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Wang R, Yan Q, Liu X, Wu J. Unraveling lipid metabolism reprogramming for overcoming drug resistance in melanoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116122. [PMID: 38467377 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and its incidence is continuing to increase worldwide in the last decades. Traditional therapies for melanoma can easily cause drug resistance, thus the treatment of melanoma remains a challenge. Various studies have focused on reversing the drug resistance. As tumors grow and progress, cancer cells face a constantly changing microenvironment made up of different nutrients, metabolites, and cell types. Multiple studies have shown that metabolic reprogramming of cancer is not static, but a highly dynamic process. There is a growing interest in exploring the relationship between melanoma andmetabolic reprogramming, one of which may belipid metabolism. This review frames the recent research progresses on lipid metabolism in melanoma.In addition, we emphasize the dynamic ability of metabolism during tumorigenesis as a target for improving response to different therapies and for overcoming drug resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilong Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Yan
- Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Hou YM, Xu BH, Zhang QT, Cheng J, Zhang X, Yang HR, Wang ZY, Wang P, Zhang MX. Deficiency of smooth muscle cell ILF3 alleviates intimal hyperplasia via HMGB1 mRNA degradation-mediated regulation of the STAT3/DUSP16 axis. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 190:62-75. [PMID: 38583797 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Intimal hyperplasia is a complicated pathophysiological phenomenon attributable to in-stent restenosis, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3), a double-stranded RNA-binding protein involved in regulating mRNA stability, has been recently demonstrated to assume a crucial role in cardiovascular disease; nevertheless, its impact on intimal hyperplasia remains unknown. In current study, we used samples of human restenotic arteries and rodent models of intimal hyperplasia, we found that vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) ILF3 expression was markedly elevated in human restenotic arteries and murine ligated carotid arteries. SMC-specific ILF3 knockout mice significantly suppressed injury induced neointimal formation. In vitro, platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) treatment elevated the level of VSMC ILF3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ILF3 silencing markedly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced phenotype switching, proliferation, and migration in VSMCs. Transcriptome sequencing and RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing depicted that ILF3 maintained its stability upon binding to the mRNA of the high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on the transcription of dual specificity phosphatase 16 (DUSP16) through enhanced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Therefore, the results both in vitro and in vivo indicated that the loss of ILF3 in VSMC ameliorated neointimal hyperplasia by regulating the STAT3/DUSP16 axis through the degradation of HMGB1 mRNA. Our findings revealed that vascular injury activates VSMC ILF3, which in turn promotes intima formation. Consequently, targeting specific VSMC ILF3 may present a potential therapeutic strategy for ameliorating cardiovascular restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Min Hou
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bo-Han Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiu-Ting Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hong-Rui Yang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ze-Ying Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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Xu Y, Sun F, Tian Y, Zeng G, Lei G, Bai Z, Wang Y, Ge X, Wang J, Xiao C, Wang Z, Hu M, Song J, Yang P, Liu R. Enhanced NK cell activation via eEF2K-mediated potentiation of the cGAS-STING pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111628. [PMID: 38320351 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is characterized by a high mortality rate, attributed primarily to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Within this context, we aimed to elucidate the pivotal role of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) in orchestrating the infiltration and activation of natural killer (NK) cells within the HCC tumor microenvironment. By shedding light on the immunomodulatory mechanisms at play, our findings should clarify HCC pathogenesis and help identify potential therapeutic intervention venues. METHODS We performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to determine the functions of eEF2K in the context of HCC. We initially used paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue samples from patients with HCC to measure eEF2K expression and its correlation with prognosis. Subsequently, we enrolled a cohort of patients with HCC undergoing immunotherapy to examine the ability of eEF2K to predict treatment efficacy. To delve deeper into the mechanistic aspects, we established an eEF2K-knockout cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. This step was crucial for verifying activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and the subsequent secretion of cytokines. To further elucidate the role of eEF2K in NK cell function, we applied siRNA-based techniques to effectively suppress eEF2K expression in vitro. For in vivo validation, we developed a tumor-bearing mouse model that enabled us to compare the infiltration and activation of NK cells within the tumor microenvironment following various treatment strategies. RESULTS We detected elevated eEF2K expression within HCC tissues, and this was correlated with an unfavorable prognosis (30.84 vs. 20.99 months, P = 0.033). In addition, co-culturing eEF2K-knockout HepG2 cells with dendritic cells led to activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and a subsequent increase in the secretion of IL-2 and CXCL9. Moreover, inhibiting eEF2K resulted in notable NK cell proliferation along with apoptosis reduction. Remarkably, after combining NH125 and PD-1 treatments, we found a significant increase in NK cell infiltration within HCC tumors in our murine model. Our flow cytometry analysis revealed reduced NKG2A expression and elevated NKG2D expression and secretion of granzyme B, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in NK cells. Immunohistochemical examination confirmed no evidence of damage to vital organs in the mice treated with the combination therapy. Additionally, we noted higher levels of glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in the peripheral blood serum of the treated mice. CONCLUSION Targeted eEF2K blockade may result in cGAS-STING pathway activation, leading to enhanced infiltration and activity of NK cells within HCC tumors. The synergistic effect achieved by combining an eEF2K inhibitor with PD-1 antibody therapy represents a novel and promising approach for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China; Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuying Tian
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Guineng Zeng
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Guanglin Lei
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifang Bai
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlan Ge
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Chaohui Xiao
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohai Wang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Minggen Hu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Penghui Yang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China.
| | - Rong Liu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China.
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Yin P, Chen M, Rao M, Lin Y, Zhang M, Xu R, Hu X, Chen R, Chai W, Huang X, Yu H, Yao Y, Zhao Y, Li Y, Zhang L, Tang P. Deciphering Immune Landscape Remodeling Unravels the Underlying Mechanism for Synchronized Muscle and Bone Aging. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304084. [PMID: 38088531 PMCID: PMC10837389 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Evidence from numerous studies has revealed the synchronous progression of aging in bone and muscle; however, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. To this end, human muscles and bones are harvested and the aging-associated transcriptional dynamics of two tissues in parallel using single-cell RNA sequencing are surveyed. A subset of lipid-associated macrophages (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2, TREM2+ Macs) is identified in both aged muscle and bone. Genes responsible for muscle dystrophy and bone loss, such as secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), are also highly expressed in TREM2+ Macs, suggesting its conserved role in aging-related features. A common transition toward pro-inflammatory phenotypes in aged CD4+ T cells across tissues is also observed, activated by the nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1). CD4+ T cells in aged muscle experience Th1-like differentiation, whereas, in bone, a skewing toward Th17 cells is observed. Furthermore, these results highlight that degenerated myocytes produce BAG6-containing exosomes that can communicate with Th17 cells in the bone through its receptor natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 3 (NCR3). This communication upregulates CD6 expression in Th17 cells, which then interact with TREM2+ Macs through CD6-ALCAM signaling, ultimately stimulating the transcription of SPP1 in TREM2+ Macs. The negative correlation between serum exosomal BCL2-associated athanogene 6 (BAG6) levels and bone mineral density further supports its role in mediating muscle and bone synchronization with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbin Yin
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Ming Chen
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Man Rao
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
- Analytical Biosciences LimitedBeijing100191China
| | - Yuan Lin
- The Department of Orthopedic SurgerySecond Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin150086China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Ren Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress BiologySchool of MedicineFaculty of Medicine and Life SciencesXiamen UniversityXiamen361102China
| | - Xueda Hu
- Analytical Biosciences LimitedBeijing100191China
| | - Ruijing Chen
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Wei Chai
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Haikuan Yu
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Yao Yao
- Center for Healthy Aging and Development StudiesNational School of DevelopmentPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Yali Zhao
- Central LaboratoryHainan Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalSanya572013China
| | - Yi Li
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Licheng Zhang
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
| | - Peifu Tang
- Senior Department of OrthopedicsThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100048China
- National Clinical Research Center for OrthopedicsSports Medicine & RehabilitationBeijing100048China
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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Peng HY, Wang L, Das JK, Kumar A, Ballard DJ, Ren Y, Xiong X, de Figueiredo P, Yang JM, Song J. Control of CD4 + T cells to restrain inflammatory diseases via eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:415. [PMID: 37875468 PMCID: PMC10598003 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells, particularly IL-17-secreting helper CD4+ T cells, play a central role in the inflammatory processes underlying autoimmune disorders. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase (eEF2K) is pivotal in CD8+ T cells and has important implications in vascular dysfunction and inflammation-related diseases such as hypertension. However, its specific immunological role in CD4+ T cell activities and related inflammatory diseases remains elusive. Our investigation has uncovered that the deficiency of eEF2K disrupts the survival and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, impairs their ability to secrete cytokines. Notably, this dysregulation leads to heightened production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17, fosters a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells is linked to increased metabolic activity and mitochondrial bioenergetics. We have shown that eEF2K regulates mitochondrial function and CD4+ T cell activity through the upregulation of the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Crucially, the deficiency of eEF2K exacerbates the severity of inflammation-related diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis. Strikingly, the use of C188-9, a small molecule targeting STAT3, mitigates colitis in a murine immunodeficiency model receiving eEF2K knockout (KO) CD4+ T cells. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of eEF2K in controlling the function and metabolism of CD4+ T cells and its indispensable involvement in inflammation-related diseases. Manipulating eEF2K represents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of inflammation-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Darby J Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77845, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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Fu H, Liu X, Shi L, Wang L, Fang H, Wang X, Song D. Regulatory roles of Osteopontin in lung epithelial inflammation and epithelial-telocyte interaction. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1381. [PMID: 37605313 PMCID: PMC10442477 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung epithelial cells play important roles in lung inflammation and injury, although mechanisms remain unclear. Osteopontin (OPN) has essential roles in epithelial damage and repair and in lung cancer biological behaviours. Telocyte (TC) is a type of interstitial cell that interacts with epithelial cells to alleviate acute inflammation and lung injury. The present studies aim at exploring potential mechanisms by which OPN regulates the epithelial origin lung inflammation and the interaction of epithelial cells with TCs in acute and chronic lung injury. METHODS The lung disease specificity of OPN and epithelial inflammation were defined by bioinformatics. We evaluated the regulatory roles of OPN in OPN-knockdown or over-expressed bronchial epithelia (HBEs) challenged with cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) or in animals with genome OPN knockout (gKO) or lung conditional OPN knockout (cKO). Acute lung injury and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were induced by smoking or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Effects of OPN on PI3K subunits and ERK were assessed using the inhibitors. Spatialization and distribution of OPN, OPN-positive epithelial subtypes, and TCs were defined by spatial transcriptomics. The interaction between HBEs and TCs was assayed by the co-culture system. RESULTS Levels of OPN expression increased in smokers, smokers with COPD, and smokers with COPD and lung cancer, as compared with healthy nonsmokers. LPS and/or CSE induced over-production of cytokines from HBEs, dependent upon the dysfunction of OPN. The severity of lung inflammation and injury was significantly lower in OPN-gKO or OPN-cKO mice. HBEs transferred with OPN enhanced the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)CA/p110α, PIK3CB/p110β, PIK3CD/p110δ, PIK3CG/p110γ, PIK3R1, PIK3R2 or PIK3R3. Spatial locations of OPN and OPN-positive epithelial subtypes showed the tight contact of airway epithelia and TCs. Epithelial OPN regulated the epithelial communication with TCs, and the down-regulation of OPN induced more alterations in transcriptomic profiles than the up-regulation. CONCLUSION Our data evidenced that OPN regulated lung epithelial inflammation, injury, and cell communication between epithelium and TCs in acute and chronic lung injury. The conditional control of lung epithelial OPN may be an alternative for preventing and treating epithelial-origin lung inflammation and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huirong Fu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineZhongshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis & TherapyJinshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
| | - Xuanqi Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineZhongshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghaiChina
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineZhongshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
| | - Lingyan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Hao Fang
- Department of AnesthesiologyZhongshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
- Department of AnesthesiologyShanghai Geriatric Medical CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineZhongshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis & TherapyJinshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Dongli Song
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineZhongshan HospitalFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineShanghai Xuhui Central HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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8
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Feng C, Zhang L, Chang X, Qin D, Zhang T. Regulation of post-translational modification of PD-L1 and advances in tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1230135. [PMID: 37554324 PMCID: PMC10405826 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1230135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint molecules programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are one of the most promising targets for tumor immunotherapy. PD-L1 is overexpressed on the surface of tumor cells and inhibits T cell activation upon binding to PD⁃1 on the surface of T cells, resulting in tumor immune escape. The therapeutic strategy of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 involves blocking this binding and restoring the tumor-killing effect of immune cells. However, in clinical settings, a relatively low proportion of cancer patients have responded well to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, and clinical outcomes have reached a bottleneck and no substantial progress has been made. In recent years, PD-L1 post-translation modifications (PTMs) have gradually become a hot topic in the field of PD-L1 research, which will provide new insights to improve the efficacy of current anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. Here, we summarized and discussed multiple PTMs of PD-L1, including glycosylation, ubiquitination, phosphorylation, acetylation and palmitoylation, with a major emphasis on mechanism-based therapeutic strategies (including relevant enzymes and targets that are already in clinical use and that may become drugs in the future). We also summarized the latest research progress of PTMs of PD-L1/PD-1 in regulating immunotherapy. The review provided novel strategies and directions for tumor immunotherapy research based on the PTMs of PD-L1/PD-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Feng
- Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lening Zhang
- Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Chang
- Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Dongliang Qin
- Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Inhibiting SCD expression by IGF1R during lorlatinib therapy sensitizes melanoma to ferroptosis. Redox Biol 2023; 61:102653. [PMID: 36889082 PMCID: PMC10009726 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of ferroptosis is an emerging strategy to suppress melanoma progression. Strategies to enhance the sensitivity to ferroptosis induction would be a major advance in melanoma therapy. Here, we used a drug synergy screen that combined a ferroptosis inducer, RSL3, with 240 anti-tumor drugs from the FDA-approved drug library and identified lorlatinib to synergize with RSL3 in melanoma cells. We further demonstrated that lorlatinib sensitized melanoma to ferroptosis through inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis and its downstream SCD expression. Moreover, we found that lorlatinib's target IGF1R, but not ALK or ROS1, was the major mediator of lorlatinib-mediated sensitivity to ferroptosis through targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis. Finally, lorlatinib treatment sensitized melanoma to GPX4 inhibition in preclinical animal models, and melanoma patients with low GPX4 and IGF1R expression in their tumors survived for longer period. Altogether, lorlatinib sensitizes melanoma to ferroptosis by targeting IGF1R-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, suggesting that combination with lorlatinib could greatly expand the utility of GPX4 inhibition to melanoma patients with IGF1R-proficient expression.
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Aydemir E, Tüysüz EC, Bayrak ÖF, Tecimel D, Hızlı-Deniz AA, Şahin F. Impact of silencing eEF2K expression on the malignant properties of chordoma. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:3011-3022. [PMID: 36652154 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08257-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase, eEF2K) is a calcium calmodulin dependent protein kinase that keeps the highest energy consuming cellular process of protein synthesis under check through negative regulation. eEF2K pauses global protein synthesis rates at the translational elongation step by phosphorylating its only kown substrate elongation factor 2 (eEF2), a unique translocase activity in ekaryotic cells enabling the polypeptide chain elongation. Therefore, eEF2K is thought to preserve cellular energy pools particularly upon acute development of cellular stress conditions such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, or infections. Recently, high expression of this enzyme has been associated with poor prognosis in an array of solid tumor types. Therefore, in a growing number of studies tremendous effort is being directed to the development of treatment methods aiming to suppress eEF2K as a novel therapeutic approach in the fight against cancer. METHODS In our study, we aimed to investigate the changes in the tumorigenicity of chordoma cells in presence of gene silencing for eEF2K. Taking a transient gene silencing approach using siRNA particles, eEF2K gene expression was suppressed in chordoma cells. RESULTS Silencing eEF2K expression was associated with a slight increase in cellular proliferation and a decrease in death rates. Furthermore, no alteration in the sensitivity of chordoma cells to chemotherapy was detected in response to the decrease in eEF2K expression which intriguingly promoted suppression of cell migratory and invasion related properties. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the loss of eEF2K expression in chordoma cell lines results in the reduction of metastatic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Aydemir
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biruni University, 10. Yil Cad, Protokol Yolu, No: 45 Topkapı, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Emre Can Tüysüz
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Medical Genetics, Yeditepe University Medical School and Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ömer Faruk Bayrak
- Department of Medical Genetics, Yeditepe University Medical School and Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Didem Tecimel
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Medical Genetics, Yeditepe University Medical School and Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşen Aslı Hızlı-Deniz
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fikrettin Şahin
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Sun H, Huang B, Cao J, Yan Q, Yin M. Editorial: Epigenetic Regulation and Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:893157. [PMID: 35600405 PMCID: PMC9117615 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.893157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyin Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bihui Huang
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cancer Institute of New Jersey Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Qin Yan
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mingzhu Yin
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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