Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis: Role in cancer development and prognosis

Long non-coding RNA in the regulation of cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant form of primary liver cancer, accounting for 90% of all cases. Currently, early diagnosis of HCC can be achieved through serum alpha-fetoprotein detection, B-ultrasound, and computed tomography scanning; however, their specificity and sensitivity are suboptimal. Despite significant advancements in HCC biomarker detection, the prognosis for patients with HCC remains unfavorable due to tumor heterogeneity and limited understanding of its pathogenesis. Therefore, it is crucial to explore more sensitive HCC biomarkers for improved diagnosis, monitoring, and management of the disease. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) serves as an auxiliary carrier of genetic information and also plays diverse intricate regulatory roles that greatly contribute to genome complexity. Moreover, investigating gene expression regulation networks from the perspective of lncRNA may provide insights into the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC. We searched the PubMed database for literature, comprehensively classified regulated cell death mechanisms and systematically reviewed research progress on lncRNA-mediated cell death pathways in HCC cells. Furthermore, we prospectively summarize its potential implications in diagnosing and treating HCC.

Mechanism of ethyl acetate fraction of Amorphophallus konjac against breast cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Amorphophallus konjac (Sheliugu), a medicinal and edible herb from East China and regions south of the Yangtze River, exhibits significant antitumor activity. However, its active constituents and mechanisms remain poorly understood.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

This study explores the therapeutic effects of the konjac ethyl acetate fraction (KEAF) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and elucidates its underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

UPLC-MS/MS identified KEAF's chemical components, and network pharmacology determined its key targets in TNBC. Survival curves of essential genes were analyzed using UALCAN, bc-GenExMiner, and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases. Protein expression and prognostic data identified TNBC-linked genes. Molecular docking assessed binding affinities of KEAF's bioactive components with these genes. In vitro experiments validated KEAF's effects on proliferation, migration, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis.

RESULTS

KEAF contained 15 active compounds and 146 principal targets, with eight key targets identified: TP53, EGFR, AKT1, MYC, STAT3, HIF1A, ESR1, and JUN. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses highlighted the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway as central to KEAF's therapeutic effects. Protein expression and prognostic studies confirmed EGFR and ESR1 as critical in TNBC progression. Molecular docking revealed strong binding of scutellarein and genistein to EGFR and ESR1 (T score >5). In vitro, KEAF inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and migration, modulated the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis by downregulating PI3K/Akt signaling.

CONCLUSION

Scutellarein and genistein in KEAF exhibit therapeutic potential against TNBC by targeting EGFR and ESR1 and suppressing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Eriodictyol 5-O-methyl ether inhibits prostate cancer progression through targeting STAT3 signaling and inducing apoptosis and paraptosis

Prostate cancer ranks as one of the most prevalent cancers among men and is a major cause of cancer-related mortality globally This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects of eriodictyol 5-O-methyl ether (ERIO) on prostate cancer cells, focusing on its impact on STAT3 signaling, apoptosis, and paraptosis. ERIO exhibited significant cytotoxicity against DU145, PC-3, and LNCaP cells. It suppressed constitutive and IL-6-induced STAT3 activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK2, and Src kinases. ERIO upregulated SHP-2 expression, leading to the dephosphorylation of STAT3. ERIO induced apoptosis, evidenced by increased caspase-3 and PARP cleavage, and paraptosis, characterized by increased ROS production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and ER stress. The antioxidant NAC reversed the effects of ERIO, highlighting the importance of oxidative stress in its anti-cancer activity. ERIO effectively inhibited prostate cancer cell growth by targeting STAT3 signaling and inducing both apoptosis and paraptosis. These findings suggest that ERIO has significant therapeutic potential for prostate cancer treatment and warrant further investigation in in vivo and clinical studies.

Regulation of TGF-β1, PI3K/PIP3/Akt, Nrf-2/Keap-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways to avert bifenthrin induced hepatic injury: A palliative role of daidzein

Bifenthrin (BFN) is a noxious insecticide which is reported to damage various body organs. Daidzein (DZN) is a natural flavone with excellent pharmacological properties. This research was conducted to evaluate the alleviative strength of DZN to counteract BFN prompted liver toxicity in male albino rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into 4 groups i.e., the control, BFN (7 mg /kg), BFN (7 mg/kg) + DZN (20 mg/kg) and DZN (20 mg/kg) alone group. The biochemical assessment was performed by using qRT PCR as well as standard ELISA protocols. The findings are validated by applying pharmacodynamic techniques including molecular simulation. It was observed that BFN reduced the gene expressions of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphatidylinositol-3, 4, 5-triphosphate (PIP3), Protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) while promoting the gene expressions of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1). Moreover, BFN notably reduced the activities of glutathione reductase (GSR), heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) while elevating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). BFN promoted the levels of matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2), Procollagen III N-terminal Pro-peptide (PIIINP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The levels of nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were increased following the BFN intoxication. BFN enhanced the expressions of cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) while suppressing the gene expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Moreover, BFN disrupted the normal histology of liver tissues. Nonetheless, DZN treatment remarkably alleviated hepatic damages owing to its antioxidative, anti-apoptotic as well as anti-inflammatory abilities. However, DZN supplementation remarkably safeguarded which is further confirmed by in-silico assessment.

The novel BCL-2/BCL-XL inhibitor APG-1252-mediated cleavage of GSDME enhances the antitumor efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy in HER2-positive gastric cancer

HER2-positive gastric cancer has a poor prognosis, with a high incidence of drug resistance and a lack of effective treatments for drug-resistant patients. The exploration of the mechanism of resistance to HER2-targeted therapy in HER2-positive gastric cancer and the identification of effective strategies to reverse it are urgently needed. In this study, we found that HER2-targeted agents upregulated the expression of GSDME and that the overexpression of GSDME attenuated the sensitivity of HER2-targeted agents. Furthermore, we observed that the BCL-2/BCL-XL inhibitor APG-1252 plus lapatinib promoted GSDME-mediated pyroptosis and exhibited remarkable antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, APG-1252 combined with lapatinib synergistically induced GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in HER2-positive gastric cancer by activating caspase-dependent pathways and blocking the phospho-AKT/GSK-3β/MCL-1 signaling pathway. Our data indicated that the combination of lapatinib and APG-1252 had a synergistic antitumor effect on HER2-positive gastric cancer through the induction of caspase-3/GSDME-mediated apoptosis and pyroptosis.

Expression, Distribution and Function of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 (TRPV1) in Endometrial Cancer

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor (TRPV1) is a calcium-sensitive membrane receptor activated by capsaicin and the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA). Once activated in vitro, endometrial cancer (EC) cell growth appears to be inhibited through increased apoptosis, but the mechanism remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the expression and distribution of TRPV1 in normal and cancerous endometria and to determine the precise in vitro mechanism of decreased EC cellular growth. TRPV1 expression in patients with endometrial carcinoma (15 Type 1 EC, six Type 2 EC) and six normal patients (atrophic endometria) was assessed using quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, immunohistochemical staining for the proliferation marker Ki-67, the pro-apoptotic marker BAX and the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2 were explored. TRPV1 transcript (p = 0.0054) and immunoreactive protein (p < 0.0001) levels were significantly reduced in all EC tissues when compared to control (atrophic) endometria. The almost 50% reduction in TRPV1 transcript levels was mirrored by an almost complete loss of immunoreactive TRPV1 protein. The increased proliferation (Ki-67) of EC tissues correlated with the expression of mutated BAX and inversely correlated to Bcl-2, but only in Type 2 EC samples. In vitro, AEA caused a decrease in Ishikawa cell numbers, whilst capsaicin did not, suggesting the anti-proliferative effect of AEA in EC cells is not via the TRPV1 receptor. In conclusion, the loss of TRPV1 expression in vivo plays a role in the aetiopathogenesis of EC. Activation of cells by AEA also probably promotes EC cell loss through a pro-apoptotic mechanism not involving TRPV1.

BH3 mimetics augment cytotoxic T cell killing of acute myeloid leukemia via mitochondrial apoptotic mechanism

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) can address an unmet clinical need for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but its effect is often modest in the setting of high tumor burden. In this study, we postulated that strategies to lower the AML apoptotic threshold will augment T cell killing of AML cells. BH3 mimetics, such as venetoclax, are a clinically approved class of compounds that predispose cells to intrinsic apoptosis by inhibiting anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins. We explored the anti-leukemic efficacy of BH3 mimetics combined with WT1-specific CD8+ T cells on AML cell lines and primary samples from patients with a diverse array of disease characteristics to evaluate if lowering the cellular apoptotic threshold via inhibition of anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins can increase leukemic cell sensitivity to T cell therapy. We found that the combination approach of BH3 mimetic and CD8+ T cells led to significantly increased killing of established AML lines as well as of adverse-risk primary AML leukemic blast cells. In contrast to the hypothesis that enhanced killing would be due to combined activation of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, our data suggests that CTL-mediated killing of AML cells was accomplished primarily through activation of the intrinsic/mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. This highly effective combinatorial activity due to convergence on the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was conserved across multiple AML cell lines and primary samples, suggesting that mitochondrial priming may represent a novel mechanism of optimizing adoptive cell therapy for AML patients.

Concurrent inhibition of FLT3 and sphingosine kinase-1 triggers synergistic cytotoxicity in midostaurin resistant FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia cells via blocking FLT3/STAT5A signaling to induce apoptosis

The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is one of the most frequent mutations observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which contributes to disease progression and unfavorable prognosis. Midostaurin, a small FLT3 inhibitor (FLT3I), is clinically approved. However, patients generally possess acquired resistance when midostaurin used alone. Shifting the balance in the sphingolipid rheostat toward anti-apoptotic sphingosine kinase-1 (SK-1) or glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is related to therapy resistance in cancer, however, their role in midostaurin resistant FLT3-ITD positive AML has not been previously investigated. We generated midostaurin resistant MV4-11 and MOLM-13 cell lines which showed increased IC50 values compared to their sensitive partner cells. SK-1 is overexpressed in resistant cells while GCS remains unchanged. Subsequent pharmacological targeting of SK-1 in resistant cells decreased SK-1 protein level, inhibited cell proliferation and showed additive or synergistic effect on cell growth, as confirmed by the Chou-Talalay combination index, and induced G0/G1 arrest (PI staining by flow cytometry). Cotreatment (SKI-II plus midostaurin) triggered apoptosis via phosphatidylserine exposure (annexin V/PI double staining). Mechanistically, induction of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis was confirmed as increased activating cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratios. Activating phosphorylations of FLT3 (at tyrosine residue 591) and STAT5A (at tyrosine residue 694) dramatically inhibited in resistant cells treated with the combination. In conclusion, midostaurin resistance could be reversed by dual SK-1 and FLT3 inhibition in midostaurin resistant AML cell lines, providing the first evidence of a novel treatment approach to re-sensitize FLT3-ITD positive AML.

The Chronobiological and Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Resveratrol in Improving Sleep

According to statistics, more than one-third of the global population currently experiences sleep problems, and about 10% of adults have been diagnosed with insomnia, a proportion that is increasing annually. Most currently used insomnia medications are not specifically developed but are discovered by chance, often resulting in unavoidable side effects like addiction. Thus, there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective therapeutic options. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, shows significant potential in improving insomnia. Research shows that its effects may be achieved through multiple biological processes, including antiapoptosis, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammation, circadian rhythm regulation, modulation of neurotransmitters (gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), DA, 5-HT, cortisol), and increased levels of neurotrophic factor BDNF. Additionally, resveratrol's treatment of insomnia is closely linked to the SIRT1, AMPK, NF-κB, mTOR, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK pathways. This review summarizes the mechanisms of resveratrol in treating insomnia to provide researchers with a deeper understanding of its action, which can aid in the development of novel targeted drugs and offer innovative ideas and methods for clinical insomnia treatment.

Role of the oral-gut microbiota axis in pancreatic cancer: a new perspective on tumor pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal malignancies, remains challenging due to late diagnosis, aggressive progression, and therapeutic resistance. Recent advances have revealed the presence of intratumoral microbiota, predominantly originating from the oral and gut microbiomes, which play pivotal roles in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. The dynamic interplay between oral and gut microbial communities, termed the "oral-gut microbiota axis," contributes multifacetedly to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Microbial translocation via anatomical or circulatory routes establishes tumor-resident microbiota, driving oncogenesis through metabolic reprogramming, immune regulation, inhibition of apoptosis, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of the cell cycle. Additionally, intratumoral microbiota promote chemoresistance and immune evasion, further complicating treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights microbial signatures in saliva and fecal samples as promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, while microbial diversity correlates with prognosis. Therapeutic strategies targeting this axis-such as antibiotics, probiotics, and engineered bacteria-demonstrate potential to enhance treatment efficacy. By integrating mechanisms of microbial influence on tumor biology, drug resistance, and therapeutic applications, the oral-gut microbiota axis emerges as a critical regulator of PDAC, offering novel perspectives for early detection, prognostic assessment, and microbiome-based therapeutic interventions.

Prunin: An Emerging Anticancer Flavonoid

Despite the substantial advances in cancer therapies, developing safe and effective treatment methodologies is critical. Natural (plant-derived compounds), such as flavonoids, might be crucial in developing a safe treatment methodology without toxicity toward healthy tissues. Prunin is a flavonoid with the potential to be used in biomedical applications. Prunin has yet to undergo thorough scientific research, and its precise molecular mechanisms of action remain largely unexplored. This review summarizes the therapeutic potential of prunin for the first time, focusing on its underlying mechanisms as an anticancer compound. Prunin has gained significant attention due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. This review aims to unlock how prunin functions at the molecular level to exert its anticancer effects, primarily modulating key cellular pathways. Furthermore, we have discussed the prunin's potential as an adjunctive therapy with conventional treatments, highlighting its ability to strengthen treatment responses while decreasing drug resistance. Moreover, the discussion probes into innovative delivery methods, particularly nanoformulations, that might address prunin's bioavailability, solubility, and stability limitations and optimize its therapeutic application. By providing a comprehensive analysis of prunin's properties, this review aims to stimulate further exploration of using prunin as an anticancer agent, thereby progressing the development of targeted, selective, safe, and effective therapeutic methods.

Unravelling key signaling pathways for the therapeutic targeting of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) remains the foremost cause of cancer-related mortality across the globe. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of LC that exhibits significant heterogeneity at histological and molecular levels. Genetic alterations in upstream signaling molecules activate cascades affecting apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. Disruption of these signaling pathways leads to the proliferation of cancer-promoting cells, progression of cancer, and resistance to its treatment. Recent insights into the function of signaling pathways and their fundamental mechanisms in the onset of various diseases could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches. Recently, numerous drug molecules have been created that target these cell signaling pathways and could be used alongside other standard therapies to achieve synergistic effects in mitigating the pathophysiology of NSCLC. Additionally, many researchers have identified several predictive biomarkers, and alterations in transcription factors and related pathways are employed to create new therapeutic strategies for NSCLC. Findings suggest using specific inhibitors to target cellular signaling pathways in tumor progression to treat NSCLC. This review investigates the role of signaling pathways in NSCLC development and explores novel therapeutic strategies to enhance clinical treatment options for NSCLC.

The Effects of Iridin and Irigenin on Cancer: Comparison with Well-Known Isoflavones in Breast, Prostate, and Gastric Cancers

Cancer, a worldwide problem and one of the leading causes of death due to uncontrolled cell proliferation, can be caused by various factors, such as genetic and environmental factors. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism that eliminates abnormal cells or renews cells. There are two main apoptotic pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. These pathways can be affected by various signaling pathways in cancer, such as the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, Wnt, and JAK/STAT pathways. Numerous approaches to cancer treatment have been studied, and among them, natural compounds have been actively researched. Flavonoids are natural compounds from fruits and vegetables and have been studied for their anti-cancer effects. Isoflavones, one of the subclasses of flavonoids, are usually found in soy food or legumes and are effective in several bioactive functions. The well-known isoflavones are genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Irigenin and iridin can be extracted from the Iris family. Both irigenin and iridin are currently being studied for anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-cancer by inducing apoptosis. In this review, we summarized five isoflavones, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, irigenin, and iridin and their effects on three different cancers: breast cancer, prostate cancer, and gastric cancer.

Targeted Modulation of Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Ameliorates 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Renal Injury in BALB/c Mice

Background: The present study reports the protective effect conferred by scavenging mitochondrial oxidative stress (mtOS) in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced renal injury. Methods: 5-FU renal toxicity model was created by administering 5-FU (12 mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneally [i.p.], for 4 days) to male BALB/c mice. The protective effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (MTA), Mito-TEMPO coadministered at a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg b.w. i.p., was established in terms of levels/expressions of renal injury markers, histopathological alterations, oxidative DNA damage, proinflammatory markers, mtOS, mitochondrial dysfunction, and modulation of apoptotic proteins and apoptotic cell death. Results: A significant rise in the levels of serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine was noted after 5-FU administration to the animals. Immunohistochemical and ELISA findings demonstrated significant decrease in podocin and conversely a significant increase in neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) expression after 5-FU challenge. The histopathological analysis further revealed Bowman's capsule dilation, glomerular condensation, and vacuolar degeneration. Mito-TEMPO treatment significantly lowered renal injury markers, reversed the expressions of podocin and NGAL to normal, and restored normal histoarchitecture of renal tissue. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), mtLPO, activity of mitochondrial enzyme complexes, and mitochondrial antioxidant defense status were significantly improved in Mito-TEMPO protected group as compared to the 5-FU group. Further, significantly decreased expression of 8-OHdG, reduction in apoptotic cell death, and modulation of apoptotic proteins Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 were noted in Mito-TEMPO protected group, indicating its protective effect against 5-FU-induced renal injury. Conclusion: The approach of targeting mtOS using MTA, Mito-TEMPO, may prove as safe adjuvant in alleviating renal toxicity during 5-FU chemotherapy.

Acetylated Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide: a novel inducer of apoptosis in colon cancer cells via Fas-FasL pathway activation and metabolic reprogramming

Introduction

Not all polysaccharides function as antitumor drugs, nor do they universally possess the same advantages regarding safety and biocompatibility. Those polysaccharides that are effective antitumor agents typically demonstrate superior safety profiles and biocompatibility compared to synthetic anticancer drugs, which can exhibit high toxicity and harmful side effects. Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide (DHP) has been recognized for its potential bioactive properties, particularly in anti-tumor treatment. This study investigates the effects of DHP on the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 colon cancer cells.

Methods

DHP was extracted according to previously published experimental methods. The inhibitory effects of DHP were evaluated using IEC6, Caco-2, and HCT116 cell lines, with changes in cell morphology observed via transmission electron microscopy. After establishing the conditions for DHP administration, flow cytometry was employed to assess its effects on apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential of HCT116 cells. Additionally, immunoprecipitation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and biomarker detection were utilized to investigate the mechanisms underlying DHP's inhibition of HCT116 cells and its impact on metabolic reprogramming.

Results

In the present study, we observed that DHP treatment at 600 μg/ml for 24 h reduced HCT116 cell viability to 54.87%. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of DHP on the viability of IEC6 and Caco-2 cells was relatively mild. The specific mechanism involves DHP activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway leading to the downregulation of key metabolic intermediates and enzymes such as uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) and ST6Gal-I. By inhibiting ST6Gal-I activity, DHP activates the Fas/FasL signaling pathway. Additionally, DHP-induced ROS production effectively triggers apoptosis in HCT116 cells.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that DHP effectively inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in HCT116 colon cancer cells through the activation of the Fas-FasL signaling pathway and metabolic reprogramming. The selective inhibitory effect of DHP on HCT116 cells, the activation of both death receptor and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, and the modulation of metabolic reprogramming provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic strategies for colon cancer.

A novel in silico approach for identifying multi-target JAK/STAT inhibitors as anticancer agents

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by eliminating damaged or surplus cells. Dysregulation of signaling pathways, such as JAK/STAT, is implicated in various diseases, rendering them attractive therapeutic targets for potential new anticancer drugs. Concurrently, it is imperative to preserve essential proteins like TNF-α and p53 to maintain normal cellular life/death balance. In light of these considerations, this study employs an innovative in silico hybrid and hierarchical virtual screening approach aimed at identifying JAK/STAT multi-target inhibitors as potential anticancer agents for several tumoral diseases. Initially, the Biotarget Predictor Tool is utilized in a combined ON/OFF-target/Multitarget mode using the extensive National Cancer Institute (NCI) database, previously filtered by ADME evaluation tools. Subsequently, Molecular Docking studies are conducted on JAK2, JAK3, and STAT3, facilitating the identification of the most promising compound, 755435. Finally, Molecular Dynamics Simulations validate the high stability of the potential multitarget inhibitor 755435 in complex with JAK2, JAK3, and STAT3.

The interaction of isoquinoline alkaloid crebanine with immunoglobulin G and cytotoxic effects toward MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

In this study, the interaction of crebanine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, with immunoglobulin G (IgG) was evaluated. Subsequently, the anticancer effects of crebanine in MCF-7 breast cancer cells were assessed. The results demonstrate that static quenching plays a key role in the fluorescence quenching of the IgG by crebanine, and some embedded hydrophobic patches of the IgG are exposed upon interaction with crebanine, while the characteristic β-sheet conformation of the IgG was almost preserved. Theoretical studies also show that several hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues play a crucial role in the formation of hydrogen bonds between crebanine and IgG, along with the stability of the complex. Cellular studies indicate that crebanine induces selective anticancer effects in MCF-7 cells (IC50: 36.76 μM) compared to human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293, IC50: 723.77 μM) through the inhibition of colony formation, induction of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, upregulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and cytochrome c release, which are indicative of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. In conclusion, this study provides valuable information regarding the protein binding affinity and anticancer activity of crebanine, which are essential factors for determining the pharmacological activity of small molecules as drug candidates.

Design, Synthesis, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Novel Indolin-2-One Based Molecules on Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells as Protein Kinase Inhibitors

A series of indolinone-based derivatives were designed and synthesized using the hybrid pharmacophoric design approach as cytotoxic kinase inhibitors. The cytotoxic effects of the designed molecules were tested against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cell lines. Compounds 9 and 20 were the most cytotoxic, with IC50 values against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells ranging from 2.53 to 7.54 µM. Additionally, compounds 9 and 20 were also found to be slightly more cytotoxic than indirubin with 2.2-2.7-fold higher cytotoxicity with HepG-2 cells. CDK-2 and CDK-4 kinase enzyme inhibition assay showed that compound 9 had a higher inhibitory effect (4.8-fold) than indirubin against CDK-2 and comparable inhibition against CDK-4. Moreover, compound 20 displayed nanomolar inhibitory action against both EGFR kinase and VFGFR-2 enzyme, which were around 8.8- and 5.4-fold higher than the IC50 values of indirubin. Compounds 9 and 20 induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase on HepG2 cells. The levels of the key apoptotic proteins assessed revealed elevated levels of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which in turn initiated the caspase3/7 cascade that led to the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. The cell cycle inhibitory proteins p53 and p21 were significantly upregulated upon treatment with compounds 9 and 20. The docking results revealed that compound 9 exhibits stronger binding affinity to CDK-2 than indirubin, and compound 20 showed a similar binding mode to sorafenib with VEGFR-2.

Prognostic model for cervical cancer based on apoptosis-related genes

This study attempts to develop a novel apoptosis-related predictive model for cervical cancer. Differentially expressed apoptosis-related genes were identified using TCGA, GEO, and MSigDB databases. A 13-gene prognostic model was constructed using multiple regression analyses. The low-risk group exhibited low tumor purity and high ESTIMATE and immune scores. Most of the immune checkpoints in the low-risk group were expressed at higher levels than those in the high-risk group. The low-risk group also had relatively more infiltrating immune cells. An independent prognostic model pertaining to cell apoptosis has been built by this work, which performs well in prediction.

Molecular Docking of Lactoferrin with Apoptosis-Related Proteins Insights into Its Anticancer Mechanism

Human Lactoferrin (hLf), a multifunctional glycoprotein, has been analyzed through molecular docking to evaluate its role in apoptosis regulation and its potential as an anticancer agent. The docking results highlight XIAP (X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein) and Caspase-3 as the most reliable targets, where hLf disrupts XIAP's inhibition of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, potentially restoring apoptotic signaling; hLf also stabilizes Caspase-3, enhancing its activation in intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Weaker interactions were observed with Fas, Bcl-2, and Akt. hLf's role in Fas signaling is likely due to expression upregulation rather than direct binding. In contrast, its binding to Bcl-2 may disrupt anti-apoptotic function, and its interaction with Akt suggests interference with pro-survival signaling. These findings suggest that hLf may promote apoptosis by enhancing caspase activation and modulating key apoptotic regulators, supporting its potential use in cancer treatment. However, further experimental validation is needed to confirm these interactions and their therapeutic implications.

Antitumor effects of BPCO on liver cancer cells

Esculetin is a coumarin compound with anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we synthesized an esculetin derivative, 6,7-bis(Pentyloxy)-2H-Chromen-2-One (BPCO), through etherification. BPCO inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It also inhibited cell migration, promoted apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Additionally, BPCO downregulated the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL and upregulated the expression levels of Bax and Bak. This study shows that BPCO inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, providing a basis for further study of BPCO as an antitumor agent.

Methylglyoxal Formation-Metabolic Routes and Consequences

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a by-product of glycolysis, plays a significant role in cellular metabolism, particularly under stress conditions. However, MGO is a potent glycotoxin, and its accumulation has been linked to the development of several pathological conditions due to oxidative stress, including diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. This paper focuses on the biochemical mechanisms by which MGO contributes to oxidative stress, particularly through the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), its interactions with antioxidant systems, and its involvement in chronic diseases like diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disorders. MGO exerts its effects through multiple signaling pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2, which induce oxidative stress. Additionally, MGO triggers apoptosis primarily via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, while endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is mediated through PERK-eIF2α and IRE1-JNK signaling. Moreover, the activation of inflammatory pathways, particularly through RAGE and NF-κB, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. This study points out the connection between oxidative and carbonyl stress due to increased MGO formation, and it should be an incentive to search for a marker that could have prognostic significance or could be a targeted therapeutic intervention in various diseases.

Novel Tricyclo[4.2.1]Nonane and Bicyclo[2.2.1]Heptane Derivatives: Synthesis, in Vitro Biological Activities and in Silico Studies

The target benzothiazole derivatives (8a-g) were synthesized starting from norbornene. The addition of dichloroketene to norbornene followed by the reduction of chlorine atoms were synthesized tricyclo[4.2.1.02,5]non-7-en-3-one (4). The condensation of benzaldehyde derivatives with compound 4 were obtained chalcone analogs (6a-g). Finally, benzothiazole derivatives (8a-g) were obtained by the reaction of the chalcone analogs with 2-aminobenzothiol in an acidic medium. The antiproliferative activities of compounds 6a-g and 8a-g were determined against C6 (rat brain tumor) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cell lines using a BrdU cell proliferation ELISA assay with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a standard. In both series, when compared with 5-FU (IC50=3.8 μM for C6 and 16.33 μM for HeLa), the most active compounds against C6 cells were 6a and 8g with IC50 values of 14.13 μM and 29.99 μM, respectively. With this, 6a, 6e, 6f, and 8b were the most active compounds against HeLa cells with IC50 values of 0.8, 1.21, 19.33 and 18.13 μM, respectively. Additionally, the SwissADME online web tool was used to predict the physicochemical and ADME properties of the tested compounds. The results showed that all compounds possess promising predicted physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties and comply with Lipinski's rule of 5, indicating that they are predicted to be orally bioavailable that they possess a predicted bioavailability score of 0.55. Furthermore, in the SwissADME Boiled-Egg chart, all compounds showed high predicted GIT absorption, while compounds 6a-g showed blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation, and compounds 8a-g did not. Moreover, none of the compounds was (P-gp) substrates. This study investigated the potential interactions between the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bcl-w, Brag-1, Bfl-1, and Mcl-1 and compounds 6a, 8b, and 8g through molecular docking studies. The findings suggest that these compounds may effectively inhibit antiapoptotic proteins, as evidenced by significant hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, particularly with Bcl-xl.

Advancements in programmed cell death research in antitumor therapy: a comprehensive overview

Cell death is a normal physiological process within cells that involves multiple pathways, such as normal DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and programmed cell death (PCD). Cell death has been a hot spot of research in tumor-related fields, especially programmed cell death, which is a key form of cell death and is classified into different types according to the mechanism of occurrence, such as apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and disulfidptosis. Given the important role of PCD in maintaining tissue homeostasis and inhibiting tumorigenesis and development, more and more basic and clinical studies are devoted to revealing its potential application in anti-tumor strategies. The purpose of this review is to systematically review the regulatory mechanisms of PCD and to summarize the latest research progress of anti-tumor treatment strategies based on PCD.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Modulated by Genistein in Cancer

Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a phytoestrogen belonging to a subclass of natural flavonoids that exhibits a wide range of pharmacological functions, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics make genistein a valuable phytochemical compound for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer. Genistein effectively inhibits tumor growth and dissemination by modulating key cellular mechanisms. This includes the suppression of angiogenesis, the inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the regulation of cancer stem cell proliferation. These effects are mediated through pivotal signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin. Moreover, genistein interferes with the function of specific cyclin/CDK complexes and modulates the activation of Bcl-2/Bax and caspases, playing a critical role in halting tumor cell division and promoting apoptosis. The aim of this review is to discuss in detail the key cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic anticancer effects of this flavonoid.

Live and let die: analyzing ultrastructural features in cell death

Cell death is an important process that supports morphogenesis during development and tissue homeostasis during adult life by removing damaged or unwanted cells and its dysregulation is associated with numerous disease states. There are different pathways through which a cell can undergo cell death, each relying on peculiar molecular mechanisms and morpho-ultrastructural features. To date, however, while molecular and genetic approaches have been successfully integrated into the field, cell death studies rarely incorporate ultrastructural data from electron microscopy. This review article reports a gallery of original transmission electron microscopy images to describe the ultrastructural features of cells undergoing different types of cell death programs, including necrosis, apoptosis, autophagy, mitotic catastrophe, ferroptosis, methuosis, and paraptosis. TEM has been an important technology in cell biology for well over 50 years and still continues to offer significant advantages in the area of cell death research. TEM allows detailed characterization of the ultrastructural changes within the cell, such as the alteration of organelles and subcellular structures, the nuclear reorganization, and the loss of membrane integrity that enable a distinction between the different forms of cell death based on morphological criteria. Possible pitfalls are also described.

Prediction of the Survival Status, Immunotherapy Response, and Medication of Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients Based on Hypoxia- and Apoptosis-Related Genes

To predict patient survival prognosis, we aimed to establish a novel set of gene features associated with hypoxia and apoptosis. RNA-seq and clinical data of LUAD were sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, while hypoxia and apoptosis-related genes were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Database (MsigDB). A 13-gene-prognostic model incorporating hypoxia and apoptosis genes was developed using univariate/multivariate Cox regression, Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) clustering, and LASSO regression. Patients were divided into high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) groups according to the median risk score. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed distinct biological processes between HR and LR groups, including hormone regulation and lipid metabolism pathways. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) indicated elevated cell infiltration levels of Neutrophils and T_helper_cells in the LR group, while NK cells and Th1cells were higher in the HR group. Immunophenoscore (IPS) and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) analyses suggested potential benefits of immunotherapy for LR group patients. In conclusion, this prognostic feature integrating hypoxia- and apoptosis-related genes offers insights into predicting survival, immune status, and treatment response in LUAD patients, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies.

Machine learning-based integration develops a multiple programmed cell death signature for predicting the clinical outcome and drug sensitivity in colorectal cancer

Tumorigenesis and treatment are closely associated with various programmed cell death (PCD) patterns. However, the coregulatory role of multiple PCD patterns in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. In this study, we developed a multiple PCD index (MPCDI) based on 19 PCD patterns using two machine learning algorithms for risk stratification, prognostic prediction, construction of nomograms, immune cell infiltration analysis, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity analysis. As a result, in the TCGA-COAD, GSE17536, and GSE29621 cohorts, the MPCDI can effectively distinguished survival outcomes in CRC patients and served as an independent factor for CRC patients. We then explored the immune infiltration landscape in two groups using the nine algorithms and found more overall immune infiltration in the high-MPCDI group. TIDE scores suggested that the increased immune evasion potential and immune checkpoint inhibition therapy may be less effective in the high-MPCDI group. Immunophenoscores indicated that anti-PD1, anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (anti-CTLA4), and anti-PD1-CTLA4 combination therapies are less effective in the high-MPCDI group. In addition, the high-MPCDI group was more sensitive to AZD1332, Foretinib, and IGF1R_3801, and insensitive to AZD3759, AZD5438, AZD6482, Erlotinib, GSK591, IAP_5620, and Picolinici-acid, which suggests that the MPCDI can guide drug selection for CRC patients. As a new clinical classifier, the MPCDI can more accurately distinguish CRC patients who benefit from immunotherapy and develop personalized treatment strategies for CRC patients.

TMEM252 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and progression in papillary thyroid carcinoma by regulating Notch1 expression

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for about 85% of thyroid cancer cases. Transmembrane protein 252 (TMEM252) is a gene encoding a transmembrane protein that has only been reported to be associated with triple-negative breast cancer. Herein, we first elucidated the physiological roles and possible regulatory proteins of TMEM252 in PTC pathogenesis.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses were utilized to ascertain the relative TMEM252 expression in PTC and surrounding normal tissues. Functional investigations involved CCK-8 viability assay, EdU incorporation assay for proliferation, transwell assays for migration and invasion, and an in vivo tumor development assessment to evaluate the TMEM252-mediated regulation of tumor formation.

RESULTS

Our results first revealed diminished TMEM252 transcript and protein expressions in PTC tissues and cell lines. TMEM252 overexpression suppressed cell proliferation through reducing p53, p21, and p16 expression. Conversely, TMEM252 depletion has opposite effects in PTC cells both in vivo. Additionally, the upregulation of TMEM252 demonstrated cell migration and invasion suppression by impeding the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process via inhibition of the Notch pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of TMEM252 suppressed tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our study elucidates that TMEM252 suppresses PTC progression by modulating the Notch pathway. These findings underscore TMEM252 is a potential therapeutic target in managing PTC.

Fingolimod Inhibits C6 Rat Glioma Proliferation and Migration, Induces Sub-G1 Cell Cycle Arrest, Mitochondrial and Extrinsic Apoptosis In Vitro and Reduces Tumour Growth In Vivo

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most prevalent brain tumour, is universally fatal. GBM cells exhibit cell cycle disruption and treatment resistance, remarking an urgent need for newer treatments. Fingolimod, a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, has been reported to have anti-cancer effects. This study investigated the therapeutic potentials of fingolimod in rat C6 cells and pursued the involved mechanism(s). Cell survival, proliferation, migration, and morphology of fingolimod-treated C6 cells were evaluated using MTT, soft-agar colony formation, wound-healing, and Giemsa staining assays. Apoptosis was investigated through acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) and annexin V staining, and flow cytometry analysed the cell cycle. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate gene and protein expressions. An intracranial C6 rat model validated the anti-tumour effect of fingolimod. Fingolimod significantly reduced the survival and colonies of the C6 cells and delayed their gap closure. Cell shrinkage coupled with AO/EB and PI staining of the fingolimod-treated cells indicated apoptosis, subsequently confirmed by measuring the expression levels of the candidate genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle, such as Bax/Bcl2, P53, Cytochrome C and Caspases 9/3, Fas, Fadd, Tnfrsf1a, Cdkn1a, and Ccnd1, at RNA and protein levels, indicating both extrinsic and mitochondrial apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at sub-G1 phase in fingolimod-treated cells. Furthermore, treating rats bearing intracranial C6 tumours with fingolimod led to significant suppression of intracranial tumour growth. Based on our findings, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis contribute to fingolimod antitumor effects.

Lactoferrin targeting INTL1 receptor inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression via apoptosis and cell cycle signaling pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes 90% of liver cancer cases and ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating urgent development of alternative therapies. Lactoferrin (LF), a natural iron-binding glycoprotein with reported anticancer effects, is investigated for its potential in liver cancer treatment, an area with limited existing studies. This study focuses on evaluating LF's anti-liver cancer effects on HCC cells and assessing the preventive efficacy of oral LF administration in a murine model. Data showed that LF exerted anti-proliferative effects on HepG2, Hep3B, and SK-Hep1 cells while having no cytotoxicity on healthy liver cells (FL83B). Mechanistically, LF induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells, associated with increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK for apoptosis, and ERK phosphorylation for cell cycle arrest. Intelectin-1 (INTL1) is identified as the receptor facilitating LF endocytosis in HepG2 cells, and downregulation of INTL1 inhibits LF-induced signaling pathways. Notably, oral LF administration prevents HCC development in nude mice with orthotopic HepG2 cell injection. This study unveils the mechanistic basis of LF action in HepG2 cells, showcasing its potential in HCC prevention. Importantly, we report the novel identification of INTL1 as the LF receptor in HepG2 cells, providing valuable insights for future exploration of LF and its derivatives in liver cancer therapy.

Application of autophagy in mesenchymal stem cells

In this editorial, we have taken an in-depth look at the article published by Wan et al. The study showed that preconditioning mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) protected them against programmed cell death, and increased their survival rate and therapeutic potential. Autophagy, a type of programmed cell death, is a major intracellular degradation and recycling pathway that is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, self-renewal, and pluripotency. We have explored the relationship between autophagy and MSCs to determine the role of autophagy in the therapeutic applications of MSCs.

Preliminary investigation on the mechanism of baicalein regulating the effects of Nischarin on invasion and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MCF-7 through Wnt3α/β-catenin pathway

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Here, we investigate the anti-tumor effects of baicalein on human BC cells (MCF-7 cells) and explore if it regulates the Nischarin protein via Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway.

METHODS

We employed Wnt3α and DKK-1 to activate and inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, respectively. We used CCK-8 cell viability, flow cytometry apoptosis, wound-healing and transwell migration/invasion assays. Further, using western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR) we analyzed expression levels of Nischarin, MMP-9, Wnt/β-catenin pathway (β-catenin, Axin 1), and apoptotic pathway (Bax, Bcl-2) proteins and their mRNAs.

RESULTS

We found that baicalein inhibits MCF-7 cell viability and promotes apoptosis (evidenced by increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expressions) in a concentration-dependent manner. It also inhibits TPA-induced migration and invasion, and downregulates MMP-9 expression. Baicalein reverses the increase in cell viability caused by Wnt3α-induced Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. Conversely, baicalein counteracts the increase in apoptosis caused by DKK-1 mediated inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, baicalein upregulates Nischarin expression via modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as indicated by the antagonistic effects of Wnt3α and DKK-1 on this effect of baicalein.

CONCLUSION

Baicalein exerts anti-tumor effects on MCF-7 cells through the Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling pathway, and promotes apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion. The upregulation of Nischarin by baicalein further suggests a potential therapeutic target for BC treatment.

Machine learning-based prognostic model of lactylation-related genes for predicting prognosis and immune infiltration in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Histone lactylation is a novel epigenetic modification that is involved in a variety of critical biological regulations. However, the role of lactylation-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma has yet to be investigated.

METHODS

RNA-seq data and clinical information of LUAD were downloaded from TCGA and GEO datasets. Unsupervised consistent cluster analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two clusters, and risk prediction models were constructed by Cox regression analysis and LASSO analysis. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis, ROC curves and nomograms were used to validate the accuracy of the models. We also explored the differences in risk scores in terms of immune cell infiltration, immune cell function, TMB, TIDE, and anticancer drug sensitivity. In addition, single-cell clustering and trajectory analysis were performed to further understand the significance of lactylation-related genes. We further analyzed lactate content and glucose uptake in lung adenocarcinoma cells and tissues. Changes in LUAD cell function after knockdown of lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) by CCK-8, colony formation and transwell assays. Finally, we analyzed the expression of KRT81 in LUAD tissues and cell lines using qRT-PCR, WB, and IHC. Changes in KRT81 function in LUAD cells were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, transwell, and flow cytometry. A nude mouse xenograft model and a KrasLSL-G12D in situ lung adenocarcinoma mouse model were used to elucidate the role of KRT81 in LUAD.

RESULTS

After identifying 26 lactylation-associated DEGs, we constructed 10 lactylation-associated lung adenocarcinoma prognostic models with prognostic value for LUAD patients. A high score indicates a poor prognosis. There were significant differences between the high-risk and low-risk groups in the phenotypes of immune cell infiltration rate, immune cell function, gene mutation frequency, and anticancer drug sensitivity. TMB and TIDE scores were higher in high-risk score patients than in low-risk score patients. MS4A1 was predominantly expressed in B-cell clusters and was identified to play a key role in B-cell differentiation. We further found that lactate content was abnormally elevated in lung adenocarcinoma cells and cancer tissues, and glucose uptake by lung adenocarcinoma cells was significantly increased. Down-regulation of LDHA inhibits tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Finally, we verified that the model gene KRT81 is highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of KRT81 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and increased apoptosis. KRT81 may play a tumorigenic role in LUAD through the EMT and PI3K/AKT pathways. In vivo, KRT81 knockdown inhibited tumor growth.

CONCLUSION

We successfully constructed a new prognostic model for lactylation-related genes. Lactate content and glucose uptake are significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma cells and cancer tissues. In addition, KRT81 was validated at cellular and animal levels as a possible new target for the treatment of LUAD, and this study provides a new perspective for the individualized treatment of LUAD.

Apoptosis-Inducing and Proliferation-Inhibiting Effects of Doramectin on Mz-ChA-1 Human Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that emerges in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts. Doramectin (DOR), a third-generation derivative of avermectins (AVMs), is renowned for its low toxicity and high efficiency. However, no research has hitherto focused on the anti-cholangiocarcinoma effects of these drugs. In this study, we undertook a preliminary exploration of the mechanism through which DOR inhibits the viability of human cholangiocarcinoma cells (Mz-ChA-1) via transcriptome analysis and molecular validation at the cellular level. The results indicated that DOR could suppress the growth and proliferation of Mz-ChA-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it significantly diminished their migration and invasion abilities. Cell cycle analysis disclosed arrest in the G1 phase, accompanied by an increase in p21 expression and a decrease in the levels of the cyclin E1 and CDK2 proteins. Additionally, DOR induced apoptosis via the ROS-triggered mitochondrial pathway. This was attested by an elevation in the BAX/BCL-2 ratio, the activation of caspase 3/7 and the cleavage of PARP1. These mechanistic insights underscore DOR's potential as a therapeutic agent against cholangiocarcinoma.

Mechanisms of H2pmen-Induced cell death: Necroptosis and apoptosis in MDA cells, necrosis in MCF7 cells

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women around the world. Several cancer therapeutics have already been discovered and are being used to treat breast cancer. However, most of them cause severe side effects. H2pmen, a tetradentate ligand, was used in this study to investigate its cytotoxic effects on growth, viability, and induction of cell death in MCF7 and MDA cells. The cell viability was determined by treating cells with different concentrations of H2pmen. MTT assay was used to obtain an IC50, and the cells were then assayed for membrane damage, apoptotic induction, and metabolism. Protein expression of Bax, p53, Bcl2, and xIAP was identified using Western blot analysis. The gene expression of RIPK1, RIPK3, and MKLK was determined using qPCR. In MDA cells, H2pmen increases cytotoxicity, as evidenced by upregulated LDH and JC-10, and enhances apoptosis, indicated by upregulated caspase-3/7 and Bax. In contrast, MCF7 cells exhibit a more stable profile with downregulated LDH and Annexin V Activity. MCF7 cells also show reduced necroptosis and increased necrosis. These findings highlight that H2pmen induces varied cytotoxic effects across MDA and MCF7 cells, with MDA cells exhibiting more pronounced apoptosis and necroptosis alongside complex anti-apoptotic responses.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in inflammation: a bibliometric analysis and literature review

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal messenger RNA modification in eukaryotes, influencing various physiological and pathological processes by regulating RNA metabolism. Numerous studies have investigated the role of m6A in inflammatory responses and inflammatory diseases. In this study, VOSviewer and Citespace were used to perform bibliometric analysis to systematically evaluating the current landscape of research on the association between m6A and inflammation. The literature was sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection, with characteristics including year, country/region, institution, author, journal, citation, and keywords. According to the bibliometric analysis results of keywords, we present a narrative summary of the potential mechanisms by which m6A regulates inflammation. The results showed that the key mechanisms by which m6A modulates inflammation include apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress, immune cell dysfunction, and dysregulation of signaling pathways.

BH3 Mimetics Augment Cytotoxic T Cell Killing of Acute Myeloid Leukemia via Mitochondrial Apoptotic Mechanism

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) can address an unmet clinical need for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but its effect is often modest in the setting of high tumor burden. In this study, we postulated that strategies to lower the AML apoptotic threshold will augment T cell killing of AML cells. BH3 mimetics, such as venetoclax, are a clinically approved class of compounds that predispose cells to intrinsic apoptosis by inhibiting anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins. We explored the anti-leukemic efficacy of BH3 mimetics combined with WT1-specific CD8 + T cells on AML cell lines and primary samples from patients with a diverse array of disease characteristics to evaluate if lowering the cellular apoptotic threshold via inhibition of anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins can increase leukemic cell sensitivity to T cell therapy. We found that the combination approach of BH3 mimetic and CD8 + T cells led to significantly increased killing of established AML lines as well as of adverse-risk primary AML leukemic blast cells. In contrast to the hypothesis that enhanced killing would be due to combined activation of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, we found that CTL-mediated killing of AML cells was accomplished primarily through activation of the intrinsic/mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. This highly effective combinatorial activity due to convergence on the same apoptotic pathway was conserved across multiple AML cell lines and primary samples, suggesting that mitochondrial priming may represent a novel mechanism of optimizing adoptive cell therapy for AML patients.

Advances in understanding cisplatin-induced toxicity: Molecular mechanisms and protective strategies

Cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, has proven efficacy against various malignancies. However, its clinical utility is hampered by its dose-limiting toxicities, including nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, and myelosuppression. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cisplatin toxicity, encompassing its underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and emerging therapeutic strategies. The mechanisms of cisplatin toxicity are multifactorial and involve oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and cellular apoptosis. Various risk factors contribute to the interindividual variability in susceptibility to cisplatin toxicity. The risk of developing cisplatin-induced toxicity could be related to pre-existing conditions, including kidney disease, hearing impairment, neuropathy, impaired liver function, and other comorbidities. Additionally, this review highlights the emerging therapeutic strategies that could be applied to minimize cisplatin-induced toxicities and aid in optimizing cisplatin treatment regimens, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the overall quality of cancer care.

Prediction of clinical prognosis and drug sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma through the combination of multiple cell death pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignant tumor, highlighting a significant need for reliable predictive models to assess clinical prognosis, disease progression, and drug sensitivity. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of various programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, parthanatos, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, alkaliptosis, oxeiptosis, and disulfidptosis, in tumor development. Therefore, by investigating these pathways, we aimed to develop a predictive model for HCC prognosis and drug sensitivity. We analyzed transcriptome, single-cell transcriptome, genomic, and clinical information using data from the TCGA-LIHC, GSE14520, GSE45436, and GSE166635 datasets. Machine learning algorithms were used to establish a cell death index (CDI) with seven gene signatures, which was validated across three independent datasets, showing that high CDI correlates with poorer prognosis. Unsupervised clustering revealed three molecular subtypes of HCC with distinct biological processes. Furthermore, a nomogram integrating CDI and clinical information demonstrated good predictive performance. CDI was associated with immune checkpoint genes and tumor microenvironment components using single-cell transcriptome analysis. Drug sensitivity analysis indicated that patients with high CDI may be resistant to oxaliplatin and cisplatin but sensitive to axitinib and sorafenib. In summary, our model offers a precise prediction of clinical outcomes and drug sensitivity for patients with HCC, providing valuable insights for personalized treatment strategies.

Protective Effects of Carvacrol on Mercuric Chloride-Induced Lung Toxicity Through Modulating Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Autophagy

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is extremely toxic to both humans and animals. It could be absorbed via ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Exposure to HgCl2 can cause severe health effects, including damages to the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems. The purpose of this work was to explore if carvacrol (CRV) could protect rats lungs from damage caused by HgCl2. Intraperitoneal injections of HgCl2 at a dose of 1.23 mg/kg body weight were given either alone or in conjunction with oral CRV administration at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. The study included biochemical and histological techniques to examine the lung tissue's oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy processes. HgCl2-induced reductions in GSH levels and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activity were enhanced by CRV co-administration. Furthermore, MDA levels were lowered by CRV. The inflammatory mediators NF-κB, IκB, NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL6, COX-2, and iNOS were all reduced by CRV. When exposed to HgCl2, the levels of apoptotic Bax, caspase-3, Apaf1, p53, caspase-6, and caspase-9 increased, but the levels of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 reduced after CRV treatment. CRV decreased levels of Beclin-1, LC3A, and LC3B, which in turn decreased HgCl2-induced autophagy damage. After HgCl2 treatment, higher pathological damage was observed in terms of alveolar septal thickening, congestion, edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration compared to the control group while CRV ameliorated these effects. Consequently, by preventing HgCl2-induced increases in oxidative stress and the corresponding inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis, and disturbance of tissue integrity in lung tissues, CRV might be seen as a useful therapeutic alternative.

Echium amoenum and Rosmarinic Acid Suppress the Growth and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer AGS Cells by Promoting Apoptosis and Inhibiting EMT

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer globally. Owing to the absence of early manifest symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose GC until it has metastasized to other organs. Hence, the prevention and treatment of GC have become major concerns for patients. Echium amoenum, a traditional medicinal plant from the Boraginaceae family, exhibits various biological activities. Although recent studies have reported the anticancer properties of E. amoenum, its effects and mechanisms of action on GC cells are not yet fully understood. This study examined the anticancer effects of the ethyl acetate extract of E. amoenum (EAEC) and its main active ingredient, rosmarinic acid (RA), in GC AGS cells. EAEC and RA suppressed AGS cell growth by inducing apoptosis through caspase mediation and inhibited AGS cell metastasis by influencing the expression of crucial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Furthermore, the anti-growth and anti-metastatic effects of EAEC and RA on AGS cells involved inactivation of the STAT3, AKT, and ERK1/2 pathways. Additionally, RA notably inhibited the in vivo tumor growth in AGS cells. Overall, these results indicate that EAEC and RA could serve as potential anticancer and anti-metastasis agents for GC.

The role of mitochondria in iron overload-induced damage

Iron overload is a pathological condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of iron within the body, which may result from excessive iron intake, disorders of iron metabolism, or specific disease states. This condition can lead to significant health complications and may pose life-threatening risks. The excessive accumulation of iron can induce cellular stress, adversely affecting the structure and function of mitochondria, thereby compromising overall organ function. Given the critical role of mitochondria in cellular metabolism and homeostasis, it is imperative to investigate how mitochondrial dysfunction induced by iron overload contributes to disease progression, as well as to explore mitochondrial-related pathways as potential therapeutic targets for various iron overload disorders. This review examines the mechanisms by which mitochondria are implicated in iron overload-induced damage, including increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA damage, and disruptions in energy metabolism. Additionally, it addresses the relationship between these processes and various forms of programmed cell death, as well as alterations in mitochondrial dynamics. Furthermore, the review discusses strategies aimed at alleviating and mitigating the complications associated with iron overload in patients by targeting mitochondrial pathways.

Combination of Gene Therapy and Chemotherapy in a New Targeted Hybrid Nanosystem to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent liver cancer and constitutes one of the main causes of cancer mortality. The combination of targeted therapy drugs, such as selumetinib and perifosine that inhibit cell signaling pathways involved in cell survival and proliferation, with the expression of tumor suppressor transgenes, such as PTEN, may result in an efficient therapeutic approach against HCC. Thus, the main objective of this work was to develop a new lipid-polymer hybrid nanosystem (HNP), composed of a PLGA core coated with a pH-sensitive lipid bilayer functionalized with the targeting ligand GalNAc, in order to specifically and efficiently deliver this novel combination of therapeutic agents in HCC cells.

Methods

Transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to determine the physicochemical properties of hybrid nanosystems and their components. The biological activity and specificity of nanosystems were evaluated using luminescence and flow cytometry. A variety of techniques were used to assess the therapeutic activity of hybrid nanosystems, including the Alamar Blue assay for cell viability; flow cytometry for cell death mechanisms, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle; luminescence for caspase activity; flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy for cell proliferation; and Western blot for molecular targets levels.

Results

The obtained results showed that this new hybrid nanosystem not only has a high loading capacity of both drugs, but also allows for substantial expression of the PTEN transgene. In addition, the developed formulation has high stability, adequate physicochemical properties and high specificity to HCC cells. Moreover, the achieved data revealed that this innovative nanosystem presents a high antitumor effect, demonstrated not only by the enhancement on the programmed cell death, but also by the reduction in cell proliferation capacity.

Conclusion

The generated formulation shows a high anticancer effect, demonstrating a high translational potential for future clinical application in HCC treatment.

Hydroxytyrosol: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for Mitigating Inflammation and Apoptosis

Inflammation and apoptosis are interrelated biological processes that have a significant impact on the advancement and growth of certain chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular problems, neurological conditions, and osteoarthritis. Recent research has emphasized that focusing on these mechanisms could result in novel therapeutic approaches that aim to decrease the severity of diseases and enhance patient outcomes. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), which is well-known for its ability to prevent oxidation, has been identified as a possible candidate for regulating both inflammation and apoptosis. In this review, we will highlight the multifaceted benefits of HT as a therapeutic agent in mitigating inflammation, apoptosis, and associated conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest in vitro and in vivo research on the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of HT and the mechanisms by which it works. Based on these studies, it is strongly advised to use HT as a bioactive ingredient in pharmaceutical products intended for mitigating inflammation, as well as those with apoptosis applications.

Research Progress with Atractylone as an Antitumor Agent

Atractylone is a sesquiterpenoid compound extracted from Rhizoma Atractylodis. As one of the main active components in the volatile oil of the Atractylodes genus, it has exhibited certain therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antiallergic, antiangiogenic, and neuroprotective activities, among others. With further research on the chemical constituents and pharmacology of sesquiterpenes, research on the antitumor activity of Atractylone has also been further expanded. Much of the current literature pays particular attention to the antitumor activity of Atractylone, which was found to inhibit the apoptosis of tumor cells and prevent growth, invasion, and migration through different apoptosis pathways and signaling pathways. Due to its promising potential for cancer prevention, it may play a role in reducing the incidence of malignant tumors. In this paper, the antitumor activity and mechanism of Atractylone are reviewed, providing a reference to inform future research on the tumor treatment, clinical application, and further development and utilization of this plant genus.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Effects and Therapeutic Implications in Cerebral Gliomas

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors, representing approximately 28% of all central nervous system tumors. These tumors are characterized by rapid progression and show a median survival of approximately 18 months. The therapeutic options consist of surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite the multidisciplinary approach and the biomolecular role of targeted therapies, the median progression-free survival is approximately 6-8 months. The incomplete tumor compliance with treatment is due to several factors such as the presence of the blood-brain barrier, the numerous pathways involved in tumor transformation, and the presence of intra-tumoral mutations. Among these, the interaction between the mutations of genes involved in tumor bio-energetic metabolism and the functional response of the tumor has become the protagonist of numerous studies. In this scenario, the main role is played by mitochondria, cellular organelles delimited by a double membrane and containing their own DNA (mtDNA), which participates in numerous cellular processes such as the regulation of cellular metabolism, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis and is also the main source of cellular energy production. Therefore, it is understood that the mitochondrion, specifically its functional alteration, is a leading figure in tumor transformation, including brain tumors. The acquisition of mutations in the mitochondrial DNA of tumor cells and the subsequent identification of the so-called mitochondria-related genes (MRGs), both functional (mutation of Complex I) and structural (mutations of Complex III/IV), have been seen to play an important role in metabolic reprogramming with increased proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and the progression of tumorigenesis. This demonstrates that these mitochondrial alterations could have a role not only in the intrinsic tumor biology but also in the extrinsic one associated with the therapeutic response. We aim to summarize the main mitochondrial dysfunction interactions present in gliomas and how they might impact prognosis.

Exploring the role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer: implications for tumor proliferation and chemoresistance

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been extensively studied for its connection to colorectal cancer (CRC) and its potential role in chemotherapy resistance. Studies indicate that Fn is commonly found in CRC tissues and is associated with unfavorable prognosis and treatment failure. It has been shown that Fn promotes chemoresistance by affecting autophagy, a cellular process that helps cells survive under stressful conditions. Additionally, Fn targets specific signaling pathways that activate particular microRNAs and modulate the response to chemotherapy. Understanding the current molecular mechanisms and investigating the importance of Fn-inducing chemoresistance could provide valuable insights for developing novel therapies. This review surveys the role of Fn in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance in CRC, focusing on its effects on the tumor microenvironment, gene expression, and resistance to conventional chemotherapy drugs. It also discusses the therapeutic implications of targeting Fn in CRC treatment and highlights the need for further research.

Mutual regulation between histone methyltransferase Suv39h1 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exposed to hydroquinone

Hydroquinone (HQ), a metabolite of benzene, is frequently utilized as a surrogate for benzene in in vitro studies and is associated with the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the hemotoxicity caused by benzene and HQ, cell apoptosis plays a key role. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying HQ are unknown. Studies have indicated that Suv39h1 is involved in regulating cell division and proliferation by regulating histone H3K9me3. Meanwhile, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway also plays a significant role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the regulatory role of Suv39h1 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the effects of HQ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), as well as its influence on cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that HQ elevated the levels of Suv39h1 and H3K9me3 and activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by upregulating β-catenin, Wnt2b, C-myc, and Cyclin D1 and downregulating Wnt5a, resulting in an increase in cell growth and a decrease in apoptosis. Suv39h1 knockdown inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Meanwhile, inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway resulted in the down-regulation of Suv39h1 and H3K9me3 in BMSCs. They both promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in the effects of HQ on BMSCs by downregulating the expression of Cyt-C, Bax, Caspase 3, and Caspase 9 and upregulating the expression of Bcl-xl. Therefore, we concluded that Suv39h1 and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may mutually regulate each other in the effects of HQ on BMSCs in order to ameliorate the altered function of BMSCs.