Role of AKT and mTOR signaling pathways in the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process

PAMAM/miR-144 nanocarrier system inhibits the migration of gastric cancer by targeting mTOR signal transduction pathway

Exogenous microRNA-144 (miR-144) is considered as a potential biological drug for gastric cancer because of its biological activity to inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the specific molecular mechanisms have not been fully revealed. In addition, their vulnerability to degradation by RNA enzymes in the blood limits their bioavailability. In this paper, a polyamidoamine (PAMAM)-wrapped miR-144 (PAMAM/miR-144) is prepared as a nanocarrier system to protect miR-144 from nuclease degradation. The PAMAM/miR-144 nanocarrier system achieves the optimal antitumor activity against gastric cancer migration and reduce mTOR protein expression by transferring miR-144 into human gastric cancer HGC-27 cells. At the same time, the PAMAM/miR-144 nanocarrier system significantly decreases the EMT via targeting mTOR signal pathway in HGC-27 cells and noticeably inhibited the growth of subcutaneous gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice. PAMAM/miR-144 nanocarrier system has effectively improved the bioavailability of miR-144, thus providing a promising combination modality for anticancer therapy.

The role of the mTOR pathway in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs): mechanisms and therapeutic potentials

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer globally, exerting a profound impact on women's health and healthcare systems. Central to its pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance are breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which possess unique properties such as self-renewal, differentiation, and resistance to conventional therapies, contributing to tumor initiation, metastasis, and recurrence. This comprehensive review elucidates the pivotal role of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in regulating BCSCs and its implications for breast cancer progression and treatment resistance. We explore the cellular mechanisms by which mTOR influences metastasis, metabolism, autophagy, and ferroptosis in BCSCs, highlighting its contribution to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metabolic reprogramming, and survival under therapeutic stress. On a molecular level, mTOR interacts with key signaling pathways including PI3K/Akt, Notch, IGF-1R, AMPK, and TGF-β, as well as regulatory proteins and non-coding RNAs, orchestrating a complex network that sustains BCSC properties and mediates chemoresistance and radioresistance. The review further examines various therapeutic strategies targeting the mTOR pathway in BCSCs, encompassing selective PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, natural products, and innovative approaches such as nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery. Clinical trials investigating mTOR inhibitors like sirolimus and combination therapies with agents such as everolimus and trastuzumab are discussed, underscoring their potential in eradicating BCSCs and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, natural compounds and repurposed drugs offer promising adjunctive therapies by modulating mTOR activity and targeting BCSC-specific vulnerabilities. In conclusion, targeting the mTOR pathway presents a viable and promising avenue for enhancing breast cancer treatment efficacy by effectively eliminating BCSCs, reducing tumor recurrence, and improving overall patient survival. Continued research and clinical validation of mTOR-targeted therapies are essential to translate these insights into effective clinical interventions, ultimately advancing personalized cancer management and therapeutic outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Delving Into lncRNA-Mediated Regulation of Autophagy-Associated Signaling Pathways in the Context of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a multifaceted and prevalent malignancy, impacting a considerable proportion of women globally. Numerous signaling pathways intricately regulate cellular functions such as growth, proliferation, and survival. Among the various regulators, lncRNAs have emerged as significant players despite their inability to encode proteins. An expanding body of literature underscores the pivotal roles lncRNAs play in cancer biology, particularly in the context of breast cancer. Autophagy, the cellular process dedicated to the degradation and recycling of cellular components, is now recognized as a crucial factor in cancer initiation and progression. The interplay between lncRNAs, various signaling pathways, and autophagy in the pathophysiology of breast cancer remains an active area of investigation. Researchers have identified specific lncRNAs that are dysregulated in breast cancer patients, influencing the modulation of key signaling pathways. Using experimental methodologies and bioinformatics approaches, multiple lncRNAs have been elucidated, providing deeper insights into their contributions to breast cancer pathogenesis and metastatic processes. In summary, the pathophysiological landscape of breast cancer is characterized by the complex interactions involving lncRNA-mediated autophagy. This understanding paves the way for identifying novel therapeutic targets, prognostic markers, and diagnostic markers, ultimately contributing to improved treatment outcomes in breast cancer management.

Telocinobufagin suppresses malignant metastasis of undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma via modulation of the LARP1-mTOR pathway

Metastasis is the trigger of death in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) patients, yet the specific mechanisms at play are still largely enigmatic. While the involvement of LARP1 in the metastatic process of various cancers has been documented, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding its potential influence on ATC metastasis. Molecular studies probed LARP1 expression within ATC cells, with subsequent in vitro experiments examining the effects of LARP1 on ATC cell metastasis and the mTOR signaling cascade. A suite of assays, including colony formation, scratch wound healing, transwell invasion, and cell adhesion, was used to assess cell growth, movement, invasion, and attachment. Western Blot determined the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, N-cadherin) and proteins implicated in metastasis (MMP-2, MMP-9), along with mTOR and p-mTOR. The affinity of Telocinobufagin (TBG) from Yuanhua Toad Essence for LARP1 was investigated through molecular docking, with CETSA assays providing subsequent validation. Further cellular experiments substantiated the influence of TBG on ATC cell metastasis and modulation in the mTOR pathway. LARP1 levels were heightened in ATC cells, and its depletion effectively curbs their proliferative, migratory, invasive, and adhesive activities. With LARP1 knockdown, we also observed that the onset of EMT and metastatic processes was thwarted, as was the mTOR pathway. Subsequent research has uncovered that TBG formed a physical complex with LARP1, allowing it to target and suppress the mTOR pathway, thus preventing the metastasis of ATC. The simultaneous overexpression of LARP1, however, lessened the ability of TBG to inhibit ATC metastasis. This study highlights the importance of TBG binding to LARP1 in the mediation of the mTOR signaling pathway, a key process in the inhibition of ATC cell metastasis. This discovery introduces a new target for the diagnosis of ATC and enlightens the consideration of TBG as a treatment for ATC metastasis.

Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking and experimental validation of the mechanism of action of columbianetin acetate in the treatment of ovarian cancer

Background

Ovarian cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor of the female reproductive system and has the highest mortality rate among gynecological cancers. Columbianetin acetate (CE) is one of the active ingredients of Angelica sinensis, which has good antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its potential mechanism of action in ovarian cancer remains unclear. This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking technology to investigate the molecular mechanism and material basis of CE in the treatment of ovarian cancer, and further verified by in vitro experiments.

Methods

Relevant targets for CE were obtained from TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases. OMIM, GeneCards and DisGeNET databases were applied to screen ovarian cancer-related targets. The STRING database to obtain protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Then key targets were obtained using Cytoscape software, followed by expression, survival and ROC diagnostic analyses of core genes using R software. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database. Binding ability of CE to core targets was assessed by molecular docking. KEGG sites were used to predict core gene-related pathways. Subsequently, in vitro cellular experiments were performed to further investigate the molecular mechanism of CE treatment for ovarian cancer.

Results

A total of 55 CE-ovarian cancer interaction targets were identified using network pharmacology techniques. Among these, eight key targets -ESR1, GSK3B, JAK2, MAPK1, MDM2, PARP1, PIK3CA, and SRC-were screened using Cytoscape software. Core genes ESR1, GSK3B and JAK2 were obtained based on expression, prognostic and diagnostic values using R software. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that CE treatment of ovarian cancer might be related to PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway. The molecular docking results showed that CE had good binding ability with core targets ESR1, GSK3B and JAK2. The results of in vitro cellular experiments indicated that CE may inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer and promote apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/GSK3B pathway.

Conclusions

Based on the network pharmacology approach, we predicted the potential mechanism of CE for the treatment of ovarian cancer, which provided a new idea for further research on its pharmacological mechanism.

Black rice bran‑derived anthocyanins attenuate cholangiocarcinoma cell migration via the alteration of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and sialylation

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer of the bile duct epithelium. Anthocyanins are water-soluble flavonoids that contribute to the color of fruits and pigmented rice. Black rice bran is rich in anthocyanin pigments and exhibits certain health benefits, including anticancer activity; however, the effect of black rice bran-derived anthocyanins (BBR-M-10) on CCA progression remains unclear. The present study assessed the cytotoxic effects of BBR-M-10 using a Sulforhodamine B assay. The metastatic properties of BBR-M-10 on CCA cell lines were investigated using wound healing, Transwell in vitro migration and invasion assays. The underlying mechanisms of BBR-M-10 bioactivity were examined by quantitative PCR and western blotting. Glycosylation changes were determined by lectin cytochemistry and flow cytometry. The present study demonstrated that BBR-M-10 was not toxic to CCA cell lines, but BBR-M-10 attenuated CCA cell migration and invasion, as evidenced by the increased expression levels of epithelial markers (F-actin and claudin-1), decreased expression levels of mesenchymal markers (vimentin) and a decrease in the activation and phosphorylation of AKT in BBR-M-10-treated CCA cell lines. In addition, aberrant glycosylation was observed in BBR-M-10-treated CCA cell lines, as evidenced by the low expression level of surface Sambucus Nigra lectin-binding α2,6-sialylated glycans and the reduction of α2,6 sialyltransferase gene expression levels after BBR-M-10 treatment in CCA cell lines. These findings suggested that black rice bran-derived anthocyanins could potentially be used as anti-metastatic agents against CCA.

Cromolyn sodium reduces LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the EMT process enhanced by MC-derived IL-13

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by infection. When this inflammatory response spreads to the lungs, it can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) or more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pulmonary fibrosis is a potential complication of these conditions, and the early occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis is associated with a higher mortality rate. The underlying mechanism of ARDS-related pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear.

METHODS

To evaluate the role of mast cell in sepsis-induced pulmonary fibrosis and elucidate its molecular mechanism. We investigated the level of mast cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in LPS-induced mouse model and cellular model. We also explored the influence of cromolyn sodium and mast cell knockout on pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, we explored the effect of MC-derived IL-13 on the EMT and illustrated the relationship between mast cell and pulmonary fibrosis.

RESULTS

Mast cell was up-regulated in the lung tissues of the pulmonary fibrotic mouse model compared to control groups. Cromolyn sodium and mast cell knockout decreased the expression of EMT-related protein and IL-13, alleviated the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling was activated in fibrotic lung tissue, whereas Cromolyn sodium and mast cell knockout inhibited this pathway.

CONCLUSION

The expression level of mast cell is increased in fibrotic lungs. Cromolyn sodium intervention and mast cell knockout alleviate the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis probably via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Therefore, mast cell inhibition is a potential therapeutic target for sepsis-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

METTL3-Dependent YTHDF2 Mediates TSC1 Expression to Regulate Alveolar Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Promote Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Diffuse, progressive interstitial lung disease with few treatment options and low survival rates is known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Alveolar epithelial cell damage and dysfunction are the main features of IPF. TSC1 has been documented to exert a pivotal function in governing cellular growth, proliferation, and ontogenesis. This work investigated TSC1's function and mechanism in IPF. Mice were given BLM to cause pulmonary fibrosis, and A549 cells underwent epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to TGF-β1. According to the data, TSC1 expression was reduced in IPF. Overexpression of TSC1 was established by adenopathy-associated virus in vivo and adenovirus in vitro to significantly block the EMT process. Besides, the findings from the RNA-sequencing analysis indicate that overexpression of TSC1 mitigated the EMT process by suppressing the activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway via downregulation of ACTN4 expression. To examine the upstream regulatory mechanism, we employed the SRAMP database to predict m6A modification of TSC1 mRNA, followed by verification of m6A modification levels and expression using MERIP-qPCR, Dot blot, RT-qPCR, and WB. The results indicated a high degree of m6A modification in TSC1 mRNA in pulmonary fibrosis. The expression of METTL3 was further found to be significantly elevated. METTL3 knockdown impeded EMT progression. METTL3 inhibits TSC1 expression by increasing TSC1 m6A modification through the reading protein YTHDF2. In conclusion, our study elucidated that the METTL3/YTHDF2/TSC1 signaling axis activates the AKT/mTOR pathway to promote the development of IPF. This study provides potential molecular-level therapeutic targets for IPF disease.

SH2D5 promotes lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis and triggers EMT via activating AKT signaling pathway

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of lung cancer, characterized by a high incidence in late stages, high mortality rate, and poor prognosis. Src Homology 2 Domain Containing Protein 5 (SH2D5) is a mammalian-specific, uncharacterized scaffolding protein, and its role in LUAD remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the function and potential mechanisms of SH2D5 in the progression of LUAD. We found aberrant expression of SH2D5 in LUAD tissues and cells, and its high expression is closely associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients. Through loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments, we revealed that overexpression of SH2D5 promotes the proliferation and migration abilities of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that SH2D5 positively regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Additionally, we found that regulating the expression of SH2D5 influenced the phosphorylation levels of AKT, and the rescue experiments with AKT pathway activators/inhibitors partially reversed the tumor progression and EMT processes induced by SH2D5. In summary, our study demonstrated that SH2D5 promotes the migration and EMT process of LUAD cells through the AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that SH2D5 may serve as a crucial potential target for the treatment of metastatic LUAD.

Targeting the mTOR Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products

Despite advancements in cancer treatment through surgery and drugs, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant challenge, as reflected by its low survival rates. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Notably, dysregulation leading to the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway is common in HCC, making it a key focus for in-depth research and a target for current therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the role of the mTOR signaling pathway and its downstream effectors in regulating HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, and metabolic reprogramming. Moreover, it emphasizes the potential of natural products as modulators of the mTOR signaling pathway. When incorporated into combination therapies, these natural products have been demonstrated to augment therapeutic efficacy and surmount drug resistance. These products target key signaling pathways such as mTOR signaling pathways. Examples include 11-epi-sinulariolide acetate, matrine, and asparagus polysaccharide. Their inhibitory effects on these processes suggest valuable directions for the development of more effective HCC therapeutic strategies. Various natural products have demonstrated the ability to inhibit mTOR signaling pathway and suppress HCC progression. These phytochemicals, functioning as mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors, hold great promise as potential anti-HCC agents, especially in the context of overcoming chemoresistance and enhancing the outcomes of combination therapies.

Expression of variant isoforms of the tyrosine kinase SYK differentially regulates cervical cancer progression through PI3K/AKT pathway

Invasion and metastasis are the main reasons for the poor prognosis of patients with cervical cancer(CC). SYK is closely related to tumor development. However, the functions of its two isoforms, SYK (L) or SYK (S), are not fully understood to date. In this study, we investigated their biologic functions and possible prognostic values in CC. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of SYK and two variant isoforms in cervical cancer tissues and cells. The association of SYK(L) and SYK(S) with Clinical pathological parameters were evaluated. The migration and invasion was detected by scratch assay and transwell. Western blot was conducted to measure the changes of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins in cervical cancer cells. LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K/AKT pathway) and IGF-1 (activator of PI3K/AKT pathway) were applied to evaluate the contribution of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in cervical cancer cells. The expression of SYK(S) in cervical cancer tissues was significantly higher than that of SYK(L). SYK(L) and SYK(S) were correlated with muscular infiltration, SYK(L) high expression had a better prognosis, whereas SYK(S) high expression predicted a worse disease outcome. Cox multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that SYK(L) expression was an independent prognostic factor. SYK(L) significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion, while SYK(S) showed the opposite effects. LY294002 blocked SYK (L) knockdown-induced enhancement of migration and invasion as well as the expression EMT-related markers, whereas IGF-1 rescued the decreased migration, invasion and EMT induced by SYK (S) knockdown. The results suggest that SYK(L) and SYK(S) are involved in the progression of cervical cancer through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and may serve as potential targets for clinical treatment of advanced cervical cancer.

Therapeutic advances in the targeting of ROR1 in hematological cancers

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are key cell surface receptors involved in cell communication and signal transduction, with great importance in cell growth, differentiation, survival, and metabolism. Dysregulation of RTKs, such as EGFR, VEGFR, HER2 or ROR, could lead to various diseases, particularly cancers. ROR1 has emerged as a promising target in hematological malignancies. The development of ROR1 targeted therapies is continuously growing leading to remarkable novel therapeutical approaches using mAbs, antibody-drug conjugates, several small molecules or CAR T cells which have shown encouraging preclinical results. In the hematological field, mAbs, small molecules, BiTEs or CAR T cell therapies displayed promising outcomes with the clinical trials data encouraging the use of anti-ROR1 therapies. This paper aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of ROR1-targeted therapies in hematological malignancies marking the innovative approaches with promising preclinical and clinical. Offering a better understanding of structural and functional aspects of ROR1 could lead to new perspectives in targeting a wide spectrum of malignancies.

SPINK13 acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting Akt phosphorylation

The PI3K/Akt pathway is overexpressed in nearly 50% of hepatocellular carcinomas and inhibits apoptosis by promoting the expression of antiapoptotic genes. Serine protease inhibitors have been shown to induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells by downregulating SPINK13 in the PI3K/Akt pathway. In this study, SPINK13 was expressed in lentiviral vectors. Changes in signaling pathway adapter proteins, apoptosis regulatory proteins, cell cycle regulatory proteins, and the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma were observed in cell and nude mouse xenograft models. The underlying mechanism of endogenous SPINK13-induced apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells was explored via transcriptomics. As a result, endogenous SPINK13 might inhibit the activity of Furin protease, downregulate the Notch1/Hes1 pathway in a binding manner, activate the direct effector PTEN, inhibit Akt phosphorylation, inactivate the downstream PI3K/Akt pathway, and ultimately lead to mitochondrial apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in hepatoma cells. Therefore, the Notch1/Hes1/PTEN pathway may act upstream of SPINK13 to downregulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Our study helps elucidate the underlying mechanism of SPINK13 in anti-hepatocellular carcinoma and lays a theoretical foundation for the development of novel therapeutic serine protease inhibitors.

Recent update on anti-tumor mechanisms of valproic acid in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant tumor of the brain that is considered to be incurable. Currently, surgical removal of tumors, chemotherapy with temozolomide, and radiation treatment remain established options for treatment. Nevertheless, the prognosis of those with GBM continues to be poor owing to the inherent characteristics of tumor growth and spread, as well as the resistance to treatment. To effectively deal with the present circumstances, it is vital to do extensive study to understand GBM thoroughly. The following piece provides a concise overview of the most recent advancements in using valproic acid, an antiseizure medication licensed by the FDA, for treating GBM. In this review, we outline the most recent developments of valproic acid in treating GBM, as well as its fundamental mechanisms and practical consequences. Our goal is to provide a greater understanding of the clinical use of valproic acid as a potential therapeutic agent for GBM.

Exploring the Effect of Gomisin A on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, In Vitro and In Vivo Assays

Gomisin A is an active ingredient of Schisandra chinensis. Pre-clinical studies suggest Gomisin A has good anti-cancer activities against a variety of cancers, but its mechanism of action in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of Gomisin A in treating NSCLC. The SwissTargetPrediction, CTD, HERB and PharmMapper databases were used to collect related targets of Gomisin A. NSCLC-related genes were obtained using the GEO, CTD, DisGeNET, OMIM, GeneCards, NCBI, and PharmGKB databases. The central targets and potential mechanisms of Gomisin A against NSCLC were screened using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally, the therapeutic activity of Gomisin A on NSCLC was verified by experiments. A total of 161 potential targets of Gomisin A against NSCLC were identified. TNF, AKT1, STAT3, and IL6 were identified as the central targets of Gomisin A. The binding energy of Gomisin A and the central targets was less than -5 kcal/mol. Gomisin A could inhibit NSCLC cell viability, migration and invasion and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Gomisin A also inhibited in vivo metastasis of NSCLC cells. In addition, Gomisin A could also reduce the expression level of the central targets and inhibit the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In summary, Gomisin A may be a candidate drug for the treatment of NSCLC, and TNF, AKT1, STAT3, and IL6 are potential targets for Gomisin A in NSCLC treatment, and its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

ATF4/NUPR1 axis promotes cancer cell survival and mediates immunosuppression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Cancer cells encounter unavoidable stress during tumor growth. The stress-induced transcription factor, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), has been reported to upregulate various adaptive genes involved in salvage pathways to alleviate stress and promote tumor progression. However, this effect is unknown in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In this study, we found that ATF4 expression was remarkably upregulated in tumor tissues and associated with poor ccRCC outcomes. ATF4 depletion significantly impaired ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related signaling pathway. RNA sequencing and functional studies identified nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) as a key downstream target of ATF4 for repressing ferroptosis and promoting ccRCC cell survival. In addition, targeting ATF4 or pharmacological inhibition using NUPR1 inhibitor ZZW115 promoted antitumor immunity in syngeneic graft mouse models, represented by increased infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, ZZW115 could improve the response to the PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. The results demonstrate that the ATF4/NUPR1 signaling axis promotes ccRCC survival and facilitates tumor-mediated immunosuppression, providing a set of potential targets and prognostic indicators for ccRCC patients.

mTOR in the Development of Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

The pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension is complex and multifactorial. It is a disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance at the level due to sustained vasoconstriction and remodeling of the pulmonary arteries, which triggers an increase in the mean pulmonary artery pressure and subsequent right ventricular hypertrophy, which in some cases can cause right heart failure. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is currently classified into Group 3 of the five different groups of pulmonary hypertensions, which are determined according to the cause of the disease. HPH mainly develops as a product of lung diseases, among the most prevalent causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or hypobaric hypoxia due to exposure to high altitudes. Additionally, cardiometabolic risk factors converge on molecular mechanisms involving overactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which correspond to a central axis in the development of HPH. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of mTOR in the development of HPH associated with metabolic risk factors and its therapeutic alternatives, which will be discussed in this review.

Putative epithelial-mesenchymal transitions during salamander limb regeneration: Current perspectives and future investigations

Previous studies have implicated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in salamander limb regeneration. In this review, we describe putative roles for EMT during each stage of limb regeneration in axolotls and other salamanders. We hypothesize that EMT and EMT-like gene expression programs may regulate three main cellular processes during limb regeneration: (1) keratinocyte migration during wound closure; (2) transient invasion of the stump by epithelial cells undergoing EMT; and (3) use of EMT-like programs by non-epithelial blastemal progenitor cells to escape the confines of their niches. Finally, we propose nontraditional roles for EMT during limb regeneration that warrant further investigation, including alternative EMT regulators, stem cell activation, and fibrosis induced by aberrant EMT.

Parishin A Inhibits Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Parishin A, a natural compound derived from Gastrodia elata, possesses multiple therapeutic properties. However, its effects on OSCC remain unexplored.

PURPOSE

This study explores the anti-cancer potential of Parishin A on OSCC and its mechanisms.

METHODS

OSCC cell lines YD-10B and Ca9-22 were treated with varying Parishin A concentrations. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 assay, and colony formation was evaluated in agarose gel. Migration and invasion ability were assessed through wound healing and Matrigel invasion assays. The protein expression levels involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were examined via Western blotting.

RESULTS

Parishin A inhibited OSCC cell viability in both dose- and time-dependent manners, with significant reductions at 20, 40, 60, and 80 μM, without affecting normal human gingival fibroblasts. Colony formation decreased substantially at ≥40 μM higher Parishin A concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Also, migration and invasion assays showed significant suppression by Parishin A treatment concentration ≥40 μM in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by decreased wound closure and invasion. Western blot analyses revealed increased E-cadherin levels and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels, suggesting EMT inhibition. Parishin A also decreased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings support the potential of Parishin A as an anti-OSCC agent.

The role of liquid-liquid phase separation in defining cancer EMT

Cancer EMT is a pivotal process that drives carcinogenesis, metastasis, and cancer recurrence, with its initiation and regulation intricately governed by biochemical pathways in a precise spatiotemporal manner. Recently, the membrane-less biomolecular condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) have emerged as a universal mechanism underlying the spatiotemporal collaboration of biological activities in cancer EMT. In this review, we first elucidate the current understanding of LLPS formation and its cellular functions, followed by an overview of valuable tools for investigating LLPS. Secondly, we examine in detail the LLPS-mediated biological processes crucial for the initiation and regulation of cancer EMT. Lastly, we address current challenges in advancing LLPS research and explore the potential modulation of LLPS using therapeutic agents.

STRIP2 is regulated by the transcription factor Sp1 and promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression via activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/MYC signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) generally have poor prognosis. The role of striatin-interacting protein 2 (STRIP2) in LUAD remain unclear.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses were used to screen the STRIP2-binding proteins and co-immunoprecipitation verified these interactions. A dual luciferase reporter assay explored the transcription factor activating STRIP2 transcription. Xenograft and lung metastasis models assessed STRIP2's role in tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.

RESULTS

STRIP2 is highly expressed in LUAD tissues and is linked to poor prognosis. STRIP2 expression in LUAD cells significantly promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, STRIP2 boosted the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/MYC cascades by binding AKT. In addition, specificity protein 1, potently activated STRIP2 transcription by binding to the STRIP2 promoter. Blocking STRIP2 reduces tumor growth and lung metastasis in xenograft models.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identifies STRIP2 is a key driver of LUAD progression and a potential therapeutic target.

NAT10 Overexpression Promotes Tumorigenesis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Through AKT Pathway in Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), the only RNA cytosine acetyltransferase known in humans, contributes to cancer tumorigenesis and progression. This study aims to investigate the effect of NAT10 on the malignant biological properties of gastric cancer (GC) and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The expression and prognostic significance of NAT10 in GC were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) cohorts. The influence of NAT10 on the malignant biological behaviors of GC was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, plate colony formation assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), Transwell migration and invasion assays, scratch wound assay, flow cytometric analysis, and animal studies. The overall level of N4 acetylcytidine (ac4C) in GC was detected by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The downstream signal pathways of NAT10 were analyzed by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and verified by Western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF).

RESULTS

The significant upregulation of NAT10 expression in GC was associated with a poor prognosis. The knockdown of NAT10 markedly suppressed GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression. Downregulating NAT10 reduced ac4C levels and inhibited AKT phosphorylation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC.

CONCLUSIONS

NAT10 functions as an oncogene and may provide a new therapeutic target in GC.

Gentisic acid prevents colorectal cancer metastasis via blocking GPR81-mediated DEPDC5 degradation

BACKGROUND

Metastasis driven by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains a significant contributor to the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), and requires more effective interventions. GPR81 signaling has been linked to tumor metastasis, while lacks an efficient specific inhibitor.

PURPOSE

Our study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Gentisic acid on colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis.

STUDY DESIGN

A lung metastasis mouse model induced by tail vein injection and a subcutaneous graft tumor model were used. Gentisic acid (GA) was administered by an intraperitoneal injection. HCT116 was treated with lactate to establish an in vitro model.

METHODS

MC38 cells with mCherry fluorescent protein were injected into tail vein to investigate lung metastasis ability in vivo. GA was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 3 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by survival rates, histochemical analysis, RT-qPCR and live imaging. The mechanism was explored using small interfering RNA (siRNA), Western blotting, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

GA had a therapeutic effect on CRC metastasis and improved survival rates and pathological changes in dose-dependent manner. GA emerged as an GPR81 inhibitor, effectively suppressed EMT and mTOR signaling in CRC induced by lactate both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, GA halted lactate-induce degradation of DEPDC5 through impeding the activation of Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA).

CONCLUSION

CMA-mediated DEPDC5 degradation is crucial for lactate/GPR81-induced CRC metastasis, and GA may be a promising candidate for metastasis by inhibiting GPR81 signaling.

GSK'872 Improves Prognosis of Traumatic Brain Injury by Switching Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase 3-dependent Necroptosis to Cysteinyl Aspartate Specific Proteinase-8-Dependent Apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important health concern in the society. Previous studies have suggested that necroptosis occurs following TBI. However, the underlying mechanisms and roles of necroptosis are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIP3)-mediated necroptosis after TBI both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

We established a cell-stretching injury and mouse TBI model by applying a cell injury controller and controlled cortical impactor to evaluate the relationships among necroptosis, apotosis, inflammation, and TBI both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The results revealed that necroptosis mediated by RIP1, RIP3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein was involved in secondary TBI. Additionally, protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and phosphorylated mTOR potentially contribute to necroptosis. The inhibition of RIP3 by GSK'872 (a specific inhibitor) blocked necroptosis and reduced the activity of Akt/mTOR, leading to the alleviation of inflammation by reducing the levels of NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3. Moreover, the inhibition of RIP3 by GSK'872 promoted the activity of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8, an enzyme involved in apoptosis and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that RIP3 inhibition could improve the prognosis of TBI, based on the attenuation of inflammation by switching RIP3-dependent necroptosis to cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8-dependent apoptosis.

Bis-arylidene oxindoles for colorectal cancer nanotherapy

Oxindoles are potent anti-cancer agents and are also used against microbial and fungal infections and for treating neurodegenerative diseases. These oxindoles are earlier established as estrogen receptor (ER)-targeted agents for killing ER (+) cancer cells. Our previously developed bis-arylidene oxindole, Oxifen (OXF) exhibits effective targeting towards ER (+) cancer cells which has a structural resemblance with tamoxifen. Herein, we have designed and synthesized few structural analogues of OXF such as BPYOX, ACPOX and ACPOXF to examine its cytotoxicity in different cancer as well as non-cancer cell lines and its potential to form self- aggregates in aqueous solution. Among these series of molecules, ACPOXF showed maximum toxicity in colorectal cancer cell line which are ER (-) but it also kills non-cancer cell line HEK-293, thereby reducing its cancer cell selectivity. Incidentally, ACPOXF exhibits self-aggregation, without the help of a co-lipid with nanometric size in aqueous solution. ACPOXF self-aggregate was co-formulated with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) synthetic ligand, dexamethasone (Dex) (called, ACPOXF-Dex aggregate) which could selectively kill ER (-) colorectal cancer cells and also could increase survivability of colon-tumour bearing mice. ACPOXF-Dex induced ROS up-regulation followed by apoptosis through expression of caspase-3. Further, we observed upregulation of antiproliferative factor, p53 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) reversal marker E-cadherin in tumour mass. In conclusion, a typical structural modification in ER-targeting Oxifen moiety resulted in its self-aggregation that enabled it to carry a GR-ligand, thus broadening its selective antitumor property especially as colon cancer therapeutics.

Chloroxine inhibits pancreatic cancer progression through targeted antagonization of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Patients with pancreatic cancer have a dismal prognosis due to tumor cell infiltration and metastasis. Many reports have documented that EMT and PI3K-AKT-mTOR axis control pancreatic cancer cell infiltration and metastasis. Chloroxine is an artificially synthesized antibacterial compound that demonstrated anti-pancreatic cancer effects in our previous drug-screening trial. We have explored the impact of chloroxine on pancreatic cancer growth, infiltration, migration, and apoptosis.

METHODS

The proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines (PCCs) treated with chloroxine was assessed through real-time cell analysis (RTCA), colony formation assay, CCK-8 assay, as well as immunofluorescence. Chloroxine effects on the infiltrative and migratory capacities of PCCs were assessed via Transwell invasion and scratch experiments. To assess the contents of EMT- and apoptosis-associated proteins in tumor cells, we adopted Western immunoblotting as well as immunofluorescence assays, and flow cytometry to determine chloroxine effects on PCCs apoptosis. The in vivo chloroxine antineoplastic effects were explored in nude mice xenografts.

RESULTS

Chloroxine repressed pancreatic cancer cell growth, migration, and infiltration in vitro, as well as in vivo, and stimulated apoptosis of the PCCs. Chloroxine appeared to inhibit PCC growth by Ki67 downregulation; this targeted and inhibited aberrant stimulation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling cascade, triggered apoptosis in PCC via mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, and modulated the EMT to inhibit PCC infiltration and migration.

CONCLUSIONS

Chloroxine targeted and inhibited the PI3K-AKT-mTOR cascade to repress PCCs growth, migration, as well as invasion, and triggered cellular apoptosis. Therefore, chloroxine may constitute a potential antineoplastic drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The effect of novel nitrogen-based chalcone analogs on colorectal cancer cells: Insight into the molecular pathways

In colorectal cancer (CRC), aberrations in KRAS are associated with aggressive tumorigenesis and an overall low survival rate because of chemoresistance and adverse effects. Ergo, complementary, and integrative medicines are being considered for CRC treatment. Among which is the use of natural chalcones that are known to exhibit anti-tumor activities in KRAS mutant CRC subtypes treatment regimens. Consequently, we examine the effect of two novel compounds (DK13 and DK14) having chalcones with nitrogen mustard moiety on CRC cell lines (HCT-116 and LoVo) with KRAS mutation. These compounds were synthesized in our lab and previously reported to exhibit potent activity against breast cancer cells. Our data revealed that DK13 and DK14 treatment suppress cell growth, disturb the progression of cell cycle, and trigger apoptosis in CRC cell lines. Besides, treatment with both compounds impedes cell invasion and colony formation in both cell lines as compared to 5-FU; this is accompanied by up and down regulations of E-cadherin and Vimentin, respectively. At the molecular level, both compounds deregulate the expression and phosphorylation of β-catenin, Akt and mTOR, which are the main likely molecular mechanisms underlying these biological occurrences. Our findings present DK13 and DK14 as novel chemotherapies against CRC, through β-catenin/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways.

Assessment of salivary miRNA, clinical, and demographic characterization in colorectal cancer diagnosis

AIM

Colorectal cancer (CRC), as the third most frequent malignancy in the world, is the fourth major cause of cancer-related mortality. Its early detection contributes significantly to a reduction in mortality. The objective of this case-control research was to analyze the salivary expression of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) and microRNA-92a (miR-92a), and also to consider demographic, clinical, and nutritional habits for differentiation between CRC patients and healthy controls, especially in the early stages.

METHOD

A standard checklist was used to obtain the demographic information, clinical features, and dietary habits of the case and control groups. Samplings of whole unstimulated saliva samples were obtained from 33 healthy persons and 42 CRC patients. Through real-time PCR, statistical analyses, and machine learning analyses, miR-29a and miR-92a salivary expression levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean salivary expression of miR-92a and miR-29a in CRC patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for miR-92a and miR-29a salivary biomarkers was 0.947 and 0.978, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity values for miR-92a were 95.24 % and 84.85 %, respectively, whereas sensitivity and specificity for miR-29a were equal to 95.20 % and 87.88 %, respectively. Multiple logistic regressions considering demographics, clinical features, and nutritional habits led to values of 95.35 % and 96.88 % as sensitivity and specificity, respectively, and machine learning analysis led to values of 88.89 % and 86.67 % as sensitivity and specificity, respectively.

CONCLUSION

CRC could be accurately diagnosed based on miR-92a and miR-29a levels in saliva. Statistical analysis and machine learning might develop cost-effective models for the distinction of CRC using a noninvasive technique.

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs): Orchestrators of cancer pathogenesis, immunotherapy dynamics, and drug resistance

Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a family of enzymes regulating protein arginine methylation, which is a post-translational modification crucial for various cellular processes. Recent studies have highlighted the mechanistic role of PRMTs in cancer pathogenesis, immunotherapy, and drug resistance. PRMTs are involved in diverse oncogenic processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. They exert their effects by methylation of histones, transcription factors, and other regulatory proteins, resulting in altered gene expression patterns. PRMT-mediated histone methylation can lead to aberrant chromatin remodeling and epigenetic changes that drive oncogenesis. Additionally, PRMTs can directly interact with key signaling pathways involved in cancer progression, such as the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, thereby modulating cell survival and proliferation. In the context of cancer immunotherapy, PRMTs have emerged as critical regulators of immune responses. They modulate immune checkpoint molecules, including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), through arginine methylation. Drug resistance is a significant challenge in cancer treatment, and PRMTs have been implicated in this phenomenon. PRMTs can contribute to drug resistance through multiple mechanisms, including the epigenetic regulation of drug efflux pumps, altered DNA damage repair, and modulation of cell survival pathways. In conclusion, PRMTs play critical roles in cancer pathogenesis, immunotherapy, and drug resistance. In this overview, we have endeavored to illuminate the mechanistic intricacies of PRMT-mediated processes. Shedding light on these aspects will offer valuable insights into the fundamental biology of cancer and establish PRMTs as promising therapeutic targets.

Clinical impact of epithelial–mesenchymal transition for cancer therapy

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents a pivotal frontier in oncology, playing a central role in the metastatic cascade of cancer—a leading global health challenge. This comprehensive review delves into the complexities of EMT, a process where cancer cells gain exceptional mobility, facilitating their invasion into distant organs and the establishment of secondary malignancies. We thoroughly examine the myriad of factors influencing EMT, encompassing transcription factors, signalling pathways, metabolic alterations, microRNAs, long non‐coding RNAs, epigenetic changes, exosomal interactions and the intricate dynamics of the tumour microenvironment. Particularly, the review emphasises the advanced stages of EMT, crucial for the development of highly aggressive cancer phenotypes. During this phase, cancer cells penetrate the vascular barrier and exploit the bloodstream to propagate life‐threatening metastases through the mesenchymal–epithelial transition. We also explore EMT's significant role in fostering tumour dormancy, senescence, the emergence of cancer stem cells and the formidable challenge of therapeutic resistance. Our review transcends a mere inventory of EMT‐inducing elements; it critically assesses the current state of EMT‐focused clinical trials, revealing both the hurdles and significant breakthroughs. Highlighting the potential of EMT research, we project its transformative impact on the future of cancer therapy. This exploration is aimed at paving the way towards an era of effectively managing this relentless disease, positioning EMT at the forefront of innovative cancer research strategies.

Sialidase NEU3 Contributes to the Invasiveness of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. The current standard treatment for advanced bladder cancer is neoadjuvant cisplatin (NAC)-based chemotherapy followed by cystectomy. However, the response rate to chemotherapy is only 50%, owing to cisplatin resistance, and there is a need for novel therapies. Because the invasiveness of bladder cancer greatly influences patient prognosis, a mechanistic analysis of the invasive function can lead to therapeutic targets. Sialidases, which remove sialic acid residues from the nonreducing ends of sugar chains and catalyze the initial reaction in the degradation of sugar chains, are predicted to be involved in cell invasion and motility. However, the involvement of sialidases in bladder cancer, especially their relationship with the invasive ability, remains unclear. Here, using patient tissues and multiple bladder cancer cell lines, we show that the sialidase NEU3 is highly expressed in bladder cancer. Analysis of NEU3's function using its siRNA-mediated knockdown revealed that NEU3 contributes to bladder cancer invasiveness. Mechanistic analysis showed that NEU3 activates ERK and PI3K signaling. Our results show that NEU3 is involved in the malignancy of bladder cancer, and its suppression may lead to novel treatments for bladder cancer.

Soluble guanylyl cyclase beta1 subunit targets epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and downregulates Akt pathway in human endometrial and cervical cancer cells

Endometrial and cervical cancer are among the most frequently diagnosed malignancies globally. Nitric oxide receptor-soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is a heterodimeric enzyme composed of two subunits, α1 and β1. Previously we showed that sGCα1 subunit promotes cell survival, proliferation, and migration, but the role of sGCβ1 subunit has not been addressed. The aim of the present work was to study the impact of sGCβ1 restoration in proliferation, survival, migration, and cell signaling in endometrial and cervical cancer cells. We found that sGCβ1 transcript levels are reduced in endometrial and cervical tumors vs normal tissues. We confirmed nuclear enrichment of sGCβ1, unlike sGCα1. Overexpression of sGCβ1 reduced cell viability and augmented apoptotic index. Cell migration and invasion were also negatively affected. All these sGCβ1-driven effects were independent of sGC enzymatic activity. sGCβ1 reduced the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition factors such as N-cadherin and β-catenin and increased the expression of E-cadherin. sGCβ1 impacted signaling in endometrial and cervical cancer cells through significant downregulation of Akt pathway affecting some of its main targets such as GSK-3β and c-Raf. Our results show for the first time that sGCβ1 exerts several antiproliferative actions in ECC-1 and HeLa cell lines by targeting key regulatory pathways.

The potential relevance of long non-coding RNAs in colorectal cancer pathogenesis and treatment: A review focus on signaling pathways

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent cancers in incidence and mortality. Despite advances in cancer biology, molecular genetics, and targeted treatments, CRC prognosis and survival have not kept pace. This is usually due to advanced staging and metastases at diagnosis. Thus, great importance has been placed upon understanding the molecular pathophysiology behind the development of CRC, which has highlighted the significance of non-coding RNA's role and associated intracellular signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease. According to recent studies, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), a subtype of ncRNAs whose length exceeds 200 nucleotides, have been found to have regulatory functions on multiple levels. Their actions at the transcription, post-transcriptional, translational levels, and epigenetic regulation have made them prime modulators of gene expression. Due to their role in cellular cancer hallmarks, their dysregulation has been linked to several illnesses, including cancer. Furthermore, their clinical relevance has expanded due to their possible detection in blood which has cemented them as potential future biomarkers and thus, potential targets for new therapy. This review will highlight the importance of lncRNAs and related signaling pathways in the development of CRC and their subsequent clinical applications.

Prostate transmembrane androgen inducible protein 1 (PMEPA1): regulation and clinical implications

Prostate transmembrane androgen inducible protein 1 (PMEPA1) can promote or inhibit prostate cancer cell growth based on the cancer cell response to the androgen receptor (AR). Further, it can be upregulated by transforming growth factor (TGF), which downregulates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling by interfering with R-Smad phosphorylation to facilitate TGF-β receptor degradation. Studies have indicated the increased expression of PMEPA1 in some solid tumors and its functioning as a regulator of multiple signaling pathways. This review highlights the multiple potential signaling pathways associated with PMEPA1 and the role of the PMEPA1 gene in regulating prognosis, including transcriptional regulation and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, the relevant implications in and outside tumors, for example, as a biomarker and its potential functions in lysosomes have also been discussed.

New ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex eliminates colorectal cancer stem cells by targeting the heat shock protein 90 chaperone

In this work, we describe a novel ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex, [Ru(phen)2(xant)](PF6) (RXC), that can eliminate colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90. RXC exhibits potent cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines and primary cancer cells, causing apoptosis in HCT116 CRC cells, as observed by cell morphology, YO-PRO-1/PI staining, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarization, and PARP cleavage (Asp214). Additionally, RXC can downregulate the HSP90AA1 and HSP90B1 genes and the expression of HSP90 protein, as well as the expression levels of its downstream/client elements Akt1, Akt (pS473), mTOR (pS2448), 4EBP1 (pT36/pT45), GSK-3β (pS9), and NF-κB p65 (pS529), implying that these molecular chaperones can be molecular targets for RXC. Moreover, this compound inhibited clonogenic survival, the percentage of the CRC stem cell subpopulation, and colonosphere formation, indicating that RXC can eliminate CRC stem cells. RXC reduced cell migration and invasion, decreased vimentin and increased E-cadherin expression, and induced an autophagic process that appeared to be cytoprotective, as autophagy inhibitors enhanced RXC-induced cell death. In vivo studies showed that RXC inhibits tumor progression and experimental metastasis in mice with CRC HCT116 cell xenografts. Taken together, these results highlight the potential of the ruthenium complex RXC in CRC therapy with the ability to eliminate CRC stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90.

Identification of basement membrane markers in diabetic kidney disease and immune infiltration by using bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Basement membranes (BMs) are ubiquitous extracellular matrices which are affected in many diseases including DKD. Here, the authors aimed to identify BM-related markers in DKD and explored the immune cell infiltration in this process. The expression profiles of three datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. BM-related differentially expression genes (DEGs) were identified and Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis were applied to biological functions. Immune cell infiltration and immune function in the kidneys of patients with DKD and healthy controls were evaluated and compared using the ssGSEA algorithm. The association of hub genes and immune cells and immune function were explored. A total of 30 BM-related DEGs were identified. The functional analysis showed that BM-related DEGs were notably associated with basement membrane alterations. Crucially, BM-related hub genes in DKD were finally identified, which were able to distinguish patients with DKD from controls. Moreover, the authors observed that laminin subunit gamma 1(LAMC1) expression was significantly high in HK2 cells treated with high glucose. Immunohistochemistry results showed that, compared with those in db/m mouse kidneys, the levels of LAMC1 in db/db mouse kidneys were significantly increased. The biomarkers genes may prove crucial for DKD treatment as they could be targeted in future DKD treatment protocols.

The Prognosis of Cancer Depends on the Interplay of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Anoikis within the Tumor Microenvironment

Within the tumor microenvironment, the fight between the immune system and cancer influences tumor transformation. Metastasis formation is an important stage in the progression of cancer. This process is aided by cellular detachment and resistance to anoikis, which are achieved by altering intercellular signaling. Autophagy, specifically pro-survival autophagy, aids cancer cells in developing treatment resistance. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy promotes tumor growth and resistance to anoikis. To regulate protective autophagy, cancer-related genes phosphorylate both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis, a type of controlled cell death, eliminates damaged or unwanted cells. Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death in which cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix. The dysregulation of these cellular pathways promotes tumor growth and spread. Apoptosis, anoikis, and autophagy interact meticulously and differently depending on the cellular circumstances. For instance, autophagy can protect cancer cells from apoptosis by removing cellular components that are damaged and might otherwise trigger apoptotic pathways. Similarly, anoikis dysregulation can trigger autophagy by causing cellular harm and metabolic stress. In order to prevent or treat metastatic disease, specifically, targeting these cellular mechanisms may present a promising prospect for cancer therapy. This review discourses the state of our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor transformation and the establishment of metastatic tumors. To enhance the prognosis for cancer, we highlight and discuss potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes and genes involved in them.

Combretastatin A-4 suppresses the invasive and metastatic behavior of glioma cells and induces apoptosis in them: in-vitro study

The most common primary brain malignancy, glioblastoma multiforme, is tremendously resistant to conventional treatments due to its potency for metastasis to surrounding brain tissue. Temozolomide is a chemotherapeutic agent that currently is administrated during the treatment procedure. Studies have attempted to investigate new agents with higher effectiveness and fewer side effects. Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), a natural compound derived from Combretum caffrum, has been recently considered for its potent antitumor activities in a wide variety of preclinical solid tumor models. Our findings have shown that CA-4 exerts potent anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on glioma cells, and ROS generation may be involved in these cellular events. CA-4 has imposed G2 arrest in U-87 cells. We also observed that CA-4 significantly reduced the migration and invasion capability of U-87 cells. Furthermore, the gene expression and enzyme activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly inhibited in the presence of CA-4. We also observed a considerable decrease in PI3K and Akt protein expression following treatment with CA-4. In conclusion, our findings showed significant apoptogenic and anti-metastatic effects of CA-4 on glioma cells and also suggested that the PI3K/Akt/MMP-2/-9 and also ROS pathway might play roles in these cellular events.

Cannabidiol Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasiveness of Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men, responsible for over 375,000 deaths in 2020. Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve outcomes. Cannabinoids, chemical components of the cannabis plant, are a possible solution. Preclinical evidence demonstrates that cannabinoids can modulate several cancer hallmarks of many tumor types. However, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in prostate cancer has not yet been fully explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative and anti-invasive properties of cannabidiol (CBD) in prostate cancer cells in vitro. CBD inhibited cell viability and proliferation, accompanied by reduced expression of key cell cycle proteins, specifically cyclin D3 and cyclin-dependent kinases CDK2, CDK4, and CDK1, and inhibition of AKT phosphorylation. The effects of CBD on cell viability were not blocked by cannabinoid receptor antagonists, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel blocker, or an agonist of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR55, suggesting that CBD acts independently of these targets in prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, CBD reduced the invasiveness of highly metastatic PC-3 cells and increased protein expression of E-cadherin. The ability of CBD to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness suggests that CBD may have potential as a future chemotherapeutic agent.

Curcumin ameliorates focal segmental glomerulosclerosis by inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress in podocytes

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a podocyte disease, is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Nevertheless, the current effective treatment for FSGS is deficient. Curcumin (CUR) is a principal curcuminoid of turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family. Previous studies have shown that CUR has renoprotective effects. However, the mechanism of CUR in anti-FSGS is not clear. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of CUR against FSGS through a combination of network pharmacological methods and verification of experiments. The analysis identified 98 shared targets of CUR against FSGS, and these 98 targets formed a network of protein-protein interactions (PPI). Of these 98 targets, AKT1, TNF, IL-6, VEGFA, STAT3, MAPK3, HIF1A, CASP3, IL1B, and JUN were identified as the hub targets. Molecular docking suggested that the best binding to CUR is MAPK3 and AKT1. Apoptotic process and cell proliferation were identified as the main biological processes of CUR against FSGS by gene ontology (GO) analysis. The most enriched signaling pathway in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Western blots and flow cytometry showed that CUR could inhibit adriamycin (ADR) induced apoptosis, oxidative stress damage, and attenuate podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by repressing the AKT signaling pathway. Collectively, our study demonstrates that CUR can attenuate apoptosis, oxidative stress damage, and EMT in FSGS in vitro. These results supply a compelling basis for future studies of CUR for the clinical treatment of FSGS.

Targeting of AKT1 by miR-143-3p Suppresses Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer

An altered expression of miR-143-3p has been previously reported in prostate cancer where it is purported to play a tumor suppressor role. Evidence from other cancers suggests miR-143-3p acts as an inhibitor of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key biological process required for metastasis. However, in prostate cancer the interaction between miR-143-3p and EMT-associated mechanisms remains unclear. Therefore, this paper investigated the link between miR-143-3p and EMT in prostate cancer using in vitro and in silico analyses. PCR detected that miR-143-3p expression was significantly decreased in prostate cancer cell lines compared to normal prostate cells. Bioinformatic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA PRAD) data showed a significant downregulation of miR-143-3p in prostate cancer, correlating with pathological markers of advanced disease. Functional enrichment analysis confirmed the significant association of miR-143-3p and its target genes with EMT. The EMT-linked gene AKT1 was subsequently shown to be a novel target of miR-143-3p in prostate cancer cells. The in vitro manipulation of miR-143-3p levels significantly altered the cell proliferation, clonogenicity, migration and expression of EMT-associated markers. Further TCGA PRAD analysis suggested miR-143-3p tumor expression may be a useful predictor of disease recurrence. In summary, this is the first study to report that miR-143-3p overexpression in prostate cancer may inhibit EMT by targeting AKT1. The findings suggest miR-143-3p could be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer.

Silencing of GRHL2 induces epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cell lines with different effects on proliferation and clonogenic growth

Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is a transcription factor that suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It has been previously shown that GRHL2 can confer both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in human cancers, including breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. However, its role in lung cancer remains elusive. In the present study, a meta-analysis of multiple gene expression datasets with clinical data revealed that GRHL2 expression was increased in lung cancer compared with that in the normal tissues. Copy number analysis of GRHL2, performed using datasets of whole exome sequencing involving 151 lung cancer cell lines, revealed frequent amplifications, suggesting that the increased GRHL2 expression may have resulted from gene amplification. A survival meta-analysis of GRHL2 using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset showed no association of GRHL2 expression with overall survival. GRHL2 expression was found to be associated with EMT status in lung cancer in TCGA dataset and lung cancer cell lines. GRHL2 knockdown induced partial EMT in the hTERT/Cdk4-immortalized normal lung epithelial cell line HBEC4KT without affecting proliferation measured by CCK-8 assays. In addition, GRHL2 silencing caused three lung cancer cell lines, H1975, H2009 and H441, to undergo partial EMT. However, the proliferative effects differed significantly. GRHL2 silencing promoted proliferation but not colony formation in H1975 cells whilst suppressing colony formation without affecting proliferation in H2009 cells, but it did not affect proliferation in H441 cells. These results suggest cell type-dependent effects of GRHL2 knockdown. Downstream, GRHL2 silencing enhanced the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, assessed by western blotting with phospho-specific antibodies, in HBEC4KT, H1975 and H2009 cell lines but not in the H441 cell line. By contrast, transient GRHL2 overexpression did not affect A549 cell proliferation, which lack detectable endogenous expression of the GRHL2 protein. However, GRHL2 overexpression did suppress E-cadherin expression in A549 cells. These results suggested that GRHL2 does not only function as a tumor suppressor of EMT but can also behave as an oncogene depending on the lung cancer cell-type context.

PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a critical regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal tumor cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal malignancies that are considered as a global health challenge. Despite many progresses in therapeutic methods, there is still a high rate of mortality rate among CRC patients that is associated with poor prognosis and distant metastasis. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in CRC metastasis can improve the prognosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is considered as one of the main molecular mechanisms involved in CRC metastasis, which can be regulated by various signaling pathways. PI3K/AKT signaling pathway has a key role in CRC cell proliferation and migration. In the present review, we discussed the role of PI3K/AKT pathway CRC metastasis through the regulation of the EMT process. It has been shown that PI3K/AKT pathway can induce the EMT process by down regulation of epithelial markers, while up regulation of mesenchymal markers and EMT-specific transcription factors that promote CRC metastasis. This review can be an effective step toward introducing the PI3K/AKT/EMT axis to predict prognosis as well as a therapeutic target among CRC patients. Video Abstract.

The B56γ3-containing protein phosphatase 2A attenuates p70S6K-mediated negative feedback loop to enhance AKT-facilitated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is one of the major protein phosphatases in eukaryotic cells and is essential for cellular homeostasis. PP2A is a heterotrimer comprising the dimeric AC core enzyme and a highly variable regulatory B subunit. Distinct B subunits help the core enzyme gain full activity toward specific substrates and contribute to diverse cellular roles of PP2A. PP2A has been thought to play a tumor suppressor and the B56γ3 regulatory subunit was shown to play a key tumor suppressor regulatory subunit of PP2A. Nevertheless, we uncovered a molecular mechanism of how B56γ3 may act as an oncogene in colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

Polyclonal pools of CRC cells with stable B56γ3 overexpression or knockdown were generated by retroviral or lentiviral infection and subsequent drug selection. Co-immunoprecipitation(co-IP) and in vitro pull-down analysis were applied to analyze the protein-protein interaction. Transwell migration and invasion assays were applied to investigate the role of B56γ3 in affecting motility and invasive capability of CRC cells. The sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was analyzed using the PrestoBlue reagent assay for cell viability. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to investigate the expression levels of phospho-AKT and B56γ3 in paired tumor and normal tissue specimens of CRC. DataSets of TCGA and GEO were analyzed to investigate the correlation of B56γ3 expression with overall survival rates of CRC patients.

RESULTS

We showed that B56γ3 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reduced the sensitivity of CRC cells to 5-FU through upregulating AKT activity. Mechanistically, B56γ3 upregulates AKT activity by targeting PP2A to attenuate the p70S6K-mediated negative feedback loop regulation on PI3K/AKT activation. B56γ3 was highly expressed and positively correlated with the level of phospho-AKT in tumor tissues of CRC. Moreover, high B56γ3 expression is associated with poor prognosis of a subset of patients with CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding reveals that the B56γ3 regulatory subunit-containing PP2A plays an oncogenic role in CRC cells by sustaining AKT activation through suppressing p70S6K activity and suggests that the interaction between B56γ3 and p70S6K may serve as a therapeutic target for CRC. Video Abstract.

Exosomal PIK3CB promotes PD-L1 expression and malignant transformation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which accounts for 90% of esophageal carcinomas, seriously endangers human health. Worse still, the 5-year overall survival of ESCC is approximately 20%. Elucidation of the potential mechanism and exploration of promising drugs for ESCC are urgently needed. In this study, a high level of exosomal PIK3CB protein was found in the plasma of ESCC patients, which might indicate a poor prognosis. Moreover, a significant Pearson's correlation was observed at the protein level between exosomal PIK3CB and exosomal PD-L1. Further study revealed that cancer cell-intrinsic and exosome-derived PIK3CB promoted the transcriptional activity of the PD-L1 promoter in ESCC cells. Moreover, treatment with exosomes with lower levels of exosomal PIK3CB decreased the protein level of the mesenchymal marker β-catenin while increasing that of the epithelial marker claudin-1, indicating the potential regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Consequently, the migratory ability and cancer stemness of ESCC cells and the growth of tumors formed by ESCC cells were decreased with the downregulation of exosomal PIK3CB. Therefore, exosomal PIK3CB plays an oncogenic role by promoting PD-L1 expression and malignant transformation in ESCC. This study may provide new insight into the inherent biological aggressiveness and the poor response to currently available therapies of ESCC. Exosomal PIK3CB may be a promising target for the diagnosis and therapy of ESCC in the future.

PRMT5 facilitates angiogenesis and EMT via HIF-1α/VEGFR/Akt signaling axis in lung cancer

Abnormal angiogenesis is a critical factor in tumor growth and metastasis, and protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), a prominent type II enzyme, is implicated in various human cancers. However, the precise role of PRMT5 in regulating angiogenesis to promote lung cancer cell metastasis and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we show that PRMT5 is overexpressed in lung cancer cells and tissues, and its expression is triggered by hypoxia. Moreover, inhibiting or silencing PRMT5 disrupts the phosphorylation of the VEGFR/Akt/eNOS angiogenic signaling pathway, NOS activity, and NO production. Additionally, inhibiting PRMT5 activity reduces HIF-1α expression and stability, resulting in the down-regulation of the VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that PRMT5 promotes lung cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which might be possibly through controlling the HIF-1α/VEGFR/Akt/eNOS signaling axis. Our study provides compelling evidence of the close association between PRMT5 and angiogenesis/EMT and highlights the potential of targeting PRMT5 activity as a promising therapeutic approach for treating lung cancer with abnormal angiogenesis.

The beneficial effects of astragaloside IV on ameliorating diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become the major cause of chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. There is still a need for innovative treatment strategies for preventing, arresting, treating, and reversing DKD, and a plethora of scientific evidence has revealed that Chinese herbal monomers can attenuate DKD in multiple ways. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is one of the active ingredients of Astragalus membranaceus and was selected as a chemical marker in the Chinese Pharmacopeia for quality control purposes. An increasing amount of studies indicate that AS-IV is a promising novel drug for the treatment of DKD. AS-IV has been shown to improve DKD by combating oxidative stress, attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress, regulating calcium homeostasis, alleviating inflammation, improving vascular function, improving epithelial to mesenchymal transition and so on. This review briefly summarizes the pathogenesis of DKD, systematically reviews the mechanisms by which AS-IV improves DKD, and aims to facilitate related pharmacological research and development to promote the utilization of Chinese herbal monomers in DKD.

Interferon regulatory factor 4 deletion protects against kidney inflammation and fibrosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt hypertension

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis are the main pathological features of hypertensive nephropathy. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF-4) has an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. However, its role in hypertension-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis remains unexplored.

METHOD AND RESULTS

We showed that deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt resulted in an elevation of blood pressure and that there was no difference between wild-type and IRF-4 knockout mice. IRF-4 -/- mice presented less severe renal dysfunction, albuminuria, and fibrotic response after DOCA-salt stress compared with wild-type mice. Loss of IRF-4 inhibited extracellular matrix protein deposition and suppressed fibroblasts activation in the kidneys of mice subjected to DOCA-salt treatment. IRF-4 disruption impaired bone marrow-derived fibroblasts activation and macrophages to myofibroblasts transition in the kidneys in response to DOCA-salt treatment. IRF-4 deletion impeded the infiltration of inflammatory cells and decreased the production of proinflammatory molecules in injured kidneys. IRF-4 deficiency activated phosphatase and tensin homolog and weakened phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT signaling pathway in vivo or in vitro . In cultured monocytes, TGFβ1 also induced expression of fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin and stimulated the transition of macrophages to myofibroblasts, which was blocked in the absence of IRF-4. Finally, macrophages depletion blunted macrophages to myofibroblasts transition, inhibited myofibroblasts accumulation, and ameliorated kidney injury and fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, IRF-4 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of kidney inflammation and fibrosis in DOCA-salt hypertension.

Size-optimized simvastatin-loaded TPGS modified lipid nanocapsules for targeting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma: Role of PTEN/AKT signaling

OBJECTIVES

Novel D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) modified lipid nanocapsules (LNC) were prepared with the aim of improving the effectiveness of simvastatin (SIM) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study, therefore, sought to investigate the effect of size-optimized SIM-loaded LNC on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC, providing insights on the implication of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/protein kinase B (AKT) axis.

METHODS

Two optimized SIM-loaded LNCs with particle sizes 25 nm (SIM-LNC25) and 50 nm (SIM-LNC50) were prepared and biodistribution studies were performed. The anticancer effect of the prepared LNC was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-migratory potential and EMT suppression through PTEN/AKT axis modulation were also explored.

RESULTS

SIM-LNC50 was superior to SIM-LNC25 in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, as evidenced by cytotoxicity assays, tumor histopathology, and enhanced apoptosis. SIM-LNC50 also alleviated the migratory potential of HCC cells. Moreover, EMT markers implied a transition of tumor cells toward the epithelial rather than the mesenchymal phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. PTEN/AKT axis modulation was also evident with SIM-LNC50.

CONCLUSION

The present study, therefore, suggests the efficacy of the 50 nm particles in SIM-loaded LNC in HCC by targeting EMT via modulating the PTEN/AKT signaling axis.

The Role of Histone Deacetylases in Acute Lung Injury-Friend or Foe

Acute lung injury (ALI), caused by intrapulmonary or extrapulmonary factors such as pneumonia, shock, and sepsis, eventually disrupts the alveolar-capillary barrier, resulting in diffuse pulmonary oedema and microatasis, manifested by refractory hypoxemia, and respiratory distress. Not only is ALI highly lethal, but even if a patient survives, there are also multiple sequelae. Currently, there is no better treatment than supportive care, and we urgently need to find new targets to improve ALI. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are epigenetically important enzymes that, together with histone acetylases (HATs), regulate the acetylation levels of histones and non-histones. While HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) play a therapeutic role in cancer, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases, there is also a large body of evidence suggesting the potential of HDACs as therapeutic targets in ALI. This review explores the unique mechanisms of HDACs in different cell types of ALI, including macrophages, pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (VECs), alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), and neutrophils.