Retinoid acid induced 16 deficiency aggravates colitis and colitis-associated tumorigenesis in mice

Single cell sequencing reveals that CD39 inhibition mediates changes to the tumor microenvironment

Single-cell sequencing technologies have noteworthily improved our understanding of the genetic map and molecular characteristics of bladder cancer (BC). Here we identify CD39 as a potential therapeutic target for BC via single-cell transcriptome analysis. In a subcutaneous tumor model and orthotopic bladder cancer model, inhibition of CD39 (CD39i) by sodium polyoxotungstate is able to limit the growth of BC and improve the overall survival of tumor-bearing mice. Via single cell RNA sequencing, we find that CD39i increase the intratumor NK cells, conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) and CD8 + T cells and decrease the Treg abundance. The antitumor effect and reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment are blockaded in both the NK cells depletion model and the cDC1-deficient Batf3^-/- model. In addition, a significant synergistic effect is observed between CD39i and cisplatin, but the CD39i + anti-PD-L1 (or anti-PD1) strategy does not show any synergistic effects in the BC model. Our results confirm that CD39 is a potential target for the immune therapy of BC.

Chemically Induced Colitis-Associated Cancer Models in Rodents for Pharmacological Modulation: A Systematic Review

Animal models for colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CACC) represent an important tool to explore the mechanistic basis of cancer-related inflammation, providing important evidence that several inflammatory mediators play specific roles in the initiation and perpetuation of colitis and CACC. Although several original articles have been published describing the CACC model in rodents, there is no consensus about the induction method. This review aims to identify, summarize, compare, and discuss the chemical methods for the induction of CACC through the PRISMA methodology.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE via the Pubmed platform for studies published through March 2021, using a highly sensitive search expression. The inclusion criteria were only original articles, articles where a chemically-induced animal model of CACC is described, preclinical studies in vivo with rodents, and articles published in English.

RESULTS

Chemically inducible models typically begin with the administration of a carcinogenic compound (as azoxymethane (AOM) or 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)), and inflammation is caused by repeated cycles of colitis-inducing agents (such as 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) or dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)). The strains mostly used are C57BL/6 and Balb/c with 5-6 weeks. To characterize the preclinical model, the parameters more used include body weight, stool consistency and morbidity, inflammatory biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, angiogenesis markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), marker of proliferation Ki-67, and caspase 3, the presence of ulcers, thickness or hyperemia in the colon, and histological evaluation of inflammation.

CONCLUSION

The AOM administration seems to be important to the CACC induction method, since the carcinogenic effect is achieved with just one administration. DSS has been the more used inflammatory agent; however, the TNBS contribution should be more studied, since it allows a reliable, robust, and a highly reproducible animal model of intestinal inflammation.

Role of SLC39A6 in the development and progression of liver cancer

Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant solid tumor types worldwide. The solute carrier (SLC)39A family is a main member of the SLC group of membrane transport proteins, which transfer zinc to the cytoplasm when cells are depleted of zinc; thus, it may provide a novel therapeutic target for human cancer. However, the prognostic value of SLC39A genes in patients with liver cancer has remained elusive. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore whether SLC39A family genes are associated with the survival rate of patients with liver cancer and to investigate the role of key genes of the SLC39A family in liver cancer. The mRNA expression of the SLC39A family in liver cancer was obtained from the UALCAN database. Survival curve analysis was performed to investigate the prognostic value of SLC39A family genes in the overall survival of patients with liver cancer. In addition to the bioinformatics analysis, SLC39A6 was knocked down in HepG2 and Hep3B cells to examine the effect on the proliferation, migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. The results suggested that SLC39A6 was significantly upregulated in liver cancer tissues compared with normal liver tissues. High expression of SLC39A6 was significantly associated with poor overall survival of patients with liver cancer. Furthermore, knockdown of SLC39A6 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, the results of the present study suggested that SLC39A6 may be a promising prognostic biomarker for liver cancer and is associated with the proliferation, migration and invasion of liver cancer.

Long-term and continuous administration of Bacillus subtilis during remission effectively maintains the remission of inflammatory bowel disease by protecting intestinal integrity, regulating epithelial proliferation, and reshaping microbial structure and function

Gut microbiota takes part in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Clinical research has found that probiotics have a beneficial effect on active ulcerative colitis, but to date, significant efficacy has rarely been found in the use of probiotics in the remission phase of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. More studies are needed to assess the utilization of probiotics in IBD remission. In this study, we assessed the administration of Bacillus subtilis in remission and its possible mechanism in mice with IBD. Oral administration of B. subtilis was implemented for 6 weeks (dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-P6w group), 2 weeks (DSS-P2w group) or 0 weeks (DSS-control(CT) group) in the remission phase in rodents with (DSS)-induced IBD. The body weight, colon length and disease activity index (DAI) were recorded, and colon H&E staining was performed. The expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) mRNA and epithelium proliferation-related Ki67 was detected. Gut microbiota were tested by 16S rRNA sequencing. Administration of B. subtilis in remission effectively increased the body weight and colon length and decreased DAI in the DSS-P6w group compared with the DSS-CT group, but there is no significant difference between the DSS-P2w and DSS-CT groups. The epithelial integrity was improved, and the expression of ZO-1 and occludin increased due to administration of B. subtilis in remission, which was more evident in the DSS-P6w group. The expression of Ki67 increased in the DSS-CT group compared with that in the CT group. The administration of B. subtilis effectively down-regulated the expression of Ki67 in the DSS-P6w and DSS-P2w groups compared with the DSS-CT group. Furthermore, gut microbial structure was improved, with significantly decreased Escherichia/Shigella and Enterococcus, and increased Akkermansia and corresponding microbial function in the DSS-P6w group. Short-term administration of B. subtilis in the remission phase showed no significant improvement in mice with IBD. Long-term and continuous supplementation of B. subtilis in remission could effectively maintain the remission by protecting epithelial integrity, regulating proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, and improving gut microbiota and the corresponding microbial function.

Lgals3bp suppresses colon inflammation and tumorigenesis through the downregulation of TAK1-NF-κB signaling

Galectin 3-binding protein (LGALS3BP, also known as 90K) is a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in immunity and cancer. However, its precise role in colon inflammation and tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we showed that Lgals3bp-/- mice were highly susceptible to colitis and colon tumorigenesis, accompanied by the induction of inflammatory responses. In acute colitis, NF-κB was highly activated in the colon of Lgals3bp-/- mice, leading to the excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNFα, and IL-1β. Mechanistically, Lgals3bp suppressed NF-κB through the downregulation of TAK1 in colon epithelial cells. There was no significant difference in the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels between wild-type and Lgals3bp-/- mice in a chronic inflammatory state, during colon tumorigenesis. Instead, Lgals3bp-/- mice showed elevated levels of GM-CSF, compared to those in WT mice. We also found that GM-CSF promoted the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and ultimately increased colon tumorigenesis in Lgals3bp-/- mice. Taken together, Lgals3bp plays a critical role in the suppression of colitis and colon tumorigenesis through the downregulation of the TAK1-NF-κB-cytokine axis. These findings suggest that LGALS3BP is a novel immunotherapeutic target for colon inflammation and tumorigenesis.

A Perspective Of Intestinal Immune-Microbiome Interactions In Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Uncovering the intricacies of the gut microbiome and how it interacts with the host immune system has opened up pathways in the search for the treatment of disease conditions. Alcohol-associated liver disease is a major cause of death worldwide. Research has shed light on the breakdown of the protective gut barriers, translocation of gut microbes to the liver and inflammatory immune response to microbes all contributing to alcohol-associated liver disease. This knowledge has opened up avenues for alternative therapies to alleviate alcohol-associated liver disease based on the interaction of the commensal gut microbiome as a key player in the regulation of the immune response. This review describes the relevance of the intestinal immune system, the gut microbiota, and specialized and non-specialized intestinal cells in the regulation of intestinal homeostasis. It also reflects how these components are altered during alcohol-associated liver disease and discusses new approaches for potential future therapies in alcohol-associated liver disease.

RETRACTED: Dietary oligosaccharides attenuate DSS-induced colitis in mice, induce PGlyRP3 expression, and inhibit NF-κB and MEK/ERK signaling

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors. The Editors of Cellular Immunology have been informed by Elsevier that the article had been submitted to another journal while under consideration at "Cellular Immunology", which is a case of double submission. Based on the above infringement and its deleterious impact on the mutual trust necessary for the evaluation of scientific work - the corresponding authors had stated that the article was not submitted to another journal - it was decided to retract this article.

Identification of retinoid acid induced 16 as a novel androgen receptor target in prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Retinoid acid induced 16 (RAI16) was reported to enhance tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that functions as a critical oncogene in several cancer progressions. However, whether RAI16 is a candidate AR target gene that may involve in prostate cancer progression was unclear.

MATERIALS & METHODS

RAI16 expression was detected in prostate cancer cells with or without the AR agonist R1881 treatment by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Direct AR binding to the RAI16 promoter was tested using AR chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase assay. Cell viability and colony formation assays in response to R1881 were analyzed in cells with RAI16 knockdown by specific siRNA.

RESULTS

The expression of RAI16 was high in LNCaP(AI), LNCaP(AD), C4-2 expressing AR, but low in Du145 and Pc-3 cells without AR expressing. In addition, the expression of RAI16 could be induced by 10 nM R1881 treatment LNCaP(AD) and C4-2 cells, but inhibited by AR specific siRNA treatment. Furthermore, AR binds directly to ARE3 (-2003~-1982bp) of RAI16 promoter region by ChIP and luciferase assay. RAI16 knockdown inhibited the enhancement of cell viability and colony formation of AR stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate for the first time that RAI16 is a direct target gene of AR. RAI16 may involved in cell growth of prostate cancer cells in response to AR signaling.

Retinoic acid induced 16 deficiency exacerbates high-fat diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with obesity may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Retinoic acid induced 16 (RAI16) plays an important role in cell apoptosis and is also a potential marker for HCC. Here we aimed to test the effect of RAI16 deficiency on liver pathology in high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice. Wild type (WT) and RAI16 knockout (RAI16-/-) C57BL/6 mice were fed with HFD or chow for up to 12 months. With consumption of HFD diet, RAI16-/- mice on HFD developed much more excess fatty liver within 4 months than WT mice on HFD. The expressions of fatty acid synthesis associated molecules Ppar-γ, Srebp-1c and Fas were further increased in RAI16-/- mice compared with WT mice on HFD. Macrophage infiltration related molecules Mcp-1 and F4/80 and pro-inflammatory factor Lcn2 were significantly increased in RAI16-/- mice compared with WT mice on HFD. Conclusively, RAI16 deficiency exacerbated HFD-induced liver injury, associated with increased inflammation. These findings indicate that RAI16 plays an important role in HFD-induced liver pathology and might be considered as a target for treatment of NAFLD. SIGNIFICANCE: 1. RAI16-/- mice on HFD developed much more excess fatty liver. 2. RAI16-/- mice showed more macrophage infiltration and proinflammation.