Chrysotobibenzyl inhibition of lung cancer cell migration through Caveolin-1-dependent mediation of the integrin switch and the sensitization of lung cancer cells to cisplatin-mediated apoptosis

Catalytic divergence of O-methyltransferases shapes the chemo-diversity of polymethoxylated bibenzyls in Dendrobium catenatum

Erianin, crepidatin, and chrysotobibenzyl are typical medicinal polymethoxylated bibenzyls (PMBs) that are commercially produced in Dendrobium species. PMBs' chemo-diversity is mediated by the manifold combinations of O-methylation and hydroxylation in a definite order, which remains unsolved. To unequivocally elucidate the methylation mechanism of PMBs, 15 possible intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway of PMBs were chemically synthesized. DcOMT1-5 were highly expressed in tissues where PMBs were biosynthesized, and their expression patterns were well-correlated with the accumulation profiles of PMBs. Moreover, cell-free orthogonal tests based on the synthesized intermediates further confirmed that DcOMT1-5 exhibited distinct substrate preferences and displayed hydroxyl-group regiospecificity during the sequential methylation process. The stepwise methylation of PMBs was discovered from SAM to dihydro-piceatannol (P) in the following order: P → 3-MeP → 4-OH-3-MeP → 4-OH-3,5-diMeP → 3,3'(4'),5-triMeP → 3,4,4',5-tetraMeP (erianin) or 3,3',4,5-tetraMeP (crepidatin) → 3,3',4,4',5-pentaMeP (chrysotobibenzyl). Furthermore, the regioselectivities of DcOMTs were investigated by ligand docking analyses which corresponded precisely with the catalytic activities. In summary, the findings shed light on the sequential catalytic mechanisms of PMB biosynthesis and provide a comprehensive PMB biosynthetic network in D. catenatum. The knowledge gained from this study may also contribute to the development of plant-based medicinal applications and the production of high-value PMBs.

Research progress on the regulatory and pharmacological mechanism of chemical components of Dendrobium

Dendrobium is a precious Chinese herbal medicine, which belongs to the genus Orchidaceae. Ancient records and modern pharmacological research show that Dendrobium has pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, antioxidant regulating immunity and blood glucose, and anti-aging. Dendrobium contains polysaccharides, alkaloids, bibenzyl, sesquiterpenes, phenanthrene, polyphenols and other types of chemicals. Its pharmacological activity is closely related to these chemical components. For example, dendrobium extracts can achieve anti-tumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, promoting cell apoptosis and ferroptosis, or increasing cell sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. It enhances immunity by regulating immune cell activity or cytokine release. In addition, it can alleviate neurodegenerative diseases by protecting nerve cells from apoptotic damage. In recent years, research reports on biologically active compounds in Dendrobium have shown a blowout growth, which makes us realize that it is meaningful to continuously update the research progress on the components and pharmacological regulatory mechanism of this traditional Chinese medicine. By classifying the collected chemical components according to different chemical structures and summarizing their pharmacological mechanisms, we investigated the current research progress of Dendrobium and provide a more comprehensive scientific foundation for the further development and clinical transformation of Dendrobium in the future.

The critical roles of caveolin-1 in lung diseases

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a structural and functional component in the caveolae, plays a critical role in transcytosis, endocytosis, and signal transduction. Cav-1 has been implicated in the mediation of cellular processes by interacting with a variety of signaling molecules. Cav-1 is widely expressed in the endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts in the various organs, including the lungs. The Cav-1-mediated internalization and regulation of signaling molecules participate in the physiological and pathological processes. Particularly, the MAPK, NF-κB, TGFβ/Smad, and eNOS/NO signaling pathways have been involved in the regulatory effects of Cav-1 in lung diseases. The important effects of Cav-1 on the lungs indicate that Cav-1 can be a potential target for the treatment of lung diseases. A Cav-1 scaffolding domain peptide CSP7 targeting Cav-1 has been developed. In this article, we mainly discuss the structure of Cav-1 and its critical roles in lung diseases, such as pneumonia, acute lung injury (ALI), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer.

CAMSAP3-mediated regulation of HMGB1 acetylation and subcellular localization in lung cancer cells: Implications for cell death modulation

BACKGROUND

Deregulation of cell death is a common characteristic of cancer, and resistance to this process often occurs in lung cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying an aberrant cell death is important. Recent studies have emphasized the involvement of calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated protein 3 (CAMSAP3) in lung cancer aggressiveness, its influence on cell death regulation remains largely unexplored.

METHODS

CAMSAP3 was knockout in lung cancer cells using CRISPR-Cas9 system. Cell death and autophagy were evaluated using MTT and autophagic detection assays. Protein interactions were performed by proteomic analysis and immunoprecipitation. Protein expressions and their cytoplasmic localization were analyzed through immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques.

RESULTS

This study reveals a significant correlation between low CAMSAP3 expression and poor overall survival rates in lung cancer patients. Proteomic analysis identified high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as a candidate interacting protein involved in the regulation of cell death. Treatment with trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs) resulted in increased HMGB1 acetylation and its translocation to the cytoplasm and secretion, thereby inducing autophagic cell death. However, this process was diminished in CAMSAP3 knockout lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, immunoprecipitation indicated an interaction between CAMSAP3 and HMGB1, particularly with its acetylated form, in which this complex was elevated in the presence of TSA.

CONCLUSIONS

CAMSAP3 is prerequisite for TSA-mediated autophagic cell death by interacting with cytoplasmic acetylated HMGB1 and enhancing its release.

SIGNIFICANT

This finding provides molecular insights into the role of CAMSAP3 in regulating cell death, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment.

Exploring Synergistic Interactions between Natural Compounds and Conventional Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Preclinical Models of Lung Cancer

In the current work, the synergy between natural compounds and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is comprehensively reviewed in light of current preclinical research findings. The prognosis for lung cancer patients is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 18.1%. The use of natural compounds in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs has gained significant attention as a potential novel approach in the treatment of lung cancer. The present work highlights the importance of finding more effective therapies to increase survival rates. Chemotherapy is a primary treatment option for lung cancer but it has limitations such as reduced effectiveness because cancer cells become resistant. Natural compounds isolated from medicinal plants have shown promising anticancer or chemopreventive properties and their synergistic effect has been observed when combined with conventional therapies. The combined use of an anti-cancer drug and a natural compound exhibits synergistic effects, enhancing overall therapeutic actions against cancer cells. In conclusion, this work provides an overview of the latest preclinical research on medicinal plants and plant-derived compounds as alternative or complementary treatment options for lung cancer chemotherapy and discusses the potential of natural compounds in treating lung cancer with minimal side effects.

Targeting Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Lung Cancer: Insights, Challenges, and Therapeutic Strategies

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is an ion-gated calcium channel that plays a significant role in various aspects of cancer pathogenesis, particularly in lung cancer. Preclinical studies have elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying α7 nAChR-associated lung cancer proliferation, chemotherapy resistance, and metastasis. Understanding and targeting this mechanism are crucial for developing therapeutic interventions aimed at disrupting α7 nAChR-mediated cancer progression and improving treatment outcomes. Drug research and discovery have determined natural compounds and synthesized chemical antagonists that specifically target α7 nAChR. However, approved α7 nAChR antagonists for clinical use are lacking, primarily due to challenges related to achieving the desired selectivity, efficacy, and safety profiles required for effective therapeutic intervention. This comprehensive review provided insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with α7 nAChR and its role in cancer progression, particularly in lung cancer. Furthermore, it presents an update on recent evidence about α7 nAChR antagonists and addresses the challenges encountered in drug research and discovery in this field.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer property of Dendrobium in various systems of the human body: A review

Dendrobium, which belongs to the family of Orchidaceae, is a highly valuable traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in China. It exerts pharmacological activities such as antitumor and hypoglycemia effects, and its main components are alkaloids, polysaccharides, and terpenoids, among others. In recent years, research on the clinical application of Dendrobium in antitumor therapy has gained increasing attention. Accumulating evidence suggests that the active components of Dendrobium possess significant inhibitory effects on the viability of cancer cells as evident from in vivo and in vitro experiments, which indicates that Dendrobium exerts significant anticancer effect in treating and preventing cancer development, inhibiting the underlying potential molecular mechanisms, including suppression of cancer cell growth and proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis induction, tumor angiogenesis, and reinforcement of cisplatin (DDP) -induced apoptosis. We herein present a review that summarizes the research progress of the application of Dendrobium in cancer therapy and its molecular mechanisms. This review describes the positive aspects of the active ingredients of Dendrobium in the treatment of cancers in various systems of the human body, their inhibitory effects on tumor survival and tumor microenvironment, and their potential mechanisms. Additionally, this review proposes future application prospects of Dendrobium in cancer therapy to promote further research and future extensive clinical applications of Dendrobium in cancer therapy.

CAMSAP3 negatively regulates lung cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis through nucleolin/HIF-1α mRNA complex stabilization

AIMS

Cancer metastasis is a major cause of lung cancer-related mortality, so identification of related molecular mechanisms is of interest. Calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated protein 3 (CAMSAP3) has been implicated in lung cancer malignancies; however, its role in metastatic processes, including invasion and angiogenesis, is largely unknown.

MAIN METHOD

The clinical relevance of CAMSAP3 expression in lung cancer was evaluated. The relevance of CAMSAP3 expression to in vitro cell invasion and angiogenesis was assessed in human lung cancer cells and endothelial cells, respectively. The molecular mechanism was identified by qRT-PCR, immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and RNA immunoprecipitation. The in vivo metastatic and angiogenic activities of lung cancer cells were assessed.

KEY FINDINGS

Low CAMSAP3 expression was found in malignant lung tissues and strongly correlated with a poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). CAMSAP3-knockout NSCLC exhibited high invasive ability, and CAMSAP3 knockout induced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation; these effects were significantly attenuated by reintroduction of exogenous wild-type CAMSAP3. Mechanistically, in the absence of CAMSAP3, the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was upregulated, which increased the levels of downstream HIF-1α targets such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9. Proteomic analysis revealed that nucleolin (NCL) bound to CAMSAP3 to regulate HIF-1α mRNA stabilization. In addition, CAMSAP3-knockout lung cancer cells displayed highly aggressive behavior in metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study reveals that CAMSAP3 plays a negative regulatory role in lung cancer cell metastatic behavior both in vitro and in vivo through NCL/HIF-1α mRNA complex stabilization.

Anticancer plant-derivatives: deciphering their oncopreventive and therapeutic potential in molecular terms

Background

Over the years, phytomedicines have been widely used as natural modalities for the treatment and prevention of various diseases by different ethnic groups across the globe. Although, 25% of drugs in the USA contain at least one plant-derived therapeutic compound, currently there is a paucity of plant-derived active medicinal ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. Scientific evidence-based translation of plant-derived ethnomedicines for their clinical application is an urgent need. The anticancer and associated properties (antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition) of various plant extracts and phytochemicals have been elucidated earlier. Several of the plant derivatives are already in use under prophylactic/therapeutic settings against cancer and many are being investigated under different phases of clinical trials.

Main body

The purpose of this study is to systematically comprehend the progress made in the area of prophylactic and therapeutic potential of the anticancerous plant derivatives. Besides, we aim to understand their anticancer potential in terms of specific sub-phenomena, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic and inhibition of EMT, with an insight of the molecules/pathways associated with them. The study also provides details of classes of anticancer compounds, their plant source(s) and the molecular pathway(s) targeted by them. In addition to the antioxidative and antiproliferative potentials of anticancer plant derivatives, this study emphasizes on their EMT-inhibition potential and other ‘anticancer related’ properties. The EMT is highlighted as a phenomenon of choice for targeting cancer due to its role in the induction of metastasis and drug resistance. Different phytochemicals in pre-clinical or clinical trials, with promising chemopreventive/anticancer activities have been enlisted and the plant compounds showing synergistic anticancer activity in combination with the existing drugs have been discussed. The review also unravels the need of carrying out pan-signalome studies for identifying the cardinal pathways modulated by phytomedicine(s), as in many cases, the molecular pathway(s) has/have been randomly studied.

Conclusion

This review systematically compiles the studies regarding the impact of various plant derivatives in different cancers and oncogenic processes, as tested in diverse experimental model systems. Availability of more comprehensive information on anticancer phyto-constituents, their relative abundance in crude drugs, pathways/molecules targeted by phytomedicines, their long-term toxicity data and information regarding their safe use under the combinatorial settings, would open greater avenues of their utilization in future against this dreaded disease.

Graphical Abstract

Recent Research Progress on Natural Stilbenes in Dendrobium Species

Dendrobium is the second biggest genus in the Orchidaceae family, and many of them have been utilized as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years in China. In the last few decades, constituents with great chemical diversity were isolated from Dendrobium, and a wide range of biological activities were detected, either for crude extracts or for pure compounds. Stilbene compound is one of the primary active constituents in the genus Dendrobium. At present, 267 stilbene compounds with clarified molecular structures have been extracted and isolated from 52 species of Dendrobium, including 124 phenanthrenes and 143 bibenzyls. At the same time, activity studies have indicated that 157 compounds have pharmaceutical activity. Among them, most of the compounds showed antitumor activity, followed by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Additionally, 54 compounds have multiple pharmacological activities, such as confusarin (14), 2,4,7-trihydroxy-9,10-dihydro-phenanthrene (43), moscatilin (148), gigantol (150) and batatasin III (151). This review summarizes current knowledge about the chemical composition of stilbene, bioactivities and pharmacologic effects in 52 species of Dendrobium. We also expect to provide a reference for further research, development and utilization of stilbene constituents in the Dendrobium genus.

Integrin β1 in Pancreatic Cancer: Expressions, Functions, and Clinical Implications

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving the survival rate of PC patients. Emerging studies show that integrins might contribute to the pathogenesis of PC. This review presents the various signaling pathways that are mediated by integrins in PC and emphasizes the multiple functions of integrin β1 in malignant behaviors of PC. It also discusses the clinical significance of integrin β1 as well as integrin β1-based therapy in PC patients.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by rapid progression and a high mortality rate. The current treatment is still based on surgical treatment, supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and new methods of combining immune and molecular biological treatments are being explored. Despite this, the survival rate of PC patients is still very disappointing. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanism of PC pathogenesis and developing precisely targeted drugs are key to improving PC prognosis. As the most common β subunit of the integrin family, integrin β1 has been proved to be closely related to the vascular invasion, distant metastasis, and survival of PC patients, and treatment targeting integrin β1 in PC has gained initial success in animal models. In this review, we summarize the various signaling pathways by which integrins are involved in PC, focusing on the roles of integrin β1 in the malignant behaviors of PC. Additionally, recent studies regarding the feasibility of integrin β1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in PC are also discussed. Finally, we present the progress of several integrin β1-based clinical trials to highlight the potential of integrin β1 as a target for personalized therapy in PC.

He-Chan Pian inhibits the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer via the miR-205-5p-mediated regulation of the GREM1/Rap1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

He-Chan Pian (HCP), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, shows promising efficacy for the treatment of lung cancer.

PURPOSE

Gremlin (GREM1) plays an important role in gastrointestinal tumor metastasis; however, little is known about its role in lung cancer. We determined the mechanism underlying the protective effect of HCP against metastasis in a mouse model of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and demonstrated the role of GREM1.

METHODS

Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to analyze the herbal components and metabolites from the serum of HCP-treated mice. The tumor, liver, and kidney were examined histologically, and the antitumor effects and toxicity of HCP were evaluated. Levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated transcription factors were measured using western blotting in tumors from five groups (i.e., model, HCP [L], HCP [M], HCP [H], and positive control [cisplatin, DDP]). Differentially expressed proteins and genes were identified using protein chip and sequencing analyzes, respectively. Short hairpin RNAs and overexpression plasmids were introduced into cells to evaluate the effects of GREM1. To evaluate proliferation, migration, and invasion, the expression levels of proteins involved in the Rap1 pathway and EMT were measured in vitro. Xenograft tumors with overexpression-GREM1 (OE-GREM1) in A549 cells were examined for cell proliferation. A dual-luciferase assay was performed to verify the direct interaction of GREM1 with miR-205-5p in lung cancer.

RESULTS

Thirty-six ingredients and bioactive constituents detected in the serum of HCP-treated mice were identified as the key compounds involved in the inhibition of tumor growth. Animal experiments revealed that HCP significantly decreased tumor volumes and had no adverse effects on the liver or kidney or side effects. GREM1 upregulation was closely related to tumor metastasis and was regulated by miR-205-5p, as confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. OE-GREM1 promoted A549 cell migration and invasion, promoted EMT, and increased the expression of Rap1 pathway intermediaries, whereas shGREM1 had the opposite effects. Furthermore, the effects of OE-GREM1 on proliferation in the A549 xenograft mouse model were attenuated, although HCP has an inhibitory effect on tumors.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that HCP contributes to the inhibition of NSCLC metastasis via the Gremlin/Rap1 signaling pathway regulated by miR-205-5p.

Study on the effects of the different polar group of EPA-enriched phospholipids on the proliferation and apoptosis in 95D cells

EPA-enriched phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) and EPA-enriched phosphatidylethanolamine (EPA-PE) are newly identified marine phospholipids. The polar group of phospholipids is known to influence EPA-phospholipid activity. However, the differences in anti-tumor effects between EPA-PC and EPA-PE have not been reported. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two forms of EPA on the proliferation and apoptosis in the lung-cancer cell line 95D as well as possible molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that EPA-PC effectively inhibited proliferative activity and promoted apoptosis of 95D cells in a dose-dependent manner, while EPA-PE had no effect on cell proliferation, although it slightly promoted apoptosis. Western blot results showed that EPA-PC and EPA-PE upregulated the expression of PPARγ, RXRα, and PTEN, and downregulated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, EPA-PC and EPA-PE induced the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene, Bax, and reduced the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-xl. Additionally, EPA-PC and EPA-PE promoted the release of cytochrome c and activated the apoptotic enzyme-cleaved caspase-3. These data suggest that the anti-tumor effect of EPA-phospholipids may be exerted via a PPARγ-related mechanism. EPA-PC was more efficacious as compared to EPA-PE, which might be due to the different polar groups of phospholipids.

A narrative review of the migration and invasion features of non-small cell lung cancer cells upon xenobiotic exposure: insights from in vitro studies

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, being non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) sub-types the most prevalent. Since most LC cases are only detected during the last stage of the disease the high mortality rate is strongly associated with metastases. For this reason, the migratory and invasive capacity of these cancer cells as well as the mechanisms involved have long been studied to uncover novel strategies to prevent metastases and improve the patients’ prognosis. This narrative review provides an overview of the main in vitro migration and invasion assays employed in NSCLC research. While several methods have been developed, experiments using conventional cell culture models prevailed, specifically the wound-healing and the transwell migration and invasion assays. Moreover, it is provided herewith a summary of the available information concerning chemical contaminants that may promote the migratory/invasive properties of NSCLC cells in vitro, shedding some light on possible LC risk factors. Most of the reported agents with pro-migration/invasion effects derive from cigarette smoking [e.g., Benzo(a)pyrene and cadmium] and air pollution. This review further presents several studies in which different dietary/plant-derived compounds demonstrated to impair migration/invasion processes in NSCLC cells in vitro. These chemicals that have been proposed as anti-migratory consisted mainly of natural bioactive substances, including polyphenols non-flavonoids, flavonoids, bibenzyls, terpenes, alkaloids, and steroids. Some of these compounds may eventually represent novel therapeutic strategies to be considered in the future to prevent metastasis formation in LC, which highlights the need for additional in vitro methodologies that more closely resemble the in vivo tumor microenvironment and cancer cell interactions. These studies along with adequate in vivo models should be further explored as proof of concept for the most promising compounds.

Artocarpin Targets Focal Adhesion Kinase-Dependent Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Suppresses Migratory-Associated Integrins in Lung Cancer Cells

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) controls several cancer aggressive potentials of cell movement and dissemination. As epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the migratory-associated integrins, known influencers of metastasis, have been found to be linked with FAK activity, this study unraveled the potential pharmacological effect of artocarpin in targeting FAK resulting in the suppression of EMT and migratory behaviors of lung cancer cells. Treatment with artocarpin was applied at concentrations of 0–10 μM, and the results showed non-cytotoxicity in lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H460), normal lung (BEAS-2B) cells and primary metastatic lung cancer cells (ELC12, ELC16, and ELC20). We also found that artocarpin (0–10 µM) had no effect on cell viability, proliferation, and migration in BEAS-2B cells. For metastasis-related approaches, artocarpin significantly inhibited cell migration, invasion, and filopodia formation. Artocarpin also dramatically suppressed anchorage-independent growth, cancer stem cell (CSC) spheroid formation, and viability of CSC-rich spheroids. For molecular targets of artocarpin action, computational molecular docking revealed that artocarpin had the best binding affinity of −8.0 kcal/mol with FAK protein. Consistently, FAK-downstream proteins, namely active Akt (phosphorylated Akt), active mTOR (phosphorylated mTOR), and Cdc42, and EMT marker and transcription factor (N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Slug), were found to be significantly depleted in response to artocarpin treatment. Furthermore, we found the decrease of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) accompanied by the reduction of integrin-αν and integrin-β3. Taken together, these findings support the anti-metastasis potentials of the compound to be further developed for cancer therapy.

Efficient, enzyme responsive and tumor receptor targeting gelatin nanoparticles decorated with concanavalin-A for site-specific and controlled drug delivery for cancer therapy

The tumor targeting and stimuli responsiveness behavior of intelligent drug delivery systems imparts effective therapeutic delivery and decreases the toxicity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents in off-target organs. To achieve the receptor targeting and smart drug release, several strategies have been employed to engineer nano-carrier with stimulus sensitivity. In this work, mannose receptor-targeted and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) responsive gelatin nanoparticles were developed and assessed for its receptor targeting and "on-demand" controlled drug delivery in lung cancer therapeutics. MMPs are protease enzymes and over-expressed in tumorous tissues in all the stages of cancer. The cancer cells also have over-expressed mannose receptors on the cell surface. The surface decoration of gelatin nanoparticles with concanavalin A (con-A) tends to bind with mannose moiety of cell surface glycoproteins which enhances the cancer cell-specific higher uptake of nanoparticles. Gelatin nanoparticles have attracted significant attraction in recent years as a potential drug carrier because of its good biocompatibility and versatile physicochemical properties desirable to deliver the drug. Cisplatin was complexed with the gelatin matrix (CG-NP) to evaluate stimuli responsiveness with the lung cancer cells and its release pattern. In this smart inhalable delivery system, cisplatin loaded gelatin nanoparticles were surface decorated with con-A (CCG-NP). In tumorous cells, con-A coating is expected to enhance mannose receptor-specific cellular internalization of CCG-NP, and subsequently high level of MMP in tumor tissues would help to release cisplatin in response and ensures controlled drug release. The synthesized CCG-NP has shown enzyme triggered drug release and favorable endocytosis after incubation of 12 h compare to uncoated nanoparticles. The efficacy of CCG-NP significantly increased in presence of MMP-2 enzyme in lung cancer cell line A549 cells. It also significantly enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, cell cycle arrest in S and G₂/M phase, and apoptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, inhalable CCG-NP promises a pragmatic approach to construct a receptor targeting and an "on-demand" drug delivery system to efficiently deliver the drug at the tumor site only.

Molybdenum-Catalyzed Deoxygenation Coupling of Lignin-Derived Alcohols for Functionalized Bibenzyl Chemicals

With the growing demand for sustainability and reducing CO₂ footprint, lignocellulosic biomass has attracted much attention as a renewable, carbon-neutral and low-cost feedstock for the production of chemicals and fuels. To realize efficient utilization of biomass resource, it is essential to selectively alter the high degree of oxygen functionality of biomass-derivates. Herein, we introduced a novel procedure to transform renewable lignin-derived alcohols to various functionalized bibenzyl chemicals. This strategy relied on a short deoxygenation coupling pathway with economical molybdenum catalyst. A well-designed H-donor experiment was performed to investigate the mechanism of this Mo-catalyzed process. It was proven that benzyl carbon-radical was the most possible intermediate to form the bibenzyl products. It was also discovered that the para methoxy and phenolic hydroxyl groups could stabilize the corresponding radical intermediates and then facilitate to selectively obtain bibenzyl products. Our research provides a promising application to produce functionalized aromatics from biomass-derived materials.

Erianin inhibits the oncogenic properties of hepatocellular carcinoma via inducing DNA damage and aberrant mitosis

Natural compounds have been confirmed as one of the most feasible solutions for hard-to-treat cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Erianin, a natural bibenzyl compound from Dendrobium chrysotoxum, has been recently discovered with anticancer property in cancer cells. However, the roles and the molecular mechanisms of erianin in HCC remain unknown. The present study evaluates the effect of erianin on human HCC cells by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptotic-related cell death and hampering tumorigenicity. Furthermore, it was found that erianin could cause irreparable DNA damage, induce G2/M arrest and deregulate mitotic regulators. It was also observed that many cells with damaged DNA induced by erianin could overcome G2/M arrest and enter mitosis, leading to abnormal mitosis, and subsequently mitotic catastrophe and apoptotic-related cell death. The present study confirmed that erianin could be a potential antitumor agent for HCC clinical treatment.

Vimentin as a target for the treatment of COVID-19

We and others propose vimentin as a possible cellular target for the treatment of COVID-19. This innovative idea is so recent that it requires further attention and debate. The significant role played by vimentin in virus-induced infection however is well established: (1) vimentin has been reported as a co-receptor and/or attachment site for SARS-CoV; (2) vimentin is involved in viral replication in cells; (3) vimentin plays a fundamental role in both the viral infection and the consequent explosive immune-inflammatory response and (4) a lower vimentin expression is associated with the inhibition of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibrosis. Moreover, the absence of vimentin in mice makes them resistant to lung injury. Since vimentin has a twofold role in the disease, not only being involved in the viral infection but also in the associated life-threatening lung inflammation, the use of vimentin-targeted drugs may offer a synergistic advantage as compared with other treatments not targeting vimentin. Consequently, we speculate here that drugs which decrease the expression of vimentin can be used for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and advise that several Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs be immediately tested in clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2, thus broadening therapeutic options for this type of viral infection.

[Advances of Exosomes Extraction and Its Mechanism in Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer]

肺癌是世界范围内发病率和死亡率较高的恶性肿瘤之一，严重威胁着国民的生命安全与健康。肺癌的早期诊断是肺癌预防和治疗过程中的关键环节，对肺癌进行早期诊断有利于提高患者的生存率。外泌体(exosomes)与肿瘤的侵袭与转移过程密切相关，在肺癌的发生发展过程中，外泌体发挥着重要的调控作用。近年来，以外泌体为载体的生物标记物成为肺癌强有力的诊断工具。外泌体是一种由细胞分泌的由膜包裹的大小均一、直径约为30 nm-200 nm的脂质双分子层结构小囊泡。外泌体的内容物包含不同类型的核酸和蛋白质，这些核酸和蛋白质来源于其亲本细胞(包括亲本癌细胞)，具有广泛的生理功能，包括参与免疫调节、细胞间联络等。外泌体中的生物大分子物质，如单链RNA、长非编码RNA、微小RNA(microRNA, miRNA)、蛋白质以及脂类，可以为肺癌的早期临床诊断提供有价值的信息。因此，本文就外泌体的来源、结构特点、提取方法、生物学特性和在肺癌早期诊断中的作用研究进展做简要阐述。

Recent research progress on natural small molecule bibenzyls and its derivatives in Dendrobium species

Orchidaceous plant Dendrobium genus is often used as a tonic, and its phenolic components have attracted attention for its anti-tumor and anti-diabetic complications. Bibenzyls is one of the essential phenolic active ingredients in the Dendrobium genus. At present, 89 bibenzyl derivatives have been extracted and identified from 46 Dendrobium species. The activity studies have shown that 42 compounds have pharmaceutical activity. Among them, 23 compounds showed antitumor activity; 7 compounds showed anti-diabetes and its complications activity; 10 compounds exhibited neuroprotective effects; 18 compounds showed antioxidant effects; 11 compounds had anti-inflammatory activity; 3 compounds had Antiplatelet aggregation effects; 3 compounds had antibacterial and antiviral effects. The Bibenzyls is small-molecular compounds of natural origin and widely sourced. Previous studies showed that the bibenzyls has good anti-tumor, anti-diabetes and its complications, and neuroprotective effects, and it has great potential for treating tumors, diabetes and its complications, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Additionally, compounds such as moscatilin (1), gigantol (2) and chrysotoxine (3) have been further studied as lead compounds, and compounds exhibited therapeutical effects had been synthesized. Enough pieces of evidences have shown that the Bibenzyls have good development prospects. This article reviews the pharmacological effects of bibenzyls in Dendrobium species and provides an idea for its further development.

Association of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) with Cisplatin Resistance

Therapy resistance is a characteristic of cancer cells that significantly reduces the effectiveness of drugs. Despite the popularity of cisplatin (CP) as a chemotherapeutic agent, which is widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer, resistance of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy has been extensively observed. Among various reported mechanism(s), the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process can significantly contribute to chemoresistance by converting the motionless epithelial cells into mobile mesenchymal cells and altering cell-cell adhesion as well as the cellular extracellular matrix, leading to invasion of tumor cells. By analyzing the impact of the different molecular pathways such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, nuclear factor-κB (NF-ĸB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR), and Wnt, which play an important role in resistance exhibited to CP therapy, we first give an introduction about the EMT mechanism and its role in drug resistance. We then focus specifically on the molecular pathways involved in drug resistance and the pharmacological strategies that can be used to mitigate this resistance. Overall, we highlight the various targeted signaling pathways that could be considered in future studies to pave the way for the inhibition of EMT-mediated resistance displayed by tumor cells in response to CP exposure.

Multifaceted Roles of Caveolin-1 in Lung Cancer: A New Investigation Focused on Tumor Occurrence, Development and Therapy

Lung cancer is one of the most common and malignant cancers with extremely high morbidity and mortality in both males and females. Although traditional lung cancer treatments are fast progressing, there are still limitations. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a main component of caveolae, participates in multiple cellular events such as immune responses, endocytosis, membrane trafficking, cellular signaling and cancer progression. It has been found tightly associated with lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance and drug resistance. In addition to this, multiple bioactive molecules have been confirmed to target Cav-1 to carry on their anti-tumor functions in lung cancers. Cav-1 can also be a predictor for lung cancer patients’ prognosis. In this review, we have summarized the valuable research on Cav-1 and lung cancer in recent years and discussed the multifaceted roles of Cav-1 on lung cancer occurrence, development and therapy, hoping to provide new insights into lung cancer treatment.