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Zia K, Nur-E-Alam M, Ahmad A, Ul-Haq Z. Taming the cytokine storm: small molecule inhibitors targeting IL-6/IL-6α receptor. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-023-10805-5. [PMID: 38366102 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10805-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Given the increasing effectiveness of immune-based therapies, management of their associated toxicities is of utmost importance. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), characterized by elevated levels of cytokine, poses a significant challenge following the administration of antibodies and CAR-T cell therapies. CRS also contributes to multiple organ dysfunction in severe viral infections, notably in COVID-19. Given the pivotal role of IL-6 cytokine in initiating CRS, it has been considered a most potential therapeutic target to mitigate hyperactivated immune responses. While monoclonal antibodies of IL-6 show promise in mitigating cytokine storm, concerns about immunotoxicity persist, and small molecule IL-6 antagonists remain unavailable. The present study employed sophisticated computational techniques to identify potential hit compounds as IL-6 inhibitors, with the aim of inhibiting IL-6/IL-6R protein-protein interactions. Through ligand-based pharmacophore mapping and shape similarity in combination with docking-based screening, we identified nine hit compounds with diverse chemical scaffolds as potential binders of IL-6. Further, the MD simulation of 300 ns of five virtual hits in a complex with IL-6 was employed to study the dynamic behavior. To provide a more precise prediction, binding free energy was also estimated. The identified compounds persistently interacted with the residues lining the binding site of the IL-6 protein. These compounds displayed low binding energy during MMPBSA calculations, substantiating their strong association with IL-6. This study suggests promising scaffolds as potential inhibitors of IL-6/IL-6R protein-protein interactions and provides direction for lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Zia
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Nur-E-Alam
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA
| | - Zaheer Ul-Haq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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Goldsmith SR, Covut F, Fiala M, Xiang Z, Iqbal Z, Moore N, Bradtke E, Christen B, Rettig MP, Christ S, Gehrs L, Street E, Wallace N, Ritchey J, Gao F, Pachter J, Parikh B, Dubberke ER, DiPersio JF. Duvelisib for Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: An Investigator-Initiated, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Pilot Trial. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad518. [PMID: 37953814 PMCID: PMC10633784 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite improvements in prevention and treatment, severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways contribute to cytokine and cell-mediated lung inflammation. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot trial to determine the feasibility, safety, and preliminary activity of duvelisib, a PI3Kδγ inhibitor, for the treatment of COVID-19 critical illness. Methods We enrolled adults aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 with hypoxic respiratory failure, shock, and/or new cardiac disease, without improvement after at least 48 hours of corticosteroid. Participants received duvelisib (25 mg) or placebo for up to 10 days. Participants had daily semi-quantitative viral load measurements performed. Dose modifications were protocol driven due to adverse events (AEs) or logarithmic change in viral load. The primary endpoint was 28-day overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, 60-day OS, and duration of critical care interventions. Safety endpoints included viral kinetics and AEs. Exploratory endpoints included serial cytokine measurements and cytometric analysis. Results Fifteen patients were treated in the duvelisib cohort, and 13 in the placebo cohort. OS at 28 days was 67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38%-88%) compared to 62% (95% CI, 32%-86%) for placebo (P = .544). Sixty-day OS was 60% versus 46%, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, .22-1.96]; P = .454). Other secondary outcomes were comparable. Duvelisib was associated with lower inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions In this pilot study, duvelisib did not significantly improve 28-day OS compared to placebo for severe COVID-19. Duvelisib appeared safe in this critically ill population and was associated with reduction in cytokines implicated in COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome, supporting further investigation. Clinical Trials Registration NCT04372602.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Goldsmith
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Fahrettin Covut
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Mark Fiala
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zhifu Xiang
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zahid Iqbal
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Nathan Moore
- Barnes Jewish Christian Medical Group, Missouri Baptist Hospital, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Elizabeth Bradtke
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Brandon Christen
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael P Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Stephanie Christ
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Leah Gehrs
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Emily Street
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicholas Wallace
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Julie Ritchey
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Feng Gao
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Bijal Parikh
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Erik R Dubberke
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John F DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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3
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da Mota THA, Camargo R, Biojone ER, Guimarães AFR, Pittella-Silva F, de Oliveira DM. The Relevance of Telomerase and Telomere-Associated Proteins in B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030691. [PMID: 36980962 PMCID: PMC10048576 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres and telomerase are closely linked to uncontrolled cellular proliferation, immortalization and carcinogenesis. Telomerase has been largely studied in the context of cancer, including leukemias. Deregulation of human telomerase gene hTERT is a well-established step in leukemia development. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) recovery rates exceed 90% in children; however, the relapse rate is around 20% among treated patients, and 10% of these are still incurable. This review highlights the biological and clinical relevance of telomerase for B-ALL and the implications of its canonical and non-canonical action on signaling pathways in the context of disease and treatment. The physiological role of telomerase in lymphocytes makes the study of its biomarker potential a great challenge. Nevertheless, many works have demonstrated that high telomerase activity or hTERT expression, as well as short telomeres, correlate with poor prognosis in B-ALL. Telomerase and related proteins have been proven to be promising pharmacological targets. Likewise, combined therapy with telomerase inhibitors may turn out to be an alternative strategy for B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales Henrique Andrade da Mota
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Ricardo Camargo
- Brasília Children’s Hospital José Alencar, Brasilia 70684-831, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Flávia Reis Guimarães
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil
| | - Fabio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
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Ahmadi Ghezeldasht S, Blackbourn DJ, Mosavat A, Rezaee SA. Pathogenicity and virulence of human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) in oncogenesis: adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2023; 60:189-211. [PMID: 36593730 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2022.2157791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive malignancy of CD4+ T lymphocytes caused by human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection. HTLV-1 was brought to the World Health Organization (WHO) and researchers to address its impact on global public health, oncogenicity, and deterioration of the host immune system toward autoimmunity. In a minority of the infected population (3-5%), it can induce inflammatory networks toward HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), or hijacking the infected CD4+ T lymphocytes into T regulatory subpopulation, stimulating anti-inflammatory signaling networks, and prompting ATLL development. This review critically discusses the complex signaling networks in ATLL pathogenesis during virus-host interactions for better interpretation of oncogenicity and introduces the main candidates in the pathogenesis of ATLL. At least two viral factors, HTLV-1 trans-activator protein (TAX) and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ), are implicated in ATLL manifestation, interacting with host responses and deregulating cell signaling in favor of infected cell survival and virus dissemination. Such molecules can be used as potential novel biomarkers for ATLL prognosis or targets for therapy. Moreover, the challenging aspects of HTLV-1 oncogenesis introduced in this review could open new venues for further studies on acute leukemia pathogenesis. These features can aid in the discovery of effective immunotherapies when reversing the gene expression profile toward appropriate immune responses gradually becomes attainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Ahmadi Ghezeldasht
- Blood Borne Infections Research Center, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Division, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Arman Mosavat
- Blood Borne Infections Research Center, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdolrahim Rezaee
- Immunology Research Center, Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Division, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Zhong Y, Ashley CL, Steain M, Ataide SF. Assessing the suitability of long non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:975322. [PMID: 36052163 PMCID: PMC9424846 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.975322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts that are over 200 nucleotides and rarely encode proteins or peptides. They regulate gene expression and protein activities and are heavily involved in many cellular processes such as cytokine secretion in respond to viral infection. In severe COVID-19 cases, hyperactivation of the immune system may cause an abnormally sharp increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which leads to severe tissue damage or even organ failure, raising COVID-19 mortality rate. In this review, we assessed the correlation between lncRNAs expression and cytokine release syndrome by comparing lncRNA profiles between COVID-19 patients and health controls, as well as between severe and non-severe cases. We also discussed the role of lncRNAs in CRS contributors and showed that the lncRNA profiles display consistency with patients’ clinic symptoms, thus suggesting the potential of lncRNAs as drug targets or biomarkers in COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Zhong
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Caroline L. Ashley
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Megan Steain
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandro Fernandes Ataide
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Sandro Fernandes Ataide,
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Valeri A, García-Ortiz A, Castellano E, Córdoba L, Maroto-Martín E, Encinas J, Leivas A, Río P, Martínez-López J. Overcoming tumor resistance mechanisms in CAR-NK cell therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:953849. [PMID: 35990652 PMCID: PMC9381932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.953849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the impressive results of autologous CAR-T cell therapy in refractory B lymphoproliferative diseases, CAR-NK immunotherapy emerges as a safer, faster, and cost-effective approach with no signs of severe toxicities as described for CAR-T cells. Permanently scrutinized for its efficacy, recent promising data in CAR-NK clinical trials point out the achievement of deep, high-quality responses, thus confirming its potential clinical use. Although CAR-NK cell therapy is not significantly affected by the loss or downregulation of its CAR tumor target, as in the case of CAR-T cell, a plethora of common additional tumor intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms that could also disable NK cell function have been described. Therefore, considering lessons learned from CAR-T cell therapy, the emergence of CAR-NK cell therapy resistance can also be envisioned. In this review we highlight the processes that could be involved in its development, focusing on cytokine addiction and potential fratricide during manufacturing, poor tumor trafficking, exhaustion within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and NK cell short in vivo persistence on account of the limited expansion, replicative senescence, and rejection by patient’s immune system after lymphodepletion recovery. Finally, we outline new actively explored alternatives to overcome these resistance mechanisms, with a special emphasis on CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genetic engineering approaches, a promising platform to optimize CAR-NK cell function to eradicate refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Valeri
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena García-Ortiz
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Castellano
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Córdoba
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Maroto-Martín
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jessica Encinas
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Leivas
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Río
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Biomedical Innovation Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (H12O-CNIO) Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre-Universidad Complutense, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Joaquín Martínez-López,
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Hong L, He M, Li S, Zhao J. Predicting for anti-(mutant) SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammation compounds of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules in treating COVID-19. Chin Med 2022; 17:84. [PMID: 35799189 PMCID: PMC9261255 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00637-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lianhua Qingwen Capsules (LHQW) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription commonly used to treat viral influenza in China. There has been sufficient evidence that LHQW could effectively treat COVID-19. Nevertheless, the potential anti-(mutant) SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammation compounds in LHQW are still vague. METHODS The compounds of LHQW and targets were collected from TCMSP, TCMID, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry of CAS database, and relevant literature. Autodock Vina was used to carry out molecular docking. The pkCSM platform to predict the relevant parameters of compound absorption in vivo. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by the STRING database. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was carried out by Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The anti-(mutant) SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammation networks were constructed on the Cytoscape platform. RESULTS 280 compounds, 16 targets related to SARS-CoV-2, and 54 targets related to cytokine storm were obtained by screening. The key pathways Toll-like receptor signaling, NOD-like receptor signal pathway, and Jak-STAT signaling pathway, and the core targets IL6 were obtained by PPI network and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The network analysis predicted and discussed the 16 main anti-SARS-CoV-2 active compounds and 12 main anti-inflammation active compounds. Ochnaflavone and Hypericin are potential anti-mutant virus compounds in LHQW. CONCLUSIONS In summary, this study explored the potential anti-(mutant) SARS-CoV-2 and anti-inflammation compounds of LHQW against COVID-19, which can provide new ideas and valuable references for discovering active compounds in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Hong
- grid.437123.00000 0004 1794 8068State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China ,grid.437123.00000 0004 1794 8068Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Min He
- grid.412982.40000 0000 8633 7608Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, China
| | - Shaoping Li
- grid.437123.00000 0004 1794 8068State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China ,grid.437123.00000 0004 1794 8068Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- grid.437123.00000 0004 1794 8068State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China ,grid.437123.00000 0004 1794 8068Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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Ramezani S, Rezaee SA, Farjami Z, Ebrahimi N, Abdullabass HK, Ibrahim Jebur MI, Rafatpanah H, Akbarin MM. HTLV, a multi organ oncovirus. Microb Pathog 2022; 169:105622. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Wang X, Zhao L, Fan C, Dong Z, Ruan H, Hou W, Fan Y, Wang Q, Luan T, Li P, Rui C, Zeng X. The role of IL-15 on vulvovaginal candidiasis in mice and related adverse pregnancy outcomes. Microb Pathog 2022; 166:105555. [PMID: 35487480 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), a major gynecological disease with high recurrence rate, increases the risk of abortion, intrauterine infection, premature rupture of membranes, and premature birth in pregnancy. However, the exact pathogenesis of this disease has yet to be elucidated. To facilitate understanding of the pathogenesis of VVC in pregnancy, this study sought to establish an animal model of vaginal infection with Candida albicans in pregnant mice. Female mice were mated with male mice, and female mice were infected with C. albicans at E4.5 (embryonic day 4.5). The weight and abortion rate of pregnant mice at E0.5, E4.5, E8.5, E11.5, and E18.5 were recorded, respectively, as well as the weights of fetus and placenta on E18.5. Fetal weight at E18.5 and the weight growth rate in the experimental mice was lower than those in the control mice, but the placenta weight at E18.5 and the abortion rate in the experimental mice were increased with those of the control mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, Gomori-Grocott staining and vaginal lavage culturing were conducted to verify that the experimental mice were infected with C. albicans. Differentially expressed gene IL-15 was screened out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array between the two groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that IL-15 expression in plasma of the mice was decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group. RT-qPCR confirmed that IL-15 mRNA expression was increased in placental tissues, while mRNA expression of IL-15R/JAK1-JAK3/PI3K/PDK1/AKT/P70S6K-mTOR was decreased in placental tissues. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that VVC in BALB/c pregnant mice led to a series of adverse pregnancy outcomes that were related to changes in IL-15 and its downstream signaling pathways, which may indicate a potential therapy for VVC during pregnancy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Wang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Chong Fan
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyong Dong
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongjie Ruan
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenwen Hou
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuru Fan
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Luan
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China.
| | - Can Rui
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xin Zeng
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China.
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Valdez BC, Murray D, Yuan B, Nieto Y, Popat U, Andersson BS. ABT199/venetoclax potentiates the cytotoxicity of alkylating agents and fludarabine in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Oncotarget 2022; 13:319-330. [PMID: 35154579 PMCID: PMC8830224 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The antineoplastic activity of pre-transplant regimens in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a critical factor for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. There is an urgent need to identify novel approaches without jeopardizing patient safety. We hypothesized that combination of drugs with different mechanisms of action would provide better cytotoxicity. We, therefore, determined the synergistic cytotoxicity of various combinations of the alkylating agents busulfan (Bu) and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4HC), the nucleoside analog fludarabine (Flu) and the BCL2 inhibitor ABT199/venetoclax in AML cells. [Bu+4HC] and [Bu+Flu] inhibited cell proliferation and activated apoptosis; addition of ABT199 to either combinations significantly increased these effects with combination indexes < 1. Apoptosis is suggested by cleavages of PARP1 and CASPASE 3, DNA fragmentation, increased reactive oxygen species, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased pro-apoptotic proteins in the cytoplasm. A similar enhancement of apoptosis was observed in patient-derived cell samples. ABT199/venetocalx upregulated anti-apoptotic MCL1 as a compensatory mechanism but addition of [Bu+4HC] or [Bu+Flu] negated this effect by CASPASE 3-mediated cleavage of MEK1/2 and its substrate MCL1. CASPASE 3 caused cleavage of pro-survival β-CATENIN, which likely contributed to the activation of stress signaling pathways involving SAPK/JNK and AMPK. The observed synergistic cytotoxicity was associated with an inhibition of pro-survival pathways involving STAT1, STAT5 and PI3K. These findings will be useful in designing clinical trials using these drug combinations as pre-transplant conditioning regimens for AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benigno C Valdez
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David Murray
- Division/Department of Experimental Oncology, University of Alberta/Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton T6G 1Z2, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bin Yuan
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yago Nieto
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Uday Popat
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Borje S Andersson
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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11
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Saleem Basha S, Tripathi D, Koora S, Satyanarayana K, Jayaraman S. Molecular docking analysis of potential compounds from an Indian medicinal soup "kabasura kudineer" extract with IL-6. Bioinformation 2022; 17:568-572. [PMID: 35095231 PMCID: PMC8770407 DOI: 10.6026/97320630017568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of "kabasura kudineer" (liquid soup made from Indian medicinal plants) for combating COVID-19 has been common in the states of Tamilnadu and Puducherry, India during the pandemic. Therefore, it is of interest to document the molecular docking analysis
of IL-6 inhibitors with potential antiviral compounds from "kabasura kudineer" extract. We show the optimal binding features of gallic acid and luteolin with the Interleukin-6 protein for further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Saleem Basha
- Dept of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Haramaya University, Harar Campus, Ethiopia
| | - Dhirendra Tripathi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government Medical College, Shivpuri, Shivpuri- 473638
| | - Sravanthi Koora
- Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College Siddipet-502103, Siddipet, Telangana
| | - K Satyanarayana
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College Siddipet, Siddipet 502103 Telangana India
| | - Selvaraj Jayaraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai-600 077, India
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12
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Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases: Mechanisms in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312865. [PMID: 34884670 PMCID: PMC8657787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein tyrosine kinases, especially receptor tyrosine kinases, have dominated the cancer therapeutics sphere as proteins that can be inhibited to selectively target cancer. However, protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are also an emerging target. Though historically known as negative regulators of the oncogenic tyrosine kinases, PTPs are now known to be both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic. This review will highlight key protein tyrosine phosphatases that have been thoroughly investigated in various cancers. Furthermore, the different mechanisms underlying pro-cancerous and anti-cancerous PTPs will also be explored.
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13
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Tubular lysosomes harbor active ion gradients and poise macrophages for phagocytosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2113174118. [PMID: 34607961 PMCID: PMC8522270 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113174118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysosomes are organelles that also act as cell-signaling hubs. They regulate functions ranging from antigen presentation to autophagy. Spherical lysosomes can spontaneously elongate into tubules in starving or inflamed immune cells. We describe a DNA-based reagent, denoted Tudor, that tubulates lysosomes in macrophages without triggering either an immune response or autophagy. Chemical imaging revealed that tubular lysosomes differ from vesicular ones in terms of their pH, calcium, and proteolytic activity. Tudor revealed a role for tubular lysosomes in that they enhance MMP9 secretion and phagocytosis in resting macrophages. The ability to tubulate lysosomes in resting immune cells without starving or inflaming them may help reveal new insights into how tubular lysosomes function. Lysosomes adopt dynamic, tubular states that regulate antigen presentation, phagosome resolution, and autophagy. Tubular lysosomes are studied either by inducing autophagy or by activating immune cells, both of which lead to cell states where lysosomal gene expression differs from the resting state. Therefore, it has been challenging to pinpoint the biochemical properties lysosomes acquire upon tubulation that could drive their functionality. Here we describe a DNA-based assembly that tubulates lysosomes in macrophages without activating them. Proteolytic activity maps at single-lysosome resolution revealed that tubular lysosomes were less degradative and showed proximal to distal luminal pH and Ca2+ gradients. Such gradients had been predicted but never previously observed. We identify a role for tubular lysosomes in promoting phagocytosis and activating MMP9. The ability to tubulate lysosomes without starving or activating immune cells may help reveal new roles for tubular lysosomes.
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Cosenza M, Sacchi S, Pozzi S. Cytokine Release Syndrome Associated with T-Cell-Based Therapies for Hematological Malignancies: Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147652. [PMID: 34299273 PMCID: PMC8305850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are a broad group of small regulatory proteins with many biological functions involved in regulating the hematopoietic and immune systems. However, in pathological conditions, hyperactivation of the cytokine network constitutes the fundamental event in cytokine release syndrome (CRS). During the last few decades, the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and T-cell therapies has rapidly evolved, and CRS can be a serious adverse event related to these treatments. CRS is a set of toxic adverse events that can be observed during infection or following the administration of antibodies for therapeutic purposes and, more recently, during T-cell-engaging therapies. CRS is triggered by on-target effects induced by binding of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells or bispecific antibody to its antigen and by subsequent activation of bystander immune and non-immune cells. CRS is associated with high circulating concentrations of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins, interferons, tumor necrosis factors, colony-stimulating factors, and transforming growth factors. Recently, considerable developments have been achieved with regard to preventing and controlling CRS, but it remains an unmet clinical need. This review comprehensively summarizes the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of CRS caused by T-cell-engaging therapies utilized in the treatment of hematological malignancies.
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Nikolouzakis TK, Vakonaki E, Stivaktakis PD, Alegakis A, Berdiaki A, Razos N, Souglakos J, Tsatsakis A, Tsiaoussis J. Novel Prognostic Biomarkers in Metastatic and Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Micronuclei Frequency and Telomerase Activity in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:683605. [PMID: 34262868 PMCID: PMC8274420 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.683605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Due to the current practice on colorectal cancer (CRC) management, chemoresistance is most often recognized at the end of the treatment. Therefore, effective and easy-to-use prognostic biomarkers are needed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We evaluated the prognostic significance of two novel CRC biomarkers: a) micronuclei frequency (MNf) in 55 metastatic CRC (mCRC) and 21 locally advanced rectal cancer (laRC) patients using cytokinesis block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay) and b) telomerase activity (TA) in 23 mCRC and five laRC patients using TRAP-ELISA. Both biomarkers were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) before, at the middle, and at the end of the therapy (approximately 0, 3, and 6 months) for mCRC patients before, at the end of the therapy, and after surgery for laRC patients. RESULTS Overall, MNf demonstrated significant prognostic value since a decrease of MNf less than 29% between middle and initial MNf measurements can discriminate between progressive and stable/responsive disease with sensitivity of 36% and specificity of 87.0% while being able to identify responsive disease with sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 59.3%. On the other hand, TA presented a significant trend of increase (p = 0.07) in patients with progressive disease at the middle measurement. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that the MN frequency may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker for the monitoring of the treatment response of patients with CRC, while TA should be evaluated in a larger group of patients to further validate its significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Athanasios Alegakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Berdiaki
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Medical School, The University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Razos
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Souglakos
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, and Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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Shahjahani M, Abroun A, Saki N, Bagher Mohammadi SM, Rezaeeyan H. STAT5: From Pathogenesis Mechanism to Therapeutic Approach in Acute Leukemia. Lab Med 2021; 51:345-351. [PMID: 31860086 DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmz074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the results of multiple studies, multiple signaling pathways is a major cause of resistence to chemotherapy in leukemia cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) is among these factors; it plays an essential role in proliferation of leukemic cells. METHODS We obtained the materials used in our study via PubMed search from 1996 through 2019. The key search terms included "STAT5," "acute leukemia," "leukemogenesis," and "mutation." RESULTS On activation, STAT5 not only inhibits apoptosis of leukemic cells via activating the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) gene but also inhibits resistance to chemotherapy by enhancing human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and maintaining telomere length in cells. It has also been shown that a number of mutations in the STAT5 gene and in related genes alter the expression of STAT5. CONCLUSION The identification of STAT5 and the factors activated in its up- or downstream expression, affecting its function, contribute to better treatments such as targeted therapy rather than chemotherapy, improving the quality of life patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shahjahani
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amirreza Abroun
- Royan Stem Cell Technology Company, Royan Institute Tehran, Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | | | - Hadi Rezaeeyan
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Dogan F, Forsyth NR. Telomerase Regulation: A Role for Epigenetics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061213. [PMID: 33802026 PMCID: PMC8000866 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Maintenance of telomeres is a fundamental step in human carcinogenesis and is primarily regulated by telomerase and the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT). Improved understanding of the transcriptional control of this gene may provide potential therapeutic targets. Epigenetic modifications are a prominent mechanism to control telomerase activity and regulation of the TERT gene. TERT-targeting miRNAs have been widely studied and their function explained through pre-clinical in vivo model-based validation studies. Further, histone deacetylase inhibitors are now in pre and early clinical trials with significant clinical success. Importantly, TERT downregulation through epigenetic modifications including TERT promoter methylation, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and miRNA activity might contribute to clinical study design. This review provides an overview of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of TERT expression and telomerase activity. Abstract Telomerase was first described by Greider and Blackburn in 1984, a discovery ultimately recognized by the Nobel Prize committee in 2009. The three decades following on from its discovery have been accompanied by an increased understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of telomerase activity, and its role in telomere biology. Telomerase has a clearly defined role in telomere length maintenance and an established influence on DNA replication, differentiation, survival, development, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and a further role in therapeutic resistance in human stem and cancer cells including those of breast and cervical origin. TERT encodes the catalytic subunit and rate-limiting factor for telomerase enzyme activity. The mechanisms of activation or silencing of TERT remain open to debate across somatic, cancer, and stem cells. Promoter mutations upstream of TERT may promote dysregulated telomerase activation in tumour cells but additional factors including epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional modifications also have a role to play. Previous systematic analysis indicated methylation and mutation of the TERT promoter in 53% and 31%, respectively, of TERT expressing cancer cell lines supporting the concept of a key role for epigenetic alteration associated with TERT dysregulation and cellular transformation. Epigenetic regulators including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs are now emerging as drivers in the regulation of telomeres and telomerase activity. Epigenetic regulation may be responsible for reversible silencing of TERT in several biological processes including development and differentiation, and increased TERT expression in cancers. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms behind telomerase regulation holds important prospects for cancer treatment, diagnosis and prognosis. This review will focus on the role of epigenetics in telomerase regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Dogan
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK;
| | - Nicholas R. Forsyth
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK;
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Correspondence:
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Du P, Geng J, Wang F, Chen X, Huang Z, Wang Y. Role of IL-6 inhibitor in treatment of COVID-19-related cytokine release syndrome. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:1356-1362. [PMID: 33628091 PMCID: PMC7893562 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.53564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) may be the key factor in the pathology of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a major driver in triggering CRS in patients with COVID-19, interleukin-6 (IL-6) appears to be a promising target for therapeutics. The results of inhibiting both trans- and classical- signaling with marketed IL-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab, siltuximab and sarilumab) in severe COVID-19 patients are effective based on several small studies and case reports thus far. In this review, we described the evidence of the IL-6 response in patients with COVID-19, clarified the pathogenesis of the role of IL-6-mediated CRS in severe COVID-19, and highlighted the rationale for the use of anti-IL-6 agents and key information regarding the potential features of these IL-6 inhibitors in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Du
- Clinical Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Centre, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Geng
- Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaobo Chen
- Unicell Life Science Development Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, China
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Cytokine release syndrome: inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines as a solution for reducing COVID-19 mortality. Eur Cytokine Netw 2020; 31:81-93. [PMID: 33361013 PMCID: PMC7792554 DOI: 10.1684/ecn.2020.0451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reached pandemic proportions at the beginning of 2020 and continues to be a worldwide concern. End organ damage and acute respiratory distress syndrome are the leading causes of death in severely or critically ill patients. The elevated cytokine levels in severe patients in comparison with mildly affected patients suggest that cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurs in the severe form of the disease. In this paper, the significant role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, and their mechanism of action in the CRS cascade is explained. Potential therapeutic approaches involving anti-IL-6 and anti-TNF-alpha antibodies to fight COVID-19 and reduce mortality rate in severe cases are also discussed.
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Abstract
The world is currently embroiled in a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory illness caused by the novel betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The severity of COVID-19 disease ranges from asymptomatic to fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. In few patients, the disease undergoes phenotypic differentiation between 7 and 14 days of acute illness, either resulting in full recovery or symptom escalation. However, the mechanism of such variation is not clear, but the facts suggest that patient's immune status, comorbidities, and the systemic effects of the viral infection (potentially depending on the SARS-CoV-2 strain involved) play a key role. Subsequently, patients with the most severe symptoms tend to have poor outcomes, manifest severe hypoxia, and possess elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) along with elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, marked lymphopenia, and elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios. Based on the available evidence, we propose a mechanism wherein SARS-CoV-2 infection induces direct organ damage while also fueling an IL-6-mediated cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and hypoxia, resulting in escalating systemic inflammation, multi-organ damage, and end-organ failure. Elevated IL-6 and hypoxia together predisposes patients to pulmonary hypertension, and the presence of asymptomatic hypoxia in COVID-19 further compounds this problem. Due to the similar downstream mediators, we discuss the potential synergistic effects and systemic ramifications of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus during co-infection, a phenomenon we have termed "COVI-Flu." Additionally, the differences between CRS and cytokine storm are highlighted. Finally, novel management approaches, clinical trials, and therapeutic strategies toward both SARS-CoV-2 and COVI-Flu infection are discussed, highlighting host response optimization and systemic inflammation reduction.
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Emerging role of IL-6 and NLRP3 inflammasome as potential therapeutic targets to combat COVID-19: Role of lncRNAs in cytokine storm modulation. Life Sci 2020; 257:118114. [PMID: 32693241 PMCID: PMC7368418 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The world has witnessed a high morbidity and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2, and global death toll is still rising. Exaggerated inflammatory responses are thought to be more responsible for infiltrated immune cells accumulation, organ damage especially lung, dyspnea, and respiratory failure rather than direct effect of viral replication. IL-6 and NLRP3 inflammasome are the major immune components in immune responses stimulation upon pathogen infection. It's noteworthy that the function and expression of these components are remarkably influenced by non-coding RNAs including long non-coding RNAs. Given the potential role of these components in organ damage and pathological manifestations of patients infected with COVID-19, their blockage might be a hopeful and promising treatment strategy. Notably, more study on long non-coding RNAs involved in inflammatory responses could elevate the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapy. In this review we discuss the potential impact of IL-6 and NLRP3 inflammasome blocker drugs on inflammatory responses, viral clearance, and pathological and clinical manifestations. Collectively, anti-inflammatory strategy might pave the way to diminish clinical and pathological manifestations and thereby discharging patients infected with COVID-19 from hospital.
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22
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Byrne-Hoffman CN, Deng W, McGrath O, Wang P, Rojanasakul Y, Klinke DJ. Interleukin-12 elicits a non-canonical response in B16 melanoma cells to enhance survival. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:78. [PMID: 32450888 PMCID: PMC7249691 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogenesis rewires signaling networks to confer a fitness advantage to malignant cells. For instance, the B16F0 melanoma cell model creates a cytokine sink for Interleukin-12 (IL-12) to deprive neighboring cells of this important anti-tumor immune signal. While a cytokine sink provides an indirect fitness advantage, does IL-12 provide an intrinsic advantage to B16F0 cells? METHODS Acute in vitro viability assays were used to compare the cytotoxic effect of imatinib on a melanoma cell line of spontaneous origin (B16F0) with a normal melanocyte cell line (Melan-A) in the presence of IL-12. The results were analyzed using a mathematical model coupled with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach to obtain a posterior distribution in the parameters that quantified the biological effect of imatinib and IL-12. Intracellular signaling responses to IL-12 were compared using flow cytometry in 2D6 cells, a cell model for canonical signaling, and B16F0 cells, where potential non-canonical signaling occurs. Bayes Factors were used to select among competing signaling mechanisms that were formulated as mathematical models. Analysis of single cell RNAseq data from human melanoma patients was used to explore generalizability. RESULTS Functionally, IL-12 enhanced the survival of B16F0 cells but not normal Melan-A melanocytes that were challenged with a cytotoxic agent. Interestingly, the ratio of IL-12 receptor components (IL12RB2:IL12RB1) was increased in B16F0 cells. A similar pattern was observed in human melanoma. To identify a mechanism, we assayed the phosphorylation of proteins involved in canonical IL-12 signaling, STAT4, and cell survival, Akt. In contrast to T cells that exhibited a canonical response to IL-12 by phosphorylating STAT4, IL-12 stimulation of B16F0 cells predominantly phosphorylated Akt. Mechanistically, the differential response in B16F0 cells is explained by both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent aspects to initiate PI3K-AKT signaling upon IL12RB2 homodimerization. Namely, IL-12 promotes IL12RB2 homodimerization with low affinity and IL12RB2 overexpression promotes homodimerization via molecular crowding on the plasma membrane. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that B16F0 cells shifted the intracellular response to IL-12 from engaging immune surveillance to favoring cell survival. Identifying how signaling networks are rewired in model systems of spontaneous origin can inspire therapeutic strategies in humans. Interleukin-12 is a key cytokine that promotes anti-tumor immunity, as it is secreted by antigen presenting cells to activate Natural Killer cells and T cells present within the tumor microenvironment. Thinking of cancer as an evolutionary process implies that an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment could arise during oncogenesis by interfering with endogenous anti-tumor immune signals, like IL-12. Previously, we found that B16F0 cells, a cell line derived from a spontaneous melanoma, interrupts this secreted heterocellular signal by sequestering IL-12, which provides an indirect fitness advantage. Normally, IL-12 signals via a receptor comprised of two components, IL12RB1 and IL12RB2, that are expressed in a 1:1 ratio and activates STAT4 as a downstream effector. Here, we report that B16F0 cells gain an intrinsic advantage by rewiring the canonical response to IL-12 to instead initiate PI3K-AKT signaling, which promotes cell survival. The data suggest a model where overexpressing one component of the IL-12 receptor, IL12RB2, enables melanoma cells to shift the functional response via both IL-12-mediated and molecular crowding-based IL12RB2 homodimerization. To explore the generalizability of these results, we also found that the expression of IL12RB2:IL12RB1 is similarly skewed in human melanoma based on transcriptional profiles of melanoma cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Additional file 6: Video abstract. (MP4 600 kb).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Byrne-Hoffman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US
| | - Wentao Deng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology; West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US
| | - Owen McGrath
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering; West Virginia University, 395 Evansdale Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US
| | - Yon Rojanasakul
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US
| | - David J Klinke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology; West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US. .,Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering; West Virginia University, 395 Evansdale Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US. .,WVU Cancer Institute; West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, 26506, WV, US.
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Zhang C, Wu Z, Li JW, Zhao H, Wang GQ. Cytokine release syndrome in severe COVID-19: interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab may be the key to reduce mortality. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 55:105954. [PMID: 32234467 PMCID: PMC7118634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1168] [Impact Index Per Article: 292.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Since December 2019, a viral pneumonia, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from Wuhan, China, has swept the world. Although the case fatality rate is not high, the number of people infected is large and there is still a large number of patients dying. With the collation and publication of more and more clinical data, a large number of data suggest that there are mild or severe cytokine storms in severe patients, which is an important cause of death. Therefore, treatment of the cytokine storm has become an important part of rescuing severe COVID-19 patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in cytokine release syndrome. If it is possible to block the signal transduction pathway of IL-6, it is expected to become a new method for the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients. Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) blocker that can effectively block the IL-6 signal transduction pathway and thus is likely to become an effective drug for patients with severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Disease, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Disease, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Wen Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Disease, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Disease, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China; The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Gui-Qiang Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Disease, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China; The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Sharma J, Larkin J. Therapeutic Implication of SOCS1 Modulation in the Treatment of Autoimmunity and Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:324. [PMID: 31105556 PMCID: PMC6499178 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of intracellular proteins has a vital role in the regulation of the immune system and resolution of inflammatory cascades. SOCS1, also called STAT-induced STAT inhibitor (SSI) or JAK-binding protein (JAB), is a member of the SOCS family with actions ranging from immune modulation to cell cycle regulation. Knockout of SOCS1 leads to perinatal lethality in mice and increased vulnerability to cancer, while several SNPs associated with the SOCS1 gene have been implicated in human inflammation-mediated diseases. In this review, we describe the mechanism of action of SOCS1 and its potential therapeutic role in the prevention and treatment of autoimmunity and cancer. We also provide a brief outline of the other JAK inhibitors, both FDA-approved and under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Sharma
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Joseph Larkin
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Jones SA, Jenkins BJ. Recent insights into targeting the IL-6 cytokine family in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Nat Rev Immunol 2018; 18:773-789. [DOI: 10.1038/s41577-018-0066-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 435] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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26
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Kawata T, Tada K, Kobayashi M, Sakamoto T, Takiuchi Y, Iwai F, Sakurada M, Hishizawa M, Shirakawa K, Shindo K, Sato H, Takaori-Kondo A. Dual inhibition of the mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways is a promising therapeutic target for adult T-cell leukemia. Cancer Sci 2017; 109:103-111. [PMID: 29077243 PMCID: PMC5765289 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) has a poor prognosis as a result of severe immunosuppression and rapid tumor progression with resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recent integrated‐genome analysis has revealed mutations in many genes involved in the T‐cell signaling pathway, suggesting that the aberration of this pathway is an important factor in ATL pathogenesis and ATL‐cell proliferation. We screened a siRNA library to examine signaling‐pathway functionality and found that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is critical to ATL‐cell proliferation. We therefore investigated the effect of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, including the dual inhibitors PP242 and AZD8055 and the mTORC1 inhibitors rapamycin and everolimus, on human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1)‐infected‐cell and ATL‐cell lines. Both dual inhibitors inhibited the proliferation of all tested cell lines by inducing G1‐phase cell‐cycle arrest and subsequent cell apoptosis, whereas the effects of the 2 mTORC1 inhibitors were limited, as they did not induce cell apoptosis. In the ATL‐cell lines and in the primary ATL samples, both dual inhibitors inhibited phosphorylation of AKT at serine‐473, a target of mTORC2, as well as that of S6K, whereas the mTORC1 inhibitors only inhibited mTORC1. Furthermore, AZD8055 more significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of the ATL‐cell xenografts than did everolimus. These results indicate that the PI3K/mTOR pathway is critical to ATL‐cell proliferation and might thus be a new therapeutic target in ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kawata
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Tada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kobayashi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Sakamoto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoko Takiuchi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Fumie Iwai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Maki Sakurada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masakatsu Hishizawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kotaro Shirakawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shindo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Sato
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akifumi Takaori-Kondo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Abstract
Length of the telomere (TL), a structure at the tip of chromosome that protects and ensures stability, is determined by multi-protein complexes such as telosome/shelterin and telomerase. Earlier studies from our laboratory show that longer TL has potential to be positive predictive biomarker of clinical outcome to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody therapy in patients with KRAS WT metastatic colorectal cancer. Although there is extensive literature suggesting the role of shelterin and telomerase, not much literature exists that describes the role of EGFR and KRAS pathway in regulating TL. This detailed review focuses on an insight into various components, including proteins, enzymes and transcription factors, interlinking between EGFR pathways and telomerase that regulate TL.
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Cha HJ, Choi JH, Park IC, Kim CH, An SK, Kim TJ, Lee JH. Selective FGFR inhibitor BGJ398 inhibits phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3 and induces cytotoxicity in sphere-cultured ovarian cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2017; 50:1279-1288. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.3913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Allegra A, Innao V, Penna G, Gerace D, Allegra AG, Musolino C. Telomerase and telomere biology in hematological diseases: A new therapeutic target. Leuk Res 2017; 56:60-74. [PMID: 28196338 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are structures confined at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. With each cell division, telomeric repeats are lost because DNA polymerases are incapable to fully duplicate the very ends of linear chromosomes. Loss of repeats causes cell senescence, and apoptosis. Telomerase neutralizes loss of telomeric sequences by adding telomere repeats at the 3' telomeric overhang. Telomere biology is frequently associated with human cancer and dysfunctional telomeres have been proved to participate to genetic instability. This review covers the information on telomerase expression and genetic alterations in the most relevant types of hematological diseases. Telomere erosion hampers the capability of hematopoietic stem cells to effectively replicate, clinically resulting in bone marrow failure. Furthermore, telomerase mutations are genetic risk factors for the occurrence of some hematologic cancers. New discoveries in telomere structure and telomerase functions have led to an increasing interest in targeting telomeres and telomerase in anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Allegra
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
| | - Vanessa Innao
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Penna
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Demetrio Gerace
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea G Allegra
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Caterina Musolino
- Dipartimento di Patologia Umana dell'Adulto e dell'Età Evolutiva "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Miwa S, Czapiewski R, Wan T, Bell A, Hill KN, von Zglinicki T, Saretzki G. Decreased mTOR signalling reduces mitochondrial ROS in brain via accumulation of the telomerase protein TERT within mitochondria. Aging (Albany NY) 2016; 8:2551-2567. [PMID: 27777385 PMCID: PMC5115906 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase in its canonical function maintains telomeres in dividing cells. In addition, the telomerase protein TERT has non-telomeric functions such as shuttling to mitochondria resulting in a decreased oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis. TERT protein persists in adult neurons and can co-localise to mitochondria under various stress conditions. We show here that TERT expression decreased in mouse brain during aging while release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the mitochondrial electron transport chain increased. Dietary restriction (DR) caused accumulation of TERT protein in mouse brain mitochondria correlating to decreased ROS release and improved learning and spatial short-term memory. Decreased mTOR signalling is a mediator of DR. Accordingly, feeding mice with rapamycin increased brain mitochondrial TERT and reduced ROS release. Importantly, the beneficial effects of rapamycin on mitochondrial function were absent in brains and fibroblasts from first generation TERT -/- mice, and when TERT shuttling was inhibited by the Src kinase inhibitor bosutinib. Taken together, our data suggests that the mTOR signalling pathway impinges on the mitochondrial localisation of TERT protein, which might in turn contribute to the protection of the brain by DR or rapamycin against age-associated mitochondrial ROS increase and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Miwa
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Rafal Czapiewski
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Tengfei Wan
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Amy Bell
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Kirsten N. Hill
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Thomas von Zglinicki
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Gabriele Saretzki
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
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Transcription Regulation of the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Gene. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7080050. [PMID: 27548225 PMCID: PMC4999838 DOI: 10.3390/genes7080050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have the ability to maintain their telomere length via expression of an enzymatic complex called telomerase. Similarly, more than 85%–90% of cancer cells are found to upregulate the expression of telomerase, conferring them with the potential to proliferate indefinitely. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase holoenzyme, is the rate-limiting factor in reconstituting telomerase activity in vivo. To date, the expression and function of the human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) gene are known to be regulated at various molecular levels (including genetic, mRNA, protein and subcellular localization) by a number of diverse factors. Among these means of regulation, transcription modulation is the most important, as evident in its tight regulation in cancer cell survival as well as pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Here, we discuss how hTERT gene transcription is regulated, mainly focusing on the contribution of trans-acting factors such as transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers, as well as genetic alterations in hTERT proximal promoter.
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Interleukin-6-mediated functional upregulation of TRPV1 receptors in dorsal root ganglion neurons through the activation of JAK/PI3K signaling pathway: roles in the development of bone cancer pain in a rat model. Pain 2016; 156:1124-1144. [PMID: 25775359 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Primary and metastatic cancers that affect bone are frequently associated with severe and intractable pain. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of bone cancer pain still remain largely unknown. Previously, we have reported that sensitization of primary sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons contributes to the pathogenesis of bone cancer pain in rats. In addition, numerous preclinical and clinical studies have revealed the pathological roles of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in inflammatory and neuropathic hyperalgesia. In this study, we investigated the role and the underlying mechanisms of IL-6 in the development of bone cancer pain using in vitro and in vivo approaches. We first demonstrated that elevated IL-6 in DRG neurons plays a vital role in the development of nociceptor sensitization and bone cancer-induced pain in a rat model through IL-6/soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) trans-signaling. Moreover, we revealed that functional upregulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 1 (TRPV1) in DRG neurons through the activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway contributes to the effects of IL-6 on the pathogenesis of bone cancer pain. Therefore, suppression of functional upregulation of TRPV1 in DRG neurons by the inhibition of JAK/PI3K pathway, either before surgery or after surgery, reduces the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons and pain hyperalgesia in bone cancer rats. We here disclose a novel intracellular pathway, the IL-6/JAK/PI3K/TRPV1 signaling cascade, which may underlie the development of peripheral sensitization and bone cancer-induced pain.
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Casey SC, Amedei A, Aquilano K, Azmi AS, Benencia F, Bhakta D, Bilsland AE, Boosani CS, Chen S, Ciriolo MR, Crawford S, Fujii H, Georgakilas AG, Guha G, Halicka D, Helferich WG, Heneberg P, Honoki K, Keith WN, Kerkar SP, Mohammed SI, Niccolai E, Nowsheen S, Vasantha Rupasinghe HP, Samadi A, Singh N, Talib WH, Venkateswaran V, Whelan RL, Yang X, Felsher DW. Cancer prevention and therapy through the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2015; 35 Suppl:S199-S223. [PMID: 25865775 PMCID: PMC4930000 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer arises in the context of an in vivo tumor microenvironment. This microenvironment is both a cause and consequence of tumorigenesis. Tumor and host cells co-evolve dynamically through indirect and direct cellular interactions, eliciting multiscale effects on many biological programs, including cellular proliferation, growth, and metabolism, as well as angiogenesis and hypoxia and innate and adaptive immunity. Here we highlight specific biological processes that could be exploited as targets for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Specifically, we describe how inhibition of targets such as cholesterol synthesis and metabolites, reactive oxygen species and hypoxia, macrophage activation and conversion, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase regulation of dendritic cells, vascular endothelial growth factor regulation of angiogenesis, fibrosis inhibition, endoglin, and Janus kinase signaling emerge as examples of important potential nexuses in the regulation of tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment that can be targeted. We have also identified therapeutic agents as approaches, in particular natural products such as berberine, resveratrol, onionin A, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, curcumin, naringenin, desoxyrhapontigenin, piperine, and zerumbone, that may warrant further investigation to target the tumor microenvironment for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Casey
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Fabian Benencia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Dipita Bhakta
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Alan E Bilsland
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Chandra S Boosani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sophie Chen
- Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Research Laboratory, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah Crawford
- Department of Biology, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hiromasa Fujii
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Alexandros G Georgakilas
- Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gunjan Guha
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - William G Helferich
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Petr Heneberg
- Charles University in Prague, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kanya Honoki
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - W Nicol Keith
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sid P Kerkar
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sulma I Mohammed
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | - Somaira Nowsheen
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - H P Vasantha Rupasinghe
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Neetu Singh
- Advanced Molecular Science Research Centre (Centre for Advanced Research), King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Wamidh H Talib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science University, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Richard L Whelan
- Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Xujuan Yang
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Dean W Felsher
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.
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Boosani CS, Agrawal DK. Methylation and microRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation of SOCS3. Mol Biol Rep 2015; 42:853-72. [PMID: 25682267 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-015-3860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic gene silencing of several genes causes different pathological conditions in humans, and DNA methylation has been identified as one of the key mechanisms that underlie this evolutionarily conserved phenomenon associated with developmental and pathological gene regulation. Recent advances in the miRNA technology with high throughput analysis of gene regulation further increased our understanding on the role of miRNAs regulating multiple gene expression. There is increasing evidence supporting that the miRNAs not only regulate gene expression but they also are involved in the hypermethylation of promoter sequences, which cumulatively contributes to the epigenetic gene silencing. Here, we critically evaluated the recent progress on the transcriptional regulation of an important suppressor protein that inhibits cytokine-mediated signaling, SOCS3, whose expression is directly regulated both by promoter methylation and also by microRNAs, affecting its vital cell regulating functions. SOCS3 was identified as a potent inhibitor of Jak/Stat signaling pathway which is frequently upregulated in several pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, viral infections, and the expression of SOCS3 was inhibited or greatly reduced due to hypermethylation of the CpG islands in its promoter region or suppression of its expression by different microRNAs. Additionally, we discuss key intracellular signaling pathways regulated by SOCS3 involving cellular events, including cell proliferation, cell growth, cell migration and apoptosis. Identification of the pathway intermediates as specific targets would not only aid in the development of novel therapeutic drugs, but, would also assist in developing new treatment strategies that could successfully be employed in combination therapy to target multiple signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra S Boosani
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
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35
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Cellular processes involved in human epidermal cells exposed to extremely low frequency electric fields. Cell Signal 2015; 27:889-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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36
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Nayar S, Dasgupta P, Galustian C. Extending the lifespan and efficacies of immune cells used in adoptive transfer for cancer immunotherapies-A review. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1002720. [PMID: 26155387 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2014.1002720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells used in adoptive cell-transfer immunotherapies against cancer include dendritic cells (DCs), natural-killer cells, and CD8+ T-cells. These cells may have limited efficacy due to their lifespan, activity, and immunosuppressive effects of tumor cells. Therefore, increasing longevity and activity of these cells may boost their efficacy. Four cytokines that can extend immune effector-cell longevity are IL-2, IL-7, IL-21, and IL-15. This review will discuss current knowledge on effector-cell lifespans and the mechanisms by which IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 can extend effector-cell longevity. We will also discuss how lifespan and efficacy of these cells can be regulated to allow optimal clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Nayar
- MRC Centre for Transplantation; Kings College London; Guys Hospital ; London, UK
| | - Prokar Dasgupta
- MRC Centre for Transplantation; Kings College London; Guys Hospital ; London, UK
| | - Christine Galustian
- MRC Centre for Transplantation; Kings College London; Guys Hospital ; London, UK
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Saleiro D, Platanias LC. Intersection of mTOR and STAT signaling in immunity. Trends Immunol 2014; 36:21-9. [PMID: 25592035 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Optimal regulation of immune networks is essential for the generation of effective immune responses, and defects in such networks can lead to immunodeficiency while uncontrolled responses can result in autoimmune disorders. mTOR and STAT signaling cascades are key regulators of the differentiation and function of cells of the immune system. Both pathways act as sensors and transducers of environmental stimuli, and recent evidence has revealed points of crosstalk between these pathways, highlighting synergistic regulation of immune cell differentiation and function. We review here the current understanding of mTOR and STAT interactions in T cells and innate immune cells, and discuss potential mechanisms underlying these events. We further outline models for the intersection of these pathways in the regulation of immunity and highlight important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Saleiro
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leonidas C Platanias
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Compound heterozygous CORO1A mutations in siblings with a mucocutaneous-immunodeficiency syndrome of epidermodysplasia verruciformis-HPV, molluscum contagiosum and granulomatous tuberculoid leprosy. J Clin Immunol 2014; 34:871-90. [PMID: 25073507 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-014-0074-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coronin-1A deficiency is a recently recognized autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in CORO1A (OMIM 605000) that results in T-cell lymphopenia and is classified as T(-)B(+)NK(+)severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Only two other CORO1A-kindred are known to date, thus the defining characteristics are not well delineated. We identified a unique CORO1A-kindred. METHODS We captured a 10-year analysis of the immune-clinical phenotypes in two affected siblings from disease debut of age 7 years. Target-specific genetic studies were pursued but unrevealing. Telomere lengths were also assessed. Whole exome sequencing (WES) uncovered the molecular diagnosis and Western blot validated findings. RESULTS We found the compound heterozygous CORO1A variants: c.248_249delCT (p.P83RfsX10) and a novel mutation c.1077delC (p.Q360RfsX44) (NM_007074.3) in two affected non-consanguineous siblings that manifested as absent CD4CD45RA(+) (naïve) T and memory B cells, low NK cells and abnormally increased double-negative (DN) ϒδ T-cells. Distinguishing characteristics were late clinical debut with an unusual mucocutaneous syndrome of epidermodysplasia verruciformis-human papilloma virus (EV-HPV), molluscum contagiosum and oral-cutaneous herpetic ulcers; the older female sibling also had a disfiguring granulomatous tuberculoid leprosy. Both had bilateral bronchiectasis and the female died of EBV+ lymphomas at age 16 years. The younger surviving male, without malignancy, had reproducibly very short telomere lengths, not before appreciated in CORO1A mutations. CONCLUSION We reveal the third CORO1A-mutated kindred, with the immune phenotype of abnormal naïve CD4 and DN T-cells and newfound characteristics of a late/hypomorphic-like SCID of an EV-HPV mucocutaneous syndrome with also B and NK defects and shortened telomeres. Our findings contribute to the elucidation of the CORO1A-SCID-CID spectrum.
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Wu XQ, Huang C, He X, Tian YY, Zhou DX, He Y, Liu XH, Li J. Feedback regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase: new insight into the evolving field of telomerase in cancer. Cell Signal 2013; 25:2462-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Yamada O, Kawauchi K. The role of the JAK-STAT pathway and related signal cascades in telomerase activation during the development of hematologic malignancies. JAKSTAT 2013; 2:e25256. [PMID: 24416646 PMCID: PMC3876434 DOI: 10.4161/jkst.25256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, comprising a reverse transcriptase protein (TERT) and an RNA template, plays a critical role during senescence and carcinogenesis; however, the mechanisms by which telomerase is regulated remain to be elucidated. Several signaling pathways are involved in the activation of TERT at multistep levels. The JAK-STAT pathway is indispensable for mediating signals through growth factor and cytokine receptors during the development of hematopoietic cells, and its activity is frequently upregulated in hematological malignancies. Here, we review the role of the JAK-STAT pathway and related signaling cascades in the regulation of telomerase in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Yamada
- Medical Research Institute and Department of Hematology; Tokyo Women's Medical University; Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Kawauchi
- Department of Medicine; Tokyo Women's Medical University; Medical Center East; Tokyo, Japan ; Nishiogu Clinic; Tokyo, Japan
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Komohara Y, Niino D, Saito Y, Ohnishi K, Horlad H, Ohshima K, Takeya M. Clinical significance of CD163⁺ tumor-associated macrophages in patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Cancer Sci 2013; 104:945-51. [PMID: 23557330 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In several malignant tumors including lymphoma, macrophages that infiltrate tumor tissues are called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We discovered that TAMs, especially the CD163⁺ alternatively activated phenotype (M2), were closely involved with progression of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). We used CD68 (a pan-macrophage marker) and CD163 (an M2 marker) to immunostain 58 ATLL samples. Statistical analyses showed that a high number of CD68⁺ TAMs and an increased percentage of CD163⁺ cells among the TAMs were associated with a worse clinical prognosis; multivariate analysis indicated that the percentage of CD163⁺ cells was an independent prognostic factor. We also carried out in vitro coculture experiments with ATLL cell lines (ATN-1 and TL-Mor) and monocyte-derived macrophages and found that direct coculture with M2 macrophages significantly increased BrdU incorporation into ATLL cell lines. A cytokine array analysis showed that macrophage-derived soluble factors including C5a, tumor necrosis factor-α, growth-related oncogene-α, CCL1/I-309, and interleukin-6 stimulated ATLL cell lines. CD163 expression in macrophages was strongly induced by direct contact with ATN-1 cells, and downregulation of CD163 in macrophages significantly suppressed growth of cocultured ATN-1 cells. These results suggest that interaction between M2 macrophages and lymphoma cells may be an appropriate target in treatment of patients with ATLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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The role of E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl proteins in interleukin-2-induced Jurkat T-cell activation. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:430861. [PMID: 23586039 PMCID: PMC3622291 DOI: 10.1155/2013/430861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin- (IL-) 2 is the major growth factor for T-cell activation and proliferation. IL-2 has multiple functions in the regulation of immunological processes. Although most studies focus on T-cell immunomodulation, T-cell activation by IL-2 is the foundation of priming the feedback loop. Here, we investigated the effect of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways on IL-2-induced cell activation and the regulatory mechanisms of upstream ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b and c-Cbl. Morphological analysis of Jurkat T cells was performed by cytospin preparations with Wright-Giemsa stain. CD25 expression on Jurkat T cells was determined by flow cytometry. Changes in cell activation proteins such as p-ERK, ERK, p-Akt, Akt, and ubiquitin ligase Casitas B-cell Lymphoma (Cbl) proteins were analyzed by western blot. Following IL-2-induced activation of Jurkat T cells, p-ERK expression was upregulated, while there was no change in p-Akt, ERK, or Akt expression. Thus, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, but not PI3K/Akt, was involved in IL-2-induced T-cell activation. Either using PD98059 (a specific inhibitor for p-ERK) or depletion of ERK with small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the expression of CD25. This study also showed that ubiquitin ligase proteins Cbl-b and c-Cbl might be involved in IL-2-induced Jurkat T-cell activation by negatively regulating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
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Wazir U, Newbold RF, Jiang WG, Sharma AK, Mokbel K. Prognostic and therapeutic implications of mTORC1 and Rictor expression in human breast cancer. Oncol Rep 2013; 29:1969-74. [PMID: 23503572 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a key role in the regulation of cellular metabolism, growth and proliferation. It forms two multi-protein complexes known as complex 1 (mTORC1) and 2 (mTORC2). Raptor and Rictor are the core proteins for mTORC1 and mTORC2, respectively. This study examines the relationship between mTORC1, Rictor and Raptor mRNA expression and human breast cancer. Furthermore, the correlation between mTORC1 and hTERT was investigated. Breast cancer tissues (n=150) and normal tissues (n=31) were analysed using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. Transcript levels were correlated with clinicopathological data. Higher mTOR expression was noted in breast cancer tissue (P=0.0018), higher grade tumours (grade 2 vs. 3, P=0.047), in ductal tumours (P=0.0014), and was associated with worse overall survival (P=0.01). Rictor expression was significantly higher in background breast tissues compared with tumours and was inversely related to the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI1 vs. 2, P=0.03) and tumour grade (grade 1 vs. 3, P=0.01) and was associated with better overall (P=0.037) and disease-free survival (P=0.048). The mRNA expression of Raptor was higher in tumours compared with normal tissues. Furthermore, the expression of Raptor was associated with a higher tumour grade (grade 1 vs. 3, P=0.027). A highly significant positive correlation between mTOR and hTERT (P<0.00001) was observed. These observations are consistent with the role of mTORC1 in the anti-apoptosis pathway and suggest that selective inhibitors of mTORC1 may be more efficacious in human breast cancer. Our findings support the hypothesis that mTORC1 is an important upregulator of telomerase in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Wazir
- The London Breast Institute, Princess Grace Hospital, London, UK
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Quint P, Ruan M, Pederson L, Kassem M, Westendorf JJ, Khosla S, Oursler MJ. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors 1 and 2 coordinately induce mesenchymal cell migration through S1P activation of complementary kinase pathways. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:5398-406. [PMID: 23300082 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.413583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal bone turnover requires tight coupling of bone resorption and bone formation to preserve bone quantity and structure. With aging and during several pathological conditions, this coupling breaks down, leading to either net bone loss or excess bone formation. To preserve or restore normal bone metabolism, it is crucial to determine the mechanisms by which osteoclasts and osteoblast precursors interact and contribute to coupling. We showed that osteoclasts produce the chemokine sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), which stimulates osteoblast migration. Thus, osteoclast-derived S1P may recruit osteoblasts to sites of bone resorption as an initial step in replacing lost bone. In this study we investigated the mechanisms by which S1P stimulates mesenchymal (skeletal) cell chemotaxis. S1P treatment of mesenchymal (skeletal) cells activated RhoA GTPase, but this small G protein did not contribute to migration. Rather, two S1P receptors, S1PR1 and S1PR2, coordinately promoted migration through activation of the JAK/STAT3 and FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, respectively. These data demonstrate that the chemokine S1P couples bone formation to bone resorption through activation of kinase signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Quint
- Endocrine Research Unit and Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
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Fahmi A, Smart N, Punn A, Jabr R, Marber M, Heads R. p42/p44-MAPK and PI3K are sufficient for IL-6 family cytokines/gp130 to signal to hypertrophy and survival in cardiomyocytes in the absence of JAK/STAT activation. Cell Signal 2012; 25:898-909. [PMID: 23268184 PMCID: PMC3627957 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The effect of differential signalling by IL-6 and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) which signal by gp130 homodimerisation or LIFRβ/gp130 heterodimerisation on survival and hypertrophy was studied in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Both LIF and IL-6 [in the absence of soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6Rα)] activated Erk1/2, JNK1/2, p38-MAPK and PI3K signalling peaking at 20 min and induced cytoprotection against simulated ischemia-reperfusion injury which was blocked by the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 but not the p38-MAPK inhibitor SB203580. In the absence of sIL-6R, IL-6 did not induce STAT1/3 phosphorylation, whereas IL-6/sIL-6R and LIF induced STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, IL-6/sIL-6R induced phosphorylation of STAT1 Tyr701 and STAT3 Tyr705 were enhanced by SB203580. IL-6 and pheneylephrine (PE), but not LIF, induced cardiomyocyte iNOS expression and nitric oxide (NO) production. IL-6, LIF and PE induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but with phenotypic differences in ANF and SERCA2 expression and myofilament organisation with IL-6 more resembling PE than LIF. Transfection of cardiomyocytes with full length or truncated chimaeric gp130 cytoplasmic domain/Erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) extracellular domain fusion constructs showed that the membrane proximal Box 1 and Box 2 containing region of gp130 was necessary and sufficient for MAPK and PI3K activation; hypertrophy; SERCA2 expression and iNOS/NO induction in the absence of JAK/STAT activation. In conclusion, IL-6 can signal in cardiomyocytes independent of sIL-6R and STAT1/3 and furthermore, that Erk1/2 and PI3K activation by IL-6 are both necessary and sufficient for induced cardioprotection. In addition, p38-MAPK may act as a negative feedback regulator of JAK/STAT activation in cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Fahmi
- King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Cardiovascular Division, School of Medicine, UK
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