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Zhang Y, Shi X, Shi M, Li J, Liu Q. Androgens and androgen receptor directly induce the thickening, folding, and vascularization of the seahorse abdominal dermal layer into a placenta-like structure responsible for male pregnancy via multiple signaling pathways. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 279:135039. [PMID: 39197609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Seahorses exhibit the unique characteristic of male pregnancy, which incubates numerous embryos in a brood pouch that plays an essential role in enhancing offspring survivability. The pot-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) possesses the largest body size among seahorses and is a significant species in Chinese aquaculture. In this study, we revealed the cytological and morphological characteristics, as well as regulatory mechanisms, throughout the entire brood pouch development in H. abdominalis. The brood pouch originated from the abdominal dermis, extending towards the ventral midline. As the dermal layers thicken, the inner epithelium folds, the stroma loosens, and vascularization occurs, culminating in the formation of the brood pouch. Furthermore, through transcriptomic analysis of brood pouches at various developmental stages, 8 key genes (tgfb3, fgf2, wnt7a, pgf, mycn, tln2, jund, ccn4) closely related to the development of brood pouch were identified in the MAPK, Rap1, TGF-β, and Wnt signaling pathways. These genes were highly expressed in the pseudoplacenta and dermal layers at the newly formed stage as examined by in situ hybridization (ISH). The angiogenesis, densification of collagen fibers, and proliferation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells in seahorse brood pouch formation may be regulated by these genes and pathways. Additionally, the expression of the androgen receptor gene (ar) was significantly upregulated during the formation of the brood pouch, and ISH confirmed the expression of the ar gene in the dermis and pseudoplacenta of the brood pouch, highlighting its role in the developmental process. Androgen and flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist) treatments significantly accelerated the formation of the brood pouch and completely inhibited its occurrence respectively, concomitant to the upregulated expression of differentially expressed genes involved above signaling pathways. These findings demonstrated that formation of the brood pouch is determined by androgen and the androgen receptor activates the above signaling pathways in the brood pouch through the regulation of fgf2, tgfb3, pgf, and wnt7a. Interestingly, androgen even induced the formation of the brood pouch in females. We firstly elucidated the formation of the seahorse brood pouch, demonstrating that androgens and their receptors directly induce the thickening, folding, and vascularization of the abdominal dermal layer into a placenta-like structure through multiple signaling pathways. These findings provide foundational insights to further exploring the evolution of male pregnancy and adaptive convergence in viviparity across vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266000, China; Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Xuehui Shi
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Meilun Shi
- School of Marine Science and Engineering, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.
| | - Qinghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China; Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.
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Haj Mohammad Hassani B, Malekzadeh K. The lethal homozygous variant in the ATP1A2 gene is associated with FARIMPD syndrome phenotypes in newborns. Neurogenetics 2024:10.1007/s10048-024-00775-7. [PMID: 39046620 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-024-00775-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
FARIMPD (Fetal akinesia, respiratory insufficiency, microcephaly, polymicrogyria, and dysmorphic facies) syndrome is a severe condition caused by ATP1A2 gene variants. The syndrome's novelty and rarity have limited its clinical and molecular knowledge. This research tries to provide new insight by investigating the cause of the early deaths due to FARIMPD syndrome in a particular family and reviewing previous studies. DNA and RNA were extracted from the blood samples of newborns and their parents, followed by whole exome sequencing and segregation analysis. A pathogenic homozygous nonsense variant (c.1234C > T: p.Arg412*) in the ATP1A2 gene was found in newborns. This variant is reported as homozygous for the first time. The migraine symptoms were the result of the heterozygous state of this particular variant, which supported the dominant inheritance pattern of this disease. Real-time PCR was used to analyze ATP1A2 gene expression in the newborns compared to parents and control subjects. The expression analysis also showed significant mRNA degradation in the newborns compared to heterozygous and healthy individuals, due to Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay phenomena. Our study describes an ATP1A2 nonsense variant (c.1234C > T) that appears compatible with infant survival in the heterozygous and compound heterozygous states but is lethal in the homozygous state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Haj Mohammad Hassani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Kianoosh Malekzadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
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Salloom RJ, Ahmad IM, Abdalla MY. Targeting heme degradation pathway augments prostate cancer cell sensitivity to docetaxel-induced apoptosis and attenuates migration. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1431362. [PMID: 39091910 PMCID: PMC11291216 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1431362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chemotherapy, notably docetaxel (Doc), stands as the primary treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, its efficacy is hindered by side effects and chemoresistance. Hypoxia in prostate cancer (PC) correlates with chemoresistance to Doc-induced apoptosis via Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) modulation, a key enzyme in heme metabolism. This study investigated targeting heme degradation pathway via HO-1 inhibition to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of Doc in PC. Methods Utilizing diverse PC cell lines, we evaluated HO-1 inhibition alone and with Doc on viability, apoptosis, migration, and epithelial- to- mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Results HO-1 inhibition significantly reduced PC cell viability under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, enhancing Doc-induced apoptosis through interconnected mechanisms, including elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, glutathione cycle disruption, and modulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) pathway. The interplay between STAT1 and HO-1 suggests its reliance on HO-1 activation. Additionally, a decrease in cell migration and downregulation of EMT markers (vimentin and snail) were observed, indicating attenuation of mesenchymal phenotype. Discussion In conclusion, the combination of HO-1 inhibition with Doc holds promise for improving therapeutic outcomes and advancing clinical management in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramia J. Salloom
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Iman M. Ahmad
- Department of Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Maher Y. Abdalla
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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Guo K, Qu Z, Yu Y, Zou C. Identification of an 11-miRNA-regulated and surface-protein genes signature predicts the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma based on multi-omics study. Am J Transl Res 2024; 16:1568-1586. [PMID: 38883394 PMCID: PMC11170602 DOI: 10.62347/cwmt4815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide, signifying a critical need for improved prognostic tools. A growing number of studies have highlighted the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their regulatory functions in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In this context, we performed an extensive analysis of bulk RNA- and miRNA-sequencing to identify LUAD-associated prognostic genes. A risk score system based on 11 miRNA-regulated and surface-protein genes was developed, which was later validated by internally and externally using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), respectively. Further single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed significant interactions between various cellular subpopulations within the tumor microenvironment, with the most pronounced differences observed between endothelial and epithelial cells. The mutational analysis highlighted TP53 as a key signaling pathway associated with the risk score. The study underscores that immune suppression, indicated by a positive association with regulatory T cells (Tregs) and an inverse correlation with M1-type macrophages, is prevalent in high-risk LUAD patients. These findings provide a promising prognostic tool for clinical outcomes of LUAD patients, facilitating future development of therapeutic strategies and enhancing our understanding of the regulatory function of miRNAs in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyu Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Harbin 150000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhenbo Qu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Harbin 150000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yibo Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Harbin 150000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chendan Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University Harbin 150000, Heilongjiang, China
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Cao H, Wang Y, Zhang D, Liu B, Zhou H, Wang S. Periprostatic Adipose Tissue: A New Perspective for Diagnosing and Treating Prostate Cancer. J Cancer 2024; 15:204-217. [PMID: 38164282 PMCID: PMC10751678 DOI: 10.7150/jca.89750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common tumor of the male genitourinary system. It will eventually progress to fatal metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, for which treatment options are limited. Adipose tissues are distributed in various parts of the body. They have different morphological structures and functional characteristics and are associated with the development of various tumors. Periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) is the closest white visceral adipose tissue to the prostate and is part of the PCa tumor microenvironment. Studies have shown that PPAT is involved in PCa development, progression, invasion, and metastasis through the secretion of multiple active molecules. Factors such as obesity, diet, exercise, and organochlorine pesticides can affect the development of PCa indirectly or directly through PPAT. Based on the mechanism of PPAT's involvement in regulating PCa, this review summarized various diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PCa with potential applications to assess the progression of patients' disease and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Cao
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Difei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Urology II, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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He P, Dai Q, Wu X. New insight in urological cancer therapy: From epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to application of nano-biomaterials. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 229:115672. [PMID: 36906272 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A high number of cancer-related deaths (up to 90) are due to metastasis and simple definition of metastasis is new colony formation of tumor cells in a secondary site. In tumor cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulates metastasis and invasion, and it is a common characteristic of malignant tumors. Prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cancer are three main types of urological tumors that their malignant and aggressive behaviors are due to abnormal proliferation and metastasis. EMT has been well-documented as a mechanism for promoting invasion of tumor cells and in the current review, a special attention is directed towards understanding role of EMT in malignancy, metastasis and therapy response of urological cancers. The invasion and metastatic characteristics of urological tumors enhance due to EMT induction and this is essential for ensuring survival and ability in developing new colonies in neighboring and distant tissues and organs. When EMT induction occurs, malignant behavior of tumor cells enhances and their tend in developing therapy resistance especially chemoresistance promotes that is one of the underlying reasons for therapy failure and patient death. The lncRNAs, microRNAs, eIF5A2, Notch-4 and hypoxia are among common modulators of EMT mechanism in urological tumors. Moreover, anti-tumor compounds such as metformin can be utilized in suppressing malignancy of urological tumors. Besides, genes and epigenetic factors modulating EMT mechanism can be therapeutically targeted for interfering malignancy of urological tumors. Nanomaterials are new emerging agents in urological cancer therapy that they can improve potential of current therapeutics by their targeted delivery to tumor site. The important hallmarks of urological cancers including growth, invasion and angiogenesis can be suppressed by cargo-loaded nanomaterials. Moreover, nanomaterials can improve chemotherapy potential in urological cancer elimination and by providing phototherapy, they mediate synergistic tumor suppression. The clinical application depends on development of biocompatible nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng He
- Department of Urology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qiang Dai
- Department of Urology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaojun Wu
- Department of Urology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Wang B, Huang L, Ye S, Zheng Z, Liao S. Identification of Novel Prognostic Biomarkers That are Associated with Immune Microenvironment Based on GABA-Related Molecular Subtypes in Gastric Cancer. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2023; 16:665-679. [PMID: 37405024 PMCID: PMC10315139 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s411862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. Despite this, the role of Reactome GABA receptor activation (RGRA) on gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. This study was intended to screen RGRA-related genes in GC and investigate their prognostic value. Methods GSVA algorithm was used to assess the score of RGRA. GC patients were divided into two subtypes based on the median score of RGRA. GSEA, functional enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed between the two subgroups. Then, differentially expressed analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to identify RGRA-related genes. The prognosis and expression of core genes were analyzed and validated in the TCGA database, GEO database, and clinical samples. ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms were used to assess the immune cell infiltration in the low- and high-core genes subgroups. Results High-RGRA subtype had a poor prognosis and activated immune-related pathways, as well as an activated immune microenvironment. ATP1A2 was identified to be the core gene. The expression of ATP1A2 was associated with the overall survival rate and tumor stage, and its expression was down-regulated in GC patients. Furthermore, ATP1A2 expression was positively correlated with the level of immune cells, including B cells, CD8 T cells, cytotoxic cells, DC, eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, NK cells, and T cells. Conclusion Two RGRA-related molecular subtypes were identified that could predict the outcome in GC patients. ATP1A2 was a core immunoregulatory gene and was associated with prognosis and immune cell infiltration in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Linlin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanliang Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongwen Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanying Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
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