Fatostatin induces ferroptosis through inhibition of the AKT/mTORC1/GPX4 signaling pathway in glioblastoma

SREBP2-dependent lipid droplet formation enhances viral replication and deteriorates lung injury in mice following IAV infection

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a significant zoonotic pathogen that poses a considerable challenge to public health due to its continuous mutations. Lipid droplets (LDs) have been shown to play an important role in the process of several viral infections. However, their role in IAV infection remains unclear. Here, we found that IAV infection altered the lipid metabolism and increased the content of LDs in the lungs of mice. In vitro, IAV infection also mediated the formation of LDs in A549 cells. Besides, inhibition of the formation of lipid droplets can significantly suppress IAV replication and the release of inflammatory factors, indicating that LDs could facilitate the virus replication and inflammatory response. Furthermore, we discovered that IAV infection could activate the SREBP2, a crucial lipid-regulating transcription factor that regulates the expressions of downstream proteins named HMGCR and HMGCS. HMGCR and HMGCS involved in the process of cholesterol synthesis, which further promoted the formation of LDs. Additionally, the use of fatostatin that specifically inhibits the maturation of SREBP2 was able to significantly suppress the viral replication of H5N1 in cells and effectively ameliorated IAV-induced lung injury in mice, which eventually promoted the survival rate of infected mice. Taken together, we demonstrate the essential roles of lipid metabolism and LD formation in IAV replication and pathogenesis, which may better facilitate the advancement of new strategies against IAV infection, especially the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.

Amplifying glioblastoma immunotherapy: T cell shielding through Nitric oxide/reactive oxygen species scavenging nanoparticles Potentiates anti-PD-1

Despite the success of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in various cancers, its efficacy faces challenges in glioblastoma (GBM) due to the immunosuppressive cold-tumor microenvironment. The scarcity of tumor-infiltrating T cells and the suppression of T cell activity significantly limit therapeutic outcomes in GBM. Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from tumor-associated myeloid cells (TAMCs) are key contributors to T cell suppression, reducing ICB therapy effectiveness. In this study, we developed NO-ROS scavenging micelles that effectively scavenge both NO and ROS, protecting T cells from their exhausting effects. This leads to a significant increase in T cell infiltration and activation. Moreover, when combined with αPD-1, the survival rate increases to 40 % up to 120 days, enhancing therapeutic efficacy compared to αPD-1 alone. This approach not only protects T cells from the inhibitory effects of NO and ROS but also has the potential to reshape the tumor microenvironment, overcoming T cell suppression in cold tumors.

Roles of selenium-containing glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases in the regulation of processes associated with glioblastoma progression

Glioblastoma remains the most common and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Current treatment options include standard surgical resection combined with radiation/chemotherapy, but such protocol most likely only delays the inevitable. Therefore, the problem of finding therapeutic targets to prevent the occurrence and development of this severe oncological disease is currently acute. It is known that the functions of selenoproteins in the regulation of carcinogenesis processes are not unambiguous. Either they exhibit cytotoxic activity on cancer cells, or cytoprotective. A special place in the progression of oncological diseases of various etiologies is occupied by proteins of the thioredoxin and glutathione systems. These are two cellular antioxidant systems that regulate redox homeostasis, counteracting the increased production of reactive oxygen species in cells. The review reflects the latest data on the role of key enzymes of these redox systems in the regulation of processes associated with the progression of glioblastoma. A thorough consideration of these issues will expand fundamental knowledge about the functions of selenium-containing thioredoxin reductases and glutathione peroxidases in the therapy of glioblastomas and provide an understanding of the prospects for the treatment of this aggressive oncological disease.

The YTHDF3-DT/miR-301a-3p /INHBA axis attenuates autophagy-dependent ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma

YTHDF3-DT, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), is associated with poor patient prognosis and plays critical roles in LUAD progression. Clinical data and in vitro analyses revealed that YTHDF3-DT expression correlates with worse overall survival and increased lymph node metastasis in LUAD patients. Functional studies demonstrated that YTHDF3-DT activates the TGF-β and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways via INHBA, a key target influenced by YTHDF3-DT. Mechanistically, YTHDF3-DT stabilizes INHBA mRNA by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-301a-3p, forming a YTHDF3-DT/miR-301a-3p/INHBA axis. This axis regulates ferroptosis in an autophagy-dependent manner in LUAD cells, with YTHDF3-DT promoting cell survival by altering autophagic activity and mitigating ferroptosis-induced cell death. In vivo experiments further validated the role of YTHDF3-DT in tumor growth and ferroptosis regulation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in LUAD. Our data contribute toward a significant mechanistic understanding of the molecules involved in the crosstalk between ferroptosis and autophagy, providing potential therapeutic targets to complement the existing therapies for overcoming the developed resistance in patients with LUAD.

Lipidomics-driven drug discovery and delivery strategies in glioblastoma

With few viable treatment options, glioblastoma (GBM) is still one of the most aggressive and deadly types of brain cancer. Recent developments in lipidomics have demonstrated the potential of lipid metabolism as a therapeutic target in GBM. The thorough examination of lipids in biological systems, or lipidomics, is essential to comprehending the changed lipid profiles found in GBM, which are linked to the tumor's ability to grow, survive, and resist treatment. The use of lipidomics in drug delivery and discovery is examined in this study, focusing on how it may be used to find new biomarkers, create multi-target directed ligands, and improve drug delivery systems. We also cover the use of FDA-approved medications, clinical trials that use lipid-targeted medicines, and the integration of lipidomics with other omics technologies. This study emphasizes lipidomics as a possible tool in developing more effective treatment methods for GBM by exploring various lipid-centric techniques.

CENPF interaction with PLA2G4A promotes glioma growth by modulating mTORC1 and NF-κB pathways

BACKGROUND

Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system, and due to the limited effectiveness of traditional single-target therapies, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic targets. Centromere protein F (CENPF) belongs to the centromere protein family and is mainly involved in the regulation of the cell cycle. CENPF has recently been found to play a key role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, but its role in gliomas has not been well studied.

METHODS

The expression level and clinical information of CENPF were obtained by analyzing the TCGA, CGGA and GEO databases. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were used to quantitatively detect the expression of CENPF in glioma tissues and cell lines. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of TCGA and GSE16011 datasets was used to explore the molecular mechanism of the CENPF. CENPF-interacting proteins were detected by molecular docking and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). After silencing CENPF, CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to detect changes in cell proliferation, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis, and Western blot was used to detect changes in signaling pathway protein levels.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis showed that CENPF was generally highly expressed in gliomas and was associated with poor prognosis. This result was confirmed in glioma samples from our hospital. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CENPF was an independent prognostic marker for gliomas. Western blot analysis in vitro showed that CENPF was overexpressed in the U251 and LN229 cell lines; therefore, these two cell lines were selected for subsequent experiments. GSEA analysis showed that CENPF was mainly involved in the G2/M phase-mediated cell cycle and P53 signaling pathway. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that silencing CENPF induced G2/M phase arrest and increased apoptosis in glioma cells. Subsequent experiments confirmed that CENPF influences the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process through the mTORC1 signaling pathway. Molecular docking and Co-IP assay revealed that CENPF exerts its effects by interacting with PLA2G4A promoting the downstream signaling pathway. Finally, we found that silencing CENPF combined with a PLA2G4A inhibitor (AACOCF3) induced glioma cell apoptosis and exhibited anti-glioma effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that CENPF plays a key role in promoting tumorigenesis through its interaction with PLA2G4A. This study provides a theoretical foundation for advancing multi-targeted therapies in glioma and for developing strategies to overcome tumor drug resistance.

Oxidative Stress and Reprogramming of Lipid Metabolism in Cancers

Oxidative stress is a common event involved in cancer pathophysiology, frequently accompanied by unique lipid metabolic reprogramming phenomena. Oxidative stress is caused mainly by an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system in cancer cells. Emerging evidence has reported that oxidative stress regulates the expression and activity of lipid metabolism-related enzymes, leading to the alteration of cellular lipid metabolism; this involves a significant increase in fatty acid synthesis and a shift in the way in which lipids are taken up and utilized. The dysregulation of lipid metabolism provides abundant intermediates to synthesize biological macromolecules for the rapid proliferation of cancer cells; moreover, it contributes to the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis by producing a variety of reducing agents. Moreover, lipid derivatives and metabolites play critical roles in signal transduction within cancer cells and in the tumor microenvironment that evades immune destruction and facilitates tumor invasion and metastasis. These findings suggest a close relationship between oxidative stress and lipid metabolism during the malignant progression of cancers. This review focuses on the crosstalk between the redox system and lipid metabolic reprogramming, which provides an in-depth insight into the modulation of ROS on lipid metabolic reprogramming in cancers and discusses potential strategies for targeting lipid metabolism for cancer therapy.

Impaired RelA signaling and lipid metabolism dysregulation in hepatocytes: driving forces in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

RelA, also known as nuclear factor kappa B p65, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. However, the specific role of RelA in hepatocytes during the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is not well understood. This study explored the relationship between impaired RelA signaling and lipid metabolism disorders in hepatocytes, and how they synergistically contribute to the advancement of MASLD. We assessed the changes, regulatory relationships, and impacts of RelA signaling and lipid metabolism remodeling on disease progression both in vitro and in vivo. During MASLD, there was a decrease in the expression of RelA and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1α), with both factors showing mutual enhancement of each other's expression under normal conditions. This synergistic effect was absent during hepatocyte steatosis. RelA or HNF1α depletion in hepatocytes intensified MASLD symptoms, whereas overexpression of RELA or treatment with necrostatin-1 (a necroptosis inhibitor) or Z-VAD (a caspase inhibitor) significantly mitigated these effects. Mechanistically, during hepatic steatosis, altered lipid profiles exhibited lipotoxicity, inducing hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis, whereas endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress triggered lipid remodeling processes similar to those observed in MASLD. RelA signaling upregulated the expression of activating transcription factor 4 and glucose-regulated protein 78, thereby alleviating ER stress. Impaired RelA signaling remodeled the ER stress response and lipid metabolism, and enhanced lipid accumulation and lipid toxicity. In conclusion, impaired RelA signaling and disrupted lipid metabolism form a detrimental feedback loop in hepatocytes that promotes MASLD progression. Lipid accumulation suppresses RelA signaling, remodeling the ER stress response and exacerbating lipid metabolism disorder, ultimately leading to hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis.

Hypericin mediated photodynamic therapy induces ferroptosis via inhibiting the AKT/mTORC1/GPX4 axis in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma remains a challenging primary hepatobiliary malignancy with dismal prognosis. Photodynamic therapy (PDT),a less invasive treatment, has been found to inhibit the proliferation and induce ferroptosis, apoptosis and necrosis in other tumor cells in recent years. Regrettably, the role and exact molecule mechanism of PDT is still incompletely clear in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Ferroptosis is a novel regulated cell death(RCD), which is controlled by glutathione peroxidase4(GPX4) with the characteristics of iron dependent and excessive intracellular accumulation of lipid peroxides. This novel form of RCD has attracted great attention as a potential new target in clinical oncology during recent years. In this study, we observed that hypericin mediated PDT(HY-PDT) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of the cholangiocarcinoma cells and suppress migration and the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well. Then, we conducted transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis and observed that HY-PDT was most likely involved in ferroptosis, apoptosis, the EMT process and AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathways in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Next, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to confirm that HY-PDT could trigger cholangiocarcinoma cells ferroptosis through inhibiting the expression of GPX4 protein. In terms of molecular mechanism, we found that HY-PDT induced ferroptosis by decreasing GPX4 expression via suppression of the AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway. In addition, we also found that HY-PDT inhibit cholangiocarcinoma cells migration and the EMT process by inhibiting the AKT/mTORC1 pathway. Our study illustrated a new mechanism of action for HY-PDT and might throw light on the individualized precision therapy for cholangiocarcinoma patients.

Synthetic inhibition of SREBP2 and the mevalonate pathway blocks rhabdomyosarcoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo and promotes chemosensitization

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of targeting the mevalonate pathway (MVP) in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a soft tissue tumor with a prevalence in young people.

METHODS

In silico analyses of RNA datasets were performed to correlate MVP with RMS patient survival. The sensitivity of RMS cell lines to MVP inhibitors was assessed in vitro by analysis of cell growth (crystal violet and clonogenic assays), cell migration (wound healing assay), cell survival (neutral red assay), and oxidative stress (ROS assay). The effects of MVP inhibitors were tested in vivo by analyzing RMS xenografts grown in NOD/SCID mice. Quantification of protein targets was performed using immunoblotting or immunohistochemistry analyses.

RESULTS

In silico analysis showed upregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and MVP genes, including 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMGCR), farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (FDPS), squalene epoxidase (SQLE), which correlated with worse overall patient survival. Targeting of MVP in human RD and RH30 lines by inhibitors of SREBP2 (fatostatin), HMGCR (lovastatin and simvastatin), and FDPS (zoledronic acid) resulted in impaired cell growth, migration, and viability, and increased oxidative cell death in combination with actinomycin D. Conversely, cholesterol (CHO) supplementation enhanced cell growth and migration. Fatostatin and lovastatin produced rapid attenuation of Erk1/2 and Akt1 signaling in RMS lines, and oral administration of lovastatin reduced tumor mass growth of xenografted RD cells in NOD/SCID mice. Finally, we found that forced Akt1 activation in RD cells was sufficient to drive SREBP2, HMGCR and SQLE protein expression, promoting increased susceptibility to MVP inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the Akt1, SREBP2 and MVP axis is critical for RMS tumor growth, migration, and oxidative stress protection primarily through maintaining adequate CHO levels that enable proper intracellular signaling. Therefore, stimulating CHO depletion via SREBP2 and MVP inhibition may represent a viable option to improve the combination therapy protocol, especially in pAkt1-positive RMS.

PAK2 as a therapeutic target in cancer: Mechanisms, challenges, and future perspectives

P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are crucial regulators within cellular signaling pathways and have been implicated in a range of human diseases, including cancer. Among the PAK family, PAK2 is widely expressed across various tissues and has emerged as a significant driver of cancer progression. However, systematic studies on PAK2 remain limited. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PAK2's role in cancer, focusing on its involvement in processes such as angiogenesis, metastasis, cell survival, metabolism, immune response, and drug resistance. We also explore its function in key cancer signaling pathways and the potential of small-molecule inhibitors targeting PAK2 for therapeutic purposes. Despite promising preclinical data, no PAK2 inhibitors have reached clinical practice, underscoring challenges related to their specificity and therapeutic application. This review highlights the biological significance of PAK2 in cancer and its interactions with critical signaling pathways, offering valuable insights for future research. We also discuss the major obstacles in developing PAK inhibitors and propose strategies to overcome these barriers, paving the way for their clinical translation.

Starting points for the development of new targeted therapies for glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and lethal brain tumors, characterized by rapid growth, invasiveness, and resistance to standard therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Despite advances in treatment, GBM remains highly resistant due to its complex molecular mechanisms, including angiogenesis, invasion, immune modulation, and lipid metabolism dysregulation. This review explores recent breakthroughs in targeted therapies, focusing on innovative drug carriers such as nanoparticles and liposomes, and their potential to overcome GBM's chemo- and radioresistant phenotypes. We also discuss the molecular pathways involved in GBM progression and the latest therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapy and precision medicine approaches, which hold promise for improving clinical outcomes. The review highlights the importance of understanding GBM's genetic and molecular heterogeneity to develop more effective, personalized treatment protocols aimed at increasing survival rates and enhancing the quality of life for GBM patients.

Uncovering the molecular networks of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and its complications: a multi-omics investigation

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a multi-factorial disorder and related complications constitute one of the principal causes of global mortality and disability. The role of ferroptosis in diabetes and its complications is intricate and significant. This study endeavors to disclose the role of ferroptosis in the aforementioned diseases from multiple perspectives through multi-omics.

METHODS

We performed genetic correlation analyses via the Linkage Disequilibrium Score and High-Definition Likelihood approaches for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. The data concerning the expression of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were obtained from the meta-analysis of studies on gene expression and protein abundance. Mendelian randomization analyses and cross-validation were implemented using the discovery cohort, replication cohort, and imaging genomics cohort of T2D and its complications. Moreover, we conducted colocalization analyses on T2D and tissue-specific single-cell RNA sequencing investigations on the complications to complement the results.

RESULTS

Genetic association analysis indicated that the selected datasets could be incorporated into a secondary analysis of T2D complications. In the primary analysis, six FRGs (CDKN1A, ENO3, FURIN, RARRES2, TYRO3, and YTHDC2) were found to be positively associated with T2D risk. Conversely, eight FRGs (ARNTL, CAMKK2, CTSB, FADS2, KDM5A, MEG3, SREBF1, and STAT3) were inversely associated with T2D risk. The 14 FRGs were included in the secondary analysis. Within the FRGs, which received full support from both the discovery and replication cohorts, and were further validated by imaging genomics, higher levels of CDKN1A were positively associated with DKD risk. Higher levels of CAMKK2 and KDM5A were associated with a decreased risk of DKD. For DCM, higher levels of CTSB were positively associated with DCM risk. And genetically predicted higher levels of ARNTL and SREBF1 were associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD. Finally, we validated the tissue-specific expression of each complication with scRNA-seq datasets.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified FRGs in relation to T2D and its complications, which may enhance the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of their development. Meanwhile, it offers cross-validation for imaging genomics and further indicates the direction for non-invasive diagnosis.

Ferroptosis driven by nanoparticles for tackling glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive, malignant, and drug-resistant brain tumor. There are no effective treatment options for GBM, which usually leads to relapses that cause patients to die a few months later. Ferroptosis, a newly discovered mechanism of regulated cell death, has been identified as a tumor suppressor in solid tumors and represents an alternative to apoptosis resistance. This mechanism of cell death is characterized by iron overload, which is responsible for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell. Understanding the ferroptosis pathway and its key regulators can be used to develop rational delivery systems that specifically target these regulators in GBM cells and promote cell death. This review conducted a systematic literature search to better understand the potential of ferroptosis as a target for developing nanoparticles to tackle GBM. The mechanisms of action, design parameters, efficacy, and safety concerns of 16 nanoparticles were evaluated, demonstrating the potential of combining ferroptosis inducers with nanocarriers to promote a selective delivery to the tumor microenvironment.

Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata extracts ameliorate hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by restoring lipid metabolism in hepatocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common occurrence during or after liver surgery, representing a major cause for postoperative complications or increased morbidity and mortality in liver diseases. Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP) is a traditional Chinese medicine frequently used and has garnered extensive attention for its therapeutic potential treating cardiovascular and hepatic ailments. Recent studies have indicated the possibility of RRP in regulating lipid accumulation and apoptosis in hepatocytes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the specific mechanisms by which RRP may impede the progression of HIRI through the regulation of lipid metabolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the major components of RRP water extract. C57BL/6J mice were orally given RRP at doses of 2.5 g/kg, 5 g/kg, and 10 g/kg for a duration of 7 days before undergoing HIRI surgery. Furthermore, we established a lipid-loaded in vitro model by exposing hepatocytes to oleic acid and palmitic acid (OAPA). The anti-HIRI effect of RRP was determined through transcriptomics and various molecular biology experiments.

RESULTS

After identifying active ingredients in RRP, we observed that RRP exerted lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective effects on HIRI mice and OAPA-treated hepatocytes. RRP activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which further on the one hand, inhibited the cleavage and activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) by limiting the movement of SREBPs cleavage-activating protein (SCAP)-SREBP2 complex with the help of endoplasmic reticulum lipid raft-associated protein 1 (ERLIN1) and insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1), and on the other hand, promoted liver X receptor α (LXRα) nuclear transportation and subsequent cholesterol efflux. Meanwhile, the anti-lipotoxic effect of RRP can be partly reversed by an LXRα inhibitor but largely blocked by the application of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

Our study elucidated that RRP served as a potential AMPK activator to alleviate HIRI by blocking SREBP2 activation and cholesterol synthesis, while also activating LXRα to facilitate cholesterol efflux. These findings shed new light on the potential therapeutic use of RRP for improving HIRI.

Novel strategies to overcome chemoresistance in human glioblastoma

Temozolomide (TMZ) is currently the first-line chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, the inherent heterogeneity of GBM often results in suboptimal outcomes, particularly due to varying degrees of resistance to TMZ. Over the past several decades, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-mediated DNA repair pathway has been extensively investigated as a target to overcome TMZ resistance. Nonetheless, the combination of small molecule covalent MGMT inhibitors with TMZ and other chemotherapeutic agents has frequently led to adverse clinical effects. Recently, additional mechanisms contributing to TMZ resistance have been identified, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, overactivation of intracellular signalling pathways, energy metabolism reprogramming or survival autophagy, and changes in tumor microenvironment (TME). These findings suggest that novel therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms hold promise for overcoming TMZ resistance in GBM patients. In this review, we summarize the latest advancements in understanding the mechanisms underlying intrinsic and acquired TMZ resistance. Additionally, we compile various small-molecule compounds with potential to mitigate chemoresistance in GBM. These mechanism-based compounds may enhance the sensitivity of GBM to TMZ and related chemotherapeutic agents, thereby improving overall survival rates in clinical practice.

Pharmacological inhibition of SREBP1 suppresses pancreatic cancer growth via inducing GPX4-mediated ferroptosis

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is highly malignancy with poor survival. Ferroptosis offers a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) shields tumor cells from ferroptosis damage. Although Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) has been implicated in the development of pancreatic cancer, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This research aims to explore the role of SREBP1 in ferroptosis by using its inhibitor Fatostatin. In this study, Fatostatin was found to inhibit the proliferation and clonogenicity of pancreatic cancer cell lines. This was accompanied by a reduction in intracellular lipid synthesis, increased iron accumulation, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The JASPAR database shows that there is a binding site of the SREBP1 on the promoter region of GPX4. What's more, it was verified that SREBP1 can transcriptionally regulate GPX4 by CHIP. In vivo experiments further revealed that Fatostatin could suppress the growth of subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. In conclusion, our study suggests that Fatostatin may inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation by inducing ferroptosis through the SREBP1/GPX4 pathway. These findings shed light on the therapeutic potential of Fatostatin and lay the groundwork for future investigations into its mechanism of action in pancreatic cancer.

Targeting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-regulated ferroptosis to treat nervous system diseases

By critically examining the work, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis on the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in nervous system diseases. We also proposed suggestions for future bibliometric studies, including the integration of multiple websites, analytical tools, and analytical approaches, The findings presented provide compelling evidence that ferroptosis is closely associated with the therapeutic challenges of nervous system diseases. Targeted modulation of NRF2 to regulate ferroptosis holds substantial potential for effectively treating these diseases. Future NRF2-related research should not only focus on discovering new drugs but also on designing rational drug delivery systems. In particular, nanocarriers offer substantial potential for facilitating the clinical translation of NRF2 research and addressing existing issues related to NRF2-related drugs.

Exploiting Integrin-αVβ3 to Enhance Radiotherapy Efficacy in Medulloblastoma via Ferroptosis

Medulloblastoma, a malignant pediatric brain tumor, has a poor prognosis upon relapse, highlighting a critical clinical need. Our previous research linked medulloblastoma cell radioresistance to integrin-αvβ3 expression. β3-depleted (β3_KO) medulloblastoma cells exhibit lipid hydroxyperoxide accumulation after radiotherapy, indicating ferroptosis, a regulated cell death induced by ROS and inhibited by antioxidants such as cysteine, glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4). However, the link between αvβ3 expression, ferroptosis inhibition, and sensitivity to radiotherapy remains unclear. We showed that irradiated β3_KO medulloblastoma cells primarily die by ferroptosis, with β3-subunit expression correlating with radiotherapy sensitivity and anti-ferroptotic protein levels. Our findings suggest that integrin-αvβ3 signaling boosts oxidative stress resilience via mTORC1. Thus, targeting integrin-αvβ3 could enhance radiotherapy efficacy in medulloblastoma by inducing ferroptotic cell death.

Role of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway involved in self-renewing and maintaining biological properties of chicken primordial germ cells

Avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) are important culture cells for the production of transgenic chickens and preservation of the genetic resources of endangered species; however, culturing these cells in vitro proves challenging. Although the proliferation of chicken PGCs is dependent on insulin, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we explored the expression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in PGCs, investigated its effects on PGC self-renewal and biological properties, and identified the underlying mechanisms. Our findings indicated that although supplementation with the PI3K/AKT activator IGF-1 failed to promote proliferation under the assessed culture conditions, the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 resulted in retarded cell proliferation and reduced expression of germ cell-related markers. We further demonstrated that inhibition of PI3K/AKT regulates the cell cycle and promotes apoptosis in PGCs by activating the expression of BAX and inhibiting that of Bcl-2. These findings indicated that the PI3K/AKT pathway is required for cell renewal, apoptosis, and maintenance of the reproductive potential in chicken PGCs. This study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the optimization and improvement of a culture system for chicken PGCs and provide insights into the self-renewal of vertebrate PGCs as well as potential evolutionary changes in this unique cell population.

Circular RNAs in programmed cell death: Regulation mechanisms and potential clinical applications in cancer: A review

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures formed by reverse splicing of precursor mRNAs. The widespread expression of circRNAs across species has been revealed by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches, indicating their unique properties and diverse functions including acting as microRNA sponges and interacting with RNA-binding proteins. Programmed cell death (PCD), encompassing various forms such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis, is an essential process for maintaining normal development and homeostasis in the human body by eliminating damaged, infected, and aging cells. Many studies have demonstrated that circRNAs play crucial roles in tumourigenesis and development by regulating PCD in tumor cells, showing that circRNAs have the potential to be biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the intricate associations between circRNAs and diverse PCD pathways in tumor cells, which play crucial roles in cancer development. Additionally, this review provides a detailed overview of the underlying mechanisms by which circRNAs modulate various forms of PCD for the first time. The ultimate objective is to offer valuable insights into the potential clinical significance of developing novel strategies based on circRNAs and PCD for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

SPC25 Activates the Warburg Effect to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

SPC25 is associated with unfavorable outcomes in various cancers, but its role in prostate cancer (PRAD) is unclear. More research is needed on glycolysis and ferroptosis targets in PRAD. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze SPC25 expression disparities. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified pathways enriched by SPC25 and its correlation with glycolytic proteins. SPC25 mRNA transcriptional activity was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), while protein levels of SPC25, glycolytic markers, and ferroptosis markers were assessed using Western blot. CCK-8 was used to evaluate the effects of SPC25 on cell survival. Ferroptosis levels were measured by flow cytometry and assays for Fe2+ and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Glycolytic capacity was assessed using glucose uptake assays, lactate tests, and a Seahorse XF analyzer. In PRAD tissues and cells, SPC25 was notably upregulated and correlated with adverse outcomes. It enhanced cancer cell vitality. GSEA showed SPC25's strong association with ferroptosis and glycolytic pathways, while Pearson correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between SPC25 and glycolytic proteins. Overexpression of SPC25 in cell lines noticeably curbed the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species, MDA formation, and Fe2+ content, while it augmented the protein expression of ferroptosis markers. SPC25 stimulated an increase in cellular extracellular acidification rate, glucose uptake, and lactate secretion, while it dampened oxygen consumption rate, and this effect could be counteracted by 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG). Conversely, 2-DG mitigated the ferroptosis indicators that were diminished by SPC25 downregulation, including the reduction of ferroptosis marker protein expression. By upregulating glycolysis in PRAD cells, SPC25 suppresses the occurrence of ferroptosis.

Mechanisms and therapeutic target of anti-tumour treatment-related Ferroptosis: How to improve cancer therapy?

Recently, increased attention has been focused on the regulatory mechanism and potential clinical application of ferroptosis in cancer cells, especially therapy-related ferroptosis. However, the mechanism of treatment-related ferroptosis and the application prospects and strategies for future treatment still require further clarification. This review highlights the molecular relationships between different clinical antitumour drugs, including commonly used chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy and vitamins, and ferroptosis. This review also proposes strategies for future treatments that involve ferroptosis, with an aim to develop a new strategy for the transformative potential of the emerging field of ferroptosis to improve cancer therapy.

Ferroptosis in glioma therapy: advancements in sensitizing strategies and the complex tumor-promoting roles

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death, is induced by the accumulation of lipid peroxides on cellular membranes. Over the past decade, ferroptosis has emerged as a crucial process implicated in various physiological and pathological systems. Positioned as an alternative modality of cell death, ferroptosis holds promise for eliminating cancer cells that have developed resistance to apoptosis induced by conventional therapeutics. This has led to a growing interest in leveraging ferroptosis for cancer therapy across diverse malignancies. Gliomas are tumors arising from glial or precursor cells, with glioblastoma (GBM) being the most common malignant primary brain tumor that is associated with a dismal prognosis. This review provides a summary of recent advancements in the exploration of ferroptosis-sensitizing methods, with a specific focus on their potential application in enhancing the treatment of gliomas. In addition to summarizing the therapeutic potential, this review also discusses the intricate interplay of ferroptosis and its potential tumor-promoting roles within gliomas. Recognizing these dual roles is essential, as they could potentially complicate the therapeutic benefits of ferroptosis. Exploring strategies aimed at circumventing these tumor-promoting roles could enhance the overall therapeutic efficacy of ferroptosis in the context of glioma treatment.

Salidroside sensitizes Triple-negative breast cancer to ferroptosis by SCD1-mediated lipogenesis and NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy

INTRODUCTION

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the primary cause of breast cancer-induced death in women. Literature has confirmed the benefits of Salidroside (Sal) in treating TNBC. However, the study about potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of Sal-anchored TNBC remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to explore the main targets and potential mechanisms of Sal against TNBC.

METHODS

Network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and machine learning algorithm strategies were integrated to examine the role, potential targets, and mechanisms of the Sal act in TNBC. MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor-bearing nude mice were chosen for in vitro and in vivo experimentation. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were determined using CCK-8, LDH test, and Calcein-AM/PI staining. Antioxidant defense, lipid peroxidation, and iron metabolism were explored using glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde (MDA), C11-BODIPY 581/591 probe, and FerroOrange dye. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) or stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) overexpression or nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4) deficiency was performed to demonstrate the mechanism of Sal on TNBC.

RESULTS

The prediction results confirmed that 22 ferroptosis-related genes were identified in Sal and TNBC, revealing that the potential mechanism of the Sal act on TNBC was linked with ferroptosis. Besides, these genes were mainly involved in the mTOR, PI3K/AKT, and autophagy signaling pathway by functional enrichment analysis. The in vitro validation results confirmed that Sal inhibited TNBC cell proliferation by modulating ferroptosis via elevation of intracellular Fe2+ and lipid peroxidation. Mechanistically, Sal sensitized TNBC cells to ferroptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, thereby suppressing SCD1-mediated lipogenesis of monounsaturated fatty acids to induce lipid peroxidation, additionally facilitating NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy to increase intracellular Fe2+ content. The GPX4 or SCD1 overexpression or NCOA4 deficiency results further supported our mechanistic studies. In vivo experimentation confirmed that Sal is vital for slowing down tumor growth by inducing ferroptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study elucidates TNBC pathogenesis closely linked to ferroptosis and identifies potential biomarkers in TNBC. Meanwhile, the study elucidates that Sal sensitizes TNBC to ferroptosis by SCD1-mediated lipogenesis and NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy, regulated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for applying Sal to treat TNBC.

Cerebroprotein hydrolysate-I ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice by inhibiting ferroptosis via the p53/SAT1/ALOX15 signalling pathway

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent lipid peroxidation-driven cell death pathway, has been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of AD remains unclear. Cerebroprotein hydrolysate-I (CH-I) is a mixture of peptides with neurotrophic effects that improves cognitive deficits and reduces amyloid burden. The present study investigated the ferroptosis-induced signalling pathways and the neuroprotective effects of CH-I in the brains of AD transgenic mice. Seven-month-old male APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of CH-I and saline for 28 days. The Morris water maze test was used to assess cognitive function. CH-I significantly improved cognitive deficits and attenuated beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. RNA sequencing revealed that multiple genes and pathways, including ferroptosis-related pathways, were involved in the neuroprotective effects of CH-I. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation, ferrous ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and altered expression of ferroptosis-related genes (recombinant solute carrier family 7, member 11 (SLC7A11), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)) were significantly alleviated after CH-I treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to investigate the expression of key ferroptosis-related genes and the p53/SAT1/arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) signalling pathway. The p53/SAT1/ALOX15 signalling pathway was found to be involved in mediating ferroptosis, and the activation of this pathway was significantly suppressed in AD by CH-I. CH-I demonstrated neuroprotective effects against AD by attenuating ferroptosis and the p53/SAT1/ALOX15 signalling pathway, thus providing new targets for AD treatment.

Ferroptosis at the nexus of metabolism and metabolic diseases

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, is emerging as a crucial regulator of human physiology and pathology. Increasing evidence showcases a reciprocal relationship between ferroptosis and dysregulated metabolism, propagating a pathogenic vicious cycle that exacerbates pathology and human diseases, particularly metabolic disorders. Consequently, there is a rapidly growing interest in developing ferroptosis-based therapeutics. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between ferroptosis and metabolism could provide an invaluable resource for mechanistic insight and therapeutic development. In this review, we summarize the important metabolic substances and associated pathways in ferroptosis initiation and progression, outline the cascade responses of ferroptosis in disease development, overview the roles and mechanisms of ferroptosis in metabolic diseases, introduce the methods for ferroptosis detection, and discuss the therapeutic perspectives of ferroptosis, which collectively aim to illustrate a comprehensive view of ferroptosis in basic, translational, and clinical science.

Cholesterol-ferroptosis nexus: Unveiling novel cancer therapeutic avenues

Ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, holds immense potential in cancer therapeutics due to its role in tumor progression and resistance. This review predominantly explores the intricate relationship between ferroptosis and cholesterol metabolism pathways, mainly focusing on the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. This review highlights the therapeutic implications of targeting cholesterol metabolism pathways for cancer treatment by delving into the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis regulation. Strategies such as inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and suppressing squalene synthesis offer promising avenues for inducing ferroptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, insights into targeting the 7-dehydrocholesterol pathway provide novel perspectives on modulating ferroptosis susceptibility and managing ferroptosis-associated diseases. Understanding the interplay between ferroptosis and cholesterol metabolism pathways underscores the potential of lipid metabolism modulation as an innovative therapeutic approach in cancer treatment.

Regiodivergent Metal-Catalyzed Oxidative Alkynylation of 2-Arylthiazoles with Terminal Alkynes under Air Conditions

Regiodivergent transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative C5- and ortho-alkynylation of 2-arylthiazoles have been demonstrated. Namely, Pd(II)-catalysis selectively generated C5-alkynylated products from the reaction of 2-arylthiazoles and terminal alkynes. In contrast, Ru(II)-catalysis exclusively provided ortho-alkynylated products from the same substrates. This protocol features a wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, high atom-economy, and exclusive regioselectivity. The alkynylated products can be readily converted into highly valuable synthons, which hold potential for applications in the fields of medicinal chemistry and materials science.

Forms of Non-Apoptotic Cell Death and Their Role in Gliomas-Presentation of the Current State of Knowledge

In addition to necrosis and apoptosis, the two forms of cell death that have been known for many decades, other non-apoptotic forms of cell death have been discovered, many of which also play a role in tumors. Starting with the description of autophagy more than 60 years ago, newer forms of cell death have become important for the biology of tumors, such as ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and paraptosis. In this review, all non-apoptotic and oncologically relevant forms of programmed cell death are presented, starting with their first descriptions, their molecular characteristics, and their role and their interactions in cell physiology and pathophysiology. Based on these descriptions, the current state of knowledge about their alterations and their role in gliomas will be presented. In addition, current efforts to therapeutically influence the molecular components of these forms of cell death will be discussed. Although research into their exact role in gliomas is still at a rather early stage, our review clarifies that all these non-apoptotic forms of cell death show significant alterations in gliomas and that important insight into understanding them has already been gained.

Rutin targets AKT to inhibit ferroptosis in ventilator-induced lung injury

Our previous research confirmed that rutin reduced ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in mice. Ferroptosis has been reported to participate in the pathogenic process of VILI. We will explore whether rutin inhibits ferroptosis to alleviate VILI. A mouse model of VILI was constructed with or without rutin pretreatment to perform a multiomics analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate lung injury in VILI mice. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining and the malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were detected. Molecular docking was performed to determine the binding affinity between rutin and ferroptosis-related proteins. Western blot analysis, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were conducted to detect the expression levels of GPX4, XCT, ACSL4, FTH1, AKT and p-AKT in lung tissues. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) was used to evaluate the binding between rutin and AKT1. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed that ferroptosis may play a key role in VILI mice. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that rutin may affect ferroptosis via the AKT pathway. Molecular docking analysis indicated that rutin may regulate the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins. Moreover, rutin upregulated GPX4 expression and downregulated the expression of XCT, ACSL4 and FTH1 in the lung tissues. Rutin also increased the ratio of p-AKT/AKT and p-AKT expression. MST analysis showed that rutin binds to AKT1. Rutin binds to AKT to activate the AKT signaling pathway, contributing to inhibit ferroptosis, thus preventing VILI in mice. Our study elucidated a possible novel strategy of involving the use of rutin for preventing VILI.

PTGER3 knockdown inhibits the vulnerability of triple-negative breast cancer to ferroptosis

Prostaglandin E receptor 3 (PTGER3) is involved in a variety of biological processes in the human body and is closely associated with the development and progression of a variety of cancer types. However, the role of PTGER3 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. In the present study, low PTGER3 expression was found to be associated with poor prognosis in TNBC patients. PTGER3 plays a crucial role in regulating TNBC cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. Upregulation of PTGER3 weakens the epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype in TNBC and promotes ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo by repressing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. On the other hand, downregulation of PTGER3 inhibits ferroptosis by increasing GPX4 expression and activating the PI3K-AKT pathway. Upregulation of PTGER3 also enhances the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel. Overall, this study has elucidated critical pathways in which low PTGER3 expression protects TNBC cells from undergoing ferroptosis, thereby promoting its progression. PTGER3 may thus serve as a novel and promising biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC.

Capsaicin Enhanced the Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy Against Osteosarcoma via a Pro-Death Strategy by Inducing Ferroptosis and Alleviating Hypoxia

Ferroptosis, a novel form of nonapoptotic cell death, can effectively enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT) performance by disrupting intracellular redox homeostasis and promoting apoptosis. However, the extremely hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) together with highly expressed hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) presents a considerable challenge for clinical PDT against osteosarcoma (OS). Hence, an innovative nanoplatform that enhances antitumor PDT by inducing ferroptosis and alleviating hypoxia is fabricated. Capsaicin (CAP) is widely reported to specifically activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel, trigger an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which is closely linked with ferroptosis, and participate in decreased oxygen consumption by inhibiting HIF-1α in tumor cells, potentiating PDT antitumor efficiency. Thus, CAP and the photosensitizer IR780 are coencapsulated into highly biocompatible human serum albumin (HSA) to construct a nanoplatform (CI@HSA NPs) for synergistic tumor treatment under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Furthermore, the potential underlying signaling pathways of the combination therapy are investigated. CI@HSA NPs achieve real-time dynamic distribution monitoring and exhibit excellent antitumor efficacy with superior biosafety in vivo. Overall, this work highlights a promising NIR imaging-guided "pro-death" strategy to overcome the limitations of PDT for OS by promoting ferroptosis and alleviating hypoxia, providing inspiration and support for future innovative tumor therapy approaches.

Orexin-A mediates glioblastoma proliferation inhibition by increasing ferroptosis triggered by unstable iron pools and GPX4 depletion

Glioblastoma (GBM) represents a prevalent form of primary malignant tumours in the central nervous system, but the options for effective treatment are extremely limited. Ferroptosis, as the most enriched programmed cell death process in glioma, makes a critical difference in glioma progression. Consequently, inducing ferroptosis has become an appealing strategy for tackling gliomas. Through the utilization of multi-omics sequencing data analysis, flow cytometry, MDA detection and transmission electron microscopy, the impact of orexin-A on ferroptosis in GBM was assessed. In this report, we provide the first evidence that orexin-A exerts inhibitory effects on GBM proliferation via the induction of ferroptosis. This induction is achieved by instigating an unsustainable increase in iron levels and depletion of GPX4. Moreover, the regulation of TFRC, FTH1 and GPX4 expression through the targeting of NFE2L2 appears to be one of the potential mechanisms underlying orexin-A-induced ferroptosis.

Columbianadin suppresses glioblastoma progression by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant glioma among brain tumors with low survival rate and high recurrence rate. Columbianadin (CBN) has pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, thrombogenesis-inhibiting and anti-tumor effects. However, it remains unknown that the effect of CBN on GBM cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms. In the present study, we found that CBN inhibited the growth and proliferation of GBM cells in a dose-dependent manner. Subsequently, we found that CBN arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and induced the apoptosis of GBM cells. In addition, CBN also inhibited the migration and invasion of GBM cells. Mechanistically, we chose network pharmacology approach by screening intersecting genes through targets of CBN in anti-GBM, performing PPI network construction followed by GO analysis and KEGG analysis to screen potential candidate signaling pathway, and found that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Protein Kinase-B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway was a potential target signaling pathway of CBN in anti-GBM. As expected, CBN treatment indeed inhibited the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in GBM cells. Furthermore, YS-49, an agonist of PI3K/Akt signaling, partially restored the anti-GBM effect of CBN. Finally, we found that CBN inhibited GBM growth in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM through inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Together, these results suggest that CBN has an anti-GBM effect by suppressing PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and is a promising drug for treating GBM effectively.

Understanding the Role of Connexins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular and Prognostic Implications

Connexins, a family of tetraspan membrane proteins forming intercellular channels localized in gap junctions, play a pivotal role at the different stages of tumor progression presenting both pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects. Considering the potential role of connexins as tumor suppressors through multiple channel-independent mechanisms, their loss of expression may be associated with tumorigenic activity, while it is hypothesized that connexins favor the clonal expansion of tumor cells and promote cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, affecting metastasis and chemoresistance in some cases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by unfavorable prognosis and limited responsiveness to current therapeutic strategies, has been linked to gap junction proteins as tumorigenic factors with prognostic value. Notably, several members of connexins have emerged as promising markers for assessing the progression and aggressiveness of HCC, as well as the chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity of hepatocellular tumor cells. Our review sheds light on the multifaceted role of connexins in HCC pathogenesis, offering valuable insights on recent advances in determining their prognostic and therapeutic potential.

FOXP3 promote the progression of glioblastoma via inhibiting ferroptosis mediated by linc00857/miR-1290/GPX4 axis

The oncogenic properties of members belonging to the forkhead box (FOX) family have been extensively documented in different types of cancers. In this study, our objective was to investigate the impact of FOXP3 on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. By conducting a screen using a small hairpin RNA (shRNA) library, we discovered a significant association between FOXP3 and ferroptosis in GBM cells. Furthermore, we observed elevated levels of FOXP3 in both GBM tissues and cell lines, which correlated with a poorer prognosis. FOXP3 was found to promote the proliferation of GBM cells by inhibiting cell ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FOXP3 not only directly upregulated the transcription of GPX4, but also attenuated the degradation of GPX4 mRNA through the linc00857/miR-1290 axis, thereby suppressing ferroptosis and promoting proliferation. Additionally, the FOXP3 inhibitor epirubicin exhibited the ability to impede proliferation and induce ferroptosis in GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, our study provided evidences that FOXP3 facilitates the progression of glioblastoma by inhibiting ferroptosis via the linc00857/miR-1290/GPX4 axis, highlighting FOXP3 as a potential therapeutic target for GBM.

Induction of ferroptosis by natural phenols: A promising strategy for cancer therapy

In recent years, heightened interest surrounds the exploration of natural phenols as potential agents for cancer therapy, specifically by inducing ferroptosis, a unique form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. This review delves into the roles of key natural phenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, curcumin, and stilbenes, in modulating ferroptosis and their underlying mechanisms. Emphasizing the significance of amino acid, lipid, and iron metabolism, the study elucidates the diverse pathways through which these phenols regulate ferroptosis. Notably, curcumin, a well-known polyphenol, exhibits multifaceted interactions with cellular components involved in ferroptosis regulation, providing a distinctive therapeutic avenue. Stilbenes, another phenolic class, demonstrate promising potential in influencing lipid metabolism and iron-dependent processes, contributing to ferroptotic cell death. Understanding the intricate interplay between these natural phenols and ferroptosis not only illuminates complex cellular regulatory networks but also unveils potential avenues for novel cancer therapies. Exploring these compounds as inducers of ferroptosis presents a promising strategy for targeted cancer treatment, capitalizing on the delicate balance between cellular metabolism and regulated cell death mechanisms. This article synthesizes current knowledge, aiming to stimulate further research into the therapeutic potential of natural phenols in the context of ferroptosis-mediated cancer therapy.

Regulation of ferroptosis by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: a promising therapeutic axis in cancer

The global challenge posed by cancer, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates, underscores the urgency for innovative therapeutic approaches. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, frequently amplified in various cancers, is central in regulating essential cellular processes. Its dysregulation, often stemming from genetic mutations, significantly contributes to cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Concurrently, ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent processes and lipid reactive oxygen species buildup, holds implications for diseases, including cancer. Exploring the interplay between the dysregulated PI3K/Akt pathway and ferroptosis unveils potential insights into the molecular mechanisms driving or inhibiting ferroptotic processes in cancer cells. Evidence suggests that inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway may sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis induction, offering a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of this interplay, shedding light on the potential for disrupting the PI3K/Akt pathway to enhance ferroptosis as an alternative route for inducing cell death and improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Nanozyme-based inulin@nanogold for adhesive and antibacterial agent with enhanced biosafety

Nanozymes with oxidase or peroxidase-mimicking activity have emerged as a promising alternative for disinfecting resistant pathogens. However, further research and clinical applications of nanozymes are hampered by their low in vivo biosafety and biocompatibility. In this study, inulin-confined gold nanoparticles (IN@AuNP) are synthesized as an antibacterial agent via a straightforward in situ reduction of Au3+ ions by the hydroxyl groups in inulin. The IN@AuNP exhibits both peroxidase-mimicking and oxidase-mimicking catalytic activities, of which the maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) for H2O2 is 2.66 times higher than that of horseradish peroxidase. IN@AuNP can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in effective antibacterial behavior against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Abundant hydroxyl groups retained in inulin endow the nanozyme with high adhesion to bacteria, reducing the distance between the captured bacteria and ROS, achieving an antibacterial ratio of 100 % within 1 h. Importantly, due to the natural biosafety and non-absorption of the dietary fiber inulin, as well as the inability of inulin-trapped AuNP to diffuse, the IN@AuNP exhibits high biosafety and biocompatibility under physiological conditions. This work is expected to open a new avenue for nanozymes with great clinical application value.

Borneol-modified docetaxel plus tetrandrine micelles for treatment of drug-resistant brain glioma

OBJECTIVE

Glioma is the most common and deadly primary malignant tumor in adults. Treatment outcomes are ungratified due to the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB), glioma stem cells (GSCs) and multidrug resistance (MDR). Docetaxel (DTX) is considered as a potential drug for the treatment of brain tumor, but its effectiveness is limited by its low bioavailability and drug resistance. Tetrandrine (TET) reverses the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy drugs. Borneol (BO) modified in micelles has been shown to promote DTX plus TET to cross the BBB, allowing the drug to better act on tumors. Therefore, we constructed BO-modified DTX plus TET micelles to inhibit chemotherapeutic drug resistance.

SIGNIFICANCE

Provide a new treatment method for drug-resistant brain gliomas.

METHODS

In this study, BO-modified DTX plus TET micelles were prepared by thin film dispersion method, their physicochemical properties were characterized. Its targeting ability was investigated. The therapeutic effect on GSCs was investigated by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The BO-modified DTX plus TET micelles were successfully constructed by thin film dispersion method, and the micelles showed good stability. The results showed that targeting micelles increased bEnd.3 uptake and helped drugs cross the BBB in vitro. And we also found that targeting micelles could inhibit cell proliferation, promote cell apoptosis and inhibit the expression of drug-resistant protein, thus provide a new treatment method for GSCs in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

BO-modified DTX plus TET micelles may provide a new treatment method for drug-resistant brain gliomas.

Emerging Lipid Targets in Glioblastoma

GBM accounts for most of the fatal brain cancer cases, making it one of the deadliest tumor types. GBM is characterized by severe progression and poor prognosis with a short survival upon conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. In order to improve therapeutic efficiency, considerable efforts have been made to target various features of GBM. One of the targetable features of GBM is the rewired lipid metabolism that contributes to the tumor's aggressive growth and penetration into the surrounding brain tissue. Lipid reprogramming allows GBM to acquire survival, proliferation, and invasion benefits as well as supportive modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Several attempts have been made to find novel therapeutic approaches by exploiting the lipid metabolic reprogramming in GBM. In recent studies, various components of de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, lipid uptake, and prostaglandin synthesis have been considered promising targets in GBM. Emerging data also suggest a significant role hence therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid metabolic pathway in GBM. Here we review the lipid-related GBM characteristics in detail and highlight specific targets with their potential therapeutic use in novel antitumor approaches.

Targeting AKT induced Ferroptosis through FTO/YTHDF2-dependent GPX4 m6A methylation up-regulating and degradating in colorectal cancer

Ferroptosis is a new type of iron-dependent programmed cell death induced by lipid peroxidation. However, the underlying mechanisms and function in tumor therapy still remain undisclosed especially in post-transcription regulation. Here, we found that targeting AKT significantly induced GPX4 dependent ferroptosis and suppressed colorectal cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. During this process, demethylase FTO was downregulated, which increased the m6A methylation level of GPX4, subsequently recognized by YTHDF2 and degraded. Prediction results showed that there are three potential methylated sites (193/647/766), and 193 site was identified as the right one, which was demethylated by FTO and read by YTHDF2. In parallel, AKT inhibition caused the accumulation of ROS which had a negative feedback on GPX4 expression. In addition, protective autophagy was initiated by MK2206 stimulation, while blocking autophagy further increased ferroptosis and markedly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of MK2206. In a word, inhibiting AKT activated ferroptosis through FTO/YTHDF2/GPX4 axis to suppress colon cancer progression, which raised FTO/GPX4 as potential biomarkers and targets in colorectal cancer therapy.

A STING pathway-activatable contrast agent for MRI-guided tumor immunoferroptosis synergistic therapy

The immunotherapy efficiency of stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-activatable drugs (e.g., 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin, SN38) is limited by their non-specificity to tumor cells and the slow excretion of the DNA-containing exosomes from the treated cancer cells. The efficacy of tumor ferroptosis therapy is always limited by the elimination of lipid peroxides (LPO) by the pathways of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1(FSP1). To solve these problems, in this study, we developed a STING pathway-activatable contrast agent (i.e., FeGd-HN@TA-Fe2+-SN38 nanoparticles) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided tumor immunoferroptosis synergistic therapy. The remarkable in vivo MRI performance of FeGd-HN@TA-Fe2+-SN38 is attributed to its high accumulation at tumor location, the high relaxivities of FeGd-HN core, and the pH-sensitive TA-Fe2+-SN38 layer. The effectiveness and biosafety of the immunoferroptosis synergistic therapy induced by FeGd-HN@TA-Fe2+-SN38 are demonstrated by the in vivo investigations on the 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. The mechanisms of in vivo immunoferroptosis synergistic therapy by FeGd-HN@TA-Fe2+-SN38 are demonstrated by measurements of in vivo ROS, LPO, GPX4 and SLC7A11 levels, the intratumor matured DCs and CD8+ T cells, the protein expresion of STING and IRF-3, and the secretion of IFN-β and IFN-γ.

The mechanism of ferroptosis and its related diseases

Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cellular death characterized by the iron-mediated accumulation of lipid peroxides, provides a novel avenue for delving into the intersection of cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, and disease pathology. We have witnessed a mounting fascination with ferroptosis, attributed to its pivotal roles across diverse physiological and pathological conditions including developmental processes, metabolic dynamics, oncogenic pathways, neurodegenerative cascades, and traumatic tissue injuries. By unraveling the intricate underpinnings of the molecular machinery, pivotal contributors, intricate signaling conduits, and regulatory networks governing ferroptosis, researchers aim to bridge the gap between the intricacies of this unique mode of cellular death and its multifaceted implications for health and disease. In light of the rapidly advancing landscape of ferroptosis research, we present a comprehensive review aiming at the extensive implications of ferroptosis in the origins and progress of human diseases. This review concludes with a careful analysis of potential treatment approaches carefully designed to either inhibit or promote ferroptosis. Additionally, we have succinctly summarized the potential therapeutic targets and compounds that hold promise in targeting ferroptosis within various diseases. This pivotal facet underscores the burgeoning possibilities for manipulating ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy. In summary, this review enriched the insights of both investigators and practitioners, while fostering an elevated comprehension of ferroptosis and its latent translational utilities. By revealing the basic processes and investigating treatment possibilities, this review provides a crucial resource for scientists and medical practitioners, aiding in a deep understanding of ferroptosis and its effects in various disease situations.

Terpinen-4-ol Induces Ferroptosis of Glioma Cells via Downregulating JUN Proto-Oncogene

According to previous research, turmeric seeds exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-malignancy, and anti-aging properties due to an abundance of terpinen-4-ol (T4O). Although it is still unclear how T4O works on glioma cells, limited data exist regarding its specific effects. In order to determine whether or not glioma cell lines U251, U87, and LN229 are viable, CCK8 was used as an assay and a colony formation assay was performed using different concentrations of T4O (0, 1, 2, and 4 μM). The effect of T4O on the proliferation of glioma cell line U251 was detected through the subcutaneous implantation of the tumor model. Through high-throughput sequencing, a bioinformatic analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions, we identified the key signaling pathways and targets of T4O. Finally, for the measurement of the cellular ferroptosis levels, we examined the relationship between T4O, ferroptosis, and JUN and the malignant biological properties of glioma cells. T4O significantly inhibited glioma cell growth and colony formation and induced ferroptosis in the glioma cells. T4O inhibited the subcutaneous tumor proliferation of the glioma cells in vivo. T4O suppressed JUN transcription and significantly reduced its expression in the glioma cells. The T4O treatment inhibited GPX4 transcription through JUN. The overexpression of JUN suppressed ferroptosis in the cells rescued through T4O treatment. Taken together, our data suggest that the natural product T4O exerts its anti-cancer effects by inducing JUN/GPX4-dependent ferroptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation, and T4O will hope-fully serve as a prospective compound for glioma treatment.