Deficient DNASE1L3 facilitates neutrophil extracellular traps-induced invasion via cyclic GMP-AMP synthase and the non-canonical NF-κB pathway in diabetic hepatocellular carcinoma

Programmed cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer, ranks as the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally. A deeper understanding of the cell death mechanisms in HCC is essential for developing more effective treatment strategies. This review explores programmed cell death (PCD) pathways involved in HCC, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and immunogenic cell death (ICD). These mechanisms trigger specific cell death cascades that influence the development and progression of HCC. Although multiple PCD pathways are involved in HCC, shared cellular factors suggest a possible interplay between the different forms of cell death. However, the exact roles of different cell death pathways in HCC and which cell death pathway plays a major role remain unclear. This review also highlights how disruptions in cell death pathways are related to drug resistance in cancer therapy, promoting a combined approach of cell death induction and anti-tumor treatment to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Further research is required to unravel the complex interplay between cell death modalities in HCC, which may lead to innovative therapeutic breakthroughs.

The emerging role of neutrophil extracellular traps in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic non-recessive inflammation of the intestinal mucosa involving both innate and adaptive immune responses. Currently, new targeted therapies are urgently needed for UC, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are new therapeutic options. NETs are DNA-based networks released from neutrophils into the extracellular space after stimulation, in which a variety of granule proteins, proteolytic enzymes, antibacterial peptides, histones, and other network structures are embedded. With the deepening of the studies on NETs, their regulatory role in the development of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases has received extensive attention in recent years. Increasing evidence indicates that excess NETs exacerbate the inflammatory response in UC, disrupting the structure and function of the intestinal mucosal barrier and increasing the risk of thrombosis. Although NETs are usually assigned a deleterious role in promoting the pathological process of UC, they also appear to have a protective role in some models. Despite such progress, comprehensive reviews describing the therapeutic promise of NETs in UC remain limited. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence for the formation and degradation of NETs, focusing on their double-edged role in UC. Finally, the potential implications of NETs as therapeutic targets for UC will be discussed. This review aims to provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic options for UC.

Tracing Immunological Interaction in Trimethylamine N-Oxide Hydrogel-Derived Zwitterionic Microenvironment During Promoted Diabetic Wound Regeneration

The diabetic wound healing is challenging due to the sabotaged delicate balance of immune regulation via an undetermined pathophysiological mechanism, so it is crucial to decipher multicellular signatures underlying diabetic wound healing and seek therapeutic strategies. Here, this work develops a strategy using novel trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-derived zwitterionic hydrogel to promote diabetic wound healing, and explore the multi-cellular ecosystem around zwitterionic hydrogel, mapping out an overview of different cells in the zwitterionic microenvironment by single-cell RNA sequencing. The diverse cellular heterogeneity is revealed, highlighting the critical role of macrophage and neutrophils in managing diabetic wound healing. It is found that polyzwitterionic hydrogel can upregulate Ccl3+ macrophages and downregulate S100a9+ neutrophils and facilitate their interactions compared with polyanionic and polycationic hydrogels, validating the underlying effect of zwitterionic microenvironment on the activation of adaptive immune system. Moreover, zwitterionic hydrogel inhibits the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and promotes angiogenesis, thus improving diabetic wound healing. These findings expand the horizons of the sophisticated orchestration of immune systems in zwitterion-directed diabetic wound repair and uncover new strategies of novel immunoregulatory biomaterials.

Constructing a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis of inflammation-related genes

Background

This study aims to screen inflammation-related genes closely associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to accurately forecast the prognosis of HCC patients.

Methods

Gene expression matrices and clinical information for liver cancer samples were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). An intersection of differentially expressed genes of HCC and normal and GeneCards yielded inflammation-related genes associated with HCC. Cox regression and the minor absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis to filter genes associated with HCC prognosis. The prognostic value of the model was confirmed by drawing Kaplan-Meier and ROC curves. Select differentially expressed genes between the high-risk and low-risk groups and perform GO and KEGG pathways analyses. CIBERSORT analysis was conducted to assess associations of risk models with immune cells and verified using real-time qPCR.

Results

A total of six hub genes (C3, CTNNB1, CYBC1, DNASE1L3, IRAK1, and SERPINE1) were selected using multivariate Cox regression to construct a prognostic model. The validation evaluation of the prognostic model showed that it has an excellent ability to predict prognosis. A line plot was drawn to indicate the HCC patients' survival, and the calibration curve revealed satisfactory predictability. Among the six hub genes, C3 and DNASE1L3 are relatively low expressed in HCCLM3 and 97H liver cancer cell lines, while CTNNB1, CYBC1, IRAK1, and SERPINE1 are relatively overexpressed in liver cancer cell lines.

Conclusion

One new inflammatory factor-associated prognostic model was constructed in this study. The risk score can be an independent predictor for judging the prognosis of HCC patients' survival.

NCX1/Ca2+ promotes autophagy and decreases bortezomib activity in multiple myeloma through non-canonical NFκB signaling pathway

Although bortezomib (BTZ) is the cornerstone of anti-multiple myeloma (MM) therapy, the inevitable primary and secondary drug resistance still seriously affects the prognosis of patients. New treatment strategies are in need. Sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1) is a calcium-permeable ion transporter on the membrane, and our previous studies showed that low NCX1 confers inferior viability in MM cells and suppressed osteoclast differentiation. However, the effect of NCX1 on BTZ sensitivity of MM and its possible mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of NCX1 on BTZ sensitivity in MM, focusing on cellular processes of autophagy and cell viability. Our results provide evidence that NCX1 expression correlates with MM disease progression and low NCX1 expression increases BTZ sensitivity. NCX1/Ca2+ triggered autophagic flux through non-canonical NFκB pathway in MM cells, leading to attenuated the sensitivity of BTZ. Knockdown or inhibition of NCX1 could potentiate the anti-MM activity of BTZ in vitro and vivo, and inhibition of autophagy sensitized NCX1-overexpressing MM cells to BTZ. In general, this work implicates NCX1 as a potential therapeutic target in MM with BTZ resistance and provides novel mechanistic insights into its vital role in combating BTZ resistance.

Prediction of interactomic hub genes in PBMC cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In recent years, the complex interplay between systemic health and oral well-being has emerged as a focal point for researchers and healthcare practitioners. Among the several important connections, the convergence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, chronic periodontitis, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is a remarkable example. These components collectively contribute to a network of interactions that extends beyond their domains, underscoring the intricate nature of human health. In the current study, bioinformatics analysis was utilized to predict the interactomic hub genes involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, and periodontitis and their relationships to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by machine learning algorithms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gene Expression Omnibus datasets were utilized to identify the genes linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), dyslipidemia, and Periodontitis (GSE156993).Gene Ontology (G.O.) Enrichr, Genemania, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were used for analysis for identification and functionalities of hub genes. The expression of hub D.E.G.s was confirmed, and an orange machine learning tool was used to predict the hub genes.

RESULT

The decision tree, AdaBoost, and Random Forest had an A.U.C. of 0.982, 1.000, and 0.991 in the R.O.C. curve. The AdaBoost model showed an accuracy of (1.000). The findings imply that the AdaBoost model showed a good predictive value and may support the clinical evaluation and assist in accurately detecting periodontitis associated with T2DM and dyslipidemia. Moreover, the genes with p-value < 0.05 and A.U.C.>0.90, which showed excellent predictive value, were thus considered hub genes.

CONCLUSION

The hub genes and the D.E.G.s identified in the present study contribute immensely to the fundamentals of the molecular mechanisms occurring in the PBMC associated with the progression of periodontitis in the presence of T2DM and dyslipidemia. They may be considered potential biomarkers and offer novel therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases.

Deoxyribonuclease 1-like 3 inhibits colorectal malignancy through antagonizing NEDD4-triggered CDKN1A ubiquitination

Deoxyribonuclease 1-like 3 (DNASE1L3) has been shown to play nonnegligible roles in several types of carcinomas. Nevertheless, the biological function, clinical relevance, and influence of DNASE1L3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain obscure. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to examine DNASE1L3 and CDKN1A expression in CRC tissue, and the clinical significance of DNASE1L3 was assessed. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and transwell assays were employed for assessing tumor proliferation and migration. The mechanisms underlying the impact of DNASE1L3 were explored via western blot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assay. It was observed that DNASE1L3 was downregulated in CRC tissues and was tightly associated with patient prognosis. DNASE1L3 impaired CRC cell proliferation and migration through elevating CDKN1A via suppressing CDKN1A ubiquitination. Meanwhile, DNASE1L3 was positively related to CDKN1A. In mechanism, DNASE1L3 and CDKN1A interacted with the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4. Moreover, DNASE1L3 was competitively bound to NEDD4, thus repressing NEDD4-mediated CDKN1A ubiquitination and degradation. These discoveries implied the potential mechanisms of DNASE1L3 during tumorigenesis, suggesting that DNASE1L3 may serve as a new potential therapeutic agent for CRC.

Top Five Stories of the Cellular Landscape and Therapies of Atherosclerosis: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Atherosclerosis (AS) is characterized by impairment and apoptosis of endothelial cells, continuous systemic and focal inflammation and dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells, which is documented as the traditional cellular paradigm. However, the mechanisms appear much more complicated than we thought since a bulk of studies on efferocytosis, transdifferentiation and novel cell death forms such as ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and extracellular trap were reported. Discovery of novel pathological cellular landscapes provides a large number of therapeutic targets. On the other side, the unsatisfactory therapeutic effects of current treatment with lipid-lowering drugs as the cornerstone also restricts the efforts to reduce global AS burden. Stem cell- or nanoparticle-based strategies spurred a lot of attention due to the attractive therapeutic effects and minimized adverse effects. Given the complexity of pathological changes of AS, attempts to develop an almighty medicine based on single mechanisms could be theoretically challenging. In this review, the top stories in the cellular landscapes during the initiation and progression of AS and the therapies were summarized in an integrated perspective to facilitate efforts to develop a multi-targets strategy and fill the gap between mechanism research and clinical translation. The future challenges and improvements were also discussed.

Neutrophil extracellular traps regulating tumorimmunity in hepatocellular carcinoma

As a component of the innate immune system, there is emerging evidence to suggest that neutrophils may play a critical role in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like chromatin structures that protrude from the membranes during neutrophil activation. Recent research has shown that NETs, which are at the forefront of the renewed interest in neutrophil studies, are increasingly intertwined with HCC. By exploring the mechanisms of NETs in HCC, we aim to improve our understanding of the role of NETs and gain deeper insights into neutrophil biology. Therefore, this article provides a summary of key findings and discusses the emerging field of NETs in HCC.

Neutrophil extracellular traps mediate deep vein thrombosis: from mechanism to therapy

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a part of venous thromboembolism (VTE) that clinically manifests as swelling and pain in the lower limbs. The most serious clinical complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE), which has a high mortality rate. To date, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, and patients usually present with clinical symptoms only after the formation of the thrombus. Thus, it is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms of deep vein thrombosis for an early diagnosis and treatment of DVT. In recent years, many studies have concluded that Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are closely associated with DVT. These are released by neutrophils and, in addition to trapping pathogens, can mediate the formation of deep vein thrombi, thereby blocking blood vessels and leading to the development of disease. Therefore, this paper describes the occurrence and development of NETs and discusses the mechanism of action of NETs on deep vein thrombosis. It aims to provide a direction for improved diagnosis and treatment of deep vein thrombosis in the near future.

Molecular Mechanisms of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NETs) Degradation

Although many studies have been exploring the mechanisms driving NETs formation, much less attention has been paid to the degradation and elimination of these structures. The NETs clearance and the effective removal of extracellular DNA, enzymatic proteins (neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, myeloperoxidase) or histones are necessary to maintain tissue homeostasis, to prevent inflammation and to avoid the presentation of self-antigens. The persistence and overabundance of DNA fibers in the circulation and tissues may have dramatic consequences for a host leading to the development of various systemic and local damage. NETs are cleaved by a concerted action of extracellular and secreted deoxyribonucleases (DNases) followed by intracellular degradation by macrophages. NETs accumulation depends on the ability of DNase I and DNAse II to hydrolyze DNA. Furthermore, the macrophages actively engulf NETs and this event is facilitated by the preprocessing of NETs by DNase I. The purpose of this review is to present and discuss the current knowledge about the mechanisms of NETs degradation and its role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis, autoimmune diseases, cancer and severe infections, as well as to discuss the possibilities for potential therapeutic interventions. Several anti-NETs approaches had therapeutic effects in animal models of cancer and autoimmune diseases; nevertheless, the development of new drugs for patients needs further study for an effective development of clinical compounds that are able to target NETs.

Who and how, DNA sensors in NETs-driven inflammation

During infections, neutrophil extracellular traps act like a meshwork of molecules that captures microbes. In contrast, during sterile inflammation the presence of NETs is usually associated with tissue damage and uncontrolled inflammation. In this context, DNA acts both as activator of NETs formation and immunogenic molecule fueling inflammation within the injured tissue microenvironment. Pattern recognition receptors that specifically bind to and get activated by DNA such as Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9), cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and Absence in Melanoma-2 (AIM2) have been reported to play a role in NETs formation and detection. However, how these DNA sensors contribute to NETs-driven inflammation is not well understood. Whether these DNA sensors have unique roles or on the contrary they are mostly redundant is still elusive. In this review, we summarize the known contribution of the above DNA sensors to the formation and detection of NETs in the context of sterile inflammation. We also highlight scientific gaps needed to be addressed and propose future direction for therapeutic targets.