Inhibition of sonic hedgehog signaling blocks cell migration and growth but induces apoptosis via suppression of FOXQ1 in natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

Shh-Gli2-Runx2 inhibits vascular calcification

BACKGROUND

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), vascular calcification (VC) is common and is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Shh, one ligand for Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, participates in osteogenesis and several cardiovascular diseases. However, it remains unclear whether Shh is implicated in the development of VC.

METHODS

Inorganic phosphorus 2.6 mM was used to induce vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification. Mice were fed with adenine diet supplement with 1.2% phosphorus to induce VC.

RESULTS

Shh was decreased in VSMCs exposed to inorganic phosphorus, calcified arteries in mice fed with an adenine diet, as well as radial arteries from patients with CKD presenting VC. Overexpression of Shh inhibited VSMCs ostosteoblastic differentiation and calcification, whereas its silencing accelerated these processes. Likewise, mice treated with smoothened agonist (SAG; Hh signaling agonist) showed alleviated VC, and mice treated with cyclopamine (CPN; Hh signaling antagonist) exhibited severe VC. Additionally, overexpression of Gli2 significantly reversed the pro-calcification effect of Shh silencing on VSMCs, suggesting that Shh inhibited VC via Gli2. Mechanistically, Gli2 interacted with Runx2 and promoted its ubiquitin proteasomal degradation, therefore protecting against VC. Of interest, the pro-degradation effect of Gli2 on Runx2 was independent of Smurf1 and Cullin4B.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided deeper insight to the pathogenesis of VC, and Shh might be a novel potential target for VC treatment.

Targeting cancer hallmark vulnerabilities in hematologic malignancies by interfering with Hedgehog/GLI signaling

Understanding the genetic alterations, disrupted signaling pathways, and hijacked mechanisms in oncogene-transformed hematologic cells is critical for the development of effective and durable treatment strategies against liquid tumors. In this review, we focus on the specific involvement of the Hedgehog (HH)/GLI pathway in the manifestation and initiation of various cancer features in hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, T- and B-cell lymphomas, and lymphoid and myeloid leukemias. By reviewing canonical and noncanonical, Smoothened-independent HH/GLI signaling and summarizing preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies in hematologic malignancies, we elucidate common molecular mechanisms by which HH/GLI signaling controls key oncogenic processes and cancer hallmarks such as cell proliferation, cancer stem cell fate, genomic instability, microenvironment remodeling, and cell survival. We also summarize current clinical trials with HH inhibitors and discuss successes and challenges, as well as opportunities for future combined therapeutic approaches. By providing a bird's eye view of the role of HH/GLI signaling in liquid tumors, we suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the general oncogenic effects of HH/GLI signaling on the formation of cancer hallmarks is essential to identify critical vulnerabilities within tumor cells and their supporting remodeled microenvironment, paving the way for the development of novel and efficient personalized combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.

The emerging role of the hedgehog signaling pathway in immunity response and autoimmune diseases

The Hedgehog (Hh) family is a prototypical morphogen involved in embryonic patterning, multi-lineage differentiation, self-renewal, morphogenesis, and regeneration. There are studies that have demonstrated that the Hh signaling pathway differentiates developing T cells into MHC-restricted self-antigen tolerant T cells in a concentration-dependent manner in the thymus. Whereas Hh signaling pathway is not required in the differentiation of B cells but is indispensable in maintaining the regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the viability of germinal centers (GCs) B cells. The Hh signaling pathway exerts both positive and negative effects on immune responses, which involves activating human peripheral CD4+ T cells, regulating the accumulation of natural killer T (NKT) cells, recruiting and activating macrophages, increasing CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the inflammation sites to sustain homeostasis. Hedgehog signaling is involved in the patterning of the embryo, as well as homeostasis of adult tissues. Therefore, this review aims to highlight evidence for Hh signaling in the differentiation, function of immune cells and autoimmune disease. Targeting Hh signaling promises to be a novel, alternative or adjunct approach to treating tumors and autoimmune diseases.

Long noncoding RNA LUCAT1 enhances the survival and therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells post-myocardial infarction

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation has been a promising therapeutic strategy for repairing heart tissues post-myocardial infarction (MI). Nevertheless, its therapeutic efficacy remains low, which is mainly ascribed to the low viability of transplanted MSCs. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to participate in diverse physiological and pathological processes, but little is known about their role in MSC survival. Using unbiased transcriptome profiling of hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs (HP-MSCs) and normoxic MSCs (N-MSCs), we identified a lncRNA named lung cancer-associated transcript 1 (LUCAT1) under hypoxia. LUCAT1 knockdown reduced the survival of engrafted MSCs and decreased the MSC-based therapeutic potency, as shown by impaired cardiac function, reduced cardiomyocyte survival, and increased fibrosis post-MI. Conversely, LUCAT1 overexpression had the opposite results. Mechanistically, LUCAT1 bound with and recruited jumonji domain-containing 6 (JMJD6) to the promoter of forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1), which demethylated FOXQ1 at H4R3me^2(s) and H3R2me^2(a), thus downregulating Bax expression and upregulating Bcl-2 expression to attenuate MSC apoptosis. Therefore, our findings revealed the protective effects of LUCAT1 on MSC apoptosis and demonstrated that the LUCAT1-mediated JMJD6-FOXQ1 pathway might represent a novel target to potentiate the therapeutic effect of MSC-based therapy for ischemic cardiovascular diseases.

RNA-seq analysis of murine peyer's patches at 6 and 18 h post infection with Fasciola hepatica metacecariae

Fasciola hepatica is a zoonotic parasite that not only economically burdens the agribusiness sector, but also infects up to 1 million people worldwide, with no commercial vaccine yet available. An ideal vaccine would induce protection in the gut, curtailing the extensive tissue damage associated with parasite's migration from the gut to the bile ducts. The design of such a vaccine requires greater knowledge of gut mucosal responses during the early stage of infection. We examined total mRNA expression of the peyer's patches at 6 and 18 h post F. hepatica infection using RNA sequencing. Differential expression analysis revealed 1341 genes upregulated and 61 genes downregulated at 6 h post infection, while 1562 genes were upregulated and 10 genes downregulated after 18 h. Gene-set enrichment analysis demonstrated that immune specific biological processes were amongst the most downregulated. The Toll-like receptor pathway in particular was significantly affected, the suppression of which is a well-documented immune evasive strategy employed by F. hepatica. In general, the genes identified were associated with suppression of inflammatory responses, helminth induced immune responses and tissue repair/homeostasis. This study provides a rich catalogue of the genes expressed in the early stages of F. hepatica infection, adding to the understanding of early host-parasite interactions and assisting in the design of future studies that look to advance the development of a novel F. hepatica vaccine.

TMEM16A regulates the cell cycle of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in high-flow-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rat model

High-flow-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has attained global notoriety, the mechanism of which remains elusive. The present study investigated the regulation of Anoctamin-1, also known as transmembrane member 16A (TMEM16A), in the cell cycle progression of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from a PAH rat model induced by high pulmonary blood flow. A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into control, sham and shunt groups. A rat model of high pulmonary blood flow-induced PAH was established by surgery using abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava fistula. Right ventricular pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy index and pulmonary arteriole structural remodeling were assessed 11 weeks following operation. The cell cycle statuses of PASMCs was assessed via flow cytometry, whereas western blot analysis was performed to measure the expression of cyclin D1, CDK2, p27KIP and cyclin E in primary PASMCs isolated from rats. The expression of cyclin E and cyclin D1 was revealed to be increased in the shunt group compared with the control group, which was accompanied with an increased expression of TMEM16A in the shunt group. Changes in the ratio of PASMCs in the G0/G1, S and G2/M phases of cycle induced by PAH were reversed by TMEM16A knockdown. The expression of cyclin E and cyclin D1 in the shunt group was significantly higher compared with the control group in vitro, which was reversed by TMEM16A-siRNA transfection. In conclusion, TMEM16A may be involved in high pulmonary blood flow-induced PAH by regulating PASMC cell cycle progression.

Chidamide Inhibits Glioma Cells by Increasing Oxidative Stress via the miRNA-338-5p Regulation of Hedgehog Signaling

Objective

Chidamide has a broad spectrum of antitumor activity but its function on glioma remains unknown. The increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) may control glioma risk by promoting its apoptosis and necrosis. Hedgehog pathway is crucial to glioma cell proliferation and controls ROS production. We aimed to explore the effects of chidamide on the levels of miR-338-5p (glioma cell inhibitor), which may regulate Hedgehog signaling, resulting in the changes of RNS. Materials and Methods. Migration and invasion activities of glioma cells were measured by using the Transwell chamber assay. The expression levels of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Indian Hedgehog (Ihh), Desert Hedgehog (Dhh), miR-338-5p, and related molecules were detected by using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and or Western Blot in U87 and HS683 glioma cells. The effects of chidamide on these molecules were measured by using the miR-338-5p inhibitor or mimics in U87 and HS683 glioma cell lines. ROS and RNS were measured by DCF DA and DAF-FM DA fluorescence. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured by using a corresponding kit. Apoptosis and necrosis rates were measured by using flow cytometry.

Results

Chidamide inhibited the growth rate, migration, and invasion of human malignant glioma cells and increased the level of miR-338-5p. miR-338-5p inhibitor or mimics increased or inhibited the growth rate of U87 and HS683 glioma cells. Chidamide inhibited the levels of Shh, Ihh, migration protein E-cadherin, and invading protein MMP-2. The increase in the level of Shh and Ihh led to the reduction in the ROS and RNS levels. miR-338-5p inhibitor or mimics also showed a promoting or inhibitory function for the levels of Shh and Ihh. Furthermore, miR-338-5p mimics and inhibitor inhibited or promoted the migration and invasion of the glioma cells (P < 0.05). Evaluated levels of miR-338-5p increased oxidative stress level and apoptosis and necrosis rate by regulating the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress (P < 0.05). Evaluated levels of miR-338-5p increased oxidative stress level and apoptosis and necrosis rate by regulating the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress (

Conclusion

Chidamide inhibits glioma cells by increasing oxidative stress via the miRNA-338-5p regulation of Hedgehog signaling. Chidamide may be a potential drug in the prevention of glioma development.

"Hedgehog pathway": a potential target of itraconazole in the treatment of cancer

PURPOSE

Itraconazole is an antifungal drug that has been clinically used for over 30 years. In recent years, scholars have discovered that it possesses an anticancer effect. Moreover, its mechanism has been clarified to some degree. What deserves to be mentioned is that itraconazole acting on the Hedgehog pathway has made a new progress in the treatment of cancers. While interestingly, studies have demonstrated that the Hedgehog pathway is largely activated in different cancer cells.

RESULT

This review tries to highlight the effect of itraconazole on smoothened receptor (SMO) in the Hedgehog pathway, thereby reducing the glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) release and finally exhibiting a range of anticancer effects, promoting apoptosis of cancer cells, and inhibiting proliferation by indirect inhibition of NF-κB pathway and inflammation, moreover, promoting the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, inhibiting the expression of target genes transcribed by GLI such as BCL-2 and Cyclin-D1. Besides, itraconazole increases the number of Bnip3, subsequently, inducing the dissociation of the Beclin-1/BCL-2 binding complex, as a result of ultimately promoting autophagy of cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

As a new anticancer drug, whether itraconazole eventually entering clinical application requires the joint eforts of all scholars. In any case, an in-depth study on itraconazole will bring new hope for cancer patients in the near future.

Inhibition of the hedgehog pathway for the treatment of cancer using Itraconazole

Itraconazole (ITZ) is an anti-fungal drug that has been used in clinical practice for nearly 35 years. Recently, numerous experiments have shown that ITZ possesses anti-cancer properties. The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays a pivotal role in fundamental processes, including embryogenesis, structure, morphology and proliferation in various species. This pathway is typically silent in adult cells, and inappropriate activity is linked to various tumor types. The most important mechanism of ITZ in the treatment of cancer is inhibition of the Hh pathway through the inhibition of smoothened receptors (SMO), glioma-associated oncogene homologs (GLI), and their downstream targets. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of ITZ in the treatment of cancer through inhibition of the Hh pathway, which includes anti-inflammation, prevention of tumor growth, induction of cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and autophagy, prevention of angiogenesis, and drug resistance. We also discuss the clinical use of ITZ in many types of cancers. We hope this review will provide more information to support future studies on ITZ in the treatment of various cancers.