Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signalling and T-cell lymphomas

Exploring the molecular mechanism of ginseng against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

BACKGROUND

Previous clinical and basic studies have revealed that ginseng might have cardioprotective properties against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC). However, the underlying mechanism of ginseng action against AIC remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to explore the related targets and pathways of ginseng against AIC using network pharmacology, molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

RESULTS

Fourteen drug-disease common targets were identified. Enrichment analysis showed that the AGE-RAGE in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and TNF signaling pathway were potentially involved in the action of ginseng against AIC. Molecular docking demonstrated that the core components including Kaempferol, beta-Sitosterol, and Fumarine had notable binding activity with the three core targets CCNA2, STAT1, and ICAM1. Furthermore, the stable complex of STAT1 and Kaempferol with favorable affinity was further confirmed by CETSA and MD simulation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that ginseng might exert their protective effects against AIC through the derived effector compounds beta-Sitosterol, Kaempferol and Fumarine by targeting CCNA2, STAT1, and ICAM1, and modulating AGE-RAGE in diabetic complications, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and TNF signaling pathways.

TLR4/TNFR1 blockade suppresses STAT1/STAT3 expression and increases SOCS3 expression in modulation of LPS-induced macrophage responses

Due to the urgent need to create appropriate treatment techniques, which are currently unavailable, LPS-induced sepsis has become a serious concern on a global scale. The primary active component in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases such as sepsis is the Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS interacts with cell surface TLR4 in macrophages, causing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), TNF-α, IL-1β and oxidative stress. It also significantly activates the MAPKs and NF-κB pathway. Excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines is one of the primary characteristic features in the onset and progression of inflammation. Cytokines mainly signal through the JAK/STAT pathway. We hypothesize that blocking of TLR4 along with TNFR1 might be beneficial in suppressing the effects of STAT1/STAT3 due to the stimulation of SOCS3 proteins. Prior to the LPS challenge, the macrophages were treated with antibodies against TLR4 and TNFR1 either individually or in combination. On analysis of the macrophage populations by flowcytometry, it was seen that receptor blockade facilitated the phenotypic shift of the M1 macrophages towards M2 resulting in lowered oxidative stress. Blocking of TLR4/TNFR1 upregulated the SOCS3 and mTOR expressions that enabled the transition of inflammatory M1 macrophages towards the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, which might be crucial in curbing the inflammatory responses. Also the reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β due to the reduction in the activation of the STAT1 and STAT3 molecules was observed in our combination treatment group. All these results indicated that neutralization of both TLR4 and TNFR1 might provide new insights in establishing an alternative therapeutic strategy for LPS-sepsis.

Targeting STAT3 signaling pathway in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with compounds from natural products

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is difficult to cure and of global concern. Neuroinflammation is closely associated with the onset and progression of AD, making its treatment increasingly important. Compounds from natural products, with fewer side effects than synthetic drugs, are of high research interest. STAT3, a multifunctional transcription factor, is involved in various cellular processes including inflammation, cell growth, and apoptosis. Its activation and inhibition can have different effects under various pathological conditions. In AD, the STAT3 protein plays a crucial role in promoting neuroinflammation and contributing to disease progression. This occurs primarily through the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway, which impacts microglia, astrocytes, and hippocampal neurons. This paper reviews the STAT3 signaling pathway in AD and 25 compounds targeting STAT3 up to 2024. Notably, Rutin, Paeoniflorin, and Geniposide up-regulate STAT3 in hippocampal and cortex neurons, showing neuroprotective effects in various AD models. Other 23 compounds downregulate AD by suppressing neuroinflammation through inhibition of STAT3 activation in microglia and astrocytes. These findings highlight the potential of compounds from natural products in improving AD by targeting STAT3, offering insights into the prevention and management of AD.

New insights into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the respiratory distress condition known as COVID-19. This disease broadly affects several physiological systems, including the gastrointestinal, renal, and central nervous (CNS) systems, significantly influencing the patient's overall quality of life. Additionally, numerous risk factors have been suggested, including gender, body weight, age, metabolic status, renal health, preexisting cardiomyopathies, and inflammatory conditions. Despite advances in understanding the genome and pathophysiological ramifications of COVID-19, its precise origins remain elusive. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with a receptor-binding domain within angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This receptor is expressed in various organs of different species, including humans, with different abundance. Although COVID-19 has multiorgan manifestations, the main pathologies occur in the lung, including pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and secondary bacterial pneumonia. In the post-COVID-19 period, different sequelae may occur, which may have various causes, including the direct action of the virus, alteration of the immune response, and metabolic alterations during infection, among others. Recognizing the serious adverse health effects associated with COVID-19, it becomes imperative to comprehensively elucidate and discuss the existing evidence surrounding this viral infection, including those related to the pathophysiological effects of the disease and the subsequent consequences. This review aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and its long-term effects on human health.

High STAT4 expression correlates with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia and facilitates disease progression by upregulating VEGFA expression

The aim of our study is to explore the mechanism of transcription-4 (STAT4) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). STAT4 level in AML bone marrow samples/cells was analyzed using bioinformatics and quantitative real-time PCR. The correlation between high STAT4 expression and the prognosis of AML patients was analyzed. The viability, apoptosis, and angiogenesis of AML cells were detected. The levels of STAT4, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) in transfected AML cells were examined. STAT4 level was upregulated in AML. STAT4 silencing decreased the viability and angiogenesis, yet increased the apoptosis of AML cells, while overexpressed STAT4 did conversely. VEGFA silencing counteracted the impacts of overexpressed STAT4 upon promoting viability and angiogenesis as well as repressing the apoptosis of AML cells. High STAT4 expression was correlated with poor prognosis of AML patients and facilitated disease progression via upregulating VEGFA expression.

Immune signaling of Litopenaeus vannamei c-type lysozyme and its role during microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) infection

The microsporidian Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is a fungi-related, spore-forming parasite. EHP infection causes growth retardation and size variation in shrimp, resulting in severe economic losses. Studies on shrimp immune response have shown that several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were upregulated upon EHP infection. Among those highly upregulated AMPs is c-type lysozyme (LvLyz-c). However, the immune signaling pathway responsible for LvLyz-c production in shrimp as well as its function against the EHP infection are still poorly understood. Here, we characterized major shrimp immune signaling pathways and found that Toll and JAK/STAT pathways were up-regulated upon EHP infection. Knocking down of a Domeless (DOME) receptor in the JAK/STAT pathways resulted in a significant reduction of the LvLyz-c and the elevation of EHP copy number. We further elucidated the function of LvLyz-c by heterologously expressing a recombinant LvLyz-c (rLvLyz-c) in an Escherichia coli. rLvLyz-c exhibited antibacterial activity against several bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Interestingly, we found an antifungal activity of rLvLyz-c against Candida albican, which led us to further investigate the effects of rLvLyz-c on EHP spores. Incubation of the EHP spores with rLvLyz-c followed by a chitin staining showed that the signals were dramatically decreased in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that rLvLyz-c possibly digest a chitin coat on the EHP spores. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that an endospore layer, which is composed mainly of chitin, was digested by rLvLyz-c. Lastly, we observed that EHP spores that were treated with rLvLyz-c showed a significant reduction of the spore germination rate. We hypothesize that thinning of the endospore of EHP would result in altered permeability, hence affecting spore germination. This work provides insights into shrimp immune signaling pathways responsible for LvLyz-c production and its anti-EHP property. This knowledge will serve as important foundations for developing EHP control strategies.

Oncogenic STAT Transcription Factors as Targets for Cancer Therapy: Innovative Strategies and Clinical Translation

Despite advances in our understanding of molecular aspects of oncogenesis, cancer remains a leading cause of death. The malignant behavior of a cancer cell is driven by the inappropriate activation of transcription factors. In particular, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), which regulate many critical cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation, are frequently activated inappropriately in a wide spectrum of human cancers. Multiple signaling pathways converge on the STATs, highlighting their importance in the development and progression of oncogenic diseases. STAT3 and STAT5 are two members of the STAT protein family that are the most frequently activated in cancers and can drive cancer pathogenesis directly. The development of inhibitors targeting STAT3 and STAT5 has been the subject of intense investigations in the last decade, although effective treatment options remain limited. In this review, we investigate the specific roles of STAT3 and STAT5 in normal physiology and cancer biology, discuss the opportunities and challenges in pharmacologically targeting STAT proteins and their upstream activators, and offer insights into novel therapeutic strategies to identify STAT inhibitors as cancer therapeutics.

Parkinson's Disease and MicroRNAs: A Duel Between Inhibition and Stimulation of Apoptosis in Neuronal Cells

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent diseases of central nervous system that is caused by degeneration of the substantia nigra's dopamine-producing neurons through apoptosis. Apoptosis is regulated by initiators' and executioners' caspases both in intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, further resulting in neuronal damage. In that context, targeting apoptosis appears as a promising therapeutic approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Non-coding RNAs-more especially, microRNAs, or miRNAs-are a promising target for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases because they are essential for a number of cellular processes, including signaling, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and gene regulation. It is estimated that a substantial portion of coding genes (more than 60%) are regulated by miRNAs. These small regulatory molecules can have wide-reaching consequences on cellular processes like apoptosis, both in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Furthermore, it was recommended that a disruption in miRNA expression levels could also result in perturbation of typical apoptosis pathways, which may be a factor in certain diseases like PD. The latest research on miRNAs and their impact on neural cell injury in PD models by regulating the apoptosis pathway is summarized in this review article. Furthermore, the importance of lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network for regulating apoptosis pathways in PD models and treatment is explored. These results can be utilized for developing new strategies in PD treatment.

Altered hormone expression induced genetic changes leads to breast cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Breast cancer ranks first among gynecological cancer in India. It is associated with urbanization, changes in lifestyle and obesity. Hormones also play a crucial role in the development of breast cancer. Steroid hormones play critical role in development of breast cancer.

RECENT FINDING

Breast cancer is caused due to alteration in different hormone expressions leading to genetic instability. Loss or gains of functions due to genetic instability were associated with the alterations in housekeeping genes. Up-regulation in c-myc, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), CREB-regulated transcription coactivator (CRTC), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) may cause the development of breast cancer. Peptide hormones are commonly following the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) pathway for activation of cell cycle causing uncontrolled proliferation. Although steroid hormones are following the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) pathway, their hyper-activation of these pathways causes extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and MAPK activation, leading to carcinogenesis.

SUMMARY

Alteration in cell cycle proteins, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, transcription and translation factors lead to breast cancer. Apoptosis plays a vital role in the elimination of abnormal cells but failure in any of these apoptotic pathways may cause tumorigenesis. Hence, a complex interplay of hormonal and genetic factors is required to maintain homeostasis in breast cells. Imbalance in homeostasis of these hormone and genes may lead to breast cancer.

Antioxidant Metabolism Pathways in Vitamins, Polyphenols, and Selenium: Parallels and Divergences

Free radicals (FRs) are unstable molecules that cause reactive stress (RS), an imbalance between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the body and its ability to neutralize them. These species are generated by both internal and external factors and can damage cellular lipids, proteins, and DNA. Antioxidants prevent or slow down the oxidation process by interrupting the transfer of electrons between substances and reactive agents. This is particularly important at the cellular level because oxidation reactions lead to the formation of FR and contribute to various diseases. As we age, RS accumulates and leads to organ dysfunction and age-related disorders. Polyphenols; vitamins A, C, and E; and selenoproteins possess antioxidant properties and may have a role in preventing and treating certain human diseases associated with RS. In this review, we explore the current evidence on the potential benefits of dietary supplementation and investigate the intricate connection between SIRT1, a crucial regulator of aging and longevity; the transcription factor NRF2; and polyphenols, vitamins, and selenium. Finally, we discuss the positive effects of antioxidant molecules, such as reducing RS, and their potential in slowing down several diseases.

Targeting TYK2 for Fighting Diseases: Recent Advance of TYK2 Inhibitors

TYK2 (tyrosine-protein kinase 2) is a non-receptor protein kinase belonging to the JAK family and is closely associated with various diseases, such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. TYK2 activates the downstream proteins STAT1-5 by participating in the signal transduction of immune factors such as IL-12, IL-23, and IL-10, resulting in immune expression. The activity of the inhibitor TYK2 can effectively block the transduction of excessive immune signals and treat diseases. TYK2 inhibitors are divided into two types of inhibitors according to the different binding sites. One is a TYK2 inhibitor that binds to JH2 and inhibits its activity through an allosteric mechanism. The representative inhibitor is BMS-986165, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. The other class binds to the JH1 adenosine triphosphate (ATP) site and prevents the catalytic activity of the kinase by blocking ATP and downstream phosphorylation. This paper mainly introduces the protein structure, signaling pathway, synthesis, structure-activity relationship and clinical research of TYK2 inhibitors.

Drugs to Treat Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neuroinflammation is associated with disorders of the nervous system, and it is induced in response to many factors, including pathogen infection, brain injury, toxic substances, and autoimmune diseases. Astrocytes and microglia have critical roles in neuroinflammation. Microglia are innate immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), which are activated in reaction to neuroinflammation-inducing factors. Astrocytes can have pro- or anti-inflammatory responses, which depend on the type of stimuli presented by the inflamed milieu. Microglia respond and propagate peripheral inflammatory signals within the CNS that cause low-grade inflammation in the brain. The resulting alteration in neuronal activities leads to physiological and behavioral impairment. Consequently, activation, synthesis, and discharge of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors occur. These events lead to many neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis discussed in this study. After understanding neuroinflammation mechanisms and the involvement of neurotransmitters, this study covers various drugs used to treat and manage these neurodegenerative illnesses. The study can be helpful in discovering new drug molecules for treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutics for STAT3 Targeting in Cancer-Drug Carriers Matter

High expression and phosphorylation of signal transducer and transcription activator 3 (STAT3) are correlated with progression and poor prognosis in various types of cancer. The constitutive activation of STAT3 in cancer affects processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. The importance of STAT3 in cancer makes it a potential therapeutic target. Various methods of directly and indirectly blocking STAT3 activity at different steps of the STAT3 pathway have been investigated. However, the outcome has been limited, mainly by the number of upstream proteins that can reactivate STAT3 or the relatively low specificity of the inhibitors. A new branch of molecules with significant therapeutic potential has emerged thanks to recent developments in the regulatory function of non-coding nucleic acids. Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics can silence target transcripts or edit genes, leading to the modification of gene expression profiles, causing cell death or restoring cell function. Moreover, they can reach untreatable targets, such as transcription factors. This review briefly describes oligonucleotide-based therapeutics that found application to target STAT3 activity in cancer. Additionally, this review comprehensively summarizes how the inhibition of STAT3 activity by nucleic acid-based therapeutics such as siRNA, shRNA, ASO, and ODN-decoy affected the therapy of different types of cancer in preclinical and clinical studies. Moreover, due to some limitations of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, the importance of carriers that can deliver nucleic acid molecules to affect the STAT3 in cancer cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME) was pointed out. Combining a high specificity of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics toward their targets and functionalized nanoparticles toward cell type can generate very efficient formulations.

Bioinformatics and integrated pharmacology network to identify the therapeutic targets and potential molecular mechanism of alpha-lipoic acid on primary ovarian insufficiency

Women experiencing primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) are more likely to experience infertility, and its incidence is increasing worldwide annually. Recently, the role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in the treatment of POI has been reported. However, details of the potential pharmacological targets and related molecular pathways of ALA remain unclear and need to be elucidated. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the potential therapeutic target and related molecular mechanism of ALA on POI. First, the potential targets of POI and ALA-related targets were downloaded from online public databases. Subsequently, the overlapped target genes between POI and ALA were acquired, and gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed and constructed. Finally, molecular docking was performed to verify protein-to-protein effect. A total of 152 potential therapeutic targets were identified. The biological processes of the intersecting targets were mainly involved in the cellular response to peptides, response to xenobiotic stimuli, and response to peptide hormones. The highly enriched pathways were the cAMP, PI3K/AKT, estrogen, progesterone mediated oocyte maturation, and apoptosis signaling pathways. The top 10 hub targets for ALA in the treatment of POI were STAT3, STAT1, CASP3, MTOR, PTGS2, CASP8, HSP90AA1, PIK3CA, MAPK1, and ESR1. The binding between ALA and all top hub targets were verified using the molecular docking analysis. In summary, using the systematic integrated pharmacology network and bioinformatics analysis, this study illustrated that ALA participates in the treatment of POI via multiple targets and multiple pathways mechanisms.

Insight into the transcription factors regulating Ischemic Stroke and Glioma in Response to Shared Stimuli

Cerebral ischemic stroke and glioma are the two leading causes of patient mortality globally. Despite physiological variations, 1 in 10 people who have an ischemic stroke go on to develop brain cancer, most notably gliomas. In addition, glioma treatments have also been shown to increase the risk of ischemic strokes. Stroke occurs more frequently in cancer patients than in the general population, according to traditional literature. Unbelievably, these events share multiple pathways, but the precise mechanism underlying their co-occurrence remains unknown. Transcription factors (TFs), the main components of gene expression programmes, finally determine the fate of cells and homeostasis. Both ischemic stroke and glioma exhibit aberrant expression of a large number of TFs, which are strongly linked to the pathophysiology and progression of both diseases. The precise genomic binding locations of TFs and how TF binding ultimately relates to transcriptional regulation remain elusive despite a strong interest in understanding how TFs regulate gene expression in both stroke and glioma. As a result, the importance of continuing efforts to understand TF-mediated gene regulation is highlighted in this review, along with some of the primary shared events in stroke and glioma.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin in ARDS and COVID-19

Curcumin is a safe, non-toxic, readily available and naturally occurring compound, an active constituent of Curcuma longa (turmeric). Curcumin could potentially treat diseases, but faces poor physicochemical and pharmacological characteristics. To overcome these limitations, we developed a stable, water-soluble formulation of curcumin called cyclodextrin-complexed curcumin (CDC). We have previously shown that direct delivery of CDC to the lung following lipopolysaccharides exposure reduces acute lung injury (ALI) and effectively reduces lung injury, inflammation and mortality in mice following Klebsiella pneumoniae. Recently, we found that administration of CDC led to a significant reduction in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression in gene and protein levels following pneumonia, indicating its potential in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, we consider the clinical features of ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the role of curcumin in modulating the pathogenesis of bacterial/viral-induced ARDS and COVID-19.

Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and signaling networks in cancer

Cancer is a general term that refers to a wide range of illnesses that are characterized by the development of aberrant cells that have the capacity to divide uncontrollably, invade, and harm healthy tissue. It is caused by both genetic and epigenetic changes that suppress abnormal proliferation and prevent cells from surviving outside of their normal niches. Complex protein networks are responsible for the development of a suitable environment via multiple cells signaling pathways. The study of these pathways is essential for analysing network context and developing novel cancer therapies. Transcription factors (TFs) are actively involved in gene expression and maintain the combinatorial on-and-off states of the gene. In addition, the TFs regulate cell identity and state; these TFs cooperate to establish cell-type-specific gene expression. In this chapter, we describe the number of transcription factors and their role in the progression of cancer. The knowledge of transcriptional factors and their network is crucial for emphasizing the specific transcriptional addiction and for designing new anticancer therapies.

Cellular stress modulates severity of the inflammatory response in lungs via cell surface BiP

Inflammation is a central pathogenic feature of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19. Previous pathologies such as diabetes, autoimmune or cardiovascular diseases become risk factors for the severe hyperinflammatory syndrome. A common feature among these risk factors is the subclinical presence of cellular stress, a finding that has gained attention after the discovery that BiP (GRP78), a master regulator of stress, participates in the SARS-CoV-2 recognition. Here, we show that BiP serum levels are higher in COVID-19 patients who present certain risk factors. Moreover, early during the infection, BiP levels predict severe pneumonia, supporting the use of BiP as a prognosis biomarker. Using a mouse model of pulmonary inflammation, we observed increased levels of cell surface BiP (cs-BiP) in leukocytes during inflammation. This corresponds with a higher number of neutrophiles, which show naturally high levels of cs-BiP, whereas alveolar macrophages show a higher than usual exposure of BiP in their cell surface. The modulation of cellular stress with the use of a clinically approved drug, 4-PBA, resulted in the amelioration of the lung hyperinflammatory response, supporting the anti-stress therapy as a valid therapeutic strategy for patients developing ARDS. Finally, we identified stress-modulated proteins that shed light into the mechanism underlying the cellular stress-inflammation network in lungs.

Immune regulation mediated by JAK/STAT signaling pathway in hemocytes of Pacific white shrimps, Litopenaeus vannamei stimulated by lipopolysaccharide

To understand the regulatory mechanism of Janus kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway on the immune system of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, RNA interference technique was used to investigate the effects of JAK/STAT signaling pathway on the immune response of hemocyte in Litopenaeus vannamei stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that 1) after 6 h of LPS stimulation, the expression levels of immune genes in hemocyte were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05), the immune defense ability (hemocyte number, phagocytosis rate, hemagglutination activity, bacteriolytic activity, antibacterial activity, prophenoloxidase system activity) and the hemocyte antioxidant ability were significantly higher than the control group, especially at 12 h. 2) After 48 h of STAT gene interference, the expression levels of immune genes in hemocytes were significantly down-regulated, and the immune defense ability (hemocyte count, phagocytosis rate, plasma agglutination activity, lysozyme activity, antibacterial activity, proPO system activity) and the antioxidant ability were reduced and significantly lower than control. Concurrently, after LPS stimulation, the immune indexes were significantly up-regulated at 12 h to the maximum but was still lower the undisturbed LPS group. These results indicate that JAK/STAT signaling pathway is involved in the immune regulation mechanism of L. vannamei against LPS stimulation through positive regulation of cellular immune and humoral immune. These results provide a basis for further research on the role and status of JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the immune defense of crustaceans.

Integrated Analysis of miRNA-mRNA Expression in Mink Lung Epithelial Cells Infected With Canine Distemper Virus

Canine distemper (CD) caused by canine distemper virus (CDV) is one of the major infectious diseases in minks, bringing serious economic losses to the mink breeding industry. By an integrated analysis of microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA), the present study analyzed the changes in the mink transcriptome upon CDV infection in mink lung epithelial cells (Mv. l. Lu cells) for the first time. A total of 4,734 differentially expressed mRNAs (2,691 upregulated and 2,043 downregulated) with |log2(FoldChange) |&gt;1 and P-adj&lt;0.05 and 181 differentially expressed miRNAs (152 upregulated and 29 downregulated) with |log2(FoldChange) |&gt;2 and P-adj&lt;0.05 were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment indicated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were associated with various biological processes and molecular function, such as response to stimulus, cell communication, signaling, cytokine activity, transmembrane signaling receptor activity and signaling receptor activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the combination of miRNA and mRNA was done for immune and inflammatory responses, such as Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator (STAT) signaling pathway and nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B signaling pathway. The enrichment analysis of target mRNA of differentially expressed miRNA revealed that mir-140-5p and mir-378-12 targeted corresponding genes to regulate NF-kappa B signaling pathway. JAK-STAT signaling pathway could be modulated by mir-425-2, mir-139-4, mir-140-6, mir-145-3, mir-140-5p and mir-204-2. This study compared the influence of miRNA-mRNA expression in Mv. l. Lu cells before and after CDV infection by integrated analysis of miRNA-mRNA and analyzed the complex network interaction between virus and host cells. The results can help understand the molecular mechanism of the natural immune response induced by CDV infection in host cells.

Lithocholic Acid Induces miR21, Promoting PTEN Inhibition via STAT3 and ERK-1/2 Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Micro-RNA-21 (miR-21) is a vital regulator of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in CRC treatment. Our study using real-time PCR assay found that a secondary bile acid, lithocholic acid (LCA), stimulated the expression of miR21 in the CRC cell lines. Promoter activity assay showed that LCA strongly stimulated miR21 promoter activity in HCT116 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Studies of chemical inhibitors and miR21 promoter mutants indicated that Erk1/2 signaling, AP-1 transcription factor, and STAT3 are major signals involved in the mechanism of LCA-induced miR21 in HCT116 cells. The elevation of miR21 expression was upstream of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) inhibition, and CRC cell proliferation enhancement that was shown to be possibly mediated by PI3K/AKT signaling activation. This study is the first to report that LCA affects miR21 expression in CRC cells, providing us with a better understanding of the cancer-promoting mechanism of bile acids that have been described as the very first promoters of CRC progression.

STAT3 pathway as a molecular target for resveratrol in breast cancer treatment

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) induces breast cancer malignancy. Recent clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated an association between overexpressed and activated STAT3 and breast cancer progression, proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Resveratrol (RES), a naturally occurring phytoalexin, has demonstrated anti-cancer activity in several disease models. Furthermore, RES has also been shown to regulate the STAT3 signaling cascade via its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present review, we describe the STAT3 cascade signaling pathway and address the therapeutic targeting of STAT3 by RES as a tool to mitigate breast cancer.

Inflammation and Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications by Natural Products

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no clear causative event making the disease difficult to diagnose and treat. The pathological hallmarks of AD include amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and widespread neuronal loss. Amyloid-beta has been extensively studied and targeted to develop an effective disease-modifying therapy, but the success rate in clinical practice is minimal. Recently, neuroinflammation has been focused on as the event in AD progression to be targeted for therapies. Various mechanistic pathways including cytokines and chemokines, complement system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathways are linked to neuroinflammation in the AD brain. Many cells including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes work together to protect the brain from injury. This review is focused to better understand the AD inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes to develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs to slow down the progression of AD.

miR-20a-5p inhibits endometrial cancer progression by targeting janus kinase 1

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a multi-factorial disease of which pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. The function and underlying mechanism of microRNA-20a-5p (miR-20a-5p) in EC remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to analyze the association between miR-20a-5p expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EC. Whether miR-20a-5p could inhibit EC progression by targeting janus kinase 1 (Jak1) was subsequently investigated. To do so, human EC tissues and paracancerous tissues were collected from 47 patients with EC. miR-20a-5p and Jak1 mRNA and protein expression was determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation, invasive ability and adhesion were investigated by MTT, Matrigel invasion and cell adhesion assays, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify whether miR-20a-5p could directly target Jak1. The results demonstrated that miR-20a-5p was downregulated and that Jak1 was upregulated in EC tissues compared with paracancerous tissues. In addition, miR-20a-5p expression and Jak1 expression level were negatively correlated in EC tissues. miR-20a-5p expression was also significantly associated with the depth of myometrial invasion, FIGO stage, histologic grade and lymph node metastasis in patients with EC. Furthermore, Jak1 was identified as a new direct target of miR-20a-5p, and Jak1 overexpression was demonstrated to reverse the effects of miR-20a-5p-mimic on EC cell proliferation, invasive ability and adhesion. Taken together, the results from this study revealed for the first time that miR-20a-5p expression was significantly associated with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with EC. These findings suggested that miR-20a-5p may act as a tumor suppressor in EC, in part through decreasing Jak1 expression. miR-20a-5p and Jak1 may therefore serve as potential therapeutic targets in EC.

Circ_ZFP644 attenuates caerulein-induced inflammatory injury in rat pancreatic acinar cells by modulating miR-106b/Pias3 axis

(AP) is a kind of inflammatory misorder existing in pancreas. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been reported to play important roles in development of AP. The current study was designed to explore the role of circular RNA zinc finger protein 644 (circRNA circ_ZFP644) in caerulein-induced AR42J cells. AP model in vitro was established by exposure of rat pancreatic acinar AR42J cells to caerulein. Amylase activity was measured using a kit. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to examine the levels of several inflammatory factors. The expression of circ_ZFP644, microRNA (miR)-106b and protein inhibitor of activated STAT 3 (Pias3) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or western blot assay. And flow cytometry was employed to monitor cell apoptosis. Western blot assay was also conducted to analyze the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The association among circ_ZFP644, miR-106b and Pias3 was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Caerulein treatment activated amylase activity and promoted the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in AR42J cells. Circ_ZFP644 and Pias3 were downregulated, but miR-106b was upregulated in caerulein-induced AR42J cells. Enforced expression of circ_ZFP644 or miR-106b inhibition could reduce amylase activity and inflammatory cytokine secretion, while promote apoptosis in caerulein-induced AR42J cells, which was almost reversed by Pias3 knockdown. Circ_ZFP644 targeted miR-106b to upregulate Pias3 expression. Circ_ZFP644 might exert its anti-inflammation and pro-apoptosis roles in caerulein-induced AR42J cells by regulating miR-106b/Pias3 axis.

Insights from a vertebrate model organism on the molecular mechanisms of whole-body dehydration tolerance

Studies on the molecular mechanisms of dehydration tolerance have been largely limited to plants and invertebrates. Currently, research in whole body dehydration of complex animals is limited to cognitive and behavioral effects in humans, leaving the molecular mechanisms of vertebrate dehydration relatively unexplored. The present review summarizes studies to date on the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and examines whole-body dehydration on physiological, cellular and molecular levels. This aquatic frog is exposed to seasonal droughts in its native habitat and can endure a loss of over 30% of its total body water. When coping with dehydration, osmoregulatory processes prioritize water retention in skeletal tissues and vital organs over plasma volume. Although systemic blood circulation is maintained in the vital organs and even elevated in the brain during dehydration, it is done so at the expense of reduced circulation to the skeletal muscles. Increased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen helps to counteract impaired blood circulation and metabolic enzymes show altered kinetic and regulatory parameters that support the use of anaerobic glycolysis. Recent studies with X. laevis also show that pro-survival pathways such as antioxidant defenses and heat shock proteins are activated in an organ-specific manner during dehydration. These pathways are tightly coordinated at the post-transcriptional level by non-coding RNAs, and at the post-translational level by reversible protein phosphorylation. Paired with ongoing research on the X. laevis genome, the African clawed frog is poised to be an ideal animal model with which to investigate the molecular adaptations for dehydration tolerance much more deeply.

MDA-9/Syntenin/SDCBP: new insights into a unique multifunctional scaffold protein

Tumor metastasis comprises a series of coordinated events that culminate in dissemination of cancer cells to distant sites within the body representing the greatest challenge impeding effective therapy of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-associated morbidity. Cancer cells exploit multiple genes and pathways to colonize to distant organs. These pathways are integrated and regulated at different levels by cellular- and extracellular-associated factors. Defining the genes and pathways that govern metastasis can provide new targets for therapeutic intervention. Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9 (mda-9) (also known as Syntenin-1 and SDCBP (Syndecan binding protein)) was identified by subtraction hybridization as a novel gene displaying differential temporal expression during differentiation of melanoma. MDA-9/Syntenin is an established Syndecan binding protein that functions as an adaptor protein. Expression of MDA-9/Syntenin is elevated at an RNA and protein level in a wide-range of cancers including melanoma, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and prostate, breast and liver cancer. Expression is increased significantly in metastatic cancer cells as compared with non-metastatic cancer cells or normal cells, which make it an attractive target in treating cancer metastasis. In this review, we focus on the role and regulation of mda-9 in cancer progression and metastasis.

Differential expression and correlation analysis of miRNA-mRNA profiles in swine testicular cells infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

The variant virulent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strain (YN15) can cause severe porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED); however, the attenuated vaccine-like PEDV strain (YN144) can induce immunity in piglets. To investigate the differences in pathogenesis and epigenetic mechanisms between the two strains, differential expression and correlation analyses of the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA in swine testicular (ST) cells infected with YN15, YN144, and mock were performed on three comparison groups (YN15 vs Control, YN144 vs Control, and YN15 vs YN144). The mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were obtained using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the differentially expressed (DE) (p-value < 0.05) mRNA and miRNA were obtained using DESeq R package. mRNAs targeted by DE miRNAs were predicted using the miRanda algortithm. 8039, 8631 and 3310 DE mRNAs, and 36, 36, and 22 DE miRNAs were identified in the three comparison groups, respectively. 14,140, 15,367 and 3771 DE miRNA-mRNA (targeted by DE miRNAs) interaction pairs with negatively correlated expression patterns were identified, and interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. Six DE miRNAs and six DE mRNAs were randomly selected to verify the sequencing data by real-time relative quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Based on bioinformatics analysis, we discovered the differences were mostly involved in host immune responses and viral pathogenicity, including NF-κB signaling pathway and bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, etc. This is the first comprehensive comparison of DE miRNA-mRNA pairs in YN15 and YN144 infection in vitro, which could provide novel strategies for the prevention and control of PED.

Structure, mechanism, and regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription initiation

Mitochondria are specialized compartments that produce requisite ATP to fuel cellular functions and serve as centers of metabolite processing, cellular signaling, and apoptosis. To accomplish these roles, mitochondria rely on the genetic information in their small genome (mitochondrial DNA) and the nucleus. A growing appreciation for mitochondria's role in a myriad of human diseases, including inherited genetic disorders, degenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer, has fueled the study of biochemical mechanisms that control mitochondrial function. The mitochondrial transcriptional machinery is different from nuclear machinery. The in vitro re-constituted transcriptional complexes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and humans, aided with high-resolution structures and biochemical characterizations, have provided a deeper understanding of the mechanism and regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the structure and mechanism of mitochondrial transcription initiation. We will follow up with recent discoveries and formative findings regarding the regulatory events that control mitochondrial DNA transcription, focusing on those involved in cross-talk between the mitochondria and nucleus.

Egr2 regulation in T cells is mediated through IFNγ/STAT1 and IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway

The immune system is a host defence system to protect the body against foreign invaders. T cells are one of the major components of the immune cells and they are essential for immune responses. Early growth response gene (Egr2) in T cells is important for maintaining immune functions of T cells by promoting adaptive immune responses while controlling inflammation and preventing the development of autoimmune diseases. A study by our group demonstrated the function of Egr2 as a checkpoint regulator controlling the proliferation and differentiation of the T cells. In association, Egr2 and 3 play indispensable role in T cell immune response, but the mechanism regulating Egr2 expression in T cells is still unclear. In this study, we analysed the Egr2 expression mechanism in CD4 T cells under antigen stimulation. We found that Egr2 expression is regulated by different cytokines including IL-2 and IL-4, which increased Egr2 induction in activated T cells. However, inflammatory cytokines, including INFγ and IL-6, suppressed Egr2 expression through STAT1 and STAT3 signalling pathway respectively, highlighting a mechanism for tolergenic immune response on T cells.

Involvement of STAT5 in Oncogenesis

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, and in particular STAT3, have been established as heavily implicated in cancer. Recently, the involvement of STAT5 signalling in the pathology of cancer has been shown to be of increasing importance. STAT5 plays a crucial role in the development of the mammary gland and the homeostasis of the immune system. However, in various cancers, aberrant STAT5 signalling promotes the expression of target genes, such as cyclin D, Bcl-2 and MMP-2, that result in increased cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. To target constitutive STAT5 signalling in cancers, there are several STAT5 inhibitors that can prevent STAT5 phosphorylation, dimerisation, or its transcriptional activity. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target molecules upstream of STAT5 could also be utilised. Consequently, since STAT5 contributes to tumour aggressiveness and cancer progression, inhibiting STAT5 constitutive activation in cancers that rely on its signalling makes for a promising targeted treatment option.

Mapping signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activity in different stages of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Deregulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling is known to participate in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). However, published results regarding STAT expression in different stages of CTCLs are conflicting. The aim of the study was to define the pattern of STAT expression in skin and detect any differences between pruritic and nonpruritic patients but also different stages of disease.

METHODS

Thirty-nine skin biopsies from CTCL patients and 24 biopsies from healthy volunteers were taken. Immunohistochemical staining for STAT 3, 5a, 5b, and 6 was performed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) specimens.

RESULTS

We found increased expression of STAT proteins in CTCL: MF and SS skin in comparison to the control group. STAT5 but also STAT6 and to a lesser extent STAT3 seems to be constitutively activated in MF and SS. Moreover, also downregulation of STAT5b protein in advanced-stage CTCL appears to contribute to its pathogenesis. There were no significant associations between expression of STATs and pruritus severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm the possible pathogenetic role of STATs in CTCL. STATs seem to be a promising target for new effective therapeutic agents in CTCL.

Cucurbitacin IIb, a steroidal triterpene from Ibervillea sonorae induces antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on cervical and lung cancer cells

Chemical studies on Ibervillea sonorae (S. Watson) Greene root led to isolation and chemical characterization of diverse cucurbitacin triterpenoid compounds such as kinoin A, B, C, and their glucosides. In previous studies, we demonstrated that kinoin A inhibits the cell proliferation on diverse cell line and induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. Therefore, the study of the isolated compounds from the extracts continued to be necessary. The objective of the present work was to isolate and chemically characterize the active compounds of the methanolic extract of the roots of I. sonorae and to evaluate their antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptosis. By chromatographic column separation and using NMR spectroscopy experiments, cucurbitacin IIb (CIIb), known as 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F or hemslecin B, was isolated and identified for the first time as a chemical constituent of the crude methanolic extract of this plant. The antiproliferative activity of CIIb was evaluated by MTT assay, and the apoptosis induction capacity was monitored by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide using flow cytometry. CIIb showed a pronounced effect on the proliferation of HeLa and A549 tumor cells, with IC₅₀ of 7.3 and 7.8 µM, respectively, but was less effective against L929 non-cancerous murine cell line. Apoptosis induction capacity of CIIb on HeLa and A549 was monitored by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide using flow cytometry. Exposure of HeLa and A549 with CIIb (8 µM) for 24 h increased 56.9 and 52.3% respectively of the total apoptosis compared to the negative control (p < 0.005). CIIb, isolated for the first time from I. sonorae, showed antiproliferative activity against HeLa and A549 cell lines by inducing cell death by apoptosis.

Role of STAT3 signaling pathway in breast cancer

Breast cancer has grown to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Only a few treatment options are available for breast cancer due to the widespread occurrence of chemoresistance, which emphasizes the need to discover and develop new methods to treat this disease. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an early tumor diagnostic marker and is known to promote breast cancer malignancy. Recent clinical and preclinical data indicate the involvement of overexpressed and constitutively activated STAT3 in the progression, proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance of breast cancer. Moreover, new pathways comprised of upstream regulators and downstream targets of STAT3 have been discovered. In addition, small molecule inhibitors targeting STAT3 activation have been found to be efficient for therapeutic treatment of breast cancer. This systematic review discusses the advances in the discovery of the STAT3 pathways and drugs targeting STAT3 in breast cancer. Video abstract.

microRNA-141-3p-containing small extracellular vesicles derived from epithelial ovarian cancer cells promote endothelial cell angiogenesis through activating the JAK/STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways

Paracrine signaling between tumor and surrounding stromal cells is critical for the maintenance of tumor microenvironment during ovarian cancer progression. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs; exosomes in particular) are nano-sized vesicles secreted actively by many cells including tumor cells and are found to have fundamental roles in intercellular communication through shuttling functional RNAs. Although microRNAs (also called miRNAs or miRs), small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression, are selectively accumulated in tumor sEVs and can mediate intercellular communication, the exact biological mechanisms underlying the functions of exosomal miRNAs in ovarian tumor angiogenesis remain unclear. In this study, sEVs were isolated from conditioned medium of the human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV-3 using ExoQuick Exosome Precipitation Solution, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and immunoblotting. To elucidate the possible paracrine effects on ovarian tumor cell-derived sEVs (TD-sEVs), we investigated the angiogenesis-related signaling events triggered by TD-sEVs in endothelial cells. Due to the possible role in ovarian tumor pathogenesis, we focused on miR-141-3p which was detected to be enriched in TD-sEVs compared with their corresponding donor cells. We identified that sEV transfer of miR-141-3p considerably reduced the expression levels of cytokine-inducible suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-5 leading to up-regulated JAK-STAT3 pathway in endothelial cells. We also observed that sEV-shuttled miR-141-3p may up-regulate the expression of VEGFR-2 in endothelial cells which leads to promoting endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. The putative role of miR-141-3p shuttled by TD-sEVs in regulating VEGFR-2 expression was demonstrated by the ability of anti-miR-141-3p to rescue the promoting effects of TD-sEVs on the expression of VEGFR-2 in endothelial cells. Our results also revealed that TD-sEVs trigger the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent activation of NF-κB signaling in endothelial cells. Taken together, our findings propose a novel model in which sEV transfer of epithelial ovarian cancer-secreted miR-141-3p plays as a significant mediator of intercellular communication, promoting endothelial cell angiogenesis.

Thymic Epithelial Cells Contribute to Thymopoiesis and T Cell Development

The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation and maturation of T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) account for the majority of thymic stromal components. They are further divided into cortical and medullary TECs based on their localization within the thymus and are involved in positive and negative selection, respectively. Establishment of self-tolerance in the thymus depends on promiscuous gene expression (pGE) of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) by TECs. Such pGE is co-controlled by the autoimmune regulator (Aire) and forebrain embryonic zinc fingerlike protein 2 (Fezf2). Over the past two decades, research has found that TECs contribute greatly to thymopoiesis and T cell development. In turn, signals from T cells regulate the differentiation and maturation of TECs. Several signaling pathways essential for the development and maturation of TECs have been discovered. New technology and animal models have provided important observations on TEC differentiation, development, and thymopoiesis. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in classification, development, and maintenance of TECs and mechanisms that control TEC functions during thymic involution and central tolerance.

FBXW7-mediated stability regulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 in melanoma formation

The physiological relevance of STAT2 (a member of STAT family) in melanoma formation is clearly shown using a human skin tissue array. Moreover, FBXW7-mediated STAT2 protein stability regulation via ubiquitination is shown to play an essential role in melanoma cell proliferation in monolayer and anchorage-independent 3D culture systems. The molecular mechanisms that regulate STAT2 protein stability by FBXW7 include the interaction between CCD and DBD domains of STAT2 and the WD40 domain of FBXW7. STAT2 phosphorylation at the putative degron motifs that contain Ser381, Thr385, and Ser393 might be mediated by GSK3β. These serve as critical amino acids that form hydrogen bonds with the WD40 domain of FBXW7. Thus, the FBXW7–STAT2 signaling axis is an important target for melanoma treatment.

In this study, we provide critical evidence that STAT2 stability regulation plays an essential role in melanoma cell proliferation and colony growth. We found that the interaction of FBXW7 and STAT2 induced STAT2 destabilization via a ubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation pathway. Notably, GSK3β-mediated STAT2 phosphorylation facilitated STAT2–FBXW7 interactions via the DNA binding domain of STAT2 and domains 1, 2, 6, and 7 of FBXW7 WD40. Importantly, the inverse correlation between protein levels of STAT2 and FBXW7 were observed not only in human melanoma cells but also in a human skin cancer tissue array. The relationship between protein levels of STAT2 and FBXW7, cell proliferation, and colony growth were similarly observed in the melanoma cell lines SK-MEL-2, -5, and -28. Moreover, STAT2 knockdown in melanoma cells suppressed melanoma cell proliferation and colony formation. These data demonstrated that FBXW7-mediated STAT2 stability regulation plays an essential role in melanoma cell proliferation and cancer growth.

JAK1 as a prognostic marker and its correlation with immune infiltrates in breast cancer

Clinical trials testing Janus kinase-1 (JAK1) inhibitors in cancers are under way. Whether the JAK1 mRNA levels in breast tumors correlates with outcome has not been evaluated. JAK1 expression was analyzed via the Oncomine database and Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource site. Tumor tissues from 57 breast cancer patients were used for qRT-PCR and immune infiltration assessment. JAK1 expression was significantly lower in breast invasive carcinoma compared with adjacent normal tissues. Public databases (Kaplan-Meier plotter and PrognoScan) showed that low JAK1 expression was associated with poorer survival. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) showed that high JAK1 expression was associated with increased survival in both TNM I-II and TNM III-IV patients. JAK1 was inversely correlated with tumor size status, lymph node status, and TNM of breast cancer patients. JAK1 levels were correlated with the T cell transcript-enriched LYM metagene signature and was significantly lower in the low tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) group. JAK1 expression levels had significant positive correlations with infiltrating levels of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in breast cancer and not with other B cells. In conclusion, JAK1 mRNA levels were correlated with prognosis and immune infiltrating levels in breast cancer.

miR-124 and Parkinson's disease: A biomarker with therapeutic potential

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disorder, attributed to a complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors. Although the exact etiology of the disease remains elusive, dysregulation of signaling pathways implicated in cell survival, apoptosis, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, oxidative damage and neuroinflammation, contributes to its pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRs) are endogenous short non-coding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. MiR-124 is one of the most abundantly expressed miRs in the brain that participates in neurogenesis, synapse morphology, neurotransmission, inflammation, autophagy and mitochondrial function. Accumulating pre-clinical evidence shows that miR-124 may act through calpain 1/p25/cyclin-dependent kinases 5 (CDK5), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death (Bim), 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated pathways to regulate cell survival, apoptosis, autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and neuroinflammation in PD. Moreover, clinical evidence indicates that reduced plasma miR-124 levels may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker in PD. This review provides an update of the pathogenic implication of miR-124 activity in PD and discusses its targeting potential for the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Mouse models of thyroid cancer: Bridging pathogenesis and novel therapeutics

Due to a global increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer, numerous novel mouse models were established to reveal thyroid cancer pathogenesis and test promising therapeutic strategies, necessitating a comprehensive review of translational medicine that covers (i) the role of mouse models in the research of thyroid cancer pathogenesis, and (ii) preclinical testing of potential anti-thyroid cancer therapeutics. The present review article aims to: (i) describe the current approaches for mouse modeling of thyroid cancer, (ii) provide insight into the biology and genetics of thyroid cancers, and (iii) offer guidance on the use of mouse models for testing potential therapeutics in preclinical settings. Based on research with mouse models of thyroid cancer pathogenesis involving the RTK, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, SRC, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways, inhibitors of VEGFR, MEK, mTOR, SRC, and STAT3 have been developed as anti-thyroid cancer drugs for "bench-to-bedside" translation. In the future, mouse models of thyroid cancer will be designed to be ''humanized" and "patient-like," offering opportunities to: (i) investigate the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer through target screening based on the CRISPR/Cas system, (ii) test drugs based on new mouse models, and (iii) explore the underlying mechanisms based on multi-omics.

Analysis of STAT1, STAT2 and STAT3 mRNA expression levels in the blood of patients with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) maintained by the secretion of a large number of cytokines [1]. The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family has an essential role in transmitting many of the cytokine-mediated signals and failure in the signaling process contributes to the etiopathogenesis of MS.

METHODS

This study aimed to assess STAT1, STAT2 and STAT3 gene expression in the blood of 50 relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients and 50 healthy controls by TaqMan Quantitative Real-Time PCR.

RESULTS

The results showed that STAT1 gene expression was significantly up-regulated (p= 0.023), whereas STAT2 gene expression was significantly down-regulated (p< 0.0001) in MS patients compared to controls. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between MS patients and controls for STAT3 gene expression (p= 0.837). In addition, there was no significant correlation between the expression of STAT1, STAT2, STAT3 genes and clinical findings, such as the level of physical disability in MS patients (according to the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) criterion) and disease duration.

CONCLUSION

A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between STAT1 and STAT2 and also between STAT1 and STAT3. This study shows for the first time that a comparison of the relative quantitative expression of three different STAT genes in the blood cells of MS patients compared to controls revealed marked differences in the expression of the STAT family genes that might reflect their different roles in the pathogenesis of MS. These transcripts might be useful biomarkers for evaluating the efficacy of IFN treatment of the MS patients.

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome: Molecular Mechanisms and Current Perspectives

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare inherited disease mainly caused by mutations in the Shwachman-Bodian-Diamond Syndrome (SBDS) gene. However, it has recently been reported that other genes, including DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member C21 (DNAJC21), elongation factor-like 1 (EFL1) and signal recognition particle 54 (SRP54) are also associated with an SDS-like phenotype. Interestingly, SBDS, DNAJC21, EFL1 and SRP54 are involved in ribosome biogenesis: SBDS, through direct interaction with EFL1, promotes the release of the eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6) during ribosome maturation, DNAJC21 stabilizes the 80S ribosome, and SRP54 facilitates protein trafficking. These findings strengthen the postulate that SDS is a ribosomopathy. SDS is a multiple-organ disease mainly characterized by bone marrow failure, bone malformations, pancreatic insufficiency and cognitive disorders. Almost 15-20% of patients with SDS present myelodysplastic syndrome with a high risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transformation. Unfortunately, besides bone marrow transplantation, no gene-based therapy for SDS has yet been developed. This review aims to recapitulate the recent findings on the molecular mechanisms of SDS underlying bone marrow failure, hematopoiesis and AML development and to draw a realistic picture of current perspectives.

[Role of STAT3 in Resistance of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer]

近年来，肿瘤炎症微环境对非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）耐药影响的机制研究刚刚起步，信号传导及转录激活因子3（signal transducers and activators of transcription 3, STAT3）作为连接炎症和肿瘤的关键信号通路分子，其活化可引起肿瘤细胞中诸多基因沉默、表达异常及基因的不稳定等，诱导化疗、靶向药物治疗耐药，有望成为潜在的逆转耐药的新靶点。本综述阐述了STAT3在NSCLC获得性耐药中的研究进展，以探讨其作为逆转耐药新靶点的可能性，为NSCLC获得性耐药的临床治疗新策略提供理论依据。

Targeting steroid resistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is characterized by a variable response to steroids during induction and/or consolidation therapy. Notably, recent work suggested that these differences in glucocorticoid sensitivity might, at least in part, be mediated by hyperactivation of specific oncogenic pathways such as RAS/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT and IL7R/JAK/STAT. In this review, we elaborate on putative associations between aberrant signaling, therapy resistance, incidence of relapse and clinical outcome in human T-ALL. Furthermore, we emphasize that this potential association with clinical parameters might also be mediated by the tumor microenvironment as a result of increased sensitivity of leukemic T-cells towards cytokine induced signaling pathway activation. With this in mind, we provide an overview of small molecule inhibitors that might have clinical potential for the treatment of human T-ALL in the near future as a result of their ability to overcome steroid resistance thereby potentially increasing survival rates in this aggressive hematological neoplasm.

Activation of IGF1R by DARPP-32 promotes STAT3 signaling in gastric cancer cells

Dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32000 (DARPP-32), is frequently overexpressed in early stages of gastric cancers. We utilized in vitro assays, 3D gastric gland organoid cultures, mouse models, and human tissue samples to investigate the biological and molecular impact of DARPP-32 on activation of IGF1R and STAT3 signaling and gastric tumorigenesis. DARPP-32 enhanced phosphorylation of IGF1R (Y1135), a step that was critical for STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705, nuclear localization, and transcription activation. By using proximity ligation and co-immunoprecipitation assays, we found that IGF1R and DARPP-32 co-existed in the same protein complex. Binding of DARPP-32 to IGF1R promoted IGF1R phosphorylation with subsequent activation of downstream SRC and STAT3. Analysis of gastric tissues from the TFF1 knockout (KO) mouse model of gastric neoplasia, demonstrated phosphorylation of STAT3 in the early stages of gastric tumorigenesis. By crossing the TFF1 KO mice with DARPP-32 (DP) knockout (KO) mice, that have normal stomach, we obtained double knockout (TFF1 KO/DP KO). The gastric mucosa from the double KO mice did not show phosphorylation of IGF1R or STAT3. In addition, the TFF1 KO/DP KO mice had a significant delay in developing neoplastic gastric lesions. Analysis of human gastric cancer tissue microarrays, showed high levels of DARPP-32 and positive immunostaining for nuclear STAT3 in cancer tissues, as compared to non-cancer histologically normal tissues. In summary, the DARPP-32-IGF1R signaling axis plays a key role in regulating the STAT3 signaling, a critical step in gastric tumorigenesis.

Varroa destructor parasitism has a greater effect on proteome changes than the deformed wing virus and activates TGF-β signaling pathways

Honeybee workers undergo metamorphosis in capped cells for approximately 13 days before adult emergence. During the same period, Varroa mites prick the defenseless host many times. We sought to identify proteome differences between emerging Varroa-parasitized and parasite-free honeybees showing the presence or absence of clinical signs of deformed wing virus (DWV) in the capped cells. A label-free proteomic analysis utilizing nanoLC coupled with an Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer provided a quantitative comparison of 2316 protein hits. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the combination of Varroa parasitism and DWV clinical signs caused proteome changes that occurred in the same direction as those of Varroa alone and were approximately two-fold higher. Furthermore, proteome changes associated with DWV signs alone were positioned above Varroa in the RDA. Multiple markers indicate that Varroa activates TGF-β-induced pathways to suppress wound healing and the immune response and that the collective action of stressors intensifies these effects. Furthermore, we indicate JAK/STAT hyperactivation, p53-BCL-6 feedback loop disruption, Wnt pathway activation, Wnt/Hippo crosstalk disruption, and NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling conflict in the Varroa–honeybee–DWV interaction. These results illustrate the higher effect of Varroa than of DWV at the time of emergence. Markers for future research are provided.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein, p7, suppresses inflammatory responses to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)3

Viruses use a spectrum of immune evasion strategies that enable infection and replication. The acute phase of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by nonspecific and often mild clinical symptoms, suggesting an immunosuppressive mechanism that, unless symptomatic liver disease presents, allows the virus to remain largely undetected. We previously reported that HCV induced the regulatory protein suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)3, which inhibited TNF-α-mediated inflammatory responses. However, the mechanism by which HCV up-regulates SOCS3 remains unknown. Here we show that the HCV protein, p7, enhances both SOCS3 mRNA and protein expression. A p7 inhibitor reduced SOCS3 induction, indicating that p7's ion channel activity was required for optimal up-regulation of SOCS3. Short hairpin RNA and chemical inhibition revealed that both the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) and MAPK pathways were required for p7-mediated induction of SOCS3. HCV-p7 expression suppressed TNF-α-mediated IκB-α degradation and subsequent NF-κB promoter activity, revealing a new and functional, anti-inflammatory effect of p7. Together, these findings identify a molecular mechanism by which HCV-p7 induces SOCS3 through STAT3 and ERK activation and demonstrate that p7 suppresses proinflammatory responses to TNF-α, possibly explaining the lack of inflammatory symptoms observed during early HCV infection.-Convery, O., Gargan, S., Kickham, M., Schroder, M., O'Farrelly, C., Stevenson, N. J. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein, p7, suppresses inflammatory responses to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)3.

Mechanism of the JAK2/STAT3-CAV-1-NR2B signaling pathway in painful diabetic neuropathy

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to further elucidate the role of JAK2/STAT3-CAV-1-NR2B on painful diabetic neuropathy.

METHODS

In vivo, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency were measured to evaluate neuropathic pain behaviors (n= 8), while western blot (n= 5) and an immunofluorescence double staining experiment (n= 6) were performed to understand the molecular mechanism. In vitro, the individual culture of BV2 mouse microglia cell lines, the co-culture of BV2 mouse microglia cell lines and PC12 rat neuron cell lines, and western blot analysis were performed to understand the molecular mechanism between microglia and neurons.

RESULTS

The expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, t-CAV-1, and p-NR2B was upregulated in the dorsal horn of DNP rats throughout the experiment. Through the immunofluorescence double staining experiment, it was found that p-STAT3 was mainly expressed in activated microglia, and this condition can be stably maintained for approximately 2 weeks after the establishment of the DNP model. The intrathecal injection of JAK2 inhibitor AG490 can relieve the abnormal expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, t-CAV-1, and p-NR2B, and relieve pain. The remission of AG490 began on the third day, and it could be stably sustained for 14 days. In vitro high-glucose induced the activation of p-STAT3 in microglia, thereby upregulating the expression of p-CAV-1 and p-NR2B in neurons in the co-culture system. JAK2 inhibitor AG490 can alleviate the abnormal expression of these proteins in the JAK2/STAT3-CAV-1-NR2B signaling pathway in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Microglial JAK2/STAT3 signaling probably contributes to neuropathic pain by activating the CAV-1-NR2B pathway.