Activation and function of the MAPKs and their substrates, the MAPK-activated protein kinases. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2011;75:50-83. [PMID: 21372320 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00031-10]

Discovery of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as novel mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) inhibitors

The dual-specificity protein kinase MKK3 has been implicated in tumor cell proliferation and survival, yet its precise role in cancer remains inconclusive. A critical step in elucidating the kinase's involvement in disease biology is the identification of potent, cell-permeable kinase inhibitors. Presently, MKK3 lacks a dedicated tool compound for these purposes, along with validated methods for the facile screening, identification, and optimization of inhibitors. In this study, we have developed a TR-FRET-based enzymatic assay for the detection of MKK3 activity in vitro and a BRET-based assay to assess ligand binding to this enzyme within intact human cells. These assays were instrumental in identifying hit compounds against MKK3 that share a common chemical scaffold, sourced from a library of bioactive kinase inhibitors. Initial hits were subsequently expanded through the synthesis of novel analogs. The resulting structure-activity relationship (SAR) was rationalized using molecular dynamics simulations against a homology model of MKK3. We expect our findings to expedite the development of novel, potent, selective, and bioactive inhibitors, thus facilitating investigations into MKK3's role in various cancers.

Signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common condition associated with critically ill patients, characterized by bilateral chest radiographical opacities with refractory hypoxemia due to noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Despite significant advances, the mortality of ARDS remains unacceptably high, and there are still no effective targeted pharmacotherapeutic agents. With the outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 worldwide, the mortality of ARDS has increased correspondingly. Comprehending the pathophysiology and the underlying molecular mechanisms of ARDS may thus be essential to developing effective therapeutic strategies and reducing mortality. To facilitate further understanding of its pathogenesis and exploring novel therapeutics, this review provides comprehensive information of ARDS from pathophysiology to molecular mechanisms and presents targeted therapeutics. We first describe the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ARDS that involve dysregulated inflammation, alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, impaired alveolar fluid clearance and oxidative stress. Next, we summarize the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways related to the above four aspects of ARDS pathophysiology, along with the latest research progress. Finally, we discuss the emerging therapeutic strategies that show exciting promise in ARDS, including several pharmacologic therapies, microRNA-based therapies and mesenchymal stromal cell therapies, highlighting the pathophysiological basis and the influences on signal transduction pathways for their use.

Natural products targeting the MAPK-signaling pathway in cancer: overview

PURPOSE

This article summarizes natural products that target the MAPK-signaling pathway in cancer therapy. The classification, chemical structures, and anti-cancer mechanisms of these natural products are elucidated, and comprehensive information is provided on their potential use in cancer therapy.

METHODS

Using the PubMed database, we searched for keywords, including "tumor", "cancer", "natural product", "phytochemistry", "plant chemical components", and "MAPK-signaling pathway". We also screened for compounds with well-defined structures that targeting the MAPK-signaling pathway and have anti-cancer effects. We used Kingdraw software and Adobe Photoshop software to draw the chemical compound structural diagrams.

RESULTS

A total of 131 papers were searched, from which 85 compounds with well-defined structures were selected. These compounds have clear mechanisms for targeting cancer treatment and are mainly related to the MAPK-signaling pathway. Examples include eupatilin, carvacrol, oridonin, sophoridine, diosgenin, and juglone. These chemical components are classified as flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroidal saponins, and quinones.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain MAPK pathway inhibitors have been used for clinical treatment. However, the clinical feedback has not been promising because of genomic instability, drug resistance, and side effects. Natural products have few side effects, good medicinal efficacy, a wide range of sources, individual heterogeneity of biological activity, and are capable of treating disease from multiple targets. These characteristics make natural products promising drugs for cancer treatment.

Tripterine Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis of Keloid Fibroblasts by Targeting ROS/JNK Signaling

Keloids are benign skin tumors characterized by excessive fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. The current treatment of keloids with hormone drug injection, surgical excision, radiotherapy, physical compression, laser therapy, cryotherapy often have unsatisfactory outcomes. The phytochemical compounds have shown great potential in treating keloids. Tripterine, a natural triterpene derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Thunder God Vine (Tripterygium wilfordii), was previously reported to exhibit an anti-scarring bioactivity in mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells. Accordingly, our study was dedicated to explore its role in regulating the pathological phenotypes of keloid fibroblasts. Human keloid fibroblasts were treated with tripterine (0-10 μM) for 24 hours. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were determined by CCK-8, EdU, wound healing, Transwell, flow cytometry, western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays. The effects of tripterine treatment on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and JNK activation in keloid fibroblasts were assessed by DCFH-DA staining and western blotting analysis. Tripterine at the concentrations higher than 4 μM attenuated the viability of human keloid fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with tripterine (4, 6, and 8 μM) dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and migration, promoted cell apoptosis, reduced α-SMA, Col1, and Fn expression, induced ROS production, and enhanced JNK phosphorylation in keloid fibroblasts. Collectively, tripterine ameliorates the pathological characteristics of keloid fibroblasts that are associated with keloidformation and growth by inducing ROS generation and activating JNK signalingpathway.

Mechanisms underlying sensing of cellular stress signals by mammalian MAP3 kinases

Cellular homeostasis is continuously challenged by environmental cues and cellular stress conditions. In their defense, cells need to mount appropriate stress responses that, dependent on the cellular context, signaling intensity, and duration, may have diverse outcomes. The stress- and mitogen-activated protein kinase (SAPK/MAPK) system consists of well-characterized signaling cascades that sense and transduce an array of different stress stimuli into biological responses. However, the physical and chemical nature of stress signals and how these are sensed by individual upstream MAP kinase kinase kinases (MAP3Ks) remain largely ambiguous. Here, we review the existing knowledge of how individual members of the large and diverse group of MAP3Ks sense specific stress signals through largely non-redundant mechanisms. We emphasize the large knowledge gaps in assigning function and stress signals for individual MAP3K family members and touch on the potential of targeting this class of proteins for clinical benefit.

Dissection of MKK6 and p38 Signaling Using Light-Activated Protein Kinases

Stress-activated signaling pathways orchestrate cellular behaviors and fates. Studying the precise role(s) of stress-activated protein kinases is challenging, because stress conditions induce adaptation and impose selection pressure. To meet this challenge, we have applied an optogenetic system with a single plasmid to express light-activated p38α or its upstream activator, MKK6, in conjunction with live-cell fluorescence microscopy. In starved cells, decaging of constitutively active p38α or MKK6 by brief exposure to UV light elicits rapid p38-mediated signaling, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and apoptosis with different kinetics. In parallel, light activation of p38α also suppresses autophagosome formation, similarly to stimulation with growth factors that activate PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling. Active MKK6 negatively regulates serum-induced ERK activity, which is p38-independent as previously reported. Here, we reproduce that result with the one plasmid system and show that although decaging active p38α does not reduce basal ERK activity in our cells, it can block growth factor-stimulated ERK signaling in serum-starved cells. These results clarify the roles of MKK6 and p38α in dynamic signaling programs, which act in concert to actuate apoptotic death while suppressing cell survival mechanisms.

The induction of SHP-1 degradation by TAOK3 ensures the responsiveness of T cells to TCR stimulation

Thousand-and-one-amino acid kinase 3 (TAOK3) is a serine and threonine kinase that belongs to the STE-20 family of kinases. Its absence reduces T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and increases the interaction of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, a major negative regulator of proximal TCR signaling, with the kinase LCK, a component of the core TCR signaling complex. Here, we used mouse models and human cell lines to investigate the mechanism by which TAOK3 limits the interaction of SHP-1 with LCK. The loss of TAOK3 decreased the survival of naïve CD4+ T cells by dampening the transmission of tonic and ligand-dependent TCR signaling. In mouse T cells, Taok3 promoted the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in response to TCR activation in a manner that depended on Taok3 gene dosage and on Taok3 kinase activity. TCR desensitization in Taok3-/- T cells was caused by an increased abundance of Shp-1, and pharmacological inhibition of Shp-1 rescued the activation potential of these T cells. TAOK3 phosphorylated threonine-394 in the phosphatase domain of SHP-1, which promoted its ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. The loss of TAOK3 had no effect on the abundance of SHP-2, which lacks a residue corresponding to SHP-1 threonine-394. Modulation of SHP-1 abundance by TAOK3 thus serves as a rheostat for TCR signaling and determines the activation threshold of T lymphocytes.

Diethyl phthalate, a plasticizer, induces adipocyte inflammation and apoptosis in mice after long-term dietary administration

The incidence of metabolic diseases is increasing alarmingly in recent times. Parallel to nutritional excess and sedentary lifestyle, the random usage of several endocrine disrupting chemicals including plasticizers is reported to be closely associated with metabolic diseases. Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a widely used plasticizer in a host of consumer and daily care products. Adipose tissue plays a central role in energy storage and whole-body metabolism. The impairment of adipose function is critically implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, diabetes, and related metabolic diseases. Recently, exposure to certain phthalate esters has been linked to the development of obesity and diabetes, although there are contradictions and the mechanisms are not clearly understood. In an effort to ascertain the metabolic consequences of chronic phthalate exposure and the underlying mechanism, the present study was designed to examine the effects of long-term dietary consumption of DEP in adipocytes. DEP-treated mice were hyperglycemic but nonobese; their body weight initially increased which subsequently was reduced compared to control. DEP exposure at lower levels impaired adipogenesis by downregulating the key transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and its downstream insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin, thereby severely compromising adipocyte function. The activation of master regulator nuclear factor κB led to rise in proinflammatory cytokines. We found that DEP triggered intrinsic apoptotic pathways through activated cytochrome c-Apaf1-caspase 9-caspase 3 axis in adipocytes. Taken together, our data revealed that chronic administration of dietary DEP could unleash adverse metabolic outcomes by initiating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the adipocytes, thus leading to adipose tissue dysfunction.

Suppression of the SLC7A11/glutathione axis causes ferroptosis and apoptosis and alters the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

SLC7A11 is a unit of the glutamate cystine antiporter Xc- system. It functions to import cystine for glutathione biosynthesis and maintains the redox balance in cells. Sorafenib inhibits the transporter activity of SLC7A11. The use of sorafenib has been approved in the treatment of multiple cancers. However, at present, our understanding of the mechanism of SLC7A11 and sorafenib in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains limited. We found that the expression of SLC7A11 was upregulated in NPC. A high SLC7A11 expression was associated with poor prognosis, metastasis, and an advanced T stage, which can be used as an independent prognostic indicator of NPC. In vitro, we observed that NPC cells relied on cystine for survival. Targeting SLC7A11 resulted in glutathione biosynthesis limitation, intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation, lipid peroxides, ferroptosis, and apoptosis. Meanwhile, it altered mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, including p38 activation but ERK inhibition in NPC. This limited the proliferation of NPC cells. Sorafenib inhibited the proliferation and induced the death of NPC cells in vivo. In conclusion, SLC7A11 plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of NPC and may be a novel target for NPC treatment.

Resveratrol protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by attenuating ferroptosis through modulating the MAPK signaling pathway

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a widely used antitumor agent with dose-dependent and cumulative cardiotoxic effects. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural non-flavonoid polyphenol that can potentially provide cardiovascular benefits. We aimed to estimate the protective effect of Res on Dox-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) and explore whether it was related to attenuating ferroptosis. We established DIC models in C57BL/6 J mice, H9C2 cardiomyoblasts, and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). We further treated H9C2 cells with RSL3, a ferroptosis agonist, to investigate whether Res exerted protective effects through inhibiting ferroptosis. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) was applied to suppress ferroptosis. Dox treatment caused cardiac dysfunction and resulted in apparent ferroptotic damage in cardiac tissue, involving increased iron accumulation, glutathione depletion, increased expression of ferroptosis-related proteins, and decreased expression of glutathione peroxidase 4, which were alleviated by Fer-1 and Res administration. These findings were also confirmed in Dox-treated H9C2 cells and NRCMs, with Fer-1 and Res effectively attenuating Dox-induced cytotoxicity and ferroptosis. Furthermore, Res protected H9C2 cells from RSL3-induced ferroptotic cell death, and the protective effect was similar to that of Fer-1. Both Dox and RSL3 treatment increased the phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases; however, these changes were hindered by Res. This study demonstrates that Res effectively alleviates DIC by suppressing ferroptosis possibly through modulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Our results highlight that targeting ferroptosis can be a potential cardioprotective strategy for DIC.

Quercetin of huoxuehuayu tongluo decoction and azithromycin combination therapy effectively improves rat tubal factor infertility by inhibiting inflammation

Objectives

Tubal factor infertility (TFI) is common female infertility responsible for a large portion of female factor infertility. This study reveals the effect of the quercetin of Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction with azithromycin on the pregnancy rate and inflammation of TFI female rats.

Materials and Methods

Female Sprague Dawley rats were constructed into the TFI model and treated with quercetin, Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction, and combination therapy (quercetin and azithromycin). Pregnancy rate and litter size were measured. Network pharmacology was applied to analyze the interaction between Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction and TFI. The combination of quercetin and IL-6 was analyzed by molecular docking. HE staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the histopathology and ultrastructure of fallopian tube tissues. The TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and MPO levels were detected by ELISA. The activation of JAK/STAT, MAPK, and NF-κB p65 pathways was detected by western blot or immunohistochemistry.

Results

Quercetin was the main active component of Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction, and could bind to IL-6 in TFI. Target genes were enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, inflammatory disease, etc. Under the quercetin and azithromycin combination therapy, both rat pregnancy rates and litter sizes increased significantly. quercetin and azithromycin alleviated the symptoms of hydrosalpinx and inflammatory damage in fallopian tube tissues. The phosphorylation of JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways and NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus were significantly inhibited by the quercetin and azithromycin therapy.

Conclusion

Quercetin and azithromycin combination therapy inhibited inflammation and phosphorylation of JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways to improve TFI inflammation and pregnancy function.

Triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amines based ERK3 inhibitors fail to demonstrate selective effects on adipocyte function

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3 also designated MAPK6 - mitogen-activated protein kinase 6) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase participating in the regulation of a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological processes. Targeted inhibition of the kinase may allow the development of novel treatment strategies for a variety of types of cancer and somatic pathologies, as well as preserving metabolic health, combat obesity and diabetes. We chose and synthesized three triazolo [4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amines proposed previously as putative ERK3 inhibitors to assess their selectivity and biological effects in terms of metabolic state impact in living cells. As it was previously shown that ERK3 is a major regulator of lipolysis in adipocytes, we focused on this process. Our new results indicate that in addition to the previously identified lipolytic enzyme ATGL, ERK3 also regulates hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and monoglyceride lipase (MGL). Moreover, this kinase also promotes the abundance of fatty acid synthase (FASN) as well as protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha (PKACα). To investigate various effects of putative ERK3 inhibitors on lipolysis, we utilized different adipocyte models. We demonstrated that molecules exhibit lipolysis-modulating effects; however, the effects of triazolo [4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amines based inhibitors on lipolysis are not dependent on ERK3. Subsequently, we revealed a wide range of the compounds' possible targets using a machine learning-based prediction. Therefore, the tested compounds inhibit ERK3 in vitro, but the biological effect of this inhibition is significantly overlapped and modified by some other molecular events related to the non-selective binding to other targets.

Role of intrinsic apoptosis in environmental exposure health outcomes

Environmental exposures are linked to diseases of high public health concern, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmunity. These diseases are caused by excessive or insufficient cell death, prompting investigation of mechanistic links between environmental toxicants and dysregulation of cell death pathways, including apoptosis. This review describes how legacy and emerging environmental exposures target the intrinsic apoptosis pathway to potentially drive pathogenesis. Recent discoveries reveal that dynamic regulation of apoptosis may heighten the vulnerability of healthy tissues to exposures in children, and that apoptotic signaling can guide immune responses, tissue repair, and tumorigenesis. Understanding how environmental toxicants dysregulate apoptosis will uncover opportunities to deploy apoptosis-modulating agents for the treatment or prevention of exposure-linked diseases.

TCR Signals Controlling Adaptive Immunity against Toxoplasma and Cancer

T cells play a crucial role in adaptive immunity by recognizing and eliminating foreign pathogens and abnormal cells such as cancer cells. T cell receptor (TCR), which is expressed on the surface of T cells, recognizes and binds to specific antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This activation process leads to the proliferation and differentiation of T cells, allowing them to carry out their specific immune response functions. This chapter outlines the TCR signaling pathways that are common to different T cell subsets, as well as the recently elucidated TCR signaling pathway specific to CD8+ T cells and its role in controlling anti-Toxoplasma and anti-tumor immunity.

Sepsis induced cardiotoxicity by promoting cardiomyocyte cuproptosis

BACKGROUND

Currently, sepsis induced cardiotoxicity is among the major causes of sepsis-related death. The specific molecular mechanisms of sepsis induced cardiotoxicity are currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the key molecule mechanisms for sepsis induced cardiotoxicity.

METHODS

Original data of sepsis induced cardiotoxicity was derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO; GSE63920; GSE44363; GSE159309) dataset. Functional enrichment analysis was used to analysis sepsis induced cardiotoxicity related signaling pathways. Our findings also have explored the relationship of cuproptosis and N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) in sepsis induced cardiotoxicity. Mice are randomly assigned to 3 groups: saline treatment control group, LPS group administered a single 5 mg/kg dose of LPS for 24 h, LPS + CD274 inhibitor group administered 10 mg/kg CD274 inhibitor for 24 h.

RESULTS

Overall, expression of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) CD274, Ceruloplasmin (CP), Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), Copper chaperone for cytochrome c oxidase 11 (COX11), chemokine C-C motif ligand 8 (CCL8), Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1(MAP2K1), Amine oxidase 3 (AOC3) were significantly altered in sepsis induced cardiotoxicity. The results of spearman correlation analysis was significant relationship between differentially regulated genes (DEGs) of CRGs and the expression level of m6A methylation genes. GO and KEGG showed that these genes were enriched in response to interferon-beta, MHC class I peptide loading complex, proteasome core complex, chemokine receptor binding, TAP binding, chemokine activity, cytokine activity and many more. These findings suggest that cuproptosis is strongly associated with sepsis induced cardiotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we found that cuproptosis were associated with sepsis induced cardiotoxicity. The CD274, CP, VEGFA, COX11, CCL8, MAP2K1, AOC3 genes are showing a significant difference expression in sepsis induced cardiotoxicity. Our studies have found significant correlations between CRGs and m6A methylation related genes in sepsis induced cardiotoxicity. These results provide insight into mechanism for sepsis induced cardiotoxicity.

Exploring the biological behavior and underlying mechanism of KITLG in triple-negative breast cancer

The tyrosine-kinase receptor that is specified by the KIT locus is demarcated by KITLG. This multifaceted factor is instrumental during in-utero germ and neural cell maturation and hematopoiesis, ostensibly reflecting its role in facilitating cell migration. Concurrently, KITLG is prone to a mutation in germ cell tumors, entailing a presumed connection to tumorigenesis. Despite this, the intricacies of its function in breast cancer and the relevant mechanisms remain elusive. Multiple independent databases depict a consistently low expression of KITLG within tissues affected by triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), a trend strongly coupled with reduced survival rates. Interestingly, non-triple-negative breast cancers exhibit a markedly high expression of KITLG compared to the norm. An initial analysis of the GEO database speculates that KITLG may serve as an oncogene suppressor in TNBC, hinting at varied roles for KITLG isoforms within this disease context. In conclusion, our preliminary analysis offers valuable insights into the role and expression pattern of KITLG in TNBC. We provide evidence supporting its consideration as a promising new prognostic marker, thereby potentially enriching therapeutic strategies for TNBC. Indeed, given the limited advances in molecularly targeted therapy for TNBC, a significant need exists for a more precise therapeutic approach and a comprehensive understanding of its inherent mechanisms of action.

The Role of Various Factors in Neural Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells with a Special Focus on the Physical Stimulants

Human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMs) are considered as ideal tools for cell therapy procedures and regenerative medicine. The capacity of these cells to differentiate into neural lineage cells make them potentially important in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases. An electronic search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases for articles published from January 1990 to March 2022. This review discusses the current knowledge on the effect of various factors, including physical, chemical and biological stimuli which play a key role in the differentiation of hUCMs into neural and glial cells. Moreover, the currently understood molecular mechanisms involved in the neural differentiation of hUCMs under various environmental stimuli are reviewed. Various stimuli, especially physical stimuli and specifically different light sources, have revealed effects on neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, including hUCMs; however, due to the lack of information about the exact mechanisms, there is still a need to find optimal conditions to promote the differentiation capacity of these cells which in turn can lead to significant progress in the clinical application of hUCMs for the treatment of neurological disorders.

P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors differ in their role in the regulation of signaling pathways during unloading-induced rat soleus muscle atrophy

The current study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that purinergic receptors P2Y1 and P2Y2 play a regulatory role in gene expression in unloaded muscle. ATP is released from cells through pannexin channels, and it interacts with P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors, leading to the activation of markers of protein catabolism and a reduction in protein synthesis. To test this hypothesis thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 per group): a non-treated control group (C), a group subjected to three days of hindlimb unloading with a placebo (HS), a group subjected to three days of hindlimb unloading treated with a P2Y1 receptor inhibitor, MRS2179 (HSM), and a group subjected to three days of hindlimb unloading treated with a P2Y2 receptor inhibitor, AR-C 118925XX (HSA). This study revealed several key findings following three days of soleus muscle unloading: 1: Inhibition of P2Y1 or P2Y2 receptors prevented the accumulation of ATP, the increase in IP3 receptor content, and the decrease in the phosphorylation of GSK-3beta. This inhibition also mitigated the reduction in the rate of protein synthesis. However, it had no significant effect on the markers of mTORC1-dependent signaling. 2: Blocking P2Y1 receptors prevented the unloading-induced upregulation of phosphorylated p38MAPK and partially reduced the increase in MuRF1mRNA expression. 3: Blocking P2Y2 receptors prevented muscle atrophy during unloading, partially maintained the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2, reduced the increase in mRNA expression of MAFbx, ubiquitin, and IL-6 receptor, prevented the decrease in phosphorylated AMPK, and attenuated the increase in phosphorylated p70S6K. Taken together, these results suggest that the prevention of muscle atrophy during unloading, as achieved by the P2Y2 receptor inhibitor, is likely mediated through a reduction in catabolic processes and maintenance of energy homeostasis. In contrast, the P2Y1 receptor appears to play a relatively minor role in muscle atrophy during unloading.

Exploring the Promising Role of Guggulipid in Rheumatoid Arthritis Management: An In-depth Analysis

BACKGROUND

Guggulipid, an oleo-gum resin extracted from the bark of Commiphora wightii of the Burseraceae family, holds a significant place in Ayurvedic medicine due to its historical use in treating various disorders, including inflammation, gout, rheumatism, obesity, and lipid metabolism imbalances.

OBJECTIVE

This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the molecular targets of guggulipids and explore their cellular responses. Furthermore, it summarizes the findings from in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical investigations related to arthritis and various inflammatory conditions.

METHODS

A comprehensive survey encompassing in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical studies has been conducted to explore the therapeutic capacity of guggulipid in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Various molecular pathways, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), PI3-kinase/AKT, JAK/STAT, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and NFκB signaling pathways, have been targeted to assess the antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects of this compound.

RESULTS

The research findings reveal that guggulipid demonstrates notable antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects by targeting key molecular pathways involved in inflammatory responses. These pathways include COX-2, VEGF, PI3-kinase/AKT, JAK/STAT, iNOS, and NFκB signaling pathways. in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical studies collectively support the therapeutic potential of guggulipid in managing rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory conditions.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a deeper understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms and potential of guggulipid in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. The collective evidence strongly supports the promising role of guggulipid as a therapeutic agent, encouraging further research and development in guggulipid-based treatments for these conditions.

Licorice flavonoid alleviates gastric ulcers by producing changes in gut microbiota and promoting mucus cell regeneration

Licorice flavonoid (LF) is the main component of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a "medicine food homology" herbal medicine, which has anti-digestive ulcer activity, but the mechanism in anti-gastric ulcer (GU) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we manifested that LF increased the viability of human gastric mucosal epithelial (GES-1) cells, attenuated ethanol (EtOH)-induced manifestations, reduced histological injury, suppressed inflammation, and restored gastric mucosal barrier in GU rats. After LF therapy, the EtOH-induced gut dysbiosis was partly modulated, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyric acid, propionic acid, and valeric acid were found in higher concentrations. We discovered that the majority of genera that increased in the GU group had a negative correlation with SCFAs in the intestinal tract. In addition, LF-upregulated SCFAs boosted mucus secretion in the gastric epithelium and the expression of mucoprotein (MUC) 5AC and MUC6, particularly the MUC5AC in the gastric foveola. Moreover, LF triggered the EGFR/ERK signal pathway which promoted gastric mucus cell regeneration. Therefore, the findings indicated that LF could inhibit inflammation, promote mucosal barrier repair and angiogenesis, regulate gut microbiota and SCFA metabolism; more importantly, promote epithelial proliferation via activation of the EGFR/ERK pathway, exerting a protective and regenerative effect on the gastric mucosa.

Fucoidan's Molecular Targets: A Comprehensive Review of Its Unique and Multiple Targets Accounting for Promising Bioactivities Supported by In Silico Studies

Fucoidan is a class of multifunctional polysaccharides derived from marine organisms. Its unique and diversified physicochemical and chemical properties have qualified them for potential and promising pharmacological uses in human diseases, including inflammation, tumors, immunity disorders, kidney diseases, and diabetes. Physicochemical and chemical properties are the main contributors to these bioactivities. The previous literature has attributed such activities to its ability to target key enzymes and receptors involved in potential disease pathways, either directly or indirectly, where the anionic sulfate ester groups are mainly involved in these interactions. These findings also confirm the advantageous pharmacological uses of sulfated versus non-sulfated polysaccharides. The current review shall highlight the molecular targets of fucoidans, especially enzymes, and the subsequent responses via either the upregulation or downregulation of mediators' expression in various tissue abnormalities. In addition, in silico studies will be applied to support the previous findings and show the significant contributors. The current review may help in understanding the molecular mechanisms of fucoidan. Also, the findings of this review may be utilized in the design of specific oligomers inspired by fucoidan with the purpose of treating life-threatening human diseases effectively.

Central Role of β-1,4-GalT-V in Cancer Signaling, Inflammation, and Other Disease-Centric Pathways

UDP-Galactose: Glucosylceramide, β-1,4-Galactose transferase-V (β-1,4-GalT-V), is a member of a large glycosyltransferase family, primarily involved in the transfer of sugar residues from nucleotide sugars, such as galactose, glucose mannose, etc., to sugar constituents of glycosphingolipids and glycoproteins. For example, UDP-Galactose: Glucosylceramide, β-1,4-galactosyltransferase (β-1,4-GalT-V), transfers galactose to glucosylceramide to generate Lactosylceramide (LacCer), a bioactive "lipid second messenger" that can activate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) oxidase (NOX-1) to produce superoxide's (O2-) to activate several signaling pathways critical in regulating multiple phenotypes implicated in health and diseases. LacCer can also activate cytosolic phospholipase A-2 to produce eicosanoids and prostaglandins to induce inflammatory pathways. However, the lack of regulation of β-1,4-GalT-V contributes to critical phenotypes central to cancer and cardiovascular diseases, e.g., cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, phagocytosis, and apoptosis. Additionally, inflammation that accompanies β-1,4-GalT-V dysregulation accelerates the initiation and progression of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, as well as inflammation-centric diseases, like lupus erythematosus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and inflammatory bowel diseases. An exciting development in this field of research arrived due to the recognition that the activation of β-1,4-GalT-V is a "pivotal" point of convergence for multiple signaling pathways initiated by physiologically relevant molecules, e.g., growth factors, oxidized-low density lipoprotein(ox- LDL), pro-inflammatory molecules, oxidative and sheer stress, diet, and cigarette smoking. Thus, dysregulation of these pathways may well contribute to cancer, heart disease, skin diseases, and several inflammation-centric diseases in experimental animal models of human diseases and in humans. These observations have been described under post-transcriptional modifications of β-1,4- GalT-V. On the other hand, we also point to the important role of β-1-4 GalT-V-mediated glycosylation in altering the formation of glycosylated precursor forms of proteins and their activation, e.g., β-1 integrin, wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/-β catenin, Frizzled-1, and Notch1. Such alterations in glycosylation may influence cell differentiation, angiogenesis, diminished basement membrane architecture, tissue remodeling, infiltrative growth, and metastasis in human colorectal cancers and breast cancer stem cells. We also discuss Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), which is a comprehensive database of human genes and genetic disorders used to provide information on the genetic basis of inherited diseases and traits and information about the molecular pathways and biological processes that underlie human physiology. We describe cancer genes interacting with the β-1,4-GalT-V gene and homologs generated by OMIM. In sum, we propose that β-1,4-GalT-V gene/protein serves as a "gateway" regulating several signal transduction pathways in oxidative stress and inflammation leading to cancer and other diseases, thus rationalizing further studies to better understand the genetic regulation and interaction of β-1,4-GalT-V with other genes. Novel therapies will hinge on biochemical analysis and characterization of β-1,4-GalT-V in patient-derived materials and animal models. And using β-1,4-GalT-V as a "bonafide drug target" to mitigate these diseases.

Designing of Drug Delivery Systems to Improve the Antimicrobial Efficacy in the Periodontal Pocket Based on Biodegradable Polyesters

Delivery systems for biologically active substances such as proanthocyanidins (PCANs), produced in the form of electrospun nonwoven through the electrospinning method, were designed using a polymeric blend of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)and poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] ((R,S)-PHB). The studies involved the structural and thermal characteristics of the developed electrospun three-dimensional fibre matrices unloaded and loaded with PCANs. In the next step, the hydrolytic degradation tests of these systems were performed. The release profile of PCANs from the electrospun nonwoven was determined with the aid of UV-VIS spectroscopy. Approximately 30% of the PCANs were released from the tested electrospun nonwoven during the initial 15-20 days of incubation. The chemical structure of water-soluble oligomers that were formed after the hydrolytic degradation of the developed delivery system was identified through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Oligomers of lactic acid and OLAGA oligocopolyester, as well as oligo-3-hydroxybutyrate terminated with hydroxyl and carboxyl end groups, were recognized as degradation products released into the water during the incubation time. It was also demonstrated that variations in the degradation rate of individual mat components influenced the degradation pattern and the number of formed oligomers. The obtained results suggest that the incorporation of proanthocyanidins into the system slowed down the hydrolytic degradation process of the poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] three-dimensional fibre matrix. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial studies advocate the use of PCANs for biomedical applications with promising antimicrobial activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Artificial Extracellular Vesicles with Notable Inhibition of Particulate Matter-Induced Skin Inflammation and Barrier Function Impairment

Particulate matter (PM) exposure disrupts the skin barrier, causing cutaneous inflammation that may eventually contribute to the development of various skin diseases. Herein, we introduce anti-inflammatory artificial extracellular vesicles (AEVs) fabricated through cell extrusion using the biosurfactant PEGylated mannosylerythritol lipid (P-MEL), hereafter named AEVP-MEL. The P-MEL has anti-inflammatory abilities with demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Mechanistically, AEVP-MEL enhanced anti-inflammatory response by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and decreasing the release of inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines in human keratinocytes. Moreover, AEVP-MEL promoted increased expression levels of skin barrier proteins (e.g., involucrin, IVL) and water-proteins (e.g., aquaporin 3, AQP3). In vivo studies revealed that repeated PM exposure to intact skin resulted in cutaneous inflammatory responses, including increased skin thickness (hyperkeratosis) and mast cell infiltration. Importantly, our data showed that the AEVP-MEL treatment significantly restored immune homeostasis in the skin affected by PM-induced inflammation and enhanced the intrinsic skin barrier function. This study highlights the potential of the AEVP-MEL in promoting skin health against PM exposure and its promising implications for the prevention and treatment of PM-related skin disorders.

1,3-Dichloroadamantyl-Containing Ureas as Potential Triple Inhibitors of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase, p38 MAPK and c-Raf

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of bioactive lipid signaling molecules. sEH converts epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET) to virtually inactive dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET). The first acids are "medicinal" molecules, the second increase the inflammatory infiltration of cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPKs) are key protein kinases involved in the production of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). p38 MAPK signaling plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes, especially inflammation. The proto-oncogenic serine/threonine protein kinase Raf (c-Raf) is a major component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway: ERK1/2 signaling. Normal cellular Raf genes can also mutate and become oncogenes, overloading the activity of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. The development of multitarget inhibitors is a promising strategy for the treatment of socially dangerous diseases. We synthesized 1,3-disubstituted ureas and diureas containing a dichloroadamantyl moiety. The results of computational methods show that soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors can act on two more targets in different signaling pathways of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 MAPK and c-Raf. The two chlorine atoms in the adamantyl moiety may provide additional Cl-π interactions in the active site of human sEH. Molecular dynamics studies have shown that the stability of ligand-protein complexes largely depends on the "spacer effect." The compound containing a bridge between the chloroadamantyl fragment and the ureide group forms more stable ligand-protein complexes with sEH and p38 MAPK, which indicates a better conformational ability of the molecule in the active sites of these targets. In turn, a compound containing two chlorine atoms forms a more stable complex with c-Raf, probably due to the presence of additional halogen bonds of chlorine atoms with amino acid residues.

Postbiotics: Functional Food Materials and Therapeutic Agents for Cancer, Diabetes, and Inflammatory Diseases

Postbiotics are (i) "soluble factors secreted by live bacteria, or released after bacterial lysis, such as enzymes, peptides, teichoic acids, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell-surface proteins and organic acids"; (ii) "non-viable metabolites produced by microorganisms that exert biological effects on the hosts"; and (iii) "compounds produced by microorganisms, released from food components or microbial constituents, including non-viable cells that, when administered in adequate amounts, promote health and wellbeing". A probiotic- and prebiotic-rich diet ensures an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. During the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients, such as prebiotics, postbiotics act as a benevolent bioactive molecule matrix. Postbiotics can be used as functional components in the food industry by offering a number of advantages, such as being added to foods that are harmful to probiotic survival. Postbiotic supplements have grown in popularity in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries because of their numerous health advantages. Their classification depends on various factors, including the type of microorganism, structural composition, and physiological functions. This review offers a succinct introduction to postbiotics while discussing their salient features and classification, production, purification, characterization, biological functions, and applications in the food industry. Furthermore, their therapeutic mechanisms as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agents are elucidated.

β-Arrestin pathway activation by selective ATR1 agonism promotes calcium influx in podocytes, leading to glomerular damage

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are the first-line treatment for hypertension; they act by inhibiting signaling through the angiotensin 1 receptor (AT1R). Recently, a novel biased AT1R agonist, TRV120027 (TRV), which selectively activates the β-arrestin cascade and blocks the G-protein-coupled receptor pathway has been proposed as a potential blood pressure medication. Here, we explored the effects of TRV and associated β-arrestin signaling in podocytes, essential cells of the kidney filter. We used human podocyte cell lines to determine β-arrestin's involvement in calcium signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization and Dahl SS rats to investigate the chronic effects of TRV administration on glomerular health. Our experiments indicate that the TRV-activated β-arrestin pathway promotes the rapid elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the amplitude of β-arrestin-mediated Ca2+ influx was significantly higher than the response to similar Ang II concentrations. Single-channel analyses show rapid activation of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels following acute TRV application. Furthermore, the pharmacological blockade of TRPC6 significantly attenuated the β-arrestin-mediated Ca2+ influx. Additionally, prolonged activation of the β-arrestin pathway in podocytes resulted in pathological actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, higher apoptotic cell markers, and augmented glomerular damage. TRV-activated β-arrestin signaling in podocytes may promote TRPC6 channel-mediated Ca2+ influx, foot process effacement, and apoptosis, possibly leading to severe defects in glomerular filtration barrier integrity and kidney health. Under these circumstances, the potential therapeutic application of TRV for hypertension treatment requires further investigation to assess the balance of the benefits versus possible deleterious effects and off-target damage.

Targeting the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway for cancer therapy: from mechanism to clinical studies

Metastatic dissemination of solid tumors, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, underscores the urgent need for enhanced insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying metastasis, chemoresistance, and the mechanistic backgrounds of individuals whose cancers are prone to migration. The most prevalent signaling cascade governed by multi-kinase inhibitors is the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, encompassing the RAS-RAF-MAPK kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway. RAF kinase is a primary mediator of the MAPK pathway, responsible for the sequential activation of downstream targets, such as MEK and the transcription factor ERK, which control numerous cellular and physiological processes, including organism development, cell cycle control, cell proliferation and differentiation, cell survival, and death. Defects in this signaling cascade are associated with diseases such as cancer. RAF inhibitors (RAFi) combined with MEK blockers represent an FDA-approved therapeutic strategy for numerous RAF-mutant cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and thyroid cancer. However, the development of therapy resistance by cancer cells remains an important barrier. Autophagy, an intracellular lysosome-dependent catabolic recycling process, plays a critical role in the development of RAFi resistance in cancer. Thus, targeting RAF and autophagy could be novel treatment strategies for RAF-mutant cancers. In this review, we delve deeper into the mechanistic insights surrounding RAF kinase signaling in tumorigenesis and RAFi-resistance. Furthermore, we explore and discuss the ongoing development of next-generation RAF inhibitors with enhanced therapeutic profiles. Additionally, this review sheds light on the functional interplay between RAF-targeted therapies and autophagy in cancer.

Edwardsiella ictaluri T3SS effector EseN is a phosphothreonine lyase that inactivates ERK1/2, p38, JNK, and PDK1 and modulates cell death in infected macrophages

IMPORTANCE

This work has global significance in the catfish industry, which provides food for increasing global populations. E. ictaluri is a leading cause of disease loss, and EseN is an important player in E. ictaluri virulence. The E. ictaluri T3SS effector EseN plays an essential role in establishing infection, but the specific role EseN plays is not well characterized. EseN belongs to a family of phosphothreonine lyase effectors that specifically target host mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways important in regulating host responses to infection. No phosphothreonine lyase equivalents are known in eukaryotes, making this family of effectors an attractive target for indirect narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Targeting of major vault protein and PDK1 kinase by EseN has not been reported in EseN homologs in other pathogens and may indicate unique functions of E. ictaluri EseN. EseN targeting of PDK1 is particularly interesting in that it is linked to an extraordinarily diverse group of cellular functions.

Arsenic exposure to mouse visceral leishmaniasis model through their drinking water linked to the disease exacerbation via modulation in host protective immunity: a preclinical study

A large body of evidence has shown a direct link between arsenic exposure and drug resistance to Leishmania parasites against antimonial preparations in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) hyper-endemic regions, especially in India and its sub-continent. However, the implicated roles of arsenic on the VL host, pathophysiological changes, and immune function have not yet been clarified, particularly at the reported concentration of arsenic in the VL hyper-endemic area of Bihar, India. Herein, we exposed the mouse VL model to arsenic (0.5 mg/L to 2 mg/L) through their drinking water and analyzed its effect on T cells proliferation, Th1/Th2-mediators, MAPK signaling cascade, and parasite load in preclinical models. Coherently, the parasite count in Giemsa stained spleen imprint has been investigated and found significant positive associations with levels of arsenic exposure. The liver and kidney function tests (AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Creatinine, Urea, etc.) are apparent to hepatonephric toxicity in arsenic exposed VL mice compared to unexposed. This observation appears to be consistent with the up-regulated expression of immune regulatory Th2 mediators (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β) and down-regulated expression of Th1 mediators (IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α) with a suppressed leishmanicidal function of macrophage (ROS, NO, iNOS). We also established that arsenic exposure modulated the host ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling cascade, limited T lymphocyte proliferation, and a lower IgG2a/IgG1 ratio to favor the Leishmania parasite survival inside the host. This study suggests that the contorted Th1-subtype and exacerbated Th2-subtype immune responses are involved in the increased susceptibility and pathogenesis of Leishmania parasite among subjects/individuals regularly exposed to arsenic.

Evaluation of novel pyrazol-4-yl pyridine derivatives possessing arylsulfonamide tethers as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors in leukemia cells

A series of 36 pyrazol-4-yl pyridine derivatives (8a-i, 9a-i, 10a-i, and 11a-i) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for its antiproliferative activity over NCI-60 cancer cell line panel and inhibitory effect against JNK isoforms (JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3). All the synthesized compounds were tested against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. Compounds 11b, 11c, 11g, and 11i were selected to determine their GI50s and exerted a superior potency over the reference standard SP600125 against the tested cell lines. 11c showed a GI50 of 1.28 μM against K562 leukemic cells. Vero cells were used to assess 11c cytotoxicity compared to the tested cancer cells. The target compounds were tested against hJNK isoforms in which compound 11e exhibited the highest potency against JNK isoforms with IC50 values of 1.81, 12.7, and 10.5 nM against JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, respectively. Kinase profiling of 11e showed higher JNK selectivity in 50 kinase panels. Compounds 11c and 11e showed cell population arrest at the G2/M phase, induced early apoptosis, and slightly inhibited beclin-1 production at higher concentrations in K562 leukemia cells relative to SP600125. NanoBRET assay of 11e showed intracellular JNK1 inhibition with an IC50 of 2.81 μM. Also, it inhibited CYP2D6 and 3A4 with different extent and its hERG activity showed little cardiac toxicity with an IC50 of 4.82 μM. hJNK3 was used as a template to generate the hJNK1 crystal structure to explore the binding mode of 11e (PDB ID: 8ENJ) with a resolution of 2.8 °A and showed a typical type I kinase inhibition against hJNK1. Binding energy scores showed that selectivity of 11e towards JNK1 could be attributed to additional hydrophobic interactions relative to JNK3.

Canagliflozin ameliorates ulcerative colitis via regulation of TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB and Nrf2/PPAR-γ/SIRT1 signaling pathways

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most common subtypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the colon and is characterized by severe intestinal inflammation. Canagliflozin is a widely used antihyperglycemic agent, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that enhances urinary glucose excretion. This study aims to provide insights into the potential benefits of canagliflozin as a treatment for UC by addressing possible cellular signals. Acetic acid (AA; 4% v/v) was administered intrarectally to induce colitis. Canagliflozin is given orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Canagliflozin attenuates inflammation in AA-induced colitis, evidenced by significant and dose-dependently downregulation of p38 MAPK, NF-κB-p65, IKK, IRF3, and NADPH-oxidase as well as colonic levels of IL-6 and IL-1β and MPO enzymatic activity. Canagliflozin mitigates colonic oxidative stress by decreasing MDA content and restoring SOD enzymatic activities and GSH levels mediated by co-activating of Nrf2, PPARγ, and SIRT1 pathways. Moreover, an in-silico study confirmed that canagliflozin was specific to all target proteins in this study. Canagliflozin's binding affinity with its target proteins indicates and confirms its effectiveness in regulating these pathways. Also, network pharmacology analysis supported that canagliflozin potently attenuates UC via a multi-target and multi-pathway approach.

The effects of HPV oncoproteins on host communication networks: Therapeutic connotations

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are a leading cause of viral-induced malignancies worldwide, with a prominent association with cervical and head and neck cancers. The pivotal role of HPV oncoproteins, E5, E6, and E7, in manipulating cellular events, which contribute to viral pathogenesis in various ways, has been extensively documented. This article reviews the influence of HPV oncoproteins on cellular signaling pathways within the host cell, shedding light on the underlying molecular mechanisms. A comprehensive understanding of these molecular alterations is essential for the development of targeted therapies and strategies to combat HPV-induced premalignancies and prevent their progress to cancer. Furthermore, this review underscores the intricate interplay between HPV oncoproteins and some of the most important cellular signaling pathways: Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and PI3K AKT/mTOR. The treatment efficacies of the currently available inhibitors on these pathways in an HPV-positive context are also discussed. This review also highlights the importance of continued research to advance our knowledge and enhance therapeutic interventions for HPV-associated diseases.

A tRF-5a fragment that regulates radiation resistance of colorectal cancer cells by targeting MKNK1

Radiotherapy serves as a crucial strategy in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its efficacy is often hindered by the challenge of radiation resistance. Although the literature suggests that some tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are associated with various cancers, studies reporting the relationship of tsRNAs with cancer cell radiosensitivity have not been published yet. In our study, we utilized tsRNAs sequencing to predict differentially expressed tsRNAs in two CRC cells and their radioresistant cells, and 10 tsRNAs with significant differences in expression were validated by qPCR. The target genes of tRF-16-7X9PN5D were predicted and verified by the bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting analyses. Wound healing, colony formation, transwell invasion and CCK-8 assays were performed to detect the effects of tRF-16-7X9PN5D on cell function and radiosensitivity. Western blotting evaluated the relationship between tRF-16-7X9PN5D and the MKNK-eIF4E axis. Our findings demonstrated that tRF-16-7X9PN5D expression was substantially downregulated in radioresistant CRC cells. Furthermore, tRF-16-7X9PN5D could promote CRC cells' ability to proliferate, migrate, invade and obtain radiation resistance by targeting MKNK1. Finally, tRF-16-7X9PN5D could regulate eIF4E phosphorylation via MKNK1. This investigation indicated that tRF-16-7X9PN5D has an essential regulatory role in the radiation resistance of CRC by directly targeting MKNK1, and may be a new pathway for regulating the CRC radiosensitivity.

A bacterial effector protein promotes nuclear translocation of Stat3 to induce IL-10

The multifunctional Yersinia effector YopM inhibits effector triggered immunity and increases production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 (IL-10) to suppress the host immune response. Previously it was shown that YopM induces IL-10 gene expression by elevating phosphorylation of the serine-threonine kinase RSK1 in the nucleus of human macrophages. Using transcriptomics, we found that YopM strongly affects expression of genes belonging to the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Further analysis revealed that YopM mediates nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Stat3 in Y. enterocolitica infected macrophages and that knockdown of Stat3 inhibited YopM-induced IL-10 gene expression. YopM-induced Stat3 translocation did not depend on autocrine IL-10, activation of RSK1 or tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3. Thus, besides activation of RSK1, stimulation of nuclear translocation of Stat3 is another mechanism by which YopM increases IL-10 gene expression in macrophages.

Curcumin alleviates bisphenol AF-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in caprine endometrial epithelial cells via the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Bisphenol AF (BPAF), a BPA-substitute, has been widely used in industrial compounds throughout the world. Several studies have shown that BPAF has endocrine interference and reproductive toxicity. However, the toxic effects of BPAF on pregnancy and placenta of goats are still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to reveal the toxic effect of BPAF by using an in vitro culture model of caprine endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and further attempted to alleviate the toxicity by curcumin pretreatment. The results showed that BPAF induces significant effects on EECs, including decreased cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (△ψm), elevating intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), promoting cell apoptosis through upregulating the expression of Bax, Cytochrome c, and downregulating the expression of Bcl-2. Meanwhile, BPAF induced dysregulation of oxidative stress by increasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) but decreasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, curcumin pretreatment could significantly attenuate BPAF-induced toxic effects in EECs. Further study revealed that BPAF treatment could activate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, but curcumin pretreatment significantly inhibited the activation of MAPK signal pathway and Nrf2 expression induced by BPAF. Overall, this study indicated that curcumin could prevent BPAF-induced EECs cytotoxicity, which provides a potential therapeutic strategy for female infertility associated with BPAF exposure.

Natural Products for Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury: A Review

The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, synthesis, and detoxification, but it is susceptible to damage from various factors such as viral infections, drug reactions, excessive alcohol consumption, and autoimmune diseases. This susceptibility is particularly problematic for patients requiring medication, as drug-induced liver injury often leads to underestimation, misdiagnosis, and difficulties in treatment. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used and safe drug in therapeutic doses but can cause liver toxicity when taken in excessive amounts. This study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of APAP and explore potential treatment strategies using a mouse model of APAP-induced liver injury. The study involved the evaluation of various natural products for their therapeutic potential. The findings revealed that natural products demonstrated promising hepatoprotective effects, potentially alleviating liver damage and improving liver function through various mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation, which cause changes in signaling pathways. These results underscore the importance of exploring novel treatment options for drug-induced liver injury, suggesting that further research in this area could lead to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions, ultimately benefiting patients with liver injury caused by medicine.

Entanglement of MAPK pathways with gene expression and its omnipresence in the etiology for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) is one of the most well characterized cellular signaling pathways that controls fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. These cellular functions are consequences of transcription of regulatory genes that are influenced and regulated by the MAP-Kinase signaling cascade. MAP kinase components such as Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) sense external cues or ligands and transmit these signals via multiple protein complexes such as RAS-RAF, MEK, and ERKs and eventually modulate the transcription factors inside the nucleus to induce transcription and other regulatory functions. Aberrant activation, dysregulation of this signaling pathway, and genetic alterations in any of these components results in the developmental disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Over the years, the MAPK pathway has been a prime pharmacological target, to treat complex human disorders that are genetically linked such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The current review re-visits the mechanism of MAPK pathways in gene expression regulation. Further, a current update on the progress of the mechanistic understanding of MAPK components is discussed from a disease perspective.

Activation of the JNK/COX-2/HIF-1α axis promotes M1 macrophage via glycolytic shift in HIV-1 infection

Chronic inflammation is recognized as a major risk factor for the severity of HIV infection. Whether metabolism reprogramming of macrophages caused by HIV-1 is related to chronic inflammatory activation, especially M1 polarization of macrophages, is inconclusive. Here, we show that HIV-1 infection induces M1 polarization and enhanced glycolysis in macrophages. Blockade of glycolysis inhibits M1 polarization of macrophages, indicating that HIV-1-induced M1 polarization is supported by enhanced glycolysis. Moreover, we find that this immunometabolic adaptation is dependent on hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), a strong inducer of glycolysis. HIF-1α-target genes, including HK2, PDK1, and LDHA, are also involved in this process. Further research discovers that COX-2 regulates HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis. However, the elevated expression of COX-2, enhanced glycolysis, and M1 polarization of macrophages could be reversed by inactivation of JNK in the context of HIV-1 infection. Our study mechanistically elucidates that the JNK/COX-2/HIF-1α axis is activated to strengthen glycolysis, thereby promoting M1 polarization in macrophages in HIV-1 infection, providing a new idea for resolving chronic inflammation in clinical AIDS patients.

Metformin exhibits antineoplastic effects on Pten-deficient endometrial cancer by interfering with TGF-β and p38/ERK MAPK signalling

Metformin is a widespread antidiabetic agent that is commonly used as a treatment against type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Regarding its therapeutic potential, multiple studies have concluded that Metformin exhibits antineoplastic activity on several types of cancer, including endometrial carcinoma. Although Metformin's antineoplastic activity is well documented, its cellular and molecular anticancer mechanisms are still a matter of controversy because a plethora of anticancer mechanisms have been proposed for different cancer cell types. In this study, we addressed the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Metformin's antineoplastic activity by using both in vitro and in vivo studies of Pten-loss driven carcinoma mouse models. In vivo, Metformin reduced endometrial neoplasia initiated by Pten-deficiency. Our in vitro studies using Pten-deficient endometrial organoids focused on both cellular and molecular levels in Metformin's tumor suppressive action. At cellular level, we showed that Metformin is involved in not only the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells but also their regulation via a variety of mechanisms of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as TGF-β-induced apoptosis. At the molecular level, Metformin was shown to affect the TGF-β signalling., a widely known signal that plays a pivotal role in endometrial carcinogenesis. In this respect, Metformin restored TGF-β-induced apoptosis of Pten-deficient endometrial organoids through a p38-dependent mechanism and inhibited TGF-β-induced EMT on no-polarized endometrial epithelial cells by inhibiting ERK/MAPK signalling. These results provide new insights into the link between the cellular and molecular mechanism for Metformin's antineoplastic activity in Pten-deficient endometrial cancers.

Functions of MAP3Ks in antiviral immunity

Immune signal transduction is crucial to the body's defense against viral infection. Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) activates the transcription of interferon regulators and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); this promotes the release of interferons and inflammatory factors. Efficient regulation of type I interferon and NF-κB signaling by members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family plays an important role in antiviral immunity. Elucidating the specific roles of MAP3K activation during viral infection is essential to develop effective antiviral therapies. In this review, we outline the specific regulatory mechanisms of MAP3Ks in antiviral immunity and discuss the feasibility of targeting MAP3Ks for the treatment of virus-induced diseases.

Regulatory mechanisms of miR-212-3p on the secretion of inflammatory factors in monocyte-macrophages and the directed differentiation into osteoclasts in ankylosing spondylitis

To explore the mechanisms of action of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-212-3p in the secretion of inflammatory factors in monocyte-macrophages and the directed differentiation into osteoclasts (OCs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), proteoglycan was used to establish an AS mouse model. The mouse monocyte-macrophages were cultured in vitro, transfected with miR-212-3p mimic, and added with phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)1/2 agonist Ro67-7476 in vitro. After the cells were transfected with the miR-212-3p mimic in each group, the expressions of p-ERK1/2, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) significantly declined, whereas those of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), calcitonin, and p-nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFATC1) significantly rose. After Ro67-7476 was added, the protein expressions of p-ERK1/2, MMP-1, MMP-3, IL-1β, and TNF-α were significantly increased in each group, but they displayed decreasing trends in cells transfected with the miR-212-3p mimic. In contrast, the protein expressions of TRAP, calcitonin, and p-NFATC1 declined, but they showed increasing trends in cells transfected with the miR-212-3p mimic. miR-212-3p can, through inhibiting the phosphorylation of p-ERK1/2, prevent the aggregation of macrophages and the secretion of inflammatory factors. It also up-regulates the expression of OC marker proteins to facilitate the differentiation and maturation of OCs, ultimately relieving AS-induced inflammation and new bone growth-induced joint neoplasm.

Inhibitory effects of polysaccharides from Korean ginseng berries on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages

Polysaccharides isolated from Korean ginseng berries (GBPs) have shown beneficial effects such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic properties. However, little is known about anti-inflammatory effects of GBPs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory properties of four fractions of GBPs, namely GBP-C, GBP-F1, GBP-F2, and GBP-F3, in macrophages. Their toxicities and effects on NO production in RAW264.7 cells were assessed by culturing cells with various concentrations of GBPs and stimulating cells with LPS. Furthermore, expression levels of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, cell surface molecules, and immune signaling pathways were evaluated in LPS-stimulated macrophages using different fractions of GBPs at 450 μg/mL. These GBPs activated LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells to significantly reduce NO production. They suppressed the expression of mRNA and cell surface molecules via MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Collectively, results revealed that all four GBP fractions showed anti-inflammatory effects, with GBP-F1 having a more efficient anti-inflammatory effect than GBP-C, GBP-F2, and GBP-F3. The structure of GBP-F1 mainly consists of 1 → 3)- Araf, 1 → 4)- Glcp, and 1 → 6)-Galp glycosidic linkages. These results demonstrate that GBPs can be employed as alternative natural sources of anti-inflammatory agents.

Inflammation in Prostate Cancer: Exploring the Promising Role of Phenolic Compounds as an Innovative Therapeutic Approach

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant global health concern, being a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Furthermore, profound understanding of the disease is needed. Prostate inflammation caused by external or genetic factors is a central player in prostate carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying inflammation-driven PCa remain poorly understood. This review dissects the diagnosis methods for PCa and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease, clarifying the dynamic interplay between inflammation and leukocytes in promoting tumour development and spread. It provides updates on recent advances in elucidating and treating prostate carcinogenesis, and opens new insights for the use of bioactive compounds in PCa. Polyphenols, with their noteworthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with their synergistic potential when combined with conventional treatments, offer promising prospects for innovative therapeutic strategies. Evidence from the use of polyphenols and polyphenol-based nanoparticles in PCa revealed their positive effects in controlling tumour growth, proliferation, and metastasis. By consolidating the diverse features of PCa research, this review aims to contribute to increased understanding of the disease and stimulate further research into the role of polyphenols and polyphenol-based nanoparticles in its management.

Exploration of key drug target proteins highlighting their related regulatory molecules, functional pathways and drug candidates associated with delirium: evidence from meta-data analyses

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a prevalent neuropsychiatric medical phenomenon that causes serious emergency outcomes, including mortality and morbidity. It also increases the suffering and the economic burden for families and carers. Unfortunately, the pathophysiology of delirium is still unknown, which is a major obstacle to therapeutic development. The modern network-based system biology and multi-omics analysis approach has been widely used to recover the key drug target biomolecules and signaling pathways associated with disease pathophysiology. This study aimed to identify the major drug target hub-proteins associated with delirium, their regulatory molecules with functional pathways, and repurposable drug candidates for delirium treatment.

METHODS

We used a comprehensive proteomic seed dataset derived from a systematic literature review and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). An integrated multi-omics network-based bioinformatics approach was utilized in this study. The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The gene set enrichment and signaling pathways analysis, the regulatory transcription factors and microRNAs were conducted using delirium-associated genes. Finally, hub-proteins associated repurposable drugs were retrieved from CMap database.

RESULTS

We have distinguished 11 drug targeted hub-proteins (MAPK1, MAPK3, TP53, JUN, STAT3, SRC, RELA, AKT1, MAPK14, HSP90AA1 and DLG4), 5 transcription factors (FOXC1, GATA2, YY1, TFAP2A and SREBF1) and 6 microRNA (miR-375, miR-17-5, miR-17-5p, miR-106a-5p, miR-125b-5p, and miR-125a-5p) associated with delirium. The functional enrichment and pathway analysis revealed the cytokines, inflammation, postoperative pain, oxidative stress-associated pathways, developmental biology, shigellosis and cellular senescence which are closely connected with delirium development and the hallmarks of aging. The hub-proteins associated computationally identified repurposable drugs were retrieved from database. The predicted drug molecules including aspirin, irbesartan, ephedrine-(racemic), nedocromil, and guanidine were characterized as anti-inflammatory, stimulating the central nervous system, neuroprotective medication based on the existing literatures. The drug molecules may play an important role for therapeutic development against delirium if they are investigated more extensively through clinical trials and various wet lab experiments.

CONCLUSION

This study could possibly help future research on investigating the delirium-associated therapeutic target biomarker hub-proteins and repurposed drug compounds. These results will also aid understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathophysiology of delirium onset and molecular function.

Cell-cycle arrest and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis induction in T-47D cells by the capsular polysaccharide from the marine bacterium Kangiella japonica KMM 3897

In this study, we reported the in vitro mechanisms of antiproliferative activity of capsular polysaccharide derived from marine Gram-negative bacteria Kangiella japonica KMM 3897 in human breast сarcinoma T-47D cells. Flow cytometric and Western blot analysis revealed that capsular polysaccharide effectively suppressed T-47D cell proliferation by inducing G0/G1 phase arrest and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Moreover, polysaccharide influenced the ERK1/2 and p38 signaling pathways. The results of this study would enrich our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of sulfated polysaccharides from marine Gram-negative bacteria.

A pan-cancer analysis of the MAPK family gene and their association with prognosis, tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic targets

The mitogen-activated protein kinases family of genes plays a crucial role in a wide range of inflammatory responses in the human body. The MAPK family of genes includes ERK, ERK5, JNK, P-38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. However, the correlation between MAPK family gene expression and pan-cancer prognosis, as well as the tumor microenvironment, has not been extensively studied. This study integrated multiple bioinformatics analysis methods to assess the expression and prognostic value of MAPK family genes, as well as their relationship with tumor microenvironment in patients with pan-cancer. The results showed that ERK, JNK, and P-38 MAPK expression were found to be significantly upregulated in rectum adenocarcinoma (READ), colon adenocarcinoma/rectum adenocarcinoma esophageal carcinoma (COADREAD), and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), and significantly downregulated in acute myeloid leukemia. And the results revealed good prognostic results for ERK, JNK, and P-38 MAPK in READ, COADREAD, and KIRC. We observed significant positive correlation between MAPK family gene expression and immune scores especially dendritic cells in READ, COADREAD, and KIRC. And we observed that the expression levels of MAPK family genes were significantly correlated with the expression of immune-related genes, such as CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL8, CXCR1, CXCR2, CTLA-4, CD80, CD86, and CD28, suggesting their important role in regulating immune infiltrates and tumor progression. Therefore, our study suggested that MAPK family gene plays an important role in regulating immune infiltrates and tumor progression.

MAPK signaling pathway-based glioma subtypes, machine-learning risk model, and key hub proteins identification

An early diagnosis and precise prognosis are critical for the treatment of glioma. The mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway potentially affects glioma, but the exploration of the clinical values of the pathway remains lacking. We accessed data from TCGA, GTEx, CGGA, etc. Up-regulated MAPK signaling pathway genes in glioma were identified and used to cluster the glioma subtypes using consensus clustering. The subtype differences in survival, cancer stemness, and the immune microenvironment were analyzed. A prognostic model was trained with the identified genes using the LASSO method and was validated with three external cohorts. The correlations between the risk model and cancer-associated signatures in cancer were analyzed. Key hub genes of the gene set were identified by hub gene analysis and survival analysis. 47% of the MAPK signaling pathway genes were overexpressed in glioma. Subtypes based on these genes were distinguished in survival, cancer stemness, and the immune microenvironment. A risk model was calculated with high confidence in the prediction of overall survival and was correlated with multiple cancer-associated signatures. 12 hub genes were identified and 8 of them were associated with survival. The MAPK signaling pathway was overexpressed in glioma with prognostic value.

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 selectively modulates ROS-responsive NF-κB targets through recruitment of MSK1 and phosphorylation of RelA/p65 at Ser276

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity is regulated by various posttranslational modifications, of which Ser276 phosphorylation of RelA/p65 is particularly impacted by reactive oxygen species (ROS). This modification is responsible for selective upregulation of a subset of NF-κB targets; however, the precise mechanism remains elusive. ROS have the ability to modify cellular molecules including DNA. One of the most common oxidation products is 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua), which is repaired by the 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase1 (OGG1)-initiated base excision repair pathway. Recently, a new function of OGG1 has been uncovered. OGG1 binds to 8-oxoGua, facilitating the occupancy of NF-κB at promoters and enhancing transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In the present study, we demonstrated that an interaction between DNA-bound OGG1 and mitogen-and stress-activated kinase 1 is crucial for RelA/p65 Ser276 phosphorylation. ROS scavenging or OGG1 depletion/inhibition hindered the interaction between mitogen-and stress-activated kinase 1 and RelA/p65, thereby decreasing the level of phospho-Ser276 and leading to significantly lowered expression of ROS-responsive cytokine/chemokine genes, but not that of Nfkbis. Blockade of OGG1 binding to DNA also prevented promoter recruitment of RelA/p65, Pol II, and p-RNAP II in a gene-specific manner. Collectively, the data presented offer new insights into how ROS signaling dictates NF-κB phosphorylation codes and how the promoter-situated substrate-bound OGG1 is exploited by aerobic mammalian cells for timely transcriptional activation of ROS-responsive genes.

Iron metabolism and ferroptosis: A pathway for understanding preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious medical condition that poses a significant health risk to women and children worldwide, particularly in the middle- and low-income countries. It is a complex syndrome that occurs as a result of abnormal pregnancy. Hypertension is the most common symptom of PE, with proteinuria and specific organ systems as detrimental targets. PE's pathogenesis is diverse, and its symptoms can overlap with other diseases. In early pregnancy, when the placenta takes over control, oxidative stress may be closely associated with ferroptosis, a type of cell death caused by intracellular iron accumulation. Ferroptosis in the placenta is defined by redox-active iron availability, loss of antioxidant capacity and phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) oxidation. Recent studies suggest a compelling potential link between ferroptosis and PE. In this article, we comprehensively review the current understanding of PE and discuss one of its emerging underlying mechanisms, the ferroptosis pathway. We also provide perspective and analysis on the implications of this process in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of preeclampsia. We aim to bridge the gap between clinicians and basic scientists in understanding this harmful disease and challenge the research community to put more effort into this exciting new area.