pH-mediated upregulation of AQP1 gene expression through the Spi-B transcription factor

Cancer and pH Dynamics: Transcriptional Regulation, Proteostasis, and the Need for New Molecular Tools

An emerging hallmark of cancer cells is dysregulated pH dynamics. Recent work has suggested that dysregulated intracellular pH (pHi) dynamics enable diverse cancer cellular behaviors at the population level, including cell proliferation, cell migration and metastasis, evasion of apoptosis, and metabolic adaptation. However, the molecular mechanisms driving pH-dependent cancer-associated cell behaviors are largely unknown. In this review article, we explore recent literature suggesting pHi dynamics may play a causative role in regulating or reinforcing tumorigenic transcriptional and proteostatic changes at the molecular level, and discuss outcomes on tumorigenesis and tumor heterogeneity. Most of the data we discuss are population-level analyses; lack of single-cell data is driven by a lack of tools to experimentally change pHi with spatiotemporal control. Data is also sparse on how pHi dynamics play out in complex in vivo microenvironments. To address this need, at the end of this review, we cover recent advances for live-cell pHi measurement at single-cell resolution. We also discuss the essential role for tool development in revealing mechanisms by which pHi dynamics drive tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis.

Impact of cigarette smoke on physical-chemical and molecular proprieties of human skin in an ex vivo model

BACKGROUND

This is a study about the skin ageing exposome, focusing on the effect of cigarette smoke. Human living skin explants (HSE) were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) of two cigarettes for 2 hours using a custom-made exposure chamber, the Pollubox^® . Effects on the surface physico-chemistry and molecular properties of the skin were analyzed and reported for the first time.

BASIC PROCEDURES

To this end, transcriptomic study followed by immunohistochemistry, MDA (Malondialdehyde Dosage), and surface physio-chemistry data: surface free energy determination, TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss), skin pH and FT-IR (Fourier Transform-Infrared) spectroscopy of the explant were collected from untreated and treated HSE.

MAIN FINDINGS

Results showed a decrease of the total surface free energy of the treated HSE. This decrease reflected higher interactions with polar compounds from the environment and consequently a decrease of the surface hydrophobicity. Additionally, an increase of TEWL and skin pH was observed after treatment. The transcriptomic analysis showed downregulation of mitochondrial genes (PON2-NDUFA4L2-ATP1A1-ALDH2-PRODH) combined with an increase of MDA in CS-treated HSE.

CONCLUSIONS

CS-induced oxidation of lipids at HSE surface alters the skin barrier: interactions with polar products are enhanced and the lipid chain packing at the surface is modified. Consequently, skin permeability could increase which correlated with repression of CA9 and AQP1 genes. Beside activation of AHR-NRF2 pathway in CS-exposed HSE, our results suggested that mitochondrial functions were strongly impacted and oxidized lipids failed to be eliminated promoting skin barrier alteration. A mitophagy activity was suggested through the confirmation of PINK1 accumulation in the epidermis by immunostaining.