dogs were divided into two groups: DM (n = 6) and healthy (n = 12). Curcuminoid 250 mg was given to the DM group orally daily for 180 days. Blood and urine sample collection for hematological parameters, blood biochemistry, urinalysis, oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory markers and proteomics were performed every 6 weeks.

Results and discussion

Curcuminoid supplementation with standard therapy significantly decreased oxidative stress with the increased glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio, but cytokine levels were unaffected. According to the proteomic analysis, curcuminoid altered the expression of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein, transthyretin, apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein A-IV, suggesting that curcuminoid improves insulin sensitivity and reduces cardiovascular complications. No negative impact on clinical symptoms, kidneys or liver markers was identified. This study proposed that curcuminoids might be used as a targeted antioxidant strategy as an adjunctive treatment to minimize diabetes complications in dogs.

Autoimmunity in Infection-Related Glomerulonephritis

Introduction

Autoimmune (AI) reactivity in the setting of infection-related GN (IRGN) is often viewed as an epiphenomenon and is not well described.

Methods

We report a cohort of 17 patients with IRGN during a 7-year period that highlights cases with AI reactivity and describes the clinical and pathologic characteristics of IRGN cases associated with AI reactivity.

Results

Of the IRGN cases, 76% had clinical evidence of an autoimmune disease (AD) and/or positive AI serologies. Within the IRGN group with AI reactivity, 12 had positive AI serologies (92%) and 10 had AD (77%). 30% had a prior diagnosis of AD, while the remaining 70% did not have a history of AD and were either diagnosed or suspected of having an AD at the time of biopsy. The most common autoantibody detected was anti-nuclear antibody followed by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and autoantibodies associated with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Conclusion

The study is not sufficiently powered to determine any significance but demonstrates the frequency with which AI features occur in IRGN and should prompt further future investigation. In summary, our findings suggest AI manifestations are common in IRGN.

RAC1, a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

The gene changes for diagnosis and prognosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) still remain unclear. RAC1 was reported to be asso;ciated with the B cell receptor signal pathway, but its relations with DLBCL have not yet been systematically explored. In this study, we have conducted molecular, bioinformatics and clinical analyses by using publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Wilcoxon signed-rank test and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the association between RAC1 and clinical features in patients. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to examine the impacts of RAC1 expression level on overall survival, and a nomogram was performed to illustrate the correlation between RAC1 and the risk of DLBCL. Our results revealed that the expression level of RAC1 in DLBCL was higher than that in normal tissues or lymphadenitis. High-level expression of RAC1 was significantly associated with clinical stage, as well as being an independent factor affecting overall survival. RAC1 was negatively correlated with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). The association between RAC1 gene expression and the risk of DLBCL was presented in a nomogram. In conclusion, RAC1 expression patterns may be used to predict the development and prognosis of DLBCL.

Androgen Receptor Signaling Inhibition in Advanced Castration Resistance Prostate Cancer: What Is Expected for the Near Future?

The androgen signaling pathway is the cornerstone in the treatment of high risk or advanced prostate cancer patients. However, in recent years, different mechanisms of resistance have been defined in this field, limiting the efficacy of the currently approved antiandrogen drugs. Different therapeutic approaches are under research to assess the role of combination therapies against escape signaling pathways or the development of novel antiandrogen drugs to try to solve the primary or acquired resistance against androgen dependent or independent pathways. The present review aims to summarize the current state of androgen inhibition in the therapeutic algorithm of patients with advanced prostate cancer and the mechanisms of resistance to those available drugs. In addition, this review conducted a comprehensive overview of the main present and future research approaches in the field of androgen receptor inhibition to overcome these resistances and the potential new drugs under research coming into this setting.

Obesity Contributes to Inflammation in Patients with IBS via Complement Component 3 and C-Reactive Protein

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is usually a lifelong state that disturbs the digestive system. IBS has been linked to low-grade inflammation and the release of inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream. This could be associated with the degree of obesity presented by patients with IBS. Reports imply that IBS is more frequent in obese patients than in the overall population, with a prevalence of up to 31%. Here, we evaluated the serum levels of immunological and inflammation molecules and their correlation with Body Mass Index in IBS patients and the healthy control (HC). Seventy-nine serum samples of the IBS patients and thirty-five of the HC group were analyzed to determine the levels of each molecule and compare them with their BMI. Serum levels of C3 and C4 were significantly increased in IBS patients. C3 and C4 levels were higher in IBS-M and IBS-D subtypes compared with the HC group. When patients were grouped by BMI, a positive correlation between serum C3 (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001) and CRP (r = 0.40, p < 0.001) levels was found. Our results show, for the first time, a correlation between immunological molecules and BMI in IBS patients, suggesting that the inflammatory nature of obesity could contribute to the development of the symptoms in IBS through the stimulation and release of proteins as complement components and CRP.

Tear-derived exosomal biomarkers of Graves' ophthalmopathy

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO), the most frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease (GD), can lead to a significant decline in the quality of life in patients. Exosomes, which contain proteins, lipids and DNA, play important roles in the pathological processes of various diseases. However, their roles in Graves' ophthalmopathy are still unclear. We aimed to isolate exosomes and analyze the different exosomal proteins. Tear fluids were collected from twenty-four GO patients, twenty-four GD patients and sixteen control subjects. The numbers of tear exosomes were assayed using nanoparticle tracking analysis. A Luminex 200 kit and ELISA kit were used to confirm the different cytokine concentrations in serum. Extraocular muscle from GO patients and controls was extracted, and western blotting was used to assay the levels of Caspase-3 and complement C4A. Our study demonstrated that the number of tear exosomes differ from GD patients and control. The expression levels of cytokines, including IL-1 and IL-18, were significantly increased in the tear exosomes and serum from GO patients compared with GD patients and controls. The levels of the exosomal proteins Caspase-3, complement C4A and APOA-IV were significantly increased in GO patients compared to GD patients and controls. Orbital fibroblasts from GO patients showed significantly higher levels of Caspase-3 and complement C4A than those from controls. The levels of serum APOA-IV in GO patients were significantly higher than those in GD patients and controls. Specific proteins showed elevated expression in tear exosomes from GO patients, indicating that they may play important roles in GO pathogenesis.

Kalirin mediates Rac1 activation downstream of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II to stimulate glucose uptake during muscle contraction

In this study, we investigated the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. C2C12 myotubes were contracted by electrical pulse stimulation (EPS), and treadmill running was used to exercise mice. The activities of CaMKII, the small G protein Rac1, and the Rac1 effector kinase PAK1 were elevated in muscle by running exercise or EPS, while they were lowered by the CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 and/or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown. EPS induced the mRNA and protein expression of the Rac1-GEF Kalirin in a CaMKII-dependent manner. EPS-induced Rac1 activation was lowered by the Kalirin inhibitor ITX3 or siRNA-mediated Kalirin knockdown. KN-93, ITX3, and siRNA-mediated Kalirin knockdown reduced EPS-induced glucose uptake. These findings define a CaMKII-Kalirin-Rac1 signaling pathway that contributes to contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle myotubes and tissue.

The effects of dietary supplementation of ginseng stem and leaf saponins on the antioxidant capacity, immune response, and disease resistance of crucian carp, Carassius auratus

This is the first study to explore the positive effects of ginseng stem and leaf saponins (GSLS) on antioxidant capability, immunity, and disease resistance of crucian carp. Seven hundred fifty crucian carps (initial body weight: 25 ± 0.15 g (mean ± SE)) were randomly allocated into five groups with three replicates each; five diets supplemented with the final concentration of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 g/kg GSLS were fed to crucian carp for 5 weeks. The results demonstrated that, at a concentration of 8 g/kg, the contents of IgM, C4, SOD, GSH-Px, and the activity of AKP in serum of crucian carp gradually increased at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days, and the expression of immune-relative cytokine genes (TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ) in the liver, spleen, and the intestinal tract also had a significant up-regulation (P < 0.05), and which were significant difference compared with control (P < 0.05). The above results demonstrated that dietary GSLS showed enhancement effects on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capability, and innate immune response of crucian carp. The feed of 8 g/kg GSLS for 1 week could improve the survival rate 44% more than the control group when crucian carp infected Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila). In conclusion, the addition of GSLS at a concentration of 8 g/kg in the diet improve immune-related enzyme activity better, immune-relative cytokine expression, and disease resistance.

An ErbB Lineage Co-Regulon Harbors Potentially Co-Druggable Targets for Multimodal Precision Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The ErbB lineage of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases is frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. A common co-regulon triggered by the ErbB proteins; involving shared signaling circuitries; may harbor co-druggable targets or response biomarkers for potential future multimodal precision therapy in ErbB-driven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We here present a cohort-based; genome-wide analysis of 488 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas curated as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas Project to characterize genes that are significantly positively co-regulated with the four ErbB proteins and those that are shared among all ErbBs denoting a common ErbB co-regulon. Significant positive gene correlations involved hundreds of genes that were co-expressed with the four ErbB family members (q < 0.05). A common; overlapping co-regulon consisted of a core set of 268 genes that were uniformly co-regulated with all four ErbB genes and highly enriched for functions in chromatin organization and histone modifications. This high-priority set of genes contained ten putative antineoplastic drug-gene interactions. The nature and directionality of these ten drug-gene associations was an inhibiting interaction for seven (PIK3CB; PIK3C2B; HDAC4; FRK; PRKCE; EPHA4; and DYRK1A) of them in which the drug decreases the biological activity or expression of the gene target. For three (CHD4; ARID1A; and PBRM1) of the associations; the directionality of the interaction was such that the gene predicted sensitivit y to the drug suggesting utility as potential response biomarkers. Drug-gene interactions that predicted the gene product to be reduced by the drug included a variety of potential targeted molecular agent classes. This unbiased genome-wide analysis identified a target-rich environment for multimodal therapeutic approaches in tumors that are putatively ErbB-driven. The results of this study require preclinical validation before ultimately devising lines of combinatorial treatment strategies for ErbB-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas that incorporate these findings.

Protein Kinase C (PKC) Isozymes as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Cancer

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a large family of calcium- and phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases that consists of at least 11 isozymes. Based on their structural characteristics and mode of activation, the PKC family is classified into three subfamilies: conventional or classic (cPKCs; α, βI, βII, and γ), novel or non-classic (nPKCs; δ, ε, η, and θ), and atypical (aPKCs; ζ, ι, and λ) (PKCλ is the mouse homolog of PKCι) PKC isozymes. PKC isozymes play important roles in proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and anticancer drug resistance in cancer cells. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between PKC isozymes and poor disease-free survival, poor survival following anticancer drug treatment, and increased recurrence. Furthermore, a higher level of PKC activation has been reported in cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues. These data suggest that PKC isozymes represent potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge and discusses the potential of PKC isozymes as biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancers.

PROTEIN KINASE C ALPHA IS A CENTRAL NODE FOR TUMORIGENIC TRANSCRIPTIONAL NETWORKS IN HUMAN PROSTATE CANCER

Aberrant expression of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes is a hallmark of cancer. The different members of the PKC family control cellular events associated with cancer development and progression. Whereas the classical/conventional PKCα isozyme has been linked to tumor suppression in most cancer types, here we demonstrate that this kinase is required for the mitogenic activity of aggressive human prostate cancer cells displaying aberrantly high PKCα expression. Immunohistochemical analysis showed abnormal up-regulation of PKCα in human primary prostate tumors. Interestingly, silencing PKCα expression from aggressive prostate cancer cells impairs cell cycle progression, proliferation and invasion, as well as their tumorigenic activity in a mouse xenograft model. Mechanistic analysis revealed that PKCα exerts a profound control of gene expression, particularly over genes and transcriptional networks associated with cell cycle progression and E2F transcription factors. PKCα RNAi depletion from PC3 prostate cancer cells led to a reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes, as well as a prominent down-regulation of the immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1. This PKCα-dependent gene expression profile was corroborated in silico using human prostate cancer databases. Our studies established PKCα as a multifunctional kinase that plays pleiotropic roles in prostate cancer, particularly by controlling genetic networks associated with tumor growth and progression. The identification of PKCα as a pro-tumorigenic kinase in human prostate cancer provides strong rationale for the development of therapeutic approaches towards targeting PKCα or its effectors.

Postinjury complement C4 activation is associated with adverse outcomes and is potentially influenced by plasma resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Complement activation after trauma promotes hemostasis but is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the specific pathways and downstream mediators remain unclear. Recently, the anaphylatoxin C4a has been shown to bind to thrombin receptors. While plasma-based resuscitation has been shown to modify the endotheliopathy of trauma, it may provide complement zymogens that fuel ongoing inflammatory cascades. We sought to characterize the activation of complement after injury and the effect of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on this inflammatory response. We hypothesized that trauma induces C4 activation, which is associated with worse outcomes and influenced by FFP resuscitation.

METHODS

Blood was collected from injured patients at a single level I trauma center enrolled in the Control of Major Bleeding after Trauma (COMBAT) randomized clinical trial. Proteomic analyses were performed through targeted liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. For the present observational study, concentrations of complement proteins were analyzed at multiple time points, compared between treatment groups, and correlated with outcomes.

RESULTS

C4 activation occurred over the first 6 hours postinjury with peak activation 6 to 24 hours. Tissue hypoperfusion, defined as base deficit >10 mEq/L, and requirement for massive transfusion were associated with greater C4 activation. C4 activation was associated with mortality, multiple organ failure, and longer ventilator requirement. In addition, temporal trends of C1q, factor B, and C3 by outcome groups support the prevailing theory of primary classical pathway activation with alternative pathway amplification. Resuscitation with FFP over the first 6 hours was associated with increased C4 activation at 12 and 24 hours.

CONCLUSION

C4 activation has an important inflammatory role postinjury, and FFP has the potential to augment this complement activation during resuscitation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic/epidemiological, level III.

Insights into the Antibacterial Properties of Complement Peptides C3a, C4a, and C5a across Vertebrates

Complement peptides C3a, C4a, and C5a are important components of innate immunity in vertebrates. Although they diverged from a common ancestor, only C3a and C4a can act as antibacterial peptides in Homo sapiens, suggesting that C5a has evolved into a purely chemotactic molecule; however, the antibacterial properties of C3a, C4a, and C5a across vertebrates still require elucidation. In this article, we show that, unlike those in H. sapiens, Mus musculus C3a, C4a, and C5a all possess antibacterial activities, implying that the antibacterial properties of C3a, C4a, and C5a have evolved divergently in vertebrates. The extremely different net charge, a key factor determining the antibacterial activities of cationic antimicrobial peptides, of vertebrate C3a, C4a, and C5a supports this speculation. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of overlapping peptides covering vertebrate C3a, C4a, and C5a further strongly supports the speculation, because their activity is positively correlated with the net charge of source molecules. Notably, the structures of C3a, C4a, and C5a are conserved in vertebrates, and the inactive overlapping peptides can become antibacterial peptides if mutated to possess enough net positive charges, indicating that net charge is the only factor determining the antibacterial properties of vertebrate C3a, C4a, and C5a. More importantly, many vertebrate C3a-, C4a-, and C5a-derived peptides possess high antibacterial activities yet exhibit no hemolytic activities, suggesting the application potential in anti-infective therapy. Taken together, our findings reveal that vertebrate C3a, C4a, and C5a are all sources of antibacterial peptides that will facilitate the design of excellent peptide antibiotics.

Semaphorin signaling restricts neuronal regeneration in C. elegans

Extracellular signaling proteins serve as neuronal growth cone guidance molecules during development and are well positioned to be involved in neuronal regeneration and recovery from injury. Semaphorins and their receptors, the plexins, are a family of conserved proteins involved in development that, in the nervous system, are axonal guidance cues mediating axon pathfinding and synapse formation. The Caenorhabditis elegans genome encodes for three semaphorins and two plexin receptors: the transmembrane semaphorins, SMP-1 and SMP-2, signal through their receptor, PLX-1, while the secreted semaphorin, MAB-20, signals through PLX-2. Here, we evaluate the locomotion behavior of knockout animals missing each of the semaphorins and plexins and the neuronal morphology of plexin knockout animals; we described the cellular expression pattern of the promoters of all plexins in the nervous system of C. elegans; and we evaluated their effect on the regrowth and reconnection of motoneuron neurites and the recovery of locomotion behavior following precise laser microsurgery. Regrowth and reconnection were more prevalent in the absence of each plexin, while recovery of locomotion surpassed regeneration in all genotypes.

Pharmacophore modeling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation for identification of novel human protein kinase C beta (PKCβ) inhibitors

Protein kinase Cβ (PKCβ) is considered as an attractive molecular target for the treatment of COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Several classes of inhibitors have been already identified. In this article, we developed and validated ligand-based PKCβ pharmacophore models based on the chemical structures of the known inhibitors. The most accurate pharmacophore model, which correctly predicted more than 70% active compounds of test set, included three aromatic pharmacophore features without vectors, one hydrogen bond acceptor pharmacophore feature, one hydrophobic pharmacophore feature and 158 excluded volumes. This pharmacophore model was used for virtual screening of compound collection in order to identify novel potent PKCβ inhibitors. Also, molecular docking of compound collection was performed and 28 compounds which were selected simultaneously by two approaches as top-scored were proposed for further biological research.

Complement component C4 structural variation and quantitative traits contribute to sex-biased vulnerability in systemic sclerosis

Copy number (CN) polymorphisms of complement C4 play distinct roles in many conditions, including immune-mediated diseases. We investigated the association of C4 CN with systemic sclerosis (SSc) risk. Imputed total C4, C4A, C4B, and HERV-K CN were analyzed in 26,633 individuals and validated in an independent cohort. Our results showed that higher C4 CN confers protection to SSc, and deviations from CN parity of C4A and C4B augmented risk. The protection contributed per copy of C4A and C4B differed by sex. Stronger protection was afforded by C4A in men and by C4B in women. C4 CN correlated well with its gene expression and serum protein levels, and less C4 was detected for both in SSc patients. Conditioned analysis suggests that C4 genetics strongly contributes to the SSc association within the major histocompatibility complex locus and highlights classical alleles and amino acid variants of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 as C4-independent signals.

Herpesvirus Infections in the Human Brain: A Neural Cell Model of the Complement System Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

BACKGROUND

Herpesviruses alter cognitive functions in humans following acute infections; progressive cognitive decline and dementia have also been suggested. It is important to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of such infections. The complement system - comprising functionally related proteins integral for systemic innate and adaptive immunity - is an important component of host responses. The complement system has specialized functions in the brain. Still, the dynamics of the brain complement system are still poorly understood. Many complement proteins have limited access to the brain from plasma, necessitating synthesis and specific regulation of expression in the brain; thus, complement protein synthesis, activation, regulation, and signaling should be investigated in human brain-relevant cellular models. Cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) could enable tractable models.

METHODS

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into neuronal (hi-N) and microglial (hi-M) cells that were cultured with primary culture human astrocyte-like cells (ha-D). Gene expression analyses and complement protein levels were analyzed in mono- and co-cultures.

RESULTS

Transcript levels of complement proteins differ by cell type and co-culture conditions, with evidence for cellular crosstalk in co-cultures. Hi-N and hi-M cells have distinct patterns of expression of complement receptors, soluble factors, and regulatory proteins. hi-N cells produce complement factor 4 (C4) and factor B (FB), whereas hi-M cells produce complement factor 2 (C2) and complement factor 3 (C3). Thus, neither hi-N nor hi-M cells can form either of the C3-convertases - C4bC2a and C3bBb. However, when hi-N and hi-M cells are combined in co-cultures, both types of functional C3 convertase are produced, indicated by elevated levels of the cleaved C3 protein, C3a.

CONCLUSIONS

hiPSC-derived co-culture models can be used to study viral infection in the brain, particularly complement receptor and function in relation to cellular "crosstalk." The models could be refined to further investigate pathogenic mechanisms.

Neuropilin-2 Signaling Modulates Mossy Fiber Sprouting by Regulating Axon Collateral Formation Through CRMP2 in a Rat Model of Epilepsy

Programmed neural circuit formation constitutes the foundation for normal brain functions. Axon guidance cues play crucial roles in neural circuit establishment during development. Whether or how they contribute to maintaining the stability of networks in mature brains is seldom studied. Upon injury, neural rewiring could happen in adulthood, of which mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) is a canonical example. Here, we uncovered a novel role of axon guidance molecule family Sema3F/Npn-2 signaling in MFS and epileptogenesis in a rat model of epilepsy. Dentate gyrus-specific Npn-2 knockdown increased seizure activity in epileptic animals along with increased MFS. Hippocampal culture results suggested that Npn-2 signaling modulates MFS via regulating axon outgrowth and collateral formation. In addition, we discovered that Sema3F/Npn-2 signal through CRMP2 by regulating its phosphorylation in the process of MFS. Our work illustrated that Npn-2 signaling in adult epilepsy animals could potentially modulate seizure activity by controlling MFS. MFS constitutes the structural basis for abnormal electric discharge of neurons and recurrent seizures. Therapies targeting Npn-2 signaling could potentially have disease-modifying anti-epileptogenesis effects in epilepsy treatment.

Association of complement component 4 with neuroimmune abnormalities in the subventricular zone in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders

An early inflammatory insult is the most recognized risk factor associated with neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, even more so than genetic variants. Notably, complement component 4 (C4), a molecule involved in inflammatory responses, has been strongly associated with schizophrenia (SZ) and its role in other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism (ASD), is an area of active investigation. However, while C4 in SZ has been implicated in the context of synaptic pruning, little is known about its neuroinflammatory role. The subventricular zone (SVZ) is a region heavily involved in neurodevelopment and neuroimmune interactions through the lifespan; thus, it is a region wherein C4 may play a vital role in disease pathology. Using in situ hybridization with radioactive riboprobes and RNAscope, we identified robust astrocytic expression of C4 in the SVZ and in the septum pellucidum. C4 was also expressed in ependyma, neurons, and Ki67⁺ progenitor cells. Examination of mRNA levels showed elevated C4 in both ASD and SZ, with higher expression in SZ compared to controls. Targeted transcriptomic analysis of inflammatory pathways revealed a strong association of complement system genes with SZ, and to a lesser extent, ASD, as well as generalized immune dysregulation without a strong association with known infectious pathways. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that ASD DEGs were enriched in adaptive immune system functions such as Th cell differentiation, while SZ DEGs were enriched in innate immune system functions, including NF-κB and toll like receptor signaling. Moreover, the number of Ki67⁺ cells was significantly higher in ASD compared to SZ and controls. Taken together, these results support a role for C4 into inflammatory-neuroimmune dysregulation observed in SZ and ASD pathology.

Molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of autophagy in kidney diseases

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular progress for the degradation of cytoplasmic contents including micromolecules, misfolded proteins, and damaged organelles that has recently captured attention in kidney diseases. Basal autophagy plays a pivotal role in maintaining cell survival and kidney homeostasis. Accordingly, dysregulation of autophagy has implicated in the pathologies of kidney diseases. In this review, we summarize the multifaceted role of autophagy in kidney aging, maladaptive repair, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and discuss autophagy-related drugs in kidney diseases. However, uncertainty still remains as to the precise mechanisms of autophagy in kidney diseases. Further research is needed to clarify the accurate molecular mechanism of autophagy in kidney diseases, which will facilitate the discovery of a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases.

Coagulation and complement: Key innate defense participants in a seamless web

In 1969, Dr. Oscar Ratnoff, a pioneer in delineating the mechanisms by which coagulation is activated and complement is regulated, wrote, “In the study of biological processes, the accumulation of information is often accelerated by a narrow point of view. The fastest way to investigate the body’s defenses against injury is to look individually at such isolated questions as how the blood clots or how complement works. We must constantly remind ourselves that such distinctions are man-made. In life, as in the legal cliché, the devices through which the body protects itself form a seamless web, unwrinkled by our artificialities.” Our aim in this review, is to highlight the critical molecular and cellular interactions between coagulation and complement, and how these two major component proteolytic pathways contribute to the seamless web of innate mechanisms that the body uses to protect itself from injury, invading pathogens and foreign surfaces.

Cooperation of Striatin 3 and MAP4K4 promotes growth and tissue invasion

MAP4K4 is associated with increased motility and reduced proliferation in tumor cells, but the regulation of this dichotomous functionality remained elusive. We find that MAP4K4 interacts with striatin 3 and 4 (STRN3/4) and that STRN3 and MAP4K4 exert opposing functions in Hippo signaling and clonal growth. However, depletion of either STRN3 or MAP4K4 in medulloblastoma cells reduces invasion, and loss of both proteins abrogates tumor cell growth in the cerebellar tissue. Mechanistically, STRN3 couples MAP4K4 to the protein phosphatase 2A, which inactivates growth repressing activities of MAP4K4. In parallel, STRN3 enables growth factor-induced PKCθ activation and direct phosphorylation of VASP_S157 by MAP4K4, which both are necessary for efficient cell invasion. VASP_S157 directed activity of MAP4K4 and STRN3 requires the CNH domain of MAP4K4, which mediates its interaction with striatins. Thus, STRN3 is a master regulator of MAP4K4 function, and disruption of its cooperation with MAP4K4 reactivates Hippo signaling and represses tissue invasion in medulloblastoma.

Analysis of the MAP4K4-STRN3 cooperation in medulloblastoma reveals its opposing regulation of Hippo activation and tissue invasion in cancer.

Efp/TRIM25 and Its Related Protein, TRIM47, in Hormone-Dependent Cancers

Increasing attention has been paid to the biological roles of tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) family proteins, which typically function as E3 ubiquitin ligases. Estrogen-responsive finger protein (Efp), a member of the TRIM family proteins, also known as TRIM25, was originally identified as a protein induced by estrogen and plays critical roles in promoting endocrine-related cancers, including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and prostate cancer. The pathophysiological importance of Efp made us interested in the roles of other TRIM family proteins that share a similar structure with Efp. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the C-terminal region of TRIM family proteins, we focused on TRIM47 as a protein belonging to the same branch as Efp. TRIM47 is a poor prognostic factor in both breast cancer and prostate cancer. Atypical lysine-27-like poly-ubiquitination was involved in the underlying mechanism causing endocrine resistance in breast cancer. We also discuss the functions of Efp and TRIM47 in other types of cancers and innate immunity by introducing substrates the are modified by poly-ubiquitination.

The Complement System, Aging, and Aging-Related Diseases

The complement system is a part of the immune system and consists of multiple complement components with biological functions such as defense against pathogens and immunomodulation. The complement system has three activation pathways: the classical pathway, the lectin pathway, and the alternative pathway. Increasing evidence indicates that the complement system plays a role in aging. Complement plays a role in inflammatory processes, metabolism, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and Wnt signaling pathways. In addition, the complement system plays a significant role in aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration, and osteoarthritis. However, the effect of complement on aging and aging-related diseases is still unclear. Thus, a better understanding of the potential relationship between complement, aging, and aging-related diseases will provide molecular targets for treating aging, while focusing on the balance of complement in during treatment. Inhibition of a single component does not result in a good outcome. In this review, we discussed the research progress and effects of complement in aging and aging-related diseases.

Discovery of 7, 4'-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone as a protease-activated receptor 4 antagonist with antithrombotic activity and less bleeding tendency in mice

There is growing evidence of the importance of protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4), one of thrombin receptors, as a therapeutic target in thrombotic cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we utilized ligand-based virtual screening, bioassay, and structure-activity relationship study to discover PAR4 antagonists with new chemical scaffolds from natural origin, and examined their application as antiplatelet agents. By using these approaches, we have identified a flavonoid, 7, 4'-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone, that exhibits anti-PAR4 activity. 7, 4'-Dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone inhibited PAR4-mediated human platelet aggregation, GPIIb/IIIa activation, and P-selectin secretion. Also, it inhibited PAR4 downstream signaling pathways, including Ca2+/protein kinase C, Akt, and MAP kinases ERK and p38, in human platelets, and suppressed PAR4-mediated β-arrestin recruitment in CHO-K1 cells exogenously expressed human PAR4. In a microfluidic system, 7, 4'-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone reduced thrombus formation on collagen-coated chambers at an arterial shear rate in recalcified whole blood. Furthermore, mice treated with 7, 4'-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone were significantly protected from FeCl3-induced carotid arterial occlusions, without significantly affecting tail bleeding time. In conclusion, 7, 4'-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone represents a new class of nature-based PAR4 antagonist, it shows effective in vivo antithrombotic properties with less bleeding tendency, and could be a potential candidate for developing new antiplatelet agents.

Association between RAC1 gene variation, redox homeostasis and type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress are known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the relationship between genes encoding a multi-subunit ROS-generated enzyme NADPH oxidase and disease susceptibility remains unexplored.

AIMS

The present pilot study investigated whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at the RAC1 gene (Rac family small GTPase 1), a molecular switcher of NADPH oxidase, are associated with the risk of T2D, glucose metabolism and redox homeostasis.

MATERIALS & METHODS

DNA samples from 3206 unrelated Russian subjects (1579 T2D patients and 1627 controls) were genotyped for six common SNPs rs4724800, rs7784465, rs10951982, rs10238136, rs836478 and rs9374 of RAC1 using the MassArray-4 system.

RESULTS

SNP rs7784465 was associated with an increased risk of T2D (p = .0003), and significant differences in the RAC1 haplotypes occurred between the cases and controls (p = .005). Seventeen combinations of RAC1 genotypes showed significant associations with T2D risk (FDR <0.05). Associations of RAC1 polymorphisms with T2D were modified by environmental factors such as sedentary lifestyle, psychological stresses, a dietary deficit of fresh fruits/vegetables and increased carbohydrate intake. RAC1 polymorphisms were associated with biochemical parameters in diabetics: rs7784465 (p = .015) and rs836478 (p = .028) with increased glycated haemoglobin, rs836478 (p = .005) with increased fasting blood glucose, oxidized glutathione (p = .012) and uric acid (p = .034). Haplotype rs4724800A-rs7784465C-rs10951982G-rs10238136A-rs836478C-rs9374G was strongly associated with increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Thus, polymorphisms in the RAC1 gene represent novel genetic markers of type 2 diabetes, and their link with glucose metabolism and disease pathogenesis is associated with the changes in redox homeostasis.

The role of ciliopathy-associated type 3 adenylyl cyclase in infanticidal behavior in virgin adult male mice

Virgin adult male mice often display killing of alien newborns, defined as infanticide, and this behavior is dependent on olfactory signaling. Olfactory perception is achieved by the main olfactory system (MOS) or vomeronasal system (VNS). Although it has been established that the VNS is crucial for infanticide in male mice, the role of the MOS in infanticide remains unknown. Herein, by producing lesions via ZnSO₄ perfusion and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid stereotactic injection, we demonstrated that the main olfactory epithelium (MOE), anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), or ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is crucial for infanticide in adult males. By using CRISPR-Cas9 coupled with adeno-associated viruses to induce specific knockdown of type 3 adenylyl cyclase (AC3) in these tissues, we further demonstrated that AC3, a ciliopathy-associated protein, in the MOE and the expression of related proteins in the AON or VMH are necessary for infanticidal behavior in virgin adult male mice.

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MOE lesions and knockdown of AC3 in the MOE result in abnormal infanticidal behavior

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The infanticidal behavior of male mice is impaired by lesioning of the AON or VMH

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AC3 knockdown in the AON or VMH affects the infanticidal behavior of male mice

Plasma Complement 3 and Complement 4 Are Promising Biomarkers for Distinguishing NMOSD From MOGAD and Are Associated With the Blood-Brain-Barrier Disruption in NMOSD

Background and Objective

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IgG) associated disease (MOGAD) are autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). As the clinical features of NMOSD are similar to MOGAD, diagnostic confusion exists between the two diseases. To better discriminate NMOSD from MOGAD, we investigated whether the plasma levels of complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4) are different in NMOSD and MOGAD during the acute attacks of the diseases. We sought to determine whether C3 or C4 has an influence on the features of NMOSD.

Methods

In this observational study, data from 73 aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-IgG) positive NMOSD patients and 22 MOG-IgG positive MOGAD patients were collected retrospectively. Demographics, clinical characteristics, plasma parameters, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings will be analyzed for comparability between the two groups. Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) and albumin were measured in both plasma and CSF. Plasma levels of C3 and C4 were measured and compared between the NMOSD, MOGAD, and 42 healthy controls (HC). The correlations between plasma C3, C4, and NMOSD clinical parameters were analyzed.

Results

The ages of onset were later in the AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD group and females predominated, which differed from the MOGAD group, whose ages were younger and with a slight male preponderance. The AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD patients presented with the clinical symptoms of optic neuritis (ON) and transverse myelitis (TM), whereas encephalitis symptoms were more prevalent in MOGAD patients. CSF analysis shows that slight but not significantly higher white cell count (WCC) and protein were observed in the MOGAD group than in the AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD group. The plasma levels of IgG in MOGAD patients are significantly lower (p = 0.027) than in NMOSD patients. On the contrary, the plasma levels of albumin in MOGAD were higher than in NMOSD, which reached statistical significance (p = 0.039). Both the plasma C3 and C4 levels in the NMOSD group were significantly lower than in MOGAD and HC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the prediction model comprises C3 and C4 to distinguish NMOSD from MOGAD [area under the curve (AUC): 0.731, 0.645], which are considered to have discriminatory values. The results of Spearman’s analysis revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between the plasma C3 and the CSF WCC (r = 0.383, p = 0.040). There was an inverse correlation between plasma C4 and plasma IgG (r = -0.244, p = 0.038). Plasma C3 or C4 was significantly positively correlated with CSF albumin and Q-Alb, which is considered a measure of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption.

Conclusion

During the acute phase of NMOSD and MOGAD, plasma C3 and C4 may become potential biomarkers for distinguishing the two diseases and reflecting the NMOSD BBB damage.

Elevated NF-κB/SHh/GLI1 Signature Denotes a Worse Prognosis and Represent a Novel Potential Therapeutic Target in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent cancer in men worldwide. NF-κB seems to play a key role in cell survival, proliferation and invasion, sustaining the heterogeneous multifocal nature of PCa. In recent years, the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has attracted attention as a therapeutic target due to its implication in tumorigenesis and metastasis in several types of cancer, including PCa. Although it is well-known that Sonic Hedgehog (SHh) is a transcriptional target of NF-κB(p65), and that GLI1 is the effector of this crosstalk, the precise role played by this axis in PCa is still not completely clear. Here, we set out to explore the correlation between NF-κB activation and SHh pathways in PCa, investigating if the interplay between NF-κB(p65) and SHh-GLI1 in advanced PCa could be a prospective therapeutic target. Our findings demonstrate that a NF-κB-SHh-GLI1 gene signature is enriched in PCa patients featuring a higher Gleason score. Moreover, elevated levels of this signature are associated with worse prognosis, thus suggesting that this axis could provide a route to treat aggressive PCa.

Plasma C4 level was associated with mortality, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) exhibit a high risk of death, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCDs). Previous studies indicated complement activation associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in HD patients. This study aimed to explore whether the critical complement factors were associated with the adverse outcomes in HD patients.

METHODS

A total of 108 HD patients were included and followed up for 52 months. The baseline clinical characteristics and plasma C3c, C1q, CFH, CFB, C4, MAC, C5a, C3a and MBL were measured. The three endpoints were death, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (CCEs) and the composition of them. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression identified factors associated with the three endpoints respectively. X-tile analyses determined the optimal cut-off values for high risks. Restricted cubic spline plots illustrated the dose-response relationships. Correlations between the complement factors and risk factors for CCDs were analyzed.

RESULTS

Baseline plasma C4 was finally selected by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses for three endpoints, including all-cause mortality, CCEs and the composition of them. When baseline plasma C4 exceeded 0.47 (P = 0.001) or 0.44 (P = 0.018) g/L respectively, the risks for death or achieving the composite endpoint enhanced significantly. The relationships of C4 and HR for the three endpoints showed a positive linear trend. Plasma C4 had prominent correlations with blood TG (r = 0.62, P < 0.001) and HDL (r = -0.38, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher baseline plasma C4 level was significantly associated with the future incidence of decease, CCEs and either of them. Plasma C4 level correlated with blood TG and HDL.

Saliva changes in composition associated to COVID-19: a preliminary study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2), is usually associated with a wide variety of clinical presentations from asymptomatic to severe cases. The use of saliva as a diagnostic and monitoring fluid has gained importance since it can be used to investigate the immune response and to direct quantification of antibodies against COVID-19. Additionally, the use of proteomics in saliva has allowed to increase  our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of diseases, bringing new perspectives on diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment. In this work, we compared the salivary proteome of 10 patients with COVID-19, (five patients with mild and five patients with severe COVID-19) and ten control healthy patients. Through the application of proteomics, we have identified 30 proteins whose abundance levels differed between the COVID-19 groups and the control group. Two of these proteins (TGM3 and carbonic anhydrase-CA6) were validated by the measurement of gGT and TEA respectively, in 98 additional saliva samples separated into two groups: (1) COVID-19 group, integrated by 66 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 (2) control group, composed of 32 healthy individuals who did not show any sign of disease for at least four weeks and were negative for COVID-19 in RT-PCR. In the proteomic study there were observed upregulations in CAZA1, ACTN4, and ANXA4, which are proteins related to the protective response against the virus disturbance, and the upregulation of TGM3, that is correlated to the oxidative damage in pulmonary tissue. We also showed the downregulation in cystatins and CA6 that can be involved in the sensory response to stimulus and possibly related to the presence of anosmia and dysgeusia during the COVID-19. Additionally, the presence of FGB in patients with severe COVID-19 but not in mild COVID-19 patients could indicate a higher viral aggregation and activation in these cases. In conclusion, the salivary proteome in patients with COVID-19 showed changes in proteins related to the protective response to viral infection, and the altered sensory taste perception that occur during the disease. Moreover, gGT and TEA could be potential biomarkers of respiratory complications that can occurs during COVID 19 although further larger studies should be made to corroborate this.

PKCα and PKCδ: Friends and Rivals

PKC comprises a large family of serine/threonine kinases that share a requirement for allosteric activation by lipids. While PKC isoforms have significant homology, functional divergence is evident among subfamilies and between individual PKC isoforms within a subfamily. Here, we highlight these differences by comparing the regulation and function of representative PKC isoforms from the conventional (PKCα) and novel (PKCδ) subfamilies. We discuss how unique structural features of PKCα and PKCδ underlie differences in activation and highlight the similar, divergent, and even opposing biological functions of these kinases. We also consider how PKCα and PKCδ can contribute to pathophysiological conditions and discuss challenges to targeting these kinases therapeutically.

The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase CRL5 Regulates Dentate Gyrus Morphogenesis, Adult Neurogenesis, and Animal Behavior

The dentate gyrus (DG) is an essential part of the hippocampal formation and participates in the majority of hippocampal functions. The DG is also one of the few structures in the mammalian central nervous system that produces adult-born neurons and, in humans, alterations in adult neurogenesis are associated with stress and depression. Given the importance of DG in hippocampal function, it is imperative to understand the molecular mechanisms driving DG development and homeostasis. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Cullin-5/RBX2 (CRL5) is a multiprotein complex involved in neuron migration and localization in the nervous system, but its role during development and in the adult DG remain elusive. Here, we show that CRL5 participates in mossy fiber pruning, DG layering, adult neurogenesis, and overall physical activity in mice. During DG development, RBX2 depletion causes an overextension of the DG mossy fiber infrapyramidal bundle (IPB). We further demonstrate that the increased activity in Reelin/DAB1 or ARF6 signaling, observed in RBX2 knockout mice, is not responsible for the lack of IPB pruning. Knocking out RBX2 also affects granule cell and neural progenitor localization and these defects were rescued by downregulating the Reelin/DAB1 signaling. Finally, we show that absence of RBX2 increases the number neural progenitors and adult neurogenesis. Importantly, RBX2 knockout mice exhibit higher levels of physical activity, uncovering a potential mechanism responsible for the increased adult neurogenesis in the RBX2 mutant DG. Overall, we present evidence of CRL5 regulating mossy fiber pruning and layering during development and opposing adult neurogenesis in the adult DG.

Golgi Complex: A Signaling Hub in Cancer

The Golgi Complex is the central hub in the endomembrane system and serves not only as a biosynthetic and processing center but also as a trafficking and sorting station for glycoproteins and lipids. In addition, it is an active signaling hub involved in the regulation of multiple cellular processes, including cell polarity, motility, growth, autophagy, apoptosis, inflammation, DNA repair and stress responses. As such, the dysregulation of the Golgi Complex-centered signaling cascades contributes to the onset of several pathological conditions, including cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the signaling pathways regulated by the Golgi Complex and implicated in promoting cancer hallmarks and tumor progression.

A comprehensive review on acridone based derivatives as future anti-cancer agents and their structure activity relationships

The development of drug resistance and severe side-effects has reduced the clinical efficacy of the existing anti-cancer drugs available in the market. Thus, there is always a constant need to develop newer anti-cancer drugs with minimal adverse effects. Researchers all over the world have been focusing on various alternative strategies to discover novel, potent, and target specific molecules for cancer therapy. In this direction, several heterocyclic compounds are being explored but amongst them one promising heterocycle is acridone which has attracted the attention of medicinal chemists and gained huge biological importance as acridones are found to act on different therapeutically proven molecular targets, overcome ABC transporters mediated drug resistance and DNA intercalation in cancer cells. Some of these acridone derivatives have reached clinical studies as these heterocycles have shown huge potential in cancer therapeutics and imaging. Here, the authors have attempted to compile and make some recommendations of acridone based derivatives concerning their cancer biological targets and in vitro-cytotoxicity based on drug design and novelty to increase their therapeutic potential. This review also provides some important insights on the design, receptor targeting and future directions for the development of acridones as possible clinically effective anti-cancer agents.

Targeting mTOR in the Context of Diet and Whole-body Metabolism

The mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is the central regulator of cell growth and proliferation by integrating growth factor and nutrient availability. Under healthy physiological conditions, this process is tightly coordinated and essential to maintain whole-body homeostasis. Not surprisingly, dysregulated mTOR signaling underpins several diseases with increasing incidence worldwide, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Consequently, there is significant clinical interest in developing therapeutic strategies that effectively target this pathway. The transition of mTOR inhibitors from the bench to bedside, however, has largely been marked with challenges and shortcomings, such as the development of therapy resistance and adverse side effects in patients. In this review, we discuss the current status of first-, second-, and third-generation mTOR inhibitors as a cancer therapy in both preclinical and clinical settings, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms of drug resistance. We focus especially on the emerging role of diet as an important environmental determinant of therapy response, and posit a conceptual framework that links nutrient availability and whole-body metabolic states such as obesity with many of the previously defined processes that drive resistance to mTOR-targeted therapies. Given the role of mTOR as a central integrator of cell metabolism and function, we propose that modulating nutrient inputs through dietary interventions may influence the signaling dynamics of this pathway and compensatory nodes. In doing so, new opportunities for exploiting diet/drug synergies are highlighted that may unlock the therapeutic potential of mTOR inhibitors as a cancer treatment.

Protein Kinase C Epsilon Overexpression Is Associated With Poor Patient Outcomes in AML and Promotes Daunorubicin Resistance Through p-Glycoprotein-Mediated Drug Efflux

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases are pleiotropic signaling regulators and are implicated in hematopoietic signaling and development. Only one isoform however, PKCϵ, has oncogenic properties in solid cancers where it is associated with poor outcomes. Here we show that PKCϵ protein is significantly overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 37% of patients). In addition, PKCϵ expression in AML was associated with a significant reduction in complete remission induction and disease-free survival. Examination of the functional consequences of PKCϵ overexpression in normal human hematopoiesis, showed that PKCϵ promotes myeloid differentiation, particularly of the monocytic lineage, and decreased colony formation, suggesting that PKCϵ does not act as an oncogene in hematopoietic cells. Rather, in AML cell lines, PKCϵ overexpression selectively conferred resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent, daunorubicin, by reducing intracellular concentrations of this agent. Mechanistic analysis showed that PKCϵ promoted the expression of the efflux pump, P-GP (ABCB1), and that drug efflux mediated by this transporter fully accounted for the daunorubicin resistance associated with PKCϵ overexpression. Analysis of AML patient samples also showed a link between PKCϵ and P-GP protein expression suggesting that PKCϵ expression drives treatment resistance in AML by upregulating P-GP expression.

Identifying common transcriptome signatures of cancer by interpreting deep learning models

Background

Cancer is a set of diseases characterized by unchecked cell proliferation and invasion of surrounding tissues. The many genes that have been genetically associated with cancer or shown to directly contribute to oncogenesis vary widely between tumor types, but common gene signatures that relate to core cancer pathways have also been identified. It is not clear, however, whether there exist additional sets of genes or transcriptomic features that are less well known in cancer biology but that are also commonly deregulated across several cancer types.

Results

Here, we agnostically identify transcriptomic features that are commonly shared between cancer types using 13,461 RNA-seq samples from 19 normal tissue types and 18 solid tumor types to train three feed-forward neural networks, based either on protein-coding gene expression, lncRNA expression, or splice junction use, to distinguish between normal and tumor samples. All three models recognize transcriptome signatures that are consistent across tumors. Analysis of attribution values extracted from our models reveals that genes that are commonly altered in cancer by expression or splicing variations are under strong evolutionary and selective constraints. Importantly, we find that genes composing our cancer transcriptome signatures are not frequently affected by mutations or genomic alterations and that their functions differ widely from the genes genetically associated with cancer.

Conclusions

Our results highlighted that deregulation of RNA-processing genes and aberrant splicing are pervasive features on which core cancer pathways might converge across a large array of solid tumor types.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s13059-022-02681-3).

Identification and Validation of a GPX4-Related Immune Prognostic Signature for Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a commonly occurring histological subtype of lung cancer. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is an important regulatory factor of ferroptosis and is involved in the development of many cancers, but its prognostic significance has not been systematically described in LUAD. In this study, we focused on developing a robust GPX4-related prognostic signature (GPS) for LUAD. Data for the training cohort was extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas, and that for the validation cohort was sourced from the GSE72094 dataset including 863 LUAD patients. GPX4-related genes were screened out by weighted gene coexpression network analysis and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Then, Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses were employed to construct a GPS. The ESTIMATE algorithm, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and GSEA were utilized to evaluate the relationship between GPS and the tumor microenvironment (TME). We constructed and validated a GPS premised on four GPX4-related genes (KIF14, LATS2, PRKCE, and TM6SF1), which could classify LUAD patients into low- and high-score cohorts. The high-risk cohort presented noticeably poorer overall survival (OS) as opposed to the low-risk cohort, meaning that the GPS may be utilized as an independent predictor of the OS of LUAD. The GPS was also adversely correlated with multiple tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune-related processes and pathways in TME. Furthermore, greater sensitivity to erlotinib and lapatinib were identified in the low-risk cohort based on the GDSC database. Our findings suggest that the GPS can effectively forecast the prognosis of LUAD patients and may possibly regulate the TME of LUAD.

Determining KLF14 tertiary structure and diagnostic significance in brain cancer progression

Expression analysis of new protein targets may play a crucial role in the early detection and diagnosis of brain tumor progression. The study aimed to investigate the possible relation of KLF14, TPD52, miR-124, and PKCε in the development and progression of brain cancer and space occupying lesion (SOL) of the brain. One hundred human blood samples comprising varying diagnostic groups (SOL brain, grade I, II, III, IV) were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR to determine the expression level of KLF14, TPD52, miR-124, and PKCε. TPD52 and PKCε were upregulated in brain cancer by 2.5- and 1.6-fold, respectively, whereas, KLF14 and miR-124 were downregulated in brain cancer. In metastatic and high-grade brain cancer, TPD52 and PKCε expression were up-regulated and KLF14 and miR-124 expression were down-regulated. Further, these genes were found to be differentially expressed in the blood of patients with SOL. Upregulation of TPD52 and PKCε, however, reduced expression of KLF14 and miR-124 in SOL of the brain as compared to healthy controls. Expression analysis of TPD52, KLF14, miR-124, and PKCε provided useful information on the differences existing between the normal brain and SOL, in addition to gliomas; thus, might prove to be useful having diagnostic or prognostic value.

Structural anatomy of Protein Kinase C C1 domain interactions with diacylglycerol and other agonists

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a versatile lipid whose 1,2-sn-stereoisomer serves both as second messenger in signal transduction pathways that control vital cellular processes, and as metabolic precursor for downstream signaling lipids such as phosphatidic acid. Effector proteins translocate to available DAG pools in the membranes by using conserved homology 1 (C1) domains as DAG-sensing modules. Yet, how C1 domains recognize and capture DAG in the complex environment of a biological membrane has remained unresolved for the 40 years since the discovery of Protein Kinase C (PKC) as the first member of the DAG effector cohort. Herein, we report the high-resolution crystal structures of a C1 domain (C1B from PKCδ) complexed to DAG and to each of four potent PKC agonists that produce different biological readouts and that command intense therapeutic interest. This structural information details the mechanisms of stereospecific recognition of DAG by the C1 domains, the functional properties of the lipid-binding site, and the identities of the key residues required for the recognition and capture of DAG and exogenous agonists. Moreover, the structures of the five C1 domain complexes provide the high-resolution guides for the design of agents that modulate the activities of DAG effector proteins.

Validation of host cerebrospinal fluid protein biomarkers for early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children: a replication and new biosignature discovery study

The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children is often delayed due to diagnostic difficulties. New tools are urgently needed to improve the diagnosis of the disease in this vulnerable group. The present study aimed to validate the accuracy of recently identified host cerebrospinal (CSF) biomarkers as candidates for the diagnosis of TBM in children. We collected CSF samples from 87 children aged 3 months to 13 years, that were consecutively admitted at a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, on suspicion of having TBM. We evaluated the concentrations of 67 selected host protein biomarkers using a multiplex platform. Previously identified 3-marker (VEGF-A + IFN-γ + MPO) and 4-marker (IFN-γ + MPO + ICAM-1 + IL-8) signatures diagnosed TBM with AUCs of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.79-0.95) respectively; sensitivities of 80.6% (95% CI, 62.5-92.5%) and 81.6% (95% CI, 65.7-92.3%), and specificities of 86.8% (71.9-95.6%) and 83.7% (70.4-92.7%) respectively. Furthermore, a new combination between the analytes (CC4b + CC4 + procalcitonin + CCL1) showed promise, with an AUC of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.94-1.00). We have shown that the accuracies of previously identified candidate CSF biomarkers for childhood TBM was reproducible. Our findings augur well for the future development of a simple bedside test for the rapid diagnosis of TBM in children.

Phosphatidylcholine-Derived Lipid Mediators: The Crosstalk Between Cancer Cells and Immune Cells

To become resistant, cancer cells need to activate and maintain molecular defense mechanisms that depend on an energy trade-off between resistance and essential functions. Metabolic reprogramming has been shown to fuel cell growth and contribute to cancer drug resistance. Recently, changes in lipid metabolism have emerged as an important driver of resistance to anticancer agents. In this review, we highlight the role of choline metabolism with a focus on the phosphatidylcholine cycle in the regulation of resistance to therapy. We analyze the contribution of phosphatidylcholine and its metabolites to intracellular processes of cancer cells, both as the major cell membrane constituents and source of energy. We further extended our discussion about the role of phosphatidylcholine-derived lipid mediators in cellular communication between cancer and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, as well as their pivotal role in the immune regulation of therapeutic failure. Changes in phosphatidylcholine metabolism are part of an adaptive program activated in response to stress conditions that contribute to cancer therapy resistance and open therapeutic opportunities for treating drug-resistant cancers.