In situ self-assembly of Au-antimiR-155 nanocomplexes mediates TLR3-dependent apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

MicroRNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Pathogenesis: Insights into Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health burden, with alarming statistics revealing its rising incidence and high mortality rates. Despite advances in medical care, HCC treatment remains challenging due to late-stage diagnosis, limited effective therapeutic options, tumor heterogeneity, and drug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted substantial attention as key regulators of HCC pathogenesis. These small non-coding RNA molecules play pivotal roles in modulating gene expression, implicated in various cellular processes relevant to cancer development. Understanding the intricate network of miRNA-mediated molecular pathways in HCC is essential for unraveling the complex mechanisms underlying hepatocarcinogenesis and developing novel therapeutic approaches. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent experimental and clinical discoveries regarding the complex role of miRNAs in influencing the key hallmarks of HCC, as well as their promising clinical utility as potential therapeutic targets.

Polymorphism of the TLR3 gene in Predisposition to Chronic Viral Hepatitis B and C in the population of Turkic-speaking peoples

Background: Over the past four years, more than 19000 cases of viral hepatitis B have been registered in Kazakhstan. Mortality from liver cirrhosis as a result of chronic hepatitis B and C ranks first among gastroenterological diseases in the Republic. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is an effector of innate immune responses and plays a key role in the body's antiviral defense. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the latest scientific data regarding TLR3 polymorphism variants in Turkic-speaking countries and their influence on the predisposition and course of chronic hepatitis B and C. Materials and Methods: To achieve the goal, relevant papers over the past 5 years in scientific medical publications on academic search platforms were selected and processed. Results: The paper analyzes variants of TLR3 polymorphisms in terms of their involvement and predisposition to the development of viral hepatitis among Turkic-speaking peoples. It has been established that the Phe/Leu substitution is associated with a decrease in the activity of adaptive immunity reactions and hyperproduction of interleukins; TLR3 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the rs5743305 (T/A) and rs3775291 species among Turkic-speaking peoples do not affect the nature of progressed viral hepatitis B and C. The rs13126816 variant is associated with a predisposition to infection and the active course of the chronic form of hepatitis C. The G-allele rs13126816 TLR3 is associated with a high probability spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C. The TLR3 single nucleotide polymorphism rs3775291 may be associated with pathological immune responses during the primary development of viral hepatitis B. Conclusion: Thus, the study of the presence of TLR3 polymorphisms in patients of Turkic-speaking countries with viral hepatitis B and C, or in groups of patients with an increased risk of infection, affects the understanding peculiarities of antiviral protection in mutation carriers, the intensity of innate immunity reactions, as well as enables predicting the nature of the course of a chronic process and the risk of developing terminal complications.

Self-assembled miR-134-5p inhibitor nanoparticles ameliorate experimental bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) via suppressing ferroptosis

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in premature infants with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ferroptosis. Herein, we designed a peptide-based nanoparticle to deliver therapeutic molecules to pulmonary, thereby ameliorating BPD. The BPD-induced damages of lung tissues were detected by H&E and immunohistochemistry staining. Inflammatory cytokines, Fe2+, and ROS levels were quantified by the indicated kits, respectively. The targeting relationship was verified by luciferase reporter assay and pull-down assay. Subsequently, self-assembled miR-134-5p inhibitor nanoparticles with pulmonary epithelial cell-targeting were synthesized. The characteristics were detected by transmission electron microscopy, luminescence imaging, and dynamic light scattering. A significant ferroptosis was observed in the BPD mice. The protein level of GPX4 was decreased significantly compared to the control group. Constantly, miR-134-5p showed positive regulation on ferroptosis by targeting GPX4. The designed nanoparticles were mainly accumulated in the lung region. Besides, it ameliorated experimental bronchopulmonary dysplasia via suppressing ferroptosis, in vivo and in vitro. Our findings provided a miR-134-5p/GPX4 axis in regulating ferroptosis of BPD and prompted the potential of applying the peptide-based nanoparticle to BPD treatment.

The role of miR-155 on liver diseases by modulating immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis

The liver is a well-known metabolic organ that can be susceptible to external stimuli to affect its normal physiological function. Worldwide, the morbidity and mortality of liver diseases are skyrocketing every year, causing human health crises. Recently, new approaches such as biotechnology have been introduced to achieve optimal treatment and prognostic management of liver diseases. microRNAs (miRNAs), a kind of small non-coding RNA molecule, have the advantages of biodiversity, wide distribution and numerous members. Among these miRNAs, miR-155 is an important regulator of inflammation, immunity and tumorigenesis. In this review, the PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from 2009 to 2022. After inclusion and exclusion, 64 articles were selected for a systematic review to comprehensively summarize the mechanisms of miR-155 regulating inflammation, immunity and tumorigenesis in liver diseases and liver cancer, covering in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. Existing preclinical studies and clinical trials have listed that the up-regulation and down-regulation of miR-155 are significant in alcoholic liver injury, viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, infectious liver injury, liver transplantation and liver cancer. The immune and inflammation effects of miR-155 are manifested by regulating macrophage polarization, NK cell killing, Th17 cell and Th1/Th2 cell differentiation. Additionally, miR-155 is also committed to participating in the cell cycle, invasion and metastasis, immune escape and other processes to promote and intensify the development of liver cancer. In conclusion, miR-155 is not only a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of liver diseases, but also plays a therapeutic role via regulating immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis.

In-situ bio-assembled specific Au NCs-Aptamer-Pyro conjugates nanoprobe for tumor imaging and mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy

Mitochondrion has emerged as a promising drug target for photodynamic therapy (PDT), due to its significant role in supporting life activities and being reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive. Herein, we establish a new strategy that in-situ bio-synthesized Au NCs combine with mitochondria-targeted aptamer-Pyro conjugates (ApPCs) for specific tumor imaging and PDT. The prepared ApPCs can serve as template for the in-situ bio-synthesis of Au NCs, thereby facilitating the generation of Au NCs-ApPCs assemblies in unique tumor microenvironment. Compared with highly negatively charged ApPCs, bio-synthesized nanoscale Au NCs-ApPCs assemblies are conducive to cell uptake, which consequently benefits the delivery of ApPCs. After dissociated from Au NCs-ApPCs, internalized ApPCs can selectively accumulate in mitochondria and generate excess ROS to disrupt the mitochondrial membrane upon irradiation, thus inducing efficient cell killing. In vitro assays demonstrated that the fluorescent Au NCs-ApPCs assemblies could be specifically produced in cancerous cells, indicating the specific tumor imaging ability, while intracellular ApPCs co-localized well with mitochondria. CCK-8 results revealed over 80% cell death after PDT. In vivo study showed that fluorescent Au NCs-ApPCs assemblies were exclusively generated in tumor and achieved long-term retention; tumor growth was significantly inhibited after 15-day PDT treatment. All these evidences suggest that in-situ bio-synthesized Au NCs-ApPCs assembly is a potent mitochondria-targeted nanoprobe to boost the PDT efficacy of cancers.

Combined Approach to Leukemic Differentiation Using Transcription Factor PU.1-Enhancing Agents

The transcription factor PU.1 (Purine-rich DNA binding, SPI1) is a key regulator of hematopoiesis, whose level is influenced by transcription through its enhancers and its post-transcriptional degradation via microRNA-155 (miR-155). The degree of transcriptional regulation of the PU.1 gene is influenced by repression via DNA methylation, as well as other epigenetic factors, such as those related to progenitor maturation status, which is modulated by the transcription factor Myeloblastosis oncogene (MYB). In this work, we show that combinatorial treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with DNA methylation inhibitors (5-Azacytidine), MYB inhibitors (Celastrol), and anti-miR-155 (AM155) ideally leads to overproduction of PU.1. We also show that PU.1 reactivation can be compensated by miR-155 and that only a combined approach leads to sustained PU.1 derepression, even at the protein level. The triple effect on increasing PU.1 levels in myeloblasts stimulates the myeloid transcriptional program while inhibiting cell survival and proliferation, leading to partial leukemic differentiation.

Immunotherapeutic role of cabazitaxel treatment in the activation of TLR3 signalling in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in vitro

BACKGROUND

The activation of toll like receptors (TLR) potentially affect the inflammatory tumor microenvironment and thus is associated with tumor growth or inhibition. Cabazitaxel (CAB) has been effectively used for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, the immune regulatory role of CAB in the tumor microenvironment is not clear. In this context, we for the first time assessed the immunotherapeutic role of CAB in the TLR3 signalling following activation of Poly I:C in mCRPC cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of CAB with the induction of Poly I:C were determined by WST-1, Annexin V, acridine orange, RT-PCR analysis, ELISA assay and immunofluorescence staining in DU-145 mCRPC and HUVEC control cells. Our findings showed that CAB treatment with Poly I:C significantly suppressed the proliferation of DU-145 cells through the induction of apoptosis and caspase activation. Additionally, higher concentration of CAB mediated the activation of TLR3 via increased cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of TLR3, TICAM-1 and IRF-3 in mCRPC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-treatment of CAB and Poly I:C was more effective in mCRPC cells with less toxicity in control cells. However, further investigations are required to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of TLRs signalling upon CAB treatment at the molecular level to further validate the immunotherapeutic efficacy of CAB in mCRPC.

Adipocyte, Immune Cells, and miRNA Crosstalk: A Novel Regulator of Metabolic Dysfunction and Obesity

Obesity is characterized as a complex and multifactorial excess accretion of adipose tissue (AT) accompanied with alterations in the immune response that affects virtually all age and socioeconomic groups around the globe. The abnormal accumulation of AT leads to several metabolic diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disorder (NAFLD), low-grade inflammation, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disorders (CVDs), and cancer. AT is an endocrine organ composed of adipocytes and immune cells, including B-Cells, T-cells and macrophages. These immune cells secrete various cytokines and chemokines and crosstalk with adipokines to maintain metabolic homeostasis and low-grade chronic inflammation. A novel form of adipokines, microRNA (miRs), is expressed in many developing peripheral tissues, including ATs, T-cells, and macrophages, and modulates the immune response. miRs are essential for insulin resistance, maintaining the tumor microenvironment, and obesity-associated inflammation (OAI). The abnormal regulation of AT, T-cells, and macrophage miRs may change the function of different organs including the pancreas, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. Since obesity and inflammation are closely associated, the dysregulated expression of miRs in inflammatory adipocytes, T-cells, and macrophages suggest the importance of miRs in OAI. Therefore, in this review article, we have elaborated the role of miRs as epigenetic regulators affecting adipocyte differentiation, immune response, AT browning, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, insulin resistance (IR), glucose homeostasis, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Further, we will discuss a set of altered miRs as novel biomarkers for metabolic disease progression and therapeutic targets for obesity.