Chromogranin Serves as Novel Biomarker of Endocrine and Gastric Autoimmunity

Holistic exploration of CHGA and hsa-miR-137 in colorectal cancer via multi-omic data Integration

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most widespread malignancies globally, with early detection significantly influencing prognosis. Employing a systems biology approach, we aimed to unravel the intricate mRNA-miRNA network linked to CRC pathogenesis, potentially yielding diagnostic biomarkers. Through an integrative analysis of microarray, Bulk RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq data, we explored CRC-related transcriptomes comprehensively. Differential gene expression analysis uncovered crucial genes, while Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified key modules closely linked to CRC. Remarkably, CRC manifested its strongest correlation with the turquoise module, signifying its pivotal role. From the cohort of genes showing high Gene Significance (GS) and Module Membership (MM), and Differential Expression Genes (DEGs), we highlighted the downregulated Chromogranin A (CHGA) as a notable hub gene in CRC. This finding was corroborated by the Human Protein Atlas database, which illustrated decreased CHGA expression in CRC tissues. Additionally, CHGA displayed elevated expression in primary versus metastatic cell lines, as evidenced by the CCLE database. Subsequent RT-qPCR validation substantiated the marked downregulation of CHGA in CRC tissues, reinforcing the significance of our differential expression analysis. Analyzing the Space-Time Gut Cell Atlas dataset underscored specific CHGA expression in epithelial cell subclusters, a trend persisting across developmental stages. Furthermore, our scrutiny of colon and small intestine Enteroendocrine cells uncovered distinct CHGA expression patterns, accentuating its role in CRC pathogenesis. Utilizing the WGCNA algorithm and TargetScan database, we validated the downregulation of hsa-miR-137 in CRC, and integrated assessment highlighted its interplay with CHGA. Our findings advocate hsa-miR-137 and CHGA as promising CRC biomarkers, offering valuable insights into diagnosis and prognosis. Despite proteomic analysis yielding no direct correlation, our multifaceted approach contributes comprehensive understanding of CRC's intricate regulatory mechanisms. In conclusion, this study advances hsa-miR-137 and CHGA as promising CRC biomarkers through an integrated analysis of diverse datasets and network interactions.

Recurrence risk of autoimmune thyroid and endocrine diseases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The recurrence risk ratio (λ) expresses the risk ratio of index patients' first-degree relatives developing a disease as compared to the general population and is a quantitative measure of the genetic contribution to the disease. This paper offers the results of a specialized center as well as a review of the pertinent literature.

METHODS

Data from 3315 consecutive subjects followed at an ORPHAN academic tertiary referral expert center for endocrine autoimmunity as well as 419 unrelated German families were collected. λ was assessed based on 806 well-documented subjects, 299 index patients with autoimmune glandular (AIGD) and non-endocrine diseases and 507 of their first-degree relatives (328 children, 179 siblings).

RESULTS

As many as 36% of relatives of patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) were affected by various autoimmune conditions. Twenty-five percent and 23% of all relatives had an AIGD or an autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), respectively. Furthermore, 29% and 25% of relatives of index cases with polyglandular (PGA) and monoglandular (MGA) autoimmunity were affected. The recurrence risk for AITD was increased 16-fold in both children and siblings compared to the general population (λ, 95% CI 16, 11-21 and 16, 12-19, respectively). Furthermore, λ for AITD/AIGD was 21.62 (95% CI 14.17-30.69)/17.57 (11.80-24.36) and 13.48 (8.42-20.52)/10.68 (6.76-16.02) for siblings of patients with PGA and MGA, respectively. Overall, a strong genetic component for AITD and AIGD with a significant genetic impact on the development of PGA was demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

These novel results strongly recommend the screening for AITD and AIGD in children and siblings of index patients with AITD.

Exploratory study reveals far reaching systemic and cellular effects of verapamil treatment in subjects with type 1 diabetes

Currently, no oral medications are available for type 1 diabetes (T1D). While our recent randomized placebo-controlled T1D trial revealed that oral verapamil had short-term beneficial effects, their duration and underlying mechanisms remained elusive. Now, our global T1D serum proteomics analysis identified chromogranin A (CHGA), a T1D-autoantigen, as the top protein altered by verapamil and as a potential therapeutic marker and revealed that verapamil normalizes serum CHGA levels and reverses T1D-induced elevations in circulating proinflammatory T-follicular-helper cell markers. RNA-sequencing further confirmed that verapamil regulates the thioredoxin system and promotes an anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and immunomodulatory gene expression profile in human islets. Moreover, continuous use of oral verapamil delayed T1D progression, promoted endogenous beta-cell function and lowered insulin requirements and serum CHGA levels for at least 2 years and these benefits were lost upon discontinuation. Thus, the current studies provide crucial mechanistic and clinical insight into the beneficial effects of verapamil in T1D.

Anticancer mechanisms of phytochemical compounds: focusing on epigenetic targets

It has recently been proven that epigenetic dysregulation is importantly involved in cell transformation and therefore induces cancerous diseases. The development of molecules called epidrugs, which target specifically different epigenetic modifications to restore cellular memory and therefore the treatment, became a real challenge currently. Currently, bioactive compounds of medicinal plants as epidrugs have been can identified and explored in cancer therapy. Indeed, these molecules can target specifically different epigenetic modulators including DNMT, HDAC, HAT, and HMT. Moreover, some compounds exhibit stochastic epigenetic actions on different pathways regulating cell memory. In this work, pharmacodynamic actions of natural epidrugs belonging to cannabinoids, carotenoids, chalcones, fatty acids, lignans, polysaccharides, saponins, secoiridoids, steroids, tannins, tanshinones, and other chemical classes we reported and highlighted. In this review, the effects of several natural bioactive compounds of epigenetic medications on cancerous diseases were highlighted. Numerous active molecules belonging to different chemical classes such as cannabinoids, carotenoids, fatty acids, lignans, polysaccharides, saponins, secoiridoids, steroids, tannins, and tanshinones are discussed in this review.

Role and function of granin proteins in diabetes mellitus

The granin glycoprotein family consists of nine acidic proteins; chromogranin A (CgA), chromogranin B (CgB), and secretogranin II–VIII. They are produced by a wide range of neuronal, neuroendocrine, and endocrine cells throughout the human body. Their major intracellular function is to sort peptides and proteins into secretory granules, but their cleavage products also take part in the extracellular regulation of diverse biological processes. The contribution of granins to carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes mellitus is a recent research area. CgA is associated with glucose homeostasis and the progression of type 1 diabetes. WE-14, CgA_10-19, and CgA_43-52 are peptide derivates of CgA, and act as CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ autoantigens in type 1 diabetes, whereas pancreastatin (PST) and catestatin have regulatory effects in carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, PST is related to gestational and type 2 diabetes. CgB has a crucial role in physiological insulin secretion. Secretogranins II and III have angiogenic activity in diabetic retinopathy (DR), and are novel targets in recent DR studies. Ongoing studies are beginning to investigate the potential use of granin derivatives as drugs to treat diabetes based on the divergent relationships between granins and different types of diabetes.

The Emerging Roles of Chromogranins and Derived Polypeptides in Atherosclerosis, Diabetes, and Coronary Heart Disease

Chromogranin A (CgA), B (CgB), and C (CgC), the family members of the granin glycoproteins, are associated with diabetes. These proteins are abundantly expressed in neurons, endocrine, and neuroendocrine cells. They are also present in other areas of the body. Patients with diabetic retinopathy have higher levels of CgA, CgB, and CgC in the vitreous humor. In addition, type 1 diabetic patients have high CgA and low CgB levels in the circulating blood. Plasma CgA levels are increased in patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. CgA is the precursor to several functional peptides, including catestatin, vasostatin-1, vasostatin-2, pancreastatin, chromofungin, and many others. Catestatin, vasostain-1, and vasostatin-2 suppress the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in human vascular endothelial cells. Catestatin and vasostatin-1 suppress oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation in human macrophages. Catestatin and vasostatin-2, but not vasostatin-1, suppress the proliferation and these three peptides suppress the migration in human vascular smooth muscles. Chronic infusion of catestatin, vasostatin-1, or vasostatin-2 suppresses the development of atherosclerosis of the aorta in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Catestatin, vasostatin-1, vasostatin-2, and chromofungin protect ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats. Since pancreastatin inhibits insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, and regulates glucose metabolism in liver and adipose tissues, pancreastatin inhibitor peptide-8 (PSTi8) improves insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis. Catestatin stimulates therapeutic angiogenesis in the mouse hind limb ischemia model. Gene therapy with secretoneurin, a CgC-derived peptide, stimulates postischemic neovascularization in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, and improves diabetic neuropathy in db/db mice. Therefore, CgA is a biomarker for atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. CgA- and CgC--derived polypeptides provide the therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and ischemia-induced tissue damages. PSTi8 is useful in the treatment of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes and associated autoimmune diseases

BACKGROUND

Common autoimmune diseases (AID) tend to occur together in the same individual and families. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by an autoimmune-induced inflammatory destruction of the pancreatic tissue and clusters with several other AID.

AIM

To compare the demographic, clinical, and serological features of patients with single T1D vs those with T1D and associated AID.

METHODS

From October 1999 to February 2020, a total of 665 patients with T1D and their first-degree relatives were evaluated.

RESULTS

Compared to patients with isolated T1D, those with T1D + AID were older and had a higher female: male ratio. Average patient age and age at disease onset were higher in T1D + AID vs T1D only. The average time interval between T1D onset and the onset of a second glandular AID was markedly shorter than the time interval between T1D and the occurrence of a non-endocrine AID. T1D-specific autoantibodies were more frequent in patients with T1D + AID and relatives vs those with T1D only. However, the prevalence of AID and autoantibodies against various tissues were found to be higher in relatives of patients with T1D only compared to relatives of patients with T1D + AID.

CONCLUSION

Annual serological and subsequent functional screening for AID in patients with T1D and their first-degree relatives is recommended.