Vitamin C kills thyroid cancer cells through ROS-dependent inhibition of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways via distinct mechanisms

Putative mechanism of a multivitamin treatment against insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is caused by the abnormal secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue, which is induced by an increase in lipid accumulation in adipocytes, hepatocytes, and myocytes. The inflammatory pathway involves multiple targets such as nuclear factor kappa B, inhibitor of nuclear factor κ-B kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Vitamins are micronutrients with anti-inflammatory activities that have unclear mechanisms. The present study aimed to describe the putative mechanisms of vitamins involved in the inflammatory pathway of insulin resistance. The strategy to achieve this goal was to integrate data mining and analysis, target prediction, and molecular docking simulation calculations to support our hypotheses. Our results suggest that the multitarget activity of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12, C, D3, and E inhibits nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase, in addition to vitamins A and B12 against inhibitor of nuclear factor κ-B kinase. The findings of this study highlight the pharmacological potential of using an anti-inflammatory and multitarget treatment based on vitamins and open new perspectives to evaluate the inhibitory activity of vitamins against nuclear factor kappa B, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and inhibitor of nuclear factor κ-B kinase in an insulin-resistant context.

High-dose vitamin C as a metabolic treatment of cancer: a new dimension in the era of adjuvant and intensive therapy

The anti-cancer mechanism of High-dose Vitamin C (HDVC) is mainly to participate in the Fenton reaction, hydroxylation reaction, and epigenetic modification, which leads to the energy crisis, metabolic collapse, and severe peroxidation stress that results in the proliferation inhibition or death of cancer cells. However, the mainstream view is that HDVC does not significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes. In clinical work and scientific research, we found that some drugs or therapies can significantly improve the anti-cancer effects of HDVC, such as PD-1 inhibitors that can increase the anti-cancer effects of cancerous HDVC by nearly three times. Here, the adjuvant and intensive therapy and synergistic mechanisms including HDVC combined application of chemoradiotherapies multi-vitamins, targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and oncolytic virus are discussed in detail. Adjuvant and intensive therapy of HDVC can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of HDVC in the metabolic treatment of cancer, but more clinical evidence is needed to support its clinical application.

GNA15 facilitates the malignant development of thyroid carcinoma cells via the BTK-mediated MAPK signaling pathway

G protein subunit alpha 15 (GNA15) is recognized as an oncogene for some cancers, however, its role in thyroid carcinoma (TC) is elusive and is investigated in this study. Concretely, bioinformatics was employed to analyze the GNA15 expression profile in TC. The effect of GNA15 on TC cell functions was examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation, and Transwell assays. Expressions of extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 were determined using Western blot. The involvement of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) in the mechanism of GNA15 was investigated by BTK knockdown and rescue assay. GNA15 presented an overexpression pattern in TC samples, which facilitated the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of TC cells; GNA15 silencing led to converse results. Ratios of p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, and p-p38/p38 were upregulated by GNA15 overexpression. The BTK deficiency weakened the aforementioned behaviors of TC cells and blocked the MAPK signaling pathway, however, these effects were counteracted by GNA15 overexpression. Collectively, GNA15 contributes to the malignant development of TC cells by binding to BTK and thus activating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Canagliflozin Inhibits Palmitic Acid-Induced Vascular Cell Aging In Vitro through ROS/ERK and Ferroptosis Pathways

Vascular aging is one of the reasons for the high incidence of cardiovascular diseases nowadays, as vascular cells age due to various internal and external factors. Among them, high fat is an important inducer. Canagliflozin (CAN) is one of the SGLT2 inhibitors that has been shown to have cardiovascular protective effects in addition to lowering blood sugar, but the specific mechanism is not clear. This study first established a vascular aging model using palmitic acid (PA), then tested the effect of CAN on PA-induced vascular aging, and finally examined the mechanism of CAN's anti-vascular aging via ROS/ERK and ferroptosis pathways. We found that CAN alleviates PA-induced vascular cell aging by inhibiting the activation of ROS/ERK and ferroptosis signaling pathways. This study reveals new mechanisms of lipid-induced vascular aging and CAN inhibition of vascular aging from the perspectives of ROS/ERK and ferroptosis pathways, which is expected to provide new ideas for the development of related drugs in the future.

Intracellular magnetic hyperthermia reverses sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through its action on signaling pathways

Sorafenib, a first-line drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), unfortunately encounters resistance in most patients, leading to disease progression. Traditional approaches to counteract this resistance, particularly those targeting the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, often face clinical feasibility limitations. Magnetic hyperthermia (MH), unlike conventional thermal therapies, emerges as a promising alternative. It uniquely combines magnetothermal effects with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study found the potential of intracellular MH enhanced the efficacy of sorafenib, increased cellular sensitivity to sorafenib, and reversed sorafenib resistance by inhibiting the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway in an ROS-dependent manner in a sorafenib-resistant HCC cell. Further, in a sorafenib-resistant HCC mouse model, MH significantly sensitized tumors to sorafenib therapy, resulting in inhibited tumor growth and improved survival rates. This presents a promising strategy to overcome sorafenib resistance in HCC, potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes for patients with this challenging condition.

Targeting NG2 relieves the resistance of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to BRAF inhibitors

BRAFV600E represents a constitutively active onco-kinase and stands as the most prevalent genetic alteration in thyroid cancer. However, the clinical efficacy of small-molecule inhibitors targeting BRAFV600E is often limited by acquired resistance. Here, we find that nerve/glial antigen 2 (NG2), also known as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), is up-regulated in thyroid cancers, and its expression is increased with tumor progression in a BRAFV600E-driven thyroid cancer mouse model. Functional studies show that NG2 knockout almost does not affect tumor growth, but significantly improves the response of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to BRAF inhibitor PLX4720. Mechanistically, the blockade of ERK-dependent feedback by BRAF inhibitor can activate receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, causing the resistance to this inhibitor. NG2 knockout attenuates the PLX4720-mediated feedback activation of several RTKs, improving the sensitivity of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to this inhibitor. Based on this finding, we propose and demonstrate an alternative strategy for targeting NG2 to effectively treat BRAF-mutant thyroid cancers by combining multiple kinase inhibitor (MKI) Sorafenib or Lenvatinib with PLX4720. Thus, this study uncovers a new mechanism in which NG2 contributes to the resistance of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to BRAF inhibitor, and provides a promising therapeutic option for BRAF-mutant thyroid cancers.

Quemeiteng granule relieves goiter by suppressing thyroid microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis via miR-217-5p-mediated targeting of FGF2-induced regulation of the ERK pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Goiters are enlargements of the thyroid gland and are a global public issue. Quemeiteng granule (QMTG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to treat goiter in Yunnan Province. However, the effectiveness and underlying mechanism of these treatments have not been fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of QMTG on goiter and the downstream regulatory mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we first evaluated the antigoiter efficacy of QMTG through biochemical indices [body weight, thyroid coefficient, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in a Propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced model. Based on microRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) and bioinformatics analysis, key miRNA was screened out. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the transcriptional regulation of the target gene by the miRNA. The viability of rat thyroid microvascular endothelial cells (RTMECs) and human thyroid microvascular endothelial cells (HTMECs) was assessed using the CCK-8 assays. The migration and angiogenesis of RTMECs and HTMECs were visualized through tube formation and wound scratch assays. Proteins involved in angiogenesis and the ERK pathway were assessed via Western blotting.

RESULTS

QMTG significantly increased body weight, decreased the thyroid coefficient, increased the levels of T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 and reduced TSH levels in rats with goiter. QMTG also promoted the morphological recovery of thyroid follicles. MiR-217-5p was identified as a key miRNA. Our studies revealed that miR-217-5p directly targets FGF2 and that QMTG promotes the recovery of thyroid hormone (TH) levels and morphological changes in the thyroid, suppresses thyroid microvascular endothelial cell vitality, tube formation and migration, and reduces the expression of VEGF, Ang-1 and VCAM-1 triggered by miR-217-5p, thereby inhibiting the Ras/MEK/ERK cascade through FGF2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experiments demonstrated that the QMTG had therapeutic effects on goiter. These effects were attributed to the inhibition of ERK pathway-induced proliferation and angiogenesis through the targeting of FGF2 by miR-217-5p.

Review of the Potential Role of Ascorbate in the Prevention and Treatment of Gynecological Cancers

Ascorbate (vitamin C) is an essential vitamin for the human body and participates in various physiological processes as an important coenzyme and antioxidant. Furthermore, the role of ascorbate in the prevention and treatment of cancer including gynecological cancer has gained much more interest recently. The bioavailability and certain biological functions of ascorbate are distinct in males versus females due to differences in lean body mass, sex hormones, and lifestyle factors. Despite epidemiological evidence that ascorbate-rich foods and ascorbate plasma concentrations are inversely related to cancer risk, ascorbate has not demonstrated a significant protective effect in patients with gynecological cancers. Adequate ascorbate intake may have the potential to reduce the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and high-risk HPV persistence status. High-dose ascorbate exerts antitumor activity and synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents in preclinical cancer models of gynecological cancer. In this review, we provide evidence for the biological activity of ascorbate in females and discuss the potential role of ascorbate in the prevention and treatment of ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers.

The involvement of ROS-regulated programmed cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma

Reactive oxidative species (ROS) is a crucial factor in the regulation of cellular biological activity and function, and aberrant levels of ROS can contribute to the development of a variety of diseases, particularly cancer. Numerous discoveries have affirmed that this process is strongly associated with "programmed cell death (PCD)," which refers to the suicide protection mechanism initiated by cells in response to external stimuli, such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, etc. Research has demonstrated that ROS-induced PCD is crucial for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These activities serve a dual function in both facilitating and inhibiting cancer, suggesting the existence of a delicate balance within healthy cells that can be disrupted by the abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby influencing the eventual advancement or regression of a tumor. In this review, we summarize how ROS regulates PCD to influence the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. Studying how ROS-induced PCD affects the progression of HCC at a molecular level can help develop better prevention and treatment methods and facilitate the design of more effective preventative and therapeutic strategies.

Suppression of NSCLC progression via the co-administration of Danusertib, an AURK inhibitor, and KRIBB11, an HSF1 inhibitor

Aurora kinase (AURK) and heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) are commonly overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), correlating with poor prognosis. This study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of combining the Danusertib (Danu, AURK inhibitor) and KRIBB11 (HSF1 inhibitor) for NSCLC treatment. The effects of this combination were investigated in A549 cells and a tumor xenograft mouse model. The findings demonstrate that concurrent administration of Danu and KRIBB11 effectively impedes cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and triggers G2/M cell cycle arrest. Moreover, the combination treatment upregulates pro-apoptotic proteins (Cleaved-caspase3, Cleaved-PARP, and Bax) while downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2), as well as G2/M-related proteins (CDC2 and cyclin B1). Additionally, the combination treatment elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, and activates the DNA damage pathway. Interestingly, we discovered that the PI3K/AKT pathway is involved in mediating the effects of both Danu and KRIBB11. Furthermore, the combination treatment inhibits tumor growth and AKT signaling in the xenograft mouse model, increases levels of the tumor tissue oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), and induces DNA damage. To summarize, a potential therapeutic approach for NSCLC may involve dual inhibition of AURK and HSF1, resulting in the downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and the activation of ROS-mediated mitochondrial and DNA damage pathways.

Mechanism of non-thermal atmospheric plasma in anti-tumor: influencing intracellular RONS and regulating signaling pathways

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) has been proven to be an effective anti-tumor tool, with various biological effects such as inhibiting tumor proliferation, metastasis, and promoting tumor cell apoptosis. At present, the main conclusion is that ROS and RNS are the main effector components of NTAP, but the mechanisms of which still lack systematic summary. Therefore, in this review, we first summarized the mechanism by which NTAP directly or indirectly causes an increase in intracellular RONS concentration, and the multiple pathways dysregulation (i.e. NRF2, PI3K, MAPK, NF-κB) induced by intracellular RONS. Then, we generalized the relationship between NTAP induced pathways dysregulation and the various biological effects it brought. The summary of the anti-tumor mechanism of NTAP is helpful for its further research and clinical transformation.

Ascorbic acid and its transporter SVCT2, affect radial glia cells differentiation in postnatal stages

Radial glia (RG) cells generate neurons and glial cells that make up the cerebral cortex. Both in rodents and humans, these stem cells remain for a specific time after birth, named late radial glia (lRG). The knowledge of lRG and molecules that may be involved in their differentiation is based on very limited data. We analyzed whether ascorbic acid (AA) and its transporter SVCT2, are involved in lRG cells differentiation. We demonstrated that lRG cells are highly present between the first and fourth postnatal days. Anatomical characterization of lRG cells, revealed that lRG cells maintained their bipolar morphology and stem-like character. When lRG cells were labeled with adenovirus-eGFP at 1 postnatal day, we detected that some cells display an obvious migratory neuronal phenotype, suggesting that lRG cells continue generating neurons postnatally. Moreover, we demonstrated that SVCT2 was apically polarized in lRG cells. In vitro studies using the transgenic mice SVCT2+/- and SVCT2tg (SVCT2-overexpressing mouse), showed that decreased SVCT2 levels led to accelerated differentiation into astrocytes, whereas both AA treatment and elevated SVCT2 expression maintain the lRG cells in an undifferentiated state. In vivo overexpression of SVCT2 in lRG cells generated cells with a rounded morphology that were migratory and positive for proliferation and neuronal markers. We also examined mediators that can be involved in AA/SVCT2-modulated signaling pathways, determining that GSK3-β through AKT, mTORC2, and PDK1 is active in brains with high levels of SVCT2/AA. Our data provide new insights into the role of AA and SVCT2 in late RG cells.

High-dose ascorbate exerts anti-tumor activities and improves inhibitory effect of carboplatin through the pro-oxidant function pathway in uterine serous carcinoma cell lines

OBJECTIVE

Uterine serous carcinoma is a highly aggressive non-endometrioid subtype of endometrial cancer with poor survival rates overall, creating a strong need for new therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes. High-dose ascorbate (vitamin C) has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth in multiple preclinical models and has shown promising anti-tumor activity in combination with chemotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. We aimed to study the anti-tumor effects of ascorbate and its synergistic effect with carboplatin on uterine serous carcinoma cells.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and colony formation assays in ARK1, ARK2 and SPEC2 cells. Cellular stress, antioxidant ability, cleaved caspase 3 activity and adhesion were measured by ELISA assays. Cell cycle was detected by Cellometer. Invasion was measured using a wound healing assay. Changes in protein expression were determined by Western immunoblotting.

RESULTS

High-dose ascorbate significantly inhibited cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest, induced cellular stress, and apoptosis, increased DNA damage, and suppressed cell invasion in ARK1 and SPEC2 cells. Treatment of both cells with 1 mM N-acetylcysteine reversed ascorbate-induced apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation. The combination of ascorbate and carboplatin produced significant synergistic effects in inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion, inducing cellular stress, causing DNA damage, and enhancing cleaved caspase 3 levels compared to each compound alone in both cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Ascorbate has potent antitumor activity and acts synergistically with carboplatin through its pro-oxidant effects. Clinical trials of ascorbate combined with carboplatin as adjuvant treatment of uterine serous carcinoma are worth exploring.

Circular RNAs: characteristics, functions, mechanisms, and potential applications in thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, and its incidence has increased globally. Despite extensive research, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TC remain partially understood, warranting continued exploration of molecular markers for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently garnered significant attention owing to their distinct roles in cancers. This review article introduced the classification and biological functions of circRNAs and summarized their potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers in TC. Further, the interplay of circRNAs with PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK/ERK, Notch, JAK/STAT, and AMPK pathways is elaborated upon. The article culminates with an examination of circRNA's role in drug resistance of TC and highlights the challenges in circRNA research in TC.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Tumorigenesis and Progression

Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Its involvement in cell senescence, apoptosis, and series diseases has been demonstrated. Advances in carcinogenic research have revealed oxidative stress as a pivotal pathophysiological pathway in tumorigenesis and to be involved in lung cancer, glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, leukemia, and so on. This review combs the effects of oxidative stress on tumorigenesis on each phase and cell fate determination, and three features are discussed. Oxidative stress takes part in the processes ranging from tumorigenesis to tumor death via series pathways and processes like mitochondrial stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and ferroptosis. It can affect cell fate by engaging in the complex relationships between senescence, death, and cancer. The influence of oxidative stress on tumorigenesis and progression is a multi-stage interlaced process that includes two aspects of promotion and inhibition, with mitochondria as the core of regulation. A deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the effects of oxidative stress on tumorigenesis is conducive to exploring more tumor therapies.

Vitamin C Inhibited Pulmonary Metastasis through Activating Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

As an important nutritional component, vitamin C (Vc) shows good antitumor activity in a variety of cancer, but there are few studies in pulmonary metastasis. In order to verify its anticancer and antimetastatic effect, the study sets up H22 pulmonary metastasis mouse model. The results show that intraperitoneal injection of Vc inhibits pulmonary metastasis through up-regulating the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, cleaved caspases 3 and 9, and causing DNA damage and apoptosis which is similar to the pro-oxidant effect of Vc in p53 null cells (H1299 cells). Meanwhile, oral administration of Vc up-regulates the expression of p53, directly activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, increases expression of cleaved caspases 3 and 9, and ultimately inhibits pulmonary metastasis, which is the same as the antioxidant result of Vc in p53 wild-type cells. In addition, Vc inhibits the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner and has little cytotoxic effects on normal cells. Notably, the experiment further illustrates that besides intravenous Vc, oral Vc significantly inhibits the pulmonary metastasis in mice. All in all, these findings provide new clues for Vc-treated pulmonary metastasis in clinical research.

Vitamin-C-dependent downregulation of the citrate metabolism pathway potentiates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth arrest

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), metabolic rewiring and resistance to standard therapy are closely associated. PDAC cells show enormous requirements for glucose-derived citrate, the first rate-limiting metabolite in the synthesis of new lipids. Both the expression and activity of citrate synthase (CS) are extraordinarily upregulated in PDAC. However, no previous relationship between gemcitabine response and citrate metabolism has been documented in pancreatic cancer. Here, we report for the first time that pharmacological doses of vitamin C are capable of exerting an inhibitory action on the activity of CS, reducing glucose-derived citrate levels. Moreover, ascorbate targets citrate metabolism towards the de novo lipogenesis pathway, impairing fatty acid synthase (FASN) and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) expression. Lowered citrate availability was found to be directly associated with diminished proliferation and, remarkably, enhanced gemcitabine response. Moreover, the deregulated citrate-derived lipogenic pathway correlated with a remarkable decrease in extracellular pH through inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and overall reduced glycolytic metabolism. Modulation of citric acid metabolism in highly chemoresistant pancreatic adenocarcinoma, through molecules such as vitamin C, could be considered as a future clinical option to improve patient response to standard chemotherapy regimens.

Reactive oxygen species in biological systems: Pathways, associated diseases, and potential inhibitors-A review

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced under normal physiological conditions and may have beneficial and harmful effects on biological systems. ROS are involved in many physiological processes such as differentiation, proliferation, necrosis, autophagy, and apoptosis by acting as signaling molecules or regulators of transcription factors. In this case, maintaining proper cellular ROS levels is known as redox homeostasis. Oxidative stress occurs because of the imbalance between the production of ROS and antioxidant defenses. Sources of ROS include the mitochondria, auto-oxidation of glucose, and enzymatic pathways such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced (NAD[P]H) oxidase. The possible ROS pathways are NF-κB, MAPKs, PI3K-Akt, and the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway. This review covers the literature pertaining to the possible ROS pathways and strategies to inhibit them. Additionally, this review summarizes the literature related to finding ROS inhibitors.

Corylifol A suppresses osteoclastogenesis and alleviates ovariectomy-induced bone loss via attenuating ROS production and impairing mitochondrial function

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by an imbalance in bone homeostasis, where osteoblasts fail to fully compensate for the bone resorption induced by osteoclasts. Corylifol A, a flavonoid extracted from Fructus psoraleae, has been identified as a potential treatment for this condition. Predictions from network pharmacology and molecular docking studies suggest that Corylifol A exhibits strong binding affinity with NFATc1, Nrf2, PI3K, and AKT1. Empirical evidence from in vivo experiments indicates that Corylifol A significantly mitigates systemic bone loss induced by ovariectomy by suppressing both the generation and activation of osteoclasts. In vitro studies further showed that Corylifol A inhibited the activation of PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways and calcium channels induced by RANKL in a time gradient manner, and specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, GSK3 β, ERK, CaMKII, CaMKIV, and Calmodulin. It also diminishes ROS production through Nrf2 activation, leading to a decrease in the expression of key regulators such as NFATcl, C-Fos, Acp5, Mmp9, and CTSK that are involved in osteoclastogenesis. Notably, our RNA-seq analysis suggests that Corylifol A primarily impacts mitochondrial energy metabolism by suppressing oxidative phosphorylation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Corylifol A is a novel inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, offering potential therapeutic applications for diseases associated with excessive bone resorption.

Puerarin inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress in female BALB/c mouse models of Graves' disease

Background

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder. Our previous study has demonstrated a significant decrease in flavone levels among children with GD compared to the control group. Puerarin, a well-known flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We wanted to investigate its potential impact on GD pathogenesis, aiming to determine whether increasing puerarin intake could prevent or delay the onset of GD.

Methods

Adenovirus with TSHR-289 subunit was used to establish a GD mice model, and mice were intragastrically administered with puerarin or sterilized water daily. Thyroid function and inflammatory cytokine levels were quantified using ELISA, lymphocyte subsets were analyzed via flow cytometry, oxidative stress (OS) markers were measured with a microplate reader, and the expression of pertinent signaling pathway proteins were assessed by Western blot.

Results

The results demonstrated that puerarin treatment significantly decreased thyroxin levels and alleviated thyroid pathological changes in GD mice. Furthermore, the immune imbalance of GD mice was improved, as evidenced by reduced inflammatory indexes, elevated antioxidant levels, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to untreated GD mice. Puerarin-treated GD mice exhibited significantly lower expressions of heat shock protein (HSP): HSP70, HSP90, phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinases (p-ERK) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) than untreated GD mice. Moreover, low dosage puerarin (400 mg/kg) was associated with a better protective effect than high dosage (1,200 mg/kg).

Conclusions

Puerarin may have the potential to mitigate GD by inhibiting inflammatory and OS, through downregulating the expression of HSP70 and HSP90 and suppressing the activation of the PI3K/AKT/ERK signaling pathway. Furthermore, a lower dose exhibited superior protective effects compared to a higher dose.

Cleavage and Noncleavage Chemistry in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Responsive Materials for Smart Drug Delivery

The design and development of advanced drug delivery systems targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) have gained significant interest in recent years for treating various diseases, including cancer, psychiatric diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, and chronic inflammations. Integrating specific chemical bonds capable of effectively responding to ROS and triggering drug release into the delivery system is crucial. In this Review, we discuss commonly used conjugation linkers (chemical bonds) and categorize them into two groups: cleavable linkers and noncleavable linkers. Our goal is to clarify their unique drug release mechanisms from a chemical perspective and provide practical organic synthesis approaches for their efficient production. We showcase numerous significant examples to demonstrate their synthesis routes and diverse applications. Ultimately, we strive to present a comprehensive overview of cleavage and noncleavage chemistry, offering insights into the development of smart drug delivery systems that respond to ROS.

pH-Responsive Sorafenib/Iron-Co-Loaded Mesoporous Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergistic Ferroptosis and Photothermal Therapy

Ferroptosis has attracted significant attention as a new mechanism of cell death. Sorafenib (SRF) is widely considered a prototypical ferroptosis-inducing drug, particularly for liver cancer treatment. However, the low solubility and hydrophobic nature of SRF, along with the absence of synergistic therapeutic strategies, still limit its application in cancer treatment. Herein, we report a dual therapeutic method incorporating photothermal therapy and ferroptosis by using Fe-doped mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles (Fe-mPDA@SRF-TPP) as a carrier for loading SRF and targeting triphenylphosphine (TPP). SRF molecules are efficiently encapsulated within the polydopamine nanospheres with a high loading ratio (80%) attributed to the porosity of Fe-mPDA, and the inherent biocompatibility and hydrophilicity of Fe-mPDA@SRF-TPP facilitate the transport of SRF to the target cancer cells. Under the external stimuli of acidic environment (pH 5.0), glutathione (GSH), and laser irradiation, Fe-mPDA@SRF-TPP shows sustained release of SRF and Fe ions with the ratio of 72 and 50% within 48 h. Fe-mPDA@SRF-TPP nanoparticles induce intracellular GSH depletion, inhibit glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity, and generate hydroxyl radicals, all of which are essential components of the therapeutic ferroptosis process for killing MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Additionally, the excellent near-infrared (NIR) light absorption of Fe-mPDA@SRF-TPP nanoparticles demonstrates their capability for photothermal therapy and further enhances the therapeutic efficiency. Therefore, this nanosystem provides a multifunctional therapeutic platform that overcomes the therapeutic limitations associated with standalone ferroptosis and enhances the therapeutic efficacy of SRF for breast cancer.

Compound-composed Chinese medicine of Huachansu triggers apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through increase of reactive oxygen species levels and suppression of proteasome activities

BACKGROUND

Huachansu (HCS), a known Chinese patent drug extracted from the Chinese toad skin, is frequently used for the treatment of various advanced cancers, especially gastric cancer, due to the good therapeutic effect. However, it is rather difficult to clarify the active substances and molecular mechanisms involved owing to the lack of appropriate research strategies. We recently proposed the concept and research ideas of compound-composed Chinese medicine formula.

PURPOSE

To discover compound-composed Chinese medicine from Huachansu and to explore its mechanism of action in inducing apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

METHOD

Network pharmacology combined with serum pharmacochemistry was utilized to screen the predominant active constituents from HCS against gastric cancer. Then, the compound-composed Chinese medicine of HCS (CCMH) was prepared according to their relative contents in serum. The pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms for CCMH were investigated by assays for cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), proteomics, reactive oxygen species (ROS), N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) antagonism, proteasome activity, and western blot.

RESULTS

CCMH was comprised of arenobufagin (11.14%), bufalin (18.67%), bufotalin (7.33%), cinobufagin (16.67%), cinobufotalin (16.74%), gamabufotalin (8.45%), resibufogenin (12.03%), and telocinobufagin (8.97%). CCMH evidently induced proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and MMP collapse in gastric cancer cells, possessing the better activities than HCS. Proteomic analysis showed that CCMH influenced ROS pathway, ubiquitin proteasome system, and PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. CCMH markedly enhanced intracellular ROS levels in gastric cancer cells, which was reversed by NAC. Accordingly, NAC antagonized the apoptosis-inducing effect of CCMH. Significantly decreased proteasome 20S activity by CCMH was observed in gastric cancer cells. CCMH also regulated the expression of key proteins in PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

CCMH possesses more significant apoptotic induction effects on gastric cancer cells than HCS, which is achieved primarily through suppression of proteasome activities and increase of ROS levels, followed by regulating PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. Network pharmacology combined with serum pharmacochemistry is an effective strategy for discovering compound-composed Chinese medicine from traditional Chinese medicine, which can help clarify the pharmacological substances and mechanisms of action for traditional Chinese medicine.

BTN3A3 inhibits clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression by regulating the ROS/MAPK pathway via interacting with RPS3A

Butyrophilin subfamily 3 member A3 (BTN3A3) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and functions as a tumor suppressor in multiple cancer types. Our study has revealed that in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), patients who express high levels of BTN3A3 experience longer survival times than those with lower expression. Further, we have observed that BTN3A3 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells. Through the utilization of an immunoprecipitation assay followed by mass spectrometry, we have discovered that BTN3A3 binds directly to RPS3A. Knockdown of BTN3A3 led to increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, this effect was significantly reduced when RPS3A was simultaneously overexpressed. Previous reports have demonstrated that RPS3A positively regulates mitochondrial function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Our study has shown that overexpression of both BTN3A3 and RPS3A can increase cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and ROS levels. Furthermore, we have observed that the addition of H2O2 can reverse the effects of BTN3A3 knockdown on cell proliferation and migration by increasing the cellular ROS level. ROS play a crucial role in regulating the MAPK pathway and tumor cell growth. To further explore this relationship, we examined RNA-Seq and immunoblotting data and found that BTN3A3 can negatively regulate the degree of activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. This finding suggests that the BTN3A3/RPS3A complex may regulate ccRCC progression by modulating MAPK pathways. Therefore, BTN3A3 could serve as both a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC patients.

CRISPR/Cas9 screens unravel miR-3689a-3p regulating sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via suppressing CCS/SOD1-dependent mitochondrial oxidative stress

AIMS

Therapeutic outcome of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is undermined by the development of drug resistance. This study aimed to identify the critical microRNA (miRNA) which is responsible for sorafenib resistance at the genomic level.

METHODS

CRISPR/Cas9 screen followed by gain- and loss-of-function assays both in vitro and in vivo were applied to identify the role of miR-3689a-3p in mediating sorafenib response in HCC. The upstream and downstream molecules of miR-3689a-3p and their mechanism of action were investigated.

RESULTS

CRISPR/Cas9 screening identified miR-3689a-3p was the most up-regulated miRNA in sorafenib sensitive HCC. Knockdown of miR-3689a-3p significantly increased sorafenib resistance, while its overexpression sensitized HCC response to sorafenib treatment. Proteomic analysis revealed that the effect of miR-3689a-3p was related to the copper-dependent mitochondrial superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1) activity. Mechanistically, miR-3689a-3p targeted the 3'UTR of the intracellular copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS) and suppressed its expression. As a result, miR-3689a-3p disrupted the intracellular copper trafficking and reduced SOD1-mediated scavenge of mitochondrial oxidative stress that eventually caused HCC cell death in response to sorafenib treatment. CCS overexpression blunted sorafenib response in HCC. Clinically, miR-3689a-3p was down-regulated in HCC and predicted favorable prognosis for HCC patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide comprehensive evidence for miR-3689a-3p as a positive regulator and potential druggable target for improving sorafenib treatment in HCC.

Tumor Microbial Communities and Thyroid Cancer Development-The Protective Role of Antioxidant Nutrients: Application Strategies and Future Directions

Thyroid cancer (TC), the most frequent malignancy of the endocrine system, has recorded an increasing incidence in the last decades. The etiology of TC remains at least partly unknown and, among modifiable risk factors, the gut microbiota and dietary nutrients (vitamins, essential microelements, polyphenols, probiotics) have been recognized to not only influence thyroid function, but exert critical effects on TC development and progression. Recent discoveries on the existence of tumor microbiota also in the TC microenvironment provide further evidence for the essential role of tumor microorganisms in TC etiology and severity, as well as acting as prognostic markers and as a potential target of adjuvant care in the treatment of TC patients. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge on the relationship of the tumor microbiome with the clinical tumor characteristics and TC progression, also illustrating the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, and how antioxidant nutrients may be used as a novel strategy to both control gut health and reduce the risk for TC. Furthermore, we discuss how new technologies might be exploited for the development of new foods with high nutritional values, antioxidant capability, and even attractiveness to the individual in terms of sensory and emotional features.

Transcriptomics uncover the response of an aerobic denitrifying bacteria to zinc oxide nanoparticles exposure

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) show adverse impacts on aerobic denitrifying bacteria, little is known about the response of these bacteria to ZnO NPs exposure at cellular level. This study assessed the multiple responses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PCN-2 under ZnO NPs exposure. We demonstrated that ZnO NPs exposure could inhibit the intracellular metabolism and stimulate the antioxidant defence capability of PCN-2. At lower exposure concentration (5 mg/L), exogenous ROS generated and resulted in the inhibition of pyruvate metabolism and citrate cycle, which caused deficient energy for aerobic denitrification. At higher concentrations (50 mg/L), endogenous ROS additionally generated and triggered to stronger down-regulation of oxidative phosphorylation, which caused suppressed electron transfers for aerobic denitrification. Meanwhile, ZnO NPs exposure promoted EPS production and biofilm formation, and antioxidases was especially particularly stimulated at higher concentration. Our findings are significant for understanding of microbial bacterial susceptibility, tolerance and resistance under the exposure of ZnO NPs.

CPT2-mediated fatty acid oxidation inhibits tumorigenesis and enhances sorafenib sensitivity via the ROS/PPARγ/NF-κB pathway in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Kidney cancer is a common kind of tumor with approximately 400,000 new diagnoses each year. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for 70-80% of all renal cell carcinomas. Lipid metabolism disorder is a hallmark of ccRCC. With a better knowledge of the importance of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in cancer, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2) has gained prominence as a major mediator in the cancer metabolic pathway. However, the biological functions and mechanism of CPT2 in the progression of ccRCC are still unclear. Herein, we performed assays in vitro and in vivo to explore CPT2 functions in ccRCC. Moreover, we discovered that CPT2 induced FAO, which inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) production. Additionally, we demonstrated that CPT2 suppresses tumor proliferation, invasion, and migration by inhibiting the ROS/ PPARγ /NF-κB pathway. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and drug sensitivity analysis showed that high expression of CPT2 in ccRCC was associated with higher sorafenib sensitivity, which was also validated in vitro and in vivo. In summary, our results suggest that CPT2 acts as a tumor suppressor in the development of ccRCC through the ROS/PPARγ/NF-κB pathway. Moreover, CPT2 is a potential therapeutic target for increasing sorafenib sensitivity in ccRCC.

Pin1 inhibitor API-1 sensitizes BRAF-mutant thyroid cancers to BRAF inhibitors by attenuating HER3-mediated feedback activation of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways

BRAFV600E mutation is one of the most therapeutic targets in thyroid cancers. However, its specific inhibitors have shown little clinical benefit because they can reactivate the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways by feedback upregulating the transcription of HER3. Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 has been proven to be closely associated with tumor progression. Here, we aimed to determine antitumor activity of Pin1 inhibitor API-1 in thyroid cancer and its effect on cellular response to BRAF inhibitors. The results showed that API-1 exhibited strong antitumor activity against thyroid cancer. Meanwhile, it improved the response of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to BRAF inhibitor PLX4032 and there was a synergistic effect between them. Specially, a combination therapy of API-1 and PLX4032 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, and the growth of xenograft tumors as well as induced cell apoptosis in BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells compared with API-1 or PLX4032 monotherapy. Similar results were also observed in transgenic mice with BrafV600E-driven thyroid cancer. Mechanistically, API-1 enhanced XPO5 ability to export pre-microRNA 20a (pre-miR-20a) from the nucleus to cytoplasm, thereby promoting the maturation of miR-20a-5p. Further studies showed that miR-20a-5p specifically targeted and down-regulated HER3, thereby blocking the reactivation of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways caused by PLX4032. These results, taken together, demonstrate that Pin1 inhibitor API-1 significantly improves the sensitivity of BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to PLX4032. Thus, this study not only determines the potential antitumor activity of Pin1 inhibitor API-1 in thyroid cancer but also offers an alternative therapeutic strategy for BRAF-mutant thyroid cancers by a combination of Pin1 inhibitor and BRAF kinase inhibitor.

Effect of blue light on the cell viability of A549 lung cancer cells and investigations into its possible mechanism

Blue light has attracted extensive attention as a new potential cancer therapy. Recent studies have indicated that blue light has a significant inhibition effect on A459 cells. However, the effect of light parameters on the treatment of A549 cells and the mechanism of how blue light made the effect was still unclear. This study aimed to investigate A549 cells responses to blue light with varying irradiance and dose-dense, and tried to find out the mechanism of the effects blue light made. The results suggested that the responses of A549 cells to blue light with different irradiance and dose-dense were different and the decrease of cell viability reached saturation when the irradiance reached 3 mW/cm2 and the dose-dense reached 3.6 J/cm2 . It was assumed that blue light suppressed PI3K/AKT pathway and promoted the expression of JNK and p53 to affect the proliferation of A549 cells.

Depletion of peroxiredoxin II promotes keratinocyte apoptosis and alleviates psoriatic skin lesions via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling axis

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic immune-mediated disease caused by abnormal proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and over-differentiation of keratinocytes. The psoriatic skin lesions due to abnormal keratinocytes are closely associated with ROS produced by inflammatory cells. Peroxiredoxin II (Prx II) is an efficient antioxidant enzyme, which were highly expressed in skin tissues of psoriasis patient. However, the detailed mechanical functions of Prx II on psoriatic skin remain to be elucidated. Present study showed that depletion of Prx II results in alleviation of symptoms of IMQ-induced psoriasis in mice, but no significant differences in the amounts of serum inflammatory factors. Prx II-knockdown HaCaT cells were susceptible to H₂O₂-induced apoptosis mediated by Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum through 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), the PI3K/AKT pathway and phosphorylated GSK3β (Ser9) were significant downregulated. Additionally, significantly reduced sensitivity of Prx II-knockdown HaCaT cells to apoptosis was evident post NAC, 2-APB, BAPTA-AM, SC79 and LiCl treated. These results suggest that Prx II regulated apoptosis of keratinocytes via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling axis. Furthermore, treatment with the Prx II inhibitor Conoidin A significantly alleviated psoriatic symptoms in IMQ model mice. These findings have important implications for developing therapeutic strategies through regulate apoptosis of keratinocytes in psoriasis, and Prx II inhibitors may be exploited as a therapeutic drug to alleviate psoriatic symptoms.

Relationships between serum levels of vitamins and papillary thyroid cancer: a single center case-control study

Background

Vitamins are involved in various human physiological and biochemical mechanisms due to their antioxidant properties and their ability to enhance the immune response. Deficiency of some serum vitamins has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, including thyroid cancer. However, medical literature dealing with cholecalciferol supplementation was not able to show the potential of this intervention in cancer prevention. The aim of this paper is to highlight the association between lower serum vitamins levels and papillary thyroid cancer occurrence.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted between September 2018 and October 2019. Cases were defined as patients with histologically diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer who underwent thyroidectomy were retrospectively recruited and serum levels of various vitamins were assessed by examining their relationships with clinical, pathological and molecular data (n=51). Controls matched on sex and thyroid surgery were randomly selected from the same population (n=49).

Results

In this study, serum concentrations of vitamins A and E in neoplastic patients were significantly lower than in controls (1.40 vs. 1.78, P<0.003 and 23.9 vs. 29.1, P<0.003, respectively). Serum concentrations of vitamin D and methylmalonic acid were borderline significantly low (15.6 vs. 17.9, P=0.06 and 100.3 vs. 110.4, P=0.055, respectively), while homocysteine was statistically similar in the two groups. Furthermore, serum vitamin levels were compared with the pathological characteristics of cancer patients, and vitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in BRAF-positive than in BRAF-negative neoplastic patients (8.2 vs. 16.0, P=0.021). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in the correlation between serum levels of vitamins and other pathological characteristics, in particular with regard to lymph node metastases.

Conclusions

In conclusion, albeit with the analysis of a limited sample, this study highlighted the phenomenon that deficiencies in vitamins A and E can be associated with a higher frequency of occurrence of papillary thyroid cancer.

TOM40 regulates the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through ROS-mediated AKT/mTOR and p53 signaling

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent cancer in Southern China, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) 40 is a transporter of mitochondrial proteins, and is involved in ovarian cancer cell growth. However, its role in the progression of NPC is still unclear. We found that TOM40 levels were upregulated in NPC tissues and multiple NPC cell lines. In addition, high TOM40 expression in the tumor tissues was associated with poor overall survival and disease specific survival. TOM40 knockdown in the NPC cell lines inhibited their proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, TOM40 silencing also increased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Mechanistically, the anti-tumor effects of TOM40 silencing were dependent on the inhibition of AKT/mTOR signaling and activation of p53 signaling. To summarize, TOM40 mediates NPC progression through ROS-mediated AKT/mTOR and p53 signaling. Our findings highlight the potential of TOM40 as a therapeutic target for NPC.

Preparation and Characterization of Biocompatible Iron/Zirconium/Polydopamine/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogel with Fenton Catalytic Properties and Photothermal Efficacy

In recent years, multifunctional hydrogel nanoplatforms for the synergistic treatment of tumors have received a great deal of attention. Here, we prepared an iron/zirconium/polydopamine/carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel with Fenton and photothermal effects, promising for future use in the field of synergistic therapy and prevention of tumor recurrence. The iron (Fe)-zirconium (Zr)@ polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method using iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃•6H₂O), zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl₄), and dopamine, followed by activation of the carboxyl group of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) using 1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N(4)-hydroxycytidine (NHS). Finally, the Fe-Zr@PDA nanoparticles and the activated CMCS were mixed to form a hydrogel. On the one side, Fe ions can use hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) which is rich in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to produce toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and kill tumor cells, and Zr can also enhance the Fenton effect; on the other side, the excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of the incorporated PDA is used to kill tumor cells under the irradiation of near-infrared light. The ability of Fe-Zr@PDA@CMCS hydrogel to produce •OH and the ability of photothermal conversion were verified in vitro, and swelling and degradation experiments confirmed the effective release and good degradation of this hydrogel in an acidic environment. The multifunctional hydrogel is biologically safe at both cellular and animal levels. Therefore, this hydrogel has a wide range of applications in the synergistic treatment of tumors and the prevention of recurrence.

Network pharmacology-based prediction and experimental verification of the involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the anti-thyroid cancer activity of crocin

Crocin, a unique water-soluble carotenoid extracted from saffron, is known to exert anticancer activity against various cancer types, including thyroid cancer (TC). However, the detailed mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of crocin in TC needs further exploration. Targets of crocin and targets associated with TC were acquired from public databases. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using MMT and EdU incorporation assays, respectively. Apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL and caspase-3 activity assays. The effect of crocin on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) was explored by western blot analysis. A total of 20 overlapping targets were identified as candidate targets of crocin against TC. GO analysis showed that these overlapping genes were significantly enriched in the positive regulation of cell proliferation. KEGG results showed that the PI3K/Akt pathway was involved in the effect of crocin against TC. Crocin treatment inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in TC cells. Moreover, we found that crocin inhibited the PI3K/Akt pathway in TC cells. 740Y-P treatment reversed the effects of crocin on TC cells. In conclusion, crocin suppressed proliferation and elicited apoptosis in TC cells via inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Vitamin C Regulates the Profibrotic Activity of Fibroblasts in In Vitro Replica Settings of Myocardial Infarction

Extracellular collagen remodeling is one of the central mechanisms responsible for the structural and compositional coherence of myocardium in patients undergoing myocardial infarction (MI). Activated primary cardiac fibroblasts following myocardial infarction are extensively investigated to establish anti-fibrotic therapies to improve left ventricular remodeling. To systematically assess vitamin C functions as a potential modulator involved in collagen fibrillogenesis in an in vitro model mimicking heart tissue healing after MI. Mouse primary cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from wild-type C57BL/6 mice and cultured under normal and profibrotic (hypoxic + transforming growth factor beta 1) conditions on freshly prepared coatings mimicking extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling during healing after an MI. At 10 μg/mL, vitamin C reprogramed the respiratory mitochondrial metabolism, which is effectively associated with a more increased accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) than the number of those generated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS). The mRNA/protein expression of subtypes I, III collagen, and fibroblasts differentiations markers were upregulated over time, particularly in the presence of vitamin C. The collagen substrate potentiated the modulator role of vitamin C in reinforcing the structure of types I and III collagen synthesis by reducing collagen V expression in a timely manner, which is important in the initiation of fibrillogenesis. Altogether, our study evidenced the synergistic function of vitamin C at an optimum dose on maintaining the equilibrium functionality of radical scavenger and gene transcription, which are important in the initial phases after healing after an MI, while modulating the synthesis of de novo collagen fibrils, which is important in the final stage of tissue healing.

The Diet as a Modulator of Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in Western countries and remains the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Many studies show the importance of diet and lifestyle in the incidence of CRC, as well as in CRC prevention. However, this review summarizes those studies that analyze the impact of nutrition on tumor microenvironment modulation and cancer progression. We review the available information about the effects of specific nutrients on cancer cell progression and on the different cells within the tumor microenvironment. Diet and nutritional status in the clinical management of colorectal cancer patients are also analyzed. Finally, future perspectives and challenges are discussed, with a view to improving CRC treatments by employing nutritional approaches. These promise great benefits and will eventually improve CRC patients' survival.

Targeting Aurora-A inhibits tumor progression and sensitizes thyroid carcinoma to Sorafenib by decreasing PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine tumor, amongst which anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most deadly. Aurora-A usually functions as oncogenes, and its inhibitor Alisertib exerts a powerful antitumor effect in various tumors. However, the mechanism of Aurora-A in regulating TC cell energy supply remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated the antitumor effect of Alisertib and an association between high Aurora-A expression and shorter survival. Multi-omics data and in vitro validation data suggested that Aurora-A induced PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis to increase ATP supply, which significantly upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT. Furthermore, the combination of Alisertib and Sorafenib had a synergistic effect, further confirmed in xenograft models and in vitro. Collectively, our study provides compelling evidence of the prognostic value of Aurora-A expression and suggests that Aurora-A upregulates PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis to enhance ATP supply and promote TC progression. Combining Alisertib with Sorafenib has huge prospects for application in treating advanced thyroid carcinoma.

O-GlcNAcylation Is Required for the Survival of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells by Inhibiting ROS Generation

Purkinje cells (PCs), as a unique type of neurons output from the cerebellar cortex, are essential for the development and physiological function of the cerebellum. However, the intricate mechanisms underlying the maintenance of Purkinje cells are unclear. The O-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc) of proteins is an emerging regulator of brain function that maintains normal development and neuronal circuity. In this study, we demonstrate that the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in PCs maintains the survival of PCs. Furthermore, a loss of OGT in PCs induces severe ataxia, extensor rigidity and posture abnormalities in mice. Mechanistically, OGT regulates the survival of PCs by inhibiting the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These data reveal a critical role of O-GlcNAc signaling in the survival and maintenance of cerebellar PCs.

ETNPPL modulates hyperinsulinemia-induced insulin resistance through the SIK1/ROS-mediated inactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocytes

Hyperinsulinemia is a critical risk factor for the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) in metabolic tissues, including the liver. Ethanolamine phosphate phospholyase (ETNPPL), a newly discovered metabolic enzyme that converts phosphoethanolamine (PEA) to ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and acetaldehyde, is abundantly expressed in liver tissue. Whether it plays a role in the regulation of hyperinsulinemia-induced IR in hepatocytes remains elusive. Here, we established an in vitro hyperinsulinemia-induced IR model in the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line and primary mouse hepatocyte via a high dose of insulin treatment. Next, we overexpressed ETNPPL by using lentivirus-mediated ectopic to investigate the effects of ETNPPL per se on IR without insulin stimulation. To explore the underlying mechanism of ETNPPL mediating hyperinsulinemia-induced IR in HepG2, we performed genome-wide transcriptional analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify the downstream target gene of ETNPPL. The results showed that ETNPPL expression levels in both mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated in hyperinsulinemia-induced IR in HepG2 and primary mouse hepatocytes. Upon silencing ETNPPL, hyperinsulinemia-induced IR was ameliorated. Under normal conditions without IR in hepatocytes, overexpressing ETNPPL promotes IR, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and AKT inactivation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) is markedly downregulated in the ETNPPL knockdown HepG2 cells. Moreover, disrupting SIK1 prevents ETNPPL-induced ROS accumulation, damage to the PI3K/AKT pathway and IR. Our study reveals that ETNPPL mediates hyperinsulinemia-induced IR through the SIK1/ROS-mediated inactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocyte cells. Targeting ETNPPL may present a potential strategy for hyperinsulinemia-associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

ESM1 promotes angiogenesis in colorectal cancer by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, thus accelerating tumor progression

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the influence of endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM1) expression on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and preliminarily analyze its possible mechanism, so as to lay a foundation for research about potential biological targets of CRC.

METHODS

First, CRC cells were transfected with ESM1-negative control (NC), ESM1-mimic and ESM1-inhibitor and randomly assigned to ESM1-NC group, ESM1-mimic group and ESM1-inhibitor group, respectively. Then the cells were harvested at 48 h after transfection for subsequent experiments.

RESULTS

The results manifested that after up-regulation of ESM1, the distance of CRC SW480 and SW620 cell lines migrating to the scratch center rose notably, and the number of migrating cells, basement membrane-penetrating cells, colonies formed and angiogenesis was increased overtly, indicating that ESM1 overexpression can promote tumor angiogenesis in CRC and accelerate tumor progression. Combined with results of bioinformatics analysis, the molecular mechanism by which ESM1 promoted tumor angiogenesis in CRC and accelerated tumor progression was explored through suppressing the protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Western blotting revealed that after intervention with PI3K inhibitor, the protein expressions of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) were decreased evidently, and the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-3, MMP-9, Cyclin D1, Cyclin A2, VEGF, COX-2 and HIF-1α subsequently declined.

CONCLUSION

ESM1 may promote angiogenesis in CRC by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, thus accelerating tumor progression.

The Qi-Bang-Yi-Shen formula ameliorates renal dysfunction and fibrosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease <em>via</em> regulating PI3K/AKT, ERK and PPARγ signaling pathways

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a growing public health problem worldwide. Losartan potassium (Los), an angiotensin II receptor blocker, has been used to treat DKD clinically. Recently, multi-herbal formula has been shown to exhibit therapeutic activities in DKD in China. Thus, we aimed to explore the protective effects of combination of Los and Qi-Bang-Yi-Shen formula (QBF) on DKD rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) injection was used to establish a rat model of DKD. Next, the bloodurea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE) and uric acid (UA) levels were detected in serum samples from DKD rats. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining were performed to observe glomerular injury and glomerular fibrosis in DKD rats. In this study, we found that QBF or Los treatment could decrease serum BUN, CRE, UA levels and reduce urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in DKD rats. Additionally, QBF or Los treatment obviously inhibited glomerular mesangial expansion and glomerular fibrosis, attenuated glomerular injury in kidney tissues of DKD rats. Moreover, QBF or Los treatment significantly reduced PI3K, AKT and ERK1/2 protein expressions, but increased PPARγ level in kidney tissues of DKD rats. As expected, combined treatment of QBF and Los could exert enhanced reno-protective effects compared with the single treatment. Collectively, combination of QBF and Los could ameliorate renal injury and fibrosis in DKD rats via regulating PI3K/AKT, ERK and PPARγ signaling pathways. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of QBF to prevent DKD progression.

Pharmacological vitamin C inhibits mTOR signaling and tumor growth by degrading Rictor and inducing HMOX1 expression

Pharmacological vitamin C (VC) is a potential natural compound for cancer treatment. However, the mechanism underlying its antitumor effects remains unclear. In this study, we found that pharmacological VC significantly inhibits the mTOR (including mTORC1 and mTORC2) pathway activation and promotes GSK3-FBXW7-mediated Rictor ubiquitination and degradation by increasing the cellular ROS. Moreover, we identified that HMOX1 is a checkpoint for pharmacological-VC-mediated mTOR inactivation, and the deletion of FBXW7 or HMOX1 suppresses the regulation of pharmacological VC on mTOR activation, cell size, cell viability, and autophagy. More importantly, it was observed that the inhibition of mTOR by pharmacological VC supplementation in vivo produces positive therapeutic responses in tumor growth, while HMOX1 deficiency rescues the inhibitory effect of pharmacological VC on tumor growth. These results demonstrate that VC influences cellular activities and tumor growth by inhibiting the mTOR pathway through Rictor and HMOX1, which may have therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.

Study on the correlation between B vitamins and breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Relevant studies suggest that serum vitamin level is related to the risk of breast cancer, and dietary pattern and drug supplementation can significantly affect the level of vitamin in the body. Therefore, intervention of vitamin level in the body is expected to be a potential strategy to reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, the current epidemiological findings of serum vitamin levels and breast cancer risk are inconsistent, and the relationship between serum vitamin and breast cancer is still controversial. In this study, we compared the serum vitamin expression levels of healthy people, benign breast patients, and breast cancer patients, and evaluated the relationship between B vitamin levels and breast cancer risk.

METHODS

The study used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the serum vitamin levels of 520 people who attended Yunnan Cancer Hospital from September 2020 to December 2020. After screening by exclusion criteria, 38 patients with benign breast diseases, 87 patients with breast cancer and 91 healthy controls were finally included. The kruskal-wallis H test was used to compare the differences in serum vitamin levels of subjects. Χ² test was used to evaluate the relationship between B vitamin level and age,BMI,TNM staging,Ki-67,Her-2,surgery and chemotherapy, and other baseline characteristics and through binary logistic regression analysis, calculating odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the relationship between B vitamins and breast cancer risk.

CONCLUSION

The levels of VitB1 and VitB5 in the serum of breast cancer patients and patients with benign breast diseases were higher than those in the healthy control group, while the expression levels of VitB3 in breast cancer patients were lower than those in the healthy control group and the breast benign disease groups. The level of VitB1 was positively correlated with breast cancer risk. The VitB3 level was negatively correlated with breast cancer risk. The VitB5 level is not significantly related to the risk of breast cancer.

Icariside II potentiates the anti-PD-1 antitumor effect by reducing chemotactic infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells into the tumor microenvironment via ROS-mediated inactivation of the SRC/ERK/STAT3 signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint blockade agents, such as anti-PD-1 antibodies, show promising antitumor efficacy but only a limited response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Icariside II (IS), a metabolite of Herba Epimedii, is a COX-2 and EGFR inhibitor that can enhance the anti-PD-1 effect. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of IS in combination with anti-PD-1 and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Tumor growth was assessed in Lewis Lung Cancer (LLC) tumor-bearing mice in seven groups (control, IS 20 mg/kg, IS 40 mg/kg, anti-PD-1, IS 20 mg/kg+anti-PD-1, IS 40 mg/kg+anti-PD-1, ERK inhibitor+anti-PD-1). Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were measured by flow cytometry. The mechanisms were explored by tumor RNA-seq and validated in LLC cells through molecular biological experiments using qRT‒PCR, ELISA, and western blotting.

RESULTS

Animal experiments showed that IS in combination with anti-PD-1 further inhibited tumor growth and remarkably reduced the infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) into the tumor compared with anti-PD-1 monotherapy. RNA-seq and in vitro experiments showed that IS suppressed the chemotactic migration of MDSCs by downregulating the expression of CXC chemokine ligands 2 (CXCL2) and CXCL3. Moreover, IS promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inhibited the activation of SRC/ERK/STAT3 in LLC cells, which are upstream signaling pathways of these chemokines.

CONCLUSION

IS potentiates the anti-PD-1 anti-tumor effect by reducing chemotactic infiltration of the myeloid-derived suppressor cell into the tumor microenvironment, via ROS-mediated inactivation of SRC/ERK/STAT3 signaling pathways.

Enhanced De Novo Lipid Synthesis Mediated by FASN Induces Chemoresistance in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin is one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs for colorectal cancer (CRC). Resistance to oxaliplatin threatens the prognosis of CRC. Since previous studies have aroused interest in fatty acid metabolism in cancer, in this study, we determined whether fatty acid biosynthesis and the related regulating mechanism contribute to oxaliplatin resistance in CRC.

METHODS

The effect of the fatty acid synthase (FASN) and its inhibitor Orlistat was characterized in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines, and xenografts. MRNA-seq and analysis identified related pathway changes after the application of Orlistat, which was verified by Western blotting.

RESULTS

By leveraging the GEO databases, FASN and closely related gene signatures were identified as being correlated with the response to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and poor prognosis. Additionally, FASN-upregulated expression promoted oxaliplatin resistance in CRC cell lines. We then applied Orlistat, a typical FASN inhibitor, in cell culture and xenograft models of oxaliplatin-resistant CRC, which attenuated the resistance to oxaliplatin. Additionally, the combination of the FASN inhibitor and oxaliplatin significantly increased cell cycle arrest and facilitated apoptosis, partly due to the diminished phosphorylation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. In vivo studies showed that inhibiting fatty acid biosynthesis with Orlistat restrained the growth of xenograft tumors and increased the responsiveness to oxaliplatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that FASN enhanced resistance to oxaliplatin in CRC. The inhibition of FASN could rescue the response to oxaliplatin by regulating MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Supramolecular nanofibers co-loaded with dabrafenib and doxorubicin for targeted and synergistic therapy of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Rationale: Although surgery, radioiodine therapy, and thyroid hormone therapy are the primary clinical treatments for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), effective therapy for locally advanced or progressive DTC remains challenging. BRAF V600E, the most common BRAF mutation subtype, is highly related to DTC. Previous studies prove that combination of kinase inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs may be a potential approach for DTC treatment. In this study, a supramolecular peptide nanofiber (SPNs) co-loaded with dabrafenib (Da) and doxorubicin (Dox) was constructed for targeted and synergistic therapy with BRAF V600E⁺ DTC. Methods: A self-assembling peptide nanofiber (Biotin-G^DF^DF^DYGRGD, termed SPNs) bearing biotin at the N-terminus and a cancer-targeting ligand RGD at the C-terminus was used as a carrier for co-loading Da and Dox. D-phenylalanine and D-tyrosine (^DF^DF^DY) are used to improve the stability of peptides in vivo. Under multiple non-covalent interactions, SPNs/Da/Dox assembled into longer and denser nanofibers. RGD ligand endows self-assembled nanofibers with targeting cancer cells and co-delivery, thereby improving cellular uptake of payloads. Results: Both Da and Dox indicated decreased IC50 values upon encapsulation in SPNs. Co-delivery of Da and Dox by SPNs exhibited the strongest therapeutic effect in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation in BRAF V600E mutant thyroid cancer cells. Moreover, SPNs enable efficient drug delivery and lower Dox dosage, thereby significantly reducing its side effects. Conclusion: This study proposes a promising paradigm for the synergistic treatment of DTC with Da and Dox using supramolecular self-assembled peptides as carriers.

Raddeanin A Improves the Therapeutic Effect of Osimertinib in NSCLC by Accelerating ROS/NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis

BACKGROUND

Osimertinib (Osm) is the preferred treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation. Nevertheless, the resistance of NSCLC cells to Osm will eventually develop, which remains the biggest obstacle to treating such diseases. Raddeanin A (RA) exhibits a potent anti-tumor effect on various types of cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether RA suppresses NSCLC growth and increases the therapeutic effect of Osm.

METHODS

The effects of RA on inhibiting NSCLC cell viability and proliferation were tested using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) and EdU assay. The roles of RA in improving the anti-tumor effect of Osm were tested with CCK-8 and colony formation assays. The roles of RA in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS)/NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis were assessed using quantitative real- time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

RA treatment decreased A549 and H1975 cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent way. RA inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, RA induced ROS overgeneration and resulted in subsequent NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. In particular, combination treatment with Osm and RA reduced cell viability and clonogenic growth capacity more efficiently than Osm mono treatment in A549 and H1975 cells. Combination treatment also promoted NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis more efficiently than Osm mono treatment.

CONCLUSION

RA inhibited the NSCLC growth and increased the anti-tumor role of Osm in NSCLC by facilitating ROS/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. These results suggested that combination therapy with RA and Osm might be an effective strategy to treat Osm-resistant NSCLC.

590 nm LED Irradiation Improved Erythema through Inhibiting Angiogenesis of Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells and Ameliorated Pigmentation in Melasma

Melasma is a common refractory acquired pigmentary skin disease that mainly affects middle-aged women. The pathogenesis of melasma is still uncertain, while abnormal vascular endothelial cells may play a role. We previously demonstrated the yellow light of light-emitting diodes (LED) could inhibit melanogenesis through the photobiomodulation (PBM) of melanocytes and keratinocytes. In the current study, we investigated the effect of 590 nm LED on the function of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). We revealed 0-40 J/cm² 590 nm LED had no toxic effect on HMEC-1 in vitro. 590 nm LED irradiation significantly reduced cell migration, tube formation, as well as the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stem cell factor (SCF), a pro-melanogenic factor. Moreover, we illustrated that 590 nm LED inhibited the phosphorylation of the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and the inhibitory effect on HMEC-1 could be partially reversed by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), an AKT/PI3K/mTOR pathway agonist. Besides, we conducted a pilot clinical study and observed a marked improvement on facial erythema and pigmentation in melasma patients after amber LED phototherapy. Taken together, 590 nm LED inhibited HMEC-1 migration, tube formation and the secretion of VEGF and SCF, predominantly through the inhibition of the AKT/PI3K/mTOR pathway, which may serve as a novel therapeutic option for melasma.

LncRNA HOXA11-AS promotes glioma malignant phenotypes and reduces its sensitivity to ROS via Tpl2-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway

Our previous studies showed that dysregulation of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS plays an important role in the development of glioma. However, the molecular mechanism of HOXA11-AS in glioma remains largely unknown. In this study, we explore the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal expression and biological function of HOXA11-AS for identifying novel therapeutic targets in glioma. The expression of HOXA11-AS, and the relationship between HOXA11-AS and the prognosis of glioma patients were analyzed using databases and glioma samples. Transcriptomics, proteomics, RIP, ChIRP, luciferase, and ChIP assays were used to explore its upstream and downstream targets in glioma. The role of HOXA11-AS in regulating the sensitivity of glioma cells to reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also investigated in vitro and in vivo. We found that HOXA11-AS was significantly upregulated in glioma, and was correlated with the poor prognosis of glioma patients. Ectopic expression of HOXA11-AS promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HOXA11-AS acted as a molecular sponge for let-7b-5p in the cytoplasm, antagonizing its ability to repress the expression of CTHRC1, which activates the β-catenin/c-Myc pathway. In addition, c-Myc was involved in HOXA11-AS dysregulation via binding to its promoter region to form a self-activating loop. HOXA11-AS, functioned as a scaffold in the nucleus, also recruited transcription factor c-Jun to the Tpl2 promoter, which activates the Tpl2-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway to promote ROS resistance in glioma. Importantly, HOXA11-AS knockdown could sensitize glioma cells to ROS. Above, oncogenic HOXA11-AS upregulates CTHRC1 expression as a ceRNA by adsorbing let-7b-5p, which activates c-Myc to regulate itself transcription. HOXA11-AS knockdown promotes ROS sensitivity in glioma cells by regulating the Tpl2-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 axis, demonstrating that HOXA11-AS may be translated to increase ROS sensitivity therapeutically.