Morphine contributed to the deterioration of cancer via miR-543/MARCKS/FcγR-mediated phagocytosis pathway

Emerging role of microRNAs as regulators of protein kinase C substrate MARCKS and MARCKSL1 in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators of gene expression, playing essential roles in diverse cellular processes, including the development and progression of cancer. Among the numerous proteins influenced by miRNAs, the MARCKS/MARCKSL1 protein, a key regulator of cellular cytoskeletal dynamics and membrane-cytosol communication, has garnered significant attention due to its multifaceted involvement in various cancer-related processes, including cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Motivated by the encouraging early clinical success of peptides targeting MARCKS in several pathological conditions, this review article delves into the intricate interplay between miRNAs and the MARCKS protein in cancer. Herein, we have highlighted the latest findings on specific miRNAs that modulate MARCKS/MARCKSL1 expression, providing a comprehensive overview of their roles in different cancer types. We have underscored the need for in-depth investigations into the therapeutic feasibility of targeting the miRNA-MARCKS axis in cancer, taking cues from the successes witnessed in related fields. Unlocking the full potential of miRNA-mediated MARCKS regulation could pave the way for innovative and effective therapeutic interventions against various cancer types.

MicroRNAs as Regulators of Phagocytosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and thus act as important regulators of cellular phenotype and function. As their expression may be dysregulated in numerous diseases, they are of interest as biomarkers. What is more, attempts of modulation of some microRNAs for therapeutic reasons have been undertaken. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the influence of microRNAs on phagocytosis, which may be exerted on different levels, such as through macrophages polarization, phagosome maturation, reactive oxygen species production and cytokines synthesis. This phenomenon plays an important role in numerous pathological conditions.

Morphine promotes the malignant biological behavior of non-small cell lung cancer cells through the MOR/Src/mTOR pathway

BACKGROUND

Morphine, a µ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, has been shown to be related to the activity of cancer cells, and a higher morphine dosage reduces the survival time of patients with lung cancer. However, the effect of morphine on the malignant behavior of lung cancer cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific molecular mechanism by which morphine regulates the malignant biological behavior of non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analyses were performed to detect MOR expression. H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells were used in this study, and cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were detected using wound healing and Transwell assays. The effect of morphine on lung cancer development in vivo was examined by performing a xenograft tumor assay following morphine treatment.

RESULTS

Morphine promoted the growth of H460 cells both in vivo and in vitro. Morphine enhanced cell migration and invasion, modified cell cycle progression through the S/G₂ transition and exerted an antiapoptotic effect on H460 cells. Additionally, morphine increased Rous sarcoma oncogene cellular homolog (Src) phosphorylation and activated the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Treatment with the MOR antagonist methylnaltrexone (MNTX) and the Src inhibitor protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) reduced the phosphorylation induced by morphine. Furthermore, MNTX, PP1, and the PI3K/AKT inhibitor deguelin reversed the antiapoptotic effect of morphine on lung cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Morphine promotes the malignant biological behavior of H460 cells by activating the MOR and Src/mTOR signaling pathways.

Targeting miRNAs with anesthetics in cancer: Current understanding and future perspectives

Anesthetics are extensively used during cancer surgeries. The progression of cancer can be influenced by perioperative events such as exposure to general or local anesthesia. However, whether they inhibit cancer or act as a causative factor for metastasis and exert deleterious effects on cancer growth differs based on the type of cancer and the therapy administration. Recent experimental data suggested that many of the most commonly used anesthetics in surgical oncology, whether general or local agents, can alter gene expression and cause epigenetic changes via modulating miRNAs. miRNAs are single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at various levels, and their dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of cancers. However, anesthetics via regulating miRNAs can concurrently target several effectors of cellular signaling pathways involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and viability. This review summarized the current research about the effects of different anesthetics in regulating cancer, with a particular emphasis on the role of miRNAs. A significant number of studies conducted in this area of research illuminate the effects of anesthetics on the regulation of miRNA expression; therefore, we hope that a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation of miRNA in the context of anesthesia-induced cancer regulation could help to define optimal anesthetic regimens and provide better perspectives for further studies.

Breast Cancer and Anaesthesia: Genetic Influence

Breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality in women. It is a heterogeneous disease with a high degree of inter-subject variability even in patients with the same type of tumor, with individualized medicine having acquired significant relevance in this field. The clinical and morphological heterogeneity of the different types of breast tumors has led to a diversity of staging and classification systems. Thus, these tumors show wide variability in genetic expression and prognostic biomarkers. Surgical treatment is essential in the management of these patients. However, the perioperative period has been found to significantly influence survival and cancer recurrence. There is growing interest in the pro-tumoral effect of different anaesthetic and analgesic agents used intraoperatively and their relationship with metastatic progression. There is cumulative evidence of the influence of anaesthetic techniques on the physiopathological mechanisms of survival and growth of the residual neoplastic cells released during surgery. Prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to obtain quality evidence on the relationship between cancer and anaesthesia. This document summarizes the evidence currently available about the effects of the anaesthetic agents and techniques used in primary cancer surgery and long-term oncologic outcomes, and the biomolecular mechanisms involved in their interaction.

Alleviation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Rats by Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction: A Tandem Mass Tag-Based Proteomics Study

Background

To study the effect of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YQHYJD) on protein expression in the lung tissue of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rats and to explore the underlying molecular therapeutic mechanism of YQHYJD.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were administered with YQHYJD by oral gavage for 1 week. The rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce ARDS. The lung injury was assessed pathologically. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were screened by quantitative proteomics and analyzed using bioinformatic tools, such as Metascape and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) mapper. DEPs were verified by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM).

Results

YQHYJD alleviated the LPS-induced pathological damage of lung tissue in rats. There were 134 DEPs among the YQHYJD treatment and model groups. The Genomes pathway analyses revealed that the DEPs were closely related to immune system pathway. The mass spectrometry analysis revealed that YQHYJD exhibits a protective effect on lung tissue by significantly upregulating hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck), phospholipid phosphatase 3 (Plpp3), myristoylated-alanine rich C-kinase substrate (Marcks), and Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 2 (Arpc2), which are related to Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway.

Conclusion

YQHYJD can alleviate the lung injury of ARDS rats by regulating the Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis pathway, which is related to immune system.