Procarcinogenic effects of cyclosporine A are mediated through the activation of TAK1/TAB1 signaling pathway

Skin Cancer Precursors: From Cancer Genomics to Early Diagnosis

Skin cancers, including melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas, are responsible for increasing health care burden internationally. Risk stratification and early detection are paramount for prevention and less risky treatment to overall improve patient outcomes and disease morbidity. Here, the authors discuss the key concepts leading to skin cancer initiation and progression. The authors also outline precursor and progression models for melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas, including discussion of genetic alterations associated with the various stages of progression. Finally, the authors discuss the significance of immunoediting and the drivers behind increased risk of cutaneous malignancy in the state of immune dysregulation.

A review of heart transplant immunosuppressants and nonmelanoma skin cancer

Heart transplant recipients experience high rates of skin cancer, likely due to greater length or dosage of immunosuppression. We review the impact of immunosuppressive medications on development of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in heart transplant recipients. The authors searched keywords "heart transplant" and "nonmelanoma skin cancer" on PubMed in October 2022 for eligible articles available in English. Articles were selected for inclusion based on relevance to heart transplantation and NMSC. If any cited articles within included articles were related to our search they were also included. Of the 29 identified articles, 18 met the inclusion criteria with a total of 11,699 patients. Two studies found that tacrolimus and azathioprine increased the risk of NMSC. Five studies demonstrated that tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil decreased the risk of NMSC. Three studies described that cyclosporine, tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone had no significant association with the development in NMSC. Two studies did not specify the correlation between immunosuppressant use and NMSC development. Ten studies did not discuss the association of immunosuppressants use with the development of NMSC. Our review highlights the commonly used immunosuppressive drugs that can impact the development of NMSC in heart transplant recipients. A management strategy in immunosuppression-associated skin cancers may ultimately involve adjusting the immunosuppressive regimen. This review serves as a summary of the most commonly used immunosuppressive drugs in heart transplant patients and their tumorigenic mechanisms to guide recommendations for dermatologic follow-up in heart transplant recipients.

HPV Vaccination in Immunosuppressed Patients with Established Skin Warts and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Single-Institutional Cohort Study

cSCC (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) and its precursors are a major cause of morbidity, especially in immunosuppressed patients, and are frequently associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutic potential of alpha-HPV vaccination for immunosuppressed patients with established cSCC and its precursors. In this retrospective study, all patients who received Gardasil-9®, a nonavalent HPV vaccine, as secondary prophylaxis were examined. Dermatologic interventions in both the pre- and post-vaccination periods were analyzed with zero-inflated Poisson regression and a proportional intensity model for repeated events with consideration of the clinically relevant cofactors. The hazard ratio for major dermatologic interventions was 0.27 (CI 0.14-0.51, p < 0.001) between pre- and post-Gardasil-9® intervention. Gardasil-9® vaccination showed good efficacy in reducing major dermatologic interventions even after correction of relevant cofactors and national COVID-19 caseloads during the observational period. Alpha-HPV vaccination may potentially cause a significant decrease in dermatologic interventions and overall mortality as well as healthcare costs in immunosuppressed patients with high skin tumor burden.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma arising in immunosuppressed patients: a systematic review of tumor profiling studies

As solid organ transplantation becomes more prevalent, more individuals are living as members of the immunosuppressed population with an elevated risk for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Although great progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of cSCC in general, little is known about the drivers of tumorigenesis in immunosuppressed patients and organ-transplant recipients, specifically. This systematic review sought to synthesize information regarding the genetic and epigenetic alterations as well as changes in protein and mRNA expression that place this growing population at risk for cSCC, influence treatment response, and promote tumor aggressiveness. This review will provide investigators with a framework to identify future areas of investigation and clinicians with additional insight into how to best manage these patients.

Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis: clinical presentation and treatment update

Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis (AEV) is a form of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) that is most commonly found in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients. EV is commonly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is often found in EV and AEV lesions. Clinical presentation of AEV in patients with organ transplantation, HIV+, congenital HIV+, hematological diseases, and other iatrogenic immunosuppression are reviewed. Treatment options include topical cidofovir, topical retinoids, topical imiquimod, topical glycolic acid, HPV 9-valent vaccine, acitretin, improving cellular immunity, and changing transplant medication to mycophenolate mofetil.

Repeated ethanol exposure influences key enzymes in cholesterol and lipid homeostasis via the AMPK pathway in the rat prefrontal cortex

Cholesterol homeostasis has been proposed to be implicated in the development of addiction. However, the effects of ethanol on cholesterol homeostasis within the brain are not well understood. One of the most important regulators of cholesterol homeostasis is HMG-CoA reductase (HMG-CoAR), the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis. We examined the phosphorylation of HMG-CoAR and the other key regulator of lipid synthesis, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), following acute or chronic treatment with ethanol (0.5, 1, or 2 g/kg) in the rat prefrontal cortex. The phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates the HMG-CoAR activity, and its well-known upstream regulators, was also studied. The phosphorylation of HMG-CoAR and ACC were transiently increased by ethanol treatment only in animals previously treated chronically with ethanol. Acute administration to naïve animals did not induce the phosphorylation, regardless of dosage. Similarly, the phosphorylation of AMPK and the upstream regulators, LKB1 and CaMK4, were transiently increased only in chronically ethanol-treated animals. In naïve animals, a high dose (2 g/kg) of ethanol decreased phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of TAK1, another upstream kinase of AMPK, was increased only from 30 min to 24 h after the chronic treatment with ethanol. Together, these results indicate that repeated exposure is required for the activating effect of ethanol on HMG-CoAR and ACC. This effect seems to be mediated by the AMPK system, and may contribute to the long-lasting neuroadaptation involved in the development of alcohol dependence.

Behavioral cross-sensitization between cocaine and ethanol is accompanied by parallel changes in the activity of AMPK system

Behavioral sensitization is thought to be relevant to the psychopathology of drug addiction. A previous study from our research group demonstrated cross-sensitization between cocaine and ethanol. Although these findings suggest a common mechanism of action between these two drugs, little is known about the molecular or cellular aspects of this commonality. The AMPK pathway functions as an intracellular energy sensor and plays a critical role in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis. Thus, the present study examined AMPK signaling following reciprocal cross-sensitization between cocaine and ethanol in the rat prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were repeatedly treated with either cocaine (15 mg/kg, 5 times) or ethanol (0.5 g/kg, 15 times) and then challenged reciprocally with the other drug. When sensitized to either cocaine or ethanol, the phosphorylation in response to additional challenges with the same drug was enhanced, indicating the development of sensitization. However, responses to the cocaine challenge were enhanced in the ethanol-sensitized state, whereas the responses to the ethanol challenge were not apparently enhanced in the cocaine-sensitized state. This was likely due to the ceiling effect of cocaine sensitization, which suggested that cocaine had more robust effects than ethanol. Although the same changes were found for two upstream kinases of AMPK (LKB1 and CaMK4), TAK1 responded differently and was not affected by acute challenges from either cocaine or ethanol. In the prefrontal cortex, there was an increase in activity, whereas there was a decrease in activity in the dorsal striatum. This difference might be due to dopamine D1 receptor dominance in the prefrontal cortex and D2 receptor dominance in the dorsal striatum. Taken together, these results suggest that both cocaine and ethanol may share overlapping molecular pathways in the process of behavioral sensitization. However, the action of cocaine was stronger than that of ethanol.

The inflammatory state provokes sexual dimorphism in left ventricular and electrocardiographic effects of chronic cyclosporine in rats

Although cardiotoxicity has been recognized as an adverse effect of cyclosporine A (CSA), no information exists regarding sex specificity of CSA cardiotoxicity. We tested the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of CSA and related inflammatory/histopathological derangements are sex related. CSA reduced the LV slope of end-systolic pressure volume relationship and increased isovolumic relaxation constant. These effects were more pronounced in male compared to female rats, suggesting LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. ECG recordings showed elevated ST segments and increased QTc and T peak trend intervals in CSA-treated male rats, markers of LV ischemia and arrhythmogenesis. In female rats, CSA delayed AV conduction, as reflected by prolonged PR interval. Other sex-related effects for CSA included (i) increased blood cholesterol, and reduced rates of rise and fall in LV pressure and nuclear factor kappa B and angiotensin receptors type 1 expressions in male rats, and (ii) increased LV adiponectin in females. Histopatholgically, CSA caused vascular congestion, blood extravasation, and pyknotic or even absent nuclei in both sexes. In conclusion, rats exhibit sex-independent susceptibility to negative LV and histopathological influences of CSA. These effects become more intensified in male rats, perhaps on account of aggravated ischemic and inflammatory milieus.

Retinoid X Receptor Agonists Upregulate Genes Responsible for the Biosynthesis of All-Trans-Retinoic Acid in Human Epidermis

UAB30 is an RXR selective agonist that has been shown to have potential cancer chemopreventive properties. Due to high efficacy and low toxicity, it is currently being evaluated in human Phase I clinical trials by the National Cancer Institute. While UAB30 shows promise as a low toxicity chemopreventive drug, the mechanism of its action is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of UAB30 on gene expression in human organotypic skin raft cultures and mouse epidermis. The results of this study indicate that treatment with UAB30 results in upregulation of genes responsible for the uptake and metabolism of all-trans-retinol to all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), the natural agonist of RAR nuclear receptors. Consistent with the increased expression of these genes, the steady-state levels of ATRA are elevated in human skin rafts. In ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiated mouse skin, the expression of ATRA target genes is found to be reduced. A reduced expression of ATRA sensitive genes is also observed in epidermis of mouse models of UVB-induced squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinomas. However, treatment of mouse skin with UAB30 prior to UVB irradiation prevents the UVB-induced decrease in expression of some of the ATRA-responsive genes. Considering its positive effects on ATRA signaling in the epidermis and its low toxicity, UAB30 could be used as a chemoprophylactic agent in the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly in organ transplant recipients and other high risk populations.

Calcineurin-NFAT Signaling Controls Somatic Cell Reprogramming in a Stage-Dependent Manner

Calcineurin-NFAT signaling is critical for early lineage specification of mouse embryonic stem cells and early embryos. However, its roles in somatic cell reprogramming remain unknown. Here, we report that calcineurin-NFAT signaling has a dynamic activity and plays diverse roles at different stages of reprogramming. At the early stage, calcineurin-NFAT signaling is transiently activated and its activation is required for successful reprogramming. However, at the late stage of reprogramming, activation of calcineurin-NFAT signaling becomes a barrier for reprogramming and its inactivation is critical for successful induction of pluripotency. Mechanistically, calcineurin-NFAT signaling contributes to the reprogramming through regulating multiple early events during reprogramming, including mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), cell adhesion and emergence of SSEA1(+) intermediate cells. Collectively, this study reveals for the first time the important roles of calcineurin-NFAT signaling during somatic cell reprogramming and provides new insights into the molecular regulation of reprogramming.

HPV Carcinomas in Immunocompromised Patients

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide and can result in pre-malignancies or overt malignancies of the skin and mucosal surfaces. HPV-related illnesses are an important personal and public health problem causing physical, mental, sexual and financial detriments. Moreover, this set of malignancies severely affects the immunosuppressed population, particularly HIV-positive patients and organ-transplant recipients. There is growing incidence of HPV-associated anogenital malignancies as well as a decrease in the average age of affected patients, likely related to the rising number of high-risk individuals. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of HPV-related malignancy. Current treatment options for HPV infection and subsequent disease manifestations include imiquimod, retinoids, intralesional bleomycin, and cidofovir; however, primary prevention with HPV vaccination remains the most effective strategy. This review will discuss anogenital lesions in immunocompromised patients, cutaneous warts at nongenital sites, the association of HPV with skin cancer in immunocompromised patients, warts and carcinomas in organ-transplant patients, HIV-positive patients with HPV infections, and the management of cutaneous disease in the immunocompromised patient.

Mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis in the kidneys

Chemical carcinogens are substances which induce malignant tumours, increase their incidence or decrease the time taken for tumour formation. Often, exposure to chemical carcinogens results in tissue specific patterns of tumorigenicity. The very same anatomical, biochemical and physiological specialisations which permit the kidney to perform its vital roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis may in fact increase the risk of carcinogen exposure and contribute to the organ specific carcinogenicity observed with numerous kidney carcinogens. This review will address the numerous mechanisms which play a role in the concentration, bioactivation, and uptake of substances from both the urine and blood which significantly increase the risk of cancer in the kidney.

Papillomavirus-associated squamous skin cancers following transplant immunosuppression: one Notch closer to control

The frequent occurrence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) containing weakly tumorigenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) following iatrogenic immunosuppression for organ transplantation remains incompletely understood. Here we address this problem in the light of recent insights into (1) the association of low-risk β-HPVs with skin SCCs in the rare genetic syndromes of epidermodysplasia verruciformis and xeroderma pigmentosum, (2) the frequent recovery of post-transplant tumor control on substituting calcineurin-inhibitory with mTOR-inhibitory immunosuppression, (3) the unexpectedly favorable prognosis of node-positive SCCs containing high-risk α-HPVs originating in the activated immune niche of the oropharynx, (4) the rapid occurrence of HPV-negative SCCs in ultraviolet (UV)-damaged skin of melanoma patients receiving Raf-inhibitory drugs, and (5) the selective ability of β-HPV E6 oncoproteins to inhibit Notch tumor-suppressive signaling in cutaneous and mesenchymal tissues. The crosstalk so implied between oncogenic UV-induced mutations, defective host immunity, and β-HPV-dependent stromal-epithelial signaling suggests that immunosuppressants such as calcineurin inhibitors intensify mitogenic signalling in TP53-mutant keratinocytes while also abrogating immune-dependent Notch-mediated tumor repression. This emerging interplay between solar damage, viral homeostasis and immune control makes it timely to reappraise strategies for managing skin SCCs in transplant patients.

Genetic parameters and genome-wide association study of hyperpigmentation of the visceral peritoneum in chickens

BACKGROUND

Hyperpigmentation of the visceral peritoneum (HVP) has recently garnered much attention in the poultry industry because of the possible risk to the health of affected animals and the damage it causes to the appearance of commercial chicken carcasses. However, the heritable characters of HVP remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic parameters of HVP by genome-wide association study (GWAS) in chickens.

RESULTS

HVP was found to be influenced by genetic factors, with a heritability score of 0.33. HVP had positive genetic correlations with growth and carcass traits, such as leg muscle weight (rg = 0.34), but had negative genetic correlations with immune traits, such as the antibody response to Newcastle disease virus (rg = -0.42). The GWAS for HVP using 39,833 single nucleotide polymorphisms indicated the genetic factors associated with HVP displayed an additive effect rather than a dominance effect. In addition, we determined that three genomic regions, involving the 50.5-54.0 Mb region of chicken (Gallus gallus) chromosome 1 (GGA1), the 58.5-60.5 Mb region of GGA1, and the 10.5-12.0 Mb region of GGA20, were strongly associated (P < 6.28 × 10-7) with HVP in chickens. Variants in these regions explained >50% of additive genetic variance for HVP. This study also confirmed that expression of BMP7, which codes for a bone morphogenetic protein and is located in one of the candidate regions, was significantly higher in the visceral peritoneum of Huiyang Beard chickens with HVP than in that of chickens without pigmentation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

HVP is a quantitative trait with moderate heritability. Genomic variants resulting in HVP were identified on GGA1 and GGA20, and expression of the BMP7 gene appears to be upregulated in HVP-affected chickens. Findings from this study should be used as a basis for further functional validation of candidate genes involved in HVP.

Combined inhibition of p38 and Akt signaling pathways abrogates cyclosporine A-mediated pathogenesis of aggressive skin SCCs

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common neoplasm in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). These cancers are more invasive and metastatic as compared to those developed in normal cohorts. Previously, we have shown that immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine A (CsA) directly alters tumor phenotype of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) by activating TGF-β and TAK1/TAB1 signaling pathways. Here, we identified novel molecular targets for the therapeutic intervention of these SCCs. We observed that combined blockade of Akt and p38 kinases-dependent signaling pathways in CsA-promoted human epidermoid carcinoma A431 xenograft tumors abrogated their growth by more than 90%. This diminution in tumor growth was accompanied by a significant decrease in proliferation and an increase in apoptosis. The residual tumors following the combined treatment with Akt inhibitor triciribine and p38 inhibitors SB-203580 showed significantly diminished expression of phosphorylated Akt and p38 and these tumors were less invasive and highly differentiated. Diminished tumor invasiveness was associated with the reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition as ascertained by the enhanced E-cadherin and reduced vimentin and N-cadherin expression. Consistently, these tumors also manifested reduced MMP-2/9. The decreased p-Akt expression was accompanied by a significant reduction in p-mTOR. These data provide first important combinatorial pharmacological approach to block the pathogenesis of CsA-induced highly aggressive cutaneous neoplasm in OTRs.

The effect of cyclosporine A on the phosphorylation of the AMPK pathway in the rat hippocampus

Cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressant and calcineurin inhibitor, induces hyperlipidemia in humans and animals. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in metabolic homeostasis and lipid metabolism through modulating downstream molecules acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR). AMPK activity is regulated by the phosphorylation at the Thr-172 residue by its upstream liver kinase B 1 (LKB1), Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) or transforming growth-factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). AMPK can be deactivated through dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase 2Cα (PP2Cα). In this study, we demonstrated that phosphorylation at Thr-172-AMPK increased with a concurrent increase in the phosphorylation of Ser-431-LKB1 and Thr-184/187-TAK1 in the rat hippocampus at 5 h after an intraperitoneal CsA (50 mg/kg) injection. CsA did not affect the phosphorylation of Thr-196-Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 4 (CaMK4) and the amount of PP2Cα. An increased phosphorylation of Ser-79-ACC and Ser-872-HMG-CoAR was also observed. In conclusion, our data indicate that CsA activates the AMPK pathway in the rat hippocampus, which suggests that CsA affects the regulatory signaling pathway of lipid metabolism in the rat brain.