Phospho-protein Analysis in Adherent Cells Using Flow Cytometry

Development of label-free light-controlled gene expression technologies using mid-IR and terahertz light

Gene expression is a fundamental process that regulates diverse biological activities across all life stages. Given its vital role, there is an urgent need to develop innovative methodologies to effectively control gene expression. Light-controlled gene expression is considered a favorable approach because of its ability to provide precise spatiotemporal control. However, current light-controlled technologies rely on photosensitive molecular tags, making their practical use challenging. In this study, we review current technologies for light-controlled gene expression and propose the development of label-free light-controlled technologies using mid-infrared (mid-IR) and terahertz light.

Neem Leaf Glycoprotein Disrupts Exhausted CD8+ T-Cell-Mediated Cancer Stem Cell Aggression

Targeting exhausted CD8+ T-cell (TEX)-induced aggravated cancer stem cells (CSC) holds immense therapeutic potential. In this regard, immunomodulation via Neem Leaf Glycoprotein (NLGP), a plant-derived glycoprotein immunomodulator is explored. Since former reports have proven immune dependent-tumor restriction of NLGP across multiple tumor models, we hypothesized that NLGP might reprogram and rectify TEX to target CSCs successfully. In this study, we report that NLGP's therapeutic administration significantly reduced TEX-associated CSC virulence in in vivo B16-F10 melanoma tumor model. A similar trend was observed in in vitro generated TEX and B16-F10/MCF7 coculture setups. NLGP rewired CSCs by downregulating clonogenicity, multidrug resistance phenotypes and PDL1, OCT4, and SOX2 expression. Cell cycle analysis revealed that NLGP educated-TEX efficiently pushed CSCs out of quiescent phase (G0G1) into synthesis phase (S), supported by hyper-phosphorylation of G0G1-S transitory cyclins and Rb proteins. This rendered quiescent CSCs susceptible to S-phase-targeting chemotherapeutic drugs like 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Consequently, combinatorial treatment of NLGP and 5FU brought optimal CSC-targeting efficiency with an increase in apoptotic bodies and proapoptotic BID expression. Notably a strong nephron-protective effect of NLGP was also observed, which prevented 5FU-associated toxicity. Furthermore, Dectin-1-mediated NLGP uptake and subsequent alteration of Notch1 and mTOR axis were deciphered as the involved signaling network. This observation unveiled Dectin-1 as a potent immunotherapeutic drug target to counter T-cell exhaustion. Cumulatively, NLGP immunotherapy alleviated exhausted CD8+ T-cell-induced CSC aggravation. Implications: Our study recommends that NLGP immunotherapy can be utilized to counter ramifications of T-cell exhaustion and to target therapy elusive aggressive CSCs without evoking toxicity.

BMP4 enhances anoikis resistance and chemoresistance of breast cancer cells through canonical BMP signaling

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate cell fate during development and mediate cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the role of BMP4 in proliferation, anoikis resistance, metastatic migration, and drug resistance of breast cancer cells. We utilized breast cancer cell lines and clinical samples representing different subtypes to understand the functional effect of BMP4 on breast cancer. The BMP pathway was inhibited with the small molecule inhibitor LDN193189 hydrochloride (LDN). BMP4 signaling enhanced the expression of stem cell genes CD44, ALDH1A3, anti-apoptotic gene BCL2 and promoted anoikis resistance in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. BMP4 enhanced self-renewal and chemoresistance in MDA-MB-231 by upregulating Notch signaling while LDN treatment abrogated anoikis resistance and proliferation of anoikis resistant breast cancer cells in the osteogenic microenvironment. Conversely, BMP4 downregulated proliferation, colony-forming ability, and suppressed anoikis resistance in MCF7 and SkBR3 cells, while LDN treatment promoted tumor spheroid formation and growth. These findings indicate that BMP4 has a context-dependent role in breast cancer. Further, our data with MDA-MB-231 cells representing triple-negative breast cancer suggest that BMP inhibition might impair its metastatic spread and colonization.