Arrestin domain containing 3 promotes Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis by regulating protease-activated receptor 1

Inflammatory microenvironment in gastric premalignant lesions: implication and application

Gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) are a major health concern worldwide due to their potential to progress to gastric cancer (GC). Understanding the mechanism underlying the transformation from GPL to GC can provide a fresh insight for the early detection of GC. Although chronic inflammation is prevalent in the GPL, how the inflammatory microenvironment monitored the progression of GPL-to-GC are still elusive. Inflammation has been recognized as a key player in the progression of GPL. This review aims to provide an overview of the inflammatory microenvironment in GPL and its implications for disease progression and potential therapeutic applications. We discuss the involvement of inflammation in the progression of GPL, highlighting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as a mediator for inflammatory microenvironment and a key driver to GC progression. We explore the role of immune cells in mediating the progression of GPL, and focus on the regulation of inflammatory molecules in this disease. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of targeting inflammatory pathways for GPL. There are currently no specific drugs for GPL treatment, but traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural antioxidants, known as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, exhibit promising effects in suppressing or reversing the progression of GPL. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in the field are proposed. Overall, this review highlights the central role of the inflammatory microenvironment in the progression of GPL, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in the future.

Identification of Ferroptosis-related potential biomarkers and immunocyte characteristics in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension via bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) is a form of pulmonary hypertension with a high mortality rate. A new type of iron-mediated cell death is Ferroptosis, which is characterized by the accumulation of lethal iron ions and lipid peroxidation leading to mitochondrial atrophy and increased mitochondrial membrane density. Now, there is a lack of Ferroptosis-related biomarkers (FRBs) associated with pathogenic process of CTEPH.

METHODS

The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of CTEPH were obtained by GEO2R. Genes related to Ferroptosis were obtained from FerrDb database. The intersection of Ferroptosis and DEGs results in FRBs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed in Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database. The optimal potential biomarkers for CTEPH were analyzed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) machine learning. The four hub genes were verified from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE188938. Immune infiltration was analyzed by CIBERSORT. SPSS software was used to analyze the Spearman rank correlation between FRBs identified and infiltration-related immune cells, and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

In this study, potential genetic biomarkers associated with Ferroptosis in CTEPH were investigated and explored their role in immune infiltration. In total, we identified 17 differentially expressed Ferroptosis-associated genes by GEOquery package. The key FRBs including ARRDC3, HMOX1, BRD4, and YWHAE were screened using Lasso and SVM-RFE machine learning methods.Through gene set GSE188938 verification, only upregulation of gene ARRDC3 showed statistical difference. In addition, immune infiltration analysis using the CIBERSORT algorithm revealed the infiltration of Eosinophils and Neutrophils in CTEPH samples was less than that in the control group. And correlation analysis revealed that ARRDC3 was positively correlated with T cells follicular helper (r = 0.554, p = 0.017) and negatively correlated with Neutrophils (r = -0.47, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, ARRDC3 upregulation with different immune cell infiltration were involved in the development of CTEPH. ARRDC3 might a potential Ferroptosis-related biomarker for CTEPH treatment. This study provided a new insight into pathogenesis CTEPH.

The Regulation of Neutrophil Migration in Patients with Sepsis: The Complexity of the Molecular Mechanisms and Their Modulation in Sepsis and the Heterogeneity of Sepsis Patients

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Common causes include gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as fungi. Neutrophils are among the first cells to arrive at an infection site where they function as important effector cells of the innate immune system and as regulators of the host immune response. The regulation of neutrophil migration is therefore important both for the infection-directed host response and for the development of organ dysfunctions in sepsis. Downregulation of CXCR4/CXCL12 stimulates neutrophil migration from the bone marrow. This is followed by transmigration/extravasation across the endothelial cell barrier at the infection site; this process is directed by adhesion molecules and various chemotactic gradients created by chemotactic cytokines, lipid mediators, bacterial peptides, and peptides from damaged cells. These mechanisms of neutrophil migration are modulated by sepsis, leading to reduced neutrophil migration and even reversed migration that contributes to distant organ failure. The sepsis-induced modulation seems to differ between neutrophil subsets. Furthermore, sepsis patients should be regarded as heterogeneous because neutrophil migration will possibly be further modulated by the infecting microorganisms, antimicrobial treatment, patient age/frailty/sex, other diseases (e.g., hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation), and the metabolic status. The present review describes molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of neutrophil migration; how these mechanisms are altered during sepsis; and how bacteria/fungi, antimicrobial treatment, and aging/frailty/comorbidity influence the regulation of neutrophil migration.

An Update of G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling and Its Deregulation in Gastric Carcinogenesis

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to a cell surface receptor superfamily responding to a wide range of external signals. The binding of extracellular ligands to GPCRs activates a heterotrimeric G protein and triggers the production of numerous secondary messengers, which transduce the extracellular signals into cellular responses. GPCR signaling is crucial and imperative for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. High-throughput sequencing analyses revealed the occurrence of the genetic aberrations of GPCRs and G proteins in multiple malignancies. The altered GPCRs/G proteins serve as valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and pharmacological targets. Furthermore, the dysregulation of GPCR signaling contributes to tumor initiation and development. In this review, we have summarized the research progress of GPCRs and highlighted their mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC). The aberrant activation of GPCRs promotes GC cell proliferation and metastasis, remodels the tumor microenvironment, and boosts immune escape. Through deep investigation, novel therapeutic strategies for targeting GPCR activation have been developed, and the final aim is to eliminate GPCR-driven gastric carcinogenesis.

Brusatol suppresses the tumor growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer via upregulating ARRDC4 expression through modulating PI3K/YAP1/TAZ Pathway

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers with high metastasis and lethality. Arrestin domain-containing 4 (ARRDC4) is involved in inhibiting cancer glycolytic phenotypes. Brusatol (BR), extracted from Bruceae Fructus, exerts good anti-cancer effects against a number of cancers.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we aimed to explore the efficacy of BR on inhibiting CRC metastasis and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving the upregulation of the ARRDC4 expression.

METHODS

Cell viability, colony formation, wound healing and transwell assay were used to detect the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects of BR against CRC in vitro. Microarray analysis was performed to find out differential genes in CRC cells after treatment with BR. Analysis of the CRC patients tumor samples and GEPIA database were first conducted to identify the expression of ARRDC4 on CRC. Stable overexpression and knockdown of ARRDC4 CRC cells were established by lentiviral transfection. The role of ARRDC4 in mediating the anti-metastatic effects of BR on CRC was measured using qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analysis. Orthotopic xenograft and pulmonary metastasis mouse models of CRC were established to determine the anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects of ARRDC4 and BR.

RESULTS

BR markedly suppressed the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and inhibited tumor growth and tumor metastasis. Microarray analysis demonstrated that BR treatment markedly increased the gene expression of ARRDC4 in CRC cells. ARRDC4 was significantly repressed in CRC in the clinical samples and GEPIA analysis. ARRDC4 overexpression plus BR produced better inhibitory effects on CRC metastasis than BR treatment alone, while ARRDC4 knockdown could partially eliminate the inhibitory effects of BR against CRC metastasis. BR exerted anti-metastatic effects against CRC via upregulating ARRDC4 and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processing through modulating PI3K/Hippo pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study reported for the first time that BR is a potent ARRDC4 agonist, and is worthy of further development into a new therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Helicobacter pylori infection activates Wnt/β-catenin pathway to promote the occurrence of gastritis by upregulating ASCL1 and AQP5

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a well-recognized contributing factor to gastritis, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be established. It is interesting to note that AQP5 was predicted to be highly expressed in intestinal metaplasia (IM) based on H. pylori infection-related microarray data, and the transcription factor ASCL1 was bioinformatically predicted to associate with AQP5. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the mechanistic significance of ASCL1 and AQP5 in H. pylori infection of gastritis. Gastritis mouse models were established by H. pylori infection, followed by determination of AQP5 and ASCL1 in gastric mucosa. Besides, the effects of AQP5 on H. pylori-induced gastritis were explored using AQP5^-/- mice. It was observed that H. pylori infection elevated expression of AQP5 and ASCL1 in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells (GECs). H. pylori induced AQP5 expression by regulating ASCL1 and activated WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in GECs. It was also found that AQP5 knockdown suppressed inflammatory response and apoptosis in H. pylori-infected mice. Moreover, H. pylori infection-elevated ASCL1 and AQP5 expression promoted apoptosis and inflammation in GECs. Taken together, the key findings of the present study demonstrate that H. pylori infection activated WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway by upregulating ASCL1/AQP5 to induce gastritis.

Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein in Cancer and Diabetes

Significance: Thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) is an α-arrestin protein that acts as a cancer suppressor. Txnip is simultaneously a critical regulator of energy metabolism. Other alpha-arrestin proteins also play key roles in cell biology and cancer. Recent Advances: Txnip expression is regulated by multilayered mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation, microRNA, messenger RNA (mRNA) stabilization, and protein degradation. The Txnip-based connection between cancer and metabolism has been widely recognized. Meanwhile, new aspects are proposed for the mechanism of action of Txnip, including the regulation of RNA expression and autophagy. Arrestin domain containing 3 (ARRDC3), another α-arrestin protein, regulates endocytosis and signaling, whereas ARRDC1 and ARRDC4 regulate extracellular vesicle formation. Critical Issues: The mechanism of action of Txnip is yet to be elucidated. The regulation of intracellular protein trafficking by arrestin family proteins has opened an emerging field of biology and medical research, which needs to be examined further. Future Directions: A fundamental understanding of the mechanism of action of Txnip and other arrestin family members needs to be explored in the future to combat diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 1001-1022.

Bacterial-Viral Interactions in Human Orodigestive and Female Genital Tract Cancers: A Summary of Epidemiologic and Laboratory Evidence

Infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, have been linked to pathogenesis of human cancers, whereas viruses and bacteria account for more than 99% of infection associated cancers. The human microbiome consists of not only bacteria, but also viruses and fungi. The microbiome co-residing in specific anatomic niches may modulate oncologic potentials of infectious agents in carcinogenesis. In this review, we focused on interactions between viruses and bacteria for cancers arising from the orodigestive tract and the female genital tract. We examined the interactions of these two different biological entities in the context of human carcinogenesis in the following three fashions: (1) direct interactions, (2) indirect interactions, and (3) no interaction between the two groups, but both acting on the same host carcinogenic pathways, yielding synergistic or additive effects in human cancers, e.g., head and neck cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer. We discuss the progress in the current literature and summarize the mechanisms of host-viral-bacterial interactions in various human cancers. Our goal was to evaluate existing evidence and identify gaps in the knowledge for future directions in infection and cancer.

Activated Protein C Protects against Murine Contact Dermatitis by Suppressing Protease-Activated Receptor 2

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with excessive inflammation and defective skin barrier function. Activated protein C (APC) is a natural anticoagulant with anti-inflammatory and barrier protective functions. However, the effect of APC on AD and its engagement with protease activated receptor (PAR)1 and PAR2 are unknown. Methods: Contact hypersensitivity (CHS), a model for human AD, was induced in PAR1 knockout (KO), PAR2KO and matched wild type (WT) mice using 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Recombinant human APC was administered into these mice as preventative or therapeutic treatment. The effect of APC and PAR1KO or PARKO on CHS was assessed via measurement of ear thickness, skin histologic changes, inflammatory cytokine levels, Th cell phenotypes and keratinocyte function. Results: Compared to WT, PAR2KO but not PAR1KO mice displayed less severe CHS when assessed by ear thickness; PAR1KO CHS skin had less mast cells, lower levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-22, and higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, whereas PAR2KO CHS skin only contained lower levels of IL-22 and IgE. Both PAR1KO and PAR2KO spleen cells had less Th1/Th17/Th22/Treg cells. In normal skin, PAR1 was present at the stratum granulosum and spinosum, whereas PAR2 at the upper layers of the epidermis. In CHS, however, the expression of PAR1 and PAR2 were increased and spread to the whole epidermis. In vitro, compared to WT cells, PAR1KO keratinocytes grew much slower, had a lower survival rate and higher para permeability, while PAR2KO cells grew faster, were resistant to apoptosis and para permeability. APC inhibited CHS as a therapeutic but not as a preventative treatment only in WT and PAR1KO mice. APC therapy reduced skin inflammation, suppressed epidermal PAR2 expression, promoted keratinocyte growth, survival, and barrier function in both WT and PAR1KO cells, but not in PAR2KO cells. Conclusions: APC therapy can mitigate CHS. Although APC acts through both PAR1 and PAR2 to regulate Th and mast cells, suppression of clinical disease in mice is achieved mainly via inhibition of PAR2 alone. Thus, APC may confer broad therapeutic benefits as a disease-modifying treatment for AD.

Helicobacter pylori-induced REDD1 modulates Th17 cell responses that contribute to gastritis

OBJECTIVE

Regulated in development and DNA damage responses-1 (REDD1) is a conserved and ubiquitous protein, which is induced in response to multiple stimuli. However, the regulation, function and clinical relevance of REDD1 in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis are presently unknown.

APPROACH

Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to examine the levels of REDD1 in gastric samples from H. pylori-infected patients and mice. Gastric tissues from Redd1-/- and wildtype (WT, control) mice were examined for inflammation. Gastric epithelial cells (GECs), monocytes and T cells were isolated, stimulated and/or cultured for REDD1 regulation and functional assays.

RESULTS

REDD1 was increased in gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected patients and mice. H. pylori induced GECs to express REDD1 via the phosphorylated cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) that activated MAPKp38 pathway to mediate NF-κB directly binding to REDD1 promoter. Human gastric REDD1 increased with the severity of gastritis, and mouse REDD1 from non-marrow chimera-derived cells promoted gastric inflammation that was characterized by the influx of MHCII+ monocytes. Importantly, gastric inflammation, MHCII+ monocyte infiltration, IL-23 and IL-17A were attenuated in Redd1-/- mice. Mechanistically, REDD1 in GECs regulated CXCL1 production, which attracted MHCII+ monocytes migration by CXCL1-CXCR2 axis. Then H. pylori induced MHCII+ monocytes to secrete IL-23, which favored IL-17A-producing CD4+ cell (Th17 cell) polarization, thereby contributing to the development of H. pylori-associated gastritis.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study identifies a novel regulatory network involving REDD1, which collectively exert a pro-inflammatory effect within gastric microenvironment. Efforts to inhibit this REDD1-dependent pathway may prove valuable strategies in treating of H. pylori-associated gastritis.

ARRDC3 polymorphisms may affect the risk of glioma in Chinese Han

This study ascertained to explore the potential contribution of ARRDC3 polymorphisms in the risk and prognosis of glioma. One thousand sixty-one patients and healthy controls were conducted to assess whether ARDC3 polymorphism was associated with glioma risk and prognosis. Four sites in ARRDC3 were selected and genotyped in MassARRAY platform. The calculated odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals from logistic regression were applied for risk assessment. The relationship between ARRDC3 variants and glioma prognosis was evaluated using log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and so on. Also, false-positive report probability (FPRP) and statistical power were also assessed. Our findings suggested the negative role of ARRDC3 polymorphisms in the glioma risk. We also found the effect of candidate SNPs in ARRDC3 on the susceptibility to glioma was dependent on the age, gender, and histology of glioma patients. The results suggested that the genetic polymorphisms of ARRDC3 were related to an increased risk of glioma.

Helicobacter pylori-Induced Heparanase Promotes H. pylori Colonization and Gastritis

Chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been widely recognized as the most important risk factor for gastric cancer. Analysis of the interaction between the key participants in gastric mucosal immunity and H. pylori infection is expected to provide important insights for the treatment of chronic gastritis and the prevention of gastric cancer. Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate, resulting in remodeling of the extracellular matrix thereby facilitating the extravasation and migration of immune cells towards sites of inflammation. Heparanase also releases heparan sulfate-bound cytokines and chemokines that further promote directed motility and recruitment of immune cells. Heparanase is highly expressed in a variety of inflammatory conditions and diseases, but its role in chronic gastritis has not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we report that H. pylori infection promotes up-regulation of heparanase in gastritis, which in turn facilitates the colonization of H. pylori in the gastric mucosa, thereby aggravating gastritis. By sustaining continuous activation, polarization and recruitment of macrophages that supply pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic cytokines (i.e., IL-1, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MIP-2, iNOS), heparanase participates in the generation of a vicious circle, driven by enhanced NFκB and p38-MAPK signaling, that supports the development and progression of gastric cancer. These results suggest that inhibition of heparanase may block this self-sustaining cycle, and thereby reduce the risk of gastritis and gastric cancer.

ARRDC3 as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Based on Data Mining

Purpose

The dysregulation of arrestin domain containing 3 (ARRDC3) has an important effect on oncogenesis and tumor progression in many cancers, including renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer. However, the role of ARRDC3 in ovarian cancer (OC) has not been reported.

Methods

The present study explored the diagnostic and prognostic roles of ARRDC3 in ovarian cancer using GEPIA, ONCOMINE, GEO, and Kaplan–Meier Plotter databases for training and validation. Then, we conducted a stratified analysis for clinicopathological factors using Kaplan–Meier Plotter and GEPIA databases. To further explore the mechanisms, we also used the MIST database to visualize the protein–protein interaction network of ARRDC3 associated with OC. The gene–gene interaction network was visualized by GeneMANIA plugin in Cytoscape 3.8.0 software, and the associated co-expression genes of ARRDC3 were analyzed by the cBioPortal database. The 100 top co-expression genes chosen for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used by the DAVID website.

Results

A significant difference in ARRDC3 mRNA expression was found between OC and normal ovary tissues. ARRDC3 could potentially be implicated in the diagnosis of OC. A high ARRDC3 mRNA expression level was associated with poor overall survival and progression-free survival. However, no significance was reported in respect to post progression survival. Except for histology, which had no prognostic value for PPS in stratified analysis, stratified analysis of other factors had prognostic value for OS, PFS, and PPS. Interestingly, we found a positive correlation between ARRDC3 expression and CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells, indicating that ARRDC3 might be associated with immune infiltration of these immune cells. Co-expression genes enrichment analysis found that they were involved in the Renin-angiotensin system pathway.

Conclusion

Differentially expressed ARRDC3 might be a potential prognostic and diagnostic marker in Ovarian Cancer.