RNA-seq and integrated network analysis reveals the hub genes and key pathway of paclitaxel inhibition on Adriamycin resistant diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells

Development and validation of a combined cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death prognostic model for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma worldwide with a high degree of heterogeneity. Cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD) have been considered to be vital for tumor progression. However, current understanding of cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death in DLBCL is still very limited. We aim to explore a prognostic model combining cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death in DLBCL.

METHODS

Pearson's correlation analysis was utilized to acquire lncRNAs associated with cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death. Prognostic biomarker identification and model construction involved the use of univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression. We assessed the predictive capability of the risk model by conducting Kaplan-Meier analysis and time-dependent ROC analysis. The analysis and comparison of immune infiltration and drug sensitivity were conducted in this study. Moreover, RT-qPCR was employed to validate the expression of lncRNAs associated with cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death in DLBCL cell lines.

RESULTS

We identified 4 prognosis-related lncRNAs (ANKRD10-IT1, HOXB-AS1, LINC00520 and LINC01165) that were correlated with cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death. The model was verified to have a good and independent predictive ability in the prognostic prediction of DLBCL patients. Moreover, significant difference was observed in immune infiltration and drug sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

Our discoveries could enhance the comprehension of the role of cuproptosis and ICD in DLBCL, potentially offering novel viewpoints and knowledge for personalized and precise treatment of DLBCL individuals.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer cells through targeting AXL

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Marsdenia Tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn. is a traditional Chinese medicine. Its standardized extract (MTE), with the trade name Xiao-Ai-Ping injection, is widely used for cancer treatment. The pharmacological effects of MTE-inducing cancer cell death have been primarily explored. However, whether MTE triggers tumor endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-associated immunogenic cell death (ICD) is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the potential role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the anti-cancer effects of MTE, and uncover the possible mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death induced by MTE.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The anti-tumor effects of MTE on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were examined through CCK-8 and wound healing assay. Network pharmacology analysis and RNA-sequencing (RNA seq) were performed to confirm the biological changes of NSCLCs after MTE treatment. Western blot, qRT-PCR, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay were used to explore the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Immunogenic cell death-related markers were tested by ELISA and ATP release assay. Salubrinal was used to inhibit the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. SiRNA and bemcentinib (R428) were used to impede the function of AXL. AXL phosphorylation was regained by recombinant human Gas6 protein (rhGas6). The effects of MTE on endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death response were also proved in vivo. The AXL inhibiting compound in MTE was explored by molecular docking and confirmed by Western blot.

RESULTS

MTE inhibited cell viability and migration of PC-9 and H1975 cells. Enrichment analysis identified that differential genes after MTE treatment were significantly enriched in endoplasmic reticulum stress-related biological processes. MTE decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased ROS production. Meanwhile, endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (ATF6, GRP-78, ATF4, XBP1s, and CHOP) and immunogenic cell death-related markers (ATP, HMGB1) were upregulated, and the AXL phosphorylation level was suppressed after MTE treatment. However, when salubrinal (an endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor) and MTE were co-treated cells, the inhibitory effects of MTE on PC-9 and H1975 cells were impaired. Importantly, inhibition of AXL expression or activity also promotes the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death-related markers. Mechanistically, MTE induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death by suppressing AXL activity, and these effects were attenuated when AXL activity recovered. Moreover, MTE significantly increased the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related markers in LLC tumor-bearing mouse tumor tissues and plasma levels of ATP and HMGB1. Molecular docking illustrated that kaempferol has the strongest binding energy with AXL and suppresses AXL phosphorylation.

CONCLUSION

MTE induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death in NSCLC cells. The anti-tumor effects of MTE are dependent upon endoplasmic reticulum stress. MTE triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death by inhibiting AXL activity. Kaempferol is an active component that inhibits AXL activity in MTE. The present research revealed the role of AXL in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and enriched the anti-tumor mechanisms of MTE. Moreover, kaempferol may be considered a novel AXL inhibitor.

The roles of NOP56 in cancer and SCA36

NOP56 is a highly conserved nucleolar protein. Amplification of the intron GGCCTG hexanucleotide repeat sequence of the NOP56 gene results in spinal cerebellar ataxia type 36 (SCA36). NOP56 contains an N-terminal domain, a coiled-coil domain, and a C-terminal domain. Nucleolar protein NOP56 is significantly abnormally expressed in a number of malignant tumors, and its mechanism is different in different tumors, but its regulatory mechanism in most tumors has not been fully explored. NOP56 promotes tumorigenesis in some cancers and inhibits tumorigenesis in others. In addition, NOP56 is associated with methylation in some tumors, suggesting that NOP56 has the potential to become a tumor-specific marker. This review focuses on the structure, function, related signaling pathways, and role of NOP56 in the progression of various malignancies, and discusses the progression of NOP56 in neurodegenerative and other diseases.