The Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory State Promotes the Transformation of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Blood Supply Pattern Toward Vasculogenic Mimicry Formation

EIF4A3-Induced CircDHTKD1 regulates glycolysis in non-small cell lung cancer via stabilizing PFKL

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the malignancies with the highest incidence and mortality in the world, approximately 85% of which is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert multiple roles in NSCLC occurrence and development. The sequencing results in previous literature have illustrated that multiple circRNAs exhibit upregulation in NSCLC. We attempted to figure out which circRNA exerts an oncogenic role in NSLCL progression. RT-qPCR evaluated circDHTKD1 level in NSCLC tissue specimens and cells. Reverse transcription as well as RNase R digestion assay evaluated circDHTKD1 circular characterization in NSCLC cells. FISH determined circDHTKD1 subcellular distribution in NSCLC cells. Loss- and gain-of-function assays clarified circDHTKD1 role in NSCLC cell growth, tumour growth and glycolysis. Bioinformatics and RIP and RNA pull-down assessed association of circDHTKD1 with upstream molecule Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-III (EIF4A3) or downstream molecule phosphofructokinase-1 liver type (PFKL) and insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) in NSCLC cells. Rescue assays assessed regulatory function of PFKL in circDHTKD1-meidated NSCLC cellular phenotypes. CircDHTKD1 exhibited upregulation and stable circular nature in NSCLC cells. EIF4A3 upregulated circDHTKD1 in NSCLC cells. CircDHTKD1 exerted a promoting influence on NSCLC cell malignant phenotypes and tumour growth. CircDHTKD1 exerted a promoting influence on NSCLC glucose metabolism. CircDHTKD1 exerts a promoting influence on NSCLC glucose metabolism through PFKL upregulation. RIP and RNA pull-down showed that circDHTKD1 could bind to IGF2BP, PFKL could bind to IGF2BP2, and circDHTKD1 promoted the binding of PFKL to IGF2BP2. In addition, RT-qPCR showed that IGF2BP2 knockdown promoted PFKL mRNA degradation, suggesting that IGF2BP2 stabilized PFKL in NSCLC cells. CircDHTKD1 exhibits upregulation in NSCLC. We innovatively validate that EIF4A3-triggered circDHTKD1 upregulation facilitates NSCLC glycolysis through recruiting m6A reader IGF2BP2 to stabilize PFKL, which may provide a new direction for seeking targeted therapy plans of NSCLC.

Association Between ACE2 and Lung Diseases

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an important regulator of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS). Additionally, it has been identified as a functional receptor for the Coronavirus. Research indicates that ACE2 plays a role in the regulation of cardiovascular systems by modulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Its role in pulmonary diseases has also garnered significant attention due to the widespread prevalence of Coronavirus. There is solid evidence linking ACE2 to other pulmonary diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, allergic asthma, among others. However, the exact pathological and physiological mechanisms of ACE2 in these diseases remain elusive. Our research aims to review and explore the latest advancements in ACE2-related studies in pulmonary diseases. These findings have the potential to open new avenues for utilizing ACE2 as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of pulmonary diseases.

Molecular Imaging of ACE2 Expression in Infectious Disease and Cancer

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a cell-surface receptor that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Through the use of ligands engineered for the receptor, ACE2 imaging has emerged as a valuable tool for preclinical and clinical research. These can be used to visualize the expression and distribution of ACE2 in tissues and cells. A variety of techniques including optical, magnetic resonance, and nuclear medicine contrast agents have been developed and employed in the preclinical setting. Positron-emitting radiotracers for highly sensitive and quantitative tomography have also been translated in the context of SARS-CoV-2-infected and control patients. Together this information can be used to better understand the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the potential roles of ACE2 in homeostasis and disease, and to identify potential therapeutic modulators in infectious disease and cancer. This review summarizes the tools and techniques to detect and delineate ACE2 in this rapidly expanding field.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Hypertension: A Systemic Analysis of Various ACE Inhibitors, Their Side Effects, and Bioactive Peptides as a Putative Therapy for Hypertension

Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack, produce atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney infection, blindness, end-stage renal infection, and cardiovascular diseases. Many mechanisms are involved in causing hypertension, i.e., via calcium channels, alpha and beta receptors, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). RAS has an important role in blood pressure control and is also involved in the metabolism of glucose, homeostasis, and balance of electrolytes in the body. The components of RAS that are involved in the regulation of blood pressure are angiotensinogen, Ang I (angiotensin I), Ang II (angiotensin II), ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), and ACE 2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2). These components provide for relevant therapeutic targets for the treatment of hypertension, and various drugs are commercially available that target individual components of RAS. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors are the most popular among these drugs. ACE is chosen in this review as it makes an important target for blood pressure control because it converts Ang I into Ang II and also acts on the vasodilator, bradykinin, to degrade it into inactive peptides. This review highlights various aspects of blood pressure regulation in the body with a focus on ACE, drugs targeting the components involved in regulation, their associated side effects, and a need to shift to alternative therapy for putative hypertension treatment in the form of bioactive peptides from food.

Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and the risk of lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and lung cancer risk remains controversial. This study evaluated the association between the use of ACEIs and lung cancer risk.

METHODS

Records from five databases were searched from inception to 26 January 2022. Clinical studies involving persons aged ≥18 years with at least one year of follow-up and reporting adverse events, including lung cancer, were recorded with separate outcome reports supplied for the ACEIs and control groups. Data were extracted independently by three authors and pooled using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was lung cancer development. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and lung cancer-related morbidity were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 2400 records screened, 13,061,226 patients were included from seven cohort studies and four case-control studies. Pooled results showed that ACEIs use was linked to increased lung cancer risk (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.36; P = 0.008), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 98%).

CONCLUSIONS

ACEI usage is a greater risk factor for lung carcinogenesis than angiotensin receptor blocker use, especially in Asian patients. Further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the causal association between the use of ACEIs and lung cancer risk.

Luteolin Suppresses Three Angiogenesis Modes and Cell Interaction in Uveal Melanoma in Vitro

PURPOSE

Uveal melanoma is a high-vascularized tumor that lacks effective systemic therapies. Most anti-angiogenesis drug therapies only target endothelial cell-dependent angiogenesis but not vasculogenic mimicry (VM), which supplies blood to tumors independent of endothelial cells. Thus, we aimed to explore the inhibitory effects of luteolin on proliferation, migration, invasiveness, angiogenesis, and VM activity of uveal melanoma. We further explored the signaling pathway underlying the mechanism of action of luteolin.

METHODS

Monocultures of uveal melanoma C918 cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and co-cultures of these two cell lines were established. Angiogenesis of HUVECs, VM formation of C918 cells, and the mosaic vessels formed by both cell types were observed under an inverted microscope. Cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), wound scratch, Transwell cell migration, and invasion assays were performed. VEGF levels were detected by ELISA. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PI3K, p-PI3K P85, Akt, and p-Akt Ser473 proteins.

RESULTS

Luteolin inhibited all three modes of angiogenesis observed in uveal melanoma in vitro. Luteolin effectively inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of C918 cells and proliferation and migration of HUVECs. Furthermore, luteolin could inhibit the interaction between the endothelial cells and C918 cells. VEGF secretion in C918 cells and HUVECs treated with luteolin was inhibited. Luteolin decreased the levels of phosphorylated Akt kinase.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the anti-angiogenic effects of luteolin, including against the VM type, in addition to suppressing tumor cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Furthermore, luteolin likely exerts its inhibitory effects via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Luteolin might be an effective therapeutic candidate for treating highly vascularized uveal melanoma tumors.