Pharmacological suppression of glycogen synthase kinase-3 reactivates HIV-1 from latency via activating Wnt/β-catenin/TCF1 axis in CD4+ T cells

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β: A multifaceted player in ischemia-reperfusion injury and its therapeutic prospects

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in irreversible metabolic dysfunction and structural damage to tissues or organs, posing a formidable challenge in the field of organ implantation, cardiothoracic surgery, and general surgery. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase, is involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune response. Phosphorylation of its tyrosine 216 and serine 9 sites positively and negatively regulates the activation and inactivation of the enzyme. Significantly, inhibition or inactivation of GSK-3β provides protection against IRI, making it a viable target for drug development. Though numerous GSK-3β inhibitors have been identified to date, the development of therapeutic treatments remains a considerable distance away. In light of this, this review summarizes the complicated network of GSK-3β roles in IRI. First, we provide an overview of GSK-3β's basic background. Subsequently, we briefly review the pathological mechanisms of GSK-3β in accelerating IRI, and highlight the latest progress of GSK-3β in multiorgan IRI, encompassing heart, brain, kidney, liver, and intestine. Finally, we discuss the current development of GSK-3β inhibitors in various organ IRI, offering a thorough and insightful reference for GSK-3β as a potential target for future IRI therapy.

HNF1A induces glioblastoma by upregulating EPS8 and activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Despite the exact biological role of HNF1 homolog A (HNF1A) in the regulatory mechanism of glioblastoma (GBM), the molecular mechanism, especially the downstream regulation as a transcription factor, remains to be further elucidated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and clinical relevance of HNF1A in GBM patients. CCK8, TUNEL, and subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice were used to evaluate the effect of HNF1A on GBM in vitro and in vivo. The correction between HNF1A and epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (EPS8) was illustrated by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay. Further mechanism was explored that the transcription factor HNF1A regulated the expression of EPS8 and downstream signaling pathways by directly binding to the promoter region of EPS8. Our comprehensive analysis of clinical samples in this study showed that upregulated expression of HNF1A was associated with poor survival in GBM patients. Further, we found that knockdown of HNF1A markedly suppressed the malignant phenotype of GBM cells in vivo and in vitro as well as promoted apoptosis of tumor cells, which was reversed by upregulation of HNF1A. Mechanistically, HNF1A could significantly activate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by specifically binding to the promoter regions of EPS8. Moreover, overexpression of EPS8 was able to reverse the apoptosis of tumor cells caused by HNF1A knockdown, thereby exacerbating the GBM progression. Correctively, our study has clarified the explicit mechanism by which HNF1A promotes GBM malignancy and provides a new therapeutic target for further clinical application.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3: A potential immunotherapeutic target in tumor microenvironment

Glycogen synthase kinase-3(GSK-3) is a protein kinase that can phosphorylate over a hundred substrates and regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and death. Researchers have acknowledged the pivotal role of abnormal activation of GSK-3 in the progression of various diseases over the past few decades. Recent studies have mostly concentrated on investigating the function of GSK-3 in the tumor microenvironment, specifically examining the interaction between TAM, NK cells, B cells, and T cells. Furthermore, GSK-3 exhibits a strong association with immunological checkpoints, such as programmed cell death protein 1. Novel GSK-3 inhibitors have potential in tumor immunotherapy, exerting beneficial effects on hematologic diseases and solid tumors. Nevertheless, there is a lack of reviews about the correlation between tumor-associated immune cells and GSK-3. This study intends to analyze the function and mechanism of GSK-3 comprehensively and systematically in the tumor microenvironment, with a special focus on its influence on various immune cells. The objective is to present novel perspectives for GSK-3 immunotherapy.

A review of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3) inhibitors for cancers therapies

The intricate molecular pathways governing cancer development and progression have spurred intensive investigations into novel therapeutic targets. Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3), a complex serine/threonine kinase, has emerged as a key player with intricate roles in various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Harnessing GSK3 inhibitors as potential candidates for cancer therapy has garnered significant interest due to their ability to modulate key signalling pathways that drive oncogenesis. The review encompasses a thorough examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying GSK3's involvement in cancer progression, shedding light on its interaction with critical pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB. Through these interactions, GSK3 exerts influence over tumour growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis, rendering it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The discussion includes preclinical and clinical studies, showcasing the inhibitors efficacy across a spectrum of cancer types, including pancreatic, ovarian, lung, and other malignancies. Insights from recent studies highlight the potential synergistic effects of combining GSK3 inhibitors with conventional chemotherapeutic agents or targeted therapies, opening avenues for innovative combinatorial approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research surrounding GSK3 inhibitors as promising agents for cancer treatment.

Regulation of the WNT-CTNNB1 signaling pathway by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in a cap-snatching manner

IMPORTANCE

One of the conserved mechanisms at the stage of genome transcription of segmented negative-strand RNA viruses (sNSVs) is the cap-snatching process, which is vital for sNSVs transcription and provides drugable targets for the development of antivirals. However, the specificity of RNAs snatched by sNSV is still unclear. By transcriptomics analysis of whole blood samples from SFTS patients, we found WNT-CTNNB1 signaling pathway was regulated according to the course of the disease. We then demonstrated that L protein of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) could interact with mRNAs of WNT-CTNNB1 signaling pathway-related gene, thus affecting WNT-CTNNB1 signaling pathway through its cap-snatching activity. Activation of WNT-CTNNB1 signaling pathway enhanced SFTSV replication, while inhibition of this pathway decreased SFTSV replication in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that WNT-associated genes may be the substrate for SFTSV "cap-snatching", and indicate a conserved sNSVs replication mechanism involving WNT-CTNNB1 signaling.

HCMV UL8 interaction with β-catenin and DVL2 regulates viral reactivation in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells

IMPORTANCE

CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) are an important cellular reservoir for latent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Several HCMV genes are expressed during latency that are involved with the maintenance of the viral genome in CD34+ HPC. However, little is known about the process of viral reactivation in these cells. Here, we describe a viral protein, pUL8, and its interaction and stabilization with members of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as an important component of viral reactivation. We further define that pUL8 and β-catenin interact with DVL2 via a PDZ-binding domain, and loss of UL8 interaction with β-catenin-DVL2 restricts viral reactivation. Our findings will be instrumental in understanding the molecular processes involved in HCMV reactivation in order to design new antiviral therapeutics.

Liver X receptor controls follicular helper T cell differentiation via repression of TCF-1

Liver X receptor (LXR) is a critical regulator of cholesterol homeostasis that inhibits T cell receptor (TCR)-induced proliferation by altering intracellular sterol metabolism. However, the mechanisms by which LXR regulates helper T cell subset differentiation remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that LXR is a crucial negative regulator of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in vivo. Both mixed bone marrow chimera and antigen-specific T cell adoptive cotransfer studies show a specific increase in Tfh cells among LXRβ-deficient CD4⁺ T cell population in response to immunization and lymphocytic choriomeningitis mammarenavirus (LCMV) infection. Mechanistically, LXRβ-deficient Tfh cells express augmented levels of T cell factor 1 (TCF-1) but comparable levels of Bcl6, CXCR5, and PD-1 in comparison with those of LXRβ-sufficient Tfh cells. Loss of LXRβ confers inactivation of GSK3β induced by either AKT/Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation or Wnt/β-catenin pathway, leading to elevated TCF-1 expression in CD4⁺ T cells. Conversely, ligation of LXR represses TCF-1 expression and Tfh cell differentiation in both murine and human CD4⁺ T cells. LXR agonist significantly diminishes Tfh cells and the levels of antigen-specific IgG upon immunization. These findings unveil a cell-intrinsic regulatory function of LXR in Tfh cell differentiation via the GSK3β-TCF1 pathway, which may serve as a promising target for pharmacological intervention in Tfh-mediated diseases.

Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor promotes HIV-1 transcription

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), a hub of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), is required for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. HIV-1 infection can upregulate the expression of α7 nAChR in T lymphocytes and affect the role of CAP. However, whether α7 nAChR regulates HIV-1 infection in CD4+ T cells is unclear. In this study, we first found that activation of α7 nAChR by GTS-21 (an α7 nAChR agonist) can promote the transcription of HIV-1 proviral DNA. Then, through transcriptome sequencing analysis, we found that p38 MAPK signaling was enriched in GTS-21 treated HIV-latent T cells. Mechanistically, activation of α7 nAChR could increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce DUSP1 and DUSP6, and consequently enhance the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. By co-immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we found that p-p38 MAPK interacted with Lamin B1 (LMNB1). Activation of α7 nAChR increased the binding between p-p38 MAPK and LMNB1. We confirmed that knockdown of MAPK14 significantly downregulated NFATC4, a key activator of HIV-1 transcription. Taken together, activation of the α7 nAChR could trigger ROS/p-p38 MAPK/LMNB1/NFATC4 signaling pathway enhancing HIV-1 transcription. We have revealed an unrecognized mechanism of α7 nAChR-mediated neuroimmune regulation of HIV infection.

Transforming dysfunctional CD8+ T cells into natural controller-like CD8+ T cells: can TCF-1 be the magic wand?

HIV infection results in defective CD8+ T cell functions that are incompletely resolved by antiretroviral therapy (ART) except in natural controllers, who have functional CD8+ T cells associated with viral control. In this issue of the JCI, Perdomo-Celis et al. demonstrated that targeting the Wnt/transcription factor T cell factor 1 (Wnt/TCF-1) pathway in dysfunctional CD8+ T cells led to gains in stemness phenotype, metabolic quiescence, survival potential, response to homeostatic γ-chain cytokines, and antiviral capacities, similar to profiles of functional CD8+ T cells in natural controllers. Although reprogramming might not sufficiently reverse the imprinted dysfunction of CD8+ T cells in HIV infection, these findings outline the Wnt/TCF-1 pathway as a potential target to reprogram dysfunctional CD8+ T cells in efforts to achieve HIV remission.

Association between inflammation and coagulation biomarkers and carotid atherosclerosis among treated people with HIV

Background

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of morbidity among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) who initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART). Little is known about the roles of inflammation in atherosclerotic CVD among PWH.

Methods

This cross-sectional evaluation included 178 PWH between 40 and 70 years on stable (>3 months) ART who were derived from the ongoing, prospective cohort for Comparative HIV and Aging Research in Taizhou (CHART), China, from February 2017 to August 2018. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) ≥1 mm was considered as cIMT thickening indicative of atherosclerotic CVD. Plasma inflammation and coagulation biomarkers were quantified by a multiplex bead cytokine assay for 27 cytokines and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for soluble CD14 and D-dimer, respectively. We performed a series of multiparametric analyses of biomarkers and developed a composite score for atherosclerotic CVD assessment among PWH.

Results

Of 178 PWH, 53 (30.9%) had cIMT thickening. In multivariable logistic analysis adjusting for CVD and human immunodeficiency virus-specific risk factors, interleukin (IL)-4 (odds ratio [OR] = 19.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–226.5), IL-7 (OR = 16.7; 95% CI, 1.8–151.7), IL-10 (OR = 11.9; 95% CI, 2.0–72.1), and D-dimer (OR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0–10.1) were significantly associated with cIMT thickening. We also developed a composite score incorporating markers (IL-7, IL-10, D-dimer, and hypertension) that accurately evaluated atherosclerotic CVD.

Conclusions

The associations of IL-4, IL-7, IL-10, and D-dimer with atherosclerosis underscores research needs to further understand the inflammatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis CVD among treated PWH. The composite score for atherosclerotic CVD assessment could be useful for risk stratification in PWH.