Discovery of novel ID2 antagonists from pharmacophore-based virtual screening as potential therapeutics for glioma

ID2-ETS2 axis regulates the transcriptional acquisition of pro-tumoral microglia phenotype in glioma

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumour that creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a crucial role in this environment. Glioblastoma cells can reprogramme microglia to create a supportive niche that promotes tumour growth. However, the mechanisms controlling the acquisition of a transcriptome associated with a tumour-supportive microglial reactive state are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated changes in the transcriptional profile of BV2 microglia exposed to C6 glioma cells. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed a significant upregulation of microglial inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id1) and Id2, helix-loop-helix negative transcription regulatory factors. The concomitant regulation of microglial ETS proto-oncogene 2, transcription factor (ETS2)-target genes, i.e., Dusp6, Fli1, Jun, Hmox1, and Stab1, led us to hypothesize that ETS2 could be regulated by ID proteins. In fact, ID2-ETS2 protein interactions increased in microglia exposed to glioma cells. In addition, perturbation of the ID2-ETS2 transcriptional axis influenced the acquisition of a microglial tumour-supportive phenotype. ID2 and ETS2 genes were found to be expressed by the tumour-associated microglia isolated from human glioblastoma tumour biopsies. Furthermore, ID2 and ETS2 gene expressions exhibited inverse prognostic values in patients with glioma in cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Collectively, our findings indicate that the regulation of ETS2 by ID2 plays a role in the transcriptional regulation of microglia in response to stimuli originating from glioblastoma cells, information that could lead to developing therapeutic strategies to manipulate microglial tumour-trophic functions.

Lin-28 Homolog B-Activated Protein Disulfide Isomerase A4 Regulates Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Glioma

The goal of this study is to elucidate the role of protein disulfide isomerase A4 (PDIA4) in glioma, as well as its regulatory mechanism. Cell transfection was performed to adjust the expression level of PDIA4 and RNA-binding protein lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B). The expression of PDIA4 in human astrocytes and glioma cell lines was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell and wound-healing assays were applied to determine the capabilities of cells to proliferate, invade and migrate. The connection between PDIA4 and LIN28B was demonstrated by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull down assays. As a result, PDIA4 was elevated in glioma. PDIA4 depletion hugely suppressed cell proliferative ability, which was characterized by the reduced cell viability and colony formation, and declined contents of PCNA and Ki67. Meanwhile, PDIA4 knockdown repressed the cell capabilities to migrate and invade, accompanied with downregulated MMP2 and MMP9. LIN28N was also found to be upregulated in glioma cells, and was verified to bind with PDIA4 and positively regulate PDIA4 expression. Additionally, LIN28B overexpression partly hindered the suppressive impacts of PDIA4 knockdown on cell abilities to proliferate, migrate and invade. In conclusion, this study delineates that LIN28B-mediated PDIA4 plays a critical role in the progression of glioma.

Signaling networks controlling ID and E protein activity in T cell differentiation and function

E and inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins are involved in various cellular developmental processes and effector activities in T cells. Recent findings indicate that E and ID proteins are not only responsible for regulating thymic T cell development but also modulate the differentiation, function, and fate of peripheral T cells in multiple immune compartments. Based on the well-established E and ID protein axis (E-ID axis), it has been recognized that ID proteins interfere with the dimerization of E proteins, thus restricting their transcriptional activities. Given this close molecular relationship, the extent of expression or stability of these two protein families can dynamically affect the expression of specific target genes involved in multiple aspects of T cell biology. Therefore, it is essential to understand the endogenous proteins or extrinsic signaling pathways that can influence the dynamics of the E-ID axis in a cell-specific and context-dependent manner. Here, we provide an overview of E and ID proteins and the functional outcomes of the E-ID axis in the activation and function of multiple peripheral T cell subsets, including effector and memory T cell populations. Further, we review the mechanisms by which endogenous proteins and signaling pathways alter the E-ID axis in various T cell subsets influencing T cell function and fate at steady-state and in pathological settings. A comprehensive understanding of the functions of E and ID proteins in T cell biology can be instrumental in T cell-specific targeting of the E-ID axis to develop novel therapeutic modalities in the context of autoimmunity and cancer.

Artificial Intelligence Algorithm-Based Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Navigation for Glioma Resection

The study aimed to analyze the application value of artificial intelligence algorithm-based intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) in neurosurgical glioma resection. 108 patients with glioma in a hospital were selected and divided into the experimental group (intraoperative magnetic resonance assisted glioma resection) and the control group (conventional surgical experience resection), with 54 patients in each group. After the resection, the tumor resection rate, NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) score, Karnofsky score, and postoperative intracranial infection were calculated in the two groups. The results revealed that the average tumor resection rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Karnofsky score before and after the operation in the experimental group (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in NIHSS score between the experimental group and the control group after resection (P > 0.05). The number of patients with postoperative neurological deficits in the experimental group was smaller than that in the control group. In addition, there was no significant difference in infection rates between the two groups after glioma resection (P > 0.05). In summary, intraoperative magnetic resonance navigation on the basis of a segmentation dictionary learning algorithm has great clinical value in neurosurgical glioma resection. It can maximize the removal of tumors and ensure the integrity of neurological function while avoiding an increased risk of postoperative infection, which is of great significance for the treatment of glioma.