Role of the Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells in the Metastasis of Novel Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Microbially Inspired Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Pathway Integrated Polyelectrolyte Capsules (MICPC) for Biomolecules Release

Complexation between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes offers a facile single-step strategy for assembling functional micro-nano carriers for efficient drug and vaccine delivery. However, the stability of the delivery system within the physiological environment is compromised due to the swelling of the polyelectrolyte complex, driven by the charge shielding effect, and consequently leads to uncontrollable burst release, thereby limiting its potential applications. In a pioneering approach, cellular pathway-inspired calcium carbonate precipitation pathways are developed that are integrated into polyelectrolyte capsules (MICPC). These innovative capsules are fabricated at the interface of all-aqueous microfluidic droplets, resulting in a precisely controllable and sustained release profile in physiological conditions. Unlike single-step polyelectrolyte assembly capsules which always perform rapid burst release, the MICPC exhibits a sustainable and tunable release pattern, releasing biomolecules at an average rate of 3-10% per day. Remarkably, the degree of control over MICPC's release kinetics can be finely tuned by adjusting the quantity of synthesized calcium carbonate particles within the polyelectrolyte complex. This groundbreaking work not only deepens the insights into polyelectrolyte complexation but also significantly enhances the overall stability of these complexes, opening up new avenues for expanding the range of applications involving polyelectrolyte complex-related materials.

Remarkable Effects of a Rhenium(I)-diselenoether Drug on the Production of Cathepsins B and S by Macrophages and their Polarizations

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) produce an excessive amount of cysteine proteases, and we aimed to study the effects of anticancer rhenium(I)-diselenoether (Re-diSe) on the production of cathepsins B and S by macrophages. We investigated the effect of Re-diSe on lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced M1 macrophages, or by interleukin 6 (IL-6) induced M2 macrophages.

METHODS

Non-stimulated or prestimulated murine Raw 264 or human THP-1 macrophages were exposed to increasing concentrations of the drug (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 μM) and viability was assayed by the MTT assay. The amount of cysteine proteases was evaluated by ELISA tests, the number of M1 and M2 macrophages by the expression of CD80 or CD206 biomarkers. The binding of Re-diSe with GSH as a model thiol-containing protein was studied by mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

A dose-dependent decrease in cathepsins B and S was observed in M1 macrophages. There was no effect in non-stimulated cells. The drug induced a dramatic dose-dependent increase in M1 expression in both cells, significantly decreased the M2 expression in Raw 264 and had no effect in non-stimulated macrophages. The binding of the Re atom with the thiols was clearly demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

The increase in the number of M1 and a decrease in M2 macrophages treated by Re-diSe could be related to the decrease in cysteine proteases upon binding of their thiol residues with the Re atom.

AhR Mediated Activation of Pro-Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells Modulate the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease caused by progressive deterioration of lung tissue, is generated by several factors including genetic and environmental ones. In response to long-term exposure to environmental stimuli, aberrant tissue repair and epithelial cell-to- mesenchymal cell transition (EMT) trigger the subsequent progression of pulmonary fibrotic diseases. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that is activated by ligands providing lung dysfunction when activated by environmental toxins, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our previous study demonstrated that AhR mediates α-SMA expression by directly binding to the α-SMA (fibroblast differentiation marker) promoter, suggesting the role of AhR in mediating fibrogenic progression. Here we follow the hypothesis that macrophage infiltrated microenvironments may trigger inflammation and subsequent fibrosis. We studied the expression of cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells by AhR activation through an ELISA assay. To investigate molecular events, migration, western blotting and zymography assays were carried out. We found that AhR agonists such as TCDD, IP and FICZ, promote the migration and induce inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2. These cytokines arbitrate EMT marker expression such as E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin in pulmonary epithelial cells. Expression of proteins of MMPs in mouse macrophages was determined by zymography, showing the caseinolytic activity of MMP-1 and the gelatinolytic action of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, the present study showed that AhR activated macrophages create an inflammatory microenvironment which favours the fibrotic progression of pulmonary epithelial cells. Such production of inflammatory factors was accomplished by affecting the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, thereby creating a microenvironment which enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to fibrosis of the lung.

Renieramycin T Inhibits Melanoma B16F10 Cell Metastasis and Invasion via Regulating Nrf2 and STAT3 Signaling Pathways

As one of marine tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, renieramycin T plays a significant role in inhibiting tumor metastasis and invasion. However, the effect of renieramycin T on inflammation-related tumor metastasis and invasion is still unknown, and its mechanisms remain unclear. Here we established an inflammation-related tumor model by using the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells to simulate B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. The results indicate that renieramycin T suppressed RAW264.7 cell supernatant-reduced B16F10 cell adhesion to a fibronectin-coated substrate, migration, and invasion through the matrigel in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, Western blot results reveal that renieramycin T attenuated the phosphorylation of STAT3 and down-regulated the expression of Nrf2. Together, the above findings suggest a model of renieramycin T in suppressing B16F10 cancer cell migration and invasion. It may serve as a promising drug for the treatment of cancer metastasis.

Reactive Oxygen Species in the Adverse Outcome Pathway Framework: Toward Creation of Harmonized Consensus Key Events

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are formed as a result of natural cellular processes, intracellular signaling, or as adverse responses associated with diseases or exposure to oxidizing chemical and non-chemical stressors. The action of ROS and RNS, collectively referred to as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), has recently become highly relevant in a number of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) that capture, organize, evaluate and portray causal relationships pertinent to adversity or disease progression. RONS can potentially act as a key event (KE) in the cascade of responses leading to an adverse outcome (AO) within such AOPs, but are also known to modulate responses of events along the AOP continuum without being an AOP event itself. A substantial discussion has therefore been undertaken in a series of workshops named "Mystery or ROS" to elucidate the role of RONS in disease and adverse effects associated with exposure to stressors such as nanoparticles, chemical, and ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. This review introduces the background for RONS production, reflects on the direct and indirect effects of RONS, addresses the diversity of terminology used in different fields of research, and provides guidance for developing a harmonized approach for defining a common event terminology within the AOP developer community.

Prognostic value and predictive biomarkers of phenotypes of tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The roles of different subtypes of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain controversial. In this study, different subtypes of TAMs were investigated as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for CRC.

METHODS

Expressions of CD68, CD86 and CD163 were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF), and the correlation between the expression of CD86 and CD163 was calculated in colorectal cancer tissues from 64 CRC patients.

RESULTS

The results showed that high expressions of CD86⁺ and CD68⁺ CD86⁺ TAMs as well as low expression of CD163⁺ and CD68⁺ CD163⁺ TAMs were significantly associated with favorable overall survival (OS). The level of CD86 protein expression showed a negative correlation with CD163 protein expression. In addition, CD86 protein expression remarkably negative correlated with tumor differentiation and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, while CD163 protein expression significantly positive correlated with tumor differentiation and tumor size. As an independent risk factor, high expression of CD86 TAMs had prominently favorable prognostic efficacy while high expression of CD68⁺ CD163⁺ TAMs had significantly poor prognostic efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CD86⁺ and CD68⁺ CD163⁺ TAMs as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for CRC.

Cancer Biology Analysis-Tackled from Different Points of View

In the last few decades, great advances have been made in the detection and treatment of cancer, thus increasing the survival rate [...].