Identifying the p65-Dependent Effect of Sulforaphene on Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression via Bioinformatics Analysis

The Science of Cholesteatoma

Cholesteatoma is a potential end-stage outcome of chronic ear infections that can result in the destruction of temporal bone structures with potential resultant hearing loss, vertigo, and intracranial infectious complications. There is currently no treatment apart from surgery for this condition, and despite years of study, the histopathogenesis of this disease remains poorly understood. This review is intended to summarize our accumulated knowledge of the mechanisms of cholesteatoma development and the underlying molecular biology. Attention will be directed particularly to recent developments, covering many potential pharmacologic targets that could be used to treat this disease in the future.

ZSH-2208: A novel retinoid with potent anti-tumour effects on ESCC stem cells via RARγ-TNFAIP3 axis

BACKGROUD

Oesophageal cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumours globally, primarily consisting of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) accelerate the progression ESCC via their strong self-renewal and tumourigenic capabilities, presenting significant clinical challenges due to increased risks of recurrence and drug resistance.

METHODS

Our previous study has reported WYC-209, which is capable of inducing apoptosis of CSCs in melanoma and hepatoma, but is ineffective against ESCC. Additionally, clinical studies in ESCC still lack drug candidates that effectively target CSCs. Therefore, our team developed a series of novel retinoids that target retinoic acid receptors (RARs), with enhanced potency, broader efficacy and minimised toxic side effects against CSCs. Following iterative optimisation and pharmacological validation, ZSH-2208 was identified as the most promising candidate for effectively targeting ESCC tumour-repopulating cells (TRCs). Mechanistic exploration revealed that ZSH-2208 inhibits the growth of ESCC-TRCs through modulation of the RARγ-TNFAIP3 axis. The clinical significance of the key molecule TNFAIP3 in ESCC has also been demonstrated.

RESULTS

This study introduces ZSH-2208, a novel retinoid specifically targeting ESCC-TRCs, which holds significant potential for clinical application in ESCC.

KEY POINTS

The ESCC-TRCs replicates the characteristics of ESCC stem cells, which are inhibited by ZSH-2208. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that ZSH-2208, a novel RA analogue, effectively inhibits the growth of ESCC-TRCs through the RARγ-TNFAIP3 axis. Low levels of TNFIP3 protein may be associated with improved survival probability in ESCC patients.

Combining network pharmacology and experimental verification to study the anti-colon cancer effect and mechanism of sulforaphene

BACKGROUND

Sulforaphene is a derivative of glucosinolate and a potential bioactive substance used for treating colon cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the potential inhibitory effect and mechanisms of sulforaphene in human colon cancer Caco-2 cells. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification were performed to elucidate potential sulforaphene mechanisms in the treatment of this condition.

RESULT

Network pharmacology predicted 27 intersection target genes between sulforaphene and colon cancer cell inhibition. Key sulforaphene targets associated with colon cancer cell inhibition were identified as EGFR, MAPK14, MCL1, GSK3B, PARP1, PTPRC, NOS2, CTSS, TLR9, and CTSK. Gene ontology functional enrichment analysis revealed that the above genes were primarily related to the positive regulation of peptidase activity, cytokine production in the inflammatory response, and the cell receptor signaling pathway. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that sulforaphene mainly inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by affecting apoptosis as well as the signaling pathways of PD-1, Toll-like receptor, T cell receptor, and P13k-Akt. Molecular docking results further confirmed that CTSS, GSK3B, and NOS2 were significantly up-regulated and had good binding affinity with sulforaphene. In vitro experiments also indicated that sulforaphene had a significant inhibitory effect on human colon cancer Caco-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

This paper revealed the pharmacodynamic mechanism of sulforaphene in the treatment of colon cancer for the first time. It provides scientific insight into the development of sulforaphene as a medicinal resource. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sulforaphene suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and LPS-induced bone erosion by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Inflammatory disorders have been found to induce bone loss through sustained and persistent activation of osteoclast differentiation, leading to heightened bone resorption. The current pharmacological interventions for combating bone loss to harbor adverse effects or contraindications. There is a pressing need to identify drugs with fewer side effects.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The effect and underlying mechanism of sulforaphene (LFS) on osteoclast differentiation were illustrated in vitro and in vivo with RANKL-induced Raw264.7 cell line osteoclastogenesis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone erosion model.

KEY RESULTS

In this study, LFS has been shown to effectively impede the formation of mature osteoclasts induced from both Raw264.7 cell line and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), mainly at the early stage. Further mechanistic investigations uncovered that LFS suppressed AKT phosphorylation. SC-79, a potent AKT activator, was found to reverse the inhibitory impact of LFS on osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that treatment with LFS led to a significant upregulation in the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and antioxidant-related genes. Then it's validated that LFS could promote NRF2 expression and nuclear translocation, as well as effectively resist oxidative stress. NRF2 knockdown reversed the suppression effect of LFS on osteoclast differentiation. In vivo experiments provide convincing evidence that LFS is protective against LPS-induced inflammatory osteolysis.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These well-grounded and promising findings suggest LFS as a promising agent to addressing oxidative-stress related diseases and bone loss disorders.

Single-cell transcriptomics of human cholesteatoma identifies an activin A-producing osteoclastogenic fibroblast subset inducing bone destruction

Cholesteatoma, which potentially results from tympanic membrane retraction, is characterized by intractable local bone erosion and subsequent hearing loss and brain abscess formation. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bone destruction remain elusive. Here, we performed a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on human cholesteatoma samples and identify a pathogenic fibroblast subset characterized by abundant expression of inhibin βA. We demonstrate that activin A, a homodimer of inhibin βA, promotes osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, the deletion of inhibin βA /activin A in these fibroblasts results in decreased osteoclast differentiation in a murine model of cholesteatoma. Moreover, follistatin, an antagonist of activin A, reduces osteoclastogenesis and resultant bone erosion in cholesteatoma. Collectively, these findings indicate that unique activin A-producing fibroblasts present in human cholesteatoma tissues are accountable for bone destruction via the induction of local osteoclastogenesis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.

Anti-inflammatory potential of digested Brassica sprout extracts in human macrophage-like HL-60 cells

Cruciferous vegetables have been reported to be a great source of anti-inflammatory compounds. Specifically, sprouts from the Brassicaceae family stand out for their high content of glucosinolates (and their bioactive derivatives, isothiocyanates), phenolic acids, and anthocyanins. Despite the evident anti-inflammatory activity of certain Brassica phytochemicals such as sulforaphane or phenolic acids, the effect of digested Brassica vegetables on inflammation remains understudied. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the bioaccessible forms of cruciferous bioactives (from red cabbage sprouts (RCS) and red radish sprouts (RRS)) obtained upon in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in the HL-60 macrophage-like differentiated human cell line. The study was performed under basal conditions or stimulated with a low dose of LPS for 24 hours as a validated in vitro model of chronic inflammation. The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were determined by RT-qPCR and ELISA respectively. Our results revealed no cytotoxicity with any of the treatments in LPS-stimulated macrophage-like HL60 cells. Regarding cytokine production, digestates significantly decreased the production of the three pro-inflammatory cytokines at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg mL^-1 except for IL-1β treated with RCS digestates. Furthermore, the RT-qPCR analysis showed a decrease in the relative expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated cells treated with RRS digestates at 100 μg mL^-1 but not with red cabbage digestates. In conclusion, RRS bioaccessible compounds in the extracts could be used as dietary coadjuvants given their potential anti-inflammatory effect on this in vitro model of chronic inflammation.

Homologous Drought-Induced 19 Proteins, PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7, Enhance Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Plants

Drought-induced 19 (Di19) proteins play important roles in abiotic stress responses. Thus far, there are no reports about Di19 family in woody plants. Here, eight Di19 genes were identified in poplar. We analyzed phylogenetic tree, conserved protein domain, and gene structure of Di19 gene members in seven species. The results showed the Di19 gene family was very conservative in both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous forms. On the basis of transcriptome data, the expression patterns of Di19s in poplar under abiotic stress and ABA treatment were further studied. Subsequently, homologous genes PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 with strong response to drought stress were identified. PtDi19-2 functions as a nuclear transcriptional activator with a transactivation domain at the C-terminus. PtDi19-7 is a nuclear and membrane localization protein. Additionally, PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 were able to interact with each other in yeast two-hybrid system. Overexpression of PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 in Arabidopsis was found. Phenotype identification and physiological parameter analysis showed that transgenic Arabidopsis increased ABA sensitivity and drought tolerance. PtDi19-7 was overexpressed in hybrid poplar 84K (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa). Under drought treatment, the phenotype and physiological parameters of transgenic poplar were consistent with those of transgenic Arabidopsis. In addition, exogenous ABA treatment induced lateral bud dormancy of transgenic poplar and stomatal closure of transgenic Arabidopsis. The expression of ABA/drought-related marker genes was upregulated under drought treatment. These results indicated that PtDi19-2 and PtDi19-7 might play a similar role in improving the drought tolerance of transgenic plants through ABA-dependent signaling pathways.