FOSL2 participates in renal fibrosis via SGK1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of proximal tubular epithelial cells

Fbxo11 maintains mitochondrial function and prevents podocyte injury in adriamycin-induced nephropathy by mediating the ubiquitin degradation of Fosl2

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a pivotal factor in the onset of podocyte damage, which is a central component in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome (NS). However, the precise mechanisms underlying the changes in podocyte mitochondria remain elusive. Our study aims to clarify the potential mechanisms involved in the role of F-box protein 11 (Fbxo11) in NS, specifically concentrating on its impact on mitochondrial function. A mouse model was established by tail vein injection of adriamycin (ADR, 10 mg/kg) and was infected with lentivirus overexpressing Fbxo11 (lenti-Fbxo11-OE). Mouse podocytes (MPC-5) were infected with lenti-Fbxo11-OE, followed by treatment with 0.4 μg/mL of ADR. We identified the decreased expression of Fbxo11 in mouse renal tissues and MPC-5 cells induced by ADR. Lenti-Fbxo11-OE intervention relieved ADR-induced glomerular lesion, podocyte injury, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In vitro, overexpression of Fbxo11 in mouse podocytes improved mitochondrial function and reduced podocyte damage, thereby inhibiting podocyte apoptosis. Mechanistically, Fbxo11 decreased the protein expression of Fosl2 through ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. Rescue experiments revealed that overexpression of Fosl2 abolished the protective effects of Fbxo11 overexpression on mitochondrial damage and podocyte injury. Importantly, the regulatory effects of the Fbxo11/Fosl2 axis were reversed when treated with the mitochondrial fission inhibitor mdivi-1. Taken together, our results demonstrated that Fbxo11-mediated protein degradation of Fosl2 is critical for maintaining mitochondrial function and preventing podocyte injury during NS.

A Retrospective Analysis of Morbidity and Risk Factors of Multiple Myeloma with Peripheral Neuropathy

Aims/Background Peripheral nerve injury affects some people with multiple myeloma; this condition can be brought on by the disease itself or by the treatments they receive. Such a complication increases patients' financial burden, causes treatment to be interrupted or delayed, and reduces treatment efficacy. However, opinions regarding the risk factors for peripheral neuropathy are currently divided. Consequently, the primary goals of this study were to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and related risk factors in newly diagnosed and untreated patients of multiple myeloma. Methods Sixty-one patients with newly diagnosed and untreated multiple myeloma were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) in all patients was assessed via electromyography. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of PN. The differences in body mass index, haemoglobin, monoclonal M protein (M protein) and other related indicators between the two groups were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results Of the 61 patients, 72% had PN. Neuroelectrophysiological studies revealed that PN patients have abnormalities in both their motor and sensory fibres. We discovered that PN was strongly correlated with age, haemoglobin, and levels of creatinine (p = 0.039, p = 0.045, and p = 0.030, respectively). Conclusion Age, haemoglobin and creatinine levels are associated with the occurrence of PN. Investigation of the incidence and risk factors of multiple myeloma-associated PN can provide a better theoretical basis for the selection of treatment options and the enhancement of patient well-being and satisfaction.

Transcriptomic profiling of lung fibroblasts in silicosis: Regulatory roles of Nrf2 agonists in a mouse model

Silicosis is an occupational disease caused by long-term inhalation of free silica, resulting in a significant global health burden. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, and there is no effective treatment. Proliferative and activated myofibroblasts play a key role in the development of silicosis. Traditional studies have focused on fibroblast proliferation and collagen secretion, neglecting their functional heterogeneity. With the advancement of omics research, more pathogenic fibroblast subgroups and their functions have been identified. In this study, we applied transcriptomics to analyze gene changes in primary lung fibroblasts during silicosis development using a mouse model. Our results indicate that DEGs are enriched in collagen secretion, ECM synthesis, leukocyte migration, and chemotaxis functions. Altered core genes are associated with immune cell recruitment and cell migration. Nrf2 agonists, known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have shown potential therapeutic effects in fibrotic diseases. However, their effects on fibroblasts in silicosis are not fully understood. We used four common Nrf2 agonists to study gene expression changes in lung fibroblasts at the transcriptome level, combined with histopathological and biochemical methods, to investigate their effects on silicosis in mice. Results show that Nrf2 agonists can exert anti-silicosis fibrosis functions by downregulating genes like Fos and Egr1, involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and inflammation. In conclusion, this study suggests that inflammation-related co-functions of fibroblasts may be a potential mechanism in silicosis pathogenesis. Targeting Nrf2 may be a promising strategy to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in silicosis.

Chromodomain Y-like (CDYL) inhibition ameliorates acute kidney injury in mice by regulating tubular pyroptosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common disease, but lacking effective drug treatments. Chromodomain Y-like (CDYL) is a kind of chromodomain protein that has been implicated in transcription regulation of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-one derivative (compound D03) is the first potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of CDYL (KD = 0.5 μM). In this study, we investigated the expression of CDYL in three different models of cisplatin (Cis)-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced AKI mice. By conducting RNA sequencing and difference analysis of kidney samples, we found that tubular CDYL was abnormally and highly expressed in injured kidneys of AKI patients and mice. Overexpression of CDYL in cisplatin-induced AKI mice aggravated tubular injury and pyroptosis via regulating fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4)-mediated reactive oxygen species production. Treatment of cisplatin-induced AKI mice with compound D03 (2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.p.) effectively attenuated the kidney dysfunction, pathological damages and tubular pyroptosis without side effects on liver or kidney function and other tissue injuries. Collectively, this study has, for the first time, explored a novel aspect of CDYL for tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis in kidney injury, and confirmed that inhibition of CDYL might be a promising therapeutic strategy against AKI.

Combined Use of Magnetization Transfer Ratio and T2-Mapping to Evaluate Extraocular Muscle Pathophysiology in Myasthenia Gravis with Ophthalmoparesis

Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that most frequently affects the extraocular muscles (EOMs), which causes symptoms such as ptosis and restricted eye movement. The EOMs in MG patients are representative of autoimmune inflammatory changes in muscle tissue. Currently, there is no reliable, and sensitive imaging technique for monitoring EOM changes to assist in the evaluation of underlying pathological changes. Methods This study included MG patients treated between March and November 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Healthy controls (matched by age and sex) were included. Participants underwent 3.0 T MRI with magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) and T2-mapping to measure the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and T2-mapping values in the superior, inferior, medial, and lateral rectus muscles. Comparisons were made between MG patients and healthy controls, and between MG subgroups with and without ophthalmoparesis. Results The MTR and T2-mapping values successfully reflected EOM fibrosis and inflammatory edema in MG patients. MG patients showed significantly higher MTR and T2-mapping values in the EOMs compared with healthy controls. MG patients with ophthalmoparesis exhibited a lower MTR but higher T2-mapping value compared with those without ophthalmoparesis. Combined MTR and T2-mapping values effectively distinguished between MG patients and healthy controls, and between different severities of EOM involvement, with a superior diagnostic accuracy compared with each parameter alone. Conclusion The combination of MTI and T2-mapping MRI techniques can provide key insight into the pathological changes in EOMs in MG patients. This approach enhances early diagnosis and treatment planning, and therefore may improve clinical outcomes.

Innovative Categorization and Operative Management of Auditory Ossicle Disruption Following Trauma: Therapeutic Efficacy and Interventional Paradigms

Currently, there is no consensus on the treatment protocol for ossicular chain trauma. This study aims to investigate the classification and treatment strategies for traumatic ossicular chain dislocation. We retrospectively analyzed 15 patients. Traumatic ossicular chain dislocations were categorized based on the location of trauma identified during surgery: Type I-ossicular trauma without stapediovestibular dislocation; Type II-stapediovestibular dislocation (with or without associated incus dislocation). Of the 10 patients with Type I trauma, 9 experienced head trauma, and 1 had a penetrating injury to the external auditory canal. Among these, 2 cases involved incudomalleolar dislocation, 2 cases incus dislocation, 5 cases incudostapedial dislocation, and 1 case a fracture of the anterior and posterior arches of the stapes. Seven patients exhibited conductive hearing loss, while 3 presented with mixed hearing loss. Ossiculoplasty was performed using partial ossicular replacement prostheses (PORP) in 8 patients and total ossicular replacement prostheses (TORP) in 2 patients. Postoperative air conduction thresholds significantly improved in all 10 patients. In Type II trauma, all 5 patients had a penetrating injury to the external auditory canal, resulting in varying degrees of hearing loss. Postoperatively, 3 patients experienced improvement in hearing, while 2 showed no significant change. All patients developed vertigo and tinnitus following the trauma, with vertigo resolving after surgery. Pneumolabyrinth was detected in 2 patients. We propose a novel classification system for traumatic ossicular chain dislocation. Treatment strategies should be tailored according to the specific trauma type.

KLF13 restrains Dll4-muscular Notch2 axis to improve the muscle atrophy

BACKGROUND

Muscle atrophy can cause muscle dysfunction and weakness. Krüppel-like factor 13 (KLF13), a central regulator of cellular energy metabolism, is highly expressed in skeletal muscles and implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. This study investigated the role of KLF13 in muscle atrophy, which could be a novel therapeutic target.

METHODS

The effects of gene knockdown and pharmacological targeting of KLF13 on skeletal muscle atrophy were investigated using cell-based and animal models. Clofoctol, an antibiotic and KLF13 agonist, was also investigated as a candidate for repurposing. The mechanisms related to skeletal muscle atrophy were assessed by measuring the expression levels and activation statuses of key regulatory pathways and validated using gene knockdown and RNA sequencing.

RESULTS

In a dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mouse model, the KLF13 knockout group had decreased muscle strength (N) (1.77 ± 0.10 vs. 1.48 ± 0.16, P < 0.01), muscle weight (%) [gastrocnemius (Gas): 76.0 ± 5.69 vs. 60.7 ± 7.23, P < 0.001; tibialis anterior (TA): 75.8 ± 6.21 vs. 67.5 ± 5.01, P < 0.05], and exhaustive running distance (m) (495.5 ± 64.8 vs. 315.5 ± 60.9, P < 0.05) compared with the control group. KLF13 overexpression preserved muscle mass (Gas: 100 ± 6.38 vs. 120 ± 14.4, P < 0.01) and the exhaustive running distance (423.8 ± 59.04 vs. 530.2 ± 77.45, P < 0.05) in an in vivo diabetes-induced skeletal muscle atrophy model. Clofoctol treatment protected against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Myotubes treated with dexamethasone, an atrophy-inducing glucocorticoid, were aggravated by KLF13 knockout, but anti-atrophic effects were achieved by inducing KLF13 overexpression. We performed a transcriptome analysis and luciferase reporter assays to further explore this mechanism, finding that delta-like 4 (Dll4) was a novel target gene of KLF13. The KLF13 transcript repressed Dll4, inhibiting the Dll4-Notch2 axis and preventing muscle atrophy. Dexamethasone inhibited KLF13 expression by inhibiting myogenic differentiation 1 (i.e., MYOD1)-mediated KLF13 transcriptional activation and promoting F-Box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (i.e., FBXW7)-mediated KLF13 ubiquitination.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle atrophy and potential drug targets. KLF13 regulates muscle atrophy and is a potential therapeutic target. Clofoctol is an attractive compound for repurposing studies to treat skeletal muscle atrophy.

Exploring tumor microenvironment in molecular subtyping and prognostic signatures in ovarian cancer and identification of SH2D1A as a key regulator of ovarian cancer carcinogenesis

Introduction

A deadly gynecological cancer, ovarian cancer (OV), has a poor prognosis because of late-stage diagnosis and few targeted therapies. Addressing the tumor microenvironment (TME) in solid tumors has shown promise since it is crucial in promoting cancer progression.

Methods

We obtained bulk RNA-seq data from TCGA-OV, GSE26712, GSE102073, and ICGC cohorts, as well as scRNA-seq data from EMTAB8107, GSE118828, GSE130000, and GSE154600 cohorts using the TISCH2 database. The ConsensusClusterPlus package was used to cluster the OV tumor tissues hierarchically to determine two molecularly different groups (C1 and C2). A total of ten different types of machine learning techniques with 101 combinations were used for prognostic model construction. Using eight TME algorithms integrated into the IOBR R package, the bulk RNA-seq dataset was analyzed. For in vitro experiments, OVCAR3 and SKOV3, two OV cell lines, were used. The migratory potential of the ovarian cancer cells was assessed using Transwell assay, while proliferation was assessed using CCK8 assay.

Results

Based on TME-related gene set expression, two distinct molecular subgroups (C1 and C2) were identified through consensus clustering, with C1 showing higher TME activity. Further analysis indicated that C1 had increased cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), M1 macrophages, and CD8+ T cells, suggesting a more activated and pro-inflammatory TME. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed that 5-Fluorouracil might be beneficial to C1 patients. Functional differences between C1 and C2 were identified, including cell adhesion, mononuclear cell differentiation, and leukocyte migration. A machine learning model was developed to create a TME-related prognostic signature, demonstrating strong prognostic capabilities across multiple datasets. High-risk patients showed a more immune-suppressive TME and higher tumor stemness. ScRNA-seq disclosed a highly activated TME-related signature in OV. Cancer cell lines had significantly higher SH2D1A mRNA expression than normal ovarian epithelial cells. We observed that SH2D1A knockdown in 2 ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR3 and SKOV3) reduced migration and proliferation through a series of in-vitro experiments.

Conclusion

TME-associated genes were efficient in ovarian cancer molecular subtyping. A TME-based prognosis model was constructed for vigorous prognostic stratification efficacy across multiple datasets. Moreover, we identified a pivotal role of SH2D1A in promoting proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer.

Biliary fibrosis is an important but neglected pathological feature in hepatobiliary disorders: from molecular mechanisms to clinical implications

Fibrosis resulting from pathological repair secondary to recurrent or persistent tissue damage often leads to organ failure and mortality. Biliary fibrosis is a crucial but easily neglected pathological feature in hepatobiliary disorders, which may promote the development and progression of benign and malignant biliary diseases through pathological healing mechanisms secondary to biliary tract injuries. Elucidating the etiology and pathogenesis of biliary fibrosis is beneficial to the prevention and treatment of biliary diseases. In this review, we emphasized the importance of biliary fibrosis in cholangiopathies and summarized the clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and aberrant cellular composition involving the biliary ductules, cholangiocytes, immune system, fibroblasts, and the microbiome. We also focused on pivotal signaling pathways and offered insights into ongoing clinical trials and proposing a strategic approach for managing biliary fibrosis-related cholangiopathies. This review will offer a comprehensive perspective on biliary fibrosis and provide an important reference for future mechanism research and innovative therapy to prevent or reverse fibrosis.

Predictive Value of Serum Soluble ST2 in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery for Acute Kidney Injury

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac surgery is related to an increased risk of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Serum soluble ST2 (sST2) is highly predictive of several cardiovascular diseases and may also be involved in renal injury. This study explored the relationship between serum sST2 levels measured at intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the development of AKI after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We prospectively conducted an investigation on consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery. sST2 was immediately measured at ICU admission. The relationship between the levels of sST2 and the development of AKI was explored using stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 500 patients enrolled, AKI was observed in 207 (41%) patients. Serum sST2 levels in AKI patients were higher than those without AKI (61.46 ng/mL [46.52, 116.25] vs. 38.91 ng/mL [28.74, 50.93], p < 0.001). Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that as progressively higher tertiles of serum sST2, the odds ratios (ORs) of AKI gradually increased (adjusted ORs of 1.97 [95% CI, 1.13-3.45], and 4.27 [95% CI, 2.36-7.71] for tertiles 2 and 3, respectively, relative to tertile 1, p < 0.05). The addition of sST2 further improved reclassification (p < 0.001) and discrimination (p < 0.001) over the basic model, which included established risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Serum sST2 levels at ICU admission were associated with the development of postoperative AKI and improved the identification of AKI after cardiac surgery.

The role of serum magnesium in the prediction of acute kidney injury after total aortic arch replacement: A prospective observational study

Background

Considerable morbidity and death are associated with acute kidney damage (AKI) following total aortic arch replacement (TAAR). The relationship between AKI following TAAR and serum magnesium levels remains unknown. The intention of this research was to access the predictive value of serum magnesium levels on admission to the Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) for AKI in patients receiving TAAR.

Methods

From May 2018 to January 2020, a prospective, observational study was performed in the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital CSICU. Patients accepting TAAR admitted to the CSICU were studied. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition of serum creatinine was used to define AKI, and KDIGO stages two or three were used to characterize severe AKI. Multivariable logistic regression and area under the curve receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) analysis were conducted to assess the predictive capability of the serum magnesium for AKI detection. Finally, the prediction model for AKI was established and internally validated.

Results

Of the 396 enrolled patients, AKI occurred in 315 (79.5%) patients, including 154 (38.8%) patients with severe AKI. Serum magnesium levels were independently related to the postoperative AKI and severe AKI (both, P < 0.001), and AUC-ROCs for predicting AKI and severe AKI were 0.707 and 0.695, respectively. Across increasing quartiles of serum magnesium, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of postoperative AKI were 1.00 (reference), 1.04 (0.50-2.82), 1.20 (0.56-2.56), and 6.19 (2.02-23.91) (P for Trend < 0.001). When serum magnesium was included to a baseline model with established risk factors, AUC-ROC (0.833 vs 0.808, P = 0.050), reclassification (P < 0.001), and discrimination (P = 0.002) were further improved.

Conclusions

Serum magnesium levels on admission are an independent predictor of AKI. In TAAR patients, elevated serum magnesium levels were linked to an increased risk of AKI. In addition, the established risk factor model for AKI can be considerably improved by the addition of serum magnesium in TAAR patients hospitalized in the CSICU.

Revolutionary multi-omics analysis revealing prognostic signature of thyroid cancer and subsequent in vitro validation of SNAI1 in mediating thyroid cancer progression through EMT

Thyroid carcinoma (TC), the most commonly diagnosed malignancy of the endocrine system, has witnessed a significant rise in incidence over the past few decades. The integration of scRNA-seq with other sequencing approaches offers researchers a distinct perspective to explore mechanisms underlying TC progression. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a prognostic model for TC patients by utilizing a multi-omics approach. We acquired and processed transcriptomic data from the TCGA-THCA dataset, including mRNA expression profiles, lncRNA expression profiles, miRNA expression profiles, methylation chip data, gene mutation data, and clinical data. We constructed a tumor-related risk model using machine learning methods and developed a consensus machine learning-driven signature (CMLS) for accurate and stable prediction of TC patient outcomes. 2 strains of undifferentiated TC cell lines and 1 strain of PTC cell line were utilized for in vitro validation. mRNA, protein levels of hub genes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated phenotypes were detected by a series of in vitro experiments. We identified 3 molecular subtypes of TC based on integrated multi-omics clustering algorithms, which were associated with overall survival and displayed distinct molecular features. We developed a CMLS based on 28 hub genes to predict patient outcomes, and demonstrated that CMLS outperformed other prognostic models. TC patients of relatively lower CMLS score had significantly higher levels of T cells, B cells, and macrophages, indicating an immune-activated state. Fibroblasts were predominantly enriched in the high CMLS group, along with markers associated with immune suppression and evasion. We identified several drugs that could be suitable for patients with high CMLS, including Staurosporine_1034, Rapamycin_1084, gemcitabine, and topotecan. SNAI1 was elevated in both undifferentiated TC cell lines, comparing to PTC cells. Knockdown of SNAI1 reduced the cell proliferation and EMT phenotypes of undifferentiated TC cells. Our findings highlight the importance of multi-omics analysis in understanding the molecular subtypes and immune characteristics of TC, and provide a novel prognostic model and potential therapeutic targets for this disease. Moreover, we identified SNAI1 in mediating TC progression through EMT in vitro.

BACH1 transcriptionally upregulates FOSL2 to induce M2 macrophages phenotype by activating TGFβ/SMAD signaling to promote the transformation of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disorder. The pro-fibrosis factors induced by M2 macrophage phenotype promote the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, which is essential for pulmonary fibrosis. We aimed to explore the role and mechanism of BTB domain and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) in pulmonary fibrosis. BACH1 was knocked down in THP-1 polarized M2 macrophages with or without FOS-like antigen 2 (FOSL2) overexpression, the expression of M2 macrophage markers was detected. Cell viability, migration, invasion and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation were estimated by CCK-8, wound healing, transwell, western bot and immunofluorescence staining. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify the binding of BACH1 to FOSL2 promotor region. In vivo, a bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice model was established to evaluate the effect of BACH1 silencing on the histopathological changes, M2 macrophage phenotype and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Expression of proteins was assessed with western blot. Results indicated that BACH1 expression was upregulated in M2 macrophages polarized from THP-1 cells. BACH1 deficiency inhibited the polarization of THP-1 to the M2 macrophage phenotype to promote the transformation of lung fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Additionally, BACH1 could transcriptionally activate FOSL2 expression in THP-1-derived macrophages to upregulate TGFβ/SMAD signaling in HFL-1 cells. The animal experiments indicated that BACH1 knockdown alleviated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, M2 macrophage polarization and inactivated FOSL2/TGFβ/SMAD signaling in mice lung tissues. Together, this finding suggests BACH1/FOSL2 may be useful therapeutic targets for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Integrative analysis of the bladder cancer from a cell cycle NCAM1 perspective at both single cell and bulk resolution

INTRODUCTION

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a prevalent and deadly form of urinary cancer, and there is a need for effective therapies, particularly for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Cell cycle inhibitors show promise in restoring control of the cell cycle in BLCA cells, but their clinical prognosis evaluation is limited.

METHODS

Transcriptome and scRNA-seq data were collected from the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA)-BLCA and GSE190888 cohort, respectively. R software and the Seurat package were used for data analysis, including cell quality control, dimensionality reduction, and identification of differentially expressed genes. Genes related to the cell cycle were obtained from the genecards website, and a protein-protein interaction network analysis was performed using cytoscape software. Functional enrichment analysis, immune infiltration analysis, drug sensitivity analysis, and molecular docking were conducted using various tools and packages. BLCA cell lines were cultured and transfected for in vitro experimental assays, including RT-qPCR analysis, and CCK-8 cell viability assays.

RESULTS

We identified 32 genes as independent risk or protective factors for BLCA prediction. Functional enrichment analysis revealed their involvement in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and various signaling pathways. Using these genes, we developed a nomogram for predicting BLCA survival, which displayed high prognosis stratification efficacy in BLCA patients. Four cell cycle associated key genes identified, including NCAM1, HBB, CKD6, and CTLA4. We also identified the main cell types in BLCA patients and investigated the functional differences between epithelial cells based on their expression levels of key genes. Furthermore, we observed a high positive correlative relationship between the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the risk score value. Finally, we conducted in vitro experiments to demonstrate the suppressive role of NCAM1 in BLCA cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that cell cycle associated genes could serve as potential biomarkers for predicting BLCA prognosis and may represent therapeutic targets for the development of more effective therapies. Hopefully, these findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets in BLCA from the perspective of cell cycle. Moreover, NCAM1 was a novel cell proliferation suppressor in the BLCA carcinogenesis.

HDAC6-selective inhibitor CAY10603 ameliorates cigarette smoke-induced small airway remodeling by regulating epithelial barrier dysfunction and reversing

BACKGROUND

Small airway remodelling is a vital characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is mainly caused by epithelial barrier dysfunction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Recent studies have indicated that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) plays an important role in the dysregulation of epithelial function. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of an inhibitor with high selectivity for HDAC6 in COPD.

METHODS

Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure was used to establish a CS-induced COPD mouse model. CAY10603 at doses of 2.5 and 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally on alternate days. The protective effects of CAY10603 against CS-induced emphysema, epithelial barrier function and small airway remodeling were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemical staining, and western blot. The human lung bronchial epithelial cell line (HBE) was used to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of action of CAY10603.

RESULTS

HDAC6 levels in the lung homogenates of CS-exposed mice were higher than that those in control mice. Compared to the CS group, the mean linear intercept (MLI) of the CAY10603 treatment group decreased and the mean alveolar number (MAN)increased. Collagen deposition was reduced in groups treated with CAY10603. The expression of α-SMA was markedly upregulated in the CS group, which was reversed by CAY10603 treatment. Conversely, E-cadherin expression in the CS group was further downregulated, which was reversed by CAY10603 treatment. CAY10603 affects the tight junction protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin. ZO-1 and occludin expression were markedly downregulated in the CS group. After CAY10603treatment, the protein expression level of ZO-1 and occludin increased significantly. In HBE cells, Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) increased HDAC6 levels. CAY10603 significantly attenuated the release of TGF-β1 induced by CSE. CAY10603 significantly increased the E-cadherin levels in TGF-β1 treated HBE cells, while concurrently attenuated α-SMA expression. This effect was achieved through the suppression of Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation. CAY10603 also inhibited TGF-β1 induced cell migration.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that CAY10603 inhibited CS induced small airway remodelling by regulating epithelial barrier dysfunction and reversing EMT via the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signalling pathway.