Targeting Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) as an Effective Strategy to Inhibit Tumor Cell Proliferation

DEAD/H-box helicase 11 is transcriptionally activated by Yin Yang-1 and accelerates oral squamous cell carcinoma progression

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy. DEAD/H-box helicase 11 (DDX11), a DNA helicase, has been implicated in the progression of several cancers. Yet, the precise function of DDX11 in OSCC is poorly understood. The DDX11 expression in OSCC cells and normal oral keratinocytes was evaluated in the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE146483 and GSE31853). SCC-4 and CAL-27 cells expressing doxycycline-inducible DDX11 or DDX11 shRNA were generated by lentiviral infection. The role of DDX11 in OSCC cells was determined by 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry assay, TUNEL staining, and western blot. The effects of DDX11 on tumor growth were explored in a xenograft nude mouse model. The relationship between DDX11 and transcription factor Yin Yang-1 (YY1) was researched using the dual luciferase report assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. DDX11 expression was significantly upregulated in OSCC cells. Knockdown of DDX11 inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, and suppressed PI3K-AKT pathway, while DDX11 overexpression showed opposite effects. The number of apoptotic cells was increased in DDX11 silenced cells. DDX11 upregulation or knockdown accelerated or suppressed tumor growth in vivo, respectively. Moreover, the YY1 bound and activated the DDX11 promoter, resulting in increasing DDX11 expression. Forced expression DDX11 reversed the anticancer effects of YY1 silencing on OSCC cells. DDX11 has tumor-promoting function in OSCC and is transcriptionally regulated by YY1, indicating that DDX11 may serve as a potential target for the OSCC treatment.

Tumoral Malignancy Decreases Coupled with Higher ROS and Lipid Peroxidation in HCT116 Colon Cancer Cells upon Loss of PRDX6

Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) is an atypical member of the peroxiredoxin family that presents not only peroxidase but also phospholipase A2 and lysophosphatidylcholine acyl transferase activities able to act on lipid hydroperoxides of cell membranes. It has been associated with the proliferation and invasive capacity of different tumoral cells including colorectal cancer cells, although the effect of its removal in these cells has not been yet studied. Here, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we constructed an HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line knockout for PRDX6 to study whether the mechanisms described for other cancer cells in terms of proliferation, migration, and invasiveness also apply in this tumoral cell line. HCT116 cells lacking PRDX6 showed increased ROS and lipid peroxidation, a decrease in the antioxidant response regulator NRF2, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased sensitivity to ferroptosis. All these alterations lead to a decrease in proliferation, migration, and invasiveness in these cells. Furthermore, the reduced migratory and invasive capacity of HCT116 cancer cells is consistent with the observed cadherin switch and decrease in pro-invasive proteins such as MMPs. Therefore, the mechanism behind the effects of loss of PRDX6 in HCT116 cells could differ from that in HepG2 cells which is coherent with the fact that the correlation of PRDX6 expression with patient survival is different in hepatocellular carcinomas. Nonetheless, our results point to this protein as a good therapeutic target also for colorectal cancer.

Advances in the role of resveratrol and its mechanism of action in common gynecological tumors

The incidence of common gynecological malignancies remains high, with current treatments facing multiple limitations and adverse effects. Thus, continuing the search for safe and effective oncologic treatment strategies continues. Resveratrol (RES), a natural non-flavonoid polyphenolic compound, is widely found in various plants and fruits, such as grapes, Reynoutria japonica Houtt., peanuts, and berries. RES possesses diverse biological properties, including neuroprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and osteoporosis inhibition effects. Notably, RES is broadly applicable in antitumor therapy, particularly for treating gynecological tumors (cervical, endometrial, and ovarian carcinomas). RES exerts antitumor effects by promoting tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, regulating tumor cell autophagy, and enhancing the efficacy of antitumor drugs while minimizing their toxic side effects. However, comprehensive reviews on the role of RES in combating gynecological tumors and its mechanisms of action are lacking. This review aims to fill this gap by examining the RES antitumor mechanisms of action in gynecological tumors, providing valuable insights for clinical treatment.

DNA demethylase TET2-mediated reduction of HADHB expression contributes to cadmium-induced malignant progression of colorectal cancer

Environmental exposure to the cadmium (Cd) has been shown to be a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, but the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that chronic Cd (3 μM) exposure promoted the proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of CRC cells in vitro, as well as lung metastasis in vivo. RNA-seq and TCGA-COAD datasets revealed that decreased hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex subunit beta (HADHB) expression may be a crucial factor in Cd-induced CRC progression. Further analysis using qRT-PCR and tissue microarrays from CRC patients showed that HADHB expression was significantly reduced in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and low HADHB expression was associated with adverse clinical features and poor overall survival, either directly or through TNM stage. Furthermore, HADHB was found to play an important role in the Cd-induced malignant metastatic phenotype of CRC cells and lung metastasis in mice. Mechanistically, we discovered that chronic Cd exposure resulted in hypermethylation of the HADHB promoter region via inhibition of DNA demethylase tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), which then led to decreased HADHB expression and activation of the FAK signaling pathway, and ultimately contributed to CRC progression. In conclusion, this study provided a new potential insight and evaluable biomarker for Cd exposure-induced CRC progression and treatment.

Luteolin as a potential therapeutic candidate for lung cancer: Emerging preclinical evidence

Lung cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor and a leading cause of cancer-related fatalities globally. However, current treatments all have limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify a readily available therapeutic agent to counteract lung cancer development and progression. Luteolin is a flavonoid derived from vegetables and herbs that possesses preventive and therapeutic effects on various cancers. With the goal of providing new directions for the treatment of lung cancer, we review here the recent findings on luteolin so as to provide new ideas for the development of new anti-lung cancer drugs. The search focused on studies published between January 1995 and January 2024 that explored the use of luteolin in lung cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the SCOPUS, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases using the keywords "luteolin" and "lung cancer." By collecting previous literature, we found that luteolin has multiple mechanisms of therapeutic effects, including promotion of apoptosis in lung cancer cells; inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis; and modulation of immune responses. In addition, it can be used as an adjuvant to radio-chemotherapy and helps to ameliorate cancer complications. This review summarizes the structure, natural sources, physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics of luteolin, and focuses on the anti-lung cancer mechanism of luteolin, so as to provide new ideas for the development of new anti-lung cancer drugs.

Study on the mechanism of S100A4-mediated cancer oncogenesis in uveal melanoma cells through the integration of bioinformatics and in vitro experiments

BACKGROUND

The elevated metastasis rate of uveal melanoma (UM) is intricately correlated with patient prognosis, significantly affecting the quality of life. S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) has tumorigenic properties; therefore, the present study investigated the impact of S100A4 on UM cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion using bioinformatics and in vitro experiments.

METHODS

Bioinformatic analysis was used to screen S100A4 as a hub gene and predict its possible mechanism in UM cells, and the S100A4 silencing cell line was constructed. The impact of S100A4 silencing on the proliferative ability of UM cells was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Annexin V-FITC/PI double fluorescence and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to observe the effects of apoptosis on UM cells. The effect of S100A4 silencing on the migratory and invasive capabilities of UM cells was assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of related proteins.

RESULTS

The present study found that S100A4 is a biomarker of UM, and its high expression is related to poor prognosis. After constructing the S100A4 silencing cell line, cell viability, clone number, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, and survivin expression were decreased in UM cells. The cell apoptosis rate and relative fluorescence intensity increased, accompanied by increased levels of Bax and caspase-3 and decreased levels of Bcl-2. Additionally, a decrease in the cell migration index and relative invasion rate was observed with increased E-cadherin expression and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin protein expression.

CONCLUSION

S100A4 silencing can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion and synchronously induces apoptosis in UM cells.

Unraveling malignant phenotype of peritumoral tissue: transcriptomic insights into early-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma displays high survival rates due to early detection and treatments. However, there is still a chance of relapse of 3-15% after treatment. The aim of this study was to uncover the distinctive transcriptomic characteristics and monitoring prognosis potential of peritumoral tissue in early-stage cases.

METHODS

RNA was isolated from tumoral, peritumoral, and non-tumoral breast tissue from surgical resection of 10 luminal early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma patients. Transcriptome expression profiling for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identification was carried out through microarray analysis. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathways enrichment analysis were explored for functional characterization of identified DEGs. Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI) networks analysis was performed to identify hub nodes of peritumoral tissue alterations and correlated with Overall Survival and Relapse Free Survival.

RESULTS

DEGs closely related with cell migration, extracellular matrix organization, and cell cycle were upregulated in peritumoral tissue compared to non-tumoral. Analyzing PPI networks, we observed that the proximity to tumor leads to the alteration of gene modules involved in cell proliferation and differentiation signaling pathways. In fact, in the peritumoral area were identified the top ten upregulated hub nodes including CDK1, ESR1, NOP58, PCNA, EZH2, PPP1CA, BUB1, TGFBR1, CXCR4, and CCND1. A signature performed by four of these hub nodes (CDK1, PCNA, EZH2, and BUB1) was associated with relapse events in untreated luminal breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study characterizes in depth breast peritumoral tissue providing clues on the changes that tumor signaling could cause in patients with early-stage breast cancer. We propose that the use of a four gene signature could help to predict local relapse. Overall, our results highlight the value of peritumoral tissue as a potential source of new biomarkers for early detection of relapse and improvement in invasive ductal carcinoma patient's prognosis.

Differential tempol effects in prostatic cancer: angiogenesis and short- and long-term treatments

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second cause of cancer death among men worldwide. Several processes are involved in the development and progression of PCa such as angiogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study investigated the effect of short- or long-term Tempol treatment at different stages of prostate adenocarcinoma progression, focusing on angiogenic, proliferative, and stromal remodeling processes in TRAMP mice. The dorsolateral lobe of the prostate of TRAMP mice were evaluated at two different stages of PCa progression; early and late stages. Early stage was again divided into, short- or long-term. 50 mg/kg Tempol dose was administered orally. The results demonstrated that Tempol mitigated the prostate histopathological lesion progressions in the TRAMP mice in all treated groups. However, Tempol increased molecules involved in the angiogenic process such as CD31 and VEGFR2 relative frequencies, particularly in long-term treatment. In addition, Tempol upregulated molecule levels involved in angiogenesis and stromal remodeling process VEGF, TGF-β1, VE-cadherin and vimentin, particularly, in T8-16 group. Thus, it was concluded that Tempol treatment delayed prostatic lesion progression in the dorsolateral lobe of the TRAMP mice. However, Tempol also led to pro-angiogenic effects and glandular stromal microenvironment imbalance, especially, in the long-term treatment.

New link between RNH1 and E2F1: regulates the development of lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a non-small cell carcinoma. Ribonuclease/angiogenin inhibitor 1 (RNH1) exerts multiple roles in virous cancers. E2F1 is a critical transcription factor involved in the LUAD development. Here, we analyze the expression of RNH1 in LUAD patients, investigate the biological function of RNH1 in LUAD, and demonstrate its potential mechanisms through E2F1 in LUAD.

METHODS

In the present study, we presented the expression of RNH1 in LUAD based on the database and confirmed it by western blot detection of RNH1 in human LUAD tissues. Lentiviral infection was constructed to silence or overexpress RNH1 in NCI-H1395 and NCI-H1437 cells. We assess the role of RNH1 on proliferation in LUAD cells by MTT assay, colony formation assays, and cell cycle detection. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of RNH1 on apoptosis of LUAD cells. The function of RNH1 in invasion and migration was investigated by Transwell assay. Dual luciferase assay, ChIP detection, and pull-down assay were conducted to explore the association of E2F1 in the maintenance of RNH1 expression and function. The regulation of E2F1 on the functions of RNH1 in LUAD cells was explored. Mouse experiments were performed to confirm the in-vivo role of RNH1 in LUAD. mRNA sequencing indicated that RNH1 overexpression altered the expression profile of LUAD cells.

RESULTS

RNH1 expression in LUAD tissues of patients was presented in this work. Importantly, RNH1 knockdown improved the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of cells and RNH1 overexpression produced the opposite effects. Dual luciferase assay proved that E2F1 bound to the RNH1 promoter (-1064 ∼ -1054, -1514 ∼ -1504) to reduce the transcriptional activity of RNH1. ChIP assay indicated that E2F1 DNA was enriched at the RNH1 promoter (-1148 ∼ -943, -1628 ∼ -1423). Pull-down assays also showed the association between E2F1 and RNH1 promoter (-1148 ∼ -943). E2F1 overexpression contributed to the malignant behavior of LUAD cells, while RNH1 overexpression reversed it. High-throughput sequencing showed that RNH1 overexpression induced multiple genes expression changes, thereby modulating LUAD-related processes.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that binding of E2F1 to the RNH1 promoter may lead to inhibition of RNH1 expression and thus promoting the development of LUAD.

Thinking Outside the Box: Indirect Myc Modulation in Canine B-Cell Lymphoma

B-cell lymphomas (BCL) is the most frequent hematological cancer in dogs. Treatment typically consists of chemotherapy, with CHOP-based protocols. However, outcome remains generally poor, urging the exploration of new therapeutic strategies with a targeted approach. Myc transcription factor plays a crucial role in regulating cellular processes, and its dysregulation is implicated in numerous human and canine malignancies, including canine BCL (cBCL). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of indirectly inhibiting Myc in cBCL using BI2536 and MZ1 compounds in two in vitro models (CLBL-1 and KLR-1201). Both BI2536 and MZ1, alone and combined, affected cell viability in a significant concentration- and time-dependent manner. Western Blot revealed an upregulation of PLK1 expression in both cell lines upon treatment with BI2536, in association with a reduction in c-Myc protein levels. Conversely, MZ1 led to a decrease in its primary target, BRD4, along with a reduction in c-Myc. Furthermore, BI2536, both alone and in combination with MZ1, induced larger transcriptomic changes in cells compared to MZ1 alone, primarily affecting MYC target genes and genes involved in cell cycle regulation. These data underscore the potential role of Myc as therapeutic target in cBCL, providing a novel approach to indirectly modulate this molecule.

Targeting proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for cancer therapy

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential scaffold protein in many cellular processes. It is best known for its role as a DNA sliding clamp and processivity factor during DNA replication, which has been extensively reviewed by others. However, the importance of PCNA extends beyond its DNA-associated functions in DNA replication, chromatin remodelling, DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance (DDT), as new non-canonical roles of PCNA in the cytosol have recently been identified. These include roles in the regulation of immune evasion, apoptosis, metabolism, and cellular signalling. The diverse roles of PCNA are largely mediated by its myriad protein interactions, and its centrality to cellular processes makes PCNA a valid therapeutic anticancer target. PCNA is expressed in all cells and plays an essential role in normal cellular homeostasis; therefore, the main challenge in targeting PCNA is to selectively kill cancer cells while avoiding unacceptable toxicity to healthy cells. This chapter focuses on the stress-related roles of PCNA, and how targeting these PCNA roles can be exploited in cancer therapy.

miR-329b-5p Affects Sheep Intestinal Epithelial Cells against Escherichia coli F17 Infection

Diarrhea is the most common issue in sheep farms, typically due to pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections, such as E. coli F17. microRNA, a primary type of non-coding RNA, has been shown to be involved in diarrhea caused by pathogenic E. coli. To elucidate the profound mechanisms of miRNA in E. coli F17 infections, methods such as E. coli F17 adhesion assay, colony counting assay, relative quantification of bacterial E. coli fimbriae gene expression, indirect immune fluorescence (IF), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), Western blotting (WB), and scratch assay were conducted to investigate the effect of miR-329b-5p overexpression/knock-down on E. coli F17 susceptibility of sheep intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). The findings indicated that miR-329b-5p enhances the E. coli F17 resistance of sheep IECs to E.coli F17 by promoting adhesion between E. coli F17 and IEC, as well as IEC proliferation and migration. In summary, miR-329b-5p plays a crucial role in the defense of sheep IECs against E. coli F17 infection, providing valuable insights into its mechanism of action.

Comparison of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Expression among Nasal Polyp and Chronic Rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common inflammatory disorder in sinonasal mucosa that could be developed with or without nasal polyps. Cellular proliferation is suggested as a possible mechanism of nasal polyp development. However, conducted studies in this context are limited. So, the present study's aim is the comparison of Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in nasal polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 70 nasal polyp and 60 chronic rhinosinusitis samples from patients referred to Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran from 2017 to 2022 were immunohistochemically stained by PCNA marker. The percentage of PCNA nuclear expression was determined in two groups and its association with the type of pathological lesion and the patient's age and sex was analyzed by SPSS statistic software version 24 statistical software (IBM Statistics, USA).

RESULTS

The mean expression of PCNA in nasal polyp and chronic rhinosinusitis samples was 16.55% ± 13.66 and 17.58% ± 12.68 respectively (ranging from 0 to 57% in both groups) however, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups (p = 0.479). No relationship was found between PCNA expression with age and sex in none of the chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp groups.

CONCLUSION

Proliferative activity of the nasal epithelial cell is similar in chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps and it is considered that the increase of epithelial cell proliferative activity probably has no role in nasal polyp development in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Metabolically Glycoengineered Neural Stem Cells Boost Neural Repair After Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest (CA)-induced cerebral ischemia remains challenging with high mortality and disability. Neural stem cell (NSC) engrafting is an emerging therapeutic strategy with considerable promise that, unfortunately, is severely compromised by limited cell functionality after in vivo transplantation. This groundbreaking report demonstrates that metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) using the "Ac5ManNTProp (TProp)" monosaccharide analog stimulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, improves cell adhesion, and enhances neuronal differentiation in human NSCs in vitro thereby substantially increasing the therapeutic potential of these cells. For the first time, MGE significantly enhances NSC efficacy for treating ischemic brain injury after asphyxia CA in rats. In particular, neurological deficit scores and neurobehavioral tests experience greater improvements when the therapeutic cells are pretreated with TProp than with "stand-alone" NSC therapy. Notably, the TProp-NSC group exhibits significantly stronger neuroprotective functions including enhanced differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and reduced microglia recruitment; furthermore, Wnt pathway agonists and inhibitors demonstrate a pivotal role for Wnt signaling in the process. These findings help establish MGE as a promising avenue for addressing current limitations associated with NSC transplantation via beneficially influencing neural regeneration and synaptic plasticity, thereby offering enhanced therapeutic options to boost brain recovery following global ischemia.

NFKBIZ regulates NFκB signaling pathway to mediate tumorigenesis and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by direct interaction with TRIM16

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates. NFKBIZ, a member of the nuclear factor kappa B inhibitory family, is closely related to tumor progression. However, the precise role of NFKBIZ in HCC remains unclear. To explore this, we conducted a series of experiments from clinic to cells. Western blot and qPCR revealed a significant downregulation of NFKBIZ in human HCC tissues. Clinical character analysis showed that the patients with lower NFKBIZ expression had poorer prognosis and higher clinical stage. By using CCK-8, wound healing, transwell invasion and migration assay, we discovered that NFKBIZ expression was reversely associated with the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of HCC cells in vitro. Additionally, the results obtained from xenograft assay and lung metastasis models showed that NFKBIZ overexpression inhibited the growth and metastasis of HCC cells in vivo. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay further revealed that NFKBIZ mediated HCC cell growth and migration by regulating NFκB signaling transduction. Finally, flow cytometry, protein degradation assay and Co-immunoprecipitation indicated that TRIM16 can enhance NFKBIZ ubiquitination by direct interactions at its K48 site, which may thereby alleviate HCC cell apoptosis to induce the insensitivity to sorafenib. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that NFKBIZ regulated HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis by mediating NFκB signal transduction and TRIM16/NFKBIZ/NFκB axis may be the underlying mechanism of sorafenib insensitivity in HCC.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5/6 promotes endometrial cancer progression and cancer cell immune escape

The study investigated the potential association of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) genome with endometrial cancer progression based on the Gene Expression Omnibus data set and The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. Differential and weighted gene coexpression network analysis was performed on endometrial cancer transcriptome datasets GSE9750 and GSE106191. The protein-protein interaction network was built using LDL-receptor proteins and the top 50 tumor-associated genes. Low-density lipoprotein-related receptors 5/6 (LRP5/6) in endometrial cancer tissues were correlated with oncogenes, cell cycle-related genes, and immunological checkpoints using Spearman correlation. MethPrimer predicted the LRP5/6 promoter CpG island. LRP2, LRP6, LRP8, LRP12, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-associated protein, and LRP5 were major LDL-receptor-related genes associated with endometrial cancer. LRP5/6 was enriched in various cancer-related pathways and may be a key LDL-receptor-related gene in cancer progression. LRP5/6 may be involved in the proliferation process of endometrial cancer cells by promoting the expression of cell cycle-related genes. LRP5/6 may be involved in the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells by promoting the expression of cell cycle-related genes. LRP5/6 may promote the immune escape of cancer cells by promoting the expression of immune checkpoints, promoting endometrial cancer progression. The MethPrimer database predicted that the LRP5/6 promoter region contained many CpG islands, suggesting that DNA methylation can occur in the LRP5/6 promoter region. LRP5/6 may aggravate endometrial cancer by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway.

Identification of a potent PCNA-p15-interaction inhibitor by autodisplay-based peptide library screening

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential factor for DNA metabolism. The influence of PCNA on DNA replication and repair, combined with the high expression rate of PCNA in various tumours renders PCNA a promising target for cancer therapy. In this context, an autodisplay-based screening method was developed to identify peptidic PCNA interaction inhibitors. A 12-mer randomized peptide library consisting of 2.54 × 106 colony-forming units was constructed and displayed at the surface of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells by autodisplay. Cells exhibiting an enhanced binding to fluorescent mScarlet-I-PCNA were enriched in four sorting rounds by flow cytometry. This led to the discovery of five peptide variants with affinity to mScarlet-I-PCNA. Among these, P3 (TCPLRWITHDHP) exhibited the highest binding signal. Subsequent flow cytometric analysis revealed a dissociation constant of 0.62 μM for PCNA-P3 interaction. Furthermore, the inhibition of PCNA interactions was investigated using p15, a PIP-box containing protein involved in DNA replication and repair. P3 inhibited the PCNA-p1551-70 interaction with a half maximal inhibitory activity of 16.2 μM, characterizing P3 as a potent inhibitor of the PCNA-p15 interaction.

SiRNA-HIF-1α delivered by attenuated Salmonella enhances the efficacy of Lenvatinib against hepatocellular carcinoma

The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major challenge in the medical field. Lenvatinib, a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated anti-HCC effects by targeting and inhibiting pathways such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1-3 (VEGFR1-3). However, the therapeutic efficacy of Lenvatinib is subject to various influences, with the hypoxic microenvironment of the tumor being a pivotal factor. Consequently, altering the hypoxic milieu of the tumor emerges as a viable strategy to augment the efficacy of Lenvatinib. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), synthesized by tumor cells in response to oxygen-deprived conditions, regulates the expression of resistance genes, promotes tumor angiogenesis and cell proliferation, enhances tumor cell invasion, and confers resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Thus, we constructed a self-designed siRNA targeting HIF-1α to suppress its expression and improve the efficacy of Lenvatinib in treating HCC. The therapeutic efficacy of siRNA-HIF-1α in combination with Lenvatinib on HCC were evaluated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results showed that the recombinant Salmonella delivering siRNA-HIF-1α in combination with Lenvatinib effectively inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. This treatment approach reduced cell proliferation and angiogenesis in HCC tissues while promoting tumor cell apoptosis. Additionally, this combined therapy significantly increased the infiltration of T lymphocytes and M1 macrophages within the tumor microenvironment, as well as elevated the proportion of immune cells in the spleen, thereby potentiating the host's immune response against the tumor.

Squalene monooxygenase facilitates bladder cancer development in part by regulating PCNA

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Although the treatment and survival rate of BC are being improved, the risk factors and the underlying mechanisms causing BC are incompletely understood. Squalene monooxygenase (SQLE) has been associated with the occurrence and development of multiple cancers but whether it contributes to BC development is unclear. In this study, we performed bioinformatics analysis on paired BC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues and found that SQLE expression is significantly upregulated in BC samples. Knockdown of SQLE impairs viability, induces apoptosis, and inhibits the migration and invasion of BC cells. RNA-seq data reveals that SQLE deficiency leads to dysregulated expression of genes regulating proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Mass spectrometry-directed interactome screening identifies proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as an SQLE-interacting protein and overexpression of PCNA partially rescues the impaired viability, migration, and invasion of BC cells caused by SQLE knockdown. In addition, we performed xenograft assays and confirmed that SQLE deficiency inhibits BC growth in vivo. In conclusion, these data suggest that SQLE promotes BC development and SQLE inhibition may be therapeutically useful in BC treatment.

Echinatin inhibits tumor growth and synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents against human bladder cancer cells by activating p38 and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathways

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the urinary system. Due to the poor prognosis and high mortality rate of the disease, it is urgent to develop new drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity to treat BC. Echinatin (Ecn) is a bioactive natural flavonoid oflicorice that has attracted special attention for its promising anti-tumor potential. Herein, we explored the inhibitory effects of Echinatin on BC cells and probed the possible molecular mechanism. We found that Ecnin vitro inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and promoted apoptosis in BC cells. Besides, Ecn had no notable cytotoxicity towards human normal cells. We subsequently confirmed that Ecn restrained xenograft tumor growth and metastasis of BC cells in vivo. Mechanistically, Ecn activated the p38 signaling pathway but inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, while over-expression of β-catenin and the p38 inhibitor both attenuated the inhibitory effects of Ecn on BC cells. Remarkably, Ecn combined with cisplatin (DDP) or gemcitabine (Gem) had synergistic inhibitory effects on BC cells. In summary, our results validate that Ecn inhibits the tumor growth of human BC cells via p38 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. More meaningfully, our results suggest a potential strategy to enhance DDP- or Gem-induced inhibitory effects on BC cells by combining with Ecn.

FOXO1 regulates bovine skeletal muscle cells differentiation by targeting MYH3

The growth and development of bovine skeletal muscle and beef yield is closely intertwined. Our previous research found that forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) plays an important role in the regulation of beef muscle formation, but its specific mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the regulatory mechanism of FOXO1 in proliferation and differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle cells (BSMCs). The results showed that interfering with FOXO1 can promote proliferation and the cell G1/S phase of BSMCs by up-regulating the expression of PCNA, CDK1, CDK2, CCNA2, CCNB1, CCND1 and CCNE2. Besides, interfering with FOXO1 inhibited the apoptosis of BSMCs by up-regulating the expression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2, while simultaneously down-regulating the expression of the pro-apoptosis genes BAD and BAX. Inversely, interfering with FOXO1 can promote the differentiation of BSMCs by up-regulating the expression of myogenic differentiation marker genes MYOD, MYOG, MYF5, MYF6 and MYHC. Furthermore, RNA-seq combined with western bolt, immunofluorescence and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that FOXO1 could regulate BSMCs differentiation process by influencing PI3K-Akt, Relaxin and TGF-beta signaling pathways, and target MYH3 for transcriptional inhibition. In conclusion, this study provides a basis for studying the role and molecular mechanism of FOXO1 in BSMCs.

Effect of Oral Consumption of Vitamin D on Uterine Fibroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Impaired vitamin D status is highly prevalent among women with UFs. The objective of this first-ever systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the size of uterine fibroids (UFs). We performed a comprehensive literature search for published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to September 2022. Five trials including 511 participants (256 cases and 255 controls) were included. Pooling results from five trials, which compared size of UFs between experimental and placebo groups, revealed that vitamin D supplementation could significantly decrease the size of UFs (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.66, -0.31) and cause improvement in serum level of vitamin D compared to placebo group (SMD: 3.1, 95% CI: 0.66, 5.55). A significant effect was observed in the subset of trials administering vitamin D supplementation for >8 wk (SMD: -0.62, 95% CI: -0.88, -0.37). In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation significantly increases serum levels of vitamin D and reduces the size of UFs. However, larger, well-designed RCTs are still needed to determine the effect of vitamin D on other parameters of UFs.

Chlorogenic acid protects against intestinal inflammation and injury by inactivating the mtDNA-cGAS-STING signaling pathway in broilers under necrotic enteritis challenge

This study aimed to determine the effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the growth performance, intestinal health, immune response, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in broilers under necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge. The 180 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers with similar body weight of 44.59 ± 1.39 g were randomly allocated into 3 groups. The groups were control diet (Control group), control diet + NE challenge (NE group), and control diet + 500 mg/kg CGA + NE challenge (NE + CGA group), with 6 replicates per treatment. All broilers except the Control group were given sporulated coccidian oocysts (d 14) and Clostridium perfringens (d 19-21) by oral gavage. Our findings showed that CGA improved the growth performance and intestinal morphology in broilers under NE challenge. CGA supplementation elevated the barrier function in broilers under NE challenge, which reflected in the decreased serum concentrations of D-lactate and diamine oxidase, and upregulated jejunal protein expression of occludin. CGA supplementation also improved the immune function, which reflected in the increased concentrations and gene expressions of anti-inflammatory factors, and decreased concentrations and gene expressions of proinflammatory factors. CGA supplementation further enhanced intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation, which manifested in the increased number of goblet cells and positive cells of proliferating cell nuclear antigen on d 28 and 42. Furthermore, CGA supplementation decreased the mtDNA (d 42) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels (d 28 and 42), and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (d 42) and mitochondrial complex I (d 28 and 42) or III (d 28) activity. Broilers challenged with NE had upregulated jejunal protein expressions of cGAS, phospho-TANK-binding kinase 1, and phospho-interferon regulatory factor 7 compared with the Control group, which were downregulated after CGA supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation CGA could protect against intestinal inflammation and injury by reducing the leakage of mtDNA and inactivating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in broilers under NE challenge.

Macro CD5L+ deteriorates CD8+T cells exhaustion and impairs combination of Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin-Lenvatinib-anti-PD1 therapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Intratumoral immune status influences tumor therapeutic response, but it remains largely unclear how the status determines therapies for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Here, we examine the single-cell transcriptional and TCR profiles of 18 tumor tissues pre- and post- therapy of gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin, in combination with lenvatinib and anti-PD1 antibody for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We find that high CD8 GZMB+ and CD8 proliferating proportions and a low Macro CD5L+ proportion predict good response to the therapy. In patients with a poor response, the CD8 GZMB+ and CD8 proliferating proportions are increased, but the CD8 GZMK+ proportion is decreased after the therapy. Transition of CD8 proliferating and CD8 GZMB+ to CD8 GZMK+ facilitates good response to the therapy, while Macro CD5L+-CD8 GZMB+ crosstalk impairs the response by increasing CTLA4 in CD8 GZMB+. Anti-CTLA4 antibody reverses resistance of the therapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Our data provide a resource for predicting response of the combination therapy and highlight the importance of CD8+T-cell status conversion and exhaustion induced by Macro CD5L+ in influencing the response, suggesting future avenues for cancer treatment optimization.

Molecular mechanism of α-Hederin in tumor progression

α-Hederin is a monosaccharide pentacyclic triterpene saponin compound derived from the Chinese herb, Pulsatilla. It has garnered considerable attention for its anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and spasmolytic pharmacological activities. Given the rising incidence of cancer and the pronounced adverse reactions associated with chemotherapy drugs-which profoundly impact the quality of life for cancer patients-there is an immediate need for safe and effective antitumor agents. Traditional drugs and their anticancer effects have become a focal point of research in recent years. Studies indicate that α-Hederin can hinder tumor cell proliferation and impede the advancement of various cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, and liver cancers. The principal mechanism behind its anti-tumor activity involves inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, facilitating tumor cell apoptosis, and arresting the cell cycle process. Current evidence suggests that α-Hederin can exert its anti-tumor properties through diverse mechanisms, positioning it as a promising agent in anti-tumor therapy. However, a comprehensive literature search revealed a gap in the comprehensive understanding of α-Hederin. This paper aims to review the available literature on the anti-tumor mechanisms of α-Hederin, hoping to provide valuable insights for the clinical treatment of malignant tumors and the innovation of novel anti-tumor medications.

Research progress of good markers for canine mammary carcinoma

PURPOSE

Mammary gland tumors are the most common neoplastic diseases in elderly female dogs, about 50% of which are considered to be malignant. Canine mammary tumors are similar to human breast cancers in many respects, so canine mammary tumors are frequently studied alongside human breast cancer. This article mentioned KI-67, HER-2, COX-2, BRCA1, BRCA2, P53, CA15-3, MicroRNA, Top2α and so on. All these markers are expected to have an important role in the clinic.

METHODS

Existing markers of canine mammary carcinoma are reviewed, and the expression of each marker and its diagnostic role for this tumor are described in detail.

RESULTS

This article introduced several effective markers of canine mammary tumors, among them, antigen KI-67 (KI-67), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) are promising and can be detected in both serum and tissue samples. Breast cancer caused by mutations in the breast cancer 1 gene (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 gene (BRCA2) is also a hot topic of research. In addition to the above symbols, tumor protein p53 (p53), cancer antigen15-3 (CA15-3), MicroRNA (miRNA), topoisomerase πα (Top2α), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and E-cadherin will also be involved in this paper. We will also mention Mammaglobin, which has been rarely reported so far.

PEG-conjugated bovine haemoglobin enhances efficiency of chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin with alleviating DOX-induced splenocardiac toxicity in the breast cancer

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent widely used for cancer treatment. However, hypoxia in tumour tissue and obvious adverse effects particularly cardiotoxicity restricts the clinical usage of DOX. Our study is based on the co-administration of haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and DOX in a breast cancer model to investigate HBOCs' ability to enhance chemotherapeutic effectiveness and its capabilities to alleviate the side effects induced by DOX. In an in-vitro study, the results suggested the cytotoxicity of DOX was significantly improved when combined with HBOCs in a hypoxic environment, and produced more γ-H2AX indicating higher DNA damage than free DOX did. Compared with administration of free DOX, combined therapy exhibited a stronger tumour suppressive effect in an in-vivo study. Further mechanism studies showed that the expression of various proteins such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), CD31, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumour tissues was also significantly reduced in the combined treatment group. In addition, HBOCs can significantly reduce the splenocardiac toxicity induced by DOX, according to the results of the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and histological investigation. This study suggested that PEG-conjugated bovine haemoglobin may not only reduce the hypoxia in tumours and increase the efficiency of chemotherapeutic agent DOX, but also alleviate the irreversible heart toxicity caused by DOX-inducted splenocardiac dysregulation.

CircMMP11 as a prognostic biomarker mediates miR-361-3p/HMGB1 axis to accelerate malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

As a high metastatic tumor, patients having hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) show poor prognosis. The carcinogenic roles of circMMP11 are generally described in the development of other cancers. However, there is a lack of studies on its involvement in HCC. Therefore, we investigated the potential role and molecular mechanisms of CircMMP11 in the development of HCC in vitro, providing preliminary evidence for the clinical treatment of HCC. First, we examined the expression of CircMMP11 in HCC tissues and cell lines in both clinical and in vitro experiments. We then used a loss-of-function assay to determine CircMMP11's regulatory role on the malignant characteristics of HCC cells. The results showed that high expression of CircMMP11 in HCC was associated with patient overall survival. Serum CircMMP11 had good diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing HCC patients from the control group. In vitro, inhibiting CircMMP11 suppressed the malignant characteristics of human HCC cell lines by directly sequestering miR-361-3p, which further affected the downstream gene HMGB1 expression. In addition, we knocked down CircMMP11 and found that its deletion inhibited the malignant characteristics of HCC cells through the miR-361-3p/HMGB1 axis.

2-Methoxyestradiol inhibits the proliferation level in keloid fibroblasts through p38 in the MAPK/Erk signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

The MAPK/Erk signaling pathway is a classic pathway in cell proliferation. Our former study showed that keloid tissue revealed a higher proliferation level than physiological scars and normal skin. As a natural metabolite of estradiol, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) showed an inhibition proliferation effect on tumor cells.

AIM

In this study, the treatment effect of 2ME2 and its potential mechanisms are explored.

METHODS

Six keloid patients and six non-keloid patients were randomly selected from the Department of Plastic Surgery at our hospital during June 2021 to December 2021. Six groups were established: normal skin fibroblasts (N); keloid fibroblasts (K); keloid fibroblasts treated with 2ME2 (K + 2ME2); keloid fibroblasts treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (K + DMSO); keloid fibroblasts treated with doramapimod (K + IN); keloid fibroblasts treated with doramapimod (p38 inhibitor) and 2ME2 (K + IN+2ME2). The fibroblast activity and key factor expression of the MAPK/Erk signaling pathway were measured.

RESULTS

In the results, 2ME2 significantly inhibited keloid fibroblast activity and key factor expression (except STAT1).

CONCLUSION

The proliferation levels were reduced by both the p38 inhibitor and 2ME2, indicating 2ME2 may achieve an antiproliferation effect by targeting p38 in keloid fibroblasts.

β-Sitosterol activates autophagy to inhibit the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the complement C5a receptor 1/alpha fetoprotein axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly refractory. β-Sitosterol has been reported to suppress proliferation and migration as well as interfere with cell metabolism in tumors. However, there is limited information on the effects of β-sitosterol on HCC. Herein, we used a xenograft mouse model to investigate the effects of β-sitosterol on HCC tumor growth. The molecular mechanism was elucidated using quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, lentiviral transfection, CCK8, scratch, Transwell, and Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B assays. The results showed that HepG2 cells highly expressed complement C5a receptor 1. β-Sitosterol antagonized complement component 5a and exerted inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. The inhibitory effect of β-sitosterol was reversed by the knockdown of complement C5a receptor 1. Bioinformatics analysis suggested alpha fetoprotein (AFP) as a downstream factor of complement C5a receptor 1. β-Sitosterol inhibited AFP expression, which was reversed by complement C5a receptor 1 knockdown. The inhibitory effects of β-sitosterol on cell proliferation and migration were weakened by AFP overexpression. Furthermore, β-sitosterol induced autophagy in HepG2 cells, which was reversed by complement C5a receptor 1 knockdown and AFP overexpression. Blockade of autophagy by 3-MA attenuated β-sitosterol inhibition of proliferation and migration in HepG2 cells. Moreover, β-sitosterol inhibited HCC progression in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that β-sitosterol inhibits HCC advancement by activating autophagy through the complement C5a receptor 1/AFP axis. These findings recommend β-sitosterol as a promising therapy for HCC.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist induces mouse hepatomegaly through the spatial hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) activation-induced hepatomegaly is accompanied by hepatocyte hypertrophy around the central vein (CV) area and hepatocyte proliferation around the portal vein (PV) area. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this spatial change of hepatocytes remains unclear. In this study, we examined the characteristics and possible reasons for the zonation distinction of hypertrophy and proliferation during PPARα activation-induced mouse liver enlargement. Mice were injected with corn oil or a typical mouse PPARα agonist WY-14643 (100 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.p.) for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 days. At each time point, the mice were sacrificed after the final dose, and liver tissues and serum were harvested for analysis. We showed that PPARα activation induced zonal changes in hepatocyte hypertrophy and proliferation in the mice. In order to determine the zonal expression of proteins related to hepatocyte hypertrophy and proliferation in PPARα-induced liver enlargement, we performed digitonin liver perfusion to separately destroy the hepatocytes around the CV or PV areas, and found that PPARα activation-induced increase magnitude of its downstream targets such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4 A and acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACOX1) levels around the CV area were higher compared with those around the PV area. Upregulation of proliferation-related proteins such as cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin A1 (CCNA1) after WY-14643-induced PPARα activation mainly occurred around the PV area. This study reveals that the zonal expression of PPARα targets and proliferation-related proteins is responsible for the spatial change of hepatocyte hypertrophy and proliferation after PPARα activation. These findings provide a new insight into the understanding of PPARα activation-induced liver enlargement and regeneration.

Hsa_circ_0017956 Acts as miR-758-3p Sponge to Facilitate the Progression of Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer by Regulating FOXP4 Expression

Accumulating studies have demonstrated the important role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the progression of different human tumors, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to deeply study the function and mechanism of circ_0017956 in NSCLC. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to detect the expression of circ_0017956, microRNA-758-3p (miR-758-3p), and Forkhead Box P4 (FOXP4). Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels. Cell proliferation was examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Transwell assay was applied to detect cell migratory and invasive capacities. The angiogenesis ability was evaluated by tube formation experiment. The target relationship between miR-758-3p and circ_0017956 or FOXP4 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Animal experiment was conducted to assess the effect of circ_0017956 in vivo. Circ_0017956 and FOXP4 were upregulated, while miR-758-3p was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Silencing of circ_0017956 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, but promoted cell apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Mechanically, circ_0017956 functioned as a sponge for miR-758-3p and miR-758-3p could directly interact with FOXP4. Moreover, silencing of miR-758-3p or overexpression of FOXP4 could overturn the anticancer influence of circ_0017956 interference on NSCLC cells. Besides that, circ_0017956 knockdown hindered tumor growth in vivo. Altogether, circ_0017956 promoted the progression of NSCLC by regulating FOXP4 through sponging miR-758-3p.

Novel studies on Isolation, purification and characterization of dibenzonitro compound from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. and effect in downregulating neuronal cancers

To isolate Letrozole from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. and to determine its effect on regulating the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and key mechanisms in human neuroblastoma cell lines. Letrozole was isolated through column chromatographic technique and its effect was checked on human neuroblastoma cell lines, IMR 32. The effects of Letrozole on cell viability were measured by MTT assay, and the cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression changes in mRNA of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL were taken from real-time PCR analysis and the protein levels were detected by Western blotting. The results of the present study showed that Letrozole, isolated from leaves of G. pentaphylla could cause significant inhibitory effect on proliferation of IMR 32 cells in a dose dependent manner. Cell arrest was obtained at S phase with the treatment of Letrozole. Apart from this, the expression of PCNA, cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL were decreased both at mRNA and protein levels for the same treatment. Letrozole can inhibit proliferation, induce cell arrest and cause apoptosis in IMR 32 cell lines. The decreased expression of PCNA, cyclin D1 and Bcl-xL induced by Letrozole contributes to the above effects in vitro. This is the first report on the isolation of Letrozole from G. pentaphylla.

Molecular mechanism of palmitic acid and its derivatives in tumor progression

Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in coconut oil and palm oil. It serves as an energy source for the body and plays a role in the structure and function of cell membranes. Beyond its industrial applications, PA has gained attention for its potential therapeutic properties. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that PA exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing effects. In recent years, PA has emerged as a promising anti-tumor agent with demonstrated efficacy against various malignancies including gastric cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Its anti-tumor effects encompass inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, suppressing metastasis and invasion, enhancing sensitivity to chemotherapy, and improving immune function. The main anticancer mechanism of palmitic acid (PA) involves the induction of cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, facilitated by the promotion of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. PA also exhibits interference with the cancer cell cycle, leading to cell cycle arrest predominantly in the G1 phase. Moreover, PA induces programmed cell autophagy death, inhibits cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, and synergistically enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs while reducing adverse reactions. PA acts on various intracellular and extracellular targets, modulating tumor cell signaling pathways, including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), endoplasmic reticulum (ER), B Cell Lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), P53, and other signaling pathways. Furthermore, derivatives of PA play a significant regulatory role in tumor resistance processes. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent studies investigating the anti-tumor effects of PA. It summarizes the underlying mechanisms through which PA exerts its anti-tumor effects, aiming to inspire new perspectives for the treatment of malignant tumors in clinical settings and the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.

Atorvastatin calcium alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal damage by inhibiting cellular senescence and significantly enhances its antitumor efficacy

5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) is the preferred drug in colorectal cancer treatment. Although 5-Fu treatment contributes to the increase in survival rates, long-term use of 5-Fu causes severe intestinal damage, eventually decreasing long-term survival. There is no standardtreatmentfor intestinal damage induced by 5-Fu. Our previous study found that 5-Fu-induced intestinal damage was connected to an increase in senescent cells, and antiaging drugs could relieve some adverse side effects caused by 5-Fu. Hence, it is essential to discover novel, potential antiaging therapeutic drugs for 5-Fu side effect treatment. According to the current study, Atorvastatincalcium (Ator) alleviated cellular senescence in human intestinal epithelial cells (HUVECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HIECs) caused by oxidative stress and 5-Fu. 5-Fu resulted in an increase in SA-β-Gal-positive cells, synchronously increased expression of aging-related proteins (p16), aging-related genes (p53, p21), and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP: IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), while Atorvastatincalcium (Ator) reversed the increase in these indicators. In the BALB/c mouse model, we confirmed that intestinal damage caused by 5-Fu is related to the increase in senescent cells and drug-induced inflammation, with the therapeutic effects of Ator. In addition, Ator increased the sensitivity of 5-Fu to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Combination therapy significantly reduced HCT116 cell viability. Furthermore, Ator and 5-Fu present a cooperative effect on preventing the growth of tumors in CRC xenograft nude mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the value of Ator for treating intestinal damage. Moreover, Ator combined with 5-Fu increased the antitumor ability in CRC cells. Additionally, we provide a novel therapeutic protocol for CRC.

Artesunate alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal damage by suppressing cellular senescence and enhances its antitumor activity

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent diagnosed malignancies and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and its combination regimen are commonly used as primary chemotherapeutic agents for advanced CRC. Intestinal mucositis is one of the most frequent side effects of 5-FU. Artesunate (Arte) is derived from the wormwood plant Artemisia annua. Arte is not only effective against malaria but also diabetes, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and other conditions. The mechanism by which 5-FU damages the intestinal tract is unclear, and there is no standard treatment for diarrhea caused by 5-FU. Therefore, it is critical to discover novel and promising therapeutic drugs for 5-FU side effect treatment.

METHODS

The morphology and expression of genes and proteins associated with the aging of HUVECs, HIECs, and intestinal tissues were compared to the those of the control group. The cell lines and tissues were evaluated by SA-β-Gal staining, Western blotting, and RT‒qPCR. HIEC and HCT116 cell viability was assessed in vitro by a CCK-8 assay and in vivo by a subcutaneous tumor mouse assay. Tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Here, we report that Arte alleviates the adverse side effects caused by 5-FU in intestinal tissue, and that 5-FU-induced intestinal damage is associated with drug-induced chemical inflammation and an increase in the proportion of senescent cells. Arte decreases the ratio of SA-β-Gal-positive cells and downregulated the expression of aging-related proteins (p53, p16) and aging-related genes (p53, p21). Mechanistically, Arte relieves intestinal injury by inhibiting mTOR expression, which is associated with the regulation of aging. Moreover, Arte suppresses the p38MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, which are related to inflammation regulation. In addition, the combined therapy of Arte plus 5-FU significantly decreases cancer cell viability in vitro. Arte and 5-FU synergistically reduce the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our findings point to the crucial treatment effect of Arte on inflammation, intestinal cell senescence, and CRC cell proliferation and offer a new option for CRC treatment.

A FRET-Based Assay for the Identification of PCNA Inhibitors

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is the key regulator of human DNA metabolism. One important interaction partner is p15, involved in DNA replication and repair. Targeting the PCNA-p15 interaction is a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer. Here, a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based assay for the analysis of the PCNA-p15 interaction was developed. Next to the application as screening tool for the identification and characterization of PCNA-p15 interaction inhibitors, the assay is also suitable for the investigation of mutation-induced changes in their affinity. This is particularly useful for analyzing disease associated PCNA or p15 variants at the molecular level. Recently, the PCNA variant C148S has been associated with Ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder type 2 (ATLD2). ATLD2 is a neurodegenerative disease based on defects in DNA repair due to an impaired PCNA. Incubation time dependent FRET measurements indicated no effect on PCNA^C148S-p15 affinity, but on PCNA stability. The impaired stability and increased aggregation behavior of PCNA^C148S was confirmed by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) and asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) measurements. The analysis of the disease associated PCNA variant demonstrated the versatility of the interaction assay as developed.

Plant-derived extracts and metabolic modulation in leukemia: a promising approach to overcome treatment resistance

Leukemic cells acquire complex and often multifactorial mechanisms of resistance to treatment, including various metabolic alterations. Although the use of metabolic modulators has been proposed for several decades, their use in clinical practice has not been established. Natural products, the so-called botanical drugs, are capable of regulating tumor metabolism, particularly in hematopoietic tumors, which could partly explain the biological activity attributed to them for a long time. This review addresses the most recent findings relating to metabolic reprogramming-Mainly in the glycolytic pathway and mitochondrial activity-Of leukemic cells and its role in the generation of resistance to conventional treatments, the modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and the evasion of immune response. In turn, it describes how the modulation of metabolism by plant-derived extracts can counteract resistance to chemotherapy in this tumor model and contribute to the activation of the antitumor immune system.

Potential Antitumor Effect of α-Mangostin against Rat Mammary Gland Tumors Induced by LA7 Cells

In this study, the chemotherapeutic effect of α-mangostin (AM) was assessed in rats injected with LA7 cells. Rats received AM orally at 30 and 60 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks. Cancer biomarkers such as CEA and CA 15-3 were significantly lower in AM-treated rats. Histopathological evaluations showed that AM protects the rat mammary gland from the carcinogenic effects of LA7 cells. Interestingly, AM decreased lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzymes when compared to the control. Immunohistochemistry results of the untreated rats showed abundant PCNA and fewer p53-positive cells than AM-treated rats. Using the TUNEL test, AM-treated animals had higher apoptotic cell numbers than those untreated. This report revealed that that AM lessened oxidative stress, suppressed proliferation, and minimized LA7-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Therefore, the current study suggests that AM has significant potential for breast cancer treatment.

Molecular mechanism of ferulic acid and its derivatives in tumor progression

Cancer is a significant disease that poses a major threat to human health. The main therapeutic methods for cancer include traditional surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and new therapeutic methods such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which have been developed rapidly in recent years. Recently, the tumor antitumor effects of the active ingredients of natural plants have attracted extensive attention. Ferulic acid (FA), (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyl cinnamic), with the molecular formula is C₁₀H₁₀O₄, is a phenolic organic compound found in ferulic, angelica, jujube kernel, and other Chinese medicinal plants but is also, abundant in rice bran, wheat bran, and other food raw materials. FA has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-radiation, and immune-enhancing effects and also shows anticancer activity, as it can inhibit the occurrence and development of various malignant tumors, such as liver cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. FA can cause mitochondrial apoptosis by inducing the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). FA can also interfere with the cell cycle of cancer cells, arrest most cancer cells in G₀/G₁ phase, and exert an antitumor effect by inducing autophagy; inhibiting cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis; and synergistically improving the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and reducing adverse reactions. FA acts on a series of intracellular and extracellular targets and is involved in the regulation of tumor cell signaling pathways, including the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and tumor protein 53 (P53) pathways and other signaling pathways. In addition, FA derivatives and nanoliposomes, as platforms for drug delivery, have an important regulatory effect on tumor resistance. This paper reviews the effects and mechanisms of antitumor therapies to provide new theoretical support and insight for clinical antitumor therapy.

Cytotoxic effect of crotoxin on cancer cells and its antitumoral effects correlated to tumor microenvironment: A review

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and despite the effort of standard treatments, the search for new tools against this disease is necessary. Importantly, it is known that the tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, and response to therapies. Therefore, studies of potential drugs that act on these components are as critical as studies regarding antiproliferative substances. Through the years, studies of several natural products, including animal toxins, have been conducted to guide the development of medical compounds. In this review, we present the remarkable antitumor activities of crotoxin, a toxin from the rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, highlighting its effects on cancer cells and in the modulation of relevant elements in the tumor microenvironment as well as the clinical trials conducted with this compound. In summary, crotoxin acts through several mechanisms of action, such as activation of apoptosis, induction of cell cycle arrest, inhibition of metastasis, and decrease of tumor growth, in different tumor types. Crotoxin also modulates tumor-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, which contribute to its antitumoral effects. In addition, preliminary clinical studies confirm the promising results of crotoxin and support its potential future use as an anticancer drug.

Ubiquitin specific peptidase 37 and PCNA interaction promotes osteosarcoma pathogenesis by modulating replication fork progression

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that predominantly affects young individuals, including children and adolescents. The disease progresses through heterogeneous genetic alterations, and patients often develop pulmonary metastases even after the primary tumors have been surgically removed. Ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs) regulate several critical cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, transcriptional activation, and signal transduction. Various studies have revealed the significance of USP37 in the regulation of replication stress and oncogenesis.

METHODS

In this study, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analyzed to investigate USP37 expression. RNA sequencing was utilized to assess the impact of USP37 overexpression and depletion on gene expression in osteosarcoma cells. Various molecular assays, including colony formation, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and DNA replication restart, were employed to examine the physical interaction between USP37 and PCNA, as well as its physiological effects in osteosarcoma cells. Additionally, molecular docking studies were conducted to gain insight into the nature of the interaction between USP37 and PCNA. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry was performed on archived tissue blocks from osteosarcoma patients to establish a correlation between USP37 and PCNA expression.

RESULTS

Analysis of the TCGA database revealed that increased expression of USP37 was linked to decreased progression-free survival (PFS) in osteosarcoma patients. Next-generation sequencing analysis of osteosarcoma cells demonstrated that overexpression or knockdown of USP37 led to the expression of different sets of genes. USP37 overexpression provided a survival advantage, while its depletion heightened sensitivity to replication stress in osteosarcoma cells. USP37 was found to physically interact with PCNA, and molecular docking studies indicated that the interaction occurs through unique residues. In response to genotoxic stress, cells that overexpressed USP37 resolved DNA damage foci more quickly than control cells or cells in which USP37 was depleted. The expression of USP37 varied in archived osteosarcoma tissues, with intermediate expression seen in 52% of cases in the cohort examined.

CONCLUSION

The results of this investigation propose that USP37 plays a vital role in promoting replication stress tolerance in osteosarcoma cells. The interaction between USP37 and PCNA is involved in the regulation of replication stress, and disrupting it could potentially trigger synthetic lethality in osteosarcoma. This study has expanded our knowledge of the mechanism through which USP37 regulates replication stress, and its potential as a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma merits additional exploration.

LncRNA DGUOK-AS1 facilitates non-small cell lung cancer growth and metastasis through increasing TRPM7 stability via m6A modification

BACKGROUND

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays key roles in tumor progression. LncRNA deoxyguanosine kinase antisense RNA 1 (DGUOK-AS1) has been reported as a promoter in tumors, but its role and mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development remain uncertain.

METHODS

Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis were investigated via CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, and tube formation assays, respectively. The location of DGUOK-AS1 was detected via FISH assay. The interaction relationship among DGUOK-AS1, IGF2BP2 and TRPM7 was confirmed by RIP and MeRIP assays. The effects of DGUOK-AS1 on NSCLC growth and metastasis in vivo were investigated using xenograft and pulmonary metastatic models.

RESULTS

DGUOK-AS1 was upregulated in NSCLC. DGUOK-AS1 silencing inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. DGUOK-AS1 was mostly expressed in cytoplasm, and positively regulated IGF2BP2. METTL3/IGF2BP2 axis could increase TRPM7 mRNA stability in m6A-dependent manner. TRPM7 overexpression reversed the inhibitive function of DGUOK-AS1 silencing on NSCLC development. DGUOK-AS1 knockdown suppressed NSCLC cell growth and metastasis in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

DGUOK-AS1 silencing restrains NSCLC cell growth and metastasis through decreasing TRPM7 stability via regulation of the METTL3/IGF2BP2-mediated m6A modification.

Basic research on curcumin in cervical cancer: Progress and perspectives

Curcumin is a polyphenolic substance extracted from plants such as Curcuma longa, Curcuma zedoaria, and radix curcumae, and it has attracted much attention because of the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, antibacterial and other multiple pharmacological effects. Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. With the application of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, the incidence of cervical cancer is expected to be reduced, but it remains difficult to promote the vaccine among low-income population. As a commonly used food additive, curcumin has recently been found to have a significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of cervical cancer. In recent years, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have found that curcumin can have significant efficacy in anti-cervical cancer treatment by promoting apoptosis, inhibiting tumour cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion, inhibiting HPV and inducing autophagy in tumour cells. However, due to poor water solubility, rapid catabolism, and low bioavailability of curcumin, studies on curcumin derivatives and novel formulations are increasing. Curcumin has a wide range of mechanisms of action against cervical cancer and may become a novel antitumor drug in the future, opening up new ideas for the research of curcumin in the field of antitumor. There is a lack of systematic reviews on the mechanism of action of curcumin against cervical cancer. Therefore, this study is a review of the literature based on the mechanism of action of curcumin against cervical cancer, with a view to providing reference information for scientific and clinical practitioners.

γ-Aminobutyric acid promotes the inhibition of hair growth induced by chronic restraint stress

Stress plays a critical role in hair loss, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been reported to be associated with stress; however, whether it affects stress-induced hair growth inhibition is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential roles and mechanisms of action of GABA in chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced hair growth inhibition. We performed RNA-seq analysis and found that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, including genes related to GABA receptors, significantly changed after mice were treated with CRS. Targeted metabolomics analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) also showed that GABA levels in back skin tissues and serum significantly elevated in the CRS group. Notably, CRS-induced hair growth inhibition got aggravated by GABA and alleviated through GABA_A antagonists, such as picrotoxin and ginkgolide A. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that DEGs related to the cell cycle, DNA replication, purine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism pathways were significantly downregulated in dermal papilla (DP) cells after GABA treatment. Moreover, ginkgolide A, a GABA_A antagonist extracted from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, promoted the cell cycle of DP cells. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that the increase in GABA could promote CRS-induced hair growth inhibition by downregulating the cell cycle of DP cells and suggested that ginkgolide A may be a promising therapeutic drug for hair loss.

circ_0000376 knockdown suppresses non-small cell lung cancer cell tumor properties by the miR-545-3p/PDPK1 pathway

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of total lung cancers, which are the main killer of cancer-related death worldwide. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been found to modulate NSCLC development. However, the role of circ_0000376 in NSCLC development has been underreported. The present work showed that circ_0000376 and 3-phos-phoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1) expression were dramatically increased, but miR-545-3p was decreased in NSCLC tissues and cells. circ_0000376 expression was closely associated with lymph node metastasis, tumor-node-metastasis stage, and tumor size of NSCLC patients. circ_0000376 knockdown repressed NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glutaminolysis but induced cell apoptosis. Additionally, miR-545-3p bound to circ_0000376, and circ_0000376 regulated cell phenotypes by associating with miR-545-3p. MiR-545-3p also participated in NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and glutaminolysis by targeting PDPK1. Further, circ_0000376 absence repressed tumor formation in vivo. Collectively, circ_0000376 regulated NSCLC cell tumor properties by the miR-545-3p/PDPK1 axis, suggesting that circ_0000376 could be employed as a therapeutic target for NSCLC.

LncRNA SSTR5-AS1 as a Prognostic Marker Promotes Cell Proliferation and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer

This study is aimed to investigate the clinical significance and biological function of long non-coding RNA somatostatin receptor 5 antisense RNA 1 (SSTR5-AS1) in prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we found that SSTR5-AS1 expression was upregulated in PCa tissues compared with adjacent tissues using quantitative real time PCR analysis. The results from Chi-square test showed that increased SSTR5-AS1 expression levels were correlated with preoperative prostate specific antigen, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve described patients with high SSTR5-AS1 expression level showed poor survival. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis further identified SSTR5-AS1 expression as a poor independent prognostic factor for PCa patients. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to investigate the functional role of SSTR5-AS1 in PCa cells. The in vitro results indicated that SSTR5-AS1 knockdown inhibited, while SSTR5-AS1 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa cells. At molecular level, SSTR5-AS1 knockdown downregulated the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, N-cadherin and vimentin, and upregulated E-cadherin expression in PC-3 cells. SSTR5-AS1 overexpression obtained opposite results on these protein markers in DU145 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that SSTR5-AS1 promotes PCa cell behaviors, which might provide a potential therapeutic target for PCa patients.

HIF-1α/IL-8 axis in hypoxic macrophages promotes esophageal cancer progression by enhancing PD-L1 expression

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis and high mortality. Hypoxic microenvironment has also been proved to be an important feature of tumors. Herein, we mainly studied the influence of hypoxia-treated tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) on EC malignant phenotype and related molecular mechanism. In this paper, we found that hypoxic macrophages contributed to EC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and metastasis. Besides, the hypoxia treatment expedited the transformation of macrophages into M2 polarization. The level of interleukin (IL)-8 was boosted in macrophages after hypoxia treatment. Moreover, hypoxia treatment heightened IL-8 secretion by macrophages via positively regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression. The IL-8 secreted by hypoxic macrophages facilitated EC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and metastasis by elevating ligand of programmed death 1 (PD-L1) expression. In the end, IL-8 also expedited EC tumorigenesis in vivo. In conclusion, HIF-1α/IL-8 axis in hypoxic macrophages could expedite EC advancement by upregulating PD-L1 level, which might deliver a novel thought for EC cure.