The redox protein HMGB1 in cell death and cancer

NFE2L2 and SLC25A39 drive cuproptosis resistance through GSH metabolism

Cuproptosis is a recently discovered form of regulated cell death triggered by mitochondrial copper accumulation and proteotoxic stress. Here, we provide the first evidence that glutathione (GSH), a major non-protein thiol in cells, acts as a cuproptosis inhibitor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Mechanistically, GSH inhibits cuproptosis by chelating copper, contrasting its role in blocking ferroptosis by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The classical cuproptosis inducer, ES-Cu (elesclomol plus copper), increases the protein stability of the transcription factor NFE2L2 (also known as NRF2), leading to the upregulation of gene expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). GCLM and GCLC are rate-limiting enzymes in GSH synthesis, and increased GSH is transported into mitochondria via the solute carrier family 25 member 39 (SLC25A39) transporter. Consequently, genetic inhibition of the NFE2L2-GSH-SLC25A39 pathway enhances cuproptosis-mediated tumor suppression in cell culture and in mouse tumor models. These findings not only reveal distinct mechanisms of GSH in inhibiting cuproptosis and ferroptosis, but also suggest a potential combination strategy to suppress PDAC tumor growth.

Unlocking the potential of pyroptosis in tumor immunotherapy: a new horizon in cancer treatment

Background

The interaction between pyroptosis-a form of programmed cell death-and tumor immunity represents a burgeoning field of interest. Pyroptosis exhibits a dual role in cancer: it can both promote tumor development and counteract it by activating immune responses that inhibit tumor evasion and encourage cell death. Current tumor immunotherapy strategies, notably CAR-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), alongside the potential of certain traditional Chinese medicinal compounds, highlight the intricate relationship between pyroptosis and cancer immunity. As research delves deeper into pyroptosis mechanisms within tumor therapy, its application in enhancing tumor immune responses emerges as a novel research avenue.

Purpose

This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying pyroptosis, its impact on tumor biology, and the advancements in tumor immunotherapy research.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted across PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang Database from the inception of the study until August 22, 2023. The search employed keywords such as "pyroptosis", "cancer", "tumor", "mechanism", "immunity", "gasdermin", "ICB", "CAR-T", "PD-1", "PD-L1", "herbal medicine", "botanical medicine", "Chinese medicine", "traditional Chinese medicine", "immunotherapy", linked by AND/OR, to capture the latest findings in pyroptosis and tumor immunotherapy.

Results

Pyroptosis is governed by a complex mechanism, with the Gasdermin family playing a pivotal role. While promising for tumor immunotherapy application, research into pyroptosis's effect on tumor immunity is still evolving. Notably, certain traditional Chinese medicine ingredients have been identified as potential pyroptosis inducers, meriting further exploration.

Conclusion

This review consolidates current knowledge on pyroptosis's role in tumor immunotherapy. It reveals pyroptosis as a beneficial factor in the immunotherapeutic landscape, suggesting that leveraging pyroptosis for developing novel cancer treatment strategies, including those involving traditional Chinese medicine, represents a forward-looking approach in oncology.

Targeting BMAL1 reverses drug resistance of acute myeloid leukemia cells and promotes ferroptosis through HMGB1-GPX4 signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a refractory hematologic malignancy that poses a serious threat to human health. Exploring alternative therapeutic strategies capable of inducing alternative modes of cell death, such as ferroptosis, holds great promise as a viable and effective intervention.

METHODS

We analyzed online database data and collected clinical samples to verify the expression and function of BMAL1 in AML. We conducted experiments on AML cell proliferation, cell cycle, ferroptosis, and chemotherapy resistance by overexpressing/knocking down BMAL1 and using assays such as MDA detection and BODIPY 581/591 C11 staining. We validated the transcriptional regulation of HMGB1 by BMAL1 through ChIP assay, luciferase assay, RNA level detection, and western blotting. Finally, we confirmed the results of our cell experiments at the animal level.

RESULTS

BMAL1 up-regulation is an observed phenomenon in AML patients. Furthermore, there existed a strong correlation between elevated levels of BMAL1 expression and inferior prognosis in individuals with AML. We found that knocking down BMAL1 inhibited AML cell growth by blocking the cell cycle. Conversely, overexpressing BMAL1 promoted AML cell proliferation. Moreover, our research results revealed that BMAL1 inhibited ferroptosis in AML cells through BMAL1-HMGB1-GPX4 pathway. Finally, knocking down BMAL1 can enhance the efficacy of certain first-line cancer therapeutic drugs, including venetoclax, dasatinib, and sorafenib.

CONCLUSION

Our research results suggest that BMAL1 plays a crucial regulatory role in AML cell proliferation, drug resistance, and ferroptosis. BMAL1 could be a potential important therapeutic target for AML.

Advancements in Stimulus-Responsive Co-Delivery Nanocarriers for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach against tumors, with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) making significant clinical practice. The traditional ICIs, PD-1 and PD-L1, augment the cytotoxic function of T cells through the inhibition of tumor immune evasion pathways, ultimately leading to the initiation of an antitumor immune response. However, the clinical implementation of ICIs encounters obstacles stemming from the existence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and inadequate infiltration of CD8+T cells. Considerable attention has been directed towards advancing immunogenic cell death (ICD) as a potential solution to counteract tumor cell infiltration and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This approach holds promise in transforming "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors that exhibit responsiveness to antitumor. By combining ICD with ICIs, a synergistic immune response against tumors can be achieved. However, the combination of ICD inducers and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors is hindered by issues such as poor targeting and uncontrolled drug release. An advantageous solution presented by stimulus-responsive nanocarrier is integrating the physicochemical properties of ICD inducers and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, facilitating precise delivery to specific tissues for optimal combination therapy. Moreover, these nanocarriers leverage the distinct features of the tumor microenvironment to accomplish controlled drug release and regulate the kinetics of drug delivery. This article aims to investigate the advancement of stimulus-responsive co-delivery nanocarriers utilizing ICD and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Special focus is dedicated to exploring the advantages and recent advancements of this system in enabling the combination of ICIs and ICD inducers. The molecular mechanisms of ICD and ICIs are concisely summarized. In conclusion, we examine the potential research prospects and challenges that could greatly enhance immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.

The crosstalk of CD8+ T cells and ferroptosis in cancer

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, novel form of programmed cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion and is widespread in a variety of diseases. CD8+ T cells are the most important effector cells of cytotoxic T cells, capable of specifically recognizing and killing cancer cells. Traditionally, CD8+ T cells are thought to induce cancer cell death mainly through perforin and granzyme, and Fas-L/Fas binding. In recent years, CD8+ T cell-derived IFN-γ was found to promote cancer cell ferroptosis by multiple mechanisms, including upregulation of IRF1 and IRF8, and downregulation of the system XC-, while cancer cells ferroptosis was shown to enhance the anti-tumor effects of CD8+ T cell by heating the tumor immune microenvironment through the exposure and release of tumor-associated specific antigens, which results in a positive feedback pathway. Unfortunately, the intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells are more sensitive to ferroptosis than cancer cells, which limits the application of ferroptosis inducers in cancer. In addition, CD8+ T cells are susceptible to being regulated by other immune cell ferroptosis in the TME, such as tumor-associated macrophages, dendritic cells, Treg, and bone marrow-derived immunosuppressive cells. Together, these factors build a complex network of CD8+ T cells and ferroptosis in cancer. Therefore, we aim to integrate relevant studies to reveal the potential mechanisms of crosstalk between CD8+ T cells and ferroptosis, and to summarize preclinical models in cancer therapy to find new therapeutic strategies in this review.

Ferroptosis in immunostimulation and immunosuppression

Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent regulated cell death characterized by the accumulation of toxic lipid peroxides, particularly in the plasma membrane, leading to lytic cell death. While it plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall health and proper functioning of multicellular organisms, it can also contribute to tissue damage and pathological conditions. Although ferroptotic damage is generally recognized as an immunostimulatory process associated with the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), the occurrence of ferroptosis in immune cells or the release of immunosuppressive molecules can result in immune tolerance. Consequently, there is ongoing exploration of targeting the upstream signals or the machinery of ferroptosis to therapeutically enhance or inhibit the immune response. In addition to introducing the core molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, we will focus on the immune characteristics of ferroptosis in pathological conditions, particularly in the context of infection, sterile inflammation, and tumor immunity.

Molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its roles in leukemia

Cell death is a complex process required to maintain homeostasis and occurs when cells are damage or reach end of life. As research progresses, it is apparent that necrosis and apoptosis do not fully explain the whole phenomenon of cell death. Therefore, new death modalities such as autophagic cell death, and ferroptosis have been proposed. In recent years, ferroptosis, a new type of non-apoptotic cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, has been receiving increasing attention. Ferroptosis can be involved in the pathological processes of many disorders, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, nervous system diseases, and blood diseases. However, the specific mechanisms by which ferroptosis participates in the occurrence and development of leukemia still need to be more fully and deeply studied. In this review, we present the research progress on the mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in leukemia, to provide new theoretical basis and strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical hematological diseases.

Susceptibility of acute myeloid leukemia cells to ferroptosis and evasion strategies

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30%. Continuous updating of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies has not been effective in improving the clinical benefit of AML. AML cells are prone to iron metabolism imbalance due to their unique pathological characteristics, and ferroptosis is a novel cell death mode that is dominated by three cellular biological processes: iron metabolism, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. An in-depth exploration of the unique ferroptosis mechanism in AML can provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This study summarizes recent studies on ferroptosis in AML cells and suggests that the metabolic characteristics, gene mutation patterns, and dependence on mitochondria of AML cells greatly increase their susceptibility to ferroptosis. In addition, this study suggests that AML cells can establish a variety of strategies to evade ferroptosis to maintain their survival during the process of occurrence and development, and summarizes the related drugs targeting ferroptosis pathway in AML treatment, which provides development directions for the subsequent mechanism research and clinical treatment of AML.

High-Mobility Group Box 1 Overexpression Predicts a Poor Prognosis and Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer by Activating TLR4/NF-κB Signaling

INTRODUCTION

The molecular mechanism of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer (GC) has not been known well. This study aimed to explore the clinical effects of HMGB1 expression levels on the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC and to uncover the potential molecular mechanism which promotes tumor progression.

METHODS

The expression levels of HMGB1 in 125 patients with GC were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between HMGB1 expression and clinical characteristics of patients with GC. Stable overexpression (over-HMGB1) and knockdown (sh-HMGB1) GC cell lines (AGS and MKN-45) were used to determine the effects of HMGB1 on the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05 in two sides.

RESULTS

HMGB1 is highly expressed in GC tissues and cell lines. High HMGB1 expression (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.44-2.39, p = 0.001) was an independent risk factor for overall survival in patients with GC. Downregulation of HMGB1 resulted in downregulation of TLR4 and NF-κB subunit (p-p65 and p-IκBα) expression, whereas the upregulated expression of HMGB1 led to increased expression of TLR4 and NF-κB subunits. Overexpression of HMGB1 promotes the upregulation of EMT-TF expression, which enhances the proliferation and migration abilities of GC cell lines.

CONCLUSION

HMGB1 is highly expressed in GC tissues and is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with GC. HMGB1 activates the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to promote EMT progression in GC cell lines. HMGB1 may be a critical molecule in prognosis prediction and a therapeutic target for patients with GC.

From Oxytosis to Ferroptosis: 10 Years of Research on Oxidative Cell Death

Over the past decade, extensive research has been dedicated to understanding oxidative cell death, specifically the transition from oxytosis to ferroptosis. Oxytosis was initially characterized in 1989 as a calcium-dependent form of nerve cell death induced by glutamate. It was associated with intracellular glutathione depletion and the inhibition of cystine uptake through system xc-, a cystine-glutamate antiporter. In 2012, the term "ferroptosis" was coined during a compound screening that aimed to selectively induce cell death in RAS-mutated cancer cells. This screening identified erastin and RSL3 as inhibitors of system xc- and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), respectively, triggering oxidative cell death. Subsequently, the term oxytosis gradually fell out of frequent usage, being replaced by ferroptosis. This editorial provides a narrative review of the significant findings, experimental models, and molecular players involved in ferroptosis, shedding light on its intricate mechanisms. Moreover, it discusses the implications of these findings in various pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and ischemia-reperfusion disease. By summarizing the decade-long progress made in this field, the present Forum serves as a valuable resource for researchers aiming to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying oxidative cell death and explore potential therapeutic interventions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 162-165.

Novel Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Immune Thrombocytopenia

Lower-than-normal platelet counts are a hallmark of the acquired autoimmune illness known as immune thrombocytopenia, which can affect both adults and children. Immune thrombocytopenia patients' care has evolved significantly in recent years, but the disease's diagnosis has not, and it is still only clinically achievable with the elimination of other causes of thrombocytopenia. The lack of a valid biomarker or gold-standard diagnostic test, despite ongoing efforts to find one, adds to the high rate of disease misdiagnosis. However, in recent years, several studies have helped to elucidate a number of features of the disease's etiology, highlighting how the platelet loss is not only caused by an increase in peripheral platelet destruction but also involves a number of humoral and cellular immune system effectors. This made it possible to identify the role of immune-activating substances such cytokines and chemokines, complement, non-coding genetic material, the microbiome, and gene mutations. Furthermore, platelet and megakaryocyte immaturity indices have been emphasized as new disease markers, and prognostic signs and responses to particular types of therapy have been suggested. Our review's goal was to compile information from the literature on novel immune thrombocytopenia biomarkers, markers that will help us improve the management of these patients.