Pathogenesis of psoriasis via miR-149-5p/AKT1axis by long noncoding RNA BLACAT1

Identification of novel disulfidptosis-related lncRNA signatures to predict the prognosis and immune microenvironment of skin cutaneous melanoma patients

BACKGROUND

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is an aggressive form of malignant melanoma with poor prognosis and high mortality rates. Disulfidptosis is a newly discovered cell death regulatory mechanism caused by the abnormal accumulation of disulfides. This unique pathway is guiding significant new research to understand cancer progression for targeted treatment. However, the correlation between disulfidptosis with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in SKCM remains unknown at present.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas database furnished lncRNA expression data and clinical information for SKCM patients. Pearson correlation and Cox regression analyses identified disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs associated with SKCM prognosis. ROC curves and a nomogram validated the model. TME, immune infiltration, GSEA analysis, immune checkpoint gene expression profiling, and drug sensitivity were assessed in high and low-risk groups. Consistent clustering categorized SKCM patients for personalized clinical treatment guidance.

RESULTS

A total of twelve disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs were identified for the development of prognosis prediction models. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the ROC curve and the nomogram provided reliable discrimination to evaluate the prognostic potential for SKCM patients. The TME played a crucial role in tumorigenesis, progression and prognosis, and the risk scores were closely related to immune cell infiltration. Meanwhile, the combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy was recommended for low-risk patients based on drug sensitivity and immune efficacy analyses.

CONCLUSION

We identified a risk model of twelve disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs that could be used to predict the prognosis of SKCM patients and help guide immunotherapy and chemotherapy for personalized treatment plans.

m6A- and m5C- modified lncRNAs orchestrate the prognosis in cutaneous melanoma and m6A- modified LINC00893 regulates cutaneous melanoma cell metastasis

BACKGROUND

As the most important modifications on the RNA level, N6-methyladenosine (m6A-) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C-) modification could have a direct influence on the RNAs. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could also be modified by methylcytosine modification. Compared with mRNAs, the function of lncRNAs could be more potent to some extent in biological processes like tumorigenesis. Until now, rare reports have been done associated with cutaneous melanoma. Herein, we wonder if the m6A- and m5C- modified lncRNAs could influence the immune landscape and prognosis in melanoma, and we also want to find some lncRNAs which could directly affect the malignant behaviors of melanoma.

METHODS

Systematically, we explored the expression pattern of m6A- and m5C- modified lncRNAs in melanoma from datasets including UCSC Xena and NCBI GEO, and the prognostic lncRNAs were selected. Then, according to the expression pattern of lncRNAs, melanoma samples from these datasets were divided into several subtypes. Prognostic model, nomogram survival model, drug sensitivity, GO, and KEGG pathway analysis were performed. Furthermore, among several selected lncRNAs, we identified one lncRNA named LINC00893 and investigated its expression pattern and its biological function in melanoma cell lines.

RESULTS

We identified 27 m6A- and m5C- related lncRNAs which were significantly associated with survival, and we made a subtype analysis of melanoma samples based on these 27 lncRNAs. Among the two subtypes, we found differences of immune cells infiltration between these two subtypes. Then, LASSO algorithm was used to screen the optimized lncRNAs combination including ZNF252P-AS1, MIAT, FAM13A-AS1, LINC-PINT, LINC00893, AGAP2-AS1, OIP5-AS1, and SEMA6A-AS1. We also found that there was a significant correlation between the different risk groups predicted based on RS model and the actual prognosis. The nomogram survival model based on independent survival prognostic factors was also constructed. Besides, sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, GO and KEGG analysis were performed. In different risk groups, a total of 14 drug molecules with different distributions were obtained, which included AZD6482, AZD7762, AZD8055, camptothecin, dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, gemcitabine, GSK269962A, nilotinib, rapamycin, and sorafenib. A total of 55 significantly related biological processes and 17 KEGG signaling pathways were screened. At last, we noticed that LINC00893 had a relatively lower expression in melanoma tissue and cell lines compared with adjacent tissues and epidermal melanocyte, and down-regulation of LINC00893 could promote the malignant behavior of melanoma cells in A875 and MV3. In these two melanoma cell lines, down-regulation of m6A-related molecules like YTHDF3 and METTL3 could promote the expression of LINC00893.

CONCLUSION

We made an analysis of m6A- and m5C- related lncRNAs in melanoma samples and a prediction of these lncRNAs' role in prognosis, tumor microenvironment, immune infiltration, and clinicopathological features. We also found that LINC00893, which is potentially regulated by m6A modification, could serve as a tumor-suppressor in melanoma and play an inhibitory role in melanoma metastasis.

Cosentyx alleviates psoriasis-induced podocyte injury by inhibiting the tlr/nf-κb signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Pathological studies have shown an association between psoriasis and renal podocyte injury, and the specific mechanism of podocyte injury in psoriasis remains unclear, with no effective treatments currently available. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of podocyte and epidermal cell injury in psoriasis and evaluate the therapeutic effect of Cosentyx.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A psoriasis-like mouse model was established using BALB/C mice, and Cosentyx treatment was administered via intraperitoneal injection. Various parameters, including skin lesions, urinary protein, kidney/serum inflammatory cytokines, kidney function, podocyte membrane proteins, and Toll-like receptors/nuclear factor kappa-b (TLR/NF-κB) pathway-associated proteins, were analyzed to explore the mechanisms of podocyte and epidermal cell injury in psoriasis and the potential ameliorative effects of Cosentyx.

RESULT

Treatment with Cosentyx significantly reduced the increased levels of urinary protein, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen caused by psoriasis. Cosentyx inhibited the upregulation of kidney/serum inflammatory factors (IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-22) and TLR/NF-κB-related proteins (TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κBp65) in both psoriatic skin and kidney tissues, while also reducing the accumulation of oxidative products. Moreover, Cosentyx treatment suppressed podocyte apoptosis and promoted epidermal cell apoptosis. The experimental data demonstrated that psoriasis-like inflammation impaired renal podocytes through the TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Cosentyx treatment effectively inhibited the expression of TLR/NF-κB-related proteins, providing a therapeutic effect for psoriasis-induced kidney and skin injuries.

The ameliorative effects of topical gemifloxacin alone or in combination with clobetasol propionate on imiquimod-induced model of psoriasis in mice

Psoriasis is a lifelong immune-driven skin condition characterized by excessive epidermal overgrowth and inflammatory cell infiltration. Gemifloxacin is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone with improved immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to possess an attractive role in psoriasis via suppressing the production of cytokines, chemokines, and eosinophil and neutrophil chemotaxis. The aim of this research is to investigate the ameliorative effects of prolonged topical gemifloxacin (GMF) alone and combined with clobetasol propionate (CLO) on an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model of psoriasis. Forty-eight Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups of eight. All groups except the negative controls got 62.5 mg of IMQ 5% topically for 8 days. Mice in the control group (controls) got Vaseline instead. Following the induction in the IMQ 5% group, mice in treatment groups CLO 0.05, GMF 1%, GMF 3%, and CLO + GMF obtained clobetasol propionate 0.05%, GMF 1% and 3%, and a combination of both, respectively, for an additional 8 days, rendering the experiment 16 days long. Our results revealed that gemifloxacin alleviated erythematous, thickened, and scaly psoriatic lesions and inhibited the tissue level of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-8, IL-17A, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The anti-inflammatory effect also occurred by hindering nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling and reversing histopathological problems. Gemifloxacin acts effectively in mitigating psoriasis-associated lesions and restricting NF-κB-mediated inflammation, recommending gemifloxacin as a promising adjuvant candidate for additional studies on the long-term treatment of autoimmune and autoinflammatory dermatoses like psoriasis.

Research progress on the neutrophil components and their interactions with immune cells in the development of psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease, and currently it is widely believed that the IL-23/IL-17 axis and Th17 cells play a critical and central role. However, increasing evidence suggests that neutrophils may interact with a variety of immune cells to play an indispensable role in psoriasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the recent literature on psoriasis and neutrophils through databases such as PubMed and CNKI, and summarized the findings to draw conclusions.

RESULTS

Neutrophils can promote the development of psoriasis by secreting IL-23, IL-17, and cytokines with TH17 cell chemotaxis. Activated keratinocytes (KCs) can attract and activate neutrophils, induce the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). KCs can also expose self-antigens which lead to strong autoimmune reactions. The granule proteins secreted by activated neutrophils can activate IL-36, which converts vulgaris psoriasis to generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP).

CONCLUSION

The function of neutrophils components and the interaction between neutrophils and immune cells play an essential role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis for the exploration of targeted clinical treatments and fundamental research on the pathogenesis of psoriasis.