Rabeprazole suppresses cell proliferation in gastric epithelial cells by targeting STAT3-mediated glycolysis

LncARSR promotes glioma tumor growth by mediating glycolysis through the STAT3/HK2 axis

BACKGROUND

Glioma represents the predominant malignant brain tumor. This investigation endeavors to elucidate the impact and prospective mechanisms of glycolysis-related lncARSR on glioma.

METHODS

LncARSR level was assessed in normal glial cells and glioma cells. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion measurements were conducted through CCK-8, wound healing, and transwell assay. Flow cytometry was utilized to measure cell apoptosis and cell cycle. Biochemical assay kits and immunoblotting were employed to measure the content of glycolysis-related indicators and protein expression, respectively. We analyzed the impact of both lncARSR knockdown and overexpression of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) on Hexokinase 2 (HK2) using dual luciferase reporter assays and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments. Further assessment of the impact of lncARSR on glioma progression was conducted through animal experiments.

RESULTS

LncARSR was expressed at elevated levels in glioma cells compared to normal glial cells. Overexpressing lncARSR enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and G2/M phase arrest in glioma cells and also increased glucose, lactate, ATP production, as well as the expression of HK2, PFK1, PKM2, GLUT1, and LDHA. STAT3 binding to the HK2 gene promoter was weakened following the knockdown of lncARSR. Upregulation of STAT3 reversed the suppressed functions of knocking down lncARSR on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, G2/M phase arrest, and glycolysis and counteracted its promotional effect on cell apoptosis. In vivo, knocking down lncARSR inhibits glioma growth and ki67 and PCNA expression.

CONCLUSION

LncARSR promotes the development of glioma by enhancing glycolysis through the STAT3-HK2 axis.

Research progress of hexokinase 2 in inflammatory-related diseases and its inhibitors

Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a crucial enzyme involved in glycolysis, which converts glucose into glucose-6-phosphate and plays a significant role in glucose metabolism. HK2 can mediate glycolysis, which is linked to the release of inflammatory factors. The over-expression of HK2 increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating the inflammatory reaction. Consequently, HK2 is closely linked to various inflammatory-related diseases affecting multiple systems, including the digestive, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, reproductive systems, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. HK2 is regarded as a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory-related diseases, and this article provides a comprehensive review of its roles in these conditions. Furthermore, the development of potent HK2 inhibitors has garnered significant attention in recent years. Therefore, this review also presents a summary of potential HK2 inhibitors, offering promising prospects for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases in the future.

Vitronectin Destroyed Intestinal Epithelial Cell Differentiation through Activation of PDE4-Mediated Ferroptosis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective

Vitronectin (VTN) has been reported to trigger cell pyroptosis to aggravate inflammation in our previous study. However, the function of VTN in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains to be addressed.

Methods

Real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to analyze VTN-regulated intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) differentiation through ferroptosis, and immunofluorescence (IF), luciferase, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to identify whether VTN-modulated ferroptosis is dependent on phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein (CREB) cascade pathway. In vivo experiment in mice and a pilot study in patients with IBD were used to confirm inhibition of PDE4-alleviated IECs ferroptosis, leading to cell differentiation during mucosal healing.

Results

Herein, we found that caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2-mediated IECs differentiation was impaired in response to VTN, which was attributed to enhanced ferroptosis characterized by decreased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 expression. Inhibition of ferroptosis in IECs rescued the inhibitory effect of VTN on cell differentiation. Further analysis showed that VTN triggered phosphorylation of PDE4, leading to inhibit PKA/CREB activation and CREB nuclear translocation, which further reduced GPX4 transactivation. Endogenous PKA interacted with CREB, and this interaction was destroyed in response to VTN stimulation. What is more, overexpression of CREB in CaCO₂ cells overcame the promotion of VTN on ferroptosis. Most importantly, inhibition of PDE4 by roflumilast or dipyridamole could alleviate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice and in a pilot clinical study confirmed by IF.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrated that highly expressed VTN disrupted IECs differentiation through PDE4-mediated ferroptosis in IBD, suggesting targeting PDE4 could be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with IBD.

Helicobacter pylori promotes gastric intestinal metaplasia through activation of IRF3-mediated kynurenine pathway

BACKGROUND

Metabolic reprogramming is a critical event for cell fate and function, making it an attractive target for clinical therapy. The function of metabolic reprogramming in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infected gastric intestinal metaplasia remained to be identified.

METHODS

Xanthurenic acid (XA) was measured in gastric cancer cells treated with H. pylori or H. pylori virulence factor, respectively, and qPCR and WB were performed to detect CDX2 and key metabolic enzymes expression. A subcellular fractionation approach, luciferase and ChIP combined with immunofluorescence were applied to reveal the mechanism underlying H. pylori mediated kynurenine pathway in intestinal metaplasia in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

Herein, we, for the first time, demonstrated that H. pylori contributed to gastric intestinal metaplasia characterized by enhanced Caudal-related homeobox transcription factor-2 (CDX2) and mucin2 (MUC2) expression, which was attributed to activation of kynurenine pathway. H. pylori promoted kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT2)-mediated kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, leading to XA production, which further induced CDX2 expression in gastric epithelial cells. Mechanically, H. pylori activated cyclic guanylate adenylate synthase (cGAS)-interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) pathway in gastric epithelial cells, leading to enhance IRF3 nuclear translocation and the binding of IRF3 to KAT2 promoter. Inhibition of KAT2 could significantly reverse the effect of H. pylori on CDX2 expression. Also, the rescue phenomenon was observed in gastric epithelial cells treated with H. pylori after IRF3 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly, phospho-IRF3 was confirmed to be a clinical positive relationship with CDX2.

CONCLUSION

These finding suggested H. pylori contributed to gastric intestinal metaplasia through KAT2-mediated kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism via cGAS-IRF3 signaling, targeting the kynurenine pathway could be a promising strategy to prevent gastric intestinal metaplasia caused by H. pylori infection. Video Abstract.

Rabeprazole destroyed gastric epithelial barrier function through FOXF1/STAT3-mediated ZO-1 expression

Rabeprazole is a representative of proton pump inhibitors and widely used in anti-ulcer treatment. However, the effect of Rabeprazole on gut barrier function remains to be identified. In this study, we show that ZO-1 expression is decreased in patients receiving Rabeprazole by immunofluorescence (IF) analysis. Western blotting (WB) and real-time PCR (qPCR) results demonstrate that Rabeprazole treatment leads to a significant downregulation of ZO-1 expression through inhibition of the FOXF1/STAT3 pathway, leading to destroy barrier function, which illustrates a novel pathway that Rabeprazole regulates barrier function in gastric epithelial cells. Mechanistically, Rabeprazole treatment led to a downregulation of STAT3 and FOXF1 phosphorylation, leading to inhibit nuclear translocation and decrease the binding of STAT3 and FOXF1 to ZO-1 promoter, respectively. Most important, endogenous FOXF1 interacted with STAT3, and this interaction was dramatically abolished by Rabeprazole stimulation. Overexpression of STAT3 and FOXF1 in GES-1 cells reversed the inhibitory effect of Rabeprazole on ZO-1 expression, respectively. These finding extended the function of Rabeprazole and established a previously unappreciated mechanism by which the Rabeprazole/FOXF1/STAT3 axis facilitated ZO-1 expression to regulate barrier function, and a comprehensive consideration and evaluation was required in treatment of patients.

Liuwei Dihuang formula ameliorates chronic stress-induced emotional and cognitive impairments in mice by elevating hippocampal O-GlcNAc modification

A substantial body of evidence has indicated that intracerebral O-linked N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc), a generalized post-translational modification, was emerging as an effective regulator of stress-induced emotional and cognitive impairments. Our previous studies showed that the Liuwei Dihuang formula (LW) significantly improved the emotional and cognitive dysfunctions in various types of stress mouse models. In the current study, we sought to determine the effects of LW on intracerebral O-GlcNAc levels in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. The dynamic behavioral tests showed that anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and object recognition memory of CUMS mice were improved in a dose-dependent manner after LW treatment. Moreover, linear discriminate analysis (LEfSe) of genera abundance revealed a significant difference in microbiome among the study groups. LW showed a great impact on the relative abundance of these gut microbiota in CUMS mice and reinstated them to control mouse levels. We found that LW potentially altered the Uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) biosynthesis process, and the abundance of O-GlcNAcase (OGA) and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in CUMS mice, which was inferred using PICRUSt analysis. We further verified advantageous changes in hippocampal O-GlcNAc modification of CUMS mice following LW administration, as well as changes in the levels of OGA and OGT. In summary, LW intervention increased the levels of hippocampal O-GlcNAc modification and ameliorated the emotional and cognitive impairments induced by chronic stress in CUMS mice. LW therefore could be considered a potential prophylactic and therapeutic agent for chronic stress.

Angelica sinensis Polysaccharide and Astragalus membranaceus Polysaccharide Accelerate Liver Regeneration by Enhanced Glycolysis via Activation of JAK2/STAT3/HK2 Pathway

The promotion of liver regeneration is crucial to avoid liver failure after hepatectomy. Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) and Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP) have been identified as being associated with hepatoprotective effects. However, their roles and specific mechanisms in liver regeneration remain to be elucidated. In the present study, it suggested that the respective use of ASP or AMP strikingly promoted hepatocyte proliferation in vitro with a wide range of concentrations (from 12.5 μg/mL to 3200 μg/mL), and a stronger promoting effect was observed in combined interventions. A significantly enhanced liver/body weight ratio (4.20%) on day 7 and reduced serum transaminase (ALT 243.53 IU/L and AST 423.74 IU/L) and total bilirubin (52.61 IU/L) levels on day 3 were achieved by means of ASP-AMP administration after partial hepatectomy in mice. Metabonomics showed that differential metabolites were enriched in glycolysis with high expression of beta-d-fructose 6-phosphate and lactate, followed by significantly strengthened lactate secretion in the supernatant (0.54) and serum (0.43) normalized to control. Upon ASP-AMP treatment, the knockdown of hexokinase 2 (HK2) or inhibited glycolysis caused by 2-deoxy-d-glucose decreased hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, pathway analysis predicted the role of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in ASP-AMP-regulated liver regeneration, and phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 was proven to be elevated in this promoting process. Finally, downregulated expression of HK2, an attenuated level of lactate secretion, and reduced hepatocyte proliferation were displayed when STAT3 was knocked out in vitro. Therefore, it can be concluded that ASP-AMP accelerated liver regeneration and exerted a hepatoprotective effect after hepatectomy, in which the JAK2/STAT3/HK2 pathway was actively involved in activating glycolysis.

NXPH4 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance in Bladder Cancer by Enhancing Reactive Oxygen Species and Glycolysis Activation through Modulating NDUFA4L2

Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent kinds of cancer worldwide, and resistance to gemcitabine is a major problem for patients. The pathogenesis of bladder cancer and mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy remain to be explored. Through bioinformatics analysis, we first found that NXPH4 was independently related to the prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. Through wound healing assays, transwell invasion assays, and plate clone formation assays, we found that NXPH4 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells. The induced gemcitabine resistance cell line also showed a higher expression of NXPH4. A glycolytic activity assay demonstrated that the expression of NXPH4 was positively related to glycolysis. A higher level of reactive oxygen species caused by enhanced levels of NXPH4 was found in gemcitabine-resistant cell lines. NDUFA4L2, glycolysis, and reactive oxygen species were shown to be essential for NXPH4-regulated functions through rescue assays in cell lines. The roles of NXPH4-regulated glycolysis, gemcitabine resistance, and NDUFA4L2 were validated in vivo as well. Our results imply that NXPH4 contributes to the proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer by maintaining the stability of NDUFA4L2 and consequently activating reactive oxygen species and glycolysis.

Famotidine promotes inflammation by triggering cell pyroptosis in gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Cell pyroptosis has been characterized by cell swelling and pro-inflammatory factors release to aggravate inflammatory reaction., such as interlukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interlukin18 (IL-18). However, the function of famotidine, an antagonist of histamine H2-receptor antagonists, in cell pyroptosis remained unknown.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blotting (WB), LDH release assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) combined with inhibitor were performed to analyze the effect of famotidine on cell pyroptosis-related gene expression.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that famotidine (300 μm) treatment led to a phenomenon of cell pyroptosis as confirmed by LDH assay. Further results showed that famotidine triggered cell pyroptosis in gastric cancer cells by activation of NLPR3 inflammasomes including ASC, Caspase-1 and NLRP, leading to enhanced IL-18, not IL-1β, mature and secretion. What's more, the results also showed GSDME, not GSDMD, was increased in response to famotidine stimulation in BGC823 and AGS cells. Mechanically, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was drastically enhanced in present with famotidine treatment, while inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by U0126 could reverse the promotion of famotidine in IL-18 secretion.

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed a novel role of famotidine in cell pyroptosis in patients with gastric cancer, a comprehensive consideration is needed in treatment of gastric cancer.

Ginsenoside Rh2 Inhibits Glycolysis through the STAT3/c-MYC Axis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is one of the pharmacologically active components of ginseng with an antitumor effect. However, its effect on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially on aerobic glycolysis, which plays a crucial role in the proliferation and progression of tumor cells, has not been characterized. Here, we demonstrated that Rh2 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells by promoting apoptosis and suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, respectively. Notably, Rh2 exerted a glycolysis inhibition effect through regulating GLUT1, PKM2, and LDHA, which are key enzymes of the glycolysis process. Furthermore, the metabolic shift function of Rh2 was dependent on the STAT3/c-Myc axis in NSCLC. This novel regulatory role of Rh2 provides a new perspective for NSCLC treatment and highlights the potentiality of Rh2 to be used as a tumor energy blocker. The combination of Rh2 with an STAT3 or c-Myc inhibitor revealed a promising therapeutic approach for patients with NSCLC.

Rabeprazole inhibits inflammatory reaction by inhibition of cell pyroptosis in gastric epithelial cells

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common pathogen in development of peptic ulcers with pyroptosis. Rabeprazole, a critical component of standard triple therapy, has been widely used as the first-line regimen for H. pylori infectious treatment. The aim of this study to explore the function of Rabeprazole on cell pyroptosis in vitro.

Methods

The clinical sample from patients diagnosed with or without H. pylori-infection were collected to analyze by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blot (WB) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) were performed to analyze the effect of Rabeprazole on cell pyroptosis, including LDH, IL-1β and IL-18.

Results

In this study, we showed that Rabeprazole regulated a phenomenon of cell pyroptosis as confirmed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Further results showed that Rabeprazole inhibited cell pyroptosis in gastric epithelial cells by alleviating GSDMD-executed pyroptosis, leading to decrease IL-1β and IL-18 mature and secretion, which is attributed to NLRP3 inflammasome activation inhibition. Further analysis showed that ASC, NLRP3 and Caspase-1, was significantly repressed in response to Rabeprazole stimulation, resulting in decreasing cleaved-caspase-1 expression. Most important, NLRP3 and GSDMD is significantly increased in gastric tissue of patients with H. pylori infection.

Conclusion

These findings revealed a critical role of Rabeprazole in cell pyroptosis in patients with H. pylori infection, suggesting that targeting cell pyroptosis is an alternative strategy in improving H. pylori treatment.