PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and cancer

Securinine inhibits carcinogenesis in gastric cancer by targeting AURKA-β-catenin/Akt/STAT3 and the cell cycle pathway

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is difficult to treat with currently available treatments. Securinine (SCR) has a lengthy history of use in the treatment of disorders of the nervous system, and its anticancer potential has been gaining attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to explore the repressive effect of SCR on GC and its fundamental mechanism.

METHODS

The efficacy of SCR in GC cells was detected by MTT assays. Colony formation, flow cytometry and Transwell assays were used to assess the changes in the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, migration and invasion of GC cells after treatment. AGS (human gastric carcinoma cell)-derived xenografts were used to observe the effect of SCR on tumor growth in vivo. The molecular mechanism of action of SCR in GC was explored via RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, Western blotting, molecular docking, and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

SCR was first discovered to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells while initiating apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro. It was also established that SCR has excellent anticancer effects in vivo. Interestingly, AURKA acts as a crucial target of SCR, and AURKA expression can be blocked by SCR. Moreover, this study revealed that SCR suppresses the cell cycle and the β-catenin/Akt/STAT3 pathways, which were previously reported to be regulated by AURKA.

CONCLUSION

SCR exerts a notable anticancer effect on GC by targeting AURKA and blocking the cell cycle and β-catenin/Akt/STAT3 pathway. Thus, SCR is a promising pharmacological option for the treatment of GC.

LncRNA ZFAS1 regulates ATIC transcription and promotes the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert a significant influence on various cancer-related processes through their intricate interactions with RNAs. Among these, lncRNA ZFAS1 has been implicated in oncogenic roles in multiple cancer types. Nevertheless, the intricate biological significance and underlying mechanism of ZFAS1 in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unexplored.

METHODS

Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database revealed a notable upregulation of lncRNA ZFAS1 in HCC tissues. To explore its function, we investigated colony formation and performed CCK-8 assays to gauge cellular proliferation and wound healing, Transwell assays to assess cellular migration, and an in vivo study employing a nude mouse model to scrutinize tumor growth and metastasis. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the implicated interactions. Rescue experiments were conducted to unravel the plausible mechanism underlying the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway by lncRNAs ZFAS1 and ATIC.

RESULTS

ZFAS1 and ATIC were significantly upregulated in the HCC tissues and cells. ZFAS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration. We observed a direct interaction between the lncRNA ZFAS1 and ATIC. ATIC knockdown also suppressed cell proliferation and migration. SC79, an activator of AKT, partially restores the effects of lncRNA ZFAS1/ATIC knockdown on cell proliferation and migration. Knockdown of lncRNA ZFAS1/ATIC inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Overall, lncRNA ZFAS1 regulates ATIC transcription and contributes to the growth and migration of HCC cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

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.

Grifolin Induces Cell Death of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cell Line via Inhibiting KRAS-Mediated Multiple Signaling Pathways

In the current work, grifolin was obtained from the twigs and leaves of Daphne genkwa for the first time and displayed significant growth inhibition against human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Subsequent in vitro antitumor evaluation revealed that grifolin could induce remarkable cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest, as well as block cell migration and invasion. In addition, grifolin also disrupted cellular energy metabolism by inducing reactive oxygen species, reducing adenosine triphosphate and mitochondrial membrane potential, and damaging DNA synthesis. Further RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that treatment of grifolin on A549 cells led to gene enrichment in MAPK, PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways, all of which were inhibited by grifolin according to immunoblotting experiments. Further mechanistical studies disclosed that the expression of a key upstream protein KRAS was also blocked, and the cell death triggered by grifolin could be rescued by a RAS activator ML-099. Moreover, pretreatment of ML-099 on A549 cells could reverse the grifolin-induced downregulation of key proteins in the three aforementioned pathways. These findings indicate that grifolin could induce cell death in A549 cell line by inhibiting KRAS-mediated multiple signaling pathways.

Dissecting the pleiotropic roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung cancer: From carcinogenesis toward therapy

Lung cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The specific pulmonary structure to directly connect with ambient air makes it more susceptible to damage from airborne toxins. External oxidative stimuli and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in promoting lung carcinogenesis and development. The biological properties of higher ROS levels in tumor cells than in normal cells make them more sensitive and vulnerable to ROS injury. Therefore, the strategy of targeting ROS has been proposed for cancer therapy for decades. However, it is embarrassing that countless attempts at ROS-based therapies have had very limited success, and no FDA approval in the anticancer list was mechanistically based on ROS manipulation. Even compared with the untargetable proteins, such as transcription factors, ROS are more difficult to be targeted due to their chemical properties. Thus, the pleiotropic roles of ROS provide therapeutic potential for anticancer drug discovery, while a better dissection of the mechanistic action and signaling pathways is a prerequisite for future breakthroughs. This review discusses the critical roles of ROS in cancer carcinogenesis, ROS-inspired signaling pathways, and ROS-based treatment, exemplified by lung cancer. In particular, an eight considerations rule is proposed for ROS-targeting strategies and drug design and development.

Harnessing the potential of hydrogels for advanced therapeutic applications: current achievements and future directions

The applications of hydrogels have expanded significantly due to their versatile, highly tunable properties and breakthroughs in biomaterial technologies. In this review, we cover the major achievements and the potential of hydrogels in therapeutic applications, focusing primarily on two areas: emerging cell-based therapies and promising non-cell therapeutic modalities. Within the context of cell therapy, we discuss the capacity of hydrogels to overcome the existing translational challenges faced by mainstream cell therapy paradigms, provide a detailed discussion on the advantages and principal design considerations of hydrogels for boosting the efficacy of cell therapy, as well as list specific examples of their applications in different disease scenarios. We then explore the potential of hydrogels in drug delivery, physical intervention therapies, and other non-cell therapeutic areas (e.g., bioadhesives, artificial tissues, and biosensors), emphasizing their utility beyond mere delivery vehicles. Additionally, we complement our discussion on the latest progress and challenges in the clinical application of hydrogels and outline future research directions, particularly in terms of integration with advanced biomanufacturing technologies. This review aims to present a comprehensive view and critical insights into the design and selection of hydrogels for both cell therapy and non-cell therapies, tailored to meet the therapeutic requirements of diverse diseases and situations.

HLF is a promising prognostic, immunological, and therapeutic biomarker in human tumors

Despite past research linking HLF mutations to cancer development, no pan-cancer analyses of HLF have been published. As a result, we utilized multiple databases to illustrate the potential roles of HLF in diverse types of cancers. Several databases were used to assess HLF expression in the TCGA cancer samples. Additional assessments were undertaken to investigate the relationship between HLF and overall survival, immune cell infiltration, genetic alterations, promoter methylation, and protein-protein interaction. HLF's putative roles and the relationship between HLF expression and drug reactivity were investigated. HLF expression was shown to be lower in tumor tissues from a variety of malignancies when compared to normal tissues. There was a substantial link found between HLF expression and patient survival, genetic mutations, and immunological infiltration. HLF influenced the pathways of apoptosis, cell cycle, EMT, and PI3K/AKT signaling. Abnormal expression of HLF lowered sensitivity to numerous anti-tumor drugs and small compounds. According to our findings, reduced HLF expression drives cancer growth, and it has the potential to be identified as a vital biomarker for use in prognosis, immunotherapy, and targeted treatment of a range of malignancies.

TFE3/PI3K/Akt/mTOR Axis in Renal Cell Carcinoma Affects Tumor Microenvironment

The role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapies has not been investigated thoroughly. Transcription factor E3 (TFE3) expression is related to a poorer prognosis and tumor microenvironment in patients with RCC. This study aimed to determine the relationship between TFE3 and the PI3K/Akt pathway. TFE3 down-regulation was achieved by transient transfection of siRNA and shRNA in UOK146 cells. TFE3 overexpression was induced by transient transfection with pcDNA3.1 encoding the constitutively active form of TFE3. The cells were treated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and PI3K inhibitors. Western blot was performed to detect TFE3, programmed death-ligand 1, phospho-Akt, and Akt. Phospho-Akt expression increased significantly upon TFE3 down-regulation, and decreased significantly upon up-regulation. When RCC cells were treated with a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), TFE3 expression increased and phospho-Akt expression decreased. Data from this study indicate that TFE3 plays a role in the PI3K/Akt pathway in RCC. The results of this study suggest that PI3K/Akt inhibitors may aid in the treatment of patients with RCC by affecting the tumor microenvironment.

Helicobacter pylori infection induces POU5F1 upregulation and SPP1 activation to promote chemoresistance and T cell inactivation in gastric cancer cells

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori or Hp) is associated with an increased susceptibility to gastric diseases, notably gastric cancer (GC). This study investigates the impact of Hp infection on chemoresistance and immune activity in GC cells. Hp infection in AGS and MKN-74 cells promoted proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis resistance, and tumorigenic activity of cells under cisplatin (DDP) plus gemcitabine (GEM) treatment. Additionally, it dampened activity of the co-cultured CD8+ T cells. Hp infection increased POU class 5 homeobox 1 (POU5F1) level, which further activated secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) transcription to increase its expression. Silencing of either SPP1 or POU5F1 enhanced the GEM sensitivity in GC cells, and it increased the populations of CD8+ T cells and the secretion of immune-active cytokines both in vitro and in xenograft tumors in immunocompetent mice. However, the effects of POU5F1 silencing were counteracted by SPP1 overexpression. Furthermore, the POU5F1/SPP1 axis activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study demonstrates that Hp infection induces POU5F1 upregulation and SPP1 activation, leading to increased DDP/GEM resistance and T cell inactivation in GC cells.

P4HA2 promotes proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Proline 4-hydroxylase 2 (P4HA2) is known for its hydroxylase activity, primarily involved in hydroxylating collagen precursors and promoting collagen cross-linking under physiological conditions. Although its overexpression influences a wide variety of malignant tumors' occurrence and development, its specific effects and mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear. This study focused on investigating the expression patterns, carcinogenic functions, and underlying mechanisms of P4HA2 in OSCC cells. Various databases, including TCGA, TIMER, UALCAN, GEPIA, and K-M plotter, along with paraffin-embedded samples, were used to ascertain P4HA2 expression in cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological features. P4HA2 knockdown and overexpression cell models were developed to assess its oncogenic roles and mechanisms. The results indicated that P4HA2 was overexpressed in OSCC and inversely correlated with patient survival. Knockdown of P4HA2 suppressed invasion, migration, and proliferation of OSCC cells both in vitro and in vivo, whereas overexpression of P4HA2 had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, the phosphorylation levels of the PI3K/AKT pathway were reduced following P4HA2 silencing. The study reveals that P4HA2 acts as a promising biomarker for predicting prognosis in OSCC and significantly affects metastasis, invasion, and proliferation of OSCC cells through the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

The role of KLRG1: a novel biomarker and new therapeutic target

Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is an immune checkpoint receptor expressed predominantly in NK and T-cell subsets that downregulates the activation and proliferation of immune cells and participates in cell-mediated immune responses. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the importance of KLRG1 as a noteworthy disease marker and therapeutic target that can influence disease onset, progression, and prognosis. Blocking KLRG1 has been shown to effectively mitigate the effects of downregulation in various mouse tumor models, including solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. However, KLRG1 inhibitors have not yet been approved for human use, and the understanding of KLRG1 expression and its mechanism of action in various diseases remains incomplete. In this review, we explore alterations in the distribution, structure, and signaling pathways of KLRG1 in immune cells and summarize its expression patterns and roles in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancers. Additionally, we discuss the potential applications of KLRG1 as a tool for tumor immunotherapy.

Identifying disulfidptosis subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma through machine learning and preliminary exploration of its connection with immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and deadly cancer, with limited treatment options for advanced-stage patients. Disulfidptosis is a recently identified mechanism of programmed cell death that occurs in SLC7A11 high-expressing cells due to glucose starvation-induced disintegration of the cellular disulfide skeleton. We aimed to explore the potential of disulfidptosis, as a prognostic and therapeutic marker in HCC.

METHODS

We classified HCC patients into two disulfidptosis subtypes (C1 and C2) based on the transcriptional profiles of 31 disulfrgs using a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. Further, five genes (NEIL3, MMP1, STC2, ADH4 and CFHR3) were screened by Cox regression analysis and machine learning algorithm to construct a disulfidptosis scoring system (disulfS). Cell proliferation assay, F-actin staining and PBMC co-culture model were used to validate that disulfidptosis occurs in HCC and correlates with immunotherapy response.

RESULTS

Our results suggests that the low disulfidptosis subtype (C2) demonstrated better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) prognosis, along with lower levels of immunosuppressive cell infiltration and activation of the glycine/serine/threonine metabolic pathway. Additionally, the low disulfidptosis group showed better responses to immunotherapy and potential antagonism with sorafenib treatment. As a total survival risk factor, disulfS demonstrated high predictive efficacy in multiple validation cohorts. We demonstrated the presence of disulfidptosis in HCC cells and its possible relevance to immunotherapeutic sensitization.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicates that novel biomarkers related to disulfidptosis may serve as useful clinical diagnostic indicators for liver cancer, enabling the prediction of prognosis and identification of potential treatment targets.

Targeting autophagy in diabetic cardiomyopathy: From molecular mechanisms to pharmacotherapy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a cardiac microvascular complication caused by metabolic disorders. It is characterized by myocardial remodeling and dysfunction. The pathogenesis of DCM is associated with abnormal cellular metabolism and organelle accumulation. Autophagy is thought to play a key role in the diabetic heart, and a growing body of research suggests that modulating autophagy may be a potential therapeutic strategy for DCM. Here, we have summarized the major signaling pathways involved in the regulation of autophagy in DCM, including Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), Forkhead box subfamily O proteins (FOXOs), Sirtuins (SIRTs), and PTEN-inducible kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin. Given the significant role of autophagy in DCM, we further identified natural products and chemical drugs as regulators of autophagy in the treatment of DCM. This review may help to better understand the autophagy mechanism of drugs for DCM and promote their clinical application.

NUF2 regulated the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via stabilizing ERBB3

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide. The NDC80 kinetochore complex component NUF2 has been previously identified as up-regulating in HCC and associated with patient prognosis. However, the pathophysiological effects and molecular mechanisms of NUF2 in tumorigenesis remain unclear. In this study, we confirmed a significant increase in NUF2 expression in HCC tissues and established a correlation between high NUF2 expression and adverse outcomes in HCC patients. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that genetic inhibition of NUF2 suppressed the proliferation of HCC cells and disrupted the cell cycle. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms revealed that NUF2 interacted with ERBB3, inhibiting its ubiquitination degradation, thus activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and influencing cell cycle regulation. Overall, this study revealed the crucial role of NUF2 in promoting the malignant progression of HCC, suggesting its potential as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for HCC.

LncRNA MAGI2-AS3-Encoded Polypeptide Restrains the Proliferation and Migration of Breast Cancer Cells

Accumulating articles have reported the coding potential of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, only a few lncRNAs-encoded peptides have been studied. Breast cancer (BRCA) progression-related gene modules were determined by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Cell viability, proliferation, and migration capacities were assessed by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and transwell assays. Immunofluorescence (IF) assay was implemented to observe protein expression. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) were employed to analyze MAGI2 antisense RNA 3 (MAGI2-AS3)-ORF5-interacted proteins. WGCNA identified that MEpurple and MEblack modules were significantly negatively correlated with T stage in BRCA patients. MAGI2-AS3 was screened as one of the differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs with translational potential in MEblack and MEpurple modules in BRCA. The data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) uncovered that MAGI2-AS3 abundance was significantly decreased in invasive BRCA patients, and it had high diagnostic and prognostic values. MAGI2-AS3-ORF5 notably restrained BRCA cell viability, proliferation, and migration. Mechanically, MAGI2-AS3-ORF5 might affect the progression of BRCA cells by binding to extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins. MAGI2-AS3-ORF5 played an anti-tumor role by inhibiting BRCA cell viability, proliferation, and migration. MAGI2-AS3-ORF5 might modulate BRCA cell migration through ECM-associated proteins.

A "One-Step" Strategy for the Global Characterization of Core-Fucosylated Glycoproteome

Core fucosylation, a special type of N-linked glycosylation, is important in tumor proliferation, invasion, metastatic potential, and therapy resistance. However, the core-fucosylated glycoproteome has not been extensively profiled due to the low abundance and poor ionization efficiency of glycosylated peptides. Here, a "one-step" strategy has been described for protein core-fucosylation characterization in biological samples. Core-fucosylated peptides can be selectively labeled with a glycosylated probe, which is linked with a temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) polymer, by mutant endoglycosidase (EndoF3-D165A). The labeled probe can be further removed by wild-type endoglycosidase (EndoF3) in a traceless manner for mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. The feasibility and effectiveness of the "one-step" strategy are evaluated in bovine serum albumin (BSA) spiked with standard core-fucosylated peptides, H1299, and Jurkat cell lines. The "one-step" strategy is then employed to characterize core-fucosylated sites in human lung adenocarcinoma, resulting in the identification of 2494 core-fucosylated sites distributed on 1176 glycoproteins. Further data analysis reveals that 196 core-fucosylated sites are significantly upregulated in tumors, which may serve as potential drug development targets or diagnostic biomarkers. Together, this "one-step" strategy has great potential for use in global and in-depth analysis of the core-fucosylated glycoproteome to promote its mechanism research.

miR-122-5p Promotes Cowshed Particulate Matter2.5-Induced Apoptosis in NR8383 by Targeting COL4A1

It is well known that Particulate Matter2.5 (PM2.5) has a major adverse effect on the organism. However, the health hazards of livestock farm PM2.5 to humans and animals are not yet known, and the role of miRNAs in the cellular damage induced by livestock farm PM2.5 is also unclear. Therefore, our study used cowshed PM2.5 to stimulate rat alveolar macrophage NR8383 to construct an in vitro injury model to investigate the effect of miR-122-5p on PM2.5-induced apoptosis in the NR8383. The level of apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342/PI double staining. Furthermore, the potential target gene Collagen type IV alpha (COL4A1) of miR-122-5p was identified through the use of bioinformatics methods. The results demonstrated a decline in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis with rising PM2.5 concentrations and exposure durations. The transfection of miR-122-5p mimics resulted in an upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 and activation of cleaved caspase-3 while inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2. The experimental data indicate that miR-122-5p is involved in the apoptotic process by targeting COL4A1. Furthermore, the overexpression of COL4A1 was observed to enhance the PM2.5-activated PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway, which contributed to the inhibition of apoptosis. This finding offers a promising avenue for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating cellular damage induced by PM2.5 exposure.

GCNT3 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and EMT by Activating the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Primary liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a major global health concern. GCNT3 has been identified as an oncogene in various human malignancies. This investigation aimed to discover the GCNT3 function in HCC. The present study employed integrated bioinformatics analyses to assess the expression pattern, prognostic implications, and putative function of GCNT3 in HCC. Transwell flow cytometry, CCK-8, and wound healing assays were performed to examine HCC cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. In addition, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and PI3K/AKT mechanism markers were examined via western blot analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In HCC, GCNT3 was significantly overexpressed, which was connected with enhanced tumor aggressiveness and an unfavorable prognosis of individuals. In vitro experiments demonstrated that elevated levels of GCNT3 promoted cell growth, migration, cell cycle development, and invasion, in addition to EMT, while suppressing apoptosis. Conversely, knockdown of GCNT3 exerted the opposite effects. GCNT3 overexpression increased PI3K/AKT phosphorylation in HCC cells, and LY294002 counteracted the impacts of upregulated GCNT3 on cell cycle, migration, invasion, proliferation, and EMT in HCC. The investigation showed that GCNT3 may enhance HCC progression and EMT by stimulating PI3K/AKT mechanism.

The gut microbiota contributes to methamphetamine-induced reproductive toxicity in male mice

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant drug belonging to the amphetamine-type stimulant class, known to exert male reproductive toxicity. Recent studies suggest that METH can disrupt the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the gut-testis axis concept has gained attention due to the potential link between gut microbiome dysfunction and reproductive health. Nonetheless, the role of the gut microbiota in mediating the impact of METH on male reproductive toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we employed a mouse model exposed to escalating doses of METH to assess sperm quality, testicular pathology, and reproductive hormone levels. The fecal microbiota transplantation method was employed to investigate the effect of gut microbiota on male reproductive toxicity. Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and microbiological analyses were conducted to explore the damage mechanism to the male reproductive system caused by METH. We found that METH exposure led to hormonal disorders, decreased sperm quality, and changes in the gut microbiota and testicular metabolome in mice. Testicular RNA sequencing revealed enrichment of several Gene Ontology terms associated with reproductive processes, as well as PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. FMT conveyed similar reproductive damage from METH-treated mice to healthy recipient mice. The aforementioned findings suggest that the gut microbiota plays a substantial role in facilitating the reproductive toxicity caused by METH, thereby highlighting a prospective avenue for therapeutic intervention in the context of METH-induced infertility.

EVA1A reverses lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling axis

Lenvatinib is a commonly used first-line drug for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its clinical efficacy is limited due to the drug resistance. EVA1A was a newly identified tumor suppressor, nevertheless, the impact of EVA1A on resistance to lenvatinib treatment in HCC and the potential molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, the expression of EVA1A in HCC lenvatinib-resistant cells is decreased and its low expression was associated with a poor prognosis of HCC. Overexpression of EVA1A reversed lenvatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo, as demonstrated by its ability to promote cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, migration, EMT, and tumor growth. Silencing EVA1A in lenvatinib-sensitive parental HCC cells exerted the opposite effect and induced resistance to lenvatinib. Mechanistically, upregulated EVA1A inhibited the PI3K/AKT/MDM2 signaling pathway, resulting in a reduced interaction between MDM2 and p53, thereby stabilizing p53 and enhancing its antitumor activity. In addition, upregulated EVA1A suppressed the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and promoted autophagy, leading to the degradation of mutant p53 and attenuating its oncogenic impact. On the contrary, loss of EVA1A activated the PI3K/AKT/MDM2 signaling pathway and inhibited autophagy, promoting p53 proteasomal degradation and mutant p53 accumulation respectively. These findings establish a crucial role of EVA1A loss in driving lenvatinib resistance involving a mechanism of modulating PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling axis and suggest that upregulating EVA1A is a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating resistance to lenvatinib, thereby improving the efficacy of HCC treatment.

The nanobody targeting PD-L1 and CXCR4 counteracts pancreatic stellate cell-mediated tumour progression by disrupting tumour microenvironment

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most lethal malignancy worldwide owing to its complex tumour microenvironment and dense physical barriers. Stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), which is abundantly secreted by tumour stromal cells, plays a pivotal role in promoting PDAC growth and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the impact and molecular mechanisms of the anti-PD-L1&CXCR4 bispecific nanobody on the TME and their consequent interference with PDAC progression. We found that blocking the SDF-1/CXCR4 signalling pathway delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells. Anti-PD-L1&CXCR4 bispecific nanobody effectively suppress the secretion of SDF-1 by pancreatic stellate cells and downregulate the expression of smooth muscle actin alpha(α-SMA), thereby preventing the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts by downregulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This improves the pancreatic tumour microenvironment, favouring the infiltration of T cells into the tumour tissue. In conclusion, our results suggest that the anti-PD-L1&CXCR4 bispecific nanobody exerts an antitumor immune response by changing the pancreatic tumour microenvironment. Hence, the anti-PD-L1&CXCR4 bispecific nanobody is a potential candidate for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Isocucurbitacin B inhibits glioma growth through PI3K/AKT pathways and increases glioma sensitivity to TMZ by inhibiting hsa-mir-1286a

Aim: Glioma accounts for 81% of all cancers of the nervous system cancers and presents one of the most drug-resistant malignancies, resulting in a relatively high mortality rate. Despite extensive efforts, the complete treatment options for glioma remain elusive. The effect of isocucurbitacin B (isocuB), a natural compound extracted from melon pedicels, on glioma has not been investigated. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of isocuB on glioma and elucidate its underlying mechanisms, with the objective of developing it as a potential therapeutic agent for glioma. Methods: We used network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis to predict potential targets and associated pathways of isocuB in glioma. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of isocuB on glioma and its related mechanisms were assessed through Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, transwell, Western blot (WB), reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and other in vitro experiments, alongside tumor formation experiments in nude mice. Results: Based on this investigation, it suggested that isocuB might inhibit the growth of gliomas through the PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways. Additionally, we proposed that isocuB may enhance glioma drug sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ) via modulation of hsa-mir-1286a. The CCK-8 assay revealed that isocuB exhibited inhibitory effects on U251 and U87 proliferation and outperformed TMZ. Wound healing and transwell experiments showed that isocuB inhibited the invasion and migration of U251 cells by suppressing the activity of MMP-2/9, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. The TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry (FCM) assays revealed that isocuB induced cell apoptosis through inhibition of BCL-2. Subsequently, we conducted RT-qPCR and WB experiments, which revealed that PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways might be involved in the mechanism of the inhibition isocuB on glioma. Additionally, isocuB promoted the sensitivity of glioma U251 to TMZ by inhibiting hsa-mir-1286a. Furthermore, we constructed TMZ-resistant U251 strains and demonstrated effective inhibition by isocuB against these resistant strains. Finally, we confirmed that isocuB can inhibit tumor growth in vivo through experiments on tumors in nude mice. Conclusion: IsocuB may protect against glioma by acting on the PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways and promote the sensitivity of glioma U251 to TMZ by inhibiting hsa-mir-1286a.

p20BAP31 Induces Autophagy in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Promoting PERK-Mediated ER Stress

B-cell receptor-associated protein 31 (BAP31) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein involved in apoptosis and autophagy by communication with ER and mitochondria. BAP31 is cleaved by caspase-8 and generates a proapoptotic fragment, p20BAP31, which has shown to induce ER stress and apoptosis through multiple pathways. In this study, we found that p20BAP31 significantly increased the agglomeration of LC3 puncta, suggesting the occurrence of autophagy. Therefore, it is meaningful to explore the mechanism of p20BAP31-induced autophagy, and further analyze the relationships among p20BAP31-induced autophagy, ER stress and apoptosis. The data showed that p20BAP31 induced autophagy by inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in colorectal cells. ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA and PERK siRNA alleviated p20BAP31-induced autophagy; in turn, autophagy inhibitors 3-MA and CQ did not affect p20BAP31-induced ER stress, suggesting that p20BAP31-induced ER stress is the upstream of autophagy. We also discovered that ROS inhibitor NAC inhibited p20BAP31-induced autophagy. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy by CQ suppressed p20BAP31-induced apoptosis and ameliorated cell proliferation. Importantly, p20BAP31 markedly reduced the tumor size in vivo, and significantly enhanced the autophagy levels in the tumor tissues. Collectively, p20BAP31 initiates autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and activating the PERK-mediated ROS accumulation, further promotes p20BAP31-induced apoptosis and ultimately results in cell death. This study comprehensively reveals the potential mechanism of p20BAP31-induced cell death, which may provide new strategies for antitumor therapy.

The potential role of circular RNAs -regulated PI3K signaling in non-small cell lung cancer: Molecular insights and clinical perspective

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for more than 80% of all cases, is the predominant form of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Significant progress has been made in diagnostic techniques, surgical interventions, chemotherapy protocols, and targeted therapies at the molecular level, leading to enhanced treatment outcomes in patients with NSCLC. Extensive evidence supports the use of circular RNAs (circRNAs), a specific category of naturally occurring non-coding small RNAs (ncRNAs), for the diagnosis, monitoring of treatment efficacy, and assessment of survival in NSCLC. CircRNAs have been identified to play significant roles in various aspects of cancer formation, either as tumor suppressors or tumor promoters, contributing to cancer development through several signaling pathways, including the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) pathway. This pathway is well-established because of its regulatory role in essential cellular processes. CircRNAs regulate the PI3K/AKT pathway by targeting diverse cellular elements. This review aims to provide insight into the involvement of several circRNAs linked to the PI3K/AKT pathway in NSCLC.

Gedunin modulates cellular growth and apoptosis in glioblastoma cell lines

BACKGROUND

Glioblastomas are characterized by aggressive behavior. Surgery, radiotherapy, and alkylating agents, including temozolomide are the most common treatment options for glioblastoma. Often, conventional therapies fail to treat these tumors since they develop drug resistance. There is a need for newer agents to combat this deadly tumor. Natural products such as gedunin have shown efficacy in several human diseases. A comprehensive study of gedunin, an heat shock protein (HSP)90 inhibitor, has not been thoroughly investigated in glioblastoma cell lines with different genetic modifications.

AIMS

A key objective of this study was to determine how gedunin affects the biological and signaling mechanisms in glioblastoma cells, and to determine how those mechanisms affect the proliferation and apoptosis of glioblastoma cells.

METHODS

The viability potentials of gedunin were tested using MTT, cell counts, and wound healing assays. Gedunin's effects on glioma cells were further validated using LDH and colony formation assays. In addition, we investigated the survival and apoptotic molecular signaling targets perturbed by gedunin using Western blot analysis and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Our results show that there was a reduction in cell viability and inhibition of wound healing in the cells tested. Western blot analysis of the gene expression data revealed genes such as EGFR and mTOR/Akt/NF kappa B to be associated with gedunin sensitivity. Gedunin treatment induced apoptosis by cleaving poly ADP-ribose polymerase, activating caspases, and downregulating BCL-xL. Based on these results, gedunin suppressed cell growth and HSP client proteins, resulting in apoptosis in glioblastoma cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide in vitro support for the anticancer activity of gedunin in glioma cells by downregulating cancer survival proteins.

NCS-1 protein regulates TRPA1 channel through the PI3K pathway in breast cancer and neuronal cells

The physical and functional interaction between transient receptor potential channel ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) was assessed. NCS-1 is a calcium (Ca2+) sensor found in many tissues, primarily neurons, and TRPA1 is a Ca2+ channel involved not only in thermal and pain sensation but also in conditions such as cancer and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, in which NCS-1 is also a regulatory component.We explored the interactions between these two proteins by employing western blot, qRT-PCR, co-immunoprecipitation, Ca2+ transient monitoring with Fura-2 spectrophotometry, and electrophysiology assays in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) with different levels of NCS-1 expression and neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).Our findings showed that the expression of TRPA1 was directly correlated with NCS-1 levels at both the protein and mRNA levels. Additionally, we found a physical and functional association between these two proteins. Physically, the NCS-1 and TRPA1 co-immunoprecipitate. Functionally, NCS-1 enhanced TRPA1-dependent Ca2+ influx, current density, open probability, and conductance, where the functional effects depended on PI3K. Conclusion: NCS-1 appears to act not only as a Ca2+ sensor but also modulates TRPA1 protein expression and channel function in a direct fashion through the PI3K pathway. These results contribute to understanding how Ca2+ homeostasis is regulated and provides a mechanism underlying conditions where Ca2+ dynamics are compromised, including breast cancer. With a cellular pathway identified, targeted treatments can be developed for breast cancer and neuropathy, among other related diseases.

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule improves myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 axis

INTRODUCTION

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu Capsule (ZL) is a Chinese medicine used for the treatment of cardio-cerebral diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its regulation of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) remain unclear.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of ZL on MI/RI in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham group, I/R group, ZL group, and ZLY group. The MI/RI mouse model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 120 minutes to restore blood perfusion. Cardiac function was evaluated using cardiac ultrasound. Histopathological changes and myocardial infarction area were assessed using Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The changes in oxidative stress- and ferroptosis-related markers were detected. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA were conducted to further explore the mechanism of ZL in improving MI/RI.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrated that ZL exerted a protective effect against MI/RI by inhibiting ferroptosis, evidenced by the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as GSH and GPX4, coupled with the downregulation of ACSL4, a pro-ferroptosis factor. Furthermore, ZL positively impacted the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway by promoting ATPase activities and enhancing the relative protein expression of its components. Notably, the administration of a PI3K/AKT inhibitor reversed the antioxidant and anti-ferroptosis effects of ZL to some extent, suggesting a potential role for this pathway in mediating ZL's protective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

ZL protects against MI/RI-induced ferroptosis by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to increased Nrf2 expression and activation of the HO-1/GPX4 pathway. These findings shed light on the potential therapeutic mechanisms of ZL in the context of cardiovascular diseases.

Anticancer potential of grifolin in lung cancer treatment through PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition

Objective

Grifolin is a natural secondary metabolite isolated from edible fruiting bodies of the mushroom Albatrellus confluens. Grifolin has antitumor activities in several types of cancer. We aimed to determine the effects of grifolin on lung cancer.

Methods

We determined the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of lung cancer cells using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, Ethynyl deoxyuridine, colony formation, wound scratch, transwell, flow cytometry, and xenograft mouse assays. Molecular docking evaluated the binding relation between grifolin and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA). The levels of PIK3CA, AKT, and p-AKT were measured by western blot.

Results

Grifolin (10, 20, or 40 μM) inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Grifolin also decreased CDK4, CDK6, and CyclinD1 expression and significantly decreased PIK3CA and p-AKT expression in lung cancer cells. These anticancer effects were abolished by 740Y-P.

Conclusions

Grifolin regulates the PI3K/AKT pathway, thus inhibiting lung cancer progression.

CircPDE5A-encoded novel regulator of the PI3K/AKT pathway inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by promoting USP14-mediated de-ubiquitination of PIK3IP1

BACKGROUND

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common gastrointestinal tumor and has become an important global health problem. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays a key role in the development of ESCC. CircRNAs have been reported to be involved in the regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify protein-coding circRNAs and investigate their functions in ESCC.

METHODS

Differential expression of circRNAs between ESCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was identified using circRNA microarray analysis. Thereafter, LC-MS/MS was used to identify circPDE5A-encoded novel protein PDE5A-500aa. Molecular biological methods were used to explore the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of circPDE5A and PDE5A-500aa in ESCC. Lastly, circRNA-loaded nanoplatforms were constructed to investigate the therapeutic translation value of circPDE5A.

RESULTS

We found that circPDE5A expression was down-regulated in ESCC cells and tissues and that it was negatively associated with advanced clinicopathological stages and poorer prognosis in ESCC. Functionally, circPDE5A inhibited ESCC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo by encoding PDE5A-500aa, a key regulator of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ESCC. Mechanistically, PDE5A-500aa interacted with PIK3IP1 and promoted USP14-mediated de-ubiquitination of the k48-linked polyubiquitin chain at its K198 residue, thereby attenuating the PI3K/AKT pathway in ESCC. In addition, Meo-PEG-S-S-PLGA-based reduction-responsive nanoplatforms loaded with circPDE5A and PDE5A-500aa plasmids were found to successfully inhibit the growth and metastasis of ESCC in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The novel protein PDE5A-500aa encoded by circPDE5A can act as an inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit the progression of ESCC by promoting USP14-mediated de-ubiquitination of PIK3IP1 and may serve as a potential target for the development of therapeutic agents.

Designing a predictive Framework: Immune-Related Gene-Based nomogram and prognostic model for kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) is frequently associated with an unfavorable prognosis for affected individuals. Unfortunately, there has been insufficient exploration in search for a reliable prognosis signature and predictive indicators to forecast outcomes for KIRP patients.

AIM

The aim of this study is to employ a comprehensive analysis of data for the identification of prognosis genes, leading to the development of a nomogram with strong predictive capabilities. The objective is to provide a valuable statistical tool that, when implemented in a clinical setting, can offer patients an early opportunity for treatment and enhance their chances of ultimate recovery from this life-threatening disease.

METHODS

Different packages in R were used to analyze RNA-seq data from the TCGA data portal. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis were also used to investigate the prognostic values of immune-related genes and construct the predictive model and nomogram. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

RESULTS

A total of 368 immune-related genes and 60 TFs were identified as differentially expressed in KIRP tissues compared with normal tissues. Of the 368, 23 were found to be related to overall survival. GO and KEGG analysis suggested that these prognostic immune-related genes mainly participated in the ERK1 and ERK2 cascades, Rap1 signaling pathway, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. 9 genes were identified from Cox regression to be statistically significant prognostic-related genes. Survival analysis showed that a model based on these 9 prognostic-related genes has high predictive performance. Immunohistochemistry results show that APOH, BIRC5, CCL19, and GRN were significantly increased in kidney cancer. B cells and CD4 + T cells were positively correlated with risk score model.

CONCLUSION

A prognostic model was successfully created based on 9 immune-related genes correlated with overall survival in KIRP. This work aims to provide some insight into therapeutic approaches and prognostic predictors of KIRP.

Nanoparticles for Augmenting Therapeutic Potential and Alleviating the Effect of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Gastric Cancer

Changes in diet culture and modern lifestyle contributed to a higher incidence of gastrointestinal-related diseases, including gastritis, implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. This observation raised concerns regarding exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which is linked to adverse health effects, including reproductive and developmental problems, inflammatory response, and invasive adenocarcinoma. Research on the direct link between DEHP and gastric cancer is ongoing, and further studies are required to establish a conclusive association. In our study, extremely low concentrations of DEHP exerted significant effects on cell migration by promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells. This effect was mediated by the modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Smad2 signaling pathways. To address the DEHP challenges, our initial design of TPGS-conjugated fucoidan, delivered via pH-responsive nanoparticles, successfully demonstrated binding to the P-selectin protein. This achievement has not only enhanced the antigastric tumor efficacy but has also led to a significant reduction in the expression of malignant proteins associated with the condition. These findings underscore the promising clinical therapeutic potential of our approach.

Pleiotropic physiological functions of Piezo1 in human body and its effect on malignant behavior of tumors

Mechanosensitive ion channel protein 1 (Piezo1) is a large homotrimeric membrane protein. Piezo1 has various effects and plays an important and irreplaceable role in the maintenance of human life activities and homeostasis of the internal environment. In addition, recent studies have shown that Piezo1 plays a vital role in tumorigenesis, progression, malignancy and clinical prognosis. Piezo1 is involved in regulating the malignant behaviors of a variety of tumors, including cellular metabolic reprogramming, unlimited proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, maintenance of stemness, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Moreover, Piezo1 regulates tumor progression by affecting the recruitment, activation, and differentiation of multiple immune cells. Therefore, Piezo1 has excellent potential as an anti-tumor target. The article reviews the diverse physiological functions of Piezo1 in the human body and its major cellular pathways during disease development, and describes in detail the specific mechanisms by which Piezo1 affects the malignant behavior of tumors and its recent progress as a new target for tumor therapy, providing new perspectives for exploring more potential effects on physiological functions and its application in tumor therapy.

Oral administration of IPI549 protects mice from neuropathology and an overwhelming inflammatory response during experimental cerebral malaria

Infection with Plasmodium falciparum is often deadly when it results in cerebral malaria, which is associated with neuropathology described as an overwhelming inflammatory response and mechanical obstruction of cerebral microvascular. PI3Kγ is a critical component of intracellular signal transduction and plays a central role in regulating cell chemotaxis, migration, and activation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between inhibiting the PI3Kγ pathway and the outcome of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in C57BL/6J mice infected with the mouse malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei ANKA. We observed that oral administration of the PI3Kγ inhibitor IPI549 after infection completely protected mice from ECM. IPI549 treatment significantly dampened the magnitude of inflammatory responses, with reduced production of pro-inflammatory factors, decreased T cell activation, and altered differentiation of antigen-presenting cells. IPI549 treatment protected the infected mice from neuropathology, as assessed by an observed reduction of pathogenic T cells in the brain. Treating the infected mice with IPI549 three days after parasite inoculation improved the murine blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity and helped the mice pass the onset of ECM. Together, these data indicate that oral administration of the PI3Kγ inhibitor IPI549 has a suppressive role in host inflammation and alleviates cerebral pathology, which supports IPI549 as a new malaria treatment option with potential therapeutic implications for cerebral malaria.

Licochalcone A induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and interacts with venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia

The management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a challenge because of the complexity and heterogeneity of this malignancy. Despite the recent approval of several novel targeted drugs, resistance seems inevitable, and clinical outcomes are still suboptimal. Increasing evidence supports the use of natural plants as an important source of anti-leukemic therapeutics. Licochalcone A (LCA) is an active flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., possessing extensive anti-tumor activities. However, its effects on AML and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we showed that LCA decreased the viability of established human AML cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. LCA significantly induced mitochondrial apoptotic cell death, accompanied by the downregulation of MCL-1, upregulation of BIM, truncation of BID, and cleavage of PARP. A prominent decline in the phosphorylation of multiple critical molecules, including AKT, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), ERK, and P38 was observed upon LCA treatment, indicating PI3K and MAPK signals were suppressed. Both transcription and translation of c-Myc were also inhibited by LCA. In addition, LCA enhanced the cytotoxicity of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Furthermore, the anti-survival and pro-apoptotic effects were confirmed in primary blasts from 10 patients with de novo AML. Thus, our results expand the applications of LCA, which can be regarded as a valuable agent in treating AML.

Unraveling molecular signatures in rare bone tumors and navigating the cancer pathway landscapes for targeted therapeutics

Rare cancers (RCs), which account for over 20% of cancer cases, face significant research and treatment challenges due to their limited prevalence. This results in suboptimal outcomes compared to more common malignancies. Rare bone tumors (RBTs) constitute 5-10% of rare cancer cases and pose unique diagnostic complexities. The therapeutic potential of anti-cancer drugs for RBTs remains largely unexplored. Identifying molecular alterations in cancer-related genes and their associated pathways is essential for precision medicine in RBTs. Small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting specific RBT-associated proteins show promise. Ongoing clinical trials aim to define RBT biomarkers, subtypes, and optimal treatment contexts, including combination therapies and immunotherapeutic agents. This review addresses the challenges in diagnosing, treating, and studying RBTs, shedding light on the current state of RBT biomarkers, potential therapeutic targets, and promising inhibitors. Rare cancers demand attention and innovative solutions to improve clinical outcomes.

Research progress on the pharmacological mechanism, in vivo metabolism and structural modification of Erianin

Erianin is an important bibenzyl compound in dendrobium and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. Since Erianin was discovered, abundant results have been achieved in the in vitro synthesis, structural modification, and pharmacological mechanism research. Researchers have developed a series of simple and efficient in vitro synthesis methods to improve the shortcomings of poor water solubility by replacing the chemical structure or coating it in nanomaterials. Erianin has a broad anti-tumor spectrum and significant anti-tumor effects. In addition, Erianin also has pharmacological actions like immune regulation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenesis. A comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, metabolism, structural modification, and pharmacological action pathways of Erianin is of great value for the utilization of Erianin. Therefore, this review conducts a relatively systematic look back at Erianin from the above four aspects, to give a reference for the evolvement and further appliance of Erianin.

Sesuvium Portulacastrum Potentiates Anticancer Activity by Facilitating the Expression of IRS-1/AKT Signalling: An In vitro Study

Sesuvium portulacastrum, a coastal medicinal plant with traditional uses has shown promising biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the mechanisms of action active ingredients of this plant have not been studied. Aim of the current study is to investigate the anticancer activity of Sesuvium portulacastrum using in vitro and in silico analysis. The in vitro assays included NO radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content determination. The data were analysed by one-way-ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, steroids, terpenoids and phenols. Antioxidant activity of S. portulacastrum showed the dose dependent effect of nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. In silico analysis showed a better binding affinity with IR, IRS1 and Akt molecules which demonstrated the action of bioactive compound of S. portulacastrum against IRS-1/AKT signalling pathway.

Targeting Dysregulated Lipid Metabolism in Cancer with Pharmacological Inhibitors

Metabolic plasticity is recognised as a hallmark of cancer cells, enabling adaptation to microenvironmental changes throughout tumour progression. A dysregulated lipid metabolism plays a pivotal role in promoting oncogenesis. Oncogenic signalling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, Hippo, and NF-kB, intersect with the lipid metabolism to drive tumour progression. Furthermore, altered lipid signalling in the tumour microenvironment contributes to immune dysfunction, exacerbating oncogenesis. This review examines the role of lipid metabolism in tumour initiation, invasion, metastasis, and cancer stem cell maintenance. We highlight cybernetic networks in lipid metabolism to uncover avenues for cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics.

Therapeutic prospects of nectin-4 in cancer: applications and value

Nectin-4 is a Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like protein that exhibits significantly elevated expression in malignant tumors while maintaining extremely low levels in healthy adult tissues. In recent years, overexpression of Nectin-4 has been implicated in tumor occurrence and development of various cancers, including breast cancer, urothelial cancer, and lung cancer. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved enfortumab vedotin, the first antibody-drug conjugate targeting Nectin-4, for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma. This has emphasized the value of Nectin-4 in tumor targeted therapy and promoted the implementation of more clinical trials of enfortumab vedotin. In addition, many new drugs targeting Nectin-4 for the treatment of malignant tumors have entered clinical trials, with the aim of exploring potential new indications. However, the exact mechanisms by which Nectin-4 affects tumorigenesis and progression are still unclear, and the emergence of drug resistance and treatment-related adverse reactions poses challenges. This article reviews the diagnostic potential, prognostic significance, and molecular role of Nectin-4 in tumors, with a focus on clinical trials in the field of Nectin-4-related tumor treatment and the development of new drugs targeting Nectin-4.

Network pharmacology and experimental verification reveal the mechanism of Hedysari Radix and Curcumae Rhizoma with the optimal compatibility ratio against colitis-associated colorectal cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The herb pair Astragali Radix (AR) and Curcumae Rhizoma (vinegar-processed, VPCR), derived from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) text 'Yixuezhongzhongcanxilu', have long been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, notably colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Hedysari Radix (HR), belonging to the same Leguminosae family as AR but from a different genus, is traditionally used as a substitute for AR when paired with VPCR in the treatment of CAC. However, the optimal compatibility ratio for HR-VPCR against CAC and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the optimal compatibility ratio and underlying mechanisms of HR-VPCR against CAC using a combination of comparative pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology, and experimental verification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The efficacy of different compatibility ratios of HR-VPCR against CAC was evaluated using various indicators, including the body weight, colon length, tumor count, survival rate, disease activity index (DAI) score, Haemotoxylin and Eosin (H&E) pathological sections, inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), tumor markers (K-Ras, p53), and intestinal permeability proteins (claudin-1, E-cadherin, mucin-2). Then, the optimal compatibility ratio of HR-VPCR against CAC was determined based on the fuzzy matter-element analysis by integrating the above indicators. After high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for the optimal compatibility ratio of HR-VPCR, potential active components of HR-VPCR were identified by TCMSP and the previous bibliographies. Swiss Targets and GeneCards were adopted to predict the targets of the active components and the targets of CAC, respectively. Then, the common targets of HR-VPCR against CAC were obtained by Venn analysis. PPI networks were constructed in STRING. GO and KEGG enrichments were visualized by the David database. Finally, the predicted pathway was experimentally validated via Western blot.

RESULTS

Various compatibility ratios of HR-VPCR demonstrated notable therapeutic effects to some extent, evidenced by improvements in body weight, colon length, tumor count, pathological symptoms (DAI score), colon and organ indexes, survival rate, and modulation of inflammation factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), as well as tumor markers (K-Ras, p53), and down-regulation of intestinal permeability proteins (claudin-1, E-cadherin, mucin-2) in CAC mice. Among these ratios, the ratio 4:1 represents the optimal compatibility ratio by the fuzzy matter-element analysis. Thirty active components of HR-VPCR were carefully selected, targeting 553 specific genes. Simultaneously, 2022 targets associated with CAC were identified. 88 common targets were identified after generating a Venn plot. Following PPI network analysis, 29 core targets were established, with AKT1 ranking highest among them. Further analysis via GO and KEGG enrichment identified the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway as a potential mechanism. Experimental validation confirmed that HR-VPCR intervention effectively reversed the activated PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal compatibility ratio for the HR-VPCR herb pair in alleviating CAC is 4:1. HR-VPCR exerts its effects by alleviating intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal permeability, and regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

Cellular and clinical impact of protein phosphatase enzyme epigenetic silencing in multiple cancer tissues

BACKGROUND

Protein Phosphatase Enzymes (PPE) and protein kinases simultaneously control phosphorylation mechanisms that tightly regulate intracellular signalling pathways and stimulate cellular responses. In human malignancies, PPE and protein kinases are frequently mutated resulting in uncontrolled kinase activity and PPE suppression, leading to cell proliferation, migration and resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Cancer associated DNA hypermethylation at PPE promoters gives rise to transcriptional silencing (epimutations) and is a hallmark of cancer. Despite recent advances in sequencing technologies, data availability and computational capabilities, only a fraction of PPE have been reported as transcriptionally inactive as a consequence of epimutations.

METHODS

In this study, we examined promoter-associated DNA methylation profiles in Protein Phosphatase Enzymes and their Interacting Proteins (PPEIP) in a cohort of 705 cancer patients in five tissues (Large intestine, Oesophagus, Lung, Pancreas and Stomach) in three cell models (primary tumours, cancer cell lines and 3D embedded cancer cell cultures). As a subset of PPEIP are known tumour suppressor genes, we analysed the impact of PPEIP promoter hypermethylation marks on gene expression, cellular networks and in a clinical setting.

RESULTS

Here, we report epimutations in PPEIP are a frequent occurrence in the cancer genome and manifest independent of transcriptional activity. We observed that different tumours have varying susceptibility to epimutations and identify specific cellular signalling networks that are primarily affected by epimutations. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis showed the negative impact of epimutations on most (not all) Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase transcription. Finally, we detected novel clinical biomarkers that inform on patient mortality and anti-cancer treatment sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that DNA hypermethylation marks at PPEIP frequently contribute to the pathogenesis of malignancies and within the precision medicine space, hold promise as biomarkers to inform on clinical features such as patient survival and therapeutic response.

Scutellaria baicalensis Induces Cell Apoptosis and Elicits Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition to Alleviate Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Modulating HSP90β

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world and shows strong metastatic potential. Current medicine for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy is invalid, while Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi exhibits the pharmaceutical potential to treat liver diseases and liver cancer. Herein, we verified the inhibitory properties and the pivotal molecules regimented by Scutellaria baicalensis on advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. At first, the viability of SK-Hep-1 cells was significantly reduced under treatment of Scutellaria baicalensis extract in a dose-dependent manner without affecting the growth of normal hepatocyte. Scutellaria baicalensis extract application could remarkably cause apoptosis of SK-Hep-1 cells through p53/cytochrome C/poly-ADP ribose polymerase cascades and arrest the cell cycle at the G1/S phase by downregulating cyclin-dependent kinases. Meanwhile, administration of Scutellaria baicalensis extract remarkably attenuated the migration capability as well as suppressed matrix metalloproteinase activity of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The proteome profiles and network analysis particularly implied that exposure to Scutellaria baicalensis extract downregulated the expression of HSP90β, and the clinical stage of hepatocellular carcinoma is also positively correlated with the HSP90β level. Combined treatment of Scutellaria baicalensis extract and HSP90β siRNAs could markedly enhance the ubiquitination activity and the degradation of vimentin to subsequently inhibit the metastatic property of SK-Hep-1 cells. Moreover, application of Scutellaria baicalensis extract and HSP90β siRNAs depleted phosphorylation of AKT, which stimulated the expression of p53 and consecutively triggered cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that HSP90β may be a prospective target for the effective therapy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma via accelerating apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and eliciting mesenchymal-epithelial transition with the administration of Scutellaria baicalensis extract.

Transmembrane protein 176B regulates amino acid metabolism through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and promotes gastric cancer progression

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the expression level, biological function, and underlying mechanism of transmembrane protein 176B (TMEM176B) in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

TMEM176B expression was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB). The function of TMEM176B was determined by various in vitro assays including colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), Transwell, and flow cytometry. Bioinformatics techniques were then used to elucidate the signaling pathways associated with TMEM176B activity. Tumor formation experiments were conducted on nude mice for in vivo validation of the preceding findings. TMEM176B expression was cross-referenced to clinicopathological parameters and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

It was observed that TMEM176B was overexpressed in GC cells and tissues. Targeted TMEM176B abrogation inhibited colony formation, proliferation, migration, and invasion but promoted apoptosis in GC cell lines while TMEM176B overexpression had the opposite effects. Subsequent experimental validation disclosed an association between TMEM176B and the phosphatidylinositol 3-carboxykinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling axis. Moreover, TMEM176B affects GC cancer progression by regulating asparagine synthetase (ASNS). The in vivo assays confirmed that TMEM176B is oncogenic and the clinical data revealed a connection between TMEM176B expression and the clinicopathological determinants of GC.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing results suggest that TMEM176B significantly promotes the development of gastric cancer and is an independent prognostic factor of it.

β-Sitosterol targets ASS1 for Nrf2 ubiquitin-dependent degradation, inducing ROS-mediated apoptosis via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ovarian cancer

The exploration of drugs derived from natural sources holds significant promise in addressing current limitations in ovarian cancer (OC) treatments. While previous studies have highlighted the remarkable anti-cancer properties of the natural compound β-sitosterol (SIT) across various tumors, its specific role in OC treatment remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the anti-tumor activity of SIT in OC using in vitro and in vivo models, delineate potential mechanisms, and establish a preclinical theoretical foundation for future clinical trials, thus fostering further research. Utilizing network pharmacology, we pinpoint SIT as a promising candidate for OC treatment and predict its potential targets and pathways. Through a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we unveil a novel mechanism through which SIT mitigates the malignant biological behaviors of OC cells by modulating redox status. Specifically, SIT selectively targets argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1), a protein markedly overexpressed in OC tissues and cells. Inhibiting ASS1, SIT enhances the interaction between Nrf2 and Keap1, instigating the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Nrf2, subsequently diminishing the transcriptional activation of downstream antioxidant genes HO-1 and NQO1. The interruption of the antioxidant program by SIT results in the substantial accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in OC cells. This, in turn, upregulates PTEN, exerting negative regulation on the phosphorylation activation of AKT. The suppression of AKT signaling disrupted downstream pathways associated with cell cycle, cell survival, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, ultimately culminating in the death of OC cells. Our research uncovers new targets and mechanisms of SIT against OC, contributing to the existing knowledge on the anti-tumor effects of natural products in the context of OC. Additionally, this research unveils a novel role of ASS1 in regulating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant program and governing redox homeostasis in OC, providing a deeper understanding of this complex disease.

Zinc Inhibits Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis of ST Cells Through ROS/PTEN/PI3K/AKT Axis

Lead (Pb) is a widely distributed toxic heavy metal element known to have strong male reproductive toxicity, which can result in issues such as abnormal count and morphology of sperm. Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for the human body that can antagonize the activity of Pb in some physiological environments, and it also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the specific mechanism of Zn's antagonism against Pb remains largely unclear. In our study, we conducted research using swine testis cells (ST cells) and confirmed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration of Pb on ST cells was 994.4 μM, and the optimal antagonistic concentration of Zn was 10 μM. Based on this information, we treated ST cells with Pb and Zn and detected related indices such as apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway using flow cytometry, DCFH-DA staining, RT-PCR, and Western blot. Our results demonstrated that Pb exposure can generate excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupt the antioxidant system, upregulate PTEN expression, and inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathway in ST cells. In contrast, Zn significantly inhibited the overproduction of ROS, improved oxidative stress, and decreased PTEN expression, thus protecting the PI3K/AKT pathway compared to Pb-exposed ST cells. Furthermore, we found that Pb exposure exacerbated the expression of genes related to the apoptosis pathway and reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic genes. Furthermore, this situation was significantly improved when co-cultured with Pb and Zn. In summary, our study demonstrated that Zn alleviated Pb-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through the ROS/PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis in ST cells.

METTL3 as a novel diagnosis and treatment biomarker and its association with glycolysis, cuproptosis and ceRNA in oesophageal carcinoma

METTL3 has been shown to be involved in regulating a variety of biological processes. However, the relationship between METTL3 expression and glycolysis, cuproptosis-related genes and the ceRNA network in oesophageal carcinoma (ESCA) remains unclear. ESCA expression profiles from databases were obtained, and target genes were identified using differential analysis and visualization. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining assessed METTL3 expression differences. Functional enrichment analysis using GO, KEGG and GSEA was conducted on the co-expression profile of METTL3. Cell experiments were performed to assess the effect of METTL3 interference on tumour cells. Correlation and differential analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between METTL3 with glycolysis and cuproptosis. qRT-PCR was used to validate the effects of METTL3 interference on glycolysis-related genes. Online tools were utilized to screen and construct ceRNA networks based on the ceRNA theory. METTL3 expression was significantly higher in ESCA compared to the controls. The IHC results were consistent with the above results. Enrichment analysis revealed that METTL3 is involved in multiple pathways associated with tumour development. Significant correlations were observed between METTL3 and glycolysis-related genes and cuproptosis-related gene. Experiments confirmed that interfered with METTL3 significantly inhibited glucose uptake and lactate production in tumour cells, and affected the expression of glycolytic-related genes. Finally, two potential ceRNA networks were successfully predicted and constructed. Our study establishes the association between METTL3 overexpression and ESCA progression. Additionally, we propose potential links between METTL3 and glycolysis, cuproptosis and ceRNA, presenting a novel targeted therapy strategy for ESCA.

Liuweiwuling Tablet relieves the inflammatory transformation of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liuweiwuling Tablet (LWWL) is a patented Chinese medicine approved by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Clinically, it is used to treat a range of liver diseases that precede hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including hepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. LWWL is hypothesized to inhibit the inflammatory transformation of HCC, which may have a positive impact on the prevention and treatment of HCC. However, its exact mechanism of action remains unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate how LWWL is effective in the treatment of HCC and to validate the pathways involved in this process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An in vivo model of HCC induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was established to study the effect of LWWL on the development of HCC. The rat serum was analyzed for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT). The rat liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome for pathological analysis. Rat liver tissue was subjected to transcriptome sequencing. Expression of inflammatory and liver fibrosis-related factors in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and LX-2 cells was detected by QRT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot (WB). The expression of apoptosis and stemness genes in HepG2 and Huh7 cells was assessed through flow cytometry and QRT-PCR. Transcriptomics, network pharmacology, WB, and QRT-PCR were employed to validate the mechanisms associated with the amelioration of HCC development by LWWL.

RESULTS

LWWL significantly reduced the severity of hepatitis and liver fibrosis, the expression of tumor stemness genes, and the incidence of HCC. In addition, LWWL inhibited the release of inflammatory substances and nuclear accumulation of P65 protein in BMDMs as well as the conversion of LX-2 cells to fibroblasts. LWWL inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells, including the initiation of apoptosis and the reduction of stemness gene expression. Importantly, LWWL regulates the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, which affects hepatic inflammation and cancer progression.

CONCLUSION

LWWL inhibited the occurrence and development of HCC by modulating the severity of hepatitis and liver fibrosis, indicating the potential clinical relevance of LWWL in preventing and treating HCC.

Dysfunction of Akt/FoxO3a/Atg7 regulatory loop magnifies obesity-regulated muscular mass decline

BACKGROUND

Myoprotein degradation accelerates in obese individuals, resulting in a decline in muscular mass. Atg7 plays a crucial role in regulating protein stability and function through both autophagy-dependent and independent pathways. As obesity progresses, the expression of Atg7 gradually rises in muscle tissue. Nonetheless, the precise impact and mechanism of Atg7 in promoting muscle mass decline in obesity remain uncertain. The study aimed to elucidate the role and underly mechanism of Atg7 action in the context of obesity-induced muscle mass decline.

METHODS

In this study, we established a murine model of high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) and introduced adeno-associated virus delivery of short hairpin RNA to knock down Atg7 (shAtg7) into the gastrocnemius muscle. We then examined the expressions of Atg7 and myoprotein degradation markers in the gastrocnemius tissues of obese patients and mice using immunofluorescence and western blotting techniques. To further investigate the effects of Atg7, we assessed skeletal muscle cell diameter and the myoprotein degradation pathway in C2C12 and HSkMC cells in the presence or absence of Atg7. Immunofluorescence staining for MyHC and western blotting were utilized for this purpose. To understand the transcriptional regulation of Atg7 in response to myoprotein degradation, we conducted luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments to examine whether FoxO3a enhances the transcription of Atg7. Moreover, we explored the role of Akt in Atg7-mediated regulation and its relevance to obesity-induced muscle mass decline. This was accomplished by Akt knockdown, treatment with MK2206, and GST pulldown assays to assess the interaction between Atg7 and Akt.

RESULTS

After 20 weeks of being on a high-fat diet, obesity was induced, leading to a significant decrease in the gastrocnemius muscle area and a decline in muscle performance. This was accompanied by a notable increase in Atg7 protein expression (p < 0.01). Similarly, in gastrocnemius tissues of obese patients when compared to nonobese individuals, there was a significant increase in both Atg7 (p < 0.01) and TRIM63 (p < 0.01) levels. When palmitic acid was administered to C2C12 cells, it resulted in increased Atg7 (p < 0.01), LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ (p < 0.01), and p62 levels (p < 0.01). Additionally, it promoted FoxO3a-mediated transcription of Atg7. The knockdown of Atg7 in the gastrocnemius partially reversed DIO-induced muscle mass decline. Furthermore, when Atg7 was knocked down in C2C12 and HSkMC cells, it mitigated palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance, increased the p-Akt/Akt ratio (p < 0.01), and reduced TRIM63 (p < 0.01). Muscular atrophy mediated by Atg7 was reversed by genetic knockdown of Akt and treatment with the p-Akt inhibitor MK2206. Palmitic acid administration increased the binding between Atg7 and Akt (p < 0.01) while weakening the binding of PDK1 (p < 0.01) and PDK2 (p < 0.01) to Akt. GST pulldown assays demonstrated that Atg7 directly interacted with the C-terminal domain of Akt.

CONCLUSION

The consumption of a high-fat diet, along with lipid-induced effects, led to the inhibition of Akt signaling, which, in turn, promoted FoxO3a-mediated transcription, increasing Atg7 levels in muscle cells. The excess Atg7 inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, leading to a cyclic activation of FoxO3a and exacerbating the decline in muscle mass regulated by obesity. Consequently, Atg7 serves as a regulatory point in determining the decline in muscle mass induced by obesity.

The potential mechanism of ursolic acid in the treatment of bladder cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the potential molecular mechanisms of ursolic acid (UA) in bladder cancer treatment using network pharmacology and molecular docking.

METHODS

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and UniProt databases were used to screen potential targets of UA. Relevant bladder cancer target genes were extracted using the GeneCards database. All data were pooled and intercrossed to obtain common target genes of UA and bladder cancer. Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Molecular docking was conducted to verify the possible binding conformation between UA and bladder cancer cells. Then, in vitro experiments were performed to further validate the predicted results.

RESULTS

UA exerts anti-tumor effects on bladder cancer through multiple targets and pathways. Molecular docking indicated that UA undergoes stable binding with the proteins encoded by the top six core genes (STAT3, VEGFA, CASP3, TP53, IL1B, and CCND1). The in vitro experiments verified that UA can induce bladder cancer cell apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study illustrated the potential mechanism of UA in bladder cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The results will provide scientific references for follow-up studies and clinical treatment.

Modulatory effects of point-mutated IL-32θ (A94V) on tumor progression in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is a frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Tumor-associated macrophages stimulate cytokines and chemokines, which induce angiogenesis, metastasis, proliferation, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Although interleukin-32 (IL-32) has been implicated in the development and modulation of several cancers, its function in breast cancer remains elusive. Mutation of interleukin-32θ (IL-32θ) in the tissues of patients with breast cancer was detected by Sanger sequencing. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and mediators. The secreted proteins were detected using respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of mutant IL-32θ on proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells was conducted using MTS assays, migration assays, and Western blotting. A point mutation (281C>T, Ala94Val) was detected in IL-32θ in both breast tumors and adjacent normal tissues, which suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, EMT factors, and cell cycle related factors. Mutated IL-32θ inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors by regulating the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, mutated IL-32θ suppressed EMT markers and cell cycle related factors through the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. It was inferred that mutated IL-32θ modulates breast cancer progression. Mutated IL-32θ (A94V) inhibited inflammation, EMT, and proliferation in breast cancer by regulating the NF-κB (p65/p50) and FAK-PI3K-GSK3 pathways.