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Nature May 2024Expansion of antigen-experienced CD8 T cells is critical for the success of tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL)-adoptive cell therapy (ACT) in patients with cancer....
Expansion of antigen-experienced CD8 T cells is critical for the success of tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL)-adoptive cell therapy (ACT) in patients with cancer. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) acts as a key regulator of CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte functions by promoting expansion and cytotoxic capability. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend mechanistic barriers to IL-2 sensing in the tumour microenvironment to implement strategies to reinvigorate IL-2 responsiveness and T cell antitumour responses. Here we report that prostaglandin E2 (PGE), a known negative regulator of immune response in the tumour microenvironment, is present at high concentrations in tumour tissue from patients and leads to impaired IL-2 sensing in human CD8 TILs via the PGE receptors EP2 and EP4. Mechanistically, PGE inhibits IL-2 sensing in TILs by downregulating the IL-2Rγ chain, resulting in defective assembly of IL-2Rβ-IL2Rγ membrane dimers. This results in impaired IL-2-mTOR adaptation and PGC1α transcriptional repression, causing oxidative stress and ferroptotic cell death in tumour-reactive TILs. Inhibition of PGE signalling to EP2 and EP4 during TIL expansion for ACT resulted in increased IL-2 sensing, leading to enhanced proliferation of tumour-reactive TILs and enhanced tumour control once the cells were transferred in vivo. Our study reveals fundamental features that underlie impairment of human TILs mediated by PGE in the tumour microenvironment. These findings have therapeutic implications for cancer immunotherapy and cell therapy, and enable the development of targeted strategies to enhance IL-2 sensing and amplify the IL-2 response in TILs, thereby promoting the expansion of effector T cells with enhanced therapeutic potential.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Proliferation; Dinoprostone; Down-Regulation; Ferroptosis; Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; Mitochondria; Oxidative Stress; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype; Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38658764
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07352-w -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a genetic disorder mainly characterized by clubbing fingers, pachydermia and periostosis. Mutations in the or gene lead... (Review)
Review
Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a genetic disorder mainly characterized by clubbing fingers, pachydermia and periostosis. Mutations in the or gene lead to impaired prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) degradation, thus elevating PGE2 levels. The identification of the causative genes has provided a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. PHO can be divided into three subtypes according to its pathogenic gene and inheritance patterns. The onset age, sex ratio and clinical features differ among subtypes. The synthesis and signaling pathways of PGE2 are outlined in this review. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is the key enzyme that acts as the rate-limiting step for prostaglandin production, thus COX-2 inhibitors have been used to treat this disease. Although this treatment showed effective results, it has side effects that restrain its use. Here, we reviewed the genetics, clinical features, differential diagnosis and current treatment options of PHO according to our many years of clinical research on the disease. We also discussed probable treatment that may be an option in the future.
Topics: Humans; Dinoprostone; Osteoarthropathy, Primary Hypertrophic; Cyclooxygenase 2; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Organic Anion Transporters
PubMed: 37705574
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1235040 -
Gut Microbes Dec 2023Intestinal microbes impact the health of the intestine and organs distal to the gut. is a human intestinal microbe that promotes normal gut transit, the...
Intestinal microbes impact the health of the intestine and organs distal to the gut. is a human intestinal microbe that promotes normal gut transit, the anti-inflammatory immune system, wound healing, normal social behavior in mice, and prevents bone reabsorption. Oxytocin impacts these functions and oxytocin signaling is required for -mediated wound healing and social behavior; however, the events in the gut leading to oxytocin stimulation and beneficial effects are unknown. Here we report evolutionarily conserved oxytocin production in the intestinal epithelium through analysis of single-cell RNA-Seq datasets and imaging of human and mouse intestinal tissues. Moreover, human intestinal organoids produce oxytocin, demonstrating that the intestinal epithelium is sufficient to produce oxytocin. We find that facilitates oxytocin secretion from human intestinal tissue and human intestinal organoids. Finally, we demonstrate that stimulation of oxytocin secretion by is dependent on the gut hormone secretin, which is produced in enteroendocrine cells, while oxytocin itself is produced in enterocytes. Altogether, this work demonstrates that oxytocin is produced and secreted from enterocytes in the intestinal epithelium in response to secretin stimulated by . This work thereby identifies oxytocin as an intestinal hormone and provides mechanistic insight into avenues by which gut microbes promote host health.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Secretin; Oxytocin; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Intestinal Mucosa; Limosilactobacillus reuteri
PubMed: 37698879
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2256043 -
JAMA Network Open Oct 2023Misoprostol-alone regimens for abortion may be more effective than previously thought. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
IMPORTANCE
Misoprostol-alone regimens for abortion may be more effective than previously thought.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the effectiveness of medication abortion with misoprostol alone among individuals self-managing their abortion.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
For this prospective observational cohort study of callers to safe abortion hotlines and accompaniment groups in Argentina, Nigeria, and Southeast Asia, participants were recruited between July 31, 2019, and October 1, 2020, prior to starting their medication abortion. Eligible participants were 13 years or older, had no contraindications to medication abortion, and were not currently bleeding. Participants completed a baseline and 2 follow-up surveys. The analysis was restricted to participants who reported using misoprostol alone and was performed between January 6, 2022 and September 8, 2023.
EXPOSURE
Self-managed medication abortion using misoprostol alone.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was effectiveness, defined as participant self-report of complete abortion without procedural intervention, measured at 1 week and 3 weeks after taking misoprostol. Secondary outcomes included method safety, measured by self-report of experiencing warning signs (eg, heavy bleeding, pain, fever, discharge) indicative of a potential complication and by medical treatment (eg, blood transfusion, intravenous fluids, overnight hospital stay) indicative of a potential adverse event. Additional outcomes included length of bleeding and cramping, time to expulsion, and experience of adverse effects.
RESULTS
Among 1352 enrolled participants, 637 used misoprostol-alone regimens for abortion and were included in the analysis (591 [92.8%] from Nigeria, 45 [7.1%] from Southeast Asia, and 1 [0.2%] from Argentina; 384 [60.2%] aged 20-29 years; 317 [49.8%] with pregnancy durations <7 weeks and 205 [32.2%] with pregnancy durations between 7 and <9 weeks). At last follow-up after taking medication (median, 22 days; IQR, 21-26 days), 625 participants (98.1%; 95% CI, 96.7%-98.9%) had a complete abortion without procedural intervention. Potential adverse events were reported by 6 participants (0.9%; 95% CI, 0.4%-2.1%). Most participants experienced bleeding for less than 1 week (median, 4 days; IQR, 3-6 days) and expelled their pregnancy within 24 hours of starting the abortion process (median, 12 hours; IQR, 9-15 hours). Common side effects included nausea (335 participants [52.6%]), fever (232 [36.4%]), and diarrhea (181 [28.4%]).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings suggest that misoprostol alone is a highly effective method of pregnancy termination. Future research should explore strategies to maximize the effectiveness of misoprostol alone in clinical and nonclinical settings.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Misoprostol; Prospective Studies; Mifepristone; Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Spontaneous
PubMed: 37889485
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.40042 -
Endocrine Regulations Jan 2024Oxytocin plays an important role in brain development and is associated with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Abnormalities in the production, secretion,... (Review)
Review
Oxytocin plays an important role in brain development and is associated with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Abnormalities in the production, secretion, and distribution of oxytocin in the brain, at least during some stages of the development, are critical for the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly in the autism spectrum disorder. The etiology of autism includes changes in local sensory and dopaminergic areas of the brain, which are also supplied by the hypothalamic sources of oxytocin. It is very important to understand their mutual relationship. In this review, the relationship of oxytocin with several components of the dopaminergic system, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurotransmission and their alterations in the autism spectrum disorder is discussed. Special attention has been paid to the results describing a reduced expression of inhibitory GABAergic markers in the brain in the context of dopaminergic areas in various models of autism. It is presumed that the altered GABAergic neurotransmission, due to the absence or dysfunction of oxytocin at certain developmental stages, disinhibits the dopaminergic signaling and contributes to the autism symptoms.
Topics: Oxytocin; Humans; Dopamine; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Autistic Disorder; Brain; Animals; Synaptic Transmission; Autism Spectrum Disorder
PubMed: 38656256
DOI: 10.2478/enr-2024-0012 -
Clinical and Translational Medicine Jul 2023Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a female-predominant interstitial lung disease, characterized by progressive cyst formation and respiratory failure. Clinical treatment...
BACKGROUND
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a female-predominant interstitial lung disease, characterized by progressive cyst formation and respiratory failure. Clinical treatment with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin could relieve partially the respiratory symptoms, but not curative. It is urgent to illustrate the fundamental mechanisms of TSC2 deficiency to the development of LAM, especially mTORC1-independent mechanisms. Glutaredoxin-1 (Glrx), an essential glutathione (GSH)-dependent thiol-oxidoreductase, maintains redox homeostasis and participates in various processes via controlling protein GSH adducts. Redox signalling through protein GSH adducts in LAM remains largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate the underlying mechanism of Glrx in the pathogenesis of LAM.
METHODS
1. Abnormal Glrx expression in various kinds of human malignancies was identified by the GEPIA tumour database, and the expression of Glrx in LAM-derived cells was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) and immunoblot. 2. Stable Glrx knockdown cell line was established to evaluate cellular impact. 3. Cell viability was determined by CCK8 assay. 4. Apoptotic cell number and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were quantified by flow cytometry. 5. Cox2 expression and PGE2 production were detected to clarify the mechanism of Bim expression modulated by Glrx. 6. S-glutathionylated p65 was enriched and detected by immunoprecipitation and the direct regulation of Glrx on p65 was determined. 7. The xenograft animal model was established and photon flux was analyzed using IVIS Spectrum.
RESULTS
In LAM, TSC2 negatively regulated abnormal Glrx expression and activation in a mTORC1-independent manner. Knockdown of Glrx increased the expression of Bim and the accumulation of ROS, together with elevated S-glutathionylated proteins, contributing to the induction of apoptotic cell death and inhibited cell proliferation. Knockdown of Glrx in TSC2-deficient LAM cells increased GSH adducts on nuclear factor-kappa B p65, which contributed to a decrease in the expression of Cox2 and the biosynthesis of PGE2. Inhibition of PGE2 metabolism attenuated phosphorylation of ERK, which led to the accumulation of Bim, due to the imbalance of its phosphorylation and proteasome degradation. In xenograft tumour models, knockdown of Glrx in TSC2-deficient LAM cells inhibited tumour growth and increased tumour cell apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Collectively, we provide a novel redox-dependent mechanism in the pathogenesis of LAM and propose that Glrx may be a beneficial strategy for the treatment of LAM or other TSC-related diseases.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Female; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis; Cyclooxygenase 2; Dinoprostone; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Reactive Oxygen Species; Glutaredoxins; Apoptosis; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
PubMed: 37478294
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1333 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Dec 2023Microgravity is the primary factor that affects human physiology in spaceflight, particularly bone loss and disturbances of the central nervous system. However, little...
Microgravity is the primary factor that affects human physiology in spaceflight, particularly bone loss and disturbances of the central nervous system. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these effects. Here, it is reported that in mice hindlimb unloading stimulates expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the hypothalamus, resulting in bone loss and altered fat metabolism. Enhanced expression of TH and NPY in the hypothalamus occurs downstream of a reduced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-mediated ascending interoceptive signaling of the skeletal interoception. Sympathetic antagonist propranolol or deletion of Adrb2 in osteocytes rescue bone loss in the unloading model. Moreover, depletion of TH sympathetic nerves or inhibition of norepinephrine release ameliorated bone resorption. Stereotactic inhibition of NPY expression in the hypothalamic neurons reduces the food intake with altered energy expenditure with a limited effect on bone, indicating hypothalamic neuroendocrine factor NPY in the facilitation of bone formation by sympathetic TH activity. These findings suggest that reduced PGE2-mediated interoceptive signaling in response to microgravity or unloading has impacts on the skeletal and central nervous systems that are reciprocally regulated.
Topics: Humans; Mice; Animals; Dinoprostone; Interoception; Neuropeptide Y; Hypothalamus; Neurons
PubMed: 37880864
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305042 -
Cells Oct 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD)-the most common cause of dementia in the elderly-is characterized by progressive memory loss and β-amyloid protein (Aβ) accumulation in the... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD)-the most common cause of dementia in the elderly-is characterized by progressive memory loss and β-amyloid protein (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. Recently, loneliness was found to be a high risk factor for AD, and social isolation has become a major cause of AD. AD. Oxytocin (OXT), the main hormone involved in social bonding, has been implicated in social interactions, notably in building trust and relationships. Moreover, social isolation or social enrichment modulates the activation of neurons related to OXT. Recently, we reported that OXT reverses learning and memory impairment in AD animal models. Based on the limited number of studies currently available, OXT might be a therapeutic target for AD. Further studies are necessary in order to better understand the role of oxytocin in AD. In this review, we described the relationships between OXT, AD, and social interaction.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Oxytocin; Social Interaction; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Brain
PubMed: 37887270
DOI: 10.3390/cells12202426 -
Cell Reports Oct 2023Metastasis is the leading cause of high ovarian-cancer-related mortality worldwide. Three major processes constitute the whole metastatic cascade: invasion,...
Metastasis is the leading cause of high ovarian-cancer-related mortality worldwide. Three major processes constitute the whole metastatic cascade: invasion, intravasation, and extravasation. Tumor cells often reprogram their metabolism to gain advantages in proliferation and survival. However, whether and how those metabolic alterations contribute to the invasiveness of tumor cells has yet to be fully understood. Here we performed a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening to identify genes participating in tumor cell dissemination and revealed that PTGES3 acts as an invasion suppressor in ovarian cancer. Mechanistically, PTGES3 binds to phosphofructokinase, liver type (PFKL) and generates a local source of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to allosterically inhibit the enzymatic activity of PFKL. Repressed PFKL leads to downgraded glycolysis and the subsequent TCA cycle for glucose metabolism. However, ovarian cancer suppresses the expression of PTGES3 and disrupts the PTGES3-PGE2-PFKL inhibitory axis, leading to hyperactivation of glucose oxidation, eventually facilitating ovarian cancer cell motility and invasiveness.
Topics: Humans; Female; Dinoprostone; Phosphofructokinases; Phosphofructokinase-1; Liver; Glucose; Ovarian Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasm Invasiveness
PubMed: 37831605
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113246 -
JCI Insight Dec 2023Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic parenchymal lung disease characterized by repetitive alveolar cell injury, myofibroblast proliferation, and excessive...
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic parenchymal lung disease characterized by repetitive alveolar cell injury, myofibroblast proliferation, and excessive extracellular matrix deposition for which unmet need persists for effective therapeutics. The bioactive eicosanoid, prostaglandin F2α, and its cognate receptor FPr (Ptgfr) are implicated as a TGF-β1-independent signaling hub for IPF. To assess this, we leveraged our published murine PF model (IER-SftpcI73T) expressing a disease-associated missense mutation in the surfactant protein C (Sftpc) gene. Tamoxifen-treated IER-SftpcI73T mice developed an early multiphasic alveolitis and transition to spontaneous fibrotic remodeling by 28 days. IER-SftpcI73T mice crossed to a Ptgfr-null (FPr-/-) line showed attenuated weight loss and gene dosage-dependent rescue of mortality compared with FPr+/+ cohorts. IER-SftpcI73T/FPr-/- mice also showed reductions in multiple fibrotic endpoints for which administration of nintedanib was not additive. Single-cell RNA-Seq, pseudotime analysis, and in vitro assays demonstrated Ptgfr expression predominantly within adventitial fibroblasts, which were reprogrammed to an "inflammatory/transitional" cell state in a PGF2α /FPr-dependent manner. Collectively, the findings provide evidence for a role for PGF2α signaling in IPF, mechanistically identify a susceptible fibroblast subpopulation, and establish a benchmark effect size for disruption of this pathway in mitigating fibrotic lung remodeling.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Dinoprost; Fibroblasts; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Fibrosis; Population Dynamics
PubMed: 37934604
DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172977