Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Aswathy R. Devan, Keechilat Pavithran, Bhagyalakshmi Nair, Maneesha Murali, Lekshmi R. Nath
Summary: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) plays a dual role as a tumor suppressor and promoter in cancer, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Elevated levels of TGF-β1 in HCC contribute to poor prognosis and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. TGF-β1 is an important diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target for HCC.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Qinsheng Lu, Dingqian Sun, Sourima Biswas Shivhare, Huomei Hou, Judith N. Bulmer, Barbara A. Innes, Dharani K. Hapangama, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: Appropriate growth and development of the endometrium is crucial for a woman's quality of life and reproductive health, while conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding and recurrent pregnancy loss significantly impact women's quality of life and healthcare systems. TGF beta 1 plays a key role in regulating endometrial vascular maturation and could be a potential therapeutic target for women with HMB and/or RPL.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Esther Garcia-Esquinas, Rosario Ortola, Antonio Buno, Pablo Olmedo, Fernando Gil, Jose R. Banegas, Beatriz Perez-Gomez, Ana Navas-Acien, Fernando Rodriguez-Artalejo
Summary: This study examined the relationship between blood cadmium levels and serum GDF-15 concentrations in community-dwelling older adults. The results showed a dose-response association between cadmium levels and GDF-15, suggesting that cadmium exposure may be related to enhanced GDF-15 expression.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shuang Liu, Xiao Yan, Jing Guo, Hong An, Xingrui Li, Liying Yang, Xijiao Yu, Shu Li
Summary: PLAP-1/Asporin regulates the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts through the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, providing a theoretical foundation for the study of the pathological mechanism underlying alveolar bone resorption and the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Dieuwke L. Marvin, Vivian M. Spaans, Cor D. De Kroon, Roderick C. Slieker, Maryam Khelil, Peter Ten Dijke, Laila Ritsma, Ekaterina S. Jordanova
Summary: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with adenocarcinoma patients having a worse prognosis. The tumor suppressor function of TGF-beta is lost in tumor cells. Analysis of RNA-seq data showed that TGF-beta plays different roles in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In adenocarcinoma patients, low expression of T beta R2 and SMAD4 was associated with worse survival, while high expression of PAI-1 and alpha v beta 6 was also correlated with worse survival.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Tao Ji, Qianyu Shi, Song Mei, Jiuhui Xu, Haijie Liang, Lu Xie, Tingting Ren, Kunkun Sun, Dasen Li, Xiaodong Tang, Peng Zhang, Wei Guo
Summary: By analyzing the transcriptome at both bulk tissue and single-cell levels, our study reveals the immunostimulatory microenvironment in tumor thrombus of osteosarcoma, characterized by a higher proportion of TAM-M1 with high expression of CCL4. Moreover, we find that upregulated IFN-gamma and TGF-beta signaling in tumor thrombus are related to immune surveillance of circulating tumor cells. This study provides insights into the unique tumor microenvironment of bone sarcoma thrombus and its association with immune response.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhuo Chen, Hanjie Yu, Xiangqin Chen, Wentian Chen, Wanghua Song, Zheng Li
Summary: TGF-beta superfamily members play important roles in various diseases, and glycosylation modification is involved in the regulation of TGF-beta signaling pathway. There is a complex mutual regulation between glycosylation and TGF-beta signaling, which affects biological processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Piotr Kmiec, Stephan Rosenkranz, Margarete Odenthal, Evren Caglayan
Summary: Angiotensin II, a major factor in cardiovascular disease, activates mediators that are involved in pathological cardiac remodeling. In this study, the effects of aldosterone and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta-1) were investigated in an in vivo model. The findings suggest that aldosterone induces cardiac hypertrophy independently of TGF-beta-1, while both factors may converge in the signaling pathways related to fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meiyu Wu, Jinghua Ruan, Xiaogang Ye, Shuo Zhao, Xiaoli Tang, Xiaoxiao Wang, Huiping Li, Boxiong Zhong
Summary: The expression of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in a P25 gene knockout silkworm was reported, where the knockout of the P25 gene increased hEGF production while maintaining similar physical properties of cocoon silks compared to wild type silkworms. This suggests that P25 gene knockout silkworms could be an efficient bioreactor for producing exogenous proteins and protein-containing silk biomaterials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Han Ki Lee, Heui Min Lim, See-Hyoung Park, Myeong Jin Nam
Summary: The CRISPR/Cas9 system utilizes noncoding RNAs to guide the Cas9 nuclease for site-specific DNA cleavage, while HGF is a crucial growth factor that promotes HCC cell growth. Inhibiting HGF via Crispr-HGF transfection can suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in HCC cells.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Momoko Inoue, Yoshie Nagai-Yoshioka, Ryota Yamasaki, Tatsuo Kawamoto, Tatsuji Nishihara, Wataru Ariyoshi
Summary: TGF-beta 1 downregulates RANKL expression and the osteoclast-supporting activity of osteoblasts/stromal cells induced by D-3 and Dex through the degradation of RXR-alpha protein mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Article
Immunology
Wang-Dong Xu, Qi Huang, Chan Yang, Rong Li, An-Fang Huang
Summary: This study explored the role of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The results showed that serum levels of GDF-15 were increased in SLE patients and associated with disease activity, and GDF-15 gene polymorphisms were related to SLE risk. Animal experiments demonstrated that administration of GDF-15 reduced histological changes and inflammatory cell percentages in lupus mice.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jing Wang, Zhenyu Fan, Jia Li, Jingmao Yang, Xiaofei Liu, Jilin Cheng
Summary: The study indicates that SP1-mediated up-regulation of STK39 can lead to increased proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of HCC cells by activating the TGF-beta 1/Smad2/3 pathway. Therapies targeting SP1 to suppress STK39 expression may contribute to inhibiting HCC progression.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Manman Ma, Xiaohua Wang, Xiaohui Liu, Yang Han, Yanhui Chu, Yanzhong Guan, Haifeng Liu
Summary: A novel tT beta RII variant, Z-tT beta RII, was designed by fusing the PDGF beta receptor-specific affibody Z(PDGF beta R) to the N-terminus of tT beta RII. Z-tT beta RII exhibited superior specific fibrotic liver-targeting potential and stronger anti-fibrotic effects in vitro and in vivo. It also showed no significant sign of potential side effects in other vital organs in liver fibrotic mice, making it a potential candidate for targeted therapy for liver fibrosis.
ARCHIVES OF PHARMACAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyi Wang, Ting Liu, Yifei Huang, Yifeng Dai, Hui Lin
Summary: Fibrosis is a complex abnormal healing process that involves multiple signaling pathways, with the TGF-beta signaling pathway playing a central role. TGF-beta precisely regulates fibrogenesis by controlling gene transcription and translation, and SUMOylation has been identified as a key player in this process, providing potential therapeutic strategies for fibrosis.
Review
Oncology
James C. Lee, Michael D. Green, Laura A. Huppert, Christine Chow, Robert H. Pierce, Adil Daud
Summary: Liver metastases have a significant impact on the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with solid-tumor malignancies. Multiple clinical and translational studies have shown that liver metastasis leads to systemic immune suppression through the generation of suppressive macrophages and activation of regulatory T-cells. Various interventions, such as radiation therapy and combination checkpoint blockade, have been reported to address liver immune suppression.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Peter H. Goff, Laura Riolobos, Bonnie J. LaFleur, Matthew B. Spraker, Y. David Seo, Kimberly S. Smythe, Jean S. Campbell, Robert H. Pierce, Yuzheng Zhang, Qianchuan He, Edward Y. Kim, Stephanie K. Schaub, Gabrielle M. Kane, Jose G. Mantilla, Eleanor Y. Chen, Robert Ricciotti, Matthew J. Thompson, Lee D. Cranmer, Michael J. Wagner, Elizabeth T. Loggers, Robin L. Jones, Erin Murphy, Wendy M. Blumenschein, Terrill K. McClanahan, Jon Earls, Kevin C. Flanagan, Natalie A. LaFranzo, Teresa S. Kim, Seth M. Pollack
Summary: This study aims to characterize the changes in the soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) tumor immune microenvironment induced by standard neoadjuvant therapy and provides insights for neoadjuvant immunotherapy trial design. The results show that neoadjuvant therapy significantly increases immune cell infiltration in the tumor and affects the expression of immune-related genes and cytokines. These findings inform the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors and novel immunotherapies into the neoadjuvant setting for STSs.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fabrizio Pin, Alexander J. Jones, Joshua R. Huot, Ashok Narasimhan, Teresa A. Zimmers, Lynda F. Bonewald, Andrea Bonetto
Summary: This study demonstrates that patients with ovarian cancer exhibit evidence of cachexia and increased bone turnover, with high levels of RANKL potentially causing skeletal muscle atrophy and bone resorption. Treatment with antiresorptive and anti-RANKL therapies benefits muscle mass and function in cancer cachexia.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jose M. Garcia, Richard F. Dunne, Kristen Santiago, Lisa Martin, Morris J. Birnbaum, Jeffrey Crawford, Andrew E. Hendifar, Martin Kochanczyk, Cassadie Moravek, Doris Piccinin, Vincent Picozzi, Eric J. Roeland, Wendy K. D. Selig, Teresa A. Zimmers
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Audrey Loumaye, Pascale Lause, Xiaoling Zhong, Teresa A. Zimmers, Laure B. Bindels, Jean-Paul Thissen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Activin A (ActA) on human skeletal muscle (SM) and in mouse models of cancer-induced cachexia (CC). The results showed that ActA induces myotube atrophy and inhibits the expression and activity of MEF2C, leading to the decrease in MyHC-beta/slow, the main myosin isoform in human muscle cells. Animal models of CC exhibited a decline in MEF2C expression and SM mass, which were both attenuated by ActA inhibition. This study reveals a novel interaction between ActA signaling and MEF2C transcriptional activity in SM atrophy in CC models.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Federica Cirillo, Teresa A. Zimmers, Laura Mangiavini
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Julia E. Lefler, Catherine B. MarElia-Bennett, Katie A. Thies, Blake E. Hildreth, Sudarshana M. Sharma, Jason R. Pitarresi, Lu Han, Caroline Everett, Christopher Koivisto, Maria C. Cuitino, Cynthia Timmers, Elizabeth O'Quinn, Melodie Parrish, Martin J. Romeo, Amanda J. Linke, G. Aaron Hobbs, Gustavo Leone, Denis C. Guttridge, Teresa A. Zimmers, Gregory B. Lesinski, Michael C. Ostrowski
Summary: Disruption of the STAT3 signaling axis in stromal fibroblasts through genetic ablation of Stat3 slows tumor progression, increases survival, and reshapes the immune-suppressive tumor micro-environment in a PDAC mouse model. Loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN in pancreatic CAFs leads to increased STAT3 phosphorylation and promotes secretion of CXCL1.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daenique H. A. Jengelley, Meijing Wang, Ashok Narasimhan, Joseph E. Rupert, Andrew R. Young, Xiaoling Zhong, Daniel J. Horan, Alexander G. Robling, Leonidas G. Koniaris, Teresa A. Zimmers
Summary: Musculoskeletal diseases can harm overall health and survival, with the Interleukin-6 family of cytokines, particularly IL-6, playing a role. Oncostatin M (OSM) has negative effects on muscle, bone, and the heart, causing muscle atrophy, bone loss, and cardiac dysfunction.
Review
Immunology
Daniel Sharygin, Leonidas G. Koniaris, Clark Wells, Teresa A. Zimmers, Tewfik Hamidi
Summary: The cell surface antigen CD14 acts as a co-receptor for toll-like receptors (TLRs) in macrophages and monocytes, but also has roles in disease responses in epithelial and endothelial cells. CD14 expression is altered in various non-immune cell types in response to disease states, and soluble CD14 can initiate signaling in these cells. This review examines CD14's role in innate immunity and its potential functions in non-immune cells and associated human diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiebing Liang, Janaiah Kota, Kent E. Williams, Romil Saxena, Samer Gawrieh, Xiaoling Zhong, Teresa A. Zimmers, Naga Chalasani
Summary: MicroRNA-29a (miR-29a) is a fibro-inflammatory molecule that is associated with liver pathological conditions. The effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with different levels of ethanol (EtOH) consumption on miR-29a expression and liver pathobiology were investigated. The study found that miR-29a was up-regulated with increasing levels of EtOH consumption and was associated with less severe liver injury. A high-fat diet and increasing concentrations of EtOH had progressive adverse effects on the liver, without any beneficial effects of low-dose EtOH consumption.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Daenique H. Jengelley, Ashok Narasimhan, Joseph E. Rupert, Xiaoling Zhong, Andrew R. Young, Leonidas G. Koniaris, Teresa A. Zimmers
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Brittany R. Counts, Ashok Narasimhan, Tara S. Umberger, Emma H. Doud, Amber L. Mosley, Teresa A. Zimmers
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Daniel Runco, Linda Dimeglio, Charles Vanderpool, Danielle Halsey, Teresa Zimmers
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Robert H. I. Andtbacka, Yan Wang, Robert H. Pierce, Jean S. Campbell, Melinda Yushak, Mohammed Milhem, Merrick Ross, Katie Niland, Robert D. Arbeit, Sudha Parasuraman, Kris Bickley, Cecilia C. S. Yeung, Lauri D. Aicher, Kimberly S. Smythe, Lu Gan
Summary: The study found that treatment with single-agent mavorixafor can increase CD8+ T-cell infiltration, granzyme B signal, antigen presentation machinery, and both tumor inflammatory signature (TIS) and IFNγ gene expression signature scores. When mavorixafor was combined with pembrolizumab, the increases in the key serum cytokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 were further enhanced. Reported adverse events included diarrhea, fatigue, maculopapular rash, and dry eye, all of which were ≤ grade 3.
CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fabrizio Pin, Alexander J. Jones, Joshua R. Huot, Narasimhan Ashok, Teresa A. Zimmers, Lynda F. Bonewald, Andrea Bonetto
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2022)