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Hu Y, Qin J, Ma Y, Yang R, Liu X, Shi C. Comprehensive review on the novel immunotherapy target: Leucine-rich repeat-containing 8A/volume-regulated anion channel. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3881-3891. [PMID: 39113714 PMCID: PMC11302880 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.95933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat-containing 8A (LRRC8A) is a key component of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) that influences essential homeostatic processes in various immune cells. These processes include the regulation of cell volume and membrane potential and the facilitation of the transport of organic agents used as anticancer drugs and immune-stimulating factors. Therefore, understanding the structure-function relationship of LRRC8A, exploring its physiological role in immunity, assessing its efficacy in treating diseases, and advancing the development of compounds that regulate its activity are important research frontiers. This review emphasized the emerging field of LRRC8A, outlined its structure and function, and summarized its role in immune cell development and immune cell-mediated antiviral and antitumor effects. Additionally, it explored the potential of LRRC8A as an immunotherapeutic target, offering insights into resolving persistent challenges and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohua Hu
- Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University, Yanan, Shaanxi 716000, China
| | - Jing Qin
- Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Yifan Ma
- Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
- Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Runze Yang
- Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
- Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College of Yan'an University, 580 Bao-Ta Street, Yanan, Shaanxi 716000, China
| | - Changhong Shi
- Division of Cancer Biology, Laboratory Animal Center, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
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Lamb FS, Choi H, Miller MR, Stark RJ. Vascular Inflammation and Smooth Muscle Contractility: The Role of Nox1-Derived Superoxide and LRRC8 Anion Channels. Hypertension 2024; 81:752-763. [PMID: 38174563 PMCID: PMC10954410 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.19434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Vascular inflammation underlies the development of hypertension, and the mechanisms by which it increases blood pressure remain the topic of intense investigation. Proinflammatory factors including glucose, salt, vasoconstrictors, cytokines, wall stress, and growth factors enhance contractility and impair relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells. These pathways share a dependence upon redox signaling, and excessive activation promotes oxidative stress that promotes vascular aging. Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and migration into the intima contribute to atherosclerosis, while hypercontractility increases systemic vascular resistance and vasospasm that can trigger ischemia. Here, we review factors that drive the initiation and progression of this vasculopathy in vascular smooth muscle cells. Emphasis is placed on the contribution of reactive oxygen species generated by the Nox1 NADPH oxidase which produces extracellular superoxide (O2•-). The mechanisms of O2•- signaling remain poorly defined, but recent evidence demonstrates physical association of Nox1 with leucine-rich repeat containing 8 family volume-sensitive anion channels. These may provide a pathway for influx of O2•- to the cytoplasm, creating an oxidized cytoplasmic nanodomain where redox-based signals can affect both cytoskeletal structure and vasomotor function. Understanding the mechanistic links between inflammation, O2•- and vascular smooth muscle cell contractility may facilitate targeting of anti-inflammatory therapy in hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred S Lamb
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Hyehun Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Michael R Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Ryan J Stark
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Okada Y. Physiology of the volume-sensitive/regulatory anion channel VSOR/VRAC. Part 1: from its discovery and phenotype characterization to the molecular entity identification. J Physiol Sci 2024; 74:3. [PMID: 38238667 PMCID: PMC10795261 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-023-00897-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying or volume-regulated anion channel, VSOR/VRAC, which was discovered in 1988, is expressed in most vertebrate cell types and is essentially involved in cell volume regulation after swelling and in the induction of cell death. This series of review articles describes what is already known and what remains to be uncovered about the functional and molecular properties as well as the physiological and pathophysiological roles of VSOR/VRAC. This Part 1 review article describes, from the physiological standpoint, first its discovery and significance in cell volume regulation, second its phenotypical properties, and third its molecular identification. Although the pore-forming core molecules and the volume-sensing subcomponent of VSOR/VRAC were identified as LRRC8 members and TRPM7 in 2014 and 2021, respectively, it is stressed that the identification of the molecular entity of VSOR/VRAC is still not complete enough to explain the full set of phenotypical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunobu Okada
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Akita University, Akita, Japan.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan.
- Department of Physiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
- Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan.
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Kostritskaia Y, Klüssendorf M, Pan YE, Hassani Nia F, Kostova S, Stauber T. Physiological Functions of the Volume-Regulated Anion Channel VRAC/LRRC8 and the Proton-Activated Chloride Channel ASOR/TMEM206. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024; 283:181-218. [PMID: 37468723 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) and the acid-sensitive outwardly rectifying anion channel (ASOR) mediate flux of chloride and small organic anions. Although known for a long time, they were only recently identified at the molecular level. VRACs are heteromers consisting of LRRC8 proteins A to E. Combining the essential LRRC8A with different LRRC8 paralogues changes key properties of VRAC such as conductance or substrate selectivity, which is how VRACs are involved in multiple physiological functions including regulatory volume decrease, cell proliferation and migration, cell death, purinergic signalling, fat and glucose metabolism, insulin signalling, and spermiogenesis. VRACs are also involved in pathological conditions, such as the neurotoxic release of glutamate and aspartate. Certain VRACs are also permeable to larger, organic anions, including antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs, making them an interesting therapeutic target. ASOR, also named proton-activated chloride channel (PAC), is formed by TMEM206 homotrimers on the plasma membrane and on endosomal compartments where it mediates chloride flux in response to extracytosolic acidification and plays a role in the shrinking and maturation of macropinosomes. ASOR has been shown to underlie neuronal swelling which causes cell death after stroke as well as promoting the metastasis of certain cancers, making them intriguing therapeutic targets as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Kostritskaia
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Klüssendorf
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yingzhou Edward Pan
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Hassani Nia
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simona Kostova
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Stauber
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
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Liu H, Polovitskaya MM, Yang L, Li M, Li H, Han Z, Wu J, Zhang Q, Jentsch TJ, Liao J. Structural insights into anion selectivity and activation mechanism of LRRC8 volume-regulated anion channels. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112926. [PMID: 37543949 PMCID: PMC10480491 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) are hexamers of LRRC8 proteins that are crucial for cell volume regulation. N termini (NTs) of the obligatory LRRC8A subunit modulate VRACs activation and ion selectivity, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report a 2.8-Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of human LRRC8A that displays well-resolved NTs. Amino-terminal halves of NTs fold back into the pore and constrict the permeation path, thereby determining ion selectivity together with an extracellular selectivity filter with which it works in series. They also interact with pore-surrounding helices and support their compact arrangement. The C-terminal halves of NTs interact with intracellular loops that are crucial for channel activation. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that low ionic strength increases NT mobility and expands the radial distance between pore-surrounding helices. Our work suggests an unusual pore architecture with two selectivity filters in series and a mechanism for VRAC activation by cell swelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Maya M Polovitskaya
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Linlin Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 45001, China.
| | - Meiling Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 45001, China
| | - Hongyue Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhen Han
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 45001, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiansen Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Thomas J Jentsch
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) and Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany; Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jun Liao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Liu T, Li Y, Wang D, Stauber T, Zhao J. Trends in volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) research: visualization and bibliometric analysis from 2014 to 2022. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1234885. [PMID: 37538172 PMCID: PMC10394876 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1234885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we utilized bibliometric methods to assess the worldwide scientific output and identify hotspots related to the research on the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) from 2014 to 2022. Methods: From Web of Science, we obtained studies related to VRAC published from 2014 to 2022. To analyzed the data, we utilized VOSviewer, a tool for visualizing network, to create networks based on the collaboration between countries, institutions, and authors. Additionally, we performed an analysis of journal co-citation, document citation, and co-occurrence of keywords. Furthermore, we employed CiteSpace (6.1. R6 Advanced) to analyzed keywords and co-cited references with the strongest burst. Results: The final analysis included a total of 278 related articles and reviews, covering the period from 2014 to 2022. The United States emerged as the leading country contributing to this field, while the University of Copenhagen stood out as the most prominent institution. The author with most publications and most citations was Thomas J. Jentsch. Among the cited references, the article by Voss et al. published in Science (2014) gained significant attention for its identification of LRRC8 heteromers as a crucial component of the volume-regulated anion channel VRAC. Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology and Journal of Physiology-London were the leading journals in terms of the quantity of associated articles and citations. Through the analysis of keyword co-occurrence, it was discovered that VRAC is involved in various physiological processes including cell growth, migration, apoptosis, swelling, and myogenesis, as well as anion and organic osmolyte transport including chloride, taurine, glutamate and ATP. VRAC is also associated with related ion channels such as TMEM16A, TMEM16F, pannexin, and CFTR, and associated with various diseases including epilepsy, leukodystrophy, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cerebral edema, stroke, and different types of cancer including gastric cancer, glioblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, VRAC is involved in anti-tumor drug resistance by regulating the uptake of platinum-based drugs and temozolomide. Additionally, VRAC has been studied in the context of pharmacology involving DCPIB and flavonoids. Conclusion: The aim of this bibliometric analysis is to provide an overall perspective for research on VRAC. VRAC has become a topic of increasing interest, and our analysis shows that it continues to be a prominent area. This study offers insights into the investigation of VRAC channel and may guide researchers in identifying new directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tobias Stauber
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jiajun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Wang Z, Choi K. Pharmacological modulation of chloride channels as a therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1122444. [PMID: 36935741 PMCID: PMC10017882 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1122444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chloride homeostasis is critical in the physiological functions of the central nervous system (CNS). Its concentration is precisely regulated by multiple ion-transporting proteins such as chloride channels and transporters that are widely distributed in the brain cells, including neurons and glia. Unlike ion transporters, chloride channels provide rapid responses to efficiently regulate ion flux. Some of chloride channels are also permeable to selected organic anions such as glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid, suggesting neuroexcitatory and neuroinhibitory functions while gating. Dysregulated chloride channels are implicated in neurological disorders, e.g., ischemia and neuroinflammation. Modulation of chloride homeostasis through chloride channels has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach for neurological disorders. The drug design for CNS diseases is challenging because it requires the therapeutics to traverse the blood-brain-barrier. Small molecules are a well-established modality with better cell permeability due to their lower molecular weight and flexibility for structure optimization compared to biologics. In this article, we describe the important roles of chloride homeostasis in each type of brain cells and introduce selected chloride channels identified in the CNS. We then discuss the contribution of their dysregulations towards the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, emphasizing the potential of targeting chloride channels as a therapeutic strategy for CNS disease treatment. Along with this literature survey, we summarize the small molecules that modulate chloride channels and propose the potential strategy of optimizing existing drugs to brain-penetrants to support future CNS drug discovery.
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Rutz S, Deneka D, Dittmann A, Sawicka M, Dutzler R. Structure of a volume-regulated heteromeric LRRC8A/C channel. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:52-61. [PMID: 36522427 PMCID: PMC9851909 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) participate in the cellular response to osmotic swelling. These membrane proteins consist of heteromeric assemblies of LRRC8 subunits, whose compositions determine permeation properties. Although structures of the obligatory LRRC8A, also referred to as SWELL1, have previously defined the architecture of VRACs, the organization of heteromeric channels has remained elusive. Here we have addressed this question by the structural characterization of murine LRRC8A/C channels. Like LRRC8A, these proteins assemble as hexamers. Despite 12 possible arrangements, we find a predominant organization with an A:C ratio of two. In this assembly, four LRRC8A subunits cluster in their preferred conformation observed in homomers, as pairs of closely interacting proteins that stabilize a closed state of the channel. In contrast, the two interacting LRRC8C subunits show a larger flexibility, underlining their role in the destabilization of the tightly packed A subunits, thereby enhancing the activation properties of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Rutz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dawid Deneka
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Marta Sawicka
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Raimund Dutzler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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