Long pentraxin 3: A novel multifaceted player in cancer

Chromosomal 3q amplicon encodes essential regulators of secretory vesicles that drive secretory addiction in cancer

Cancer cells exhibit heightened secretory states that drive tumor progression. Here, we identify a chromosome 3q amplicon that serves as a platform for secretory regulation in cancer. The 3q amplicon encodes multiple Golgi-resident proteins, including the scaffold Golgi integral membrane protein 4 (GOLIM4) and the ion channel ATPase Secretory Pathway Ca2+ Transporting 1 (ATP2C1). We show that GOLIM4 recruits ATP2C1 and Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) to coordinate calcium-dependent cargo loading and Golgi membrane bending and vesicle scission. GOLIM4 depletion disrupts the protein complex, resulting in a secretory blockade that inhibits the progression of 3q-amplified malignancies. In addition to its role as a scaffold, GOLIM4 maintains intracellular manganese (Mn) homeostasis by binding excess Mn in the Golgi lumen, which initiates the routing of Mn-bound GOLIM4 to lysosomes for degradation. We show that Mn treatment inhibits the progression of multiple types of 3q-amplified malignancies by degrading GOLIM4, resulting in a secretory blockade that interrupts pro-survival autocrine loops and attenuates pro-metastatic processes in the tumor microenvironment. Potentially underlying the selective activity of Mn against 3q-amplified malignancies, ATP2C1 co-amplification increases Mn influx into the Golgi lumen, resulting in a more rapid degradation of GOLIM4. These findings show that functional cooperativity between co-amplified genes underlies heightened secretion and a targetable secretory addiction in 3q-amplified malignancies.

PTX3 activates POSTN and promotes the progression of glioblastoma via the MAPK/ERK signalling axis

BACKGROUND

Intrinsic brain tumours such as glioblastoma (GBM) are believed to develop from neuroglial stem or progenitor cells. GBM accounts for approximately half of gliomas. GBM has a poor prognosis and a low 5-year survival rate. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is overexpressed in GBM, but the potential mechanism is unclear.

METHODS

Glioblastoma data from the TCGA and CGGA databases were used to analyse PTX3 expression. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to verify the effect of PTX3 silencing in glioma cells on EMT like process and GSC maintenance. The JASPAR database was used to predict the downstream genes of PTX3. POSTN is a novel target gene of PTX3 in gliomas, and this finding was validated using a luciferase reporter gene assay. Western blotting and KEGG enrichment analysis were used to predict the downstream pathway of POSTN, and it was found that the MAPK/ERK pathway might be related to the function of POSTN.

RESULTS

GBM tissues have higher levels of PTX3 expression than normal brain tissues (NBTs). In functional tests, PTX3 promoted the EMT like process of GBM cells while maintaining the stem cell characteristics of GBM stem cells and enhancing their self-renewal. Moreover, we performed a dual luciferase reporter experiment to confirm that PTX3 binds to the POSTN promoter region. In addition, the expression of key proteins in the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway was increased after PTX3 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

POSTN is a direct target of PTX3 that promotes GBM growth via the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway.

Pentraxins in invertebrates and vertebrates: From structure, function and evolution to clinical applications

The immune system is divided into two broad categories, consisting of innate and adaptive immunity. As recognition and effector factors of innate immunity and regulators of adaptive immune responses, lectins are considered to be important defense chemicals against microbial pathogens, cell trafficking, immune regulation, and prevention of autoimmunity. Pentraxins, important members of animal lectins, play a significant role in protecting the body from pathogen infection and regulating inflammatory reactions. They can recognize and bind to a variety of ligands, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes, and protect the host from pathogen invasion by activating the complement cascade and Fcγ receptor pathways. Based on the primary structure of the subunit, pentraxins are divided into short and long pentraxins. The short pentraxins are comprised of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P (SAP), and the most important member of the long pentraxins is pentraxin 3 (PTX3). The CRP and SAP exist in both vertebrates and invertebrates, while the PTX3 may be present only in vertebrates. The major ligands and functions of CRP, SAP and PTX3 and three activation pathways involved in the complement system are summarized in this review. Their different characteristics in various animals including humans, and their evolutionary trees are analyzed. The clinical applications of CRP, SAP and PTX3 in human are reviewed. Some questions that remain to be understood are also highlighted.

Complement System and the Kidney: Its Role in Renal Diseases, Kidney Transplantation and Renal Cell Carcinoma

The crosstalk among the complement system, immune cells, and mediators of inflammation provides an efficient mechanism to protect the organism against infections and support the repair of damaged tissues. Alterations in this complex machinery play a role in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Core complement proteins C3 and C5, their activation fragments, their receptors, and their regulators have been shown to be active intracellularly as the complosome. The kidney is particularly vulnerable to complement-induced damage, and emerging findings have revealed the role of complement system dysregulation in a wide range of kidney disorders, including glomerulopathies and ischemia-reperfusion injury during kidney transplantation. Different studies have shown that activation of the complement system is an important component of tumorigenesis and its elements have been proved to be present in the TME of various human malignancies. The role of the complement system in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been recently explored. Clear cell and papillary RCC upregulate most of the complement genes relative to normal kidney tissue. The aim of this narrative review is to provide novel insights into the role of complement in kidney disorders.

PTX3 promotes IVIG resistance-induced endothelial injury in Kawasaki disease by regulating the NF-κB pathway

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance leads to serious complications in Kawasaki disease (KD) with no effective treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) on human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). PTX3 levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting. Cell viability was detected using the MTT assay. Biological functions were analyzed using CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry, TUNEL, and qRT-PCR. The levels of factors of the NF-κB pathway were examined using western blotting. The results demonstrated that PTX3 expression was highest in patients and HCAECs with IVIG-resistance. Knockdown of PTX3 promoted proliferation and suppressed apoptosis and inflammation of IVIG-resistant HCAECs, whereas PTX3 overexpression produced the opposite results. Moreover, PTX3 activated the NF-κB pathway in IVIG-resistant HCAECs. A rescue study showed that PTX3 modulated biological behaviors by regulating the NF-κB pathway. Overall, our findings demonstrate that PTX3 promotes IVIG resistance-induced endothelial injury by activating the NF-κB pathway, suggesting that PTX3 may become a novel therapeutic target for patients with IVIG-resistant KD.

Structural insights into the biological functions of the long pentraxin PTX3

Soluble pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) are a heterogenous group of proteins that recognize pathogen- and danger-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs, respectively), and cooperate with cell-borne receptors in the orchestration of innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogenic insults and tissue damage. Amongst soluble PRMs, pentraxins are a family of highly conserved proteins with distinctive structural features. Originally identified in the early 1990s as an early inflammatory gene, PTX3 is the prototype of long pentraxins. Unlike the short pentraxin C reactive protein (CRP), whose expression is mostly confined to the liver, PTX3 is made by several immune and non-immune cells at sites of infection and inflammation, where it intercepts fundamental aspects of infection immunity, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. Of note, PTX3 cross talks to components of the complement system to control cancer-related inflammation and disposal of pathogens. Also, it is an essential component of inflammatory extracellular matrices (ECMs) through crosslinking of hyaluronic acid and turn-over of provisional fibrin networks that assemble at sites of tissue injury. This functional diversity is mediated by unique structural characteristics whose fine details have been unveiled only recently. Here, we revisit the structure/function relationships of this long pentraxin in light of the most recent advances in its structural biology, with a focus on the interplay with complement and the emerging roles as a component of the ECM. Differences to and similarities with the short pentraxins are highlighted and discussed.

The PTX3/TLR4 autocrine loop as a novel therapeutic target in triple negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) plays conflicting roles in cancer by acting as an oncosuppressor or as a pro-tumor mediator depending on tumor context. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive histotype of breast cancer, characterized by the lack of efficacious therapeutic targets/approaches and poor prognosis. Thus, the characterization of new molecular pathways and/or alternative druggable targets is of great interest in TNBC.

METHODS

The expression of PTX3 in BC tumor samples and in BC cell lines has been analyzed using the Gene Expression-Based Outcome for Breast Cancer Online (GOBO), qPCR, Western blot and ELISA assay. The contribution of tumor and stromal cells to PTX3 production in TNBC was assessed by analyzing single cell RNA sequencing data and RNAscope performed on TNBC tumor samples. In order to investigate the effects of PTX3 in TNBC, different cell lines were engineered to knock-down (MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells) or overexpress (MDA-MB-468 and E0771 cells) PTX3. Finally, using these engineered cells, in vitro (including gene expression profiling and gene set enrichment analyses) and in vivo (orthotopic tumor models in immune-compromised and immune competent mice) analyses were performed to assess the role and the molecular mechanism(s) exerted by PTX3 in TNBC.

RESULTS

In silico and experimental data indicate that PTX3 is mainly produced by tumor cells in TNBC and that its expression levels correlate with tumor stage. Accordingly, gene expression and in vitro results demonstrate that PTX3 overexpression confers a high aggressive/proliferative phenotype and fosters stem-like features in TNBC cells. Also, PTX3 expression induces a more tumorigenic potential when TNBC cells are grafted orthotopically in vivo. Conversely, PTX3 downregulation results in a less aggressive behavior of TNBC cells. Mechanistically, our data reveal that PTX3 drives the activation of the pro-tumorigenic Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in TNBC, demonstrating for the first time that the PTX3/TLR4 autocrine stimulation loop contributes to TNBC aggressiveness and that TLR4 inhibition significantly impacts the growth of PTX3-producing TNBC cells.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these data shed light on the role of tumor-produced PTX3 in TNBC and uncover the importance of the PTX3/TLR4 axis for therapeutic and prognostic exploitation in TNBC.

PRMT1 driven PTX3 regulates ferritinophagy in glioma

Mutations in the Krebs cycle enzyme IDH1 (isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP(+)) 1) are associated with better prognosis in gliomas. Though IDH1 mutant (IDH1R132H) tumors are characterized by their antiproliferative signatures maintained through hypermethylation of DNA and chromatin, mechanisms affecting cell death pathways in these tumors are not well elucidated. On investigating the crosstalk between the IDH1 mutant epigenome, ferritinophagy and inflammation, diminished expression of PRMT1 (protein arginine methyltransferase 1) and its associated asymmetric dimethyl epigenetic mark H4R3me2a was observed in IDH1R132H gliomas. Reduced expression of PRMT1 was concurrent with diminished levels of PTX3, a key secretory factor involved in cancer-related inflammation. Lack of PRMT1 H4R3me2a in IDH1 mutant glioma failed to epigenetically activate the expression of PTX3 with a reduction in YY1 (YY1 transcription factor) binding on its promoter. Transcriptional activation and subsequent secretion of PTX3 from cells was required for maintaining macroautophagic/autophagic balance as pharmacological or genetic ablation of PTX3 secretion in wild-type IDH1 significantly increased autophagic flux. Additionally, PTX3-deficient IDH1 mutant gliomas exhibited heightened autophagic signatures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the PRMT1-PTX3 axis is important in regulating the levels of ferritin genes/iron storage and inhibition of this axis triggered ferritinophagic flux. This study highlights the conserved role of IDH1 mutants in augmenting ferritinophagic flux in gliomas irrespective of genetic landscape through inhibition of the PRMT1-PTX3 axis. This is the first study describing ferritinophagy in IDH1 mutant gliomas with mechanistic details. Of clinical importance, our study suggests that the PRMT1-PTX3 ferritinophagy regulatory circuit could be exploited for therapeutic gains.Abbreviations: 2-HG: D-2-hydroxyglutarate; BafA1: bafilomycin A1; ChIP: chromatin immunoprecipitation; FTH1: ferritin heavy chain 1; FTL: ferritin light chain; GBM: glioblastoma; HMOX1/HO-1: heme oxygenase 1; IHC: immunohistochemistry; IDH1: isocitrate dehydrogenase(NADP(+))1; MDC: monodansylcadaverine; NCOA4: nuclear receptor coactivator 4; NFE2L2/Nrf2: NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2; PTX3/TSG-14: pentraxin 3; PRMT: protein arginine methyltransferase; SLC40A1: solute carrier family 40 member 1; Tan IIA: tanshinone IIA; TCA: trichloroacetic acid; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; TNF: tumor necrosis factor.

Prognosis and Immune Landscapes in Glioblastoma Based on Gene-Signature Related to Reactive-Oxygen-Species

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant and aggressive primary brain tumor and is highly resistant to current therapeutic strategies. Previous studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the regulation of signal transduction and immunosuppressive environment in GBM. To further study the role of ROS in prognosis, tumor micro-environment (TME) and immunotherapeutic response in GBM, an ROS-related nine-gene signature was constructed using the Lasso-Cox regression method and validated using three other datasets in our research, based on the hallmark ROS-pathway-related gene sets and the Cancer Genome Atlas GBM dataset. Differences in prognosis, TME scores, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint expression levels, and drug sensitivity between high-risk and low-risk subgroups were analyzed using R software. Collectively, our research uncovered a novel ROS-related prognostic model for primary GBM, which could prove to be a potential tool for clinical diagnosis of GBM, and help assess the immune and molecular characteristics of ROS in the tumorigenesis and immunosuppression of GBM. Our research also revealed that the expressions of ROS-related genes-HSPB1, LSP1, and PTX3-were closely related to the cell markers of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and M2 macrophages validated by quantitative RT-PCR, suggesting them could be potential targets of immunotherapy for GBM.

Translational research into frailty from bench to bedside: Salivary biomarkers for inflammaging

Frailty is a complex physiological syndrome associated with adverse ageing and decreased physiological reserves. Frailty leads to cognitive and physical disability and is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality and economic costs. The underlying cause of frailty is multifaceted, including immunosenescence and inflammaging, changes in microbiota and metabolic dysfunction. Currently, salivary biomarkers are used as early predictors for some clinical diseases, contributing to the effective prevention and treatment of diseases, including frailty. Sample collection for salivary analysis is non-invasive and simple, which are paramount factors for testing in the vulnerable frail population. The aim of this review is to describe the current knowledge on the association between frailty and the inflammatory process and discuss methods to identify putative biomarkers in salivary fluids to predict this syndrome. This study describes the relationship between i.-inflammatory process and frailty; ii.-infectious, chronic, skeletal, metabolic and cognitive diseases with inflammation and frailty; iii.-inflammatory biomarkers and salivary fluids. There is a limited number of previous studies focusing on the analysis of inflammatory salivary biomarkers and frailty syndrome; hence, the study of salivary fluids as a source for biomarkers is an open area of research with the potential to address the increasing demands for frailty-associated biomarkers.

Proof of Concept of the Radiosensitizing Effect of Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles in Cell Spheroids and a Tumor-Implanted Murine Model of Chondrosarcoma

Purpose

Chondrosarcomas (CHSs), which represent 20% of primary bone tumors in adults, are mostly resistant to radio- and chemotherapy. It is therefore essential that new therapeutic approaches, targeted to the tumour, be developed to improve the prognosis of patients. The effectiveness, as a radiosensitizing agent, of gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (GdoNP, AGuIX^®) nanoparticles in CHS was evaluated in vitro, in spheroid CHS models allowing to reproduce cell-cell extracellular matrix interactions, and, in vivo, in a nude mouse model with heterotopic tumour xenograft.

Methods

Spheroids from SW1353 and HEMC-SS cells were characterized by confocal microscopy with or without GdoNP treatment. Real-time microscopy enabled quantification of cell viability, cell migration and invasion. In vivo, the efficacy of the association of GdoNP combined with a single (4Gy) or fractionated (4x1Gy) irradiation was evaluated in HEMC-SS tumor-bearing mice by monitoring tumor growth, mouse survival and gene expression profile.

Results

The expression of proteoglycans in the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) of spheroids demonstrated the relevance of the 3-D model. The combination of GdoNP with single or fractionated irradiation increased the lethal effects of irradiation on 2-D- and 3-D-cultured cells. In vivo, a single or a fractionated dose of 4 Gy associated with IT or IV injection of GdoNP decreased tumor growth significantly. Only IT injection increased mice survival. Unexpectedly, the radiosensitizing effect of GdoNP was associated, in vitro, with a significant decrease in invasion-migration capacities and, in vivo, with the decreased expression of PTX3, a protein involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process, suggesting a potential impact of GdoNP on metastasis formation.

Conclusion

These results provide the first proof of concept of the radiosensitizing effect of GdoNP in CHSs and opened the way for a multicentre, randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating the association of GdoNP with radiotherapy for the therapeutic management of patients with symptomatic inoperable musculoskeletal tumor lesions.

PARP Inhibitor Inhibits the Vasculogenic Mimicry through a NF-κB-PTX3 Axis Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are targeted therapies that inhibit PARP proteins which are involved in a variety of cell functions. PARPi may act as modulators of angiogenesis; however, the relationship between PARPi and the vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in breast cancer remains unclear. To determine whether PARPi regulate the vascular channel formation, we assessed whether the treatment with olaparib, talazoparib and veliparib inhibits the vascular channel formation by breast cancer cell lines. Here, we found that PARPi act as potent inhibitors of the VM formation in triple negative breast cancer cells, independently of the BRCA status. Mechanistically, we find that PARPi trigger and inhibit the NF-κB signaling, leading to the inhibition of the VM. We further show that PARPi decrease the expression of the angiogenic factor PTX3. Moreover, PTX3 rescued the PARPi-inhibited VM inhibition. In conclusion, our results indicate that PARPi, by targeting the VM, may provide a new therapeutic approach for triple negative breast cancer.

Insights into the Relationship between Pentraxin-3 and Cancer

Although cancer can be cured if detected early and treated effectively, it is still a leading cause of death worldwide. Tumor development can be limited by an appropiate immune response, but it can be promoted by chronic extensive inflammation through metabolic dysregulation and angiogenesis. In the past decade, numerous efforts have been made in order to identify novel candidates with predictive values in cancer diagnostics. In line with this, researchers have investigated the involvement of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) in cellular proliferation and immune escape in various types of cancers, although it has not been clearly elucidated. PTX-3 is a member of the long pentraxin subfamily which plays an important role in regulating inflammation, innate immunity response, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Increased synthesis of inflammatory biomarkers and activation of different cellular mechanisms can induce PTX-3 expression in various types of cells (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, myeloid dendritic cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells). PTX-3 has both pro- and anti-tumor functions, thus dual functions in oncogenesis. This review elucidates the potential usefulness of PTX-3 as a serum biomarker in cancer. While future investigations are needed, PTX-3 is emerging as a promising tool for cancer's diagnosis and prognosis, and also treatment monitoring.

Sphingosine kinase 1 promotes growth of glioblastoma by increasing inflammation mediated by the NF-κB /IL-6/STAT3 and JNK/PTX3 pathways

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most challenging malignant tumor of the central nervous system because of its high morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rate. Currently, mechanisms of GBM are still unclear and there is no effective drug for GBM in the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to identify new drug targets and corresponding drugs for GBM. In this study, in silico analyses and experimental data show that sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) is up-regulated in GBM patients, and is strongly correlated with poor prognosis and reduced overall survival. Overexpression of SPHK1 promoted the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and clonogenicity of GBM cells, while silencing SPHK1 had the opposite effect. SPHK1 promoted inflammation through the NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and led to the phosphorylation of JNK, activating the JNK-JUN and JNK-ATF3 pathways and promoting inflammation and proliferation of GBM cells by transcriptional activation of PTX3. SPHK1 interacted with PTX3 and formed a positive feedback loop to reciprocally increase expression, promote inflammation and GBM growth. Inhibition of SPHK1 by the inhibitor, PF543, also decreased tumorigenesis in the U87-MG and U251-MG SPHK1 orthotopic mouse models. In summary, we have characterized the role and molecular mechanisms by which SPHK1 promotes GBM, which may provide opportunities for SPHK1-targeted therapy.

Akt-Activated Endothelium Increases Cancer Cell Proliferation and Resistance to Treatment in Ovarian Cancer Cell Organoids

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by its late diagnosis (FIGO stages III and IV) and the importance of abdominal metastases often observed at diagnosis. Detached ovarian cancer cells (OCCs) float in ascites and form multicellular spheroids. Here, we developed endothelial cell (EC)-based 3D spheroids to better represent in vivo conditions. When co-cultured in 3D conditions, ECs and OCCs formed organized tumor angiospheres with a core of ECs surrounded by proliferating OCCs. We established that Akt and Notch3/Jagged1 pathways played a role in angiosphere formation and peritoneum invasion. In patients' ascites we found angiosphere-like structures and demonstrated in patients' specimens that tumoral EC displayed Akt activation, which supports the importance of Akt activation in ECs in OC. Additionally, we demonstrated the importance of FGF2, Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), PD-ECGF and TIMP-1 in angiosphere organization. Finally, we confirmed the role of Notch3/Jagged1 in OCC-EC crosstalk relating to OCC proliferation and during peritoneal invasion. Our results support the use of multicellular spheroids to better model tumoral and stromal interaction. Such models could help decipher the complex pathways playing critical roles in metastasis spread and predict tumor response to chemotherapy or anti-angiogenic treatment.

Extracellular Vesicles in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: Characterization and Diagnostic Potential

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B cell lymphoma characterized by a heterogeneous behavior and in need of more accurate biological characterization monitoring and prognostic tools. Extracellular vesicles are secreted by all cell types and are currently established to some extent as representatives of the cell of origin. The present study characterized and evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic potential of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) proteome in DLBCL by using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. The EV proteome is strongly affected by DLBCL status, with multiple proteins uniquely identified in the plasma of DLBCL. A proof-of-concept classifier resulted in highly accurate classification with a sensitivity and specificity of 1 when tested on the holdout test data set. On the other hand, no proteins were identified to correlate with non-germinal center B-cell like (non-GCB) or GCB subtypes to a significant degree after correction for multiple testing. However, functional analysis suggested that antigen binding is regulated when comparing non-GCB and GCB. Survival analysis based on protein quantitative values and clinical parameters identified multiple EV proteins as significantly correlated to survival. In conclusion, the plasma extracellular vesicle proteome identifies DLBCL cancer patients from healthy donors and contains potential EV protein markers for prediction of survival.

The natural FGF-trap long pentraxin 3 inhibits lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic dissemination

The lymphatic vascular system represents a major route for dissemination of several solid tumors, including melanoma. Even though the members of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor family VEGF-C and VEGF-A have been shown to drive tumor lymphangiogenesis, experimental evidence indicates that also the pro-angiogenic factor Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) may play a role in the lymphangiogenic switch by triggering the activation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in cooperation with VEGFs.The soluble pattern recognition receptor Long Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) acts as a natural FGF trap, thus exerting an oncosuppressive role in FGF-dependent tumors. Here, the capacity of PTX3 to modulate lymphangiogenesis was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrate that recombinant human PTX3 inhibits the lymphangiogenic activity exerted by the VEGF-A/FGF2/sphingosine-1-phosphate (VFS) cocktail on human and murine LECs. In keeping with in vitro data, a reduced lymphangiogenic response was observed in a lymphangiogenic Matrigel plug assay following the subcutaneous injection of the VFS cocktail in PTX3-overexpressing transgenic TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mice when compared to wild-type or Ptx3 null animals. Accordingly, the capacity of B16F10-VEGFC-luc melanoma cells to colonize the primary tumor-draining lymph node after grafting into the foot pad was dramatically impaired in PTX3-overexpressing mice.Together with the observation that both the VFS cocktail and melanoma cell conditioned media caused a significant downregulation of PTX3 expression in LECs, these data indicate that the FGF trap activity of PTX3 may exert a key effect in the modulation of lymphangiogenesis and tumor metastatic dissemination.

RETRACTED: The pathogenicity of COVID-19 and the role of pentraxin-3: An updated review study

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. In investigating concerns regarding the contributions of the authors to this article, the editors reached out to the authors for an explanation. In addition to the concerns regarding the contribution of each author, the editors discovered suspicious changes in authorship between the original submission and the revised version of this paper. The names of the authors Ameer A Alameri and Zanko Hassan Jawhar were added to the revised version of the article without explanation and without the exceptional approval by the handling Editor, which is contrary to the journal policy on changes to authorship. The authors were unable to provide a reasonable explanation for either of the issues raised. The editor therefore feels that the findings of the manuscript cannot be relied upon and that the article needs to be retracted.

Relative Quantification of Proteins in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Breast Cancer Tissue Using Multiplexed Mass Spectrometry Assays

The identification of clinically relevant biomarkers represents an important challenge in oncology. This problem can be addressed with biomarker discovery and verification studies performed directly in tumor samples using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. However, reliably measuring proteins in FFPE samples remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the use of liquid chromatography coupled to multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC-MRM/MS) as an effective technique for such applications. An LC-MRM/MS method was developed to simultaneously quantify hundreds of peptides extracted from FFPE samples and was applied to the targeted measurement of 200 proteins in 48 triple-negative, 19 HER2-overexpressing, and 20 luminal A breast tumors. Quantitative information was obtained for 185 proteins, including known markers of breast cancer such as HER2, hormone receptors, Ki-67, or inflammation-related proteins. LC-MRM/MS results for these proteins matched immunohistochemistry or chromogenic in situ hybridization data. In addition, comparison of our results with data from the literature showed that several proteins representing potential biomarkers were identified as differentially expressed in triple-negative breast cancer samples. These results indicate that LC-MRM/MS assays can reliably measure large sets of proteins using the analysis of surrogate peptides extracted from FFPE samples. This approach allows to simultaneously quantify the expression of target proteins from various pathways in tumor samples. LC-MRM/MS is thus a powerful tool for the relative quantification of proteins in FFPE tissues and for biomarker discovery.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of Pentraxin 3: A Potential Biomarker of COVID-19

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a potential biomarker of the severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients, is aberrantly expressed in human tumors. However, a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of PTX3 remains to be elucidated. PTX3 data profiles and clinical information in TCGA cancers were obtained from different public databases to clarify the expression levels, genetic alterations, prognostic significance, underlying mechanisms, and the predicted role in immunotherapy of PTX3 across TCGA cancers. Our analyses showed that PTX3 was aberrantly expressed in most tumors and was significantly related to prognosis and tumor stage. Interaction network and enrichment analyses revealed that PTX3 participated in tumor immuno-related progression. In addition, PTX3 levels were critically associated with immune cell components and immune scores, and PTX3 strongly coexpressed with immune-related genes in TCGA cancers. Meanwhile, PTX3 expression was associated with immune checkpoint genes, and immunotherapy potential biomarkers in multiple cancers, predicting special immunotherapy responses in different tumor types. In kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), PTX3 emerged as an independent prognostic factor through multivariable Cox regression analyses. Blocking PTX3 with siRNA could suppress the growth of KIRC cells and invasion. Conclusively, our study shows a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of PTX3, which might serve as a pan-cancer prognostic biomarker.

Postoperative kinetics of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) after congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric patients

Background

Pentraxins are inflammatory proteins and markers of acute-phase responses. They are divided into short and long subgroups based on the length of the N-terminal region. The most studied short pentraxin is the C-reactive protein (CRP), which is known to be expressed in various inflammatory conditions, including surgical procedures. On the other hand, much less is known about the kinetics of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in surgical patients, especially in the pediatric population.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the early postoperative kinetics of PTX3 in relation to procalcitonin (PCT) and CRP levels in children undergoing congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods

A total of 21 children (9 boys and 12 girls, mean age 12 months) were included in the study. Blood samples for determination of CRP, PCT, and PTX3 levels were collected before the surgery and then immediately after its completion (postoperative day 0, POD 0) and subsequently at POD 1, 2, and 3.

Results

Serum PTX3 concentrations increased significantly between POD 0 and POD 1 (mean values were 12.2 and 72.4 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.001), decreased between POD 1 and POD 2 (mean values were 72.4 and 23.6 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.001), and normalized on POD 3 (the mean value was 1.2 ng/ml).

Conclusions

PTX3 concentrations are markedly elevated during the first postoperative day. Under normal circumstances, PTX3 rises and falls quickly, and its second rise in the early postoperative period may be abnormal, however, further studies are necessary.

PTX3 mediates the infiltration, migration, and inflammation-resolving-polarization of macrophages in glioblastoma

Introduction

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an essential regulator of the immune system. However, the immune‐modulatory role of PTX3 in the tumor microenvironment of glioma has not been elucidated.

Methods

The RNA seq samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the China Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) datasets. The single‐cell sequencing data of glioblastoma (GBM) samples were obtained from the Single Cell Portal platform (http://singlecell.broadinstitute.org). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PTX3 expression, HAVCR2, PD‐1, PD‐L1, and CD276 in glioma sections from the Xiangya cohort (n = 60). Multiplex immunofluorescence staining of PTX3, CD68, and CD163 was performed in several solid cancer types, including GBM. HMC3 was cocultured with U251 and U87, and transwell assay and flow cytometry assay were performed to explore the migration and polarization activity of HMC3.

Results

PTX3 expression is significantly increased in GBM. PTX3 expression predicts worse survival in the Xiangya cohort. PTX3 is closely related to the expression of PD‐1, PD‐L1, CD276, and HAVCR2 in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, PTX3 is involved in tumorigenic and immunogenic processes, especially the activity of macrophages based on various signaling pathways in cellular communications and critical transcription factors. Specifically, PTX3 actively mediates macrophages' infiltration, migration, and inflammation‐resolving‐polarization. PTX3 could also predict immunotherapy response.

Conclusion

PTX3 is critically involved in macrophage infiltration, migration, and inflammation‐resolving‐polarization and modulates an immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Angiogenic Factor-Based Signature Predicts Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common malignancies, and specific molecular targets are still lacking. Angiogenesis plays a central regulatory role in the growth and metastasis of malignant tumors and angiogenic factors (AFs) are involved. Although there are many studies comparing AFs and cancer, a prognostic risk model for AFs and cancer in humans has not been reported in the literature. This study aimed to identify the key AFs closely related to the process of NSCLC development, and four genes have been found, C1QTNF6, SLC2A1, PTX3, and FSTL3. Then, we constructed a novel prognostic risk model based on these four genes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and fully analyzed the relationship with clinical features, immune infiltration, genomes, and predictors. This model had good discrimination and calibration and will perform well in predicting the prognosis of treatment in clinical practice.

Enhanced expression of pentraxin-3 in glioblastoma cells correlates with increased invasion and IL8-VEGF signaling axis

Glioblastoma (GB) is highly invasive and resistant to multimodal treatment partly due to distorted vasculature and exacerbated inflammation. The aggressiveness of brain tumors may be attributed to the dysregulated release of angiogenic and inflammatory factors. The glycoprotein pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is correlated with the severity of some cancers. However, the mechanism responsible for the invasive oncogenic role of PTX3 in GB malignancy remains unclear. In this study, we examined the role of PTX3 in GB growth, angiogenesis, and invasion using in vitro and in vivo GB models, proteomic profiling, molecular and biochemical approaches. Under in vitro conditions, PTX3 over-expression in U87 cells correlated with cell cycle progression, increased migratory potential, and proliferation under hypoxic conditions. Conditioned media containing PTX3 enhanced the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells. While silencing of PTX3 by siRNA decreased the proliferation, migration, and angiogenic potential of U87 cells in vitro. Importantly, PTX3 over-expression increased tumor growth, angiogenesis, and invasion in an orthotopic mouse model. Higher levels of PTX3 in these tumors were associated with the upregulation of inflammatory and angiogenic markers including interleukin-8 (IL-8) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but decreased levels of thrombospondin-1, an anti-angiogenic factor. Mechanistically, exogenous production of PTX3 triggered an IKK/NFκB signaling pathway that enhances the expression of the motility genes AHGEF7 and Rac1. Taken together, PTX3 expression is dysregulated in GB. PTX3 may augment invasion through enhanced angiogenesis in the GB microenvironment through the IL8-VEGF axis. Thus, PTX3 may represent a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the aggressive behavior of gliomas.

Increased Serum Pentraxin 3 Levels are Associated with Poor Prognosis of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of liver-related mortality. Serum pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has been revealed to be associated with the development of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. This study evaluated whether serum PTX3 is related to the survival of HBV-related HCC patients.

Methods

One hundred and seven patients with HBV-related HCC were included. Baseline serum PTX3 levels were quantified using quantitative immunoassay. The HCC patients were followed-up for a median of 24 months and divided into high serum PTX3 level and low PTX3 level groups according to the baseline serum PTX3 levels. The overall survivals of the HBV-related HCC patients according to the serum PTX3 levels were compared. Factors potentially influencing the prognosis of the patients with HBV-related HCC were analyzed.

Results

HCC patients with high serum PTX3 levels [PTX3 > 9.25ng/mL (n=85)] had a shorter overall survival time than HCC patients with low serum PTX3 levels [PTX3 ≤ 9.25ng/mL (n=22)] (P = 0.049). HCC patients with serum PTX3 levels between >9.25ng/mL and ≤9.25ng/mL had significant difference in HCC histology grade. Multivariate analysis showed that PTX3 level was an independent risk factor related to the overall survival of HCC patients (hazard ratio: 1.058, 95% confidence interval: 1.031–1.085, P <0.001).

Conclusion

These results support the involvement of PTX3 in the disease progression of HCC and suggest the potential of using serum PTX3 levels as a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HBV-related HCC patients.

The Analysis of Inflammation-Related Proteins in a Cargo of Exosomes Derived from the Serum of Uveal Melanoma Patients Reveals Potential Biomarkers of Disease Progression

Simple Summary

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumour in adults with a poor prognosis and extremely high mortality rate due to the development of metastatic disease. Despite good knowledge of the histological and genetic background of metastases formation, there is still a lack of specific biomarkers which would allow early detection of UM progression. Due to their unique molecular cargo consisting of proteins and nucleic acids, exosomes have been widely studied as carriers of biomarkers for cancer development and progression. In this study, we analyzed the inflammation-related protein cargo of exosomes derived from the serum of primary and metastatic UM patients and healthy donors using multiplex immunoassay technology. We showed a significant correlation between the disease stage and the concentration of inflammation-related proteins from exosomal cargo. Based on the obtained results, we propose the panel of exosomal proteins for early detection of uveal melanoma progression into metastatic disease.

Abstract

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumour in adults with a poor prognosis and extremely high mortality rate due to the development of metastatic disease. However, despite relatively good knowledge about the histological and genetic risk factors for metastasis development, there is no specific biomarker that would allow early detection of UM progression. Recently, exosomes and their molecular cargo have been widely studied in the search for potential biomarkers in several cancers. The purpose of this study was to analyze the inflammation-related protein cargo of exosomes derived from the serum of primary and metastatic UM patients and healthy donors. Methods: The exosomes were isolated from the serum of primary and metastatic UM patients and healthy donors. Using multiplex immunoassay technology, we analyzed the concentration of 37 inflammation-related proteins in obtained exosomes. Results: The analysis of protein cargo showed several molecules related to inflammation, such as interferon-gamma, interleukin 2, 22 and 12(p40), Pentraxin-3, TNFSF13B and TNFSF8 which were significantly enriched in metastatic UM exosomes. We showed a significant correlation between the disease stage and the concentration of these inflammation-related proteins from exosomal cargo. Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, we propose the panel of exosomal proteins for early detection of uveal melanoma progression into metastatic disease.

Pentraxin-3 inhibits milky spots metastasis of gastric cancer by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization

Purpose: Recent studies have indicated that Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is related to invasion, migration and metastasis of gastric cancer cells (GCCs). However, the function of PTX3 in stemness and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization in GC has not yet been revealed. Here, we investigated the role of PTX3 in TAMs polarization and stemness in gastric cancer (GC), and further explored the effect of PTX3 on milky spot metastasis of gastric cancer.

Methods: PTX3 expression in human gastric cancer tissues was examined with immunohistochemistry (IHC). The influence on stemness of gastric cancer cells was examined by sphere formation assay and western blot. qRT-PCR, IHC and flow cytometry were used to evaluate M1/M2 macrophage signatures. The effects of PTX3 on TAM polarization and milky spots were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The possible mechanism of PTX3 on targeted cytokines and pathway were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot.

Results: We found that PTX3 was low expressed in gastric carcinoma tissues and associated with stemness and polarization of macrophages. The upregulation of PTX3 inhibited the stemness of GCCs. Furthermore, PTX3 suppressed the polarization of M2 macrophages in the milky spots in vivo and in vitro and inhibited the metastasis of GC into milky spots. PTX3 restrained the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 via the inhibition of phosphorylation of the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) in GCCs.

Conclusion: These results revealed a novel mechanism of PTX3 in GC, which may participate in the development and metastasis of GC by affecting stemness and macrophage polarization. PTX3 should be considered as a crucial biomarker and may be potentially used in targeted therapy in GC progression.

Pentraxin 3 Inhibits the Angiogenic Potential of Multiple Myeloma Cells

Simple Summary

Bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis represents a key aspect in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM) and is strictly linked to the balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic players produced by both neoplastic and stromal components. It has been shown that Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) play a pivotal role in the angiogenic switch occurring during MM progression. Accordingly, the natural FGF antagonist Long Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is able to reduce the activation of BM stromal components induced by FGFs. This work explores, for the first time, the anti-angiogenic role of PTX3 produced by MM cells demonstrating that the inducible expression of PTX3 is able to impair MM neovascularization, the onset of a proficient BM vascular niche and, ultimately, to impair tumor growth and dissemination.

Abstract

During multiple myeloma (MM) progression the activation of the angiogenic process represents a key step for the formation of the vascular niche, where different stromal components and neoplastic cells collaborate and foster tumor growth. Among the different pro-angiogenic players, Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) plays a pivotal role in BM vascularization occurring during MM progression. Long Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a natural FGF antagonist, is able to reduce the activation of stromal components promoted by FGF2 in various in vitro models. An increased FGF/PTX3 ratio has also been found to occur during MM evolution, suggesting that restoring the “physiological” FGF/PTX3 ratio in plasma cells and BM stromal cells (BMSCs) might impact MM. In this work, taking advantage of PTX3-inducible human MM models, we show that PTX3 produced by tumor cells is able to restore a balanced FGF/PTX3 ratio sufficient to prevent the activation of the FGF/FGFR system in endothelial cells and to reduce the angiogenic capacity of MM cells in different in vivo models. As a result of this anti-angiogenic activity, PTX3 overexpression causes a significant reduction of the tumor burden in both subcutaneously grafted and systemic MM models. These data pave the way for the exploitation of PTX3-derived anti-angiogenic approaches in MM.

The complexity of tumour angiogenesis based on recently described molecules

Tumour angiogenesis is a crucial factor associated with tumour growth, progression, and metastasis. The whole process is the result of an interaction between a wide range of different molecules, influencing each other. Herein we summarize novel discoveries related to the less known angiogenic molecules such as galectins, pentraxin-3, Ral-interacting protein of 76 kDa (RLIP76), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), B7-H3, and delta-like ligand-4 (DLL-4) and their role in the process of tumour angiogenesis. These molecules influence the most important molecular pathways involved in the formation of blood vessels in cancer, including the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor interaction (VEGFR), HIF1-a activation, or PI3K/Akt/mTOR and JAK-STAT signalling pathways. Increased expression of galectins, RLIP76, and B7H3 has been proven in several malignancies. Pentraxin-3, which appears to inhibit tumour angiogenesis, shows reduced expression in tumour tissues. Anti-angiogenic treatment based mainly on VEGF inhibition has proved to be of limited effectiveness, leading to the development of drug resistance. The newly discovered molecules are of great interest as a potential source of new anti-cancer therapies. Their role as targets for new drugs and as prognostic markers in neoplasms is discussed in this review.

Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia Induces a Prominent Local Stress Response and Growth Inhibition in Mouse Breast Cancer Isografts

Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a selective cancer treatment used in human oncology complementing other therapies. During mEHT, a focused electromagnetic field (EMF) is generated within the tumor inducing cell death by thermal and nonthermal effects. Here we investigated molecular changes elicited by mEHT using multiplex methods in an aggressive, therapy-resistant triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) model. 4T1/4T07 isografts inoculated orthotopically into female BALB/c mice were treated with mEHT three to five times. mEHT induced the upregulation of the stress-related Hsp70 and cleaved caspase-3 proteins, resulting in effective inhibition of tumor growth and proliferation. Several acute stress response proteins, including protease inhibitors, coagulation and heat shock factors, and complement family members, were among the most upregulated treatment-related genes/proteins as revealed by next-generation sequencing (NGS), Nanostring and mass spectrometry (MS). pathway analysis demonstrated that several of these proteins belong to the response to stimulus pathway. Cell culture treatments confirmed that the source of these proteins was the tumor cells. The heat-shock factor inhibitor KRIBB11 reduced mEHT-induced complement factor 4 (C4) mRNA increase. In conclusion, mEHT monotherapy induced tumor growth inhibition and a complex stress response. Inhibition of this stress response is likely to enhance the effectiveness of mEHT and other cancer treatments.

Pentraxin 3 acts as a functional effector of Akt/NF-κB signaling to modulate the progression and cisplatin-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has been documented to be involved in the development of chemoresistance, however, the mechanisms by which it regulates cisplatin (DDP) resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have never been elucidated. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were carried to determine the expression of PTX3, ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1)/P-glycoprotein 1 (p-gp), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-кB) p65. The biological roles of PTX3 in NSCLC progression and NSCLC cell resistance to DDP were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell count kit-8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, as well as xenograft tumor assay. The expression of PTX3 was increased in the serum of NSCLC patients as well as in NSCLC cell lines. Lower PTX3 level was associated with longer overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. Furthermore, PTX3 expression was greatly higher in DDP-resistant NSCLC cells than that in NSCLC cells. Silencing of PTX3 restrained the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of NSCLC cells, as well as sensitized DDP-resistant NSCLC cells to DDP. Additionally, knockdown of PTX3 inhibited the growth of NSCLC tumors in vivo. Upregulation of PTX3 expression was dependent on the activation of Akt/NF-κB signaling. The induction of apoptosis by PTX3 knockdown was enhanced by MK-2206 or JSH-23. In conclusion, knockdown of PTX3 restrained the progression of NSCLC and sensitized NSCLC cells towards DDP, which provides a potential target to restore DDP chemoresponse.

Endogenous Long Pentraxin 3 Exerts a Protective Role in a Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive scarring disease of the lungs, characterized by inflammation, fibroblast activation, and deposition of extracellular matrix. The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a member of the pentraxin family with non-redundant functions in innate immune responses, tissue repair, and haemostasis. The role played in the lungs by PTX3 during the fibrotic process has not been elucidated. In this study, the impact of PTX3 expression on lung fibrosis was assessed in an intratracheal bleomycin (BLM)-induced murine model of the disease applied to wild type animals, transgenic mice characterized by endothelial overexpression and stromal accumulation of PTX3 (Tie2-PTX3 mice), and genetically deficient Ptx3^−/− animals. Our data demonstrate that PTX3 is produced during BLM-induced fibrosis in wild type mice, and that PTX3 accumulation in the stroma compartment of Tie2-PTX3 mice limits the formation of fibrotic tissue in the lungs, with reduced fibroblast activation and collagen deposition, and a decrease in the recruitment of the immune infiltrate. Conversely, Ptx3-null mice showed an exacerbated fibrotic response and decreased survival in response to BLM treatment. These results underline the protective role of endogenous PTX3 during lung fibrosis and pave the way for the study of novel PTX3-derived therapeutic approaches to the disease.

Circulating nuclear factor-kappa B mediates cancer-associated inflammation in human breast and colon cancer

Background

Inflammation is recognized as a hallmark feature of cancer development and progression. The aim of our study was to investigate the significance of serum nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) levels as a circulating marker in the monitoring of inflammation in breast and colon cancer; to show the relationship between NF-κB with inflammatory parameters as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Methods

Serum NF-κB, TNF-α, sTRAIL, IL-6, PTX-3, PCT, and serum CRP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 40 patients with breast cancer, 40 patients with colon cancer and 30 healthy controls.

Results

The serum NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, PTX-3, PCT, and serum CRP concentration was significantly higher, and the serum sTRAIL concentration was significantly lower in the patients with breast and colon cancer than in healthy controls. NF-κB was positively correlated with CRP and negatively correlated with sTRAIL.

Conclusions

These results suggest that increased NF-κB may decrease the clinical efficacy of sTRAIL in solid tumour cells. There is a relationship between inflammation and carcinogenesis so that the development of cancer occurs with chronic inflammation in breast and colon. The study results have shown that colon and breast cancer patients have increased systemic inflammation, as measured by increased circulating cytokines, and acute-phase proteins, or by abnormalities in circulating cells. NF-κB may combine with other markers of the systemic inflammatory response in prognostic scores in cancer. In addition to surgical resection of the tumour, and conventional radio and chemotherapy for cancer treatment, the use of sTRAIL or other agonists for cancer therapy appeared a new potential therapy.

Serum pentraxin 3 as a biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Biomarkers for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are needed in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a leading cause of HCC. We evaluated whether measurement of serum pentraxin 3 (PTX3) could improve diagnosis of HCC in chronic HBV infection. Data from patients with HBV-related chronic hepatitis (n = 159), cirrhosis (n = 99) and HCC (n = 107), and healthy controls (n = 151) were analyzed. Serum PTX3 concentration was measured by immunoassay. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was applied to assess diagnostic accuracy. PTX3 levels were significantly higher in HBV patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001) and in HCC than in chronic hepatitis (P < 0.001) or cirrhosis patients (P < 0.001). PTX3 was an independent risk factor of HCC [odds ratio (OR) 1.617, P < 0.001] and could distinguish HCC in chronic HBV infection [cutoff 9.231 ng/mL, AUC 0.929 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.898-0.953], including α-fetoprotein (AFP) negative [cutoff 8.985 ng/mL, AUC (95%CI) 0.947 (0.908-0.973)] and early-stage HCC [cutoff 9.359 ng/mL, AUC (95%CI) 0.920 (0.885-0.947)]. Combination of PTX3 with AFP improved the discrimination of early HCC from chronic HBV infection [AUC (95%CI) 0.948 (0.918-0.970)]. In short, PTX3 measurement could identify HCC, including AFP-negative and early-stage HCC, in chronic HBV infection.

Chemotherapy-Induced Upregulation of Small Extracellular Vesicle-Associated PTX3 Accelerates Breast Cancer Metastasis

Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a standard component of breast cancer treatment, recent evidence suggests that chemotherapeutic drugs can promote metastasis through poorly defined mechanisms. Here we utilize xenograft mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer to explore the importance of chemotherapy-induced tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEV) in metastasis. Doxorubicin (DXR) enhanced tumor cell sEV secretion to accelerate pulmonary metastasis by priming the premetastatic niche. Proteomic analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing identified the inflammatory glycoprotein PTX3 enriched in DXR-elicited sEV as a critical regulator of chemotherapy-induced metastasis. Both genetic inhibition of sEV secretion from primary tumors and pharmacologic inhibition of sEV uptake in secondary organs suppressed metastasis following chemotherapy. Taken together, this research uncovers a mechanism of chemotherapy-mediated metastasis by which drug-induced upregulation of sEV secretion and PTX3 protein cargo primes the premetastatic niche and suggests that inhibition of either sEV uptake in secondary organs or secretion from primary tumor cells may be promising therapeutic strategies to suppress metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that chemotherapy-induced small extracellular vesicles accelerate breast cancer metastasis, and targeted inhibition of tumor-derived vesicles may be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy treatment.

Modulation of complement activation by pentraxin-3 in prostate cancer

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an essential component of the innate immune system and a recognized modulator of Complement cascade. The role of Complement system in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer has been largely underestimated. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of PTX3 as possible modulator of Complement activation in the development of this neoplasia. We performed a single center cohort study; from January 2017 through December 2018, serum and prostate tissue samples were obtained from 620 patients undergoing prostate biopsy. A group of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) underwent a second biopsy within 12–36 months demonstrating the presence of a prostate cancer (Group A, n = 40) or confirming the diagnosis of BPH (Group B, N = 40). We measured tissue PTX3 protein expression together with complement activation by confocal microscopy in the first and second biopsy in group A and B patients. We confirmed that that PTX3 tissue expression in the first biopsy was increased in group A compared to group B patients. C1q deposits were extensively present in group A patients co-localizing and significantly correlating with PTX3 deposits; on the contrary, C1q/PTX3 deposits were negative in group B. Moreover, we found a significantly increased expression of C3a and C5a receptors within resident cells in group A patient. Interestingly, C1q/PTX3 deposits were not associated with activation of the terminal Complement complex C5b-9; moreover, we found a significant increase of Complement inhibitor CD59 in cancer tissue. Our data indicate that PTX3 might play a significant pathogenic role in the development of this neoplasia through recruitment of the early components of Complement cascade with hampered activation of terminal Complement pathway associated with the upregulation of CD59. This alteration might lead to the PTX3-mediated promotion of cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and insensitivity to apoptosis possible leading to cancer cell invasion and migration.

Pentraxin 3 Promotes Glioblastoma Progression by Negative Regulating Cells Autophagy

Glioblastoma is the most malignancy tumor generated from the central nervous system along with median survival time less than 14.6 months. Pentraxin 3 has been proved its association with patients’ poor survival outcome in various tumor. Recently, several studies revealed its association with glioblastoma progression but the mechanism is remained unknown. Autophagy is a programmed cells death and acts critical role in tumor progression. In this study, pentraxin 3 is recognized as prognostic prediction biomarker of glioblastoma and can promote glioblastoma progression through negative modulating tumor cells autophagy. Transcription factor JUN is assumed to participate in cells autophagy modulation by regulating pentraxin 3 expression. This work reveals novel mechanism of pentraxin 3 mediated glioblastoma progression. Furthermore, JUN is identified as potential transcription factor involves in pentraxin 3 mediated tumor cells autophagy.

The Basic Characteristics of the Pentraxin Family and Their Functions in Tumor Progression

The pentraxin is a superfamily of proteins with the same domain known as the pentraxin domain at C-terminal. This family has two subgroups, namely; short pentraxins (C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component) and long pentraxins (neuronal pentraxin 1, neuronal pentraxin 2, neuronal pentraxin receptor, pentraxin 3 and pentraxin 4). Each group shares a similar structure with the pentameric complexes arranged in a discoid shape. Previous studies revealed the functions of different pentraxin family members. Most of them are associated with human innate immunity. Inflammation has commonly been associated with tumor progression, implying that the pentraxin family might also participate in tumor progression. Therefore, we reviewed the basic characteristics and functions of the pentraxin family and their role in tumor progression.

The FGF/FGFR system in the physiopathology of the prostate gland

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of proteins possessing paracrine, autocrine, or endocrine functions in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, angiogenesis, tissue homeostasis, wound repair, and cancer. Canonical FGFs bind and activate tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFRs), triggering intracellular signaling cascades that mediate their biological activity. Experimental evidence indicates that FGFs play a complex role in the physiopathology of the prostate gland that ranges from essential functions during embryonic development to modulation of neoplastic transformation. The use of ligand- and receptor-deleted mouse models has highlighted the requirement for FGF signaling in the normal development of the prostate gland. In adult prostate, the maintenance of a functional FGF/FGFR signaling axis is critical for organ homeostasis and function, as its disruption leads to prostate hyperplasia and may contribute to cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. Dissection of the molecular landscape modulated by the FGF family will facilitate ongoing translational efforts directed toward prostate cancer therapy.

Long-Pentraxin 3 Affects Primary Cilium in Zebrafish Embryo and Cancer Cells via the FGF System

Primary cilium drives the left-right asymmetry process during embryonic development. Moreover, its dysregulation contributes to cancer progression by affecting various signaling pathways. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) system modulates primary cilium length and plays a pivotal role in embryogenesis and tumor growth. Here, we investigated the impact of the natural FGF trap long-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) on the determination of primary cilium extension in zebrafish embryo and cancer cells. The results demonstrate that down modulation of the PTX3 orthologue ptx3b causes the shortening of primary cilium in zebrafish embryo in a FGF-dependent manner, leading to defects in the left-right asymmetry determination. Conversely, PTX3 upregulation causes the elongation of primary cilium in FGF-dependent cancer cells. Previous observations have identified the PTX3-derived small molecule NSC12 as an orally available FGF trap with anticancer effects on FGF-dependent tumors. In keeping with the non-redundant role of the FGF/FGR system in primary cilium length determination, NSC12 induces the elongation of primary cilium in FGF-dependent tumor cells, thus acting as a ciliogenic anticancer molecule in vitro and in vivo. Together, these findings demonstrate the ability of the natural FGF trap PTX3 to exert a modulatory effect on primary cilium in embryonic development and cancer. Moreover, they set the basis for the design of novel ciliogenic drugs with potential implications for the therapy of FGF-dependent tumors.

SH3RF3 promotes breast cancer stem-like properties via JNK activation and PTX3 upregulation

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are the tumorigenic cell subpopulation and contribute to cancer recurrence and metastasis. However, the understanding of CSC regulatory mechanisms remains incomplete. By transcriptomic analysis, we identify a scaffold protein SH3RF3 (also named POSH2) that is upregulated in CSCs of breast cancer clinical tumors and cancer cell lines, and enhances the CSC properties of breast cancer cells. Mechanically, SH3RF3 interacts with the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a JNK-interacting protein (JIP)-dependent manner, leading to enhanced phosphorylation of JNK and activation of the JNK-JUN pathway. Further the JNK-JUN signaling expands CSC subpopulation by transcriptionally activating the expression of Pentraxin 3 (PTX3). The functional role of SH3RF3 in CSCs is validated with patient-derived organoid culture, and supported by clinical cohort analyses. In conclusion, our work elucidates the role and molecular mechanism of SH3RF3 in CSCs of breast cancer, and might provide opportunities for CSC-targeting therapy.

PTX3 modulates the immunoflogosis in tumor microenvironment and is a prognostic factor for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) belongs to the pentraxine family, innate immune regulators involved in angiogenesis, proliferation and immune escape in cancer. Here, we evaluated PTX3 tissue expression and serum levels as biomarkers of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and analyzed the possible role of complement system activation on tumor site. A 10-year retrospective cohort study including patients undergoing nephrectomy for ccRCC was also performed. PTX3 expression was elevated in both neoplastic renal cell lines and tissues, while it was absent in both normal renal proximal tubular cells (HK2) and normal renal tissues. Analysis of complement system activation on tumor tissues showed the co-expression of PTX3 with C1q, C3aR, C5R1 and CD59, but not with C5b-9 terminal complex. RCC patients showed higher serum PTX3 levels as compared to non-neoplastic patients (p<0.0001). Higher PTX3 serum levels were observed in patients with higher Fuhrman grade (p<0.01), lymph node (p<0.0001), and visceral metastases (p<0.001). Patients with higher PTX3 levels also showed significantly lower survival rates (p=0.002). Our results suggest that expression of PTX3 can affect the immunoflogosis in the ccRCC microenvironment, by activating the classical pathway of CS (C1q) and releasing pro-angiogenic factors (C3a, C5a). The up-regulation of CD59 also inhibits the complement-mediated cellular lysis.

Cytokine TNF-α promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by down-regulating Pentraxin3

As a novel multifaceted player in cancer, Pentraxin3(PTX3) was recognized to be a possible factor related with tumor development. Recent researches have indicated that PTX3 is involved in immune response, inflammation, as well as cancer, and is greatly controlled by numerous cytokines. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) is an imperative cytokine that demonstrates an extensive array of biological consequences in gastric cancer advancement. Here, we inspected the expression of PTX3 in gastric carcinoma tissues along with gastric cell lines and established that PTX3 was suggestively inferior in gastric cancer tissue and cells. The treatment of the gastric cell lines BGC-823 as well as SGC-7901 with rhTNF-α caused substantial decrease in the expression of PTX3. Furthermore, PTX3 controlled the capability of cell migration, invasion as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer cell lines mediated by TNF-α. Additionally, PTX3 upregulation inhibited tumorigenicity in vivo and could be reversed by exogenous TNF-α. Conversely, overexpression of PTX3 inhibited progress both in vitro as well as in vivo in gastric cancer mediated by TNF-α. Further studies are necessary to demonstrate the mechanism of interaction between PTX3 and cytokines.

Circulating pentraxin-3 and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis of 17 case-control studies

Introduction: Change of circulating pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), a novel marker of inflammation, has been observed in women with preeclampsia (PE). However, results of previous studies were inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the difference of circulating PTX-3 between women with PE and normal pregnancies.Methods: Case-control studies comparing circulating PTX-3 level between women with PE and normal pregnancies were identified via search of PubMed and Embase databases according to a predefined search strategy and inclusion criteria by two independent authors. Meta-analysis was performed with a random-effect model to incorporate heterogeneity.Results: Seventeen studies including 814 women with PE and 949 women with normal pregnancy were included. Results showed that women with PE had significantly higher circulating PTX-3 at diagnosis as compared to women with normal pregnancy (standardized mean difference [SMD]: = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.20-2.29, p < .001; I² = 94%). The results were consistent regardless of study characteristics including study location, maternal age, sample size, early or late onset of PE, blood sample for PTX-3 measurement, or NOS quality scores. Moreover, higher circulating PTX-3 was also observed before the diagnosis of PE (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.02-1.29, p = .04; I² = 87%).Conclusion: Women with PE have higher circulating PTX-3 than women with normal pregnancy. The elevated PTX-3 could be observed before the clinical onset of PE. Future studies are needed to determine whether PTX-3 is an active molecular in the pathogenesis of PE.

PTX3 Modulates Neovascularization and Immune Inflammatory Infiltrate in a Murine Model of Fibrosarcoma

Fibrosarcoma is an aggressive subtype of soft tissue sarcoma categorized in infantile/congenital-type and adult-type. Fibrosarcoma cells and its surrounding immune inflammatory infiltrates overexpress or induce the expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) that have a crucial role in tumor progression and angiogenesis. The inflammation-associated long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) was found to reduce FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis, but its role on fibrosarcoma immune inflammatory infiltrate is still unknown. In this study, we have evaluated the PTX3 activity on immune infiltrating mast cells, macrophages and T-lymphocytes by immunohistochemistry on murine MC-TGS17-51 fibrosarcoma cells and on transgenic TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mouse. In these fibrosarcoma models we found a reduced neovascularization and a significant decrease of inflammatory infiltrate. Indeed, we show that PTX3 reduces the level of complement 3 (C3) deposition reducing fibrosarcoma progression. In conclusion, we hypothesize that targeting fibrosarcoma microenvironment by FGF/FGFR inhibitors may improve treatment outcome.

The Autocrine FGF/FGFR System in both Skin and Uveal Melanoma: FGF Trapping as a Possible Therapeutic Approach

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play non-redundant autocrine/paracrine functions in various human cancers. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data mining indicates that high levels of FGF and/or FGF receptor (FGFR) expression are associated with reduced overall survival, chromosome 3 monosomy and BAP1 mutation in human uveal melanoma (UM), pointing to the FGF/FGFR system as a target for UM treatment. Here, we investigated the impact of different FGF trapping approaches on the tumorigenic and liver metastatic activity of liver metastasis-derived murine melanoma B16-LS9 cells that, similar to human UM, are characterized by a distinctive hepatic tropism. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the overexpression of the natural FGF trap inhibitor long-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) inhibits the oncogenic activity of B16-LS9 cells. In addition, B16-LS9 cells showed a reduced tumor growth and liver metastatic activity when grafted in PTX3-overexpressing transgenic mice. The efficacy of the FGF trapping approach was confirmed by the capacity of the PTX3-derived pan-FGF trap small molecule NSC12 to inhibit B16-LS9 cell growth in vitro, in a zebrafish embryo orthotopic tumor model and in an experimental model of liver metastasis. Possible translational implications for these observations were provided by the capacity of NSC12 to inhibit FGF signaling and cell proliferation in human UM Mel285, Mel270, 92.1, and OMM2.3 cells. In addition, NSC12 caused caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage followed by apoptotic cell death as well as β-catenin degradation and inhibition of UM cell migration. Together, our findings indicate that FGF trapping may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in UM.

Long Pentraxin-3 Follows and Modulates Bladder Cancer Progression

Bladder tumors are a diffuse type of cancer. Long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a component of the innate immunity with pleiotropic functions in the regulation of immune response, tissue remodeling, and cancer progression. PTX3 may act as an oncosuppressor in different contexts, functioning as an antagonist of the fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) system, rewiring the immune microenvironment, or acting through mechanisms not yet fully clarified. In this study we used biopsies and data mining to assess that PTX3 is differentially expressed during the different stages of bladder cancer (BC) progression. BC cell lines, representative of different tumor grades, and transgenic/carcinogen-induced models were used to demonstrate in vitro and in vivo that PTX3 production by tumor cells decreases along the progression from low-grade to high-grade advanced muscle invasive forms (MIBC). In vitro and in vivo data revealed for the first time that PTX3 modulation and the consequent impairment of FGF/FGR systems in BC cells have a significant impact on different biological features of BC growth, including cell proliferation, motility, metabolism, stemness, and drug resistance. PTX3 exerts an oncosuppressive effect on BC progression and may represent a potential functional biomarker in BC evolution. Moreover, FGF/FGFR blockade has an impact on drug resistance and stemness features in BC.

Increased Expression of Pentraxin 3 in Placental Tissues from Patients with Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a prototypical member of the long pentraxin subfamily, is a evolutionarily conserved multimeric pattern recognition receptor involved in the humoral component of the innate immune system. Pentraxin 3 is released when tissue is stressed or damaged, and interacts with many different ligands. Pentraxin 3 exerts a pivotal role both as a regulator and as an indicator of inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as sepsis, vasculitis and preeclampsia. Uncontrolled inflammatory response is considered a major cause of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL). We determined the PTX3 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression levels in placentai tissues from 50 women with URPL, and made comparison with those in 50 age-matched control subjects. In quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry analyses, PTX3 mRNA and protein levels, respectively, were significantly increased in URPL patients compared with their respective controls (p = 0.0001). Although no significant correlations were identified between PTX3 expression levels and clinical parameters such as maternal age, numbers of previous pregnancy losses, and gestational age at miscarriage, PTX3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in patients with no live births than in women with previous live births (p = 0.0001). Our study suggests that tissue-specific expression of PTX3 is associated with URPL. Further larger studies are required to determine whether PTX3 expression can be used as a biomarker to manage URPL in routine clinical practice.