Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Inhibits Migration of Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells by Suppressing Macrophage Polarization toward an M2 Phenotype

Hexane Fraction of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Root Extract Inhibits Angiogenesis and Endothelial Cell-Induced Erlotinib Resistance in Lung Cancer Cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of the hexane fraction of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica root extract (HAT) and its influence on the development of erlotinib resistance in human lung cancer cells. HAT significantly reduced the migration, invasion, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The phosphorylation levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and its downstream molecules were decreased via HAT, indicating its anti-angiogenic potential in endothelial cells (ECs). A docking analysis demonstrated that β-sitosterol and lupeol, representative components of HAT, exhibit a high affinity for binding to VEGFR2. In addition, conditioned media from HAT-pretreated H1299 human lung cancer cells attenuated cancer-cell-induced chemotaxis of HUVECs, which was attributed to the decreased expression of angiogenic and chemotactic factors in H1299 cells. Interestingly, co-culture of erlotinib-sensitive PC9 human lung cancer cells with HUVECs induced erlotinib resistance in PC9 cells. However, co-culture with HAT-pretreated HUVECs partially restored the sensitivity of PC9 cells to erlotinib. HAT inhibited the development of erlotinib resistance by attenuating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) production by ECs. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HAT exerts its anticancer effects by regulating the crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells.

First Contiguous Genome Assembly of Japanese Lady Bell (Adenophora triphylla) and Insights into Development of Different Leaf Types

Adenophora triphylla is an important medicinal and food plant found in East Asia. This plant is rich in secondary metabolites such as triterpenoid saponin, and its leaves can develop into different types, such as round and linear, depending on the origin of germination even within the same species. Despite this, few studies have comprehensively characterized the development processes of different leaf types and triterpenoid saponin pathways in this plant. Herein, we provide the first report of a high-quality genome assembly of A. triphylla based on a combination of Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina sequencing methods. Its genome size was estimated to be 2.6 Gb, and the assembled genome finalized as 2.48 Gb, containing 57,729 protein-coding genes. Genome completeness was assessed as 95.6% using the Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs score. The evolutionary divergence of A. triphylla was investigated using the genomes of five plant species, including two other species in the Campanulaceae family. The species A. triphylla diverged approximately 51-118 million years ago from the other four plants, and 579 expanded/contracted gene families were clustered in the Gene Ontology terms. The expansion of the β-amyrin synthase (bAS) gene, a key enzyme in the triterpenoid saponin pathway, was identified in the A. triphylla genome. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of the two leaf types revealed differences in the activity of starch, sucrose, unsaturated fatty acid pathways, and oxidoreductase enzymes. The heat and endoplasmic reticulum pathways related to plant stress were active in the development of round type leaf, while an enhancement of pyrimidine metabolism related to cell development was confirmed in the development of the linear type leaf. This study provides insight into the evolution of bAS genes and the development of different leaf types in A. triphylla.

BPIFB1 promotes metastasis of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer via inducing macrophage M2-like polarization

Metastasis is an important factor affecting the prognosis of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (BC). However, the molecular basis for migration and invasion of tumor cells remains poorly understood. Here, we identify that bactericidal/permeability-increasing-fold-containing family B member 1 (BPIFB1), which plays an important role in innate immunity, is significantly elevated in breast cancer and associated with lymph node metastasis. High expression of BPIFB1 and its coding mRNA are significantly associated with poor prognosis of hormone receptor-positive BC. Using enrichment analysis and constructing immune infiltration evaluation, we predict the potential ability of BPIFB1 to promote macrophage M2 polarization. Finally, we demonstrate that BPIFB1 promotes the metastasis of hormone receptor-positive BC by stimulating the M2-like polarization of macrophages via the establishment of BC tumor cells/THP1 co-culture system, qPCR, Transwell assay, and animal experiments. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the role of BPIFB1 as a tumor promoter by activating the macrophage M2 polarization in hormone receptor-positive breast carcinoma. Together, these results provide novel insights into the mechanism of BPIFB1 in BC.

Hexane fraction of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica root extract induces apoptosis of human lung cancer cells by inactivating Src/STAT3 pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (AT) root extract on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and the mechanism involved in such effect. Among three fractions of AT root extract, hexane fraction (HAT) significantly decreased the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Besides, HAT treatment dose-dependently inhibited colony formation of NSCLC cells. These effects were associated with apoptosis induction evidenced by increased chromatin condensation, accumulation of sub-G1 DNA content and annexin V-positive cells, and enhanced expression of apoptotic proteins, including cleaved-caspases and cleaved-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Notably, phosphorylation levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Src were decreased by HAT. Transfection with STAT3 or Src for constitutive activation reversed the anti-proliferative effect of HAT on H1299 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that HAT-induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells is mediated by inhibition of Src/STAT3 pathway.

miR-320 Overexpression Affects Lung Cancer Macrophage M2 Polarization Through Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA)

miR-320 overexpression’s effect on macrophages polarization in lung cancer was assessed to seek the related therapeutic target for providing theoretical foundation on drug development. THP-1 and A549 cell was induced into macrophage M2 type and then divided into no-polarization group (MΦ) and M2 type of macrophage’s polarization group (M2). Cells were transfected with miR-320mimic and assigned into BC group, NC group and miR-320mimic group followed by analysis of TGF-β level by ELISA, TNF-α, IL-1β, CCL22, CCL17 and VEGFA level by real-time PCR, VEGFA, CCL22 and IL-1β protein level by western blot, as well as CD206 level by flow cytometry. The proportion of CD206+ cell was significantly increased after induction with the elevated CCL22 and CCL17 mRNA level. There was no significance of TNF-α, IL-1β RNA level between two groups (P > 0.05). TGF-β level was significantly increased in macrophage of M2 type. CCL2 and VEGFA level was lower and IL-1β was higher in miR-320 overexpression group than other two groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, macrophage polarization in lung cancer influenced by VEGFA could be regulated by miR-320 overexpression.

Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Inhibits Candida Biofilm Formation, Increases Susceptibility to Antifungal Agents and Reduces Infection

(1) Background: Candida is the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide, but due to the limited option of antifungal therapies, alternative strategies are required. (2) Methods: Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract was used for the biofilm formation assay using RPMI1640. The combinatorial antifungal assay, the dimorphic transition assay, and the adherence assay were done to see the influence of inhibition of biofilm formation. qRT-PCR analysis were performed to check the gene expression. (3) Results: Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract inhibited the Candida biofilm formation. Treatment of extract increased the antifungal susceptibility of miconazole from a 37% reduction in fungal growth to 99.05%, and also dose-dependently reduced the dimorphic transition of Candida and the attachment of Candida to HaCaT cells. The extract blocked the expression of hyphal-related genes, extracellular matrix genes, Ras1-cAMP-PKA pathway genes, Cph2-Tec1 pathway gene, and MAP kinase pathway gene. (4) Conclusions: In this study, the treatment of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract showed inhibition of fungal biofilm formation, activation of antifungal susceptibility, and reduction of infection. These results suggest that fungal biofilm formation is a good target for the development of antifungal adjuvants, and Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract should be a good candidate for biofilm-associated fungal infections.

Experimental study on preparation and anti-tumor efficiency of nanoparticles targeting M2 macrophages

This study aimed to develop an effective therapy against M2 macrophages and to investigate the effects of imidazole and mannose modified carboxymethyl chitosan-nanoparticles (MIC-NPs) on tumor growth and antitumor immune responses. MIC-NPs were constructed and analyzed through ¹H NMR, nano-laser particle size analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were mainly distributed in 75–85 nm, and zeta potential was 1.5 mV. Cytotoxicity studies in vitro and in vivo indicated that MIC-NPs were safe. The targeting effect of MIC-NPs on M2 macrophages was observed through fluorescence microscope and microplate system. The results demonstrated the uptake of a large amount of FITC-loaded MIC-NPs by M2. Cell growth inhibition experiments showed that MIC-NPs significantly inhibited M2 through cell apoptosis. The evaluation of anti-tumor activity in vivo showed that MIC-NPs could accumulate in the tumor site to exert an anti-tumor effect. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of M2 macrophages at the tumor site in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group, while the Treg cells and cytotoxic T cells (CTL) were found to be increased. PCR detection showed that the cDNA of FIZZ, MR, TGF-β, and arginase, closely related to M2 macrophages, in the experimental group, was significantly lower than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the cDNA of Treg cell characteristic Foxp3 between the two groups. These results suggest that MIC-NPs are expected to provide a new and effective treatment for tumor.

ALS-Related Mutant SOD1 Aggregates Interfere with Mitophagy by Sequestering the Autophagy Receptor Optineurin

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive demise of motor neurons. One of the causes of familial ALS is the mutation of the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which leads to abnormal protein aggregates. How SOD1 aggregation drives ALS is still poorly understood. Recently, ALS pathogenesis has been functionally implicated in mitophagy, specifically the clearance of damaged mitochondria. Here, to understand this mechanism, we investigated the relationship between the mitophagy receptor optineurin and SOD1 aggregates. We found that mutant SOD1 (mSOD1) proteins associate with and then sequester optineurin, which is required to form the mitophagosomes, to aggregates in N2a cells. Optineurin recruitment into mSOD1 aggregates resulted in a reduced mitophagy flux. Furthermore, we observed that an exogenous augmentation of optineurin alleviated the cellular cytotoxicity induced by mSOD1. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that ALS-linked mutations in SOD1 interfere with the mitophagy process through optineurin sequestration, suggesting that the accumulation of damaged mitochondria may play a crucial role in the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to ALS.