Inhibition of TRPV4 remodels single cell polarity and suppresses the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion study of GL-V9 and its glucuronide metabolite 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 in Sprague-Dawley rats

The objective of this study is to explore the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion patterns of GL-V9 and its glucuronide metabolite, 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9, following the administration of GL-V9 to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In this research, we developed and validated rapid, sensitive, and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methods for quantifying GL-V9 and 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 in various biological samples, including SD rat plasma, tissue homogenate, bile, urine, and feces. Quantification of GL-V9 and 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 in plasma, tissue homogenate, bile, urine, and feces was performed using the validated LC-MS/MS methods. The bioavailability of GL-V9 in SD rats ranged from 6.23% to 7.08%, and both GL-V9 and 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 exhibited wide distribution and rapid elimination from tissues. The primary distribution tissues for GL-V9 and 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 in rats were the duodenum, liver, and lung. GL-V9 was predominantly excreted in urine, while 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9 was primarily excreted in bile. GL-V9 exhibited easy absorption and rapid conversion to its glucuronide metabolite, 5-O-glucuronide GL-V9, following administration.

GL-V9 inhibits the activation of AR-AKT-HK2 signaling networks and induces prostate cancer cell apoptosis through mitochondria-mediated mechanism

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a serious health concern for men due to its high incidence and mortality rate. The first therapy typically adopted is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, patient response to ADT varies, and 20-30% of PCa cases develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This article investigates the anti-PCa effect of a drug candidate named GL-V9 and highlights the significant mechanism involving the AKT-hexokinase II (HKII) pathway. In both androgen receptor (AR)-expressing 22RV1 cells and AR-negative PC3 cells, GL-V9 suppressed phosphorylated AKT and mitochondrial location of HKII. This led to glycolytic inhibition and mitochondrial pathway-mediated apoptosis. Additionally, GL-V9 inhibited AR activity in 22RV1 cells and disrupted the feedback activation of AKT signaling in condition of AR inhibition. This disruption greatly increased the anti-PCa efficacy of the AR antagonist bicalutamide. In conclusion, we present a novel anti-PCa candidate and combination drug strategies to combat CRPC by intervening in the AR-AKT-HKII signaling network.

Platelet-derived microparticles adoptively transfer integrin β3 to promote antitumor effect of tumor-infiltrating T cells

Approximately two-thirds of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered a "cold tumor" characterized by few tumor-infiltrating T cells and an abundance of immunosuppressive cells. Cilengitide, an integrin αvβ3 inhibitor, has failed in clinical trials as a potential anticancer drug. This failure implies that integrin αvβ3 may play an important role in immune cells. However, the expression and potential role of integrin αvβ3 in T cells of HCC patients remain unknown. Here, we established two HCC models and found that cilengitide had a dual effect on the HCC microenvironment by exerting both antitumor effect and immunosuppressive effect on T cells. This may partly explain the failure of cilengitide in clinical trials. In clinical specimens, HCC-infiltrating T cells exhibited deficient expression and activation of integrin β3, which was associated with poor T-cell infiltration into tumors. Additionally, integrin β3 functioned as a positive immunomodulatory molecule to facilitate T-cell infiltration and T helper 1-type immune response in vitro. Furthermore, T cells and platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) co-culture assay revealed that PMPs adoptively transferred integrin β3 to T cells and positively regulated T cell immune response. This process was mediated by clathrin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis. Our data demonstrate that integrin β3 deficiency on HCC-infiltrating T cells may be involved in shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. PMPs transfer integrin β3 to T cells and positively regulate T cell immune response, which may provide a new insight into immune therapy of HCC.