Testosterone promotes the migration, invasion and EMT process of papillary thyroid carcinoma by up-regulating Tnnt1

TNNT1 accelerates migration, invasion and EMT progression in lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Clinically, most patients with lung cancer (LC) die from tumor spread and metastasis. Specific metastasis-related molecules can provide reference for clinical prediction of efficacy, evaluation of prognosis, and search for the best treatment plan. Troponin T1 (TNNT1) is highly expressed in various cancer tissues, which affects malignant behavior of tumor cells and is related to patients' survival and prognosis. However, the role and molecular mechanism of TNNT1 in LC invasion and metastasis have not yet been investigated.

METHODS

Gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) online analysis was used to analyze TNNT1 expression in LC tissues. Quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot were performed to measure TNNT1 or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related protein expression in LC cells. After TNNT1 knockdown, cell scratch healing and transwell assays were introduced to assess cell migration and invasion, respectively.

RESULTS

TNNT1 expression in LC tissues and cells was increased. TNNT1 knockdown notably impaired LC cell migration, invasion and EMT. TNNT1 knockdown inhibited Wnt/β-catenin pathway of LC cells. Lithium chloride (LiCl) addition partially restored the inhibition of TNNT1 knockdown on migration, invasion, EMT and Wnt/β-catenin of LC cells.

CONCLUSION

TNNT1 knockdown attenuated LC migration, invasion and EMT, possibly through Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: ≤ 10 mm does not always mean pN0. A multicentric real-world study

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is increasing and PTC ≤ 10 mm (PTMC) accounts for most new diagnoses. PTMCs are not always low risk, as detection of lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) may occur. The purpose of the study was to analyze the clinical pattern, frequency, and independent risk factors of patients with PTMC and LNM. From January 2022 to June 2023, PTCs managed at CTO Hospital, Rome; Policlinico Vanvitelli, Naples; and Garibaldi Nesima Hospital, Catania were included. PTC management followed the same diagnostic-therapeutic procedures according to the ATA guidelines. Variables such as age, sex, maximum diameter, histologic evidence of LNM (HELNM +), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), multifocality, capsule invasion, and histological subtype were considered. PTCs were divided according to HELNM and size. Two hundred ninety-eight PTCs were included. PTMCs were 136 (45.6%) and LNM occurred in 27.2% of them. In the HELNM + group, analysis of PTMC vs 'MacroPTC' (PTC > 10 mm) did not show any statistical difference. Multivariate regression revealed that young age (OR 0.93; CI 95% 0.90-0.96; p < 0.01) and male sex (male OR 3.44; CI 95% 1.16-10.20; p = 0.03) were the only independent risk factors for HELNM + in PTMC. The risk of LNM in PTMC is not negligible; therefore, a careful evaluation by an expert thyroidologist is mandatory for patients with small thyroid nodule, especially in younger and male patients before excluding surgery. In the future, new tools are needed to detect early PTMC with LNM before surgery.

Troponin T1 in tumorigenesis and immune modulation: Insights into multiple cancers and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

Troponin T1 (TNNT1) plays a crucial role in muscle contraction but its role in cancer, particularly in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), is not well-understood. This study explores the expression, clinical significance and biological functions of TNNT1 in various cancers, with an emphasis on its involvement in KIRC. We analysed TNNT1 expression in cancers using databases like TCGA and GTEx, assessing its prognostic value, mutation patterns, methylation status and functional implications. The study also examined TNNT1's effect on the tumour microenvironment and drug sensitivity in KIRC, complemented by in vitro TNNT1 knockdown experiments in KIRC cells. TNNT1 is overexpressed in several cancers and linked to adverse outcomes, showing frequent upregulation mutations and abnormal methylation. Functionally, TNNT1 connects to muscle and cancer pathways, affects immune infiltration and drug responses, and its overexpression in KIRC is associated with advanced disease and reduced survival. Knocking down TNNT1 curbed KIRC cell growth. TNNT1's aberrant expression plays a significant role in tumorigenesis and immune modulation, highlighting its value as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in KIRC and other cancers. Further studies are essential to understand TNNT1's oncogenic mechanisms in KIRC.

Troponin T1 silencing inhibits paclitaxel resistance and the development of breast cancer via suppressing rat sarcoma virus/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma 1 pathway

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the role of Troponin T1 (TNNT1) in paclitaxel (PTX) resistance and tumor progression in breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes were obtained from the GSE4298 and GSE90564 datasets. Hub genes were isolated from protein-protein interaction networks and further validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effect of TNNT1 on PTX resistance was determined using cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, wound healing, transwell, flow cytometry assays, and subcutaneous xenografted tumor model. Western blotting was used to detect proteins associated with PTX resistance, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and other key pathways. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the role of TNNT1 in tumors.

RESULTS

After comprehensive bioinformatic analysis, we identified CCND1, IGF1, SFN, INHBA, TNNT1, and TNFSF11 as hub genes for PTX resistance in BC. TNNT1 plays a key role in BC and is upregulated in PTX-resistant BC cells. TNNT1 silencing inhibited PTX resistance, proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis of PTX-resistant BC cells. Tumor xenograft experiments revealed that TNNT1 silencing suppresses PTX resistance and tumor development in vivo. In addition, TNNT1 silencing inhibited the expression of proteins in the rat sarcoma virus (RAS)/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma1 (RAF1) pathway in vivo. Treatment with a RAS/RAF1 pathway activator reversed the inhibitory effect of TNNT1 silencing on proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis of PTX resistance BC cells.

CONCLUSION

Silencing of TNNT1 suppresses PTX resistance and BC progression by inhibiting the RAS/RAF1 pathway, which is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for drug resistance in BC.

Sex Differences in Colon Cancer: Genomic and Nongenomic Signalling of Oestrogen

Colon cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy that exhibits distinct differences in incidence, prognosis, and treatment responses between males and females. These disparities have long been attributed to hormonal differences, particularly the influence of oestrogen signalling. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in colon cancer and the protective role of membrane and nuclear oestrogen signalling in CRC development, progression, and therapeutic interventions. We discuss the epidemiological and molecular evidence supporting sex differences in colon cancer, followed by an exploration of the impact of oestrogen in CRC through various genomic and nongenomic signalling pathways involving membrane and nuclear oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, we examine the interplay between oestrogen receptors and other signalling pathways, in particular the Wnt/β-catenin proliferative pathway and hypoxia in shaping biological sex differences and oestrogen protective actions in colon cancer. Lastly, we highlight the potential therapeutic implications of targeting oestrogen signalling in the management of colon cancer and propose future research directions to address the current gaps in our understanding of this complex phenomenon.