Synthetic dysmobility screen unveils an integrated STK40-YAP-MAPK system driving cell migration

Studying Cell Migration (Random and Wound Healing) Parameters with Imaging and MATLAB Analysis

Cell migration is an essential biological process for organisms, in processes including embryonic development, immune response, and cancer metastasis. To elucidate the regulatory machinery of this vital process, methods that mimic in vivo migration, including in vitro wound healing assay and random migration assay, are widely used for cell behavior investigation. However, several concerns are raised with traditional cell migration experiment analysis. First, a manually scratched wound often presents irregular edges, causing the speed analysis difficult. Second, only the migration speed of leading cells is considered in the wound healing assay. Here, we provide a reliable analysis method to trace each cell in the time-lapse images, eliminating the concern about wound shape and creating a more comprehensive understanding of cell migration-not only of collective migration speed but also single-cell directionality and coordination between cells.

Yes-associated protein 1 mediates initial cell survival during lorlatinib treatment through AKT signaling in ROS1-rearranged lung cancer

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target the ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1) gene have shown dramatic therapeutic effects in patients with ROS1-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, advanced ROS1-rearranged NSCLC is rarely cured as a portion of the tumor cells can survive the initial stages of ROS1-TKI treatment, even after maximum tumor shrinkage. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying initial cell survival during ROS1-TKI treatment is necessary to prevent cell survival and achieve a cure for ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. In this study, we clarified the initial survival mechanisms during treatment with lorlatinib, a ROS1 TKI. First, we established a patient-derived ezrin gene-ROS1-rearranged NSCLC cell line (KTOR71). Then, following proteomic analysis, we focused on yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), which is a major mediator of the Hippo pathway, as a candidate factor involved in cell survival during early lorlatinib treatment. Yes-associated protein 1 was activated by short-term lorlatinib treatment both in vitro and in vivo. Genetic inhibition of YAP1 using siRNA, or pharmacological inhibition of YAP1 function by the YAP1-inhibitor verteporfin, enhanced the sensitivity of KTOR71 cells to lorlatinib. In addition, the prosurvival effect of YAP1 was exerted through the reactivation of AKT. Finally, combined therapy with verteporfin and lorlatinib was found to achieve significantly sustained tumor remission compared with lorlatinib monotherapy in vivo. These results suggest that YAP1 could mediate initial cell resistance to lorlatinib in KTOR71 cells. Thus, combined therapy targeting both YAP1 and ROS1 could potentially improve the outcome of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC.

Computational methods, databases and tools for synthetic lethality prediction

Synthetic lethality (SL) occurs between two genes when the inactivation of either gene alone has no effect on cell survival but the inactivation of both genes results in cell death. SL-based therapy has become one of the most promising targeted cancer therapies in the last decade as PARP inhibitors achieve great success in the clinic. The key point to exploiting SL-based cancer therapy is the identification of robust SL pairs. Although many wet-lab-based methods have been developed to screen SL pairs, known SL pairs are less than 0.1% of all potential pairs due to large number of human gene combinations. Computational prediction methods complement wet-lab-based methods to effectively reduce the search space of SL pairs. In this paper, we review the recent applications of computational methods and commonly used databases for SL prediction. First, we introduce the concept of SL and its screening methods. Second, various SL-related data resources are summarized. Then, computational methods including statistical-based methods, network-based methods, classical machine learning methods and deep learning methods for SL prediction are summarized. In particular, we elaborate on the negative sampling methods applied in these models. Next, representative tools for SL prediction are introduced. Finally, the challenges and future work for SL prediction are discussed.

Verteporfin-mediated on/off photoswitching functions synergistically to treat choroidal vascular diseases

Choroidal vascular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, are the leading cause of vision impairment and are characterized by pathological angiogenesis. Verteporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy is a current strategy that selectively occludes choroidal neovasculature. However, the clinically used large-dose systemic administration increases the risk of systemic adverse events, such as phototoxicity to superficial tissues. In this study, we developed an in situ verteporfin delivery system with a photoswitching synergistic function that disassembles in response to intraocular inflammatory enzymes. Under light-on conditions, verteporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy effectively occurs and this leads to vascular occlusion. Under light-off conditions, non-photoactive verteporfin negatively regulates vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis as a yes-associated protein inhibitor. Taken together, our system serves as an intraocular verteporfin reservoir to improve the bioavailability of verteporfin by innovatively exploiting its photochemical and biological functions. This work provides a promising strategy with synergistic antiangiogenic effects for the treatment of choroidal vascular diseases.

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For the first time, an intraocular verteporfin delivery system with on/off photoswitching synergistic functions is reported.

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VP-TGMS with light-on effectively leads to occlusion of choroidal pathological neovascularization via photodynamic mechanism.

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VP-TGMS with light-off significantly suppresses VEGF-induced angiogenesis via YAP signaling inhibition.

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This study provides a promising strategy for the treatment of choroidal vascular diseases.