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Journal of Experimental & Clinical... Jun 2024Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by its high metastatic potential, which results in poor patient survival. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are...
BACKGROUND
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by its high metastatic potential, which results in poor patient survival. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial in facilitating TNBC metastasis via induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, how to inhibit CAF-conferred mitochondrial biogenesis is still needed to explore.
METHODS
We investigated metastasis using wound healing and cell invasion assays, 3D-culture, anoikis detection, and NOD/SCID mice. Mitochondrial biogenesis was detected by MitoTracker green FM staining, quantification of mitochondrial DNA levels, and blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The expression, transcription, and phosphorylation of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) were detected by western blotting, chromatin immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoprecipitation, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The prognostic role of PGC-1α in TNBC was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database and clinical breast cancer tissue samples.
RESULTS
We demonstrated that PGC-1α indicated lymph node metastasis, tumor thrombus formation, and poor survival in TNBC patients, and it was induced by CAFs, which functioned as an inducer of mitochondrial biogenesis and metastasis in TNBC. Shikonin impeded the CAF-induced PGC-1α expression, nuclear localization, and interaction with estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), thereby inhibiting PGC-1α/ERRα-targeted mitochondrial genes. Mechanistically, the downregulation of PGC-1α was mediated by synthase kinase 3β-induced phosphorylation of PGC-1α at Thr295, which associated with neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4e1 recognition and subsequent degradation by ubiquitin proteolysis. Mutation of PGC-1α at Thr295 negated the suppressive effects of shikonin on CAF-stimulated TNBC mitochondrial biogenesis and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that PGC-1α is a viable target for blocking TNBC metastasis by disrupting mitochondrial biogenesis, and that shikonin merits potential for treatment of TNBC metastasis as an inhibitor of mitochondrial biogenesis through targeting PGC-1α.
Topics: Humans; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; Mice; Animals; Organelle Biogenesis; Phosphorylation; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Naphthoquinones; Female; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice, SCID; Neoplasm Metastasis; Mice, Inbred NOD; Mitochondria; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
PubMed: 38937832
DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03101-z -
Breast Cancer Research : BCR Jun 2024Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new group of endogenous RNAs recently found to be involved in the development of various diseases, including their confirmed involvement...
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new group of endogenous RNAs recently found to be involved in the development of various diseases, including their confirmed involvement in the progression of several types of cancers. Unluckily, the abnormal expression and functions of circRNAs in breast cancer shall be further investigated. This work aims to elucidate the action and molecular mechanism of circHSDL2 in the malignant progression of breast cancer. Differential expression profiles of circRNAs in breast cancer tissues relative to normal breast tissues and in the exosomes of breast cancer patients compared to healthy women were analyzed from databases to identify potentially functional circRNAs. CircHSDL2 was selected for further investigation. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays were done to assess the effect of circHSDL2 overexpression on breast cancer cells. Bioinformatics test and dual-luciferase reporter experiments were done to explore the interaction between circHSDL2 and miRNA. Downstream target genes were further investigated through proteomics analysis and Western blotting. The influence of circHSDL2 on breast cancer in vivo was evaluated through xenograft experiments in nude mice. Functional analysis demonstrated circHSDL2 overexpression promoted the division, movement, and invasion of breast cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, circHSDL2 acted as a sponge for miR-7978 to affect ZNF704 expression and thereby regulate the Hippo pathway in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, circHSDL2 regulates the Hippo pathway through the miR-7978/ZNF704 axis to facilitate the malignancy of breast cancer. This may be a potential biomarker and treatment target.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; RNA, Circular; MicroRNAs; Hippo Signaling Pathway; Animals; Mice; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Signal Transduction; Cell Proliferation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Disease Progression; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Mice, Nude
PubMed: 38937788
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01864-z -
BMC Medical Genomics Jun 2024TTN is a complex gene with large genomic size and highly repetitive structure. Pathogenic variants in TTN have been reported to cause a range of skeletal muscle and...
BACKGROUND
TTN is a complex gene with large genomic size and highly repetitive structure. Pathogenic variants in TTN have been reported to cause a range of skeletal muscle and cardiac disorders. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations tend to cause a wide spectrum of phenotypes with congenital or childhood onset. The onset and severity of the features were considered to be correlated with the types and location of the TTN variants.
METHODS
Whole-exome sequencing was performed on three unrelated families presenting with fetal akinesia deformation sequence (FADS), mainly characterized by reduced fetal movements and limb contractures. Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the variants. RT-PCR analysis was performed.
RESULTS
TTN c.38,876-2 A > C, a meta transcript-only variant, with a second pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in trans, was observed in five affected fetuses from the three families. Sanger sequencing showed that all the fetal variants were inherited from the parents. RT-PCR analysis showed two kinds of abnormal splicing, including intron 199 extension and skipping of 8 bases.
CONCLUSIONS
Here we report on three unrelated families presenting with FADS caused by four TTN variants. In addition, our study demonstrates that pathogenic meta transcript-only TTN variant can lead to defects which is recognizable prenatally in a recessive manner.
Topics: Humans; Female; Connectin; Pedigree; Male; Exome Sequencing; Arthrogryposis; Contracture; Mutation; Pregnancy; Fetus; Adult
PubMed: 38937733
DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-01946-z -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Recent studies have shown the crucial role of podocyte injury in the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Deubiquitinating modification of proteins is widely...
Recent studies have shown the crucial role of podocyte injury in the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Deubiquitinating modification of proteins is widely involved in the occurrence and development of diseases. Here, we explore the role and regulating mechanism of a deubiquitinating enzyme, OTUD5, in podocyte injury and DKD. RNA-seq analysis indicates a significantly decreased expression of OTUD5 in HG/PA-stimulated podocytes. Podocyte-specific Otud5 knockout exacerbates podocyte injury and DKD in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice. Furthermore, AVV9-mediated OTUD5 overexpression in podocytes shows a therapeutic effect against DKD. Mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation experiments reveal an inflammation-regulating protein, TAK1, as the substrate of OTUD5 in podocytes. Mechanistically, OTUD5 deubiquitinates K63-linked TAK1 at the K158 site through its active site C224, which subsequently prevents the phosphorylation of TAK1 and reduces downstream inflammatory responses in podocytes. Our findings show an OTUD5-TAK1 axis in podocyte inflammation and injury and highlight the potential of OTUD5 as a promising therapeutic target for DKD.
Topics: Podocytes; Animals; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Diabetic Nephropathies; Mice; Inflammation; Ubiquitination; Humans; Mice, Knockout; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Phosphorylation; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases; HEK293 Cells; Deubiquitinating Enzymes
PubMed: 38937512
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49854-1 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) employs DNA bending to package mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into nucleoids and recruit mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) at...
Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) employs DNA bending to package mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into nucleoids and recruit mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) at specific promoter sites, light strand promoter (LSP) and heavy strand promoter (HSP). Herein, we characterize the conformational dynamics of TFAM on promoter and non-promoter sequences using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and single-molecule protein-induced fluorescence enhancement (smPIFE) methods. The DNA-TFAM complexes dynamically transition between partially and fully bent DNA conformational states. The bending/unbending transition rates and bending stability are DNA sequence-dependent-LSP forms the most stable fully bent complex and the non-specific sequence the least, which correlates with the lifetimes and affinities of TFAM with these DNA sequences. By quantifying the dynamic nature of the DNA-TFAM complexes, our study provides insights into how TFAM acts as a multifunctional protein through the DNA bending states to achieve sequence specificity and fidelity in mitochondrial transcription while performing mtDNA packaging.
Topics: DNA-Binding Proteins; Mitochondrial Proteins; Transcription Factors; DNA, Mitochondrial; DNA Packaging; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Humans; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Transcription Initiation, Genetic; Mitochondria; Single Molecule Imaging; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; Base Sequence; Protein Binding
PubMed: 38937458
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49728-6 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Progressive lung fibrosis is associated with poorly understood aging-related endothelial cell dysfunction. To gain insight into endothelial cell alterations in lung...
Progressive lung fibrosis is associated with poorly understood aging-related endothelial cell dysfunction. To gain insight into endothelial cell alterations in lung fibrosis we performed single cell RNA-sequencing of bleomycin-injured lungs from young and aged mice. Analysis reveals activated cell states enriched for hypoxia, glycolysis and YAP/TAZ activity in ACKR1+ venous and TrkB+ capillary endothelial cells. Endothelial cell activation is prevalent in lungs of aged mice and can also be detected in human fibrotic lungs. Longitudinal single cell RNA-sequencing combined with lineage tracing demonstrate that endothelial activation resolves in young mouse lungs but persists in aged ones, indicating a failure of the aged vasculature to return to quiescence. Genes associated with activated lung endothelial cells states in vivo can be induced in vitro by activating YAP/TAZ. YAP/TAZ also cooperate with BDNF, a TrkB ligand that is reduced in fibrotic lungs, to promote capillary morphogenesis. These findings offer insights into aging-related lung endothelial cell dysfunction that may contribute to defective lung injury repair and persistent fibrosis.
Topics: Animals; Endothelial Cells; Aging; Bleomycin; Humans; Mice; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Lung; Lung Injury; Receptor, trkB; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; YAP-Signaling Proteins; Male; Single-Cell Analysis; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Female; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38937456
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49545-x -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Jun 2024Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is reportedly overexpressed in most esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients, but anti-EGFR treatments offer limited...
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is reportedly overexpressed in most esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients, but anti-EGFR treatments offer limited survival benefits. Our preclinical data showed the promising antitumor activity of afatinib in EGFR-overexpressing ESCC. This proof-of-concept, phase II trial assessed the efficacy and safety of afatinib in pretreated metastatic ESCC patients (n = 41) with EGFR overexpression (NCT03940976). The study met its primary endpoint, with a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 39% in 38 efficacy-evaluable patients and a median overall survival of 7.8 months, with a manageable toxicity profile. Transcriptome analysis of pretreatment tumors revealed that neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (NTRK2) was negatively associated with afatinib sensitivity and might serve as a predictive biomarker, irrespective of EGFR expression. Notably, knocking down or inhibiting NTRK2 sensitized ESCC cells to afatinib treatment. Our study provides novel findings on the molecular factors underlying afatinib resistance and indicates that afatinib has the potential to become an important treatment for metastatic ESCC patients.
Topics: Humans; Afatinib; ErbB Receptors; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Esophageal Neoplasms; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Receptor, trkB; Cell Line, Tumor; Adult; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors; Membrane Glycoproteins
PubMed: 38937446
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01875-4 -
PloS One 2024Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers. Preclinical models are essential to study new therapies and combinations taking tumor genetics into account....
Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers. Preclinical models are essential to study new therapies and combinations taking tumor genetics into account. We have established cell lines expressing the luciferase gene from lines with varied genetic backgrounds, commonly encountered in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. We have characterized these lines by testing their response to multiple drugs. Thus, we have developed orthotopic preclinical mouse models of NSCLC with very high engraftment efficiency. These models allow the easy monitoring of tumor growth, particularly in response to treatment, and of tumor cells dissemination in the body. We show that concomitant treatment with osimertinib (3rd generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting mutated EGFR) and bevacizumab (anti-angiogenic targeting VEGF) can have a beneficial therapeutic effect on EGFR-mutated tumors. We also show that the addition of afatinib to osimertinib-treated tumors in escape leads to tumor growth inhibition. No such effect is observed with selumetinib or simvastatin. These preclinical mouse models therefore make it possible to test innovative therapeutic combinations and are also a tool of choice for studying resistance mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Aniline Compounds; Acrylamides; Afatinib; Bevacizumab; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Humans; Cell Line, Tumor; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Disease Models, Animal; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; ErbB Receptors; Quinazolines; Piperazines; Female; Indoles; Pyrimidines
PubMed: 38935790
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304914 -
PloS One 2024
Topics: Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Signal Transduction; Humans; Hippo Signaling Pathway; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
PubMed: 38935667
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306508 -
PloS One 2024To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of sivelestat sodium on acute lung injury (AIL).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of sivelestat sodium on acute lung injury (AIL).
METHODS
A rat model for ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) was established. Pathological examination of lung tissue was conducted to assess lung injury. Blood gas in the arteries was measured using a blood analyzer. Changes in PaO2, PaO2/FiO2, and lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio were carefully compared. ELISA assay was conducted to estimate cell adhesion and inflammation response. Finally, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assay was used to determine the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
RESULTS
ARDS in vivo model was successfully constructed by LPS injection. Compared with the sham group, PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly lower in the vehicle group, while the lung W/D ratio, the lung injury score, NE, VCAM-1, IL-8 andTNF-αwere significantly increased. After treatment with different doses of sivelestat sodium, we found PaO2, PaO2/FiO2 were prominently increased, while the lung W/D ratio, the lung injury score, NE, VCAM-1, IL-8, TNF-α levels were decreased in the dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, compared with the vehicle group, the expression levels of Bax, PI3K, Akt and mTOR were significantly lower, and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly higher after injection with sivelestat sodium.
CONCLUSION
Sivelestat sodium has an interventional effect on ALI in sepsis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway.
Topics: Animals; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Acute Lung Injury; Signal Transduction; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Rats; Male; Glycine; Sulfonamides; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Lung; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38935660
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302721