TMEM9 mediates IL-6 and IL-1β secretion and is modulated by the Wnt pathway

Comprehensive analysis of TMEM9 in human tumors

BACKGROUND

TMEM9, a transmembrane protein, has emerged as a significant player in tumor progression, yet its comprehensive role across various cancers remains unclear. This study investigates the expression patterns, genetic alterations, immune associations, and prognostic implications of TMEM9 across multiple cancer types using large-scale bioinformatics approaches.

METHODS

TMEM9 expression was analyzed in normal and tumor tissues using data from the TCGA and GTEx databases, with protein expression verified via CPTAC datasets. The prognostic impact of TMEM9 was assessed using overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) analyses across various cancers. Genetic alterations, including mutation types and copy number alterations, were explored using the cBioPortal platform. We also examined DNA methylation, RNA modifications, and immune infiltration correlations using bioinformatics tools, including TIMER2 and UALCAN. TMEM9's relationship with tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) was analyzed, and gene enrichment analyses were performed using the STRING database and GO/KEGG pathway analyses.

RESULTS

TMEM9 was significantly overexpressed in several cancers, including ACC, BLCA, BRCA, CHOL, COAD, GBM, and others. Elevated TMEM9 expression correlated with worse OS and DFS in ACC, CESC, KICH, UVM, and additional tumor types. Genetic alterations, predominantly amplifications, were frequent in BRCA, LIHC, and UCEC. DNA methylation analysis revealed hypermethylation in tumors like HNSC and KIRC, while RNA modification analyses showed TMEM9 associations with m6A and m1A-related genes. TMEM9 expression was strongly correlated with immune infiltration, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts in tumors like THYM and HNSC. Positive associations between TMEM9 and TMB/MSI were observed in several cancers, suggesting genomic instability. Enrichment analyses identified TMEM9 involvement in pathways related to the endoplasmic reticulum, Wnt signaling, and protein processing.

CONCLUSION

TMEM9 plays a crucial role in cancer progression, influencing gene expression, immune modulation, and genomic instability. These findings highlight TMEM9 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target across multiple cancer types.

Physical Exercise Decreases Complement-Mediated Synaptic Loss and Protects Against Cognitive Impairment by Inhibiting Microglial Tmem9-ATP6V0D1 in Alzheimer's Disease

Physical exercise is known to slow synaptic neurodegeneration and cognitive aging in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The benefits of physical exercise are related to reduced amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition and increased synaptic plasticity. Yet little is known about the mechanisms that mediate these effects. Here, we show that physical exercise down-regulated the microglial Tmem9 protein, inhibited C1q activation, and decreased C1q-dependent microglial synapse engulfment, eventually ameliorating cognitive impairment in 5xFAD mice. Furthermore, using oAβ cultured-BV2 in vitro, we show that downregulation of microglial Tmem9 was sufficient to restrain complement activity and decrease microglia-mediated synaptic loss, whereas overexpression of microglial Tmem9 tended to promote complement activation and induced synaptic loss, abolishing exercise-associated protection. Finally, we show that microglial Tmem9 contributed to complement activation by regulating ATP6V0D1, a vesicular (H+) ATP-dependent proton pump (V-ATPase) subunit that regulates V-ATPase assembly. Together, our results demonstrate that exercise is a potential treatment for AD patients. In an AD mouse model, it decreased the levels of microglial Tmem9 to inhibit the activation of complement, alleviated complement-dependent synaptic loss, and eventually ameliorated emotional and cognitive disorders.

Exploring novel drug targets for erectile dysfunction through plasma proteome with genome

Background

Currently, the treatment and prevention of erectile dysfunction (ED) remain highly challenging.

Aim

This study conducted a systematic druggable genome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to identify potential therapeutic targets for ED.

Methods

A proteome-wide MR approach was employed to investigate the causal effects of plasma proteins on ED. Subsequently, summary data-based MR (SMR) analysis was performed to identify potential drug targets for ED. Enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks revealed the functional characteristics and biological relevance of these potential therapeutic targets. Drug prediction and molecular docking studies were conducted to validate the pharmacological activity of these identified targets. Finally, a systematic MR analysis was conducted to assess upstream intervention factors, such as lifestyles and diseases, associated with these targets, providing insights for the prevention and treatment of ED.

Outcomes

This study identified several potential therapeutic targets for ED.

Results

Proteome-wide MR analysis revealed that 126 genetically predicted plasma proteins were causally associated with ED. SMR analysis indicated that TMEM9 was associated with an increased risk of ED, while MDH1, NQO1, QDPR, ARL4D, TAGLN2, and PPP1R14A were associated with a decreased risk of ED. These potential targets were primarily enriched in metabolic and redox-related biological processes. Molecular docking indicated that the predicted drugs had favorable binding affinities with the proteins, further confirming the pharmacological value of these targets. Finally, 6 plasma proteins (MDH1, NQO1, QDPR, ARL4D, TAGLN2, and TMEM9) could be modulated by lifestyle- and disease-related factors.

Clinical Implications

This study provides new insights into the etiology and potential drug targets of ED and contributes to the development of more effective treatments for ED and reducing the cost of drug development.

Strengths and Limitations

This is a systematic and extensive study exploring the causal relationship between plasma proteins and ED, which helps to provide a comprehensive perspective to understand the role of potential targets in ED. However, we did not conduct this study in different types of ED or different stages of ED progression.

Conclusion

In summary, this study identified 7 plasma proteins causally associated with ED and provided new insights into the etiology and potential drug targets for ED.

Gene Expression Dysregulation in Whole Blood of Patients with Clostridioides difficile Infection

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a global threat and has significant implications for individuals and health care systems. Little is known about host molecular mechanisms and transcriptional changes in peripheral immune cells. This is the first gene expression study in whole blood from patients with C. difficile infection. We took blood and stool samples from patients with toxigenic C. difficile infection (CDI), non-toxigenic C. difficile infection (GDH), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diarrhea from other causes (DC), and healthy controls (HC). We performed transcriptome-wide RNA profiling on peripheral blood to identify diarrhea common and CDI unique gene sets. Diarrhea groups upregulated innate immune responses with neutrophils at the epicenter. The common signature associated with diarrhea was non-specific and shared by various other inflammatory conditions. CDI had a unique 45 gene set reflecting the downregulation of humoral and T cell memory functions. Dysregulation of immunometabolic genes was also abundant and linked to immune cell fate during differentiation. Whole transcriptome analysis of white cells in blood from patients with toxigenic C. difficile infection showed that there is an impairment of adaptive immunity and immunometabolism.

TMEM9 activates Rab9-dependent alternative autophagy through interaction with Beclin1

Transmembrane protein 9 (TMEM9) is a transmembrane protein that regulates lysosomal acidification by interacting with the v-type ATPase complex. However, the role of TMEM9 in the lysosome-dependent autophagy machinery has yet to be identified. In this study, we demonstrate that the lysosomal protein TMEM9, which is involved in vesicle acidification, regulates Rab9-dependent alternative autophagy through its interaction with Beclin1. The cytosolic domain of TMEM9 interacts with Beclin1 via its Bcl-2-binding domain. This interaction between TMEM9 and Beclin1 dissociates Bcl-2, an autophagy-inhibiting partner, from Beclin1, thereby activating LC3-independent and Rab9-dependent alternative autophagy. Late endosomal and lysosomal TMEM9 apparently colocalizes with Rab9 but not with LC3. Furthermore, we show that multiple glycosylation of TMEM9, essential for lysosomal localization, is essential for its interaction with Beclin1 and the activation of Rab9-dependent alternative autophagy. These findings reveal that TMEM9 recruits and activates the Beclin1 complex at the site of Rab9-dependent autophagosome to induce alternative autophagy.

Film-forming polymer solutions containing cholesterol myristate and berberine mediate pressure ulcer repair via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Pressure ulcer (PU) is a worldwide problem that is difficult to address because of the related inflammatory response, local hypoxia, and repeated ischaemia/reperfusion, causing great suffering and financial burden to patients. Traditional Chinese medicine turtle plate powder can treat skin trauma, but its composition is complex and inconvenient to use. Here, we combined cholesterol myristate (S8) with berberine (BBR), with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, as a drug and used hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 as carriers to construct a novel film-forming polymeric solution (S8 + BBR FFPS), comprehensively study its reparative effect on PU and explore the potential mechanism in rat PU models. The results showed that S8 + BBR FFPS inhibits excessive inflammatory response, promotes re-epithelialization, and promotes hair follicle growth during the healing process of PU, which may be related to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway by S8 + BBR FFPS to mediate hair follicle stem cell proliferation and maintain skin homeostasis. Therefore, S8 + BBR FFPS may be a potential candidate for the treatment of chronic skin injury, and its association with the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway may provide new ideas to guide the design of biomaterial-based wound dressings for chronic wound repair.

TMEM9 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression via activating the MEK/ERK/STAT3 pathway to induce VEGF expression

Abnormal Transmembrane protein 9 (TMEM9) expression has been identified in various human tumors. However, the prognostic potential and mechanistic role of TMEM9 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unclear. Here, we first found a significant upregulation of TMEM9 in LUAD tissues, and TMEM9 expression was positively correlated with microvessel density (MVD), T stage, and clinical stage. Survival analysis demonstrated TMEM9 was an independent indicator of poor prognosis in LUAD patients. In addition, downregulation of TMEM9 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo models, and reduced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation in a cancer cell/HUVEC coculture model. Furthermore, TMEM9 upregulated VEGF expression, and VEGF-neutralizing antibodies reversed HUVEC angiogenesis and cancer cell migration ability caused by overexpression of TMEM9. In contrast, recombinant VEGF (rVEGF) abolished the inhibitory effect of TMEM9-knockdown LUAD cells on HUVEC angiogenesis and tumor cell migration. Moreover, we showed that TMEM9 upregulated VEGF expression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/STAT3 (MEK/ERK/STAT3) pathway. Together, our study provides mechanistic insights into the role of TMEM9 in LUAD and highlights the potential of targeting the TMEM9/MEK/ERK/STAT3/VEGF pathway as a novel therapy for preventing LUAD progression.

Pharmacogenomic Study of Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms in the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES Trial

Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) are the most frequently reported adverse events for statin therapies. Previous studies have reported an association between the p.Val174Ala missense variant in SLCO1B1 and SAMS in simvastatin-treated subjects; however, evidence for genetic predictors of SAMS in atorvastatin- or rosuvastatin-treated subjects is currently lacking.

Pyrvinium pamoate induces in-vitro suppression of IL-6 and IL-8 produced by human endometriotic stromal cells

Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is identified by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The prevalence of this disease among reproductive-age women is almost 10-15%. High levels of IL-6 and IL-8 have been found in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with endometriosis and are involved in its pathogenesis. Isolated stromal cells from 12 ectopic and eutopic endometrial biopsies of women with ovarian endometrioma and also 12 endometrial biopsies of nonendometriotic controls were treated with 1.1 µM pyrvinium pamoate, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor, for 72 hrs. Before treatment, mRNA gene expression and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly higher in ectopic (EESCs) than eutopic (EuESCs) and control (CESCs) endometrial stromal cells. After treatment, mRNA gene expression and also secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly reduced. Our Findings showed that pyrvinium pamoate suppresses the mRNA gene expression and secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 in human endometriotic stromal cells. Additional investigations on this compound are required before clinical application.

Whole-Genome Sequencing Identifies Novel Functional Loci Associated with Lung Function in Puerto Rican Youth

Rationale: Puerto Ricans have the highest childhood asthma prevalence in the United States (23.6%); however, the etiology is uncertain.Objectives: In this study, we sought to uncover the genetic architecture of lung function in Puerto Rican youth with and without asthma who were recruited from the island (n = 836).Methods: We used admixture-mapping and whole-genome sequencing data to discover genomic regions associated with lung function. Functional roles of the prioritized candidate SNPs were examined with chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA sequencing, and expression quantitative trait loci data.Measurements and Main Results: We discovered a genomic region at 1q32 that was significantly associated with a 0.12-L decrease in the lung volume of exhaled air (95% confidence interval, -0.17 to -0.07; P = 6.62 × 10-8) with each allele of African ancestry. Within this region, two SNPs were expression quantitative trait loci of TMEM9 in nasal airway epithelial cells and MROH3P in esophagus mucosa. The minor alleles of these SNPs were associated with significantly decreased lung function and decreased TMEM9 gene expression. Another admixture-mapping peak was observed on chromosome 5q35.1, indicating that each Native American ancestry allele was associated with a 0.15-L increase in lung function (95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.21; P = 5.03 × 10-6). The region-based association tests identified four suggestive windows that harbored candidate rare variants associated with lung function.Conclusions: We identified common and rare genetic variants that may play a critical role in lung function among Puerto Rican youth. We independently validated an inflammatory pathway that could potentially be used to develop more targeted treatments and interventions for patients with asthma.

Astragaloside IV acts through multi-scale mechanisms to effectively reduce diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common complication of diabetes mellitus, is the main cause of end-stage nephropathy, and thus developing novel strategies for reversing DN remains urgent. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a glycoside extracted from the Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, is a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China and presents diverse pharmacological properties including the protective effect on DN. However, the rudimentary mechanism of AS-IV in remedying DN remains indeterminate. Currently, we systematically explore the pharmacological mechanism of action of AS-IV for treating DN. Firstly, AS-IV was evaluated by ADME assessment, and 26 targets were screened out through target prediction. Then, we decipher the protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, disease and pathway network analysis to obtain the specific molecular biological process and pharmacological activity of AS-IV in the treatment of DN. Meanwhile, both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that AS-IV has anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) effects, and can inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, ultimately ameliorating the renal injury caused by high glucose. Additionally, we also applied molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to predict the specific binding sites and binding capacity of AS-IV and related targets. Overall, the comprehensive system pharmacology method and experiment validations provide an accurate explanation for the molecular mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of DN. Moreover, it is expected to provide a brand new strategy for exploring the effective components of TCM.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Characterized the Landscape of Somatic Mutations and Pathways in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis

Purpose

Liver metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in colorectal cancer. The mechanism of occurrence and development of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer is unclear.

Methods

The primary tumor tissues and blood samples of 8 patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer were collected, followed by nucleic acid extraction and library construction. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to detect the genomic variations. Bioinformatics was used to comprehensively analyze the sequencing data of these samples, including the differences of tumor mutation burden, the characteristics of gene mutations, and signaling pathways.

Results

The results showed that the top three genes with the highest mutation frequency were TP53, APC, and KRAS. Tumor mutation burden of this study, with a median of 8.34 mutations per MB, was significantly different with The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Analysis of molecular function and signaling pathways showed that the mutated genes could be classified into five major categories and 39 signaling pathways, involving in Wnt, angiogenesis, P53, Alzheimer disease-presenilin pathway, notch, and cadherin signaling pathway.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we identified the extensive landscape of altered genes and pathways in colorectal cancer liver metastasis, which will be useful to design clinical therapy for personalized medicine.