International Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to rise. Therefore, it has become a major concern health issue worldwide. T2DM leads to various complications, including metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, comprehensive studies on MAFLD as a diabetic complication at different stages are still lacking. Using advanced single-cell RNA-seq technology, we explored changes of livers in two T2DM murine models. Our findings revealed that increase activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) exacerbated the development of MAFLD to steatohepatitis by upregulating transforming growth factor β1 induced transcript 1 (Tgfb1i1). Upregulated thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) contributed to hepatocyte damage by impairing reactive oxygen species clearance. Additionally, the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells correlated with Fabp4 overexpression in endothelial cells. A novel subset of Kupffer cells (KCs) that expressed Cd36 exhibited an activated phenotype, potentially participating in inflammation in the liver of diabetic mice. Furthermore, ligand-receptor pair analysis indicated that activated HSCs interacted with hepatocytes or KCs through Thbs2 and Lamb2 in late-stage diseases. The reduction in cell-cell interactions within hepatocytes in diabetic mice, reflects that the mechanisms regulating liver homeostasis is disrupted. This research underscores the importance of dynamics in diabetic MAFLD, and provides new insights for targeted therapies.

Abnormal differentiation of cells is a hallmark of malignancy. Induction of cancer-cell differentiation is emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy with low toxicity in hematological malignances, but whether such treatment can be used in solid tumors is not known. Here, we uncovered a novel function of acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase (ACAT1) in regulating the differentiation of glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Inhibition of ACAT1 promoted the differentiation of GBM cells into astrocytes but also delayed tumor growth. Mechanistically, suppression of ACAT1 restored mitochondrial function and led to metabolic "reprogramming" in GBM cells: reduction of fatty-acid oxidation and acetyl-CoA, but an increase in free fatty acids. Importantly, ACAT1 negatively regulated the choline metabolic pathway, which is crucial for the differentiation of GBM cells. Finally, we demonstrated that a naturally available substance, chlorogenic acid (CHA), could inhibit phosphorylation of ACAT1 and so delay GBM progression, CHA is a promising candidate to treat GBM because it could induce the differentiation of cancer cells.

Patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury (SALI) show a high mortality rate, and there is no effective treatment in the clinic for SALI but only symptomatic treatment as an option. Therefore, searching for effective targets is critical for the management of SALI. Ubiquitination is an essential post-translational protein modification involved in most pathophysiological processes. However, the relationship between ubiquitination and SALI remains largely unclear. In this study, we examined the ubiquitination modification changes in SALI, identified oligoadenylate synthetase 3 (OAS3) as a key candidate accounting for SALI from integrative multi-omics analysis and confirmed its role in promoting SALI and cell apoptosis in an animal model of cecal ligation and puncture-treated mice and a cellular model of LPS-treated MLE12 cells. Mechanistically, downregulation of E3 ligase TRIM21 mediates the reduction of OAS3 K48-linked polyubiquitination at the K1079 site in lung epithelial cells of a septic model, which leads to the increase of OAS3 protein level in a proteasomal-dependent manner. The upregulated OAS3 promotes epithelial cell apoptosis through its downstream effector molecule, RNase L. In summary, these findings unveil a previously unappreciated role of OAS3 ubiquitination in SALI and offer a promising perspective for further understanding the development of sepsis and potential therapeutic target for the treatment of SALI.

Nucleolar and spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1), a microtubule-associated protein, has been recently identified to exhibit aberrant expression patterns that correlate with malignant tumorigenesis and progression across various cancer types. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms and potential targeting therapies of NUSAP1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain largely elusive. In this study, by conducting bioinformatics analyses as well as in vitro and in vivo experiments, we identified that NUSAP1 was significantly upregulated in LUAD, with a notable correlation with poorer overall survival, higher scores for immunogenicity and immune infiltration, as well as increased sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel and vinorelbine in LUAD. Functionally, NUSAP1 overexpression significantly promoted LUAD cell proliferation, while its knockdown markedly suppressed this process. Interestingly, our results revealed that NUSAP1 upregulation was mediated by estrogen via ERβ activation. Furthermore, we identified entinostat as a novel inhibitor of NUSAP1. Pharmacological targeting ERβ/NUSAP1 axis with fulvestrant (ERβ antagonist) or entinostat (novel NUSAP1 inhibitor) significantly reduced LUAD growth both in vitro and in vivo, which may represent effective alternative therapeutic strategies for patients with LUAD.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline that has excellent anticancer effects during tumor chemotherapy, but it can cause cardiotoxic effects and its clinical use has been limited. Therefore, finding new drugs or methods to prevent or reverse the cardiac damage caused by DOX therapy in cancer patients is essential. Previous studies have identified potential cardioprotective effects of Centella asiatica (C. asiatica), and madecassic acid (MA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from C. asiatica. However, the pharmacological effects of MA on the heart and tumors during tumor chemotherapy are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological function and molecular mechanisms of MA in the heart and tumor during chemotherapy. In a DOX-induced acute heart failure mouse model and a cardiomyocyte injury model, MA reduced cardiomyocyte oxidative stress and the inflammatory response, improved mitochondrial function, and attenuated autophagic flux blockade and apoptosis. Interestingly, MA significantly increased the expression and activity of SIRT1. When SIRT1 was knocked down, the protective effect of MA on cardiomyocytes was significantly inhibited, suggesting that MA may exert cardioprotective effects through the SIRT1 pathway. Interestingly, in contrast to its cardioprotective effect, MA could synergize with DOX and significantly contribute to the anticancer chemotherapeutic effect of DOX by inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion; promoting apoptosis; and suppressing tumor progression by inhibiting the expression of the DDX5 pathway in tumor cells. Here, we identified the pharmacological functions of the pentacyclic triterpenoid MA in ameliorating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and enhancing the antitumor efficacy of DOX.

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and novel treatments are needed due to the limited options available for treatment and tumor heterogeneity. 66 surgically removed PLC samples were cultured using the self-developed 2:2 method, and the final success rate for organoid culture was 40.9%. Organoid performance has been evaluated using comprehensive molecular measurements, such as whole-exome and RNA sequencing, as well as anticancer drug testing. Multiple organoids and their corresponding tumor tissues contained several of the same mutations, with all pairs sharing conventional TP53 mutations. Regarding copy number variations and gene expression, significant correlations were observed between the organoids and their corresponding parental tumor tissues. Comparisons at the molecular level provided us with an assessment of organoid-to-tumor concordance, which, in combination with drug sensitivity testing provided direct guidance for treatment selection. Finally, we were able to determine an appropriate pharmacological regimen for a patient with ICC, demonstrating the clinical practicality in tailoring patient-specific drug regimens. Our study provides an organoid culture technology that can cultivate models that retain most of the molecular characteristics of tumors and can be used for drug sensitivity testing, demonstrating the broad potential application of organoid technology in precision medicine for liver cancer treatment.

Celastrol, a compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has therapeutic effects and has been used to treat inflammation-related diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, current reviews lack a comprehensive and systematic summary of the anti-tumor mechanisms and molecular targets of celastrol. For this reason, this paper reviews the anticancer properties of celastrol and the molecular mechanisms underlying its anticancer effects. This paper primarily focuses on the mechanism of action of celastrol in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation and regulation of the cell cycle, regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, inhibition of cell invasion and metastasis, anti-inflammation, regulation of immunotherapy, and angiogenesis. More importantly, the target proteins of celastrol identified by chemical proteomics or other methods are highlighted, providing detailed targets with novel therapeutic potential for anti-tumor treatment. In addition, we describe the side effects and strategies to improve the bioavailability of celastrol. In summary, this paper analyzes celastrol, a natural compound with therapeutic effects and clear targets, aiming to draw more attention from the scientific and pharmacological communities and accelerating its clinical application for the benefit of cancer patients.

Autoimmune diseases and cancers, two seemingly unrelated diseases, have been threatening human health, and many of them have no cure. By identifying pathological inflammation as the driving cause of uncontrolled cell proliferation in both classes of diseases, and differentiating autoimmune disorders and cancers by whether the cell death programs are under control, we propose the attenuation of prolonged inflammation via maintaining mitochondrial reduction-oxidation (redox) homeostasis being a possible cure of both diseases. Importantly, we propose the feasibility of applying cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in treating autoimmune disorders and cancers given its redox-modulatory nature, which not only extends the medical utilities of CAP to autoimmune diseases and all other inflammation-driven disorders, but also positions the efficacy of CAP against cancer cells to its suppressive role on prolonged inflammation. Our insights may open an innovative avenue towards a unified view on the molecular mechanism driving the diversified types of medical miracles of CAP and what CAP can do in the field of plasma medicine.

Neurological disorders (NDs) encompass a range of debilitating conditions that affect the nervous system, including prevalent illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic stroke. Despite significant ongoing studies, effective therapeutic strategies to halt or slow down the progression of these illnesses are still lacking. Stilbenes, a class of natural polyphenols, have shown potential as candidates for therapeutic strategies due to their capacity to protect the nervous system. Preclinical studies have provided strong evidence that stilbenes can regulate many cellular pathways implicated in neurodegeneration, with resveratrol being a well-studied compound that has shown the ability to reduce oxidative damage, promote neurogenesis, and enhance mitochondrial function - crucial for maintaining brain health. In preclinical animal models, initial research has also shown promise in additional substances such as piceatannol and pterostilbene. Furthermore, clinical studies have explored the therapeutic benefits of stilbenes in NDs. Despite promising results in preclinical research, the use of stilbenes in clinical trials is currently limited, with most studies focusing on resveratrol. Although several clinical studies have demonstrated the beneficial impact of resveratrol supplementation on brain health and degenerative consequences, other investigations have yielded ambiguous findings, underscoring the urgent need for more comprehensive and precisely planned clinical research. This study delves into the potential benefits of stilbenes as neuroprotective agents for NDs. It emphasizes the need for more clinical research to enhance our understanding of their therapeutic effectiveness in specific patient groups.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) has devastating physical, psychosocial, and vocational implications for patients and caregivers. Heterophyllin B (HB) is a brain-permeable cyclopeptide from Pseudostellaria heterophylla that promotes axonal regeneration and neuroinflammation. However, the efficacy of HB in improving functional recovery following SCI and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study utilized a murine model for SCI assessment to evaluate the therapeutic effects of HB. following HB intervention, functional recovery post-SCI, was assessed through the Basso Mouse Scale, gait analysis, and the detection of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). RNA sequencing was used to study the roles of pyroptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy in HB's impact on SCI. Techniques such as Western blot, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to evaluate pyroptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy markers. Associated virus vectors were used to suppress transcription factor EB (TFEB), an autophagy regulator, in a living organism. HB promoted autophagy by enhancing TFEB nuclear translocation. In contrast, it inhibited pyroptosis and oxidative stress. Based on using the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor Compound C, the AMPK-TRPML1-calcineurin pathway was involved in HB's regulation of TFEB. In summary, this study demonstrated that HB facilitated functional recuperation by stimulating TFEB-driven autophagy while simultaneously suppressing pyroptosis and oxidative stress after SCI, indicating its potential for clinical application.