Oxidative stress-induced FAK activation contributes to uterine serous carcinoma aggressiveness

Redox regulation of focal adhesions

Focal adhesions (FAs), multi-protein complexes that link the extracellular matrix to the intracellular cytoskeleton, are key mediators of cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. These dynamic structures act as mechanical sensors, transmitting stimuli from the extracellular to intracellular environment activating in this way signaling pathways and enabling cells to adapt to environmental changes. As such, FAs are critical for tissue organization and serve as hubs governing cell spatial arrangement within the organism. The assembly, reactivity, and functional regulation of FAs are tightly controlled by post-translational modifications, including redox modulation by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Increasing evidence suggests that redox signaling plays a pivotal role in both the physiological and pathological functions of FAs and their downstream processes. Redox regulation affects various components of the FA complex, including integrins, focal adhesion kinase 1 (FAK1), SRC, adapter proteins, and cytoskeletal elements. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the complex interplay between redox signaling and post-translational modifications in FAs. We explore how redox reactions influence the structure, dynamics, and function of FAs, shedding light on their broader implications in health and disease.

Targeted inhibition of CHKα and mTOR in models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A novel regimen for metastasis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic malignancy for which there are currently no effective anti-metastatic therapies. Herein, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing and metabolomics analysis to demonstrate that metastatic cells highly express focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which promotes metastasis by remodeling choline kinase α (CHKα)-dependent choline metabolism. We designed a novel CHKα inhibitor, CHKI-03, and verified its efficacy in inhibiting metastasis in multiple preclinical models. Classical and newly synthesized small-molecule inhibitors have previously been used to assess the therapeutic potential of targeting mTOR and CHKα in various animal models. Mechanistically, FAK activated mTOR and its downstream HIF-1α, thereby elevating CHKα expression and promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PDAC cells, as well as tumor growth and metastasis. Consistently, high expression levels of both FAK and CHKα are correlated with poor prognosis in patients with PDAC. Notably, CHK1-03 inhibited CHKα expression and also suppressed mTORC1 phosphorylation, disrupting the mTORC1-CHKα positive feedback loop. In addition, the combination of CHKI-03 and the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin synergistically inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in PDX models. The combination of CHKI-03 and rapamycin demonstrates considerable therapeutic efficacy in PDO models resistant to gemcitabine. Our findings reveal a pivotal mechanism underlying PDAC metastasis regulated by mTORC1-CHKα loop-dependent choline metabolism reprogramming, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this novel regimen for treating PDAC metastasis.

Integrated analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the impact of nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism on glioma prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity

BACKGROUND

Nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism play important roles in regulating tumor synthesis metabolism and signal transduction functions. However, their comprehensive impact on the prognosis and the tumor immune microenvironment of glioma is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism with prognosis and immune status of gliomas and to develop relevant models for predicting prognosis and sensitivity to immunotherapy in gliomas.

METHODS

Bulk and single-cell transcriptome data from TCGA, CGGA and GSE159416 were obtained for this study. Gliomas were classified based on nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism, and PPI network associated with differentially expressed genes was established. The core genes were identified and the risk model was established by machine learning techniques, including univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression. Then the risk model was validated with data from the CGGA. Finally, the effects of genes in the risk model on the biological behavior of gliomas were verified by in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The high nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism is associated with poor prognosis and high levels of immune cell infiltration in glioma. Seven of the core genes related to nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism were used to construct a risk model, and the model has good predictive ability for prognosis, immune microenvironment, and response to immune checkpoint therapy of glioma. We also confirmed that high expression of TGFBI can lead to an increased level of migration, invasion, and EMT of glioma cells, and the aforementioned effect of TGFBI can be reduced by FAK inhibitor PF-573,228.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study evaluated the effects of nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolism on the prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment of glioma, which can help predict the prognosis and sensitivity to immunotherapy of glioma.

Maternal dietary antioxidant supplementation regulates weaned piglets' adipose tissue transcriptome and morphology

Antioxidant supplementation in critical periods may be useful for improvement of piglet early viability and development. We have evaluated the effects of maternal perinatal diet inclusion of a high vitamin E level (VE, 100 mg all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate /kg), hydroxytyrosol (HT, 1.5 mg/kg), or their combination (VEHT), in comparison to a control diet (C, 30 mg all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate /kg), on the offspring homeostasis and metabolism, analysing the weaned piglets' adipose tissue transcriptome and adipocyte morphology. Diets were provided to pregnant Iberian sows (n = 48, 12 per treatment) from gestation day 85 to weaning (28 days postpartum) and 48 piglets (n = 12 per treatment) were sampled 5 days postweaning for dorsal subcutaneous adipose tissue analyses. RNA obtained from 6 animals for each diet was used for paired-end RNA sequencing. Results show that supplementation of sows' diet with either vitamin E or hydroxytyrosol had substantial effects on weaned piglet adipose transcriptome, with 664 and 587 genes being differentially expressed, in comparison to C, respectively (q-value<0.10, Fold Change>1.5). Genes upregulated in C were mainly involved in inflammatory and immune response, as well as oxidative stress, and relevant canonical pathways and upstream regulators involved in these processes were predicted as activated, such as TNF, IFNB or NFKB. Vitamin E, when supplemented alone at high dose, activated lipid biosynthesis functions, pathways and regulators, this finding being accompanied by increased adipocyte size. Results suggest an improved metabolic and antioxidant status of adipose tissue in animals born from sows supplemented with individual antioxidants, while the combined supplementation barely affected gene expression, with VEHT showing a prooxidant/proinflamatory functional profile similar to C animals. Different hypothesis are proposed to explain this unexpected result. Findings allow a deeper understanding of the processes taking place in adipose tissue of genetically fat animals and the role of antioxidants in the regulation of fat cells function.

Analysis of Expression of the ANG1, CaSR and FAK Proteins in Uterine Fibroids

Understanding the molecular factors involved in the development of uterine myomas may result in the use of pharmacological drugs instead of aggressive surgical treatment. ANG1, CaSR, and FAK were examined in myoma and peripheral tissue samples taken from women after myoma surgery and in normal uterine muscle tissue samples taken from the control group. Tests were performed using tissue microarray immunohistochemistry. No statistically significant differences in ANG1 expression between the tissue of the myoma, the periphery, and the normal uterine muscle tissue of the control group were recorded. The CaSR value was reduced in the myoma and peripheral tissue and normal in the group of women without myomas. FAK expression was also lower in the myoma and periphery compared to the healthy uterine myometrium. Calcium supplementation could have an effect on stopping the growth of myomas.

HuR-induced circ_0082319 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma by elevating PTK2 through miR-505-3p

The aim of the present research is to explore the biological function and mechanism of circ_0082319 in HCC progression. Circ_0082319, microRNA-505-3p (miR-505-3p), protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2), and human antigen R (HuR, also known as ELAVL1) level were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis were measured using (4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, transwell, and tube formation assays. Protein levels of c-Myc, MMP2, PTK2, and HuR were examined using western blot. The glycolysis levels were assessed using specific kits. Binding between miR-505-3p and circ_0082319 or PTK2 was predicted by Starbase and verified by a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The biological role of circ_0082319 on HCC tumor growth was examined using xenograft tumor model in vivo. Circ_0082319, PTK2, and HuR were highly expressed, and miR-505-3p was reduced in HCC samples and cell lines. Moreover, the knockdown of circ_0082319 might repress HCC cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and induce apoptosis in vitro. In mechanism, circ_0082319 served as a sponge of miR-505-3p to regulate PTK2 expression. HuR expedited circ_0082319 expression in HCC cells. HuR-mediated circ_0082319 might accelerate HCC cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and suppress apoptosis by the miR-505-3p/PTK2 axis, hinting at a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.

Roles and inhibitors of FAK in cancer: current advances and future directions

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that exhibits high expression in various tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis. FAK activation promotes tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis via both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent pathways. Moreover, FAK is crucial for sustaining the tumor microenvironment. The inhibition of FAK impedes tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in cancer. Therefore, developing targeted inhibitors against FAK presents a promising therapeutic strategy. To date, numerous FAK inhibitors, including IN10018, defactinib, GSK2256098, conteltinib, and APG-2449, have been developed, which have demonstrated positive anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies and are undergoing clinical trials for several types of tumors. Moreover, many novel FAK inhibitors are currently in preclinical studies to advance targeted therapy for tumors with aberrantly activated FAK. The benefits of FAK degraders, especially in terms of their scaffold function, are increasingly evident, holding promising potential for future clinical exploration and breakthroughs. This review aims to clarify FAK's role in cancer, offering a comprehensive overview of the current status and future prospects of FAK-targeted therapy and combination approaches. The goal is to provide valuable insights for advancing anti-cancer treatment strategies.

Transcriptomics analyses reveal the effects of Pentagamaboronon-0-ol on PI3K/Akt and cell cycle of HER2+ breast cancer cells

Introduction

Monoclonal antibodies and targeted therapies against HER2+ breast cancer has improved overall and disease-free survival in patients; however, encountering drug resistance causes recurrence, necessitating the development of newer HER2-targeted medications. A curcumin analog PGB-0-ol showed most cytotoxicity against HCC1954 HER2+ breast cancer cells than against other subtypes of breast cancer cells.

Objective

Here, we employed next-generation sequencing technology to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of PGB-0-ol on HCC1954 HER2+ breast cancer cells.

Methods

The molecular mechanism underlying the action of PGB-0-ol on HCC1954 HER2+ breast cancer cells was determined using next-generation sequencing technologies. Additional bioinformatics studies were performed, including gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, disease-gene, and drug-gene associations, network topology analysis (NTA), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).

Results

We detected 2,263 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1,459 upregulated and 804 downregulated) in the PGB-0-ol- and DMSO-treated HCC1954 cells. KEGG enrichment data revealed the control of phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and ErbB signaling following PGB-0-ol treatment. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis demonstrated that these DEGs governed cell cycle, participated in the mitotic spindle and nuclear membrane, and controlled kinase activity at the molecular level. According to the NTA data for GO enrichment, GSEA data for KEGG, drug-gene and disease-gene, PGB-0-ol regulated PI3K/Akt signaling and cell cycle in breast cancer. Overall, our investigation revealed the transcriptomic profile of PGB-0-ol-treated HCC1954 breast cancer cells following PGB-0-ol therapy. Bioinformatics analyses showed that PI3K/Akt signaling and cell cycle was modulated. However, further studies are required to validate the findings of this study.

Focal adhesion kinase: from biological functions to therapeutic strategies

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a nonreceptor cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, is a vital participant in primary cellular functions, such as proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. In addition, FAK regulates cancer stem cell activities and contributes to the formation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Importantly, increased FAK expression and activity are strongly associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and metastatic characteristics in numerous tumors. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that modulating FAK activity by application of FAK inhibitors alone or in combination treatment regimens could be effective for cancer therapy. Based on these findings, several agents targeting FAK have been exploited in diverse preclinical tumor models. This article briefly describes the structure and function of FAK, as well as research progress on FAK inhibitors in combination therapies. We also discuss the challenges and future directions regarding anti-FAK combination therapies.

Integrins in cancer: Emerging mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

Integrins are vital surface adhesion receptors that mediate the interactions between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells and are essential for cell migration and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Aberrant integrin activation promotes initial tumor formation, growth, and metastasis. Recently, many lines of evidence have indicated that integrins are highly expressed in numerous cancer types and have documented many functions of integrins in tumorigenesis. Thus, integrins have emerged as attractive targets for the development of cancer therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms by which integrins contribute to most of the hallmarks of cancer. We focus on recent progress on integrin regulators, binding proteins, and downstream effectors. We highlight the role of integrins in the regulation of tumor metastasis, immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, and other hallmarks of cancer. In addition, integrin-targeted immunotherapy and other integrin inhibitors that have been used in preclinical and clinical studies are summarized.