Omega-3 fatty acid DHA modulates p53, survivin, and microRNA-16-1 expression in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer stem-like cells

Molecular Mechanisms Associated with the Inhibitory Role of Long Chain n-3 PUFA in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Multiple evidence suggests that there is an association between excess fat consumption and the risk of CRC. The long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential for human health, and both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that these fatty acids can prevent CRC development through various molecular mechanisms. These include the modulation of arachidonic acid (AA) derived prostaglandin synthesis, alteration of growth signaling pathways, arrest of the cell cycle, induction of cell apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis and modulation of inflammatory response. Human clinical studies found that LC n-3 PUFA combined with chemotherapeutic agents can improve the efficacy of treatment and reduce the dosage of chemotherapy and associated side effects. In this review, we discuss comprehensively the anti-cancer effects of LC n-3 PUFA on CRC, with a main focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms.

The effect of FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism on the association between colorectal cancer and different types of dietary fat intake: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Some dietary factors such as fat intake have been identified as the risk factors for CRC. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene rs9939609 polymorphism on the association between CRC and different types of dietary fats.

METHODS

This case-control study was performed on 135 CRC cases and 294 healthy controls in Tehran, Iran. Data on demographic factors, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, the intake of different types of dietary fats, and FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism was collected from all participants. The association between cancer and dietary fat intake in individuals with different FTO genotypes was assessed using different models of logistic regression.

RESULTS

Oleic acid intake was higher in the case group compared to the control group in both people with TT (7.2±3.46 vs. 5.83±3.06 g/d, P=0.02) and AA/AT genotypes (8.7±6.23 vs. 5.57 ±3.2 g/d, P<0.001). Among carriers of AA/AT genotypes of FTO rs9939609 polymorphism, a positive association was found between CRC and higher intakes of oleic acid (OR=1.12, CI95% 1.03-1.21, P=0.01) and cholesterol (OR=1.01, CI95% 1.00-1.02; P=0.01) after adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, calorie intake, and body mass index.

CONCLUSION

Higher intakes of cholesterol and oleic acid were associated with a higher risk of CRC in FTO-risk allele carriers. The association of CRC and dietary fat may be influenced by the FTO genotype. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

The Involvement of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Apoptosis Mechanisms and Their Implications in Cancer

Cancer is a significant global public health issue and, despite advancements in detection and treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Cancer is a complex disease characterized by various hallmarks, including dysregulation in apoptotic cell death pathways. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process that efficiently eliminates damaged cells. Several studies have indicated the involvement of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in apoptosis, including omega-3 PUFAs such as alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid. However, the role of omega-6 PUFAs, such as linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid, in apoptosis is controversial, with some studies supporting their activation of apoptosis and others suggesting inhibition. These PUFAs are essential fatty acids, and Western populations today have a high consumption rate of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs. This review focuses on presenting the diverse molecular mechanisms evidence in both in vitro and in vivo models, to help clarify the controversial involvement of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs in apoptosis mechanisms in cancer.

Protein palmitoylation-mediated palmitic acid sensing causes blood-testis barrier damage via inducing ER stress

Blood-testis barrier (BTB) damage promotes spermatogenesis dysfunction, which is a critical cause of male infertility. Dyslipidemia has been correlated with male infertility, but the major hazardous lipid and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we firstly discovered an elevation of palmitic acid (PA) and a decrease of inhibin B in patients with severe dyszoospermia, which leaded us to explore the effects of PA on Sertoli cells. We observed a damage of BTB by PA. PA penetration to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and its damage to ER structures were exhibited by microimaging and dynamic observation, and consequent ER stress was proved to mediate PA-induced Sertoli cell barrier disruption. Remarkably, we demonstrated a critical role of aberrant protein palmitoylation in PA-induced Sertoli cell barrier dysfunction. An ER protein, Calnexin, was screened out and was demonstrated to participate in this process, and suppression of its palmitoylation showed an ameliorating effect. We also found that ω-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids down-regulated Calnexin palmitoylation, and alleviated BTB dysfunction. Our results indicate that dysregulated palmitoylation induced by PA plays a pivotal role in BTB disruption and subsequent spermatogenesis dysfunction, suggesting that protein palmitoylation might be therapeutically targetable in male infertility.

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An elevation of circulating PA was identified in patients with severe dyszoospermia.

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PA-induced over-palmitoylation in Sertoli cells leads to ER stress and BTB damage.

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The palmitoylation of the ER protein Calnexin regulates Sertoli cell barrier function.

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ω-3 PUFAs ameliorate PA-induced damage and over-palmitoylation in Sertoli cells.

Emerging Importance of Survivin in Stem Cells and Cancer: the Development of New Cancer Therapeutics

Survivin is one of the rare proteins that is differentially expressed in normal and cancer cells and is directly or indirectly involved in numerous pathways required for tumor maintenance. It is expressed in almost all cancers and its expression has been detected at early stages of cancer. These traits make survivin an exceptionally attractive target for cancer therapeutics. Even with these promising features to be an oncotherapeutic target, there has been limited success in the clinical trials targeting survivin. Only recently it has emerged that survivin was not being specifically targeted which could have resulted in the negative clinical outcome. Also, focus of research has now shifted from survivin expression in the overall heterogeneous tumor cell populations to survivin expression in cancer stem cells as these cells have proved to be the major drivers of tumors. Therefore, in this review we have analyzed the expression of survivin in normal and cancer cells with a particular focus on its expression in cancer stem cell compartment. We have discussed the major signaling pathways involved in regulation of survivin. We have explored the current development status of various types of interventions for inhibition of survivin. Furthermore, we have discussed the challenges involving the development of potent and specific survivin inhibitors for cancer therapeutics. Finally we have given insights for some of the promising future anticancer treatments.

Modulating Pluripotency Network Genes with Omega-3 DHA is followed by Caspase- 3 Activation and Apoptosis in DNA Mismatch Repair-Deficient/KRAS-Mutant Colorectal Cancer Stem-Like Cells

BACKGROUND

Targeting DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells (CRCSCs) with chemical compounds remains challenging. Modulating stemness factors Bmi-1, Sox-2, Oct-4 and Nanog in CRCSCs which are direct downstream targets of carcinogenesis pathways may lead to the reactivation of caspase-3 and apoptosis in these cells. Omega-3 DHA modulates different signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. However, little is known, whether in vitro concentrations of DHA equal to human plasma levels are able to modulate pluripotency genes expression, caspase-3 reactivation and apoptosis in DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant CRC stem-like cells.

METHODS

DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant CRC stem-like cells (LS174T cells) were treated with DHA, after which, cell number and proliferation-rate, Bmi-1, Sox-2, Nanog and Oct-4 expression, caspase-3 activation and apoptosis were evaluated with different cellular and molecular techniques.

RESULTS

DHA changed the morphology of cells to apoptotic forms and disrupted cell connections. After 48h treatment with 50- to 200μM DHA, cell numbers and proliferation-rates were measured to be 86%-35% and 93.6%-45.7% respectively. Treatment with 200 μM DHA dramatically decreased the expression of Bmi-1, Sox- 2, Oct-4 and Nanog by 69%, 70%, 97.5% and 53% respectively. Concurrently, DHA induced caspase-3 activation by 1.8-4.7-fold increases compared to untreated cells. An increase in the number of apoptotic cells ranging from 9.3%-38.4% was also observed with increasing DHA concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

DHA decreases the high expression level of pluripotency network genes suggesting Bmi-1, Sox-2, Oct-4 and Nanog as promising molecular targets of DHA. DHA reactivates caspase-3 and apoptosis in DNA mismatch repair-deficient/KRAS-mutant CRC stem-like cells, representing the high potential of this safe compound for therapeutic application in CRC.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on adipokines: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Although a large body of literature reported the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) consumption on adipokines levels, but recent findings from clinical trials are not univocal. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs supplements on adipokines.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to August 2020 without any particular language limitations. Outcomes were summarized as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated from Hedge's g and random effects modeling.

RESULTS

Fifty-two trials involving 4,568 participants were included. Omega-3 FAs intake was associated with a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels (n = 43; 3,434 participants; SMD: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.37; p = 0.01; I²= 80.14%). This meta-analysis indicates that supplementing participants with omega-3 fatty acids more than 2000 mg daily and more than 10 weeks resulted in a significant and more favorable improvement in plasma adiponectin levels. However, omega-3 FAs intake had no significant effect on leptin levels (SMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.20, 0.17, I²= 54.13%).

CONCLUSION

The evidence supports a beneficial effect of omega-3 FAs intake on serum adiponectin levels but does not appear to impact on leptin concentrations. Larger well-designed RCTs are still required to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs on leptin in specific diseases.

The Ω-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid selectively induces apoptosis in tumor-derived cells and suppress tumor growth in gastric cancer

Despite current achievements and innovations in cancer treatment, conventional chemotherapy has several limitations, such as unsatisfactory long-term survival, cancer drug resistance and toxicity against non-tumoral cells. In the search for safer therapeutic alternatives, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has shown promising effects inhibiting tumor growth without significant side effects in several types of cancer, but in gastric cancer (GC) its effects have not been completely described. In this study, we characterized the effects of DHA in GC using in vivo and in vitro models. Among all of the evaluated Ω-3 and Ω-6 fatty acids, DHA showed the highest antiproliferative potency and selectivity against the GC-derived cell line AGS. 10-100 μM DHA decreased AGS cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner but had no effect on non-tumoral GES-1 cells. To evaluate if the effects of DHA were due to apoptosis induction, cells were stained with Annexin V-PI, observing that 75 and 100 μM DHA increased apoptosis in AGS, but not in GES-1 cells. Additionally, levels of several proapoptotic and antiapoptotic regulators were assessed by qPCR, western blot and activity assays, showing similar results. In order to evaluate DHA efficacy in vivo, xenografts in an immunodeficient mouse model (BALB/cNOD-SCID) were used. In these experiments, DHA treatment for six weeks consistently reduced subcutaneous tumor size, ascitic fluid volume and liver metastasis. In summary, we found that DHA has a selective antiproliferative effect on GC, being this effect driven by apoptosis induction. Our investigation provides promising features for DHA as potential therapeutic agent in GC.

Zinc, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D: An essential combination for prevention and treatment of cancers

Zinc, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and vitamin D are essential nutrients for health, maturation and general wellbeing. Extensive literature searches have revealed the widespread similarity in molecular biological properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D, and their similar anti-cancer properties, even though they have different modes of action. These three nutrients are separately essential for good health, especially in the aged. Zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D are inexpensive and safe as they are fundamentally natural and have the properties of correcting and inhibiting undesirable actions without disturbing the normal functions of cells or their extracellular environment. This review of the anticancer properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D is made in the context of the hallmarks of cancer. The anticancer properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D can therefore be used beneficially through combined treatment or supplementation. It is proposed that sufficiency of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D is a necessary requirement during chemotherapy treatment and that clinical trials can have questionable integrity if this sufficiency is not checked and maintained during efficacy trials.

Diclofenac Enhances Docosahexaenoic Acid-Induced Apoptosis in Vitro in Lung Cancer Cells

Simple Summary

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have limited anticancer capacities when used alone. We examined whether combining NSAIDs with docosahexaenoic (DHA) would increase their anticancer activity on lung cancer cell lines. Our results indicate that combining DHA and NSAIDs increased their anticancer activities by altering the expression of critical proteins in the RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. The data suggest that DHA combined with low dose diclofenac provides more significant anticancer potential, which can be further developed for chemoprevention and adjunct therapy in lung cancer.

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show anticancer activities through diverse molecular mechanisms. However, the anticancer capacities of either PUFAs or NSAIDs alone is limited. We examined whether combining NSAIDs with docosahexaenoic (DHA), commonly derived from fish oils, would possibly synergize their anticancer activity. We determined the viability of lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H1573, A549, NCI-H1299, and NCI-H1975) after exposure to DHA and various NSAIDs. We further conducted cell apoptosis assays and analyzed apoptosis-associated proteins and some key proteins in the RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways using western blot analysis. We also determined the impact of the treatment on the expression of inducible cancer-related genes using nCounter PanCancer Pathways gene expression analysis. The results showed that the combination of DHA and NSAIDs increased suppression of cell viability in all the lung cancer cell lines tested compared to each of the compounds used alone, with diclofenac being the most potent NSAID tested. This synergistic effect is especially significant in A549 and NCI-H1573 cells. The combination treatment was more effective at inhibiting clonogenic cell growth and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis, and altering expression of critical proteins in the RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. The data from this study demonstrate that DHA combined with low dose diclofenac provides greater anticancer potential, which can be further developed for chemoprevention and adjunct therapy in lung cancer.

Nutritional supplements in combination with chemotherapy or targeted therapy reduces tumor progression in mice bearing triple-negative breast cancer

The potential anti-cancer properties of selenium (Se) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been documented. However, few studies have been conducted examining anti-tumor effects of nutritional supplements (NS) containing Se and EPA/DHA in combination with anti-cancer agents, such as taxol (Tax), adriamycin (Adr), and avastin (Ava). Compared with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)-bearing positive control (TB) mice, a low dose of Tax, Adr, and Ava decreased tumor size and the incidence of metastasis in TB-Tax, TB-Adr, and TB-Ava groups. Combination treatment with anti-cancer agent and NS (2.7 μg Se and 5.1 mg EPA/3.7 mg DHA/g) induced additional decreases in TB-Tax-NS, TB-Adr-NS, and TB-Ava-NS groups. Th1-associated cytokines were increased, and Th2-type cytokines were decreased significantly in TB mice with combination treatment than that of anti-cancer agent treatment alone. Combination treatment with anti-cancer agents and NS has also been shown to further increased tumor malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, lowered hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, angiogenic markers (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and CD31) and metastatic potential, as well as reduced heat shock proteins, receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, and surface markers of cancer stem cells, and increased apoptotic proteins. For immune checkpoint molecules, combination treatment was associated with a greater decrease in programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in both tumors and mammary glands, but PD-1 level in primary tumors was increased. Our results suggest that combination treatment with low-dose anti-cancer agents (Tax, Adr, and Ava) and oral supplementation of Se/ EPA/DHA significantly decreased tumor growth and metastatic progression in TNBC mice through multiple anti-tumor mechanisms.

Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits Ca2+ influx and downregulates CaSR by upregulating microRNA-16 in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is reported to have the potential to ameliorate pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), while the specific mechanism is still obscure. This study aims to investigate the function of DHA in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and explore the underlying mechanism. In our study, DHA was used to incubate PASMCs. Cytosolic-free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺ ]cyt) was measured using Fluo-3 AM method. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect microRNA-16 (miR-16) and calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) messenger RNA expression levels. CCK-8 assay, BrdU assay, and Transwell assay were employed to detect the effects of DHA on proliferation and migration of PASMCs. CaSR was confirmed as a direct target of miR-16 using dual-luciferase assay, polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. It was found that DHA significantly inhibited PASMC proliferation and migration and decreased [Ca²⁺ ]cyt. After transfection of miR-16 mimics, proliferation and migration ability of PASMCs were significantly inhibited, whereas opposite effects were observed after miR-16 inhibition. [Ca²⁺ ]cyt was also inhibited by miR-16 transfection. DHA then promoted the expression of miR-16, and the effects of DHA on PASMCs were annulled when miR-16 was inhibited. CaSR was identified as a direct target of miR-16. CaSR was inhibited directly by miR-16 and indirectly by DHA. In conclusion, DHA inhibits the proliferation and migration of PASMCs, and probably ameliorates PAH via regulating miR-16/CaSR axis.

Cloning, molecular characterization, and nutritional regulation of fatty acid-binding protein family genes in gold pompanos (Trachinotus ovatus)

Fatty acid-binding protein (Fabp) is an important protein family involved in fatty acid uptake and deposition. Elucidating the function and regulation of fabps could contribute to the efficient production of biologically relevant fatty acids, such as highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), from fish. Herein, five genes from Trachinotus ovatus named fabp4, fabp6a, fabp6b, fabp7a, and fabp7b coding 133, 127, 118, 132, and 132 amino acid residues were cloned and sequenced. The effect of dietary HUFA on the expression of these genes was also investigated. Multiple protein sequence alignment showed that these Fabps shared high identity to their orthologs from other fish and mammals. Two conserved domains, lipocalin and lipocalin 7, were predicted in the deduced protein sequence of fabp4 and fabp7 paralogs, whereas fabp6 paralogs did not present the lipocalin domain. The adipose tissue, spleen, gill, and intestine showed the highest levels of fabp6b expression. In the brain, fabp6b was weakly expressed, whereas the expression of fabp7a was at its highest. Conversely, fabp7a showed a lower mRNA level than the other fabps in the liver and heart. In the dorsal muscle and kidney, fabp6a was the most abundantly expressed gene. Increasing dietary HUFA from 1.0% to 2.1% increased the gene expression of hepatic fabp4 and fabp6a gene expression but decreased gene expression in the dorsal muscle. Similarly, the expression of fabp7a in the dorsal muscle also declined in the 2.1% HUFA group. This study lays the groundwork for further studies focused on the physiological function and regulation of fish fabps.

The protection effects of survivin in the cell model of CVB3-induced viral myocarditis

Viral myocarditis (VMC) is a widely studied but poorly understood inflammatory cardiomyopathy which mainly affects children and young adults and results in adverse outcomes. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was reported important in the progress of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced VMC and the blocking of this process may contribute to the therapeutic effect towards VMC. Therefore, this study was designed to explore whether survivin, one of the strongest antiapoptotic proteins, can protect cardiomyocytes from apoptosis in VMC and to discover its related mechanisms. Here, the cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCs) were exposed to CVB3 to establish the cell model of VMC and the results of Western Blot showed that the protein expression of survivin in CVB3-infected NMCs varied at different post-infection time. Lentivirus was next used to examine the function of survivin in CVB3-infected NMCs. TUNEL assay demonstrated that the overexpression of survivin interrupted CVB3-induced apoptosis. It was next examined whether caspase-3 and -9 were involved in the antiapoptotic pathway initiated by survivin via Western Blot. The results showed a reverse relationship between the protein expression of survivin and that of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9, suggesting that survivin may attenuate apoptosis through restraining the activity of caspase-3 and -9. Moreover, the supernatant fluid of cultured NMCs was extracted to detect the quantitation of released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and a sharp decrease was discovered in the survivin-overexpressed group compared to the CVB3-infected group, indicating a protective role of survivin in the cell model of CVB3-induced myocarditis. This study demonstrated that survivin was triggered by CVB3 infection in NMCs and survivin executed its antiapoptotic effects via caspase-3- and caspase-9-dependent signaling pathway.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Synthesis Regulation of Fat-1 Transgenic Sheep

Transgenic technology has huge application potential in agriculture and medical fields, such as producing new livestock varieties with new valuable features and xenotransplantation. However, how an exogenous gene affects the host animal’s gene regulation networks and their health status is still poorly understood. In the current study, Fat-1 transgenic sheep were generated, and the tissues from 100-day abnormal (DAF_1) and normal (DAF_2) fetuses, postnatal lambs (DAF_4), transgenic-silencing (DAFG5), and -expressing (DAFG6) skin cells were collected and subjected to transcriptome sequencing, and their gene expression profiles were compared in multiple dimensions. The results were as follows. For DAF_1, its abnormal development was caused by pathogen invasion but not the introduction of the Fat-1 gene. Fat-1 expression down-regulated the genes related to the cell cycle; the NF-κB signaling pathway and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were down-regulated, and the PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) biosynthesis pathway was shifted toward the biosynthesis of high-level n-3 LC-PUFAs (long-chain PUFAs). Four key node genes, FADS2, PPARA, PRKACA, and ACACA, were found to be responsible for the gene expression profile shift from the Fat-1 transgenic 100-day fetus to postnatal lamb, and FADS2 may play a key role in the accumulation of n-3 LC-PUFAs in Fat-1 transgenic sheep muscle. Our study provides new insights into the FUFAs synthesis regulation in Fat-1 transgenic animals.

Epigenetic Effects of n-3 LCPUFAs: A Role in Pediatric Metabolic Syndrome

Childhood obesity represents an important public health issue worldwide and is strongly linked to metabolic alterations such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. The constellation of these conditions is commonly known as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Metabolic syndrome is not just a simple cluster of metabolic complications due to excess of adipose tissue, but is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from several human and animal studies suggests that environmental and nutritional exposure during pregnancy may affect the newborn development and future health through epigenetic changes, playing a potential role in determining obesity and obesity-related complications. Understanding how nutritional epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the "transgenerational risk" for obesity and metabolic dysfunction is crucial in order to develop early prevention strategies for children's health. Nutrigenetics is the science that studies the role of nutrients in gene expression. Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) are known for their health benefits, especially in relation to their ability to modulate inflammation and improve some obesity-associated comorbidities, mainly by decreasing plasma triglycerides. Recent nutrigenetic research is focusing on the potential role of LCPUFAs in influencing epigenetic markers. In this review, we present the most recent updates about the possible interaction between n-3 LCPUFAs and epigenetic pathways in metabolic syndrome. Literature from MEDLINE® and the Cochrane database between May 2005 and December 2018 has been scanned.

Survivin modulatory role in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases

Baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) gene encodes the important protein as survivin, a multifunctional protein, which is involved in cellular and molecular networks, progression of cell cycle, homeostasis, developmental morphogenesis, and apoptosis. The proximal BIRC5 promoter possesses specific binding sites for key transcription factors such as nuclear factor κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Upregulation of survivin exacerbates the autoimmune diseases (AIDs) including multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis by reducing the activity threshold of survivin-specific cytotoxic T cells. DNA damage along with upregulation or downregulation of survivin have been demonstrated in initiation and pathogenesis of cancers and AIDs. However, detailed mechanism of survivin function in pathogenesis of AIDs is not well understood. This review focuses on the structure, specificity, regulation, and function of survivin in physiologic conditions and pathogenesis of AIDs.