Adaptor protein XB130 regulates the aggressiveness of cholangiocarcinoma

High XB130 expression in renal cell carcinoma is strongly associated with poor prognosis

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of XB130 expression in three major RCC subtypes, and its association with clinical outcomes and adverse clinicopathologic features. A total of 101 nephrectomy samples at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, from 2007 to 2017 were included in the study. XB130 immunohistochemistry was performed on slides from a tissue microarray comprised of 71 clear cell RCCs, 23 papillary RCCs, and 7 chromophobe RCCs, and were scored using a Histoscore system on a 0-300 scale. High XB130 expression in clear cell RCC and papillary RCC patients was associated with poor prognosis (log-rank test, P = 0.013, and P = 0.001, respectively). WHO/ISUP grade (P = 0.001) and XB130 high expression (P = 0.019) were found to be independent risk factors for mortality in clear cell RCC using multivariate analysis. The high expression of XB130 in clear cell RCC patients was also associated with high WHO/ISUP grade (P = 0.011), distant metastasis (P = 0.036), TNM stage (P = 0.007), sarcomatoid/rhabdoid differentiation (P = 0.061), and urinary collecting system invasion (P = 0.002). Similarly, high XB130 expression (P = 0.038) was associated with poor prognosis among papillary RCC patients as well as with lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.022), TNM stage (P = 0.030), and sarcomatoid/rhabdoid differentiation (P = 0.044). Overall, our findings showed that high XB130 expression in clear cell RCC and papillary RCC patients are associated with a worse prognosis.

XB130 inhibits healing of diabetic skin ulcers through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

BACKGROUND

Diabetic skin ulcers, a significant global healthcare burden, are mainly caused by the inhibition of cell proliferation and impaired angiogenesis. XB130 is an adaptor protein that regulates cell proliferation and migration. However, the role of XB130 in the development of diabetic skin ulcers remains unclear.

AIM

To investigate whether XB130 can regulate the inhibition of proliferation and vascular damage induced by high glucose. Additionally, we aim to determine whether XB130 is involved in the healing process of diabetic skin ulcers, along with its molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

We conducted RNA-sequencing analysis to identify the key genes involved in diabetic skin ulcers. We investigated the effects of XB130 on wound healing using histological analyses. In addition, we used reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, immunofluorescence, wound healing, and tubule formation experiments to investigate their effects on cellular processes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with high glucose. Finally, we performed functional analysis to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic skin ulcers.

RESULTS

RNA-sequencing analysis showed that the expression of XB130 was up-regulated in the tissues of diabetic skin ulcers. Knockdown of XB130 promoted the healing of skin wounds in mice, leading to an accelerated wound healing process and shortened wound healing time. At the cellular level, knockdown of XB130 alleviated high glucose-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and angiogenic impairment in HUVECs. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway removed the proliferative effects and endothelial protection mediated by XB130.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicated that the expression of XB130 is up-regulated in high glucose-stimulated diabetic skin ulcers and HUVECs. Knockdown of XB130 promotes cell proliferation and angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, which accelerates the healing of diabetic skin ulcers.

Digital spatial profiling of human parathyroid tumors reveals cellular and molecular alterations linked to vitamin D deficiency

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine neoplastic disorder characterized by disrupted calcium homeostasis secondary to inappropriately elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) are significantly more prevalent in PHPT patients than in the general population (1-3), but the basis for this association remains unclear. We employed a spatially defined in situ whole-transcriptomics and selective proteomics profiling approach to compare gene expression patterns and cellular composition in parathyroid adenomas from vitamin D-deficient or vitamin D-replete PHPT patients. A cross-sectional panel of eucalcemic cadaveric donor parathyroid glands was examined in parallel as normal tissue controls. Here, we report that parathyroid tumors from vitamin D-deficient PHPT patients (Def-Ts) are intrinsically different from those of vitamin D-replete patients (Rep-Ts) of similar age and preoperative clinical presentation. The parathyroid oxyphil cell content is markedly higher in Def-Ts (47.8%) relative to Rep-Ts (17.8%) and normal donor glands (7.7%). Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased expression of electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation pathway components. Parathyroid oxyphil cells, while morphologically distinct, are comparable to chief cells at the transcriptional level, and vitamin D deficiency affects the transcriptional profiles of both cell types in a similar manner. These data suggest that oxyphil cells are derived from chief cells and imply that their increased abundance may be induced by low vitamin D status. Gene set enrichment analysis reveals that pathways altered in Def-Ts are distinct from Rep-Ts, suggesting alternative tumor etiologies in these groups. Increased oxyphil content may thus be a morphological indicator of tumor-predisposing cellular stress.

Ibuprofen and diclofenac differentially affect cell viability, apoptosis and morphological changes in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines

Objectives

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant biliary epithelial duct neoplasm caused by chronic inflammation after liver fluke infection. It is a major public health concern in the Greater Mekong sub-region in northeast Thailand. Herein, the effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen and diclofenac on the cell proliferation activity of the human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines KKU-M139 and KKU-213B were studied.

Methods

Cell viability was assessed with MTT assays. Inverted phase-contrast light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the cells’ morphological alterations. Caspase 3/7 and Annexin V/PI were detected with a multimode microplate reader.

Results

Ibuprofen and diclofenac decreased viability in both cell lines, and ibuprofen-treated cells exhibited reversible cell injury. In both KKU-M139 and KKU-213B cell lines, the diclofenac-treated cells had the greatest injury. The cells exhibited features of irreversible cell injury. In addition, caspase 3/7 and Annexin V/PI detection revealed early cell apoptotic characteristics.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that NSAIDs may potentially suppress cell viability. Ibuprofen and diclofenac both induced morphological changes and apoptosis.