The Natural cAMP Elevating Compound Forskolin in Cancer Therapy: Is It Time?

ER-transiting bacterial toxins amplify STING innate immune responses and elicit ER stress

The cGAS/STING sensor system drives innate immune responses to intracellular microbial double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and bacterial cyclic nucleotide second messengers (e.g., c-di-AMP). STING-dependent cell-intrinsic responses can increase resistance to microbial infection and speed pathogen clearance. Correspondingly, STING activation and signaling are known to be targeted for suppression by effectors from several bacterial pathogens. Whether STING responses are also positively regulated through sensing of specific bacterial effectors is less clear. We find that STING activation through dsDNA, by its canonical ligand 2'-3' cGAMP, or the small molecule DMXAA is potentiated following intracellular delivery of the AB5 toxin family member pertussis toxin from Bordetella pertussis or the B subunit of cholera toxin from Vibrio cholerae. Entry of pertussis toxin or cholera toxin B into mouse macrophages triggers markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and enhances ligand-dependent STING responses at the level of STING receptor activation in a manner that is independent of toxin enzymatic activity. Our results provide an example in which STING responses integrate information about the presence of relevant ER-transiting bacterial toxins into the innate inflammatory response and may help to explain the in vivo adjuvant effects of catalytically inactive toxins.

Olfactory receptors impact pathophysiological processes of lung diseases in bronchial epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic options for steroid-resistant non-type 2 inflammation in obstructive lung diseases are limited. Bronchial epithelial cells are key in the pathogenesis by releasing the central proinflammatory cytokine interleukine-8 (IL-8). Olfactory receptors (ORs) are expressed in various cell types. This study examined the drug target potential of ORs by investigating their impact on associated pathophysiological processes in lung epithelial cells.

METHODS

Experiments were performed in the A549 cell line and in primary human bronchial epithelial cells. OR expression was investigated using RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemical staining. OR-mediated effects were analyzed by measuring 1) intracellular calcium concentration via calcium imaging, 2) cAMP concentration by luminescence-based assays, 3) wound healing by scratch assays, 4) proliferation by MTS-based assays, 5) cellular vitality by Annexin V/PI-based FACS staining, and 6) the secretion of IL-8 in culture supernatants by ELISA.

RESULTS

By screening 100 potential OR agonists, we identified two, Brahmanol and Cinnamaldehyde, that increased intracellular calcium concentrations. The mRNA and proteins of the corresponding receptors OR2AT4 and OR2J3 were detected. Stimulation of OR2J3 with Cinnamaldehyde reduced 1) IL-8 in the absence and presence of bacterial and viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), 2) proliferation, and 3) wound healing but increased cAMP. In contrast, stimulation of OR2AT4 by Brahmanol increased wound healing but did not affect cAMP and proliferation. Both ORs did not influence cell vitality.

CONCLUSION

ORs might be promising drug target candidates for lung diseases with non-type 2 inflammation. Their stimulation might reduce inflammation or prevent tissue remodeling by promoting wound healing.

Effects of Different Na+ Concentrations on cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Activity in Postmortem Meat

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity regulates protein phosphorylation, with Na+ playing a crucial role in PKA activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different Na+ concentrations on PKA activity and protein phosphorylation level in postmortem muscle. The study consisted of two experiments: (1) NaCl of 0, 20, 100, 200 and 400 mM was added to a muscle homogenate incubation model to analyze the effect of Na+ concentration on PKA activity, and (2) the same concentrations were added to pure PKA in vitro incubation models at 4 °C to verify the effect of Na+ on PKA activity. The PKA activity of the muscle homogenate model increased with storage time in groups with different Na+ concentrations. High concentrations of Na+ inhibited sarcoplasmic protein phosphorylation. The PKA activity at 24 h of storage and the sarcoplasmic protein phosphorylation level at 12 h of storage in the group with 200 mM Na+ was lower than that of the other groups. After 1 h incubation, the PKA activity of samples in the 200 mM Na+ group was inhibited and lower than that in the other Na+ groups in the in vitro incubation model. These results suggest that the Na+ concentration at 200 mM could better inhibit PKA activity. This study provided valuable insights for enhancing curing efficiency and improving meat quality.

The Effect of the cAMP Signaling Pathway on HTR8/SV-Neo Cell Line Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration After Treatment with Forskolin

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is thought to be related to placental dysfunction, particularly poor extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion and migration abilities. However, the pathogenic mechanism is not fully understood. This article describes the impact of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) signaling pathway on EVT behavior, focusing on EVT proliferation, invasion, and migration. Here, we used the HTR8/SV-neo cell line to study human EVT function in vitro. HTR8/SV-neo cells were treated with different concentrations of forskolin (cAMP pathway-specific agonist) to alter intracellular cAMP levels, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as the control. First, a cAMP assay was performed to measure the cAMP concentration in HTR8/SV-neo cells treated with different forskolin concentrations, and cell proliferation was assessed by constructing cell growth curves and assessing colony formation. Cell invasion and migration were observed by Transwell experiments, and intracellular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB). According to our research, the intracellular cAMP levels in HTR8/SV-neo cells were increased in a dose-dependent manner, and HTR8/SV-neo cell proliferation, invasion and migration were significantly enhanced. The expression of EMT and angiogenesis markers was upregulated. Additionally, with the increase in intracellular cAMP levels, the phosphorylation of intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway components was significantly increased. These results suggested that the cAMP signaling pathway promoted the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling components, thus enhancing EVT functions, including proliferation, invasion, and migration, and to a certain extent, providing a novel direction for the treatment of PE patients.

Sensing antibody functions with a novel CCR8-responsive engineered cell

Human chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) is a promising drug target for immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Monoclonal antibody-based CCR8 targeted treatment shows significant inhibition in tumor growth. The inhibition of CCR8 results in the improvement of antitumor immunity and patient survival rates by regulating tumor-resident regulatory T cells. Recently monoclonal antibody drug development targeting CCR8 has become a research hotspot, which also promotes the advancement of antibody evaluation methods. Therefore, we constructed a novel engineered customized cell line HEK293-cAMP-biosensor-CCR8 combined with CCR8 and a cAMP-biosensor reporter. It can be used for the detection of anti-CCR8 antibody functions like specificity and biological activity, in addition to the detection of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent-cellular-phagocytosis. We obtained a new CCR8 mAb 22H9 and successfully verified its biological activities with HEK293-cAMP-biosensor-CCR8. Our reporter cell line has high sensitivity and specificity, and also offers a rapid kinetic detection platform for evaluating anti-CCR8 antibody functions.

Forskolin induces FXR expression and enhances maturation of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells

The generation of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) is a powerful tool for studying liver diseases, their therapy as well as drug development. iPSC-derived disease models benefit from their diverse origin of patients, enabling the study of disease-associated mutations and, when considering more than one iPSC line to reflect a more diverse genetic background compared to immortalized cell lines. Unfortunately, the use of iPSC-derived HLCs is limited due to their lack of maturity and a rather fetal phenotype. Commercial kits and complicated 3D-protocols are cost- and time-intensive and hardly useable for smaller working groups. In this study, we optimized our previously published protocol by fine-tuning the initial cell number, exchanging antibiotics and basal medium composition and introducing the small molecule forskolin during the HLC maturation step. We thereby contribute to the liver research field by providing a simple, cost- and time-effective 2D differentiation protocol. We generate functional HLCs with significantly increased HLC hallmark gene (ALB, HNF4α, and CYP3A4) and protein (ALB) expression, as well as significantly elevated inducible CYP3A4 activity.

Biochemical pharmacology of adenylyl cyclases in cancer

Globally, despite extensive research and pharmacological advancement, cancer remains one of the most common causes of mortality. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in cancer progression is essential for the discovery of new drug targets. The adenylyl cyclase (AC) superfamily comprises glycoproteins that regulate intracellular signaling and convert ATP into cyclic AMP, an important second messenger. The present review highlights the involvement of ACs in cancer progression and suppression, broken down for each specific mammalian AC isoform. The precise mechanisms by which ACs contribute to cancer cell proliferation and invasion are not well understood and are variable among cancer types; however, AC overactivation, along with that of downstream regulators, presents a potential target for novel anticancer therapies. The expression patterns of ACs in numerous cancers are discussed. In addition, we highlight inhibitors of AC-related signaling that are currently under investigation, with a focus on possible anti-cancer strategies. Recent discoveries with small molecules regarding more direct modulation AC activity are also discussed in detail. A more comprehensive understanding of different components in AC-related signaling could potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for personalized oncology and might enhance the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy in the treatment of various cancers.

Biotechnological interventions for the production of forskolin, an active compound from the medicinal plant, Coleus forskohlii

Coleus forskohlii, an Indian-origin medicinal plant is the sole natural source of the labdane terpenoid forskolin (C22H34O7), with growing demand. Forskolin emerged as an industrially important bioactive compound, with many therapeutic applications in human health. It has established potential effects in the treatment of various diseases and conditions such as glaucoma, asthma, obesity, allergies, skin conditions and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, clinical trials against different types of cancers are progressing. The mechanism of action of forskolin mainly involves activating adenylyl cyclase and elevating cAMP, thereby regulating different cellular processes. For the extraction of forskolin, tuberous roots of C. forskohlii are used as they contain the highest concentration of this metabolite. Approximately 2500 tonnes of the plant are cultivated annually to produce a yield of 2000-2200 kg ha-1 of dry tubers. The forskolin content of the root is distributed in the range of 0.01-1%, which cannot meet the increasing commercial demands from industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dietary supplements, food and beverages. Hence, various aspects of micropropagation with different culture methods that employ precursors or elicitors to improve the forskolin content have been explored. Different extraction and analytical methods are also introduced to examine the yield and purity of forskolin. This review discusses the significance, clinical importance, mechanism of action and different approaches used for mass production including tissue culture for the lead compound forskolin to meet market needs.

cAMP-PKA/EPAC signaling and cancer: the interplay in tumor microenvironment

Cancer is a complex disease resulting from abnormal cell growth that is induced by a number of genetic and environmental factors. The tumor microenvironment (TME), which involves extracellular matrix, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), tumor-infiltrating immune cells and angiogenesis, plays a critical role in tumor progression. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger that has pleiotropic effects on the TME. The downstream effectors of cAMP include cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) and ion channels. While cAMP can activate PKA or EPAC and promote cancer cell growth, it can also inhibit cell proliferation and survival in context- and cancer type-dependent manner. Tumor-associated stromal cells, such as CAF and immune cells, can release cytokines and growth factors that either stimulate or inhibit cAMP production within the TME. Recent studies have shown that targeting cAMP signaling in the TME has therapeutic benefits in cancer. Small-molecule agents that inhibit adenylate cyclase and PKA have been shown to inhibit tumor growth. In addition, cAMP-elevating agents, such as forskolin, can not only induce cancer cell death, but also directly inhibit cell proliferation in some cancer types. In this review, we summarize current understanding of cAMP signaling in cancer biology and immunology and discuss the basis for its context-dependent dual role in oncogenesis. Understanding the precise mechanisms by which cAMP and the TME interact in cancer will be critical for the development of effective therapies. Future studies aimed at investigating the cAMP-cancer axis and its regulation in the TME may provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis and lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Function of m5C RNA methyltransferase NOP2 in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

RNA methyltransferase nucleolar protein p120 (NOP2), commonly referred to as NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase family member 1 (NSUN1), is involved in cell proliferation and is highly expressed in various cancers. However, its role in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains unclear. Our study investigated the expression of NOP2 in HGSOC tissues and normal fimbria tissues, and found that NOP2 was significantly upregulated in HGSOC tissues. Our experiments showed that NOP2 overexpression promoted cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro and increased the migration and invasion ability of HGSOC cells in vitro. Furthermore, we identified Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 4 (RAPGEF4) as a potential downstream target of NOP2 in HGSOC. Finally, our findings suggest that the regulation of NOP2 and RAPGEF4 may depend on m5C methylation levels.

Identification of terpenoids as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 (main protease) and spike (RBD) via computer-aided drug design

The scientific community has been faced with a major challenge in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the lack of targeted antiviral drugs. To address this issue, we used an in silico approach to screen 23 natural compounds from the terpenoid class for their ability to target key SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic proteins. The results revealed that several compounds showed promising interactions with SARS-CoV-2 proteins, specifically the main protease and the spike receptor binding domain. The molecular docking analysis revealed the importance of certain residues, such as GLY143, SER144, CYS145 and GLU166, in the main protease of the SARS-CoV-2 protein, which play a crucial role in interactions with the ligand. In addition, our study highlighted the importance of interactions with residues GLY496, ARG403, SER494 and ARG393 of the spike receptor-binding domain within the SARS-CoV-2 protein. ADMET and drug similarity analyses were also performed, followed by molecular dynamics and MM-GBSA calculations, to identify potential drugs could be repurposed to combat COVID-19. Indeed, the results suggest that certain terpenoid compounds of plant origin have promising potential as therapeutic targets for SARS-CoV-2. However, additional experimental studies are required to confirm their efficacy as drugs against COVID-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring the diagnostic value, prognostic value, and biological functions of NPC gene family members in hepatocellular carcinoma based on a multi-omics analysis

Liver cancer is a cunning malignancy with a high incidence and mortality rate among cancers worldwide. The NPC gene family members (NPCs: NPC1, NPC2, and NPC1L1) are closely linked to the development of multiple cancers, but their role in liver cancer remains unclear. As a result, we must investigate their functions in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). NPCs were significantly differentially expressed between normal and LIHC tissues, with a high mutation frequency in LIHC. The ROC curve analysis revealed that NPC1/NPC2 had high diagnostic and prognostic values in LIHC. NPC1 expression was also found to be negatively correlated with its methylation level. The differentially expressed genes between high and low NPC1 expression groups in LIHC were mainly related to channel activity, transporter complexes, and plasma membrane adhesion molecules. Additionally, NPC1 expression was significantly associated with multiple immune cells and immunization checkpoints. It was hypothesized that a TUG1/SNHG4-miR-148a-3p-NPC1 regulatory axis is associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. Finally, the protein expression of NPC1 in LIHC tissues and paraneoplastic tissues was detected, and NPC1-knockdown HepG2 cells (NPC1KO) inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion. This study helped to identify new prognostic markers and potential immunotherapeutic targets for LIHC and revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying NPC1 regulation in LIHC. The NPCs play a key role in the prognosis and diagnosis of LIHC and may be an important indicator for LIHC prognosis and diagnosis; NPC1 might be a potential therapeutic target in LIHC.

Pharmacovigilance of herbal medicines: Concerns and future prospects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The use of herbal medicines for prophylaxis, prevention, and treatment of various ailments is rising throughout the world because they are thought to be safer than allopathic treatments, which they are. However, several investigations have documented the toxicity and adverse drug reactions (ADR) of certain formulations and botanicals if not consumed wisely.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The goal of the current study is to address herbal medication pharmacovigilance (PV) modeling and related considerations for improved patient safety. Also, focus is laid on the comprehensive and critical analysis of the current state of PV for herbal medications at the national and international levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Targeted review also known as focused literature review methodology was utilized for exploring the data from various scientific platforms such as Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Springer, PubMed, Google Scholar using "pharmacovigilance, herbal medicine, traditional medicine, ADR, under reporting, herb toxicity, herb interactions" as keywords along with standard literature pertaining to herbal medicines that is published by the WHO and other international and national organizations etc. The botanical names mentioned in the present article were authenticated using World Flora Online database.

RESULTS

The historical developments paving the way for PV in regulatory setup were also discussed, along with various criteria's for monitoring herbal medicine, ADR of herbs, phytoconstituents, and traditional medicines, herb-drug interactions, modes of reporting ADR, databases for reporting ADR's, provisions of PV in regulatory framework of different nations, challenges and way forward in PV are discussed in detail advocating a robust drug safety ecosystem for herbal medicines.

CONCLUSION

Despite recent efforts to encourage the reporting of suspected ADRs linked to herbal medicines, such as expanding the programme and adding community pharmacists and other healthcare professionals as recognized reporters, the number of herbal ADR reports received by the regulatory bodies remains comparatively low. Since users often do not seek professional advice or report if they have side effects, under-reporting, is anticipated to be significant for herbal medications. There are inadequate quality control methods, poor regulatory oversight considering herbs used in food and botanicals, and unregulated distribution channels. In addition, botanical identity, traceability of herbs, ecological concerns, over-the-counter (OTC) herbal medicines, patient-physicians barriers requires special focus by the regulatory bodies for improved global safety of herbal medicines.

Allosteric Activation of Transglutaminase 2 via Inducing an "Open" Conformation for Osteoblast Differentiation

Osteoblasts play an important role in the regulation of bone homeostasis throughout life. Thus, the damage of osteoblasts can lead to serious skeletal diseases, highlighting the urgent need for novel pharmacological targets. This study introduces chemical genetics strategy by using small molecule forskolin (FSK) as a probe to explore the druggable targets for osteoporosis. Here, this work reveals that transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) served as a major cellular target of FSK to obviously induce osteoblast differentiation. Then, this work identifies a previously undisclosed allosteric site in the catalytic core of TGM2. In particular, FSK formed multiple hydrogen bonds in a saddle-like domain to induce an "open" conformation of the β-sandwich domain in TGM2, thereby promoting the substrate protein crosslinks by incorporating polyamine. Furthermore, this work finds that TGM2 interacted with several mitochondrial homeostasis-associated proteins to improve mitochondrial dynamics and ATP production for osteoblast differentiation. Finally, this work observes that FSK effectively ameliorated osteoporosis in the ovariectomy mice model. Taken together, these findings show a previously undescribed pharmacological allosteric site on TGM2 for osteoporosis treatment, and also provide an available chemical tool for interrogating TGM2 biology and developing bone anabolic agent.

Forskolin affects proliferation, migration and Paclitaxel-mediated cytotoxicity in non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines via adenylyl cyclase/cAMP axis

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is considered one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the undoubted therapeutic advances that have occurred in clinical practice over time, due to its high degree in both heterogeneity and resistance, NSCLC remains largely incurable. As a natural cAMP elevating agent, Forskolin has shown anti-cancer properties in different tumor types, thus supposing its possible usage in treating malignancies. In this study, we investigated the Forskolin outcome in H1299 and A549 NSCLC cell lines, either alone or in combination with Paclitaxel. We proved that Forskolin impairs cell growth and migration ability of these cells, concurrently. Albeit with a different extent between H1299 and A549, changes in cell-cycle progression and epithelial-mesenchymal markers were observed in response to Forskolin administration. Interestingly, comparable cell growth impairment was also obtained with the cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX, while the employment of adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 counteracted, at least in part, the Forskolin-mediated anticancer effects. Besides as a single agent, we also demonstrated that Forskolin strongly enhances Paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity, affecting cell death mainly via apoptosis induction. Notably, H89-mediated protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition further deteriorated the combination outcome. Altogether, our data designate Forskolin as a possible anticancer molecule in NSCLC, and recognize the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP axis as one of the pathways involved in. Although achieved at preclinical stage, our findings encourage the design of future studies aimed at further exploring the Forskolin employment in NSCLC treatment.

A standardized extract of Coleus forskohlii root protects rats from ovariectomy-induced loss of bone mass and strength, and impaired bone material by osteogenic and anti-resorptive mechanisms

INTRODUCTION

In obese humans, Coleus forskohlii root extract (CF) protects against weight gain owing to the presence of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase (AC) activator. As AC increases intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in osteoblasts that has an osteogenic effect, we thus tested the skeletal effects of a standardized CF (CFE) in rats.

METHODS

Concentrations of forskolin and isoforskolin were measured in CFE by HPLC. CFE and forskolin (the most abundant compound present in CFE) were studied for their osteogenic efficacy in vitro by alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cAMP and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) assays. Femur osteotomy model was used to determine the osteogenic dose of CFE. In growing rats, CFE was tested for its osteogenic effect in intact bone. In adult ovariectomized (OVX) rats, we assessed the effect of CFE on bone mass, strength and material. The effect of forskolin was assessed in vivo by measuring the expression of osteogenic genes in the calvarium of rat pups.

RESULTS

Forskolin content in CFE was 20.969%. CFE increased osteoblast differentiation and intracellular cAMP and cGMP levels in rat calvarial osteoblasts. At 25 mg/kg (half of human equivalent dose), CFE significantly enhanced calcein deposition at the osteotomy site. In growing rats, CFE promoted modeling-directed bone formation. In OVX rats, CFE maintained bone mass and microarchitecture to the level of sham-operated rats. Moreover, surface-referent bone formation in CFE treated rats was significantly increased over the OVX group and was comparable with the sham group. CFE also increased the pro-collagen type-I N-terminal propeptide: cross-linked C-telopeptide of type-I collagen (PINP : CTX-1) ratio over the OVX rats, and maintained it to the sham level. CFE treatment decreased the OVX-induced increases in the carbonate-to-phosphate, and carbonate-to-amide-I ratios. CFE also prevented the OVX-mediated decrease in mineral crystallinity. Nanoindentation parameters, including modulus and hardness, were decreased by OVX but CFE maintained these to the sham levels. Forskolin stimulated ALP, cAMP and cGMP in vitro and upregulated osteogenic genes in vivo.

CONCLUSION

CFE, likely due to the presence of forskolin displayed a bone-conserving effect via osteogenic and anti-resorptive mechanisms resulting in the maintenance of bone mass, microarchitecture, material, and strength.

Synthesis of intramolecular cross-coupling analogues of forskolin

A ring distortion strategy was applied to the synthesis of a series of intramolecular cross-coupled analogues of forskolin 1. Treatment with palladium acetate, forskolin underwent an intramolecular cross-coupling reaction to generate a novel cycloalkene ether 2 in 85% yield. Under the same conditions, a series of forskolin ester analogues 4a-4d were prepared from 1-OH ester derivatives of forskolin 3a-3d in 85-93% yields. Treating cycloalkene ether 2 with aryl iodides in the presence of a palladium catalyst afforded Z-isomers arylation products 5a-5e in a stereoselective manner in 70-85% yields.

A novel network pharmacology approach for leukaemia differentiation therapy using Mogrify®

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rapidly fatal blood cancer that is characterised by the accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the blood and bone marrow as a result of blocked differentiation. Methods which identify master transcriptional regulators of AML subtype-specific leukaemia cell states and their combinations could be critical for discovering novel differentiation-inducing therapies. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate a novel utility of the Mogrify® algorithm in identifying combinations of transcription factors (TFs) and drugs, which recapitulate granulocytic differentiation of the NB4 acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) cell line, using two different approaches. In the first approach, Connectivity Map (CMAP) analysis of these TFs and their target networks outperformed standard approaches, retrieving ATRA as the top hit. We identify dimaprit and mebendazole as a drug combination which induces myeloid differentiation. In the second approach, we show that genetic manipulation of specific Mogrify®-identified TFs (MYC and IRF1) leads to co-operative induction of APL differentiation, as does pharmacological targeting of these TFs using currently available compounds. We also show that loss of IRF1 blunts ATRA-mediated differentiation, and that MYC represses IRF1 expression through recruitment of PML-RARα, the driver fusion oncoprotein in APL, to the IRF1 promoter. Finally, we demonstrate that these drug combinations can also induce differentiation of primary patient-derived APL cells, and highlight the potential of targeting MYC and IRF1 in high-risk APL. Thus, these results suggest that Mogrify® could be used for drug discovery or repositioning in leukaemia differentiation therapy for other subtypes of leukaemia or cancers.

ZL-n-91, a specific Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, suppresses the growth of triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that frequently develops resistance to chemotherapy. A new approach to treating TNBC is required to improve patient survival. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) is an enzyme that is predominantly involved in the modulation of intracellular signaling mediated by cAMP. Although the efficacy of PDE4 inhibitors in several human inflammatory diseases is well documented, their clinical utility has been limited by side effects, including nausea and emesis. Recently, PDE4 has been used as a potential therapeutic target for different cancer types. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer effects of a novel PDE4 inhibitor ZL-n-91 on TNBC and the underlying mechanism. We showed that ZL-n-91 inhibited the proliferation of TNBC cells, induced cell apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest. Western blot analysis showed that ZL-n-91 increased Bax level and reduced Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, downregulation of the cell cycle-related proteins, such as CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, PCNA, p-RB, and ZL-n-91, significantly inhibited the transcription of DNA repair genes and triggered an intracellular DNA damage response. Moreover, ZL-n-91 prevented the growth of the transplanted MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft in nude mice and increased the γ-H2AX expression. These data demonstrate the anticancer effects of ZL-n-91 on TNBC cells and suggest its potential use in anticancer therapy.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate/phosphodiesterase 4 pathway associated with immune infiltration and PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells

Background

The cyclic adenosine monophosphate/phosphodiesterase 4 (cAMP/PDE4) pathway is involved in inflammation and immune regulation; however, the effect of cAMP/PDE4 on immune infiltration and immune evasion in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear.

Methods

CBioPortal, which is the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) online database, and the Kaplan Meier plotter were used to analyze the association between genes and the prognosis of TCGA-LUAD. Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) was used to analyze the association between gene expression and immune infiltration. The Genecards database was used to identify the transcription factors of related genes. The lung adenocarcinoma cell line H1299 and A549 were treated with cAMP pathway drugs. Flow cytometry and qRT-PCR were used to detect the PD-L1 protein and gene expression, respectively. A one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s post-hoc test or a Student’s t-test were used.

Results

It was found that PDE4B and CREB1, which are downstream genes of the cAMP/PDE4 axis, were differentially expressed in LUAD and adjacent tissues and are correlated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of LUAD. In the CBioPortal database, cAMP pathway genes are closely related to programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in TCGA-LUAD. The protein-protein interaction revealed that there was a direct interaction between CREB1/CREBBP, which are the downstream molecules of the cAMP/PDE4 axis, and MYC; additionally, MYC was predicted to bind to the PD-L1 transcription site and regulate PD-L1 expression. CREB1 was also predicted to transcriptionally bind to both MYC and PD-L1. These results predicted the interaction network of cAMP/PDE4/CREB1/CREBP/MYC/PD-L1, and the core factor may be related to MYC. In the cell experiment, forskolin (an adenylate cyclase activator) and zardaverine (a PDE4 inhibitor) enhance the cAMP pathway and decrease PD-L1 expression, while SQ2253 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor) inhibits the cAMP pathway and increases PD-L1 expression of the LUAD cell lines H1299 and A549, and MYC regulation by these drugs was positively correlated with PD-L1 regulation, which verified the regulation of the cAMP/PDE4 pathway on MYC and PD-L1.

Conclusions

This study showed that the cAMP/PDE4 pathway may play an important role in PD-L1 regulation and immune infiltration in LUAD.

Emerging molecular technologies for light-mediated modulation of pancreatic beta-cell function

Background

Optogenetic modalities as well as optochemical and photopharmacological strategies, collectively termed optical methods, have revolutionized the control of cellular functions via light with great spatiotemporal precision. In comparison to the major advances in the photomodulation of signaling activities noted in neuroscience, similar applications to endocrine cells of the pancreas, particularly insulin-producing β-cells, have been limited. The availability of tools allowing light-mediated changes in the trafficking of ions such as K⁺ and Ca²⁺ and signaling intermediates such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), renders β-cells and their glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) amenable to optoengineering for drug-free control of blood sugar.

Scope of review

The molecular circuit of the GSIS in β-cells is described with emphasis on intermediates which are targetable for optical intervention. Various pharmacological agents modifying the release of insulin are reviewed along with their documented side effects. These are contrasted with optical approaches, which have already been employed for engineering β-cell function or are considered for future such applications. Principal obstacles are also discussed as the implementation of optogenetics is pondered for tissue engineering and biology applications of the pancreas.

Major Conclusions

Notable advances in optogenetic, optochemical and photopharmacological tools are rendering feasible the smart engineering of pancreatic cells and tissues with light-regulated function paving the way for novel solutions for addressing pancreatic pathologies including diabetes.

The potential mechanism of Chebulae Fructus in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma on the basis of network pharmacology

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks third on the list of the leading cause for cancer death globally. The treatment of HCC patients is unsatisfactory. However, the traditional Chinese medicine Chebulae Fructus has potential efficacy in the treatment of HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We mined the active ingredients of Chebulae Fructus and its main targets from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. HCC-related datasets were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCC were obtained by differential expression analysis. Top10 small molecule compounds capable of reversing HCC pathology were screened by the Connectivity Map database based on DEGs. Ellipticine, an extract of Chebulae Fructus, had the potential to reverse HCC pathology. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks of DEGs in HCC were constructed using STRING. Eighteen potential targets of Chebulae Fructus for the treatment of HCC were obtained by taking intersection of DEGs in HCC with targets corresponding to the active constituents of Chebulae Fructus. In addition, MTT assay was also employed to examine the effect of ellipticine on HCC cell viability.

RESULTS

It has been shown that ellipticine and ellagic acid have antitumor activity. Random Walk with Restart analysis of PPI networks was performed using potential targets as seeds, and the genes with the top 50 affinity coefficients were selected to construct a drug-active constituent-gene interaction network. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses of key genes involved in the treatment of HCC with Chebulae Fructus demonstrated that these genes were mainly enriched in signaling pathways related to tumor metabolism such as cAMP signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway. Finally, it was verified by MTT assay that proliferation of HCC cells could be remarkably hindered.

CONCLUSIONS

We excavated ellipticine, a key active constituent of Chebulae Fructus, by network pharmacology, and elucidated the signaling pathways involved in Chebulae Fructus, providing a theoretical basis for the use of Chebulae Fructus for HCC clinical application.

Molecular Alterations in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Hope for Effective Treatment by Targeting YAP

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm, which has primarily been attributed to the exposure to asbestos fibers (83% of cases); yet, despite a ban of using asbestos in many countries, the incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma failed to decline worldwide. While little progress has been made in malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, bevacizumab at first, then followed by double immunotherapy (nivolumab plus ipilumumab), were all shown to improve survival in large phase III randomized trials. The morphological analysis of the histological subtyping remains the primary indicator for therapeutic decision making at an advanced disease stage, while a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen combined with pemetrexed, either with or without bevacizumab, is still the main treatment option. Consequently, malignant pleural mesothelioma still represents a significant health concern owing to poor median survival (12-18 months). Given this context, both diagnosis and therapy improvements require better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant pleural mesothelioma's carcinogenesis and progression. Hence, the Hippo pathway in malignant pleural mesothelioma initiation and progression has recently received increasing attention, as the aberrant expression of its core components may be closely related to patient prognosis. The purpose of this review was to provide a critical analysis of our current knowledge on these topics, the main focus being on the available evidence concerning the role of each Hippo pathway's member as a promising biomarker, enabling detection of the disease at earlier stages and thus improving prognosis.

Forskolin Induces Endocrine Disturbance in Human JEG-3 Placental Cells

Forskolin, used in folk medicine since ancient times, is now available as a dietary supplement, with an indication as a fat burner and appetite suppressant. However, the safety of forskolin is poorly documented especially for pregnant women. The question that we raised is what about the safety of forskolin in pregnant women? As the placenta, an endocrine organ, is the key organ of pregnancy, we evaluated the in vitro placental toxicity of forskolin. We focused first on the activation of a P2X7 degenerative receptor as a key biomarker for placental toxicity, and second on steroid and peptide hormonal secretion. We observed that forskolin activated P2X7 receptors and disturbed estradiol, progesterone, hPL and hyperglycosylated hCG secretion in human placental JEG-Tox cells. To the best of our knowledge, we highlighted, for the first time, that forskolin induced endocrine disturbance in placental cells. Forskolin does not appear to be a safe product for pregnant women and restrictions should be taken.

Targeting Adenylate Cyclase Family: New Concept of Targeted Cancer Therapy

The adenylate cyclase (ADCY) superfamily is a group of glycoproteins regulating intracellular signaling. ADCYs act as key regulators in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway and are related to cell sensitivity to chemotherapy and ionizing radiation. Many members of the superfamily are detectable in most chemoresistance cases despite the complexity and unknownness of the specific mechanism underlying the role of ADCYs in the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. The overactivation of ADCY, as well as its upstream and downstream regulators, is implicated as a major potential target of novel anticancer therapies and markers of exceptional responders to chemotherapy. The present review focuses on the oncogenic functions of the ADCY family and emphasizes the possibility of the mediating roles of deleterious nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in ADCY as a prognostic therapeutic target in modulating resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It assesses the mediating roles of ADCY and its counterparts as stress regulators in reprogramming cancer cell metabolism and the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the well-evaluated inhibitors of ADCY-related signaling, which are under clinical investigation, are highlighted. A better understanding of ADCY-induced signaling and deleterious nsSNPs (p.E1003K and p.R1116C) in ADCY6 provides new opportunities for developing novel therapeutic strategies in personalized oncology and new approaches to enhance chemoimmunotherapy efficacy in treating various cancers.

cAMP Signaling in Cancer: A PKA-CREB and EPAC-Centric Approach

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death globally. Despite extensive research and considerable advances in cancer therapy, the fundamentals of the disease remain unclear. Understanding the key signaling mechanisms that cause cancer cell malignancy may help to uncover new pharmaco-targets. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates various biological functions, including those in malignant cells. Understanding intracellular second messenger pathways is crucial for identifying downstream proteins involved in cancer growth and development. cAMP regulates cell signaling and a variety of physiological and pathological activities. There may be an impact on gene transcription from protein kinase A (PKA) as well as its downstream effectors, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). The position of CREB downstream of numerous growth signaling pathways implies its oncogenic potential in tumor cells. Tumor growth is associated with increased CREB expression and activation. PKA can be used as both an onco-drug target and a biomarker to find, identify, and stage tumors. Exploring cAMP effectors and their downstream pathways in cancer has become easier using exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) modulators. This signaling system may inhibit or accelerate tumor growth depending on the tumor and its environment. As cAMP and its effectors are critical for cancer development, targeting them may be a useful cancer treatment strategy. Moreover, by reviewing the material from a distinct viewpoint, this review aims to give a knowledge of the impact of the cAMP signaling pathway and the related effectors on cancer incidence and development. These innovative insights seek to encourage the development of novel treatment techniques and new approaches.

Hepatokine ERAP1 Disturbs Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity Via Inhibiting USP33-Mediated ADRB2 Deubiquitination

Chronic inflammation in liver induces insulin resistance systemically and in other tissues, including the skeletal muscle (SM); however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. RNA sequencing of primary hepatocytes from wild-type mice fed long-term high-fat diet (HFD), which have severe chronic inflammation and insulin resistance revealed that the expression of hepatokine endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) was upregulated by a HFD. Increased ERAP1 levels were also observed in interferon-γ-treated primary hepatocytes. Furthermore, hepatic ERAP1 overexpression attenuated systemic and SM insulin sensitivity, whereas hepatic ERAP1 knockdown had the opposite effects, with corresponding changes in serum ERAP1 levels. Mechanistically, ERAP1 functions as an antagonist-like factor, which interacts with β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) and reduces its expression by decreasing ubiquitin-specific peptidase 33-mediated deubiquitination and thereby interrupts ADRB2-stimulated insulin signaling in the SM. The findings of this study indicate ERAP1 is an inflammation-induced hepatokine that impairs SM insulin sensitivity. Its inhibition may provide a therapeutic strategy for insulin resistance-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

Harpagophytum procumbens Root Extract Mediates Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Osteoarthritis Synoviocytes through CB2 Activation

The endocannabinoid system is involved in the nociceptive and anti-inflammatory pathways, and a lowered expression of CB2 receptors has been associated with inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA). This suggests that CB2 modulators could be novel therapeutic tools to treat OA. In the present study, the involvement of Harpagophytum procumbens root extract, a common ingredient of nutraceuticals used to treat joint disorders, in CB2 modulation has been evaluated. Moreover, to clarify the effects of the pure single components, the bioactive constituent, harpagoside, and the main volatile compounds were studied alone or in a reconstituted mixture. Human fibroblast-like synoviocytes, extracted by joints of patients, who underwent a total knee replacement, were treated with an H. procumbens root extract dissolved in DMSO (HPE_DMSO). The effectiveness of HPE_DMSO to affect CB2 pathways was studied by analyzing the modulation of cAMP, the activation of PKA and ERK MAP kinase, and the modulation of MMP-13 production. HPE_DMSO was able to inhibit the cAMP production and MAP kinase activation and to down-regulate the MMP-13 production. Pure compounds were less effective than the whole phytocomplex, thus suggesting the involvement of synergistic interactions. Present findings encourage further mechanistic studies and support the scientific basis of the use of H. procumbens in joint disorders.

Natural Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors Synergize With Butyrate to Augment Chicken Host Defense Peptide Gene Expression

Enhancing the synthesis of microbicidal and immunomodulatory host defense peptides (HDP) is a promising host-directed antimicrobial strategy to combat a growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Here we investigated the effect of several natural cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors on chicken HDP gene regulation. Our results indicated that phenolic COX-2 inhibitors such as quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, anacardic acid, and garcinol enhanced HDP gene expression in chicken HTC macrophage cell line and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, these natural COX-2 inhibitors showed a strong synergy with butyrate in augmenting the expressions of multiple HDP genes in HTC cells and PBMCs. Additionally, quercetin and butyrate synergistically promoted the expressions of mucin-2 and claudin-1, two major genes involved in barrier function, while suppressing lipopolysaccharide-triggered interleukin-1β expression in HTC macrophages. Mechanistically, we revealed that NF-κB, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathways were all involved in the avian β-defensin 9 gene induction, but histone H4 was not hyperacetylated in response to a combination of butyrate and quercetin. Because of their HDP-inducing, barrier-protective, and antiinflammatory activities, these natural COX-2 inhibitors, when combined with butyrate, may be developed as novel host-directed antimicrobial therapeutics.

Construction and optimization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for synthesizing forskolin

Forskolin, one of the primary active metabolites of labdane-type diterpenoids, exhibits significant medicinal value, such as anticancer, antiasthmatic, and antihypertensive activities. In this study, we constructed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell factory that efficiently produced forskolin. First, a chassis strain that can accumulate 145.8 mg/L 13R-manoyl oxide (13R-MO), the critical precursor of forskolin, was constructed. Then, forskolin was produced by integrating CfCYP76AH15, CfCYP76AH11, CfCYP76AH16, ATR1, and CfACT1-8 into the 13R-MO chassis with a titer of 76.25 μg/L. We confirmed that cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) are the rate-limiting step by detecting intermediate metabolite accumulation. Forskolin production reached 759.42 μg/L by optimizing the adaptations between CfCYP76AHs, t66CfCPR, and t30AaCYB5. Moreover, multiple metabolic engineering strategies, including regulation of the target genes' copy numbers, amplification of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) area, and cofactor metabolism enhancement, were implemented to enhance the metabolic flow to forskolin from 13R-MO, resulting in a final forskolin yield of 21.47 mg/L in shake flasks and 79.33 mg/L in a 5 L bioreactor. These promising results provide guidance for the synthesis of other natural terpenoids in S. cerevisiae, especially for those containing multiple P450s in their synthetic pathways. KEY POINTS: • The forskolin biosynthesis pathway was optimized from the perspective of system metabolism for the first time in S. cerevisiae. • The adaptation and optimization of CYP76AHs, t66CfCPR, and t30AaCYB5 promote forskolin accumulation, which can provide a reference for diterpenoids containing complex pathways, especially multiple P450s pathways. • The forskolin titer of 79.33 mg/L is the highest production currently reported and was achieved by fed-batch fermentation in a 5 L bioreactor.

Butyrate in combination with forskolin alleviates necrotic enteritis, increases feed efficiency, and improves carcass composition of broilers

BACKGROUND

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has necessitated the development of effective alternatives to antibiotics for livestock and poultry production. This study investigated a possible synergy between butyrate and forskolin (a natural labdane diterpene) in enhancing innate host defense, barrier function, disease resistance, growth performance, and meat quality of broilers.

METHODS

The expressions of representative genes involved in host defense (AvBD9 and AvBD10), barrier function (MUC2, CLDN1, and TJP1), and inflammation (IL-1β) were measured in chicken HD11 macrophages in response to butyrate and forskolin in the presence or absence of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Intestinal lesions and the Clostridium perfringens titers were also assessed in C. perfringens-challenged chickens fed butyrate and forskolin-containing Coleus forskohlii (CF) extract individually or in combination. Furthermore, growth performance and carcass characteristics were evaluated in broilers supplemented with butyrate and the CF extract for 42 d.

RESULTS

Butyrate and forskolin synergistically induced the expressions of AvBD9, AvBD10, and MUC2 in chicken HD11 cells (P < 0.05) and the synergy was maintained in the presence of LPS. Butyrate and forskolin also suppressed LPS-induced IL-1β gene expression in HD11 cells in a synergistic manner (P < 0.05). The two compounds significantly reduced the intestinal lesions of C. perfringens-challenged chickens when combined (P < 0.05), but not individually. Furthermore, butyrate in combination with forskolin-containing CF extract had no influence on weight gain, but significantly reduced feed intake (P < 0.05) with a strong tendency to improve feed efficiency (P = 0.07) in a 42-d feeding trial. Desirably, the butyrate/forskolin combination significantly decreased abdominal fat deposition (P = 0.01) with no impact on the carcass yield, breast meat color, drip loss, or pH of d-42 broilers.

CONCLUSIONS

Butyrate and forskolin has potential to be developed as novel antibiotic alternatives to improve disease resistance, feed efficiency, and carcass composition of broilers.

High ORAI3 expression correlates with good prognosis in human muscle-invasive bladder cancer

The involvement of store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs) in tumor initiation and metastatic dissemination has been extensively studied, but how its member ORAI3 influences tumor progression is still elusive. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of ORAI3 expression and examine the correlation between ORAI3 expression and immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in human muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We examined the expression profile of ORAI3 in MIBC using data from two databases; analyzed the correlation between ORAI3 expression and patient survival; explored cellular pathways related to ORAI3 expression by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA); and predicted potential drugs using Connectivity Map (CMap). ORAI3 was significantly lower expressed in tumor mass compared to normal samples in MIBC, with a higher level of methylation at the promoter region in tumor than in normal tissue, indicating that ORAI3 is suppressed during cancer progression. Survival analysis showed that higher expression of ORAI3 correlated with good prognosis in MIBC. GSEA demonstrated that ORAI3 expression inversely correlated with cell differentiation, development and gene silencing, with differential expression of genes involved in epidermal and keratinocyte differentiation pathways and inflammatory responses. RNA sequencing of an ORAI3-silenced human bladder cancer cell line (T24 cells) corroborated enhancement of pro-neoplastic pathways in absence of ORAI3. Western blottingMoreover, ORAI3 facilitated the recruitment of Th17 cells and natural killer cells, whereas hampered Th2 and macrophage infiltration. Our results revealed 4 molecules with potential to be beneficial as adjuvant drugs in MIBC treatment. We concluded that high ORAI3 expression correlates with increased survival in human MIBC.

Ultrastructure and regulation of color change in blue spots of leopard coral trout Plectropomus leopardus

The leopard coral trout generally exhibited numerous round, minute blue spots covering its head (about the size of nostril) and body (except ventral side). This is a characteristic that distinguishes them from similar species. Recently, however, we found the leopard coral trout with black spots. Here, the distribution and ultrastructure of chromatophores in the blue and black spots were investigated with light and transmission electron microscopies. The results showed that in the blue spots, two types of chromatophores are present in the dermis, with the light-reflecting iridophores located in the upper layer and the aggregated light-absorbing melanophores in the lower layer. Black spots have a similar chromatophore composition, except that the melanosomes within the melanophores disperse their dendritic processes to encircle the iridophores. Interestingly, after the treatment of forskolin, a potent adenylate cyclase activator, the blue spots on the body surface turned black. On the other hand, using the skin preparations in vitro, the electrical stimulation and norepinephrine treatment returned the spots to blue color again, indicating the sympathetic nerves were involved in regulating the coloration of blue spots. Taken together, our results revealed that the blue spots of the leopard coral trout can change color to black and vice versa, resulting from the differences in the distribution of melanosomes, which enriches our understanding of the body color and color changes of fishes.

TCGA database analysis of the tumor mutation burden and its clinical significance in colon cancer

Background

Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, with high rates of incidence and death. The tumor mutational burden (TMB), which is characterized by microsatellite instability, has been becoming a powerful predictor which can show tumor behavior and response to immunotherapy.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed 437 mutation data of colon cancer samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and divided patients into low- and high-TMB groups according to the TMB value. Then we identified differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), conducted immune cell infiltration and survival analyses between groups.

Results

The higher TMB of the patients with colon cancer predicts a poorer prognosis. Functional analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of the top 30 core genes. The CIBER-SORT algorithm was used to investigate the correlation between the immune cells and TMB subtypes. An immune prognosis model was constructed to screen out immune genes related to prognosis, and the tumor immunity assessment resource (TIMER) was then used to determine the correlation between gene expression and the abundance of tumor-infiltrating immune cell subsets in colon cancer. We observed that APC, TP53, TTN, KRAS, MUC16, SYNE1, PIK3CA have higher somatic mutations. DEGs enrichment analysis showed that they are involved in the regulation of neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, the Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, the calcium signaling pathway, and pantothenate and Coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. The difference in the abundance of various white blood cell subtypes showed that Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8) T cells (P=0.008), activated CD4 memory T cells (P=0.019), M1 macrophages (P=0.002), follicular helper T cells (P=0.034), activated Natural killer (NK cell) cells (P=0.017) increased remarkably, while M0 macrophages significantly reduced (P=0.025). The two immune model genes showed that secretin (SCT) was negatively correlated with survival, while Guanylate cyclase activator 2A (GUCA2A) was positively correlated.

Conclusions

This study conducted a systematically comprehensive analysis of the prediction and clinical significance of TMB in colon cancer in identification, monitoring, and prognosis of colon cancer, and providing reference information for immunotherapy.

Butyrate and Forskolin Augment Host Defense, Barrier Function, and Disease Resistance Without Eliciting Inflammation

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are an integral part of the innate immune system with both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Induction of endogenous HDP synthesis is being actively explored as an antibiotic-alternative approach to disease control and prevention. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, and forskolin, a phytochemical, have been shown separately to induce HDP gene expression in human cells. Here, we investigated the ability of butyrate and forskolin to induce the expressions of chicken HDP genes and the genes involved in barrier function such as mucin 2 and claudin 1 both in vitro and in vivo. We further evaluated their efficacy in protecting chickens from Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis. Additionally, we profiled the transcriptome and global phosphorylation of chicken HD11 macrophage cells in response to butyrate and forskolin using RNA sequencing and a kinome peptide array, respectively. Our results showed a strong synergy between butyrate and forskolin in inducing the expressions of several, but not all, HDP genes. Importantly, dietary supplementation of butyrate and a forskolin-containing plant extract resulted in significant alleviation of intestinal lesions and the C. perfringens colonization in a synergistic manner in a chicken model of necrotic enteritis. RNA sequencing revealed a preferential increase in HDP and barrier function genes with no induction of proinflammatory cytokines in response to butyrate and forskolin. The antiinflammatory and barrier protective properties of butyrate and forskolin were further confirmed by the kinome peptide array. Moreover, we demonstrated an involvement of inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER)-mediated negative feedback in HDP induction by butyrate and forskolin. Overall, these results highlight a potential for developing butyrate and forskolin, two natural products, as novel antibiotic alternatives to enhance intestinal health and disease resistance in poultry and other animals.

Cdc25C/cdc2/cyclin B, raf/MEK/ERK and PERK/eIF2α/CHOP pathways are involved in forskolin-induced growth inhibition of MM.1S cells by G2/M arrest and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematological malignancy characterized by proliferation and accumulation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Innovative and effective therapeutic approaches that are able to improve the outcome and the survival of MM sufferers, especially the identification of novel natural compounds and investigation of their anti-MM mechanisms, are needed. Here, we investigated the effects and the potential mechanisms against MM of forskolin, a diterpene derived from the medicinal plant Coleus forskohlii, in MM cell line MM.1S. CCK-8 assay showed that forskolin significantly inhibited MM.1S cells viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrated that forskolin induced G2/M phase arrest with a remarkable increase of p-cdc25c, p-cdc2, and a decrease of cyclin B1, indicating the suppression of cdc25C/cdc2/cyclin B pathway. Moreover, we found that forskolin induced mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis which was accompanied by the increase of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bad, Bim and Bid, the decrease of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, the changes of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increase of cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP. Of note, we demonstrated that forskolin induced a decrease of p-C-Raf, p-MEK, p-ERK1/2 and p-p90Rsk, and an increase of p-PERK, p-eIF2α and CHOP, which indicated that the inhibition of Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and activation of PERK/eIF2α/CHOP pathway were involved, at least partially, in forskolin-induced MM.1S cells apoptosis. These findings confirm the anti-MM action of forskolin and extend the understanding of its anti-MM mechanism in MM.1S cells, as well as reinforcing the evidence for forskolin as a natural chemotherapeutic compound against MM.

Butyrate, Forskolin, and Lactose Synergistically Enhance Disease Resistance by Inducing the Expression of the Genes Involved in Innate Host Defense and Barrier Function

The rising concern of antimicrobial resistance highlights a need for effective alternatives to antibiotics for livestock production. Butyrate, forskolin, and lactose are three natural products known to induce the synthesis of host defense peptides (HDP), which are a critical component of innate immunity. In this study, the synergy among butyrate, forskolin, and lactose in enhancing innate host defense, barrier function, and resistance to necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis was investigated. Our results indicated that the three compounds synergistically augmented the expressions of multiple HDP and barrier function genes in chicken HD11 macrophages. The compounds also showed an obvious synergy in promoting HDP gene expressions in chicken jejunal explants. Dietary supplementation of a combination of 1 g/kg sodium butyrate, 10 mg/kg forskolin-containing plant extract, and 10 g/kg lactose dramatically improved the survival of chickens from 39% to 94% (p < 0.001) in a co-infection model of necrotic enteritis. Furthermore, the three compounds largely reversed growth suppression, significantly alleviated intestinal lesions, and reduced colonization of Clostridium perfringens or Eimeria maxima in chickens with necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis (p < 0.01). Collectively, dietary supplementation of butyrate, forskolin, and lactose is a promising antibiotic alternative approach to disease control and prevention for poultry and possibly other livestock species.

Protein Kinase A Detection in Human Urine Samples

Actively involved in tumor maintenance, cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) has been proposed as a putative biomarker in cancer. Recently, an active PKA form has been identified in human sera and PKA autoantibodies have been detected in cancer patients. However, their serum functions, as well as diagnostic significance, remain largely unknown. Although several PKA detection assays have been developed, none refer to a laboratory diagnostic procedure. Among these, ELISA and Western blotting (WB) assays have been employed in PKA detection. Since, to the best of our knowledge, there are no data showing its presence in human urine samples, herein, we explore the possibility of PKA's existence in this biological specimen. Interestingly, among the 30 screened urines by quantitative sandwich ELISA, we recognized detectable PKA levels in 5 different samples, and of those two exhibited a considerable high concentration. To corroborate these results, we also evaluated PKA's presence in both positive and negative ELISA urines by WB. Remarkably, immunoblotting analysis confirmed PKA's existence in certain, but not in all, human urine specimens. Despite being quite preliminary, these findings firstly identify PKA in urine samples and provide evidence for its potential clinic usage as a diagnostic analyte in laboratory medicine.

CREB signaling activity correlates with differentiation and survival in medulloblastoma

While there has been significant progress in the molecular characterization of the childhood brain cancer medulloblastoma, the tumor proteome remains less explored. However, it is important to obtain a complete understanding of medulloblastoma protein biology, since interactions between proteins represent potential new drug targets. Using previously generated phosphoprotein signaling-profiles of a large cohort of primary medulloblastoma, we discovered that phosphorylation of transcription factor CREB strongly correlates with medulloblastoma survival and associates with a differentiation phenotype. We further found that during normal cerebellar development, phosphorylated CREB was selectively expressed in differentiating cerebellar granule neuron progenitor (CGNP) cells. In line, we observed increased differentiation in CGNPs treated with Forskolin, Bmp6 and Bmp12 (Gdf7), which induce CREB phosphorylation. Lastly, we demonstrated that inducing CREB activation via PKA-mediated CREB signaling, but not Bmp/MEK/ERK mediated signalling, enhances medulloblastoma cell sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Identification of tumor microenvironment-related prognostic genes in colorectal cancer based on bioinformatic methods

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks fourth among the deadliest cancers globally, and the progression is highly affected by the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study explores the relationship between TME and colorectal cancer prognosis and identifies prognostic genes related to the CRC microenvironment. We collected the gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and calculated the scores of stromal/immune cells and their relations to clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer by the ESTIMATE algorithm. Lower immune scores were significantly related to the malignant progression of CRC (metastasis, p = 0.001). We screened 292 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by dividing CRC cases into high and low stromal/immune score groups. Functional enrichment analyses and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks illustrated that these DEGs were closely involved in immune response, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and chemokine signaling pathway. Six DEGs (FABP4, MEOX2, MMP12, ERMN, TNFAIP6, and CHST11) with prognostic value were identified by survival analysis and validated in two independent cohorts (GSE17538 and GSE161158). The six DEGs were significantly related to immune cell infiltration levels based on the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). The results might contribute to discovering new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and new treatment targets for colorectal cancer.

Multiple Myeloma Inhibitory Activity of Plant Natural Products

A literature search on plant natural products with antimyeloma activity until the end of 2020 resulted in 92 compounds with effects on at least one human myeloma cell line. Compounds were divided in different compound classes and both their structure-activity-relationships as well as eventual correlations with the pathways described for Multiple Myeloma were discussed. Each of the major compound classes in this review (alkaloids, phenolics, terpenes) revealed interesting candidates, such as dioncophyllines, a group of naphtylisoquinoline alkaloids, which showed pronounced and selective induction of apoptosis when substituted in position 7 of the isoquinoline moiety. Interestingly, out of the phenolic compound class, two of the most noteworthy constituents belong to the relatively small subclass of xanthones, rendering this group a good starting point for possible further drug development. The class of terpenoids also provides noteworthy constituents, such as the highly oxygenated diterpenoid oridonin, which exhibited antiproliferative effects equal to those of bortezomib on RPMI8226 cells. Moreover, triterpenoids containing a lactone ring and/or quinone-like substructures, e.g., bruceantin, whitaferin A, withanolide F, celastrol, and pristimerin, displayed remarkable activity, with the latter two compounds acting as inhibitors of both NF-κB and proteasome chymotrypsin-like activity.

Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Liver Diseases: Promising Molecular Drug Targets and their Clinical Development

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases have become a serious concern worldwide. Both these liver diseases have an identical pathology, starting from simple steatosis to cirrhosis and, ultimately to hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment options for alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are still the same as they were 50 years ago which include corticosteroids, pentoxifylline, antioxidants, nutritional support and abstinence; and for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), weight loss, insulin sensitizers, lipid-lowering agents and anti-oxidants are the only treatment options. Despite broad research in understanding the disease pathophysiology, limited treatments are available for clinical use. Some therapeutic strategies based on targeting a specific molecule have been developed to lessen the consequences of disease and are under clinical investigation. Therefore, focus on multiple molecular targets will help develop an efficient therapeutic strategy. This review comprises a brief overview of the pathogenesis of ALD and NAFLD; recent molecular drug targets explored for ALD and NAFLD that may prove to be effective for multiple therapeutic regimens and also the clinical status of these promising drug targets for liver diseases.

Recent progress and new perspectives for diterpenoid biosynthesis in medicinal plants

Diterpenoids, including more than 18,000 compounds, represent an important class of metabolites that encompass both phytohormones and some industrially relevant compounds. These molecules with complex, diverse structures and physiological activities, have high value in the pharmaceutical industry. Most medicinal diterpenoids are extracted from plants. Major advances in understanding the biosynthetic pathways of these active compounds are providing unprecedented opportunities for the industrial production of diterpenoids by metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Here, we summarize recent developments in the field of diterpenoid biosynthesis from medicinal herbs. An overview of the pathways and known biosynthetic enzymes is presented. In particular, we look at the main findings from the past decade and review recent progress in the biosynthesis of different groups of ringed compounds. We also discuss diterpenoid production using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies, and draw on new technologies and discoveries to bring together many components into a useful framework for diterpenoid production.

Progress in heterologous biosynthesis of forskolin

Forskolin, a class of labdane-type diterpenoid, has significant medicinal value in anticancer, antiasthmatic, antihypertensive, and heart-strengthening treatments. The main source of natural forskolin is its extraction from the cork tissue of the root of Coleus forskohlii. However, conventional modes of extraction pose several challenges. In recent years, the construction of microbial cell factories to produce medicinal natural products via synthetic biological methods has effectively solved the current problems and is a research hotspot in this field. This review summarizes the recent progress in the heterologous synthesis of forskolin via synthetic biological technology, analyzes the current challenges, and proposes corresponding strategies.

Reprogramming Cancer Stem-like Cells with Nanoforskolin Enhances the Efficacy of Paclitaxel in Targeting Breast Cancer

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) have emerged as an important target for breast cancer therapy owing to their self-renewability, proliferation, and elevated chemoresistance properties. Here, we present a strategy of eliminating CSCs by differentiation therapy where "forced differentiation" reprograms CSCs so that they lose their intrinsic properties and become susceptible for conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we report that a conventional chemotherapeutic paclitaxel enhances the stemness of CSCs, while a phytochemical forskolin being essentially nontoxic to CSCs possesses the intrinsic ability to reprogram them. To achieve simultaneous targeting of CSCs and bulk tumor cells, we used a co-delivery system where liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCN) were co-encapsulated with both paclitaxel and forskolin. LCN showed higher uptake, retention, and penetration potential in CSCs overcoming their high drug efflux property. Moreover, LCN improved the pharmacokinetic parameters of forskolin, which otherwise had very low retention and bioavailability. Forskolin-loaded LCN forced CSCs to exit from their mesenchymal state, which reduced their stemness and chemosensitized them while inhibiting E-cadherin-mediated survival and tumor-initiating potential as well as reversing paclitaxel-induced stemness. We further showed that upon administration of paclitaxel and forskolin co-loaded LCN to an orthotropic xenograft mouse model, the nanomedicine showed enhanced passive tumor targeting capability with very potent antitumor activity that eradicated small solid tumor in a single dose and showed no sign of tumor relapse or systemic toxicity over a long period. Overall, these findings give a proof of concept that co-delivery of forskolin and paclitaxel in a single nanoformulation can achieve overall tumor targeting where forskolin can efficiently reprogram/differentiate CSCs and paclitaxel can induce cytotoxicity in both differentiated CSCs and bulk tumor cells simultaneously. Hence, this study can provide a nanoformulation that can offer an efficient strategy for cancer therapy.

Identify potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks contributing to high-risk neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common tumor in children, usually in the retroperitoneum. After various treatments, low- and intermediate-risk patients have achieved good results, but the prognosis of high-risk patients is still very poor. Therefore, it is necessary to find new effective targets for the treatment of high-risk patients. In this study, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEG and DEM) between high-risk patients and non-high-risk patients, and it was identified that ADRB2 may affect the survival status of high-risk patients due to miR -30a-5p regulation. The GSE49710, GSE73517, and GSE121513 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Synthesis (GEO) database, and DEG and DEM were selected. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were applied to the selected DEGs. The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and perform modular analysis of the DEGs. The TARGET data set containing information on overall survival days were used for the prognostic analysis of central genes. We identified a total of 255 DEGs from GSE49710 and GSE73517, and 193 DEMs from GSE121513. We identified the 5 most important central genes from the PPI network, performed a prognostic analysis in the target data set, and verified their expression using RT-qPCR to select the most important ADRB2 gene to predict miRNA. Integrating the differential miRNA predicted by miRDB and miRSystem and GSE121513 between the targeted miRNA and the prognosis, miR-30a-5p was finally identified as the targeted miRNA of ADRB2.

The Effects of Continual Consumption of Origanum vulgare on Liver Transcriptomics

Simple Summary

The use of phytogenic products has entered mainstream use in the livestock industry as an antibiotic alternative. These products, often based on herbs and spices with established antimicrobial properties, are generally considered as safe and natural, however, they are often administered in high doses and frequency. The direct effects of these products on the livestock animals remains under-reported. Using a transcriptomics, we show that supplementing 2% oregano in feed has direct effects on gene expression in the livers of broilers with a potential range of beneficial and negative side effects.

Abstract

Pathogen control is re-emerging as a significant challenge to the health of both humans and animals. The livestock industry is in the process of massively replacing in-feed antibiotics with organic production friendly plant-based products. Nutrigenomics as a science of the effects of food constituents on gene expression is shedding more light on both benefits and detrimental side-effects of feed additive prolonged consumption on the host, indicating the need to understand the feed-host interactions and their influence on the host disease profile. In this study, we investigated the effects of 2% oregano powder supplementation on the liver gene expression in healthy male broilers from the hatch to 6 weeks of age. Deep RNAseq was performed on average 113.3 million paired and quality trimmed sequences per sample and four samples for the control and treatment each. The results demonstrate the severity of oregano effect on liver gene expression with substantial modifications in steroid hormone regulation, fat and carbohydrate metabolism alterations and strong influence on the host disease and function profile. Oregano supplementation was able to interfere with the transcriptional effects of a range of registered drugs and to significantly transcriptionally inhibit a range of cancer disease categories including liver cancer, and to modify fat and carbohydrate metabolism.