The Interplay among miRNAs, Major Cytokines, and Cancer-Related Inflammation

The modulation of immune cell death in connection to microRNAs and natural products

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) spatiotemporally regulates damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) derived from dying cancer cells to signal the immune response. Intriguingly, these DAMPs and cytokines also induce cellular responses in non-immune cells, particularly cancer cells. Several ICD-modulating natural products and miRNAs have been reported to regulate the DAMP, cytokine, and cell death responses, but they lack systemic organization and connection. This review summarizes the impacts of natural products and miRNAs on the DAMP and cytokine responses and cancer cell death responses (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis). We establish the rationale that ICD inducers of natural products have modulating effects on miRNAs, targeting DAMPs and cytokines for immune and cancer cell death responses. In conclusion, DAMP, cytokine, and cell death responses are intricately linked in cancer cells, and they are influenced by ICD-modulating natural products and miRNAs.

Targeting Cytokines: Evaluating the Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Management of COVID-19

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by virus SARS-CoV-2, is characterized by massive inflammation and immune system imbalance. Despite the implementation of vaccination protocols, the accessibility of treatment remains uneven. Furthermore, the persistent threat of new variants underscores the urgent need for expanded research into therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for their immunomodulatory potential through the release of molecules into the extracellular space, either as soluble elements or carried by extracellular vesicles (EVs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of EVs obtained from human adipose tissue (ASC-EVs) against SARS-CoV-2 infection. ASC-EVs were purified by size-exclusion chromatography, and co-culture assays confirmed that ASC-EVs were internalized by human lung cells and could colocalize with SARS-CoV-2 into early and late endosomes. To determine the functionality of ASC-EVs, lung cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of increasing concentrations of ASC-EVs, and the release of cytokines, chemokines and viruses were measured. While SARS-CoV-2 replication was significantly reduced only at the highest concentrations tested, multiplex analysis highlighted that lower concentrations of ASC-EV sufficed to prevent the production of immune modulators. Importantly, ASC-EVs did not contain detectable inflammatory cytokines, nor did they trigger inflammatory mediators, nor affect cellular viability. In conclusion, this work suggests that ASC-EVs have the potential to attenuate inflammation by decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung cells following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Chemotherapeutic potential of lupeol against cancer in pre-clinical model: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Extensive research on Lupeol's potential in cancer prevention highlights its ability to target various cancer-related factors. It regulates proliferative markers, modulates signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and influences inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms. Additionally, Lupeol demonstrates selectivity in killing cancer cells while sparing normal cells, thus minimizing the risk of toxic effects on healthy tissues.

HYPOTHESIS

Therefore, we aimed to explore Lupeol's potential roles as a chemotherapeutic agent and as a sensitizer to chemotherapy by reviewing various animal-based studies published on its effects.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a comprehensive search across databases, including PubMed, PMC, Cochrane, EuroPMC, and ctri.gov.in to identify pertinent articles. Our focus was solely on published animal studies examining Lupeol's anti-cancer effects, with reviewers independently assessing bias risk and resolving discrepancies through consensus.

RESULT

20 studies were shortlisted. The results demonstrated that Lupeol brings changes in the tumor volume by [Hedges's g: -6.62; 95 % CI: -8.68, -4.56; τ2: 24.36, I2: 96.50 %; p < 0.05] and tumor weight by [Hedges's g: -3.97; 95 % CI: -5.20, -2.49; τ2: 2.70, I2: 79.27 %; p <0.05]. The high I2, negative Egger's value, and asymmetrical funnel plot show the publication bias among the studies. Further, Lupeol in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents showed better outcomes as compared to them alone [Hedges's g: -6.38; 95 % CI: -11.82, -0.94; τ2: 46.91; I2: 98.68 %; p <0.05]. Lupeol also targets various signaling molecules and pathways to exert an anti-cancer effect.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Lupeol significantly reduces tumor volume and weight. Combining Lupeol with other chemotherapy agents shows promise for enhancing anti-cancer effects. However, high variability among studies and evidence of publication bias suggest caution in interpreting results.

The Interplay Between Cytokines and MicroRNAs to Regulate Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic disorders represent significant public health challenges worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that cytokines and microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders by regulating various metabolic processes, including insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate interplay between cytokines and miRNAs in the context of metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We discuss how dysregulation of cytokine-miRNA networks contributes to the development and progression of metabolic disorders and explore the therapeutic potential of targeting these interactions for disease management.

Inflamma-miRs Profile in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients

Etiological factors involved in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) include immunologic, oxidative stress and inflammatory factors, among others, and these are targets for microRNAs (miRNs). Here, we evaluated whether some miRNs may affect tumor development comparing untreated and 5-azacitidine (5-AZA) MDS-treated patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 20 controls and 24 MDS patients, and selected miRNs related to redox balance and inflammation (inflamma-miRs), including miR-18a, miR-21, miR-34a and miR-146a, were isolated and measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR). A differential expression profile of miRNs was detected in untreated MDS patients and the 5-AZA group. Inflammation increases miRNs and, specifically, miR-18a, miR-21 and miR-34a were significantly overexpressed in untreated MDS, compared to controls. However, we did not observe any miRN profile alteration during the progression of the disease. On the other hand, 5-AZA treatment tends to restore miRN expression levels. Relating to prognostic risk factors, high-risk MDS groups (high Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R), high cytogenetic risk, high molecular risk (HMR) mutations) tended to be related with higher expression levels of miR-18a and miR-34a. Higher miRN expression is correlated with lower glutathione peroxidase activity, while they are related with a higher profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). Although our study was limited by the low number of MDS patients included, we identified miRN deregulation involved in MDS development that could regulate redox sensors and inflammatory responses. Finally, 5-AZA treatment is related with lower miRN expression levels in MDS patients.

Frailty and prognosis in lung cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours. Patients are frequently at risk of frailty as lung cancer progresses. The meta-analysis aims to explore the impact of frailty on the long-term prognosis and the incidence of short-term chemotherapy toxicity in patients with lung cancer. This study was designed adhered to the criteria of Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. Systematic searches were performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies until December 2022. The outcome measures were overall survival, progression-free survival, chemotherapy toxicity and all-cause mortality. We then performed sensitivity analyses, subgroup analyses and evidence quality. This meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager V.5.4 software. Of the included studies, six were retrospective and five were prospective. There was a statistically significant difference between the frail and non-frail groups in overall survival (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.15, p=0.008), all-cause mortality (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.65, p=0.05) and chemotherapy toxicity (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.99 to 7.00, p<0.0001). We conducted a sensitivity analysis, and the result was stable. The study revealed frail group had shorter survival and experienced more severe adverse effects than the non-frail group. Frailty affects the long-term prognosis and the incidence of short-term chemotherapy toxicity of patients with lung cancer. Consequently, medical professionals should focus on frailty screening in patients with lung cancer and implement active intervention measures. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42023398606.

Contribution of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to breast cancer treatment: In vitro and in vivo studies

Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis. High levels of serum prostaglandin E2 and tissue overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been described in breast, urinary, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers as being involved in tumor initiation, promotion, progression, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed for several medical conditions to not only decrease pain and fever but also reduce inflammation by inhibiting COX and its product synthesis. To date, significant efforts have been made to better understand and clarify the interplay between cancer development, inflammation, and NSAIDs with a view toward addressing their potential for cancer management. This review provides readers with an overview of the potential use of NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors for breast cancer treatment, highlighting pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies employed to evaluate the efficacy of NSAIDs and their use in combination with other antineoplastic drugs.

miR-21, miR-221, miR-29 and miR-34 are distinguishable molecular features of a metabolically unhealthy phenotype in young adults

Discrepancies between the measurement of body mass index (BMI) and metabolic health status have been described for the onset of metabolic diseases. Studying novel biomarkers, some of which are associated with metabolic syndrome, can help us to understand the differences between metabolic health (MetH) and BMI. A group of 1469 young adults with pre-specified anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters were selected. Of these, 80 subjects were included in the downstream analysis that considered their BMI and MetH parameters for selection as follows: norm weight metabolically healthy (MHNW) or metabolically unhealthy (MUNW); overweight/obese metabolically healthy (MHOW) or metabolically unhealthy (MUOW). Our results showed for the first time the differences when the MetH status and the BMI are considered as global MetH statures. First, all the evaluated miRNAs presented a higher expression in the metabolically unhealthy group than the metabolically healthy group. The higher levels of leptin, IL-1b, IL-8, IL-17A, miR-221, miR-21, and miR-29 are directly associated with metabolic unhealthy and OW/OB phenotypes (MUOW group). In contrast, high levels of miR34 were detected only in the MUNW group. We found differences in the SIRT1-PGC1α pathway with increased levels of SIRT1+ cells and diminished mRNA levels of PGCa in the metabolically unhealthy compared to metabolically healthy subjects. Our results demonstrate that even when metabolic diseases are not apparent in young adult populations, MetH and BMI have a distinguishable phenotype print that signals the potential to develop major metabolic diseases.

The cytokines in tumor microenvironment: from cancer initiation-elongation-progression to metastatic outgrowth

It is a well-known fact that cancer can be augmented by infections and inflammation. In fact, chronic inflammation establishes a tumor-supporting-microenvironment (TME), which contributes to neoplastic progression. Presently, extensive research is going on to establish the interrelationship between infection, inflammation, immune response, and cancer. Cytokines are the most essential components in this linkage, which are secreted by immune cells and stromal cells of TME. Cytokines have potential involvement in tumor initiation, elongation, progression, metastatic outgrowth, angiogenesis, and development of therapeutic resistance. They are also linked with increased cancer symptoms along with reduced quality of life in advanced cancer patients. The cancer patients experience multiple symptoms including pain, asthenia, fatigue, anorexia, cachexia, and neurodegenerative disorders etc. Anti-cancer therapeutics can be developed by targeting cytokines along with TME to reduce the immunocompromised state and also modulate the TME. This review article depicts the composition and function of different inflammatory cells within the TME, more precisely the role of cytokines in cancer initiation, elongation, and progression as well as the clinical effects in advanced cancer patients. It also provides an overview of different natural compounds, nanoparticles, and chemotherapeutic agents that can target cytokines along with TME, which finally pave the way for cytokines-targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.

Regulation of Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion by miR-143 and miR-199a Through COX-2 Targeting

Objective

To investigate the biological role of miR-143 and miR-199a in mediating the progression of osteosarcoma (OS) by targeting cyclooxygenase (COX-2).

Introduction

COX-2 plays a crucial role in the development and progression of OS. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms of COX-2 in OS are still not well understood.

Methods

The expression levels of COX-2, miR-143 and miR-199a in OS tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry, qPCR, or western blot assays. The targeting relationship between miRNAs and COX-2 was determined. The effect of miRNA and COX-2 on OS cells was evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Results

COX-2 expression was upregulated while miR-143 and miR-199a were downregulated in OS tissues. miR-143 and miR-199a suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS cells. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that COX-2 was a direct target of miR-143 and miR-199a. Genetic knockdown of COX-2 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion of OS cells. The expression levels of COX-2 and PGE2 were decreased after the overexpression of miR-143 and miR-199a. Additionally, COX-2 silencing inhibited the tumorigenesis of OS and the synthesis of PGE2 in vivo.

Conclusions

miR-143 and miR-199a/COX-2 axis modulates the proliferation, invasion, and migration in osteosarcoma.

Regulatory role of miRNAs in the human immune and inflammatory response during the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses: A comprehensive review

miRNAs are single-stranded ncRNAs that act as regulators of different human body processes. Several miRNAs have been noted to control the human immune and inflammatory response during severe acute respiratory infection syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Similarly, many miRNAs were upregulated and downregulated during different respiratory virus infections. Here, an attempt has been made to capture the regulatory role of miRNAs in the human immune and inflammatory response during the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. Firstly, the role of miRNAs has been depicted in the human immune and inflammatory response during the infection of SARS-CoV-2. In this direction, several significant points have been discussed about SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as the role of miRNAs in human innate immune response; miRNAs and its regulation of granulocytes; the role of miRNAs in macrophage activation and polarisation; miRNAs and neutrophil extracellular trap formation; miRNA-related inflammatory response; and miRNAs association in adaptive immunity. Secondly, the miRNAs landscape has been depicted during human respiratory virus infections such as human coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, rhinovirus, and human metapneumovirus. The article will provide more understanding of the miRNA-controlled mechanism of the immune and inflammatory response during COVID-19, which will help more therapeutics discoveries to fight against the future pandemic.

MicroRNAs: Key modulators of inflammation-associated diseases

Inflammation is a multifaceted biological and pathophysiological response to injuries, infections, toxins, and inflammatory mechanisms that plays a central role in the progression of various diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are tiny, 19-25 nucleotides long, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression via post-transcriptional repression. In this review, we highlight the recent findings related to the significant roles of miRNAs in regulating various inflammatory cascades and immunological processes in the context of many lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc. We also converse on how miRNAs can have a dual impact on inflammatory responses, suggesting that regulation of their functions for therapeutic purposes may be disease-specific.

A novel Mycobacterium Tuberculosis antigen, MTB48 enhances inflammatory response in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage immune cells

Mtb (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is a pathogenic bacterium that causes tuberculosis infection (TB). Mtb-secreted proteins have recently been investigated as virulence factors, as well as therapeutic and vaccine possibilities. The early-secreted antigen target MTB48 is one of these proteins that has been explored as a cocktail antigen in the serodiagnosis of active tuberculosis. However, there exists no information about the function or control of MTB48's inflammatory activity in macrophages at the site of inflammation. As a result, the goal of this research was to figure out what processes are involved in MTB48's function. MTB48 stimulated inflammation in LPS induced macrophages at both the protein and mRNA levels, which was interesting. MTB48 aided LPS induced IB phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation. MTB48 also led to the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling protein. These findings imply that MTB48 can enhance inflammatory activity via NF-κB and MAPK signaling by upregulating COX-2, iNOS, NO and PGE2. Many tuberculosis antigens have been tested for the development of rapid serological diagnosis. The results of this study suggest that MTB48 is a very high conservative antigen and is a major factor causing inflammatory reactions, suggesting that it can help control and diagnose tuberculosis.

A potential cure for tumor-associated immunosuppression by Toxoplasma gondii

BACKGROUND

Recently, immunotherapy has become very hopeful for cancer therapy. Cancer treatment through immunotherapy has excellent specificity and less toxicity than conventional chemoradiotherapy. Pathogens have been used in cancer immunotherapy for a long time. The current study aims to evaluate the possibility of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) as a probable treatment for cancers such as melanoma, breast, ovarian, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Nonreplicating type I uracil auxotrophic mutants of T. gondii can stimulate immune responses against tumors by reverse immunosuppression at the cellular level. T. gondii can be utilized to research T helper 1 (Th1) cell immunity in intracellular infections. Avirulent T. gondii uracil auxotroph vaccine can change the tumor's immunosuppression and improve the production of type 1 helper cell cytokines, i.e., Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and activate tumor-related Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8+) T cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. The T. gondii profilin protein, along with T. gondii secreted proteins, have been found to exhibit promising properties in the treatment of various cancers. These proteins are being studied for their potential to inhibit tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies. Their unique mechanisms of action make them valuable candidates for targeted interventions in ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer treatments.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the study underscores the significant potential of harnessing T. gondii, including its diverse array of proteins and antigens, particularly in its avirulent form, as a groundbreaking approach in cancer immunotherapy.

Role of a Polyphenol-Enriched Blueberry Preparation on Inhibition of Melanoma Cancer Stem Cells and Modulation of MicroRNAs

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer known for its high mortality rate. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that significantly contribute to tumour recurrence and differentiation. Epigenetic-specific changes involving miRNAs maintain CSCs. Plant polyphenols have been reported to be involved in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy, with miRNAs being the novel effectors in their biological activities. A polyphenol-enriched blueberry preparation (PEBP) derived from fermented blueberries has demonstrated promising chemopreventative properties on breast cancer stem cells by influencing inflammatory pathways and miRNAs. In our current investigation, we seek to unveil the impact of PEBP on inhibiting melanoma development and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our study employs various human cell lines, including an ex vivo cell line derived from a patient's metastatic tumour. We found that it elevates miR-200c, increasing E-cadherin expression and inhibiting miR-210-3p through NF-κB signalling, impacting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a critical process in cancer progression. PEBP increases the SOCS1 expression, potentially contributing to miR-210-3p inhibition. Experiments involving miRNA manipulation confirm their functional roles. The study suggests that PEBP's anti-inflammatory effects involve regulating miR-200c and miR-210 expression and their targets in EMT-related pathways. The overall aim is to provide evidence-based supportive care and preclinical evaluation of PEBP, offering a promising strategy for skin cancer chemoprevention.

Protective Mechanisms of Polyphenol-Enriched Blueberry Preparation in Preventing Inflammation in the Skin against UVB-Induced Damage in an Animal Model

UVB significantly impacts the occurrence of cutaneous disorders, ranging from inflammatory to neoplastic diseases. Polyphenols derived from plants have been found to exhibit photoprotective effects against various factors that contribute to skin cancer. During the fermentation of the polyphenol-enriched blueberry preparation (PEBP), small oligomers of polyphenols were released, thus enhancing their photoprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of PEBP on UVB-induced skin inflammation. Topical preparations of polyphenols were applied to the skin of dorsally shaved mice. Mice were subsequently exposed to UVB and were sacrificed 90 min after UVB exposure. This study revealed that pretreatment with PEBP significantly inhibited UVB-induced recruitment of mast and neutrophil cells and prevented the loss of skin thickness. Furthermore, the findings show that PEBP treatment resulted in the downregulation of miR-210, 146a, and 155 and the upregulation of miR-200c and miR-205 compared to the UVB-irradiated mice. Additionally, PEBP was found to reduce the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα, inhibiting COX-2 and increasing IL-10 after UVB exposure. Moreover, DNA methylation analysis indicated that PEBP might potentially reduce the activation of inflammation-related pathways such as MAPK, Wnt, Notch, and PI3K-AKT signaling. Our finding suggests that topical application of PEBP treatment may effectively prevent UVB-induced skin damage by inhibiting inflammation.

miR-146a inhibits ovarian tumor growth in vivo via targeting immunosuppressive neutrophils and enhancing CD8+ T cell infiltration

Immunotherapies have emerged as promising strategies for cancer treatment. However, existing immunotherapies have poor activity in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the associated low tumoral CD8+ T cell (CTL) infiltration. Through multiple lines of evidence, including integrative analyses of human HGSC tumors, we have identified miR-146a as a master regulator of CTL infiltration in HGSC. Tumoral miR-146a expression is positively correlated with anti-cancer immune signatures in human HGSC tumors, and delivery of miR-146a to tumors resulted in significant reduction in tumor growth in both ID8-p53-/- and IG10 murine HGSC models. Increasing miR-146a expression in tumors improved anti-tumor immune responses by decreasing immune suppressive neutrophils and increasing CTL infiltration. Mechanistically, miR-146a targets IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 adaptor molecules of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB signaling pathway in ID8-p53-/- cells and decreases production of the downstream neutrophil chemoattractant, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1. In addition to HGSC, tumoral miR-146a expression also correlates strongly with CTL infiltration in other cancer types including thyroid, prostate, breast, and adrenocortical cancers. Altogether, our findings highlight the ability of miR-146a to overcome immune suppression and improve CTL infiltration in tumors.

Inhibition of lncRNA RPPH1 activity decreases tumor proliferation and metastasis through down-regulation of inflammation-related oncogenes

OBJECTIVE

Ribonuclease P RNA component H1 (RPPH1) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with cancer progression. Higher RPPH1 expression in breast and cervical cancer samples than that in normal tissues were observed through the lncRNASNP2 database; therefore, silencing RPPH1 expression might be a potential strategy for cancer treatments, even though RPPH1 is also an RNA subunit of ribonuclease P involved in processing transfer RNA (tRNA) precursors and the effect of RPPH1 knockdown is not yet fully understood.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through RNA sequencing in each shRNA-transfected RPPH1 knockdown MDA-MB-231, RPPH1 knockdown HeLa cell, and respective control cells, then the gene ontology enrichment analysis was performed by IPA and MetaCore database according to these DEGs, with further in vitro experiments validating the effect of RPPH1 silencing in MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cells.

RESULTS

Hundreds of down-regulated DEGs were identified in RPPH1 knockdown MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cells while bioinformatics analysis revealed that these genes were involved in pathways related to immune response and cancerogenesis. Compared to mock- and vector-transfected cells, the production of mature tRNAs, cell proliferation and migration capacity were inhibited in RPPH1-silenced HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, RPPH1 knockdown promoted G1 cell cycle arrest mainly through the down-regulation of cyclin D1, although glycolytic pathways were only affected in RPPH1 knockdown HeLa cells but not MDA-MB-231 cells.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that knockdown RPPH1 affected tRNA production, cell proliferation and metabolism. Our findings might provide insight into the role of RPPH1 in tumor development.

N-Acetylcysteine and Atherosclerosis: Promises and Challenges

Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Although the mechanism for atherosclerosis is complex and has not been fully understood, inflammation and oxidative stress play a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been used as a mucolytic agent and an antidote for acetaminophen overdose with a well-established safety profile. NAC has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through multiple mechanisms, including an increase in the intracellular glutathione level and an attenuation of the nuclear factor kappa-B mediated production of inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that NAC significantly decreases the development and progression of atherosclerosis. However, the data on the outcomes of clinical studies in patients with atherosclerosis have been limited and inconsistent. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data on the effect of NAC on atherosclerosis from both pre-clinical and clinical studies and discuss the potential mechanisms of action of NAC on atherosclerosis, as well as challenges in the field.

Associations Between Diet Quality and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a class of heterogenous cancers involving the upper aerodigestive tract. We previously demonstrated the utility of a priori diet quality indices for predicting survival after an HNSCC diagnosis. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the role of those a priori diet quality indices and proinflammatory cytokines in newly diagnosed HNSCC survivors.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional data from a sample (n = 146; mean age 59.6 y; 79.3% male) from the University of Michigan Head and Neck Specialized Program of Research Excellence prospective longitudinal cohort study. Dietary intake was measured at pretreatment using a food frequency questionnaire. Serum samples were also collected at pretreatment. Covariate-adjusted proportional odds and logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between 6 diet quality indices (Alternative Healthy Eating Index [AHEI]-2010, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH], and 3 low-carbohydrate indices) and serum measures of a panel of 10 inflammatory cytokines and a cytokine summary composite score.

Results

Higher scores on the AHEI-2010 and DASH diet quality indices were associated with higher odds of lower cytokine value scores for several cytokines and for the cytokine summary composite score (AHEI-2010-odds ratio [OR]: 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10, 2.20; DASH-OR: 1.65; 95% CI 1.15, 2.36).

Conclusions

Higher scores on the AHEI-2010 and DASH diet quality indices may be associated with lower proinflammatory cytokine levels in HNSCC survivors.

Upregulation of miR-21 and pro-inflammatory cytokine genes IL-6 and TNF-α in promoting a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment in canine mammary carcinomas

This study evaluated the gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in canine mammary tumors (CMTs), and correlated them with gene expression of miRNAs expected to regulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, gene expression of cytokines and miRNAs involved in tumor cell proliferation and invasion (i.e. miR-21; miR-124; miR-145) were correlated with tumor proliferation index (Ki67 index) to determine the prognostic value in CMTs. Twenty-six canine mammary samples were used, including 22 CMTs and 4 control samples. MiR-21, IL-6 and TNF-α were upregulated in mammary carcinomas compared with controls (p < 0.05). MiR-146b was downregulated in CMTs compared with control cases (p < 0.05). IL-6 expression showed a significant positive correlation with miR-21 and a negative correlation with miR-146b; while, TNF-α gene expression was positively correlated with miR-21 and miR-145 in mammary carcinomas. In carcinomas, the Ki67 index correlated positively with gene expression of IL-6 and miR-21 and negatively correlated with miR-145 and miR-146b. Specifically, gene expression of IL-6 and miR-21 was positively correlated with ki67 index >33.3%, whereas, expression of miR-145 and miR-146b was negatively correlated with ki67 index <33.3%. Results reinforce the concept of interaction between tumor cells and inflammatory cells within the TME, with a central role of IL-6 and TNF-α. Since the upregulation of miR-21 reflects the gene overexpression of interleukins and the high proliferation index of tumor cells, this miRNA may be considered a biomarker with prognostic value in CMTs.

The influence of selected microRNAs on the expression profile of genes and proteins related to the tumor necrosis factor-alpha signaling pathways in endometrioid endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

Tumor necrosis factor exerts many adverse biological effects, from cell proliferation to cell death. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are therefore difficult due to many factors influencing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) signaling, including microRNAs (miRNAs), especially in tumors. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of miRNAs on the expression profile of genes and proteins related to TNF-α signaling in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

The material consisted of 45 endometrioid endometrial cancer and 45 normal endometrium tissue samples. Gene expression was determined with microarrays and then validated for TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and 2 (TNFR2), caveolin 1 (CAV1), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), and TGF-beta activated kinase 1 (MAP3K7)-binding protein 2 (TAB2) using real-time quantitative reverse transcription reaction (RT-qPCR). The protein concentration was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, differentiating miRNAs were identified using miRNA microarrays and their relationships with TNF-α signaling genes were evaluated using the mirDIP tool.

RESULTS

TNF-α, TNFR1, TNFR2, CAV1, NFKB1, and TAB2 were upregulated both on the mRNA and protein levels. The decrease in the activity of miR-1207-5p, miR-1910-3p, and miR-940 may be related to CAV1 overexpression. Similarly for miR-572 and NFKB1 as well as miR-939-5p and TNF-α. In turn, miR-3178 may partially inhibit TNFR1 activity up to grade 2 cancer.

CONCLUSION

TNF-α signaling, especially the TNF-α/NF-κB axis, is disrupted in endometrial cancer and worsens with disease progression. The observed changes may be the result of miRNAs' activity in the initial stage of endometrial cancer and its gradual loss in later grades.

Cadmium exposure caused cardiotoxicity in common carps (Cyprinus carpio L.): miR-9-5p, oxidative stress, energetic impairment, mitochondrial division/fusion imbalance, inflammation, and autophagy

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal pollutant, is a threat to human and eatable fish health. Common carps are widely cultivated and eaten by humans. However, there are no reports about Cd-damaged common carp hearts. Our experiment attempted to investigate the cardiotoxicity of Cd to common carps by establishing a common carp Cd exposure model. Our results showed that Cd injured hearts. Moreover, Cd treatment induced autophagy via miR-9-5p/Sirt1/mTOR/ULK1 pathway. Cd exposure caused oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and oxidative stress; and led to energetic impairment. Energetic impairment partook in oxidative stress-mediated autophagy through AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway. Furthermore, Cd caused mitochondrial division/fusion imbalance and resulted in inflammatory injury via NF-κB-COX-2-PTGEs and NF-κB-COX-2-TNF-α pathways. Oxidative stress mediated mitochondrial division/fusion imbalance, further induced inflammation and autophagy via OPA1/NF-κB-COX-2-TNF-α-Beclin1 and OPA1/NF-κB-COX-2-TNF-α/P62 pathways under Cd treatment. Taken together, miR-9-5p, oxidative stress, energetic impairment, mitochondrial division/fusion imbalance, inflammation, and autophagy participated in the mechanism of Cd-cardiotoxicity to common carps. Our study revealed harmful effect of Cd on hearts, and provided new information for researches of environmental pollutant toxicity.

Crosstalk between Noncoding RNAs and the Epigenetics Machinery in Pediatric Tumors and Their Microenvironment

According to the World Health Organization, every year, an estimated 400,000+ new cancer cases affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric cancers develop very early in life due to alterations in signaling pathways that regulate embryonic development, and environmental factors do not contribute much to cancer development. The highly organized complex microenvironment controlled by synchronized gene expression patterns plays an essential role in the embryonic stages of development. Dysregulated development can lead to tumor initiation and growth. The low mutational burden in pediatric tumors suggests the predominant role of epigenetic changes in driving the cancer phenotype. However, one more upstream layer of regulation driven by ncRNAs regulates gene expression and signaling pathways involved in the development. Deregulation of ncRNAs can alter the epigenetic machinery of a cell, affecting the transcription and translation profiles of gene regulatory networks required for cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. Therefore, it is essential to understand the role of ncRNAs in pediatric tumor development to accelerate translational research to discover new treatments for childhood cancers. This review focuses on the role of ncRNA in regulating the epigenetics of pediatric tumors and their tumor microenvironment, the impact of their deregulation on driving pediatric tumor progress, and their potential as effective therapeutic targets.

Oxidative Stress and Epigenetics: miRNA Involvement in Rare Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) such as Sjögren’s syndrome, Kawasaki disease, and systemic sclerosis are characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and autoantibodies, which cause joint tissue damage, vascular injury, fibrosis, and debilitation. Epigenetics participate in immune cell proliferation and differentiation, which regulates the development and function of the immune system, and ultimately interacts with other tissues. Indeed, overlapping of certain clinical features between ADs indicate that numerous immunologic-related mechanisms may directly participate in the onset and progression of these diseases. Despite the increasing number of studies that have attempted to elucidate the relationship between miRNAs and oxidative stress, autoimmune disorders and oxidative stress, and inflammation and miRNAs, an overall picture of the complex regulation of these three actors in the pathogenesis of ADs has yet to be formed. This review aims to shed light from a critical perspective on the key AD-related mechanisms by explaining the intricate regulatory ROS/miRNA/inflammation axis and the phenotypic features of these rare autoimmune diseases. The inflamma-miRs miR-155 and miR-146, and the redox-sensitive miR miR-223 have relevant roles in the inflammatory response and antioxidant system regulation of these diseases. ADs are characterized by clinical heterogeneity, which impedes early diagnosis and effective personalized treatment. Redox-sensitive miRNAs and inflamma-miRs can help improve personalized medicine in these complex and heterogeneous diseases.

MicroRNA-155 and Disease-Related Immunohistochemical Parameters in Cutaneous Melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is a severe and life-threatening form of skin cancer with growing incidences. While novel interventions have improved prognoses for these patients, early diagnosis of targeted treatment remains the most effective approach. MicroRNAs have grown to good use as potential biomarkers for early detection and as targets for treatment. miR-155 is well-studied for its role in tumor cell survival and proliferation in various tissues, although its role in melanoma remains controversial. In silico data analysis was performed in the dbDEMC v.3 to identify differentially expressed miRNA. We validated gene targets in melanoma using TarBase v8.0 and miRPath v3.0 and determined protein-protein interactions of the target genes. One hundred forty patients (age range 21-90 years) with cutaneous melanoma who underwent resection were included. Molecular assessment using Real-Time RT-qPCR, clinicopathological associations, and a literature review for the different roles of miR-155 in melanoma were performed. Analysis of the dbDEMC reveals controversial findings. While there is evidence of upregulation of miR-155 in primary and metastatic melanoma samples, others suggest decreased expression in later-stage melanoma and cases with brain metastasis. miR-155 has been overexpressed in prior cases of melanoma and precancerous lesions, and it was found to be dysregulated when compared to benign nevi. While miR-155 expression was associated with favorable outcomes in some studies, others showed an association with metastasis. Patients with high levels of miR-155 also noted reduction after receiving anti-PD-1 treatment, correlated with more prolonged overall survival. In our patient's cohort, 22.9% relapsed during treatment, and 45% developed recurrence, associated with factors such as lymph node infiltration, high mitotic index, and positive staining for CD117. Although overall analysis revealed miR-155 downregulation in melanoma specimens compared to non-cancer tissues, increased expression of miR-155 was associated with cases of superficial spreading melanoma subtype (p = 0.005) and any melanoma with a high mitotic rate (p = 0.010). The analysis did not identify optimum cutoff values to predict relapse, recurrence, or mortality. In conclusion, miR-155 could have, in part, a potential prognostic utility in cutaneous melanoma. Further mechanistic studies are required to unravel the multifunctional role of miR-155 in melanoma.

Olive leaves extract alleviates inflammation and modifies the intrinsic apoptotic signal in the leukemic bone marrow

Introduction

Current anti-leukemic chemotherapies with multiple targets suffer from side effects. Synthetic drugs with huge off-target effects are detrimental to leukemic patients. Therefore, natural plant-based products are being increasingly tested for new anti-leukemic therapy with fewer or no side effects. Herein, we report the effect of ethanolic olive leaves extract (EOLE) on the K562 cell line and on the bone marrow (BM) of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced leukemic mice.

Methods

Using standard methodologies, we assessed viability, chromatin condensation, and induction of apoptosis in EOLE-treated K562 cells in-vitro. The anti-leukemic activity of EOLE was assayed by measuring ROS, levels of various cytokines, expression of iNOS and COX-2 gene, and changes in the level of important apoptosis regulatory and cell signaling proteins in-vivo.

Result

K562 cells underwent apoptotic induction after exposure to EOLE. In the BM of leukemic mice, EOLE therapy decreased the number of blast cells, ROS generation, and expression of NF-κB and ERK1/2. IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2 were among the inflammatory molecules that were down-regulated by EOLE therapy. Additionally, it decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins BCL2A1, BCL-xL, and MCL-1 in the BM of leukemic mice.

Discussion

Chronic inflammation and anomalous apoptotic mechanism both critically contribute to the malignant transformation of cells. Inflammation in the tumor microenvironment promotes the growth, survival, and migration of cancer cells, accelerating the disease. The current investigation showed that EOLE treatment reduces inflammation and alters the expression of apoptosis regulatory protein in the BM of leukemic mice, which may halt the progression of the disease.

miR-146a, miR-221, and miR-155 are Involved in Inflammatory Immune Response in Severe COVID-19 Patients

COVID-19 infection triggered a global public health crisis during the 2020-2022 period, and it is still evolving. This highly transmissible respiratory disease can cause mild symptoms up to severe pneumonia with potentially fatal respiratory failure. In this cross-sectional study, 41 PCR-positive patients for SARS-CoV-2 and 42 healthy controls were recruited during the first wave of the pandemic in Mexico. The plasmatic expression of five circulating miRNAs involved in inflammatory and pathological host immune responses was assessed using RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction). Compared with controls, a significant upregulation of miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-221 was observed; miR-146a had a positive correlation with absolute neutrophil count and levels of brain natriuretic propeptide (proBNP), and miR-221 had a positive correlation with ferritin and a negative correlation with total cholesterol. We found here that CDKN1B gen is a shared target of miR-146a, miR-221-3p, and miR-155-5p, paving the way for therapeutic interventions in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC curve built with adjusted variables (miR-146a, miR-221-3p, miR-155-5p, age, and male sex) to differentiate individuals with severe COVID-19 showed an AUC of 0.95. The dysregulation of circulating miRNAs provides new insights into the underlying immunological mechanisms, and their possible use as biomarkers to discriminate against patients with severe COVID-19. Functional analysis showed that most enriched pathways were significantly associated with processes related to cell proliferation and immune responses (innate and adaptive). Twelve of the predicted gene targets have been validated in plasma/serum, reflecting their potential use as predictive prognosis biomarkers.

Segmental Upregulation of ASIC1 Channels in the Formalin Acute Pain Mouse Model

BACKGROUND

Hindpaw injection of formalin in rodents is used to assess acute persistent pain. The response to formalin is biphasic. The initial response (first minutes) is thought to be linked to inflammatory, peripheral mechanisms, while the latter (around 30 min after the injection), is linked to central mechanisms. This model is useful to analyze the effect of drugs at one or both phases, and the involvement of ion channels in the response. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) regulate synaptic activities and play important roles in pain conditions. Recently, psalmotoxin-1 (Pctx-1), a toxin that inhibits ASIC1a-constituted channels, and antisense ASIC1a-RNA, intrathecal administered in mice were shown to affect both phases of the test.

METHODS

The mouse formalin test was performed on C57/BL6 7- to 9-week-old mice. Behavioral tests were conducted and tissue was extracted to detect proteins (ASIC1 and pERK) and ASIC1-mRNA and mir485-5p levels.

RESULTS

The injection of formalin was accompanied by an increase in ASIC1 levels. This was detected at the contralateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) compared to the ipsilateral side, and both sides of the ACC of vehicle-injected animals. At the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia, ASIC1 levels followed a gradient stronger at lumbar (L) 3 and decreased towards L5. Gender differences were detected at the ACC; with female mice showing higher ASIC1a levels at the ACC. No significant changes in ASIC1-mRNA levels were detected. Evidence suggests ASIC1 upregulation depends on regulatory microRNAs.

CONCLUSION

This work highlights the important role of ASIC1 in pain and the potential role of pharmacological therapies aimed at this channel.

miRNAs: The Key Regulator of COVID-19 Disease

As many parts of the world continue to fight the innumerable waves of COVID-19 infection, SARS-CoV-2 continues to sculpt its antigenic determinants to enhance its virulence and evolvability. Several vaccines were developed and used around the world, and oral antiviral medications are being developed against SARS-CoV-2. However, studies showed that the virus is mutating in line with the antibody's neutralization escape; thus, new therapeutic alternatives are solicited. We hereby review the key role that miRNAs can play as epigenetic mediators of the cross-talk between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cells. The limitations resulting from the "virus intelligence" to escape and antagonize the host miRNAs as well as the possible mechanisms that could be used in the viral evasion strategies are discussed. Lastly, we suggest new therapeutic approaches based on viral miRNAs.

Harnessing tumorous flaws for immune supremacy: is miRNA-155 the weak link in breast cancer progression?

With the advent of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, treatment strategies for late-stage cancers have seen a radical advancement. In this issue of the JCI, Wang et al. characterize the functional role of miR-155 in breast cancer and its potential in harnessing the efficacy of immunotherapy. The study reports that high expression levels of miR-155 in breast cancer cells downregulated suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), increased the phosphorylated STAT1 (pSTAT1)/pSTAT3 ratio, and thereby stimulated chemoattractants for tumor infiltration of effector T cells. Moreover, miR-155 overexpression set the stage for ICB therapy via increased programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on cancer cells and enhanced immunological memory response via the release of miR-155–containing extracellular vesicles. Collectively, these data suggest that miR-155 is a strong candidate as a prognostic biomarker for ICB therapy.

Point-of-care electrochemical testing of biomarkers involved in inflammatory and inflammatory-associated medical conditions

Recent years have shown that the diagnosis and monitoring of biomarkers involved in inflammatory-associated medical conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders, viral infections, or daily physical activities offer real benefits in increasing the quality of medical care and patient life quality. In this context, the use of integrated and portable platforms as point-of-care testing devices for biomedical analysis to enable early disease diagnosis and monitoring, which can be successfully used even at the patient's bed, is an emergency nowadays. The development of low-cost, miniaturized, and portable, user-friendly devices that provide an answer in a timely manner, such as electrochemical sensors, is relevant for the elaboration of point-of-care testing devices. This review focuses on the recent progress in bioanalysis of both specific biomarkers and inflammatory-associated biomarkers present in several diseases like neoplasia, severe neurological disorders, viral infections, and usual physical activity and provides an overview of the state of the art over the most recent electrochemical (bio)sensors for the detection of inflammation-related biomarkers. Future perspectives of point-of-care testing to improve healthcare management are also discussed.

Anti-Inflammatory microRNAs for Treating Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Skin inflammation occurs due to immune dysregulation because of internal disorders, infections, and allergic reactions. The inflammation of the skin is a major sign of chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and lupus erythematosus. Although there are many therapies for treating these cutaneous inflammation diseases, their recurrence rates are high due to incomplete resolution. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a critical role in skin inflammation by regulating the expression of protein-coding genes at the posttranscriptional level during pathogenesis and homeostasis maintenance. Some miRNAs possess anti-inflammatory features, which are beneficial for mitigating the inflammatory response. miRNAs that are reduced in inflammatory skin diseases can be supplied transiently using miRNA mimics and agomir. miRNA-based therapies that can target multiple genes in a given pathway are potential candidates for the treatment of skin inflammation. This review article offers an overview of the function of miRNA in skin inflammation regulation, with a focus on psoriasis, AD, and cutaneous wounds. Some bioactive molecules can target and modulate miRNAs to achieve the objective of inflammation suppression. This review also reports the anti-inflammatory efficacy of these molecules through modulating miRNA expression. The main limitations of miRNA-based therapies are rapid biodegradation and poor skin and cell penetration. Consideration was given to improving these drawbacks using the approaches of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), nanocarriers, exosomes, and low-frequency ultrasound. A formulation design for successful miRNA delivery into skin and target cells is also described in this review. The possible use of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic modalities could open a novel opportunity for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammation-associated skin diseases.

Epigenetic underpinnings of inflammation: Connecting the dots between pulmonary diseases, lung cancer and COVID-19

Inflammation is an essential component of several respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It is central to lung cancer, the leading cancer in terms of associated mortality that has affected millions of individuals worldwide. Inflammation and pulmonary manifestations are also the major causes of COVID-19 related deaths. Acute hyperinflammation plays an important role in the COVID-19 disease progression and severity, and development of protective immunity against the virus is greatly sought. Further, the severity of COVID-19 is greatly enhanced in lung cancer patients, probably due to the genes such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, PAI-1 and furin that are commonly involved in cancer progression as well as SAR-CoV-2 infection. The importance of inflammation in pulmonary manifestations, cancer and COVID-19 calls for a closer look at the underlying processes, particularly the associated increase in IL-6 and other cytokines, the dysregulation of immune cells and the coagulation pathway. Towards this end, several reports have identified epigenetic regulation of inflammation at different levels. Expression of several key inflammation-related cytokines, chemokines and other genes is affected by methylation and acetylation while non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs as well as long non-coding RNAs, also affect the overall inflammatory responses. Select miRNAs can regulate inflammation in COVID-19 infection, lung cancer as well as other inflammatory lung diseases, and can serve as epigenetic links that can be therapeutically targeted. Furthermore, epigenetic changes also mediate the environmental factors-induced inflammation. Therefore, a better understanding of epigenetic regulation of inflammation can potentially help develop novel strategies to prevent, diagnose and treat chronic pulmonary diseases, lung cancer and COVID-19.

Plants as a Source of Anticancer Agents: From Bench to Bedside

Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Conventional anticancer therapies are associated with lack of selectivity and serious side effects. Cancer hallmarks are biological capabilities acquired by cancer cells during neoplastic transformation. Targeting multiple cancer hallmarks is a promising strategy to treat cancer. The diversity in chemical structure and the relatively low toxicity make plant-derived natural products a promising source for the development of new and more effective anticancer therapies that have the capacity to target multiple hallmarks in cancer. In this review, we discussed the anticancer activities of ten natural products extracted from plants. The majority of these products inhibit cancer by targeting multiple cancer hallmarks, and many of these chemicals have reached clinical applications. Studies discussed in this review provide a solid ground for researchers and physicians to design more effective combination anticancer therapies using plant-derived natural products.

Noncoding RNAs as sensors of tumor microenvironmental stress

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to modulate the biological behavior of tumors intensively. Multiple stress conditions are widely observed in the TME of many cancer types, such as hypoxia, inflammation, and nutrient deprivation. Recently, accumulating evidence demonstrates that the expression levels of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are dramatically altered by TME stress, and the dysregulated ncRNAs can in turn regulate tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we elaborate on the signal transduction pathways or epigenetic pathways by which hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), inflammatory factors, and nutrient deprivation in TME regulate ncRNAs, and highlight the pivotal roles of TME stress-related ncRNAs in tumors. This helps to clarify the molecular regulatory networks between TME and ncRNAs, which may provide potential targets for cancer therapy.

Chemokines and chemokine receptors in colorectal cancer; multifarious roles and clinical impact

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered the second cause of cancer death worldwide. The early diagnosis plays a key role in patient prognosis and subsequently overall survival. Similar to several types of cancer, colorectal cancer is also characterised by drug resistance and heterogeneity that contribute to its complexity -especially at advanced stages. However, despite the extensive research related to the identification of biomarkers associated to early diagnosis, accurate prognosis and the management of CRC patients, little progress has been made thus far. Therefore, the mortality rates, especially at advanced stages, remain high. A large family of chemoattractant cytokines called chemokines are known for their significant role in inflammation and immunity. Chemokines released by the different tumorous cells play a key role in increasing the complexity of the tumour's microenvironment. The current review investigates the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in colorectal cancer and their potential as clinical molecular signatures that could be effectively used as a personalised therapeutic approach. We discussed how chemokine and chemokine receptors regulate the microenvironment and lead to heterogeneity in CRC. An important aspect of chemokines is their role in drug resistance which has been extensively discussed. This review also provides an overview of the current advances in the search for chemokines and chemokine receptors in CRC.

Investigation of the protective and therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a breast cancer mouse model

Introduction

The development of novel strategies for cancer therapy is crucial to improve standard treatment protocols.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the protective and therapeutic effects of heat-killed preparations of Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a breast cancer mouse model.

Methods

Forty-two female BALB/c mice (7-8 weeks old) were divided into six groups (seven mice per group). Four groups were injected with 107 Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) subcutaneously into the left side of the mammary fat pad. Tumor growth was monitored weekly until all animals developed a palpable tumor. The tumor-bearing mice in the experimental groups received heat-killed L. casei or S. cerevisiae three times per week for 35 days. The mice in the control group received PBS. The remaining two groups received heated L. casei or S. cerevisiae and then were injected with EAT cells. After 35 days, all mice were sacrificed to determine the immune response.

Results

Animals that received heated S. cerevisiae exhibited the lowest rate of tumor growth compared with the other groups. TGF-β and IL-4 secretion was increased in all mice, whereas the secretion of INF-γ and IL-10 was decreased in breast tissues. Moreover, at the histopathological level, the volume of viable tumor in the control group was higher than in the treated groups.

Conclusion

Supplementary treatment with S. cerevisiae resulted in the best outcome in the breast cancer model compared with other treated and vaccinated groups.

Hypoxia as a Modulator of Inflammation and Immune Response in Cancer

A clear association between hypoxia and cancer has heretofore been established; however, it has not been completely developed. In this sense, the understanding of the tumoral microenvironment is critical to dissect the complexity of cancer, including the reduction in oxygen distribution inside the tumoral mass, defined as tumoral hypoxia. Moreover, hypoxia not only influences the tumoral cells but also the surrounding cells, including those related to the inflammatory processes. In this review, we analyze the participation of HIF, NF-κB, and STAT signaling pathways as the main components that interconnect hypoxia and immune response and how they modulate tumoral growth. In addition, we closely examine the participation of the immune cells and how they are affected by hypoxia, the effects of the progression of cancer, and some innovative applications that take advantage of this knowledge, to suggest potential therapies. Therefore, we contribute to the understanding of the complexity of cancer to propose innovative therapeutic strategies in the future.

The paradigm of drug resistance in cancer: an epigenetic perspective

Innate and acquired resistance towards the conventional therapeutic regimen imposes a significant challenge for the successful management of cancer for decades. In patients with advanced carcinomas, acquisition of drug resistance often leads to tumor recurrence and poor prognosis after the first therapeutic cycle. In this context, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the prime drivers of therapy resistance in cancer due to their 'non-targetable' nature. Drug resistance in cancer is immensely influenced by different properties of CSCs such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a profound expression of drug efflux pump genes, detoxification genes, quiescence, and evasion of apoptosis, has been highlighted in this review article. The crucial epigenetic alterations that are intricately associated with regulating different mechanisms of drug resistance, have been discussed thoroughly. Additionally, special attention is drawn towards the epigenetic mechanisms behind the interaction between the cancer cells and their microenvironment which assists in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Finally, we have provided a cumulative overview of the alternative treatment strategies and epigenome-modifying therapies that show the potential of sensitizing the resistant cells towards the conventional treatment strategies. Thus, this review summarizes the epigenetic and molecular background behind therapy resistance, the prime hindrance of present day anti-cancer therapies, and provides an account of the novel complementary epi-drug-based therapeutic strategies to combat drug resistance.

miRNAs in Lymphocytic Leukaemias-The miRror of Drug Resistance

Refractory disease and relapse remain the main causes of cancer therapy failure. Refined risk stratification, treatment regimens and improved early diagnosis and detection of minimal residual disease have increased cure rates in malignancies like childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) to 90%. Nevertheless, overall survival in the context of drug resistance remains poor. The regulatory role of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in cell differentiation, homeostasis and tumorigenesis has been under extensive investigation in different cancers. There is accumulating data demonstrating the significance of miRNAs for therapy outcomes in lymphoid malignancies and some direct demonstrations of the interplay between these small molecules and drug response. Here, we summarise miRNAs' impact on chemotherapy resistance in adult and paediatric ALL and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The main focus of this review is on the modulation of particular signaling pathways like PI3K-AKT, transcription factors such as NF-κB, and apoptotic mediators, all of which are bona fide and pivotal elements orchestrating the survival of malignant lymphocytic cells. Finally, we discuss the attractive strategy of using mimics, antimiRs and other molecular approaches pointing at miRNAs as promising therapeutic targets. Such novel strategies to circumvent ALL and CLL resistance networks may potentially improve patients' responses and survival rates.

Elevated baseline circulating platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and survival in initial stage Ⅳ gastric cancer patients: A meta-analysis

Background

Systemic inflammatory response (SIR) plays important roles in initiation, promotion and progression of tumor. However, the prognostic role of baseline circulating platelet–to–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (known as a marker of SIR) in human initial stage Ⅳ gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. Hence, we performed this meta-analysis to assess the value of it in prognosis prediction for these patients.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and EBSCO to identify the studies and computed extracted data with STATA 12.0.

Results

A total of 3025 patients with initial stage Ⅳ GC from 13 published studies were incorporated into this meta-analysis. We found that elevated baseline circulating PLR was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (OS), but not with progression–free survival (PFS) in stage Ⅳ GC patients. However, in stratified analyses, high PLR was only associated with worse 1-year and 2-year OS, but not with 3-year or 4-year OS; In addition, it was considerably related with reduced 6-month PFS, but not with 1-year or 2-year PFS. Moreover, high PLR markedly correlated with peritoneal metastasis of GC.

Conclusion

Elevated baseline circulating PLR decreased 1-year OS and 6-month PFS in initial stage Ⅳ GC patients, implicating that it is a valuable prognostic index for these patients and modifying the inflammatory responses may have a potential for effective treatment.

Bronchial Aspirate-Based Profiling Identifies MicroRNA Signatures Associated With COVID-19 and Fatal Disease in Critically Ill Patients

Background

The pathophysiology of COVID-19-related critical illness is not completely understood. Here, we analyzed the microRNA (miRNA) profile of bronchial aspirate (BAS) samples from COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU to identify prognostic biomarkers of fatal outcomes and to define molecular pathways involved in the disease and adverse events.

Methods

Two patient populations were included (n = 89): (i) a study population composed of critically ill COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients; (ii) a prospective study cohort composed of COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors among patients assisted by invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). BAS samples were obtained by bronchoaspiration during the ICU stay. The miRNA profile was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Detailed biomarker and bioinformatics analyses were performed.

Results

The deregulation in five miRNA ratios (miR-122-5p/miR-199a-5p, miR-125a-5p/miR-133a-3p, miR-155-5p/miR-486-5p, miR-214-3p/miR-222-3p, and miR-221-3p/miR-27a-3p) was observed when COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients were compared. In addition, five miRNA ratios segregated between ICU survivors and nonsurvivors (miR-1-3p/miR-124-3p, miR-125b-5p/miR-34a-5p, miR-126-3p/miR-16-5p, miR-199a-5p/miR-9-5p, and miR-221-3p/miR-491-5p). Through multivariable analysis, we constructed a miRNA ratio-based prediction model for ICU mortality that optimized the best combination of miRNA ratios (miR-125b-5p/miR-34a-5p, miR-199a-5p/miR-9-5p, and miR-221-3p/miR-491-5p). The model (AUC 0.85) and the miR-199a-5p/miR-9-5p ratio (AUC 0.80) showed an optimal discrimination value and outperformed the best clinical predictor for ICU mortality (days from first symptoms to IMV initiation, AUC 0.73). The survival analysis confirmed the usefulness of the miRNA ratio model and the individual ratio to identify patients at high risk of fatal outcomes following IMV initiation. Functional enrichment analyses identified pathological mechanisms implicated in fibrosis, coagulation, viral infections, immune responses and inflammation.

Conclusions

COVID-19 induces a specific miRNA signature in BAS from critically ill patients. In addition, specific miRNA ratios in BAS samples hold individual and collective potential to improve risk-based patient stratification following IMV initiation in COVID-19-related critical illness. The biological role of the host miRNA profiles may allow a better understanding of the different pathological axes of the disease.

Advances in the application of Let-7 microRNAs in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of leukemia

The lethal-7 (Let-7) family of microRNAs (miRNAs) controls the process of development and differentiation, but is also related to the occurrence of tumors and a poor prognosis of patients with tumors. Thus, a more comprehensive exploration of its functions will provide further insights into these processes, and may promote the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Leukemia is a type of progressive malignant disease, and its pathogenesis involves a variety of epigenetic factors. Amongst the several related epigenetic factors, the Let-7 miRNAs are an important family of molecules that play a crucial role in maintaining a variety of critical biological processes, including development, differentiation and proliferation. In the present study, the role of Let-7 as a tumor suppressor gene and oncogene is reviewed, and the complex regulatory functions of several Let-7 family members in different subtypes of leukemia are described. The current body of knowledge thus far indicates that Let-7 is not only a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of leukemia, but also a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of affected patients, with particular potential when targeted by adjuvant treatments alongside traditional treatment to improve their survival rate.

Genetic Polymorphisms in NLRP3 Inflammasome-Associated Genes in Patients with B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Purpose

The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the progression of many diseases has been increasingly recognized. However, the function of this molecular assembly in the development and progression of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma remains unclear.

Patients and Methods

In this study, we investigated the polymorphisms in the NLRP3 inflammasome associated genes in 281 patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 385 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Results

We found that IL-18 (rs1946518) and NFκB-94 ins/del (rs28362491) contributed to susceptibility to B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Specifically, the allele "G" in IL-18 (rs1946518) and allele "ins" in NFκB-94 ins/del (rs28362491) were significantly associated with the risk of disease. The AA genotype of CARD8 (rs2043211) and the higher level of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) led to statistically poorer B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survival. Less frequent genotype TT of CARD8 (rs2043211) was observed in patients with higher LDH level, clinical stages III-IV of disease, and IPI 3-5, although the relationship did not reach statistical significance. However, IPI is an independent prognostic factor for B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conclusion

IL-18 (rs1946518) and NFκB-94 ins/del (rs28362491) gene polymorphisms appear to be the factors influencing the risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. CARD8 (rs2043211) polymorphisms are important factors for the survival of patients with this disease.

miRNA as a Modulator of Immunotherapy and Immune Response in Melanoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising therapy for the treatment of cancers, including melanoma, that improved benefit clinical outcomes. However, a subset of melanoma patients do not respond or acquire resistance to immunotherapy, which limits their clinical applicability. Recent studies have explored the reasons related to the resistance of melanoma to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Of note, miRNAs are the regulators of not only cancer progression but also of the response between cancer cells and immune cells. Investigation of miRNA functions within the tumor microenvironment have suggested that miRNAs could be considered as key partners in immunotherapy. Here, we reviewed the known mechanism by which melanoma induces resistance to immunotherapy and the role of miRNAs in immune responses and the microenvironment.

Contributions of NFKB1 -94insertion/deletion ATTG polymorphism to the susceptibility of gastrointestinal cancers: A meta-analysis

Nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NF-κB1), a pleiotropic transcription factor, functions as a critical contributor to tumorigenesis. Growing numbers of case-control studies were carried out to analyse the potential contribution of NF-κB1 gene variants to gastrointestinal cancer risk, yet remains conflicting conclusions. Therefore, we conducted this most up-to-date meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between NF-κB1 gene insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism, namely -94ins/delATTG or rs28362491, and the susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases updated in April 2021 for relevant studies. Meta-analysis was carried out by software Stata11.0. The quantification of the relationship was determined by computing the combined odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analysis, the funnel plot and Begg's rank correlation test were also applied. Our findings indicate that -94ins/delATTG polymorphism could not significantly impact the susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers. Under any five genetic models, -94ins/delATTG polymorphism was not remarkedly linked to the risk of colorectal, gastric and oesophageal cancer, respectively. The significant role of -94ins/delATTG was only observed in some certain subgroups. Findings here suggest that NF-κB1 gene -94ins/delATTG polymorphism may not predispose to gastrointestinal cancer susceptibility.

The immunomodulatory effects of Candida albicans isolated from the normal gastrointestinal microbiome of the elderly on colorectal cancer

The association of gut microbiota with occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported in recent studies. Probiotics have been shown to mediate anti-cancer effects through immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum and Candida albicans in the suppression of azoxymethane-induced CRC in male Fischer 344 rats. 30 adult male Fischer 344 rats were divided into 6 distinct groups (n = 5 per group): non-treated animals, fat-food intake group, fat-food and carcinogen intake group, CRC cancer-induced rats treated with the chemotherapy drug, CRC-induced rats treated with Lactobacillus plantarum, and CRC-induced rats treated with Candida albicans. Identification of Candida albicans isolated from human feces was performed by microbiological, biochemical, and PCR methods. The serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, TGF-β, and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Pathological studies were performed through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining method. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc analysis. Shrinking cancer cells with very dark nuclei were observed in CRC-induced rats treated with the chemotherapy drug, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Candida albicans indicating the occurrence of apoptosis. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and TGF-β significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Lactobacillus plantarum and Candida albicans isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of the elderly and healthy individuals can efficiently improve CRC.