Lysophosphatidylcholine Potentiates Antibacterial Activity of Polymyxin B

Pan-cancer analysis identifies LPCATs family as a prognostic biomarker and validation of LPCAT4/WNT/β-catenin/c-JUN/ACSL3 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Lipid remodeling regulators are now being investigated as potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy as a result of their involvement, which includes promoting cancer cells' adaptation to the restricted environment. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs, LPCAT1-4) are enzymes that regulate the remodeling of bio-membranes. The functions of these enzymes in cancer are largely unknown. In the current study, we found that genes belonging to the LPCAT family participated in tumor advancement and were strongly linked to dismal prognosis in many different malignancies. We constructed the LPCATs scores model and explored this model in pan-cancer. Malignant pathways in pan-cancer were positively related to LPCATs scores, and all pathways had strong links to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Multiple immune-associated features of the TME in pan-cancer were likewise associated with higher LPCATs scores. In addition, the LPCATs score functioned as a prognostic marker for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies in patients with cancer. LPCAT4 enhanced cell growth and cholesterol biosynthesis by up-regulating ACSL3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). WNT/β-catenin/c-JUN signaling pathway mediated LPCAT4's regulation on ACSL3. These findings demonstrated that genes in the LPCAT family might be used as cancer immunotherapy and prognosis-related biomarkers. Specifically, LPCAT4 could be a treatment target of HCC.

Biological functions of bacterial lysophospholipids

Lysophospholipids (LPLs) are lipid-derived metabolic intermediates in the cell membrane. The biological functions of LPLs are distinct from their corresponding phospholipids. In eukaryotic cells LPLs are important bioactive signaling molecules that regulate many important biological processes, but in bacteria the function of LPLs is still not fully defined. Bacterial LPLs are usually present in cells in very small amounts, but can strongly increase under certain environmental conditions. In addition to their basic function as precursors in membrane lipid metabolism, the formation of distinct LPLs contributes to the proliferation of bacteria under harsh circumstances or may act as signaling molecules in bacterial pathogenesis. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the biological functions of bacterial LPLs including lysoPE, lysoPA, lysoPC, lysoPG, lysoPS and lysoPI in bacterial adaptation, survival, and host-microbe interactions.

Effects of Lysophosphatidylcholine on Jejuna Morphology and Its Potential Mechanism

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) plays a vital role in promoting jejuna morphology in broilers. However, the potential mechanism behind LPC improving the chicken jejuna morphology is unclear. Therefore, the present study was designed to reveal the important genes associated with LPC regulation in birds' jejuna. Thus, GSE94622, the gene expression microarray, was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). GSE94622 consists of 15 broiler jejuna samples from two LPC-treated (LPC500 and LPC1000) and the control groups. Totally 98 to 217 DEGs were identified by comparing LPC500 vs. control, LPC1000 vs. control, and LPC1000 vs. LPC500. Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that those DEGs were mainly involved in the one-carbon metabolic process, carbon dioxide transport, endodermal cell differentiation, the positive regulation of dipeptide transmembrane transport, cellular pH reduction, and synaptic transmission. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated the DEGs were enriched in NOD-like receptor (NLR), RIG-I-like receptor (RILR), Toll-like receptor (TLR), and necroptosis signaling pathway. Moreover, many genes, such as RSAD2, OASL, EPSTI1, CMPK2, IFIH1, IFIT5, USP18, MX1, and STAT1 might be involved in promoting the jejuna morphology of broilers. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of LPC regulation in jejuna morphology.

Efficacy of Lysophosphatidylcholine as Direct Treatment in Combination with Colistin against Acinetobacter baumannii in Murine Severe Infections Models

The stimulation of the immune response to prevent the progression of an infection may be an adjuvant to antimicrobial treatment. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) treatment in combination with colistin in murine experimental models of severe infections by Acinetobacter baumannii. We used the A. baumannii Ab9 strain, susceptible to colistin and most of the antibiotics used in clinical settings, and the A. baumannii Ab186 strain, susceptible to colistin but presenting a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pattern. The therapeutic efficacies of one and two LPC doses (25 mg/kg/d) and colistin (20 mg/kg/8 h), alone or in combination, were assessed against Ab9 and Ab186 in murine peritoneal sepsis and pneumonia models. One and two LPC doses combined with colistin and colistin monotherapy enhanced Ab9 and Ab186 clearance from spleen, lungs and blood and reduced mice mortality compared with those of the non-treated mice group in both experimental models. Moreover, one and two LPC doses reduced the bacterial concentration in tissues and blood in both models and increased mice survival in the peritoneal sepsis model for both strains compared with those of the colistin monotherapy group. LPC used as an adjuvant of colistin treatment may be helpful to reduce the severity and the resolution of the MDR A. baumannii infection.