Imminent Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitor from Microbial Source for Cancer Therapy

Bidirectional Mediation Effects between Intratumoral Microbiome and Host DNA Methylation Changes Contribute to Stomach Adenocarcinoma

The induction of aberrant DNA methylation is the major pathway by which Helicobacter pylori infection induces stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). The involvement of the non-H. pylori gastric microbiota in this mechanism remains to be examined. RNA sequencing data, clinical information, and DNA methylation data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) STAD project. The Kraken 2 pipeline was employed to explore the microbiome profiles. The microbiome was associated with occurrence, distal metastasis, and prognosis, and differential methylation changes related to distal metastasis and prognosis were analyzed. Bi-directional mediation effects of the intratumoral microbiome and host DNA methylation changes on the metastasis and prognosis of STAD were identified by mediation analysis. The expression of the ZNF215 gene was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). A cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) cell proliferation experiment and a cell clone formation experiment were used to evaluate the proliferation and invasion abilities of gastric cells. Our analysis revealed that H. pylori and other cancer-related microorganisms were related to the occurrence, progression, or prognosis of STAD. The related methylated genes were particularly enriched in related cancer pathways. Kytococcus sedentarius and Actinomyces oris, which interacted strongly with methylation changes in immune genes, were associated with prognosis. Cell experiments verified that Staphylococcus saccharolyticus could promote the proliferation and cloning of gastric cells by regulating the gene expression level of the ZNF215 gene. Our study suggested that the bi-directional mediation effect between intratumoral microorganisms and host epigenetics was key to the distal metastasis of cancer cells and survival deterioration in the tumor microenvironment of stomach tissues of patients with STAD. IMPORTANCE The burgeoning field of oncobiome research declared that members of the intratumoral microbiome besides Helicobacter pylori existed in tumor tissues and participated in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, and the methylation of host DNA may be a potential target of microbes and their metabolites. Current research focuses mostly on species composition, but the functional genes of the members of the microbiota are also key to their interaction with the host. Therefore, we focused on characterizing the species composition and functional gene composition of microbes in gastric cancer, and we suggest that microbes may further participate in the occurrence and development of cancer by influencing abnormal epigenetic changes in the host. Some key bioinformatics analysis results were verified by in vitro experiments. Thus, we consider that the tumor microbiota-host epigenetic axis of gastric cancer microorganisms and the host explains the mechanism of the microbiota participating in cancer occurrence and development, and we make some verifiable experimental predictions.

Peptide profiling in cow urine reveals molecular signature of physiology-driven pathways and in-silico predicted bioactive properties

Peptidomics allows the identification of peptides that are derived from proteins. Urinary peptidomics has revolutionized the field of diagnostics as the samples represent complete systemic changes happening in the body. Moreover, it can be collected in a non-invasive manner. We profiled the peptides in urine collected from different physiological states (heifer, pregnancy, and lactation) of Sahiwal cows. Endogenous peptides were extracted from 30 individual cows belonging to three groups, each group comprising of ten animals (biological replicates n = 10). Nano Liquid chromatography Mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS) experiments revealed 5239, 4774, and 5466 peptides in the heifer, pregnant and lactating animals respectively. Urinary peptides of <10 kDa size were considered for the study. Peptides were extracted by 10 kDa MWCO filter. Sequences were identified by scanning the MS spectra ranging from 200 to 2200 m/z. The peptides exhibited diversity in sequences across different physiological states and in-silico experiments were conducted to classify the bioactive peptides into anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and anti-cancerous groups. We have validated the antimicrobial effect of urinary peptides on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli under an in-vitro experimental set up. The origin of these peptides was traced back to certain proteases viz. MMPs, KLKs, CASPs, ADAMs etc. which were found responsible for the physiology-specific peptide signature of urine. Proteins involved in extracellular matrix structural constituent (GO:0005201) were found significant during pregnancy and lactation in which tissue remodeling is extensive. Collagen trimers were prominent molecules under cellular component category during lactation. Homophilic cell adhesion was found to be an important biological process involved in embryo attachment during pregnancy. The in-silico study also highlighted the enrichment of progenitor proteins on specific chromosomes and their relative expression in context to specific physiology. The urinary peptides, precursor proteins, and proteases identified in the study offers a base line information in healthy cows which can be utilized in biomarker discovery research for several pathophysiological studies.

Construct a circRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory network to explore potential pathogenesis and therapy options of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most representative subtype of renal cancer. CircRNA acts as a kind of ceRNA to play a role in regulating microRNA (miRNA) in many cancers. However, the potential pathogenesis role of the regulatory network among circRNA/miRNA/mRNA is not clear and has not been fully explored. CircRNA expression profile data were obtained from GEO datasets, and the differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were identified through utilizing R package (Limma) firstly. Secondly, miRNAs that were regulated by these circRNAs were predicted by using Cancer-specific circRNA database and Circular RNA Interactome. Thirdly, some related genes were identified by intersecting targeted genes, which was predicted by a web tool (miRWalk) and differentially expressed genes, which was obtained from TCGA datasets. Function enrichment was analyzed, and a PPI network was constructed by Cytoscape software and DAVID web set. Subsequently, ten hub-genes were screened from the network, and the overall survival time in patients of ccRCC with abnormal expression of these hub-genes were completed by GEPIA web set. In the last, a circRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory network was constructed, and potential compounds and drug which may have the function of anti ccRCC were forecasted by taking advantage of CMap and PharmGKB datasets. Six DECs (hsa_circ_0029340, hsa_circ_0039238, hsa_circ_0031594, hsa_circ_0084927, hsa_circ_0035442, hsa_circ_0025135) were obtained and six miRNAs (miR-1205, miR-657, miR-587, miR-637, miR-1278, miR-548p) which are regulated by three circRNAs (hsa_circ_0084927, hsa_circ_0035442, hsa_circ_0025135) were also predicted. Then 497 overlapped genes regulated by these six miRNAs above had been predicted, and function enrichment analysis revealed these genes are mainly linked with some regulation functions of cancers. Ten hub-genes (PTGER3, ADCY2, APLN, CXCL5, GRM4, MCHR1, NPY5R, CXCR4, ACKR3, MTNR1B) have been screened from a PPI network. PTGER3, ADCY2, CXCL5, GRM4 and APLN were identified to have a significant effect on the overall survival time of patients with ccRCC. Furthermore, one compound (josamycin) and four kinds of drugs (capecitabine, hmg-coa reductase inhibitors, ace Inhibitors and bevacizumab) were confirmed as potential therapeutic options for ccRCC by CMap analysis and pharmacogenomics analysis. This study implies the potential pathogenesis of the regulatory network among circRNA/miRNA/mRNA and provides some potential therapeutic options for ccRCC.

Knowledge and awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccines among Caribbean youth: the case of the Bahamas

There is a high burden of cervical cancer in the Caribbean region, particularly in the Bahamas, yet there are few studies of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine in the region. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine among school-aged youth (15–18 years) living in the Bahamas.

Cross-sectional data were obtained from the “Getting to Zero” HIV study in the Bahamas conducted in 2014/2015 (n = 1553). The questionnaire elicited information on knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines, using previously validated scales. Data analysis included Chi-square tests and Mann Whitney U test.

In this sample of school-aged youth, only 10.7% (146/1364) had ever heard of HPV. With respect to those who were sexually active (n = 685), only 10.7% had ever heard of HPV. For those who had heard of HPV, knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines was assessed on an HPV Knowledge and HPV Vaccine Knowledge scale, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean HPV knowledge score between males and females, or HPV vaccine knowledge scores, between males and females.

There was a general lack of awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines among school-aged youth in the Bahamas. This is an important gap in the HPV vaccine strategy and cancer prevention, as this is the age at which most people acquire HPV. It emphasizes the importance of developing a careful implementation plan, with an evaluation of knowledge and attitudes, in order to have an effective HPV vaccine uptake.

Anti-cancer effect of dung beetle glycosaminoglycans on melanoma

BACKGROUND

Dung beetle glycosaminoglycan is known to possess anti-aging activities. However, its anti-cancer mechanisms are not fully elucidated yet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of insect-derived polymer dung beetle glycosaminoglycan (GAG) after intraperitoneally injecting it to melanoma mice induced by B16F10 cells.

METHODS

To determine molecular mechanism involved in the anti-cancer effect of dung beetle GAG, its origin N-glycan under 3KD Dalton was assayed for melanoma cell cytotoxicity. Quantitative comparisons of adhesive molecule on extracellular matrix and activities of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 2 (TIMP-2) were also investigated. In vivo anti-cancer effect of dung beetle GAG on solid tumor size, survival time and gene-expression profiles was also assayed using B10F10 melanoma mice model. Mice with induced melanoma were then treated with Catharsius molossus (dung beetle) GAG (CaG) at 5 mg/kg for 8 weeks to investigate its anti-cancer effects compared to bumblebee (Bombus ignitus) queen glycosaminoglycan (IQG) and Huechys sanguinea glycosaminoglycan (HEG).

RESULTS

These N-glycans derived from these GAG were composed of many linear heparinoid polysaccharides, polymers with hexose and N-acetylhexose. Adminstration with these GAGs increased survival time and decreased melanoma sizes in mice, in accordance with their inhibitory effects on cell growth ratio of melanoma B16F10. In addition, treatment with N-glycans derived from theses glycosaminoglycan increased activities of TIMP-2 in HMVEC cells pretreated with TNF-alpha and in melanoma cells, suggesting that they had anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In DNA microarray results, compared to control, CaG treated mouse group showed upregulation of 192 genes including collagen,typeI,alpha1 (Col1a1), consistent with the highly increased in vitro extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion on collagen 1 and up-regulation of heparanase (Hpse). After treatment with CaG, a total of 152 genes were down-regulated, including nuclear RNA export factor (Nxf3) and hyaluronan proteoglycan link protein1 (Hapln1).

CONCLUSIONS

Glycosaminoglycan, CaG can strengthen ECM by increasing activity of TIMP-2 and adhesion activity on collagen known to inhibit changes of ECM, leading to tumor cell invasion and progression.

Antibody persistence after a single dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine and the effect of a dose of nonavalent vaccine given 3-8 years later - an exploratory study

The objective of this study was to assess the persistence of antibodies after a single dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV) and the effect of a dose of nonavalent HPV vaccine (9vHPV) given 3-8 years later. Such data might be of interest in the decision-making process regarding the 2-dose course completion in non-compliant vaccinees in jurisdictions which switched from 4vHPV to 9vHPV. Girls who previously received a single dose of 4vHPV were eligible to participate. Blood specimens were collected just before and one month post-9vHPV administration. The specimens were tested by ELISA for the presence of antibodies to 9 HPV types included in the 9vHPV. Thirty-one girls aged 13-18 years (mean 15.5 years) participated in the study. Pre-9vHPV administration, all participants were seropositive to 4 HPV types included in 4vHPV and 58%-87% were seropositive to the five other HPV types included in the 9vHPV. GMTs were 6.1 AU/ml, 7.7 AU/ml, 20.1 IU/ml and 6.3 IU/ml to HPV6, HPV11, HPV16 and HPV18, respectively. The GMTs for the other five HPV types varied from 1.0 to 2.9 AU/ml. One month post-9vHPV administration all 31 participants were seropositive to all 9 HPV types with a 36.1 to 89.1-fold increase of GMTs. High seropositivity rates observed several years after a single dose of 4vHPV and 100% seropositivity after a dose of 9vHPV suggest that this schedule might be used in non-compliant vaccinees or when switching immunization programs from 4vHPV to 9vHPV.