Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences最新文献

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are widely used for in vivo gene delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), muscle, and retina, but many clinically used capsids show limited potency in human tissues, necessitating high systemic doses that increase cost and toxicity risk. Here, we summarize recent capsid-engineering strategies designed to improve on-target delivery and reduce vector dose requirements. For CNS applications, receptor-informed engineering-such as capsids targeting transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) or alkaline phosphatase (ALPL)-has produced large gains in blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and cross-species translation. In the retina, intravitreal (IVT) performance improves through fine-tuning of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) interactions to facilitate inner limiting membrane (ILM) traversal, while suprachoroidal and laterally spreading subretinal vectors expand posterior-segment coverage. For muscle, next-generation myotropic and liver-detargeted capsids enable uniform skeletal and cardiac transduction at substantially lower intravenous doses. We compare directed evolution, rational design, and machine-learning (ML) approaches, highlighting how these methods increasingly converge by integrating structural hypotheses, in vivo selections, and multi-trait computational optimization. Quantitative benchmarks across tissues demonstrate that engineered capsids routinely deliver multi-fold improvements in potency and biodistribution relative to natural serotypes. Collectively, these advances outline a translational path toward safer, lower-dose AAV gene therapies with improved precision and clinical feasibility.

In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a new series of pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives developed as dual-target nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). The compounds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory properties, cyclooxygenase-1/2 (COX-1/COX-2) inhibitory activity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-blocking activity in lipopolysaccharide (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among the synthesized molecules, compounds 5a and 5b showed potent dual inhibitory activity, which was supported by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. These findings highlight the potential of selective COX-2 inhibitors with concurrent ACE2 blockade as a promising therapeutic approach for controlling inflammation and modulating pathways relevant to viral entry and other inflammation-associated disorders. While ACE2 inhibition has received particular attention in the context of recent viral infections, the broader anti-inflammatory efficacy of these derivatives supports their potential as multi-target drug candidates.

Introduction: N-myristoylation is a crucial lipid modification that governs protein localization, intracellular trafficking, and function in eukaryotic cells. The enzyme N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), which catalyzes this modification, has emerged as an attractive drug target for parasitic diseases. In this study, we performed a comprehensive biochemical and antiparasitic evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi NMT (TcNMT), utilizing novel "in silico-identified inhibitors" to assess its potential as a therapeutic agent for Chagas disease.

Methods: Recombinant TcNMT was cloned, expressed, and purified for enzymatic characterization. Catalytic activity and substrate affinity were evaluated using a fluorescence-based assay. Four in-silico-selected NMT inhibitors were screened for (i) enzyme inhibition, (ii) cytotoxicity in human cardiomyocytes, and (iii) antiparasitic activity in T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes. QUINE and the reference inhibitor DDD85646 were further characterized by calculating selectivity indices. Proteomic profiling of myristoylated proteins was conducted in amastigotes and trypomastigotes following treatment with DDD85646 to identify pathway-level effects.

Results: All recombinant TcNMT preparations were catalytically active and displayed high affinity for peptide substrates. Among the screened compounds, QUINE showed moderate antiparasitic efficacy but very low cytotoxicity, yielding a high selectivity index (SI = 28.11). In contrast, DDD85646 exhibited greater antiparasitic potency but substantially higher host-cell toxicity (SI = 4.67). Proteomic analysis of DDD85646-treated parasites revealed downregulation of myristoylated proteins in both life stages, including ARF GTPases and enzymes associated with vesicular trafficking and lipid metabolism. Host cell proteomes remained largely unchanged.

Discussion: Biochemical characterization and phenotypic testing support TcNMT as a viable therapeutic target for Chagas disease. QUINE demonstrates the most favorable pharmacological profile, combining antiparasitic activity with excellent selectivity and low host toxicity, making it a strong lead candidate for future drug optimization. Proteomics data indicate that NMT inhibition disrupts critical pathways required for parasite viability yet spares host cellular machinery, reinforcing the mechanistic selectivity of TcNMT targeting. Further studies are warranted to improve potency and evaluate in vivo efficacy.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are prevalent and severe respiratory conditions with high morbidity and mortality rates, and specific treatment modalities are lacking. Garlic oil (GO), which is rich in sulfur compounds, has diverse biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects; nonetheless, its utility is hindered by its limited water solubility and bioavailability. Nanotechnology-based formulations offer a promising solution to enhance GO efficacy. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of GO nanodisks (GO-nanodisks) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury.

Methods: We developed a novel prescription utilizing GO-nanodisks. An acute lung injury model was induced in mice through LPS administration. The mice were randomly allocated into groups: healthy untreated, positive control, GO (50 mg/kg), and GO-nanodisks (50 mg/kg). Tail vein injections were administered accordingly. Subsequent assessments included lung histopathology; inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10) levels; oxidative stress marker (MDA, SOD, T-AOC, NO, and CAT) levels; and protein expression analyses.

Results: This study successfully developed GO-nanodisks using a novel fabrication method. The GO-nanodisks demonstrated favorable physicochemical characteristics, with a mean particle diameter of 148 ± 3 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.15 ± 0.02, a zeta potential of -0.2 ± 0.1 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 55.26% ± 0.04%. Compared with the positive control group, the GO-nanodisk group presented significantly reduced lung tissue pathology, lower inflammatory factor levels, and an improved oxidative stress status. Furthermore, the GO-nanodisk group displayed Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway activation and NF-kappa B pathway inhibition, surpassing the efficacy of the GO group.

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the nanodisks formulation developed in this work effectively enables stable encapsulation of GO, enhances its bioavailability, and improves its protective efficacy against LPS-induced ALI. Furthermore, this formulation provides a promising theoretical foundation for the encapsulation of oil-based pharmaceuticals.

Introduction: Keloids are fibroproliferative skin scars characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and a high rate of recurrence. Despite extensive research, their pathogenesis remains incompletely understood and effective curative therapies are lacking.

Methods: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and metabolomics were performed to compare gene expression and metabolite profiles between human keloid tissues and normal skin. Single-cell RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to determine the cellular localization of key genes. In vitro, human fibroblasts were stimulated with glutamate, followed by RNA-seq, quantitative RT-PCR, and ELISA to evaluate inflammatory gene expression and cytokine secretion.

Results: Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant enrichment of the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway in keloid tissue, with marked upregulation of the glutamate receptor subunit GRIN2D. Single-cell and histological analyses demonstrated that GRIN2D is predominantly expressed in fibroblasts. Metabolomic profiling showed significantly increased levels of glutamate and glutamine in keloid tissues. Glutamate stimulation of fibroblasts significantly enhanced the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-11, as well as chemokines CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL8 (IL-8).

Discussion: These results underscore the crucial role of glutamate metabolism in promoting the infammatory functions of fbroblasts. They suggest that glutamate contributes to keloid progression and provides a theoretical basis for targeting glutamte signaling pathway in keloid treatment.

Introduction: The reprogramming of glutamine metabolism holds a pivotal position in the energy provision and biosynthesis of tumors. However, the regulatory mechanism of this phenomenon in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still not well-understood. NSCLC is a type of malignancy that has a high incidence and mortality rate globally. There is an urgent need to elucidate the role of glutamine metabolism in its pathological mechanism. This clarification may provide theoretical guidance for developing new therapeutic approaches.

Methods: Core targets of glutamine metabolism were screened by integrating single-cell transcriptomic and RNA sequencing data from public databases. Target expression was validated in clinical samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB), and its association with clinical features was analyzed. Lentiviral gene silencing was employed to establish glutamine-deprived cell models and xenograft mouse models. To evaluate the effects of the target on cell proliferation, redox balance, and migratory/invasive behavior in cell culture and animal models, we utilized Transwell assays, colony formation assays, redox detection kits, and Seahorse metabolic flux analysis. Subsequently, WB and IHC served to elucidate the downstream pathways and potential synergistic effects of the drugs.

Results: Analysis of the single-cell atlas revealed a marked increase in epithelial (Epi) cell populations in the tumor milieu of NSCLC. By integrating weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) with RNA sequencing, fibroblast growth factor 17 (FGF17) was pinpointed as a crucial regulatory factor. High FGF17 expression showed a strong association with poor prognosis in patient (p = 0.0078). Consistent clinical data further demonstrated that FGF17 upregulation was associated with higher TNM stages and the presence of lymph node metastasis. Functional and mechanistic analyses revealed that silencing FGF17 suppressed the FGFR4/MEK5/ERK5 signaling cascade, disturbed NRF2-dependent redox homeostasis, and consequently impaired epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to a marked reduction in cancer cell motility and invasiveness. In vivo, targeting FGF17 was shown to synergistically enhance cisplatin antitumor activity and reverse the EMT phenotype.

Conclusion: As a critical driver of glutamine metabolic reprogramming, FGF17-activated under conditions of GLUL overexpression-stimulates the FGFR4/MEK5/ERK5/NRF2 signaling cascade to maintain redox homeostasis and promote invasion, thereby accelerating NSCLC progression. Targeted intervention of the pathway reverses malignant phenotypes and enhances chemosensitivity. These findings highlight FGF17 as a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC and provide new insights into tumor metabolism and EMT, thereby may paving the way for novel combination therapies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2025.1680812.].