Bone morphogenetic protein induces bone invasion of melanoma by epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the Smad1/5 signaling pathway

Sex-dependent effects in the aged melanoma tumor microenvironment influence invasion and resistance to targeted therapy

There is documented sex disparity in cutaneous melanoma incidence and mortality, increasing disproportionately with age and in the male sex. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. While biological sex differences and inherent immune response variability have been assessed in tumor cells, the role of the tumor-surrounding microenvironment, contextually in aging, has been overlooked. Here, we show that skin fibroblasts undergo age-mediated, sex-dependent changes in their proliferation, senescence, ROS levels, and stress response. We find that aged male fibroblasts selectively drive an invasive, therapy-resistant phenotype in melanoma cells and promote metastasis in aged male mice by increasing AXL expression. Intrinsic aging in male fibroblasts mediated by EZH2 decline increases BMP2 secretion, which in turn drives the slower-cycling, highly invasive, and therapy-resistant melanoma cell phenotype, characteristic of the aged male TME. Inhibition of BMP2 activity blocks the emergence of invasive phenotypes and sensitizes melanoma cells to BRAF/MEK inhibition.

Inhibition of BMP4 alleviates diabetic retinal vascular dysfunction via the VEGF and smad1/5 signalling

Objective:The aim of our study was to determine the molecular mechanism of BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4) in DR (diabetic retinopathy).Methods: Human retinal endothelial cell (HRECs) induced by high glucose to simulate one of the pathogenesis in the diabetic retinopathy (DR) model. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of BMP4 in the STZ/HG group. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were performed to detect the apoptosis. Angiogenesis was evaluated by tube formation assay. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to detect cell migration ability. H&E staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes.Results: BMP4 was significantly upregulated in the STZ/HG group. Sh-BMP4 significantly inhibited the migration and angiogenesis of RVECs induced by HG. In addition, both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that sh-BMP4 could significantly promote RVECs apoptosis in the HG/STZ group. Western blot results showed that sh-BMP4 could down-regulate the expressions of p-smad1, p-smad5 and VEGF.Conclusions: Inhibition of BMP4 could alleviate the damage of diabetic retinopathy by regulating the p-smad1/5/VEGF signaling axis, inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting apoptosis.

Activation of NF-κB signaling regulates ovariectomy-induced bone loss and weight gain

Postmenopausal women experience bone loss and weight gain. To date, crosstalk between estrogen receptor signals and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has been reported, and estrogen depletion enhances bone resorption by osteoclasts via NF-κB activation. However, it is unclear when and in which tissues NF-κB is activated after menopause, and how NF-κB acts as a common signaling molecule for postmenopausal weight gain and bone loss. Therefore, we examined the role of NF-κB in bone and energy metabolism following menopause. NF-κB reporter mice, which can be used to measure NF-κB activation in vivo, were ovariectomized (OVX) and the luminescence intensity after OVX increased in the metaphyses of the long bones and perigonadal white adipose tissue, but not in the other tissues. OVX was performed on wild-type (WT) and p65 mutant knock-in (S534A) mice, whose mutation enhances the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Weight gain with worsening glucose tolerance was significant in S534A mice after OVX compared with those of WT mice. The bone density of the sham group in WT or S534A mice did not change, whereas in the S534A-OVX group it significantly decreased due to the suppression of bone formation and increase in bone marrow adipocytes. Disulfiram, an anti-alcoholic drug, suppressed OVX-induced activation of NF-κB in the metaphyses of long bones and white adipose tissue (WAT), as well as weight gain and bone loss. Overall, the activation of NF-κB in the metaphyses of long bones and WAT after OVX regulates post-OVX weight gain and bone loss.

Phosphorylation of Serine 536 of p65(RelA) Downregulates Inflammatory Responses

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of various genes involved in inflammatory diseases and immune responses. Recently, a novel transcriptional regulatory mechanism of NF-κB involving the phosphorylation of serine 536 (534 in mice; S534) of its p65 subunit was reported; however, further research is required to elucidate the physiological role of S534 phosphorylation. Therefore, we generated S534A knock-in (KI) mice, in which the S534 of p65 was substituted with alanine. Similar to the wild-type (WT) mice, S534A KI mice developed normally. After stimulation with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from S534A KI mice exhibited increased target gene expression compared with that in the WT MEFs, which was induced by long-term binding of p65 to DNA. According to comprehensive gene expression analysis after stimulation with TNFα, the expression of genes p65ted to inflammatory and immune responses was increased, and the expression of genes p65ted to lipolysis was decreased in S534A KI MEFs. Analyses of a periodontal disease model established using WT and S534A KI mice revealed that alveolar bone resorption was enhanced in S534A KI mice owing to an increase in the number of osteoclasts, which was not attributed to the differentiation of osteoclast precursor cells but to an increased expression of interleukin-1β and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand in the periodontal tissue. Hence, phosphorylation of S536 negatively regulates inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo.

RUNX1-BMP2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis and refers to the formation of fluid channels by invasive tumor cells rather than endothelial cells. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying VM during the malignant progression of LSCC remain largely unknown.

METHODS

Gene expression and clinical data for LSCC were obtained from the TCGA and Gene GEO (GSE27020) databases. A risk prediction model associated with VM was established using LASSO and Cox regression analyses. Based on their risk scores, patients with LSCC were categorized into high- and low-risk groups. The disparities in immune infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and functional enrichment between these two groups were examined. The core genes in LSCC were identified using the machine learning (SVM-RFE) and WGCNA algorithms. Subsequently, the involvement of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) in VM and metastasis was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate the downstream signaling pathways regulated by BMP2, western blotting was performed. Additionally, ChIP experiments were employed to identify the key transcription factors responsible for modulating the expression of BMP2.

RESULTS

We established a new precise prognostic model for LSCC related to VM based on three genes: BMP2, EPO, and AGPS. The ROC curves from both TCGA and GSE27020 validation cohorts demonstrated precision survival prediction capabilities, with the nomogram showing some net clinical benefit. Multiple algorithm analyses indicated BMP2 as a potential core gene. Further experiments suggested that BMP2 promotes VM and metastasis in LSCC. The malignant progression of LSCC is promoted by BMP2 via the activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, with the high expression of BMP2 in LSCC resulting from its transcriptional activation by runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1).

CONCLUSION

BMP2 predicts poor prognosis in LSCC, promotes LSCC VM and metastasis through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and is transcriptionally regulated by RUNX1. BMP2 may be a novel, precise, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarker of LSCC.

The Interaction Between SMAD1 and YAP1 Is Correlated with Increased Resistance of Gastric Cancer Cells to Cisplatin

Drug resistance is a major obstacle leading to treating failure and poor outcome in gastric cancer (GC). This study explores the interaction between SMAD family member 1 (SMAD1) and Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) and their roles in cisplatin (DDP) resistance in GC. Transcriptome analysis predicted that SMAD1 is highly expressed in DDP-resistant cells. Elevated SMAD1 expression was detected in GC tissue and cells, especially in DDP-resistant cells (MKN-45/DDP and AGS/DDP). SMAD1 downregulation in cells decreased 50% inhibition value of DDP, reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. A protein-protein interaction network suggested a possible SMAD1 and YAP1 interaction in GC. The SMAD1 and YAP1 interaction was validated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and luciferase assays. SMAD1 bound to YAP1 and activated its transcription. SMAD1 formed complexes with YAP1 in nucleus, and YAP1 upregulation enhanced SMAD1 activity as well. Upregulation of YAP1 restored the malignant behaviors of GC cells suppressed by SMAD1 silencing. In vivo, SMAD1 silencing suppressed growth and DDP resistance of xenograft tumors in nude mice, and this suppression was blocked by YAP1 overexpression again. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SMAD1 can interact with YAP1 to enhance the DDP resistance of GC cells.

An Early Neoplasia Index (ENI10), Based on Molecular Identity of CD10 Cells and Associated Stemness Biomarkers, is a Predictor of Patient Outcome in Many Cancers

An accurate estimate of patient survival at diagnosis is critical to plan efficient therapeutic options. A simple and multiapplication tool is needed to move forward the precision medicine era. Taking advantage of the broad and high CD10 expression in stem and cancers cells, we evaluated the molecular identity of aggressive cancer cells. We used epithelial primary cells and developed a breast cancer stem cell–based progressive model. The superiority of the early-transformed isolated molecular index was evaluated by large-scale analysis in solid cancers. BMP2-driven cell transformation increases CD10 expression which preserves stemness properties. Our model identified a unique set of 159 genes enriched in G2–M cell-cycle phases and spindle assembly complex. Using samples predisposed to transformation, we confirmed the value of an early neoplasia index associated to CD10 (ENI10) to discriminate premalignant status of a human tissue. Using a stratified Cox model, a large-scale analysis (>10,000 samples, The Cancer Genome Atlas Pan-Cancer) validated a strong risk gradient (HRs reaching HR = 5.15; 95% confidence interval: 4.00–6.64) for high ENI10 levels. Through different databases, Cox regression model analyses highlighted an association between ENI10 and poor progression-free intervals for more than 50% of cancer subtypes tested, and the potential of ENI10 to predict drug efficacy. The ENI10 index constitutes a robust tool to detect pretransformed tissues and identify high-risk patients at diagnosis. Owing to its biological link with refractory cancer stem cells, the ENI10 index constitutes a unique way of identifying effective treatments to improve clinical care.

SIGNIFICANCE

We identified a molecular signature called ENI10 which, owing to its biological link with stem cell properties, predicts patient outcome and drugs efficiency in breast and several other cancers. ENI10 should allow early and optimized clinical management of a broad number of cancers, regardless of the stage of tumor progression.

Overexpression of microRNA-93-5p and microRNA-374a-5p Suppresses the Osteogenic Differentiation and Mineralization of Human Aortic Valvular Interstitial Cells Through the BMP2/Smad1/5/RUNX2 Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT

Aortic valve calcification commonly occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the regulatory functions of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in the osteogenic differentiation of human aortic valvular interstitial cells (hAVICs) in patients with CKD remain largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the functional role and underlying mechanisms of miR-93-5p and miR-374a-5p in the osteogenic differentiation of hAVICs. For this purpose, hAVICs calcification was induced with high-calcium/high-phosphate medium and the expression levels of miR-93-5p and miR-374a-5p were determined using bioinformatics assay. Alizarin red staining, intracellular calcium content, and alkaline phosphatase activity were used to evaluate calcification. The expression levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and phosphorylated (p)-Smad1/5 were detected by luciferase reporter assay, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blot analysis. The results revealed that the expression levels of miR-93-5p and miR-374a-5p were significantly decreased in hAVICs in response to high-calcium/high-phosphate medium. The overexpression of miR-93-5p and miR-374a-5p effectively suppressed the high-calcium/high-phosphate-induced calcification and osteogenic differentiation makers. Mechanistically, the overexpression of miR-93-5p and miR-374a-5p inhibits osteogenic differentiation by regulating the BMP2/Smad1/5/Runx2 signaling pathway. Taken together, this study indicates that miR-93-5p and miR-374a-5p suppress the osteogenic differentiation of hAVICs associated with calcium-phosphate metabolic dyshomeostasis through the inhibition of the BMP2/Smad1/5/Runx2 signaling pathway.

A Perspective on Bone Morphogenetic Proteins: Dilemma behind Cancer- related Responses

Bone morphogenetic proteins are a center of serious concern and are known to execute various cancer-related issues. The BMP signaling cascades have become more unpredictable as a result of their pleiotropic and risky characteristics, particularly when it comes to cancer responses. This perspective discusses the current therapeutic implications, emphasizes different cellular aspects that impact the failures of the current drug treatments, and speculates on future research avenues that include novel strategies like metabolomic studies and bio-mimetic peptide therapeutics to mitigate cancerous outcomes.

Functions of the bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway through non-coding RNAs

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are proteins of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, which plays an important role in the formation of skeletal and cartilage tissue and their regeneration. BMPs play a key role in the formation of new blood vessels and promote the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chondroblasts and osteoblasts. It is known that malfunction of BMPs signaling can cause a disease state. Epigenetic regulation of expression plays a key role in the control of many cellular processes. Important participants in this regulation are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which are RNA molecules that are not translated into proteins. The best known of these are microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). In addition, the results of many studies make it possible to establish an unambiguous functional relationship between these ncRNAs. Being involved in the regulation of a large number of target genes responsible for the life of the cell, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs are essential for the normal development and functioning of the body, and the violation of their functions accompanies the development of many pathophysiological processes including oncogenesis. In the present review, we discuss different insights into the regulation of BMPs signaling pathway by miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs governed.

Construction and Validation of a Ferroptosis-Related Prognostic Signature for Melanoma Based on Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

Melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is on the rise globally. The generally poor prognosis makes melanoma still an enormous public health problem. Ferroptosis is a newly emerging form of iron-dependent regulated cell death, which has been implicated in the development and treatment of several tumors. However, whether there is a connection between ferroptosis-related genes and the prognosis of melanoma patients remains an enigma. In the present study, we identified a ferroptosis-related genes signature to predict the prognosis of melanoma patients by analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Single-cell trajectory analysis was performed to explore malignant differentiation. CellChat was used to investigate intercellular communications in melanoma. Collectively, a novel four-gene signature (CP, MAP1LC3A, transferrin, and TP53) was constructed for prognosis prediction. COX proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the established ferroptosis-associated risk model was an independent prognostic predictor for melanoma patients (HR = 2.3293; 95%CI 1.1528–4.706) (p < 0.018). Patients with low-risk scores had significantly better overall survival (OS) than those with high-risk scores in The Cancer Genome Atlas, GSE59455, and GSE22153 dataset (p = 0.0015, p = 0.031, p = 0.077). Furthermore, the gene expression level of the four genes were verified in multistrain melanoma cell lines and normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM). The protein expression level of the four genes in clinical samples were further verified in the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases. Taken together, our study identified the prognostic significance of the ferroptosis-related genes in melanoma and developed a novel four-gene prognostic signature, which may shed light on the prognostic assessment and clinical decision making for melanoma patients.