5-Lipoxygenase promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the ERK signaling pathway in gastric cancer

Untargeted serum and gastric metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis reveal the superior efficacy of zingiberis rhizoma recens-/euodiae fructus-processed Coptidis Rhizoma on gastric ulcer rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Zingiberis rhizoma recens-/wine-/euodiae fructus-processed Coptidis Rhizoma (CR, zCR/wCR/eCR) are the commonly used processed products of CR in clinic. After being processed with different excipients, the efficacy of CR will change accordingly. I.e., wCR could resolve excessive heat of the upper energizer, zCR could eliminate gastric heat and harmonize the stomach, eCR could smooth the liver and harmonize the stomach. However, the underlying mechanisms were still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To further verify the differential efficacy of the three processed CR products and compare the mechanisms on gastric ulcer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

First, a GU model, whose onset is closely related to the heat in stomach and the disharmony between liver and stomach, was established, and the therapeutic effects of zCR/wCR/eCR/CR were evaluated by pathologic observation and measurement of cytokine levels. Second, metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology were conducted to reveal the differential intervening mechanism of zCR/eCR on GU. Third, the predicted mechanisms from metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology were validated using western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

zCR/wCR/eCR/CR could alleviate the pathologic damage to varying degrees. In metabolomics research, fewer metabolic pathways were enriched in serum samples, and most of them were also present in the results of gastric tissue samples. The gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects of zCR/wCR/eCR/CR might be due to their interference on histidine, arachidonic acid, and glycerophospholipids metabolism. Quantitative results indicated that zCR/eCR had a better therapeutic effect than wCR/CR in treating GU. A comprehensive analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology revealed that zCR and eCR exerted anti-GU effects via intervening in five core targets, including AKT, TNF, IL6, IL1B and PPARG. In the validation experiment, zCR/eCR could significantly reverse the abnormal expression of proteins related to apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, gastric function, as well as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

zCR and eCR could offer gastroprotective benefits by resisting inflammation and apoptosis, inhibiting gastric-acid secretion, as well as strengthening gastric mucosal defense and antioxidant capacity. Integrating network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis could reveal the acting mechanism of drugs and promote the development of medications to counteract GU.

Arachidonic acid metabolism as a novel pathogenic factor in gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a major global health burden, representing 20% of all cancer diagnoses and 22.5% of global cancer-related deaths. Their aggressive nature and resistance to treatment pose a significant challenge, with late-stage survival rates below 15% at five years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to delve deeper into the mechanisms of gastrointestinal cancer progression and optimize treatment strategies. Increasing evidence highlights the active involvement of abnormal arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in various cancers. AA is a fatty acid mainly metabolized into diverse bioactive compounds by three enzymes: cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 enzymes. Abnormal AA metabolism and altered levels of its metabolites may play a pivotal role in the development of GI cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review highlights a unique perspective by focusing on the abnormal metabolism of AA and its involvement in GI cancers. We summarize the latest advancements in understanding AA metabolism in GI cancers, outlining changes in AA levels and their potential role in liver, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, and gallbladder cancers. Moreover, we also explore the potential of targeting abnormal AA metabolism for future therapies, considering the current need to explore AA metabolism in GI cancers and outlining promising avenues for further research. Ultimately, such investigations aim to improve treatment options for patients with GI cancers and pave the way for better cancer management in this area.

Targeting inflammation as cancer therapy

Inflammation has accompanied human beings since the emergence of wounds and infections. In the past decades, numerous efforts have been undertaken to explore the potential role of inflammation in cancer, from tumor development, invasion, and metastasis to the resistance of tumors to treatment. Inflammation-targeted agents not only demonstrate the potential to suppress cancer development, but also to improve the efficacy of other therapeutic modalities. In this review, we describe the highly dynamic and complex inflammatory tumor microenvironment, with discussion on key inflammation mediators in cancer including inflammatory cells, inflammatory cytokines, and their downstream intracellular pathways. In addition, we especially address the role of inflammation in cancer development and highlight the action mechanisms of inflammation-targeted therapies in antitumor response. Finally, we summarize the results from both preclinical and clinical studies up to date to illustrate the translation potential of inflammation-targeted therapies.

Dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors from Zanthoxylum simulans inhibit gastric cancer cells by cross-mediating thyroid, estrogen, and oxytocin signaling pathways

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) are overexpressed in gastric cancer cells, the dual inhibitors of which exhibit potential against metastasis and invasion with fewer side effects. To discover inhibitors targeting COX-2 and 5-LOX, we conducted ultrafiltration and enrichment calculation to screen candidates in quaternary alkaloids (QAs) from Zanthoxylum simulans through LC and LC-Q-TOF. For intensive peaks, peaks 19 (berberine) and 21 (chelerythrine) were observed as the most potent dual candidates and showed selective affinity to 5-LOX over COX-2. Peak 19 showed an enrichment at 4.36 for COX-2 and 22.81 for 5-LOX, while peak 21 showed an enrichment at 7.81 for COX-2 and 24.49 for 5-LOX. Molecular docking results revealed chelerythrine as a better dual inhibitor, showing time- and dose-dependent anti-proliferation against AGS cells. Bio-informatics strategies, such as Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), suggested that hormone pathways in gastric cancer cells might be mediated by chelerythrine. Further reviews and summaries helped outline the mechanisms by which COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors might promote apoptosis in gastric cancer cells via estrogen, thyroid, and oxytocin signaling pathways. Chelerythrine was also added to gastric cancer cells to verify the regulation of these three signaling pathways. As a result, significant calling back of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), thyroid hormone α3 (TRα3), and thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TRβ1) and suppressing estrogen receptor α36 (ER-α36)-Src could benefit the anti-proliferation of chelerythrine. However, it was disappointing that regulation of estrogen receptor α66 (ER-α66), estrogen receptor β (ER-β), and oxytocin receptor (OTR) contributed inversely negative effects on anti-gastric cancer cells. At present, the integrative study not only revealed chelerythrine as the most potent dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitor from QAs but also generally highlighted that comprehensive regulation of the estrogen, thyroid, and oxytocin pathway should be noted once gastric cancer cells were treated with inflammatory inhibitors.

Targeting Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Counteracts the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Keratinocyte-Derived Tumors

The endocannabinoid system regulates physiological processes, and the modulation of endogenous endocannabinoid (eCB) levels is an attractive tool to contrast the development of pathological skin conditions including cancers. Inhibiting FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), the degradation enzyme of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) leads to the increase in AEA levels, thus enhancing its biological effects. Here, we evaluated the anticancer property of the FAAH inhibitor URB597, investigating its potential to counteract epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process crucially involved in tumor progression. The effects of the compound were determined in primary human keratinocytes, ex vivo skin explants, and the squamous carcinoma cell line A431. Our results demonstrate that URB597 is able to hinder the EMT process by downregulating mesenchymal markers and reducing migratory potential. These effects are associated with the dampening of the AKT/STAT3 signal pathways and reduced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and tumorigenic lipid species. The ability of URB597 to contrast the EMT process provides insight into effective approaches that may also include the use of FAAH inhibitors for the treatment of skin cancers.

The ALOX5 inhibitor Zileuton regulates tumor-associated macrophage M2 polarization by JAK/STAT and inhibits pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis

5-lipoxygenase (encoded by ALOX5) plays an important role in immune regulation. Zileuton is currently the only approved ALOX5 inhibitor. However, the mechanisms of ALOX5 and Zileuton in progression of pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Zileuton on tumor-associated macrophage M2 polarization and pancreatic cancer invasion and metastasis, both in vivo and in vitro. In bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses, we found a significant association between elevated levels of ALOX5 and poor survival, adverse stages, M2 macrophage infiltration, and the activation of JAK/STAT pathways in macrophages. In clinical samples, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical results verified the high expression of ALOX5 in pancreatic cancer, primarily in macrophages. We constructed PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells and macrophages overexpressing ALOX5 using lentivirus. In PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, low-dose Zileuton inhibited PANC-1 cell invasion and migration by blocking ALOX5. In macrophages, ALOX5 induced the M2-like phenotype through the JAK/STAT pathway and promoted the chemotaxis of macrophages towards PANC-1 cells, while Zileuton can inhibit these effects. We constructed the nude mouse model of in situ transplantation tumor of pancreatic cancer. After treatment with Zileuton, the mice showed increased survival rates and reduced liver metastasis. These findings indicate that ALOX5 regulates tumor-associated macrophage M2 polarization via the JAK/STAT pathway and promotes invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Zileuton can inhibit these effects by inhibiting ALOX5. These results provide a theoretical basis for the potential use of Zileuton in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Activation of PPARγ by (2Z,4E,6E)-2-methoxyocta-2,4,6-trienoic Acid Counteracts the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Process in Skin Carcinogenesis

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common UV-induced keratinocyte-derived cancer, and its progression is characterized by the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. We previously demonstrated that PPARγ activation by 2,4,6-octatrienoic acid (Octa) prevents cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the possible role of the PPARγ activators Octa and the new compound (2Z,4E,6E)-2-methoxyocta-2,4,6-trienoic acid (A02) in targeting keratinocyte-derived skin cancer. Like Octa, A02 exerted a protective effect against UVB-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in NHKs. In the squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells, A02 inhibited cell proliferation and increased differentiation markers’ expression. Moreover, Octa and even more A02 counteracted the TGF-β1-dependent increase in mesenchymal markers, intracellular ROS, the activation of EMT-related signal transduction pathways, and cells’ migratory capacity. Both compounds, especially A02, counterbalanced the TGF-β1-induced cell membrane lipid remodeling and the release of bioactive lipids involved in EMT. In vivo experiments on a murine model useful to study cell proliferation in adult animals showed the reduction of areas characterized by active cell proliferation in response to A02 topical treatment. In conclusion, targeting PPARγ may be useful for the prevention and treatment of keratinocyte-derived skin cancer.

A nine–consensus–prognostic –gene–based prognostic signature, recognizing the dichotomized subgroups of gastric cancer patients with different clinical outcomes and therapeutic strategies

Background: The increasing prevalence and mortality of gastric cancer (GC) has promoted the urgent need for prognostic signatures to predict the long-term risk and search for therapeutic biomarkers.

Methods and materials: A total of 921 GC patients from three GEO cohorts were enrolled in the current study. The GSE15459 and GSE62254 cohorts were used to select the top prognostic gene via the evaluation of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) values. The GSE84437 cohort was used as the external validation cohort. Least absolute shrinkage and selector operation (LASSO) regression analysis was applied to reduce the feature dimension and construct the prognostic signature. Furthermore, a nomogram was constructed by integrating the independent prognostic analysis and validated by calibration plot, decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve. The molecular features and response to chemo-/immunotherapy among risk subgroups were evaluated by the “MOVICS” and “ESTAMATE” R packages and the SubMap algorithm. Lauren classification and ACRG molecular subtype were obtained to compare with the risk model.

Results: Forty-four prognosis-associated genes were identified with a preset cutoff AUC value of 0.65 in both the GSE62254 and GSE15459 cohorts. With the 10-fold cross validation analysis of LASSO, nine genes were selected to construct the nine-consensus-prognostic-gene signature. The signature showed good prognostic value in the GSE62254 (p < 0.001, HR: 3.81, 95% CI: 2.44–5.956) and GSE15459 (p < 0.001, HR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.892–3.709) cohorts and the external validation GSE84437 cohort (p < 0.001, HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.554–2.735). The nomogram constructed based on two independent predictive factors, tumor stage and the signature, predicted events tightly consistent with the actual (Hosmer–Lemeshow p value: 1-year, 0.624; 3-years, 0.795; 5-years, 0.824). For the molecular features, we observed the activation of apical junction, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and immune pathways in the high-risk group, while in the low-risk group, cell cycle associated G2M, E2F and MYC target pathways were activated. Based on the results we obtained, we indicated that gastric patients in the low-risk group are more suitable for 5-fluorouracil therapy, while high-risk group patients are more suitable for anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy, these results need more support in the further studies. After compare with proposed molecular subtypes, we realized that the nine-consensus prognostic gene signature is a powerful addition to identify the gastric patients with poor prognosis.

Conclusion: In summary, we constructed a robust nine-consensus-prognostic-gene signature for the prediction of GC prognosis, which can also predict the personalized treatment of GC patients.

Sensitization of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to Gefitinib and Reversal of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Aloe-Emodin Via PI3K/Akt/TWIS1 Signal Blockage

Objective

To explore the impacts of AE (aloe-emodin) in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) cells and the corresponding mechanism.

Methods

PC9 and PC9-GR cells were cultured and treated by gefitinib, AE, or the combination of the two drugs. Then, viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cells were investigated using CCK-8, TUNEL, wound healing assay, and transwell assay, respectively. Female BALB/c nude mice were employed for the establishment of xenograft tumor models to examine the role of AE in tumor growth.

Results

PC9-GR cells showed reduced apoptosis and enhanced cell viability, migration and invasion upon treatment by gefitinib, compared with PC9 cells. E-cahherin in PC9-GR cells was down-regulated, while Vimentin, Snail2 (or Slug) and Twist1 in PC9-GR cells were up-regulated, compared with PC9 cells. Meanwhile, treatment by a combination of gefitinib and AE significantly strengthened apoptosis of PC9-GR cells, while attenuated their migration and invasion, compared with the control group or treatment by gefitinib or AE alone. WB results showed that AE could reverse EMT and activation of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in PC9-GR cells. In vivo experiments showed that tumor growth and EMT of PC9-GR cells were dramatically repressed after treatment by a combination of AE and gefitinib. Additionally, the use of SC97 (a PI3K/Akt pathway activator) could counteract the effects of AE in gefitinib-resistant PC9 cells.

Conclusions

AE could enhance the gefitinib sensitivity of PC9-GR cells and reverse EMT by blocking PI3K/Akt/TWIS1 signal pathway.

N6-Methyladenosine-Related Long Non-Coding RNAs Are Identified as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Validated by Real-Time PCR

Currently, the precise mechanism by which N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) promotes the occurrence and development of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and influences tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. Therefore, we studied the prognostic value of m6A-related lncRNAs and their relationship with TME in 495 LUSC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Pearson’s correlation and univariate Cox regression analysis identified 6 m6A-related lncRNAs with prognostic values for LUSC patients. LUSC patients were divided into two subgroups (clusters 1 and 2) using principal component analysis. The expression of PD-L1 was lower in tumor tissues and cluster 2 of LUSC patients. Cluster 2 of LUSC patients had a high immune score, stromal score, and unique immune cell infiltration. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathway and cytokine receptor pathways are enriched in cluster 1. The m6A-related lncRNA prognostic markers (m6A-LPMs) were established using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. The risk score was calculated by 4 m6A-LPMs and associated with OS, TME, clinicopathological characteristics of LUSC patients. After adjusting for age, gender, and stage, the risk score was also an independent prognostic factor for LUSC patients. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression of 4 m6A-LPMs was consistent with our prediction results. Our study found that 4 m6A-LPMs (AC138035.1, AC243919.2, HORMAD2-AS1, and AL122125.1) are closely associated with LUSC prognosis, in future, they may as novel diagnostic biomarkers for LUSC and provide new immunotherapy targets for LUSC patients.

Albumin Might Attenuate Bacteria-Induced Damage on Kupffer Cells for Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are complex diseases that cause long-term inflammation and infection, which in turn accelerate their development. The usage of albumin in patients with CLDs has been debated for years. Human serum albumin (HSA) plays a key role in immunomodulation during the process of CLDs. The correlation between albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in CLD patients was analyzed by linear regression with the Pearson statistic. The damage of THP-1 and primary cells was evaluated by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine underlying pathways in Kupffer cells (KCs). Albumin negatively correlated with infection in patients with CLDs. In vitro experiments with THP-1 cells and KCs showed that albumin reduced LDH release after stimulation with bacterial products, while no differences in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) were detected. Moreover, immunofluorescence staining revealed an increase of p-ERK and p-NF-kB p65 density after albumin treatment of KCs stimulated by bacterial products. In conclusion, albumin could assist CLD patients in alleviating inflammation caused by bacterial products and might be beneficial to patients with CLDs by securing KCs from bacteria-induced damage, providing a compelling rationale for albumin therapy in patients with CLDs.