Endolysosomal ion channel MCOLN2 (Mucolipin-2) promotes prostate cancer progression via IL-1β/NF-κB pathway

Single nucleotide polymorphism-based analysis of linkage disequilibrium and runs of homozygosity patterns of indigenous sheep in the southern Taklamakan desert

Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) are homozygous genomic fragments inherited from parents to offspring. ROH can be used to indicate the level of inbreeding, as well as to identify possible signatures of artificial or natural selection. Indigenous sheep populations on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert have evolved unique genetic traits adapted to extreme desert environments. In an attempt to better understand the adaptive mechanisms of these populations under harsh conditions, we used Illumina® Ovine SNP50K BeadChip to perform a genomic characterization of three recognized breeds (Duolang: n = 36, Hetian: n = 84, Qira black: n = 189) and one ecotypic breed (Kunlun: n = 27) in the region. Additionally, we assessed genomic inbreeding coefficients through ROH analysis, revealing insights into the inbreeding history of these populations. Subsequently, we retrieved candidate genes associated with economic traits in sheep from ROH islands in each breed. To better understand the autozygosity and distribution of ROH islands in these indigenous sheep breeds relative to international breeds, we also included three commercial mutton breeds (Poll Dorset: n = 108, Suffolk: n = 163, Texel: n = 150). The study revealed that among seven sheep breeds, Hetian exhibited the shortest linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay distance, while Kunlun demonstrated the highest LD levels. A total of 10,916 ROHs were obtained. The number of ROHs per breed ranged from 34 (Kunlun) to 2,826 (Texel). The length of ROH was mainly 1-5 Mb (63.54%). Furthermore, 991 candidate genes specific to indigenous sheep breeds were identified, including those associated with heat tolerance, adaptability, energy metabolism, reproduction, and immune response. These findings elucidate the genetic adaptation of indigenous sheep in the Taklimakan Desert, uncovering distinctive characteristics of indigenous sheep formation, and advocating for the conservation and genetic enhancement of local sheep populations.

The Unique Roles of Ion Channels in Pluripotent Stem Cells in Response to Biological Stimuli

Ion channels are essential for mineral ion homeostasis in mammalian cells, and these are activated or inhibited by environmental stimuli such as heat, cold, mechanical, acidic, or basic stresses. These expressions and functions are quite diverse between cell types. The function and importance of ion channels are well-studied in neurons and cardiac cells, while those functions in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) were not fully understood. Some sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, transient receptor potential channels and mechanosensitive Piezo channels are found to be expressed and implicated in pluripotency and self-renewal capacity in PSCs. This review summarizes present and previous reports about ion channels and their response to environmental stimuli in PSCs. Furthermore, we compare the expressions and roles between PSCs and their differentiated embryoid bodies. We then discuss those contributions to pluripotency and differentiation.

Igniting hope: Harnessing NLRP3 inflammasome-GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis for cancer immunotherapy

In the contemporary landscape of oncology, immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, stands out as a beacon of innovation in cancer treatment. Despite its promise, the therapy's progression is hindered by suboptimal clinical response rates. Addressing this challenge, the modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome-GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway holds promise as a means to augment the efficacy of immunotherapy. In the pathway, the NLRP3 inflammasome serves as a pivotal molecular sensor that responds to inflammatory stimuli within the organism. Its activation leads to the release of cytokines interleukin 1β and interleukin 18 through the cleavage of GSDMD, thereby forming membrane pores and potentially resulting in pyroptosis. This cascade of processes exerts a profound impact on tumor development and progression, with its function and expression exhibiting variability across different tumor types and developmental stages. Consequently, understanding the specific roles of the NLRP3 inflammasome and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in diverse tumors is imperative for comprehending tumorigenesis and crafting precise therapeutic strategies. This review aims to elucidate the structure and activation mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as the induction mechanisms of GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive overview of the involvement of this pathway in various cancer types and its applications in tumor immunotherapy, nanotherapy, and other fields. Emphasis is placed on the feasibility of leveraging this approach to enhance ICB therapy within the field of immunotherapy. Furthermore, we discuss the potential applications of this pathway in other immunotherapy methods, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy and tumor vaccines.

The role of proinflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines (CXCL1-CXCL16) in the progression of prostate cancer: insights on their therapeutic management

Reproductive cancers are malignancies that develop in the reproductive organs. One of the leading cancers affecting the male reproductive system on a global scale is prostate cancer (PCa). The negative consequences of PCa metastases endure and are severe, significantly affecting mortality and life quality for those who are affected. The association between inflammation and PCa has captured interest for a while. Inflammatory cells, cytokines, CXC chemokines, signaling pathways, and other elements make up the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is characterized by inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines are especially crucial for PCa development and prognosis. Cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-17, TGF-β, TNF-α, CXCL1-CXCL6, and CXCL8-CXCL16 are thought to be responsible for the pleiotropic effects of PCa, which include inflammation, progression, angiogenesis, leukocyte infiltration in advanced PCa, and therapeutic resistance. The inflammatory cytokine and CXC chemokines systems are also promising candidates for PCa suppression and immunotherapy. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to provide insight on how the spectra of inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines evolve as PCa develops and spreads. We also discussed recent developments in our awareness of the diverse molecular signaling pathways of these circulating cytokines and CXC chemokines, as well as their associated receptors, which may one day serve as PCa-targeted therapies. Moreover, the current status and potential of theranostic PCa therapies based on cytokines, CXC chemokines, and CXC receptors (CXCRs) are examined.

Role of PAX6, TRPA1, BCL11B, MCOLN2, CUX1, EMX1 in colorectal cancer and osteosarcoma

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that arises from the abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum. Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common primary bone tumor with high degree of malignancy. The configuration files for colorectal cancer dataset GSE142279 and OS datasets GSE197158 and GSE206448 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database using the platforms GPL20795, GPL20301, and GPL24676. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed. Construction and analysis of protein-protein interactions (PPI) network. Functional enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed. A heat map of gene expression was drawn. The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) was used to find the diseases most associated with the core genes. TargetScan was used to screen miRNAs regulating DEGs. According to the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, DEGs are mainly enriched in acetylcholine binding receptor activity involved in Wnt signaling pathway, cell polarity pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, receptor regulator activity, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, transcriptional misregulation in cancer, and inflammation-mediated regulation of tryptophan transport. In the Metascape enrichment analysis, GO enrichment items related to the regulation of Wnt signaling pathway, regulation of muscle system process, and regulation of actin filament-based movement. Eight core genes (CUX1, NES, BCL11B, PAX6, EMX1, MCOLN2, TRPA1, TRPC4) were identified. CTD showed that 4 genes (CUX1, EMX1, TRPA1, BCL11B) were associated with colorectal neoplasms, colorectal tumors, colonic diseases, multiple myeloma, OS, and inflammation. PAX6, TRPA1, BCL11B, MCOLN2, CUX1, and EMX1 are highly expressed in colorectal cancer and OS, and the higher the expression level, the worse the prognosis.

RSRC2 Expression Inhibits Malignant Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Transcriptionally Regulating SCIN Expression

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a shorter survival time and higher mortality rate than other molecular subtypes. RSRC2 is a newly discovered tumor suppressor gene. However, the potential functional mechanism of RSRC2 in TNBC remains unknown so far. Multiple bioinformatics databases were used. A Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 analysis, ChIP-seq analysis, ChIP-qPCR, RT-qPCR, Western blot, cell function assays in vitro and a metastatic mouse model in vivo were performed to demonstrate the role of RSRC2 in TNBC. Through the analysis of various databases, RSRC2 expression was the lowest in TNBC tissues compared to other molecular subtypes. The low expression of RSRC2 was associated with a worse prognosis for patients with breast cancer. The transcriptome array, ChIP-seq and bioinformatics analysis identified that GRHL2 and SCIN might have a close relationship with RSRC2. The functional bioinformatics enrichment analysis and functional cell experiments showed that RSRC2 was involved in cell adhesion, cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, RSRC2 expression suppressed SCIN expression but not GRHL2 expression. SCIN re-expression in the RSRC2 overexpression cells or SCIN knockdown in the RSRC2 knockdown cells reversed the cellular function caused by RSRC2. Mechanistically, RSRC2 transcriptionally inhibited SCIN expression. In summary, our study reveals that RSRC2 acts as a tumor suppressor in TNBC development and progression through negatively regulating SCIN-mediated cell function, thus providing a potential target for TNBC treatment.

TRP Channels in Cancer: Signaling Mechanisms and Translational Approaches

Ion channels play a crucial role in a wide range of biological processes, including cell cycle regulation and cancer progression. In particular, the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of channels has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its involvement in several stages of cancer development and dissemination. TRP channels are expressed in a large variety of cells and tissues, and by increasing cation intracellular concentration, they monitor mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli under physiological and pathological conditions. Some members of the TRP superfamily, namely vanilloid (TRPV), canonical (TRPC), melastatin (TRPM), and ankyrin (TRPA), have been investigated in different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer. TRP channels are involved in processes such as cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and drug resistance, all related to cancer progression. Some TRP channels have been mechanistically associated with the signaling of cancer pain. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which TRP channels influence cancer provides new opportunities for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Selective inhibitors of TRP channels are under initial scrutiny in experimental animals as potential anti-cancer agents. In-depth knowledge of these channels and their regulatory mechanisms may lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, providing new perspectives for the development of effective targeted therapies.

Malignant function of nuclear factor-kappaB axis in prostate cancer: Molecular interactions and regulation by non-coding RNAs

Prostate carcinoma is a malignant situation that arises from genomic alterations in the prostate, leading to changes in tumorigenesis. The NF-κB pathway modulates various biological mechanisms, including inflammation and immune responses. Dysregulation of NF-κB promotes carcinogenesis, including increased proliferation, invasion, and therapy resistance. As an incurable disease globally, prostate cancer is a significant health concern, and research into genetic mutations and NF-κB function has the efficacy to facilitate the introduction of novel therapies. NF-κB upregulation is observed during prostate cancer progression, resulting in increased cell cycle progression and proliferation rates. Additionally, NF-κB endorses resistance to cell death and enhances the capacity for metastasis, particularly bone metastasis. Overexpression of NF-κB triggers chemoresistance and radio-resistance, and inhibition of NF-κB by anti-tumor compounds can reduce cancer progression. Interestingly, non-coding RNA transcripts can regulate NF-κB level and its nuclear transfer, offering a potential avenue for modulating prostate cancer progression.

TRPML2 Mucolipin Channels Drive the Response of Glioma Stem Cells to Temozolomide and Affect the Overall Survival in Glioblastoma Patients

The survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) is poor. The main cause is the presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs), exceptionally resistant to temozolomide (TMZ) treatment. This last may be related to the heterogeneous expression of ion channels, among them TRPML2. Its mRNA expression was evaluated in two different neural stem cell (NS/PC) lines and sixteen GBM stem-like cells by qRT-PCR. The response to TMZ was evaluated in undifferentiated or differentiated GSCs, and in TRPML2-induced or silenced GSCs. The relationship between TRPML2 expression and responsiveness to TMZ treatment was evaluated by MTT assay showing that increased TRPML2 mRNA levels are associated with resistance to TMZ. This research was deepened by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT pathways as well as ABC and SLC drug transporters were involved. Finally, the relationship between TRPML2 expression and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patient-derived GSCs was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The expression of TRPML2 mRNA correlates with worse OS and PFS in GBM patients. Thus, the expression of TRPML2 in GSCs influences the responsiveness to TMZ in vitro and affects OS and PFS in GBM patients.

Coexpression of TRPML1 and TRPML2 Mucolipin Channels Affects the Survival of Glioblastoma Patients

Among brain cancers, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant glioma with an extremely poor prognosis. It is characterized by high cell heterogeneity, which can be linked to its high malignancy. We have previously demonstrated that TRPML1 channels affect the OS of GBM patients. Herein, by RT-PCR, FACS and Western blot, we demonstrated that TRPML1 and TRPML2 channels are differently expressed in GBM patients and cell lines. Moreover, these channels partially colocalized in ER and lysosomal compartments in GBM cell lines, as evaluated by confocal analysis. Interestingly, the silencing of TRPML1 or TRPML2 by RNA interference results in the decrease in the other receptor at protein level. Moreover, the double knockdown of TRPML1 and TRPML2 leads to increased GBM cell survival with respect to single-channel-silenced cells, and improves migration and invasion ability of U251 cells. Finally, the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients with high TRPML2 expression in absence of TRPML1 expression strongly correlates with short OS, whereas high TRPML1 associated with low TRPML2 mRNA expression correlates with longer OS in GBM patients. The worst OS in GBM patients is associated with the loss of both TRPML1 and TRPML2 channels.

Regulation of Aging and Longevity by Ion Channels and Transporters

Despite significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie age-related physiological decline, our ability to translate these insights into actionable strategies to extend human healthspan has been limited. One of the major reasons for the existence of this barrier is that with a few important exceptions, many of the proteins that mediate aging have proven to be undruggable. The argument put forth here is that the amenability of ion channels and transporters to pharmacological manipulation could be leveraged to develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat aging. This review delves into the established roles for ion channels and transporters in the regulation of aging and longevity via their influence on membrane excitability, Ca2+ homeostasis, mitochondrial and endolysosomal function, and the transduction of sensory stimuli. The goal is to provide the reader with an understanding of emergent themes, and prompt further investigation into how the activities of ion channels and transporters sculpt the trajectories of cellular and organismal aging.

Cytohesin-2/ARNO: A Novel Bridge Between Cell Migration and Immunoregulation in Synovial Fibroblasts

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor cytohesin-2 (ARNO) is a major activator of the small GTPase ARF6 that has been shown to play an important role(s) in cell adhesion, migration and cytoskeleton reorganization in various cell types and models of disease. Interestingly, dysregulated cell migration, in tandem with hyper-inflammatory responses, is one of the hallmarks associated with activated synovial fibroblasts (SFs) during chronic inflammatory joint diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. The role of ARNO in this process has previously been unexplored but we hypothesized that the pro-inflammatory milieu of inflamed joints locally induces activation of ARNO-mediated pathways in SFs, promoting an invasive cell phenotype that ultimately leads to bone and cartilage damage. Thus, we used small interference RNA to investigate the impact of ARNO on the pathological migration and inflammatory responses of murine SFs, revealing a fully functional ARNO-ARF6 pathway which can be rapidly activated by IL-1β. Such signalling promotes cell migration and formation of focal adhesions. Unexpectedly, ARNO was also shown to modulate SF-inflammatory responses, dictating their precise cytokine and chemokine expression profile. Our results uncover a novel role for ARNO in SF-dependent inflammation, that potentially links pathogenic migration with initiation of local joint inflammation, offering new approaches for targeting the fibroblast compartment in chronic arthritis and joint disease.

Functional In Vitro Assessment of VEGFA/NOTCH2 Signaling Pathway and pRB Proteasomal Degradation and the Clinical Relevance of Mucolipin TRPML2 Overexpression in Glioblastoma Patients

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant glioma with an extremely poor prognosis. It is characterized by high vascularization and its growth depends on the formation of new blood vessels. We have previously demonstrated that TRPML2 mucolipin channel expression increases with the glioma pathological grade. Herein by ddPCR and Western blot we found that the silencing of TRPML2 inhibits expression of the VEGFA/Notch2 angiogenic pathway. Moreover, the VEGFA/Notch2 expression increased in T98 and U251 cells stimulated with the TRPML2 agonist, ML2-SA1, or by enforced-TRPML2 levels. In addition, changes in TRPML2 expression or ML2-SA1-induced stimulation, affected Notch2 activation and VEGFA release. An increased invasion capability, associated with a reduced VEGF/VEGFR2 expression and increased vimentin and CD44 epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in siTRPML2, but not in enforced-TRPML2 or ML2-SA1-stimulated glioma cells, was demonstrated. Furthermore, an increased sensitivity to Doxorubicin cytotoxicity was demonstrated in siTRPML2, whereas ML2-SA1-treated GBM cells were more resistant. The role of proteasome in Cathepsin B-dependent and -independent pRB degradation in siTRPML2 compared with siGLO cells was studied. Finally, through Kaplan-Meier analysis, we found that high TRPML2 mRNA expression strongly correlates with short survival in GBM patients, supporting TRPML2 as a negative prognostic factor in GBM patients.