Src family kinases involved in the differentiation of human preadipocytes

Sophoridine Counteracts Obesity via Src-Mediated Inhibition of VEGFR Expression and PI3K/AKT Phosphorylation

Sophoridine (SRP) is a natural quinolizidine alkaloid found in many traditional Chinese herbs, though its effect on adipose tissue is unclear. We improved serum lipid levels by administering SRP by gavage in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. After 11 weeks, SRP supplementation significantly reduced body weight gain and improved glucose homeostasis, while reducing subcutaneous fat and liver weight. SRP also inhibited cell proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Proteomics analysis revealed that SRP inhibits adipocyte differentiation by interacting with Src, thereby suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. This study provides an empirical basis for the treatment of obesity with small molecules.

The Potential Strategies for Overcoming Multidrug Resistance and Reducing Side Effects of Monomer Tubulin Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy

BACKGROUND

Tubulin is an essential target in tumor therapy, and this is attributed to its ability to target MT dynamics and interfere with critical cellular functions, including mitosis, cell signaling, and intracellular trafficking. Several tubulin inhibitors have been approved for clinical application. However, the shortcomings, such as drug resistance and toxic side effects, limit its clinical application. Compared with single-target drugs, multi-target drugs can effectively improve efficacy to reduce side effects and overcome the development of drug resistance. Tubulin protein degraders do not require high concentrations and can be recycled. After degradation, the protein needs to be resynthesized to regain function, which significantly delays the development of drug resistance.

METHODS

Using SciFinder® as a tool, the publications about tubulin-based dual-target inhibitors and tubulin degraders were surveyed with an exclusion of those published as patents.

RESULTS

This study presents the research progress of tubulin-based dual-target inhibitors and tubulin degraders as antitumor agents to provide a reference for developing and applying more efficient drugs for cancer therapy.

CONCLUSION

The multi-target inhibitors and protein degraders have shown a development prospect to overcome multidrug resistance and reduce side effects in the treatment of tumors. Currently, the design of dual-target inhibitors for tubulin needs to be further optimized, and it is worth further clarifying the detailed mechanism of protein degradation.

Transcriptomics profiling reveal the heterogeneity of white and brown adipocyte

The marker genes associated with white adipocytes and brown adipocytes have been previously identified; however, these markers have not been updated in several years, and the differentiation process of preadipocytes remains relatively fixed. Consequently, there has been a lack of exploration into alternative differentiation schemes. In this particular study, we present a transcriptional signature specific to brown adipocytes and white adipocytes. Notably, our findings reveal that ZNF497, ZIC1, ZFY, UTY, USP9Y, TXLNGY, TTTY14, TNNT3, TNNT2, TNNT1, TNNI1, TNNC1, TDRD15, SOX11, SLN, SFRP2, PRKY, PAX3KLHL40, PAX3, INKA2-AS1, SOX11, and TDRD15 exhibit high expression levels in brown adipocytes. XIST, HOXA10, PCAT19, HOXA7, PLSCR3, and AVPR1A exhibited high expression levels in white adipocytes, suggesting their potential as novel marker genes for the transition from white to brown adipocytes. Furthermore, our analysis revealed the coordinated activation of several pathways, including the PPAR signaling pathway, focal adhesion, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and thermogenesis pathways, in brown adipocytes. Moreover, in contrast to prevailing culture techniques, we conducted a comparative analysis of the differentiation protocols for white preadipocytes and brown preadipocytes, revealing that the differentiation outcome remained unaffected by the diverse culture schemes employed. However, the expression levels of certain marker genes in both adipocyte types were found to be altered. This investigation not only identified potential novel marker genes for adipocytes but also examined the impact of different differentiation methods on preadipocyte maturation. Consequently, these findings offer significant insights for further research on the differentiation processes of diverse adipocyte subtypes.

Identification of Potential Biomarkers of Septic Shock Based on Pathway and Transcriptome Analyses of Immune-Related Genes

Immunoregulation is crucial to septic shock (SS) but has not been clearly explained. Our aim was to explore potential biomarkers for SS by pathway and transcriptional analyses of immune-related genes to improve early detection. GSE57065 and GSE95233 microarray data were used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SS. Gene Ontology and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed, and correlations between immune cell and pathway enrichment scores were analyzed. The predictive value of candidate genes was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. GSE66099, GSE4607, and GSE13904 datasets were used for external validation. Blood samples from six patients and six controls were collected for validation by qRT-PCR and western blotting. In total, 550 DEGs in SS were identified; these genes were involved in the immune response, inflammation, and infection. Immune-related pathways and levels of infiltration of CD4 + TCM, CD8 + T cells, and preadipocytes differed between SS cases and controls. Seventeen genes were identified as potential biomarkers of SS (areas under ROC curves >0.9). The downregulation of CD8A, CD247, CD3G, LCK, and HLA-DRA in SS was experimentally confirmed. We identified several immune-related biomarkers in SS that may improve early identification of disease risk.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals shared gene signatures and molecular mechanisms between obesity and periodontitis

Background

Both obesity (OB) and periodontitis (PD) are chronic non-communicable diseases, and numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated the association between these two diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms that could explain the association between OB and PD are largely unclear. This study aims to investigate the common gene signatures and biological pathways in OB and PD through bioinformatics analysis of publicly available transcriptome datasets.

Methods

The RNA expression profile datasets of OB (GSE104815) and PD (GSE106090) were used as training data, and GSE152991 and GSE16134 as validation data. After screening for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) shared by OB and PD, gene enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, GeneMANIA analysis, immune infiltration analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive accuracy of the hub gene. Finally, we constructed the hub gene-associated TF-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network.

Results

We identified a total of 147 DEGs shared by OB and PD (38 down-regulated and 109 up-regulated). Functional analysis showed that these genes were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways such as B cell receptor signalling, leukocyte migration and cellular defence responses. 14 hub genes (FGR, MNDA, NCF2, FYB1, EVI2B, LY86, IGSF6, CTSS, CXCR4, LCK, FCN1, CXCL2, P2RY13, MMP7) showed high sensitivity and specificity in the ROC curve analysis. The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that immune cells such as macrophages, activated CD4 T cells and immune B cells were present at high infiltration levels in both OB and PD samples.The results of GeneMANIA analysis and GSEA analysis suggested that five key genes (FGR, LCK, FYB1, LY86 and P2RY13) may be strongly associated with macrophages. Finally, we constructed a TF-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network consisting of 233 transcription factors (TFs), 8 miRNAs and 14 mRNAs based on the validated information obtained from the database.

Conclusions

Five key genes (FGR, LCK, FYB1, LY86, P2RY13) may be important biomarkers of OB and PD. These genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OB and PD by affecting macrophage activity and participating in immune regulation and inflammatory responses.

Bioinformatics-based identification of lipid- and immune-related biomarkers in abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) manifest as a natural inflammatory process with permanent dilation and terminal rupture. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of AAA remains a mystery, and treatment is still controversial. Lipid metabolism and immune system are involved in AAA progression, which has been well documented. However, lipid- and immune-related (LIR) biomarkers need to be further elucidated.

Methods

The AAA-related datasets were retrieved from the GEO database, and the datasets were analyzed for differential gene expression by NetworkAnalyst. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed mRNA (DE-mRNA) was performed using Metscape, and LIR DE-mRNA was further screened. AAA rat model was constructed using porcine pancreatic elastase to verify the differential expression of LIR DE-mRNA.

Results

The GSE47472 and GSE57691 datasets respectively identified 614 (containing 381 down-regulated and 233 up-regulated DE-mRNAs) and 384 (containing 218 down-regulated and 164 up-regulated DE-mRNAs) DE-mRNAs. Intersection and union of DE-mRNAs were 13 and 983, respectively. The main terms involved in the union of DE-mRNAs included "immune system process", "metabolic process", "Chemokine signaling pathway", "hematopoietic cell lineage" and "Cholesterol metabolism". In vivo experiments revealed that LIR DE-mRNAs of PDIA3, TYROBP, and HSPA1A were significantly low expression in AAA abdominal aortic tissues, and HCK and SERPINE1 were significantly high expression, which is consistent with the bioinformatics analysis.

Conclusions

PDIA3, TYROBP, HSPA1A, HCK and SERPINE1 may serve as LIR biomarkers of AAA, which provides new insights and theoretical guidance for the future treatment, early prevention and progression of AAA.