Elucidated tumorigenic role of MAML1 and TWIST1 in gastric cancer is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection

TWIST1 rescue calcium overload and apoptosis induced by inflammatory microenvironment in S. aureus-induced osteomyelitis

Currently, there is no effective therapy for Staphylococcus aureus-induced osteomyelitis. It is widely recognized that the inflammatory microenvironment around abscess plays an essential role in protracting the course of S. aureus-induced osteomyelitis. In this study, we found TWIST1 was highly expressed in macrophages around abscesses but less related to local S. aureus in the later stages of Staphylococcus aureus-infected osteomyelitis. Mouse bone marrow macrophages show apoptosis and elevated TWIST1 expression when treated with the inflammatory medium. Knockdown of TWIST1 induced macrophage apoptosis, impaired the bacteria phagocytosis/killing abilities, and promoted cell apoptosis markers expression in inflammatory microenvironment stimulation. Furthermore, inflammatory microenvironments were responsible for inducing calcium overload in macrophage mitochondrial while calcium overload inhibition significantly rescued macrophage apoptosis, bacteria phagocytosis/killing abilities and improved the mice's antimicrobial ability. Our findings indicated that TWIST1 is a crucial molecule that protects macrophages from calcium overload induced by inflammatory microenvironments.

Pathogenic role of Twist-1 protein in hydatidiform molar pregnancies and investigation of its potential diagnostic utility in complete moles

BACKGROUND

Complete and partial moles (PM) are the most common gestational trophoblastic diseases. Due to some overlapping morphological findings, ancillary studies may be necessary.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 47 cases of complete mole (CM) and 40 cases of PM were randomly selected based on histopathological criteria. Only those cases that were agreed upon by two expert gynecological pathologists and confirmed by the P57 IHC study were included. The expression level of the Twist-1 marker in villi stromal cells, as well as syncytiotrophoblasts, was evaluated quantitatively (percentage of positive cells), qualitatively (staining intensity) and as a total comprehensive score.

RESULTS

Expression of Twist-1 is higher and more intense in villous stromal cells of CMs (p < 0.001). Moderate to strong staining intensity in more than 50% of villous stromal cells, can differentiate CM and PM with 89.5% sensitivity and 75% specificity. In syncytiotrophoblasts of CM, Twist-1 expression was significantly lower than PM (p < 0.001). Negative or weak staining intensity in less than 10% of syncytiotrophoblasts, can distinguish CM and PM with 82.9% sensitivity and 60% specificity.

CONCLUSION

A higher expression of Twist-1 in villous stromal cells of hydatidiform moles is a sensitive and specific marker for the diagnosis of CMs. An elevated expression of this marker in villous stromal cells suggests another pathogenic mechanism for more aggressiveness of CMs in addition to the characteristics of trophoblast cells. The opposite result was obtained in the expression of Twist-1 in the syncytiotrophoblasts, compatible with defects in the process of formation of these supportive cells in CMs.

Twist1 as a target for prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represents an important clinical problem requiring novel approaches for both prevention and treatment. The transcription factor, Twist-related protein 1 (Twist1), has been identified as having a key mechanistic role in the development and progression of cSCC. Studies in relevant mouse models of cSCC have shown that Twist1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness driving progression and metastasis of cSCC. In addition, further research has shown that Twist1 regulates the balance between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and therefore impacts earlier stages of cSCC development. Through use of keratinocyte specific Twist1 knockout models, a role for this gene in keratinocyte stem cell homeostasis has been revealed. As a transcription factor, Twist1 regulates a large number of genes both in a positive, as well as a negative manner across several interdependent pathways. Studies in keratinocyte specific knockout models have shown that Twist1 upregulates the expression of genes involved in proliferation, stemness, and EMT while downregulating the expression of genes associated with differentiation. Furthermore, a number of compounds, including naturally occurring compounds, have been identified that target Twist1 and can block its effects in cancer cells and in keratinocytes in vivo. Collectively, the current understanding of Twist1 function in cSCC development and progression suggests that it represents a potential target for prevention and treatment of cSCC.

The Effects of Risk Factors on One- and Five-Year Survival of Patients with Gastric Cancer in Isfahan in 2016

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a frequent and multifactorial malignancy worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between some risk factors of GC and the 1-year or 5-year survival rates in newly diagnosed patients in Isfahan in 2016. Methods: We included 274 newly diagnosed patients in this survival analysis from a database of 484 GC cases. We used a checklist to collect information. To inform about missed data, we call the patients or their families in non-survived cases. We evaluated each patient's age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, salt, salty foods, and red meat consumption. In addition, we asked patients about the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, tobacco smoking, opium usage, and alcohol consumption. We surveyed the patient's job, physical activity, Helicobacter pylori infection, family history of GC, history of gastric surgery, and survival status after 1 or 5 years. Variables were evaluated between survived and dead patients and compared for means and frequencies using the independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney, or chi-square test. The univariate relationship of each risk factor, with 1- and 5-year survival, was examined by the log-rank test and the Kaplan-Meyer method and their multivariate relationship with Cox regression. Results: 1- and 5-year survived patients were younger than dead patients with GC (P<0.001; HR for 1-year survival: 1.014, 95% CI: 0.997 to 1.030; HR for 5-year survival: 1.005, 95% CI: 0.994 to 1.017), and had more frequent higher educational levels (P<0.05; HR for 1-year survival: 1.887, 95% CI: 1.046 to 3.406; HR for 5-year survival: 1.482, 95% CI: 0.987 to 2.223). The death rate after 5 years was higher in men than in women (P=0.009; HR: 1.009, 95% CI: 0.593 to 1.717) and depended on the job status of the patients (P=0.021). The other studied variables were not significantly different between 1- or 5-year survived and dead patients. Conclusion: GC development depends on genomic changes, environmental factors, and lifestyle status. But all risk factors that play a role in its development are not notable for a patient's survival. We suggest that risk factors for these patients' survival become elucidated in future studies. It helps to gather the necessary pieces of evidence for the enhancement of survival in patients with GC.