Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deguang Kong, Hengbo Zhou, Deepika Neelakantan, Connor J. Hughes, Jessica Y. Hsu, Ramakrishnan Rajaram Srinivasan, Michael T. Lewis, Heide L. Ford
Summary: VEGF-C secreted by EMT breast cancer cells can promote proliferation, migration, and invasion of epithelial breast cancer cells through non-canonical activation of GLI signaling. Inhibiting VEGF-C in EMT cells or knocking down NRP2 in neighboring epithelial cancer cells disrupts the aggressive phenotypes induced by EMT cells, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for metastasis in breast cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Neves, Viviana Marolda, Federico Mayor, Petronila Penela
Summary: A better understanding of the crosstalk between key receptors and signaling pathways involved in cancer progression, specifically in breast cancer subtypes, is crucial for improving current therapies and addressing tumor microenvironment. This study examines the interplay between CXCR4/ACKR3 chemokine receptors and EGFR family signaling pathways in different breast cancer cell models and highlights their cooperation in promoting ERK1/2 activation, with potential implications for cancer progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Kaviyarasi Renu, Sathishkumar Vinayagam, Vishnu Priya Veeraraghavan, Anirban Goutam Mukherjee, Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari, D. S. Prabakaran, Raja Ganesan, Abhijit Dey, Balachandar Vellingiri, Sabariswaran Kandasamy, Gnanasambandan Ramanathan, George Priya C. Doss, Alex George, Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
Summary: Oral cancer is a challenging non-communicable disease with a low survival rate. The tumor microenvironment and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition play key roles in oral cancer development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paras Jain, Sugandha Bhatia, Erik W. Thompson, Mohit Kumar Jolly
Summary: Phenotypic heterogeneity is a hallmark of aggressive cancer behavior and a clinical challenge. This study suggests that fluctuations or noise in content duplication and partitioning of the SNAIL gene during cell division can explain spontaneous phenotypic switching and dynamic heterogeneity in PMC42-LA cells.
Review
Oncology
Xiaobo Zheng, Fuzhen Dai, Lei Feng, Hong Zou, Li Feng, Mingqing Xu
Summary: The interplay between epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and cancer stem cells plays a crucial role in cancer progression, affecting the aggressiveness of tumor cells and their response to treatment. Understanding the dynamic nature of EMT as a hybrid state rather than a binary model is important for unraveling the complexities of cancer biology and developing targeted therapeutic interventions.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brock A. Humphries, Anne Zhang, Johanna M. Buschhaus, Avinash Bevoor, Alex Farfel, Shrila Rajendran, Alyssa C. Cutter, Gary D. Luker
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by mitochondria can affect intracellular ROS levels in cancer cells. Increasing ROS levels through promoting mitochondrial fission inhibits cell migration in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Article
Oncology
Laura Garcia-Gerique, Marta Garcia, Alicia Garrido-Garcia, Soledad Gomez-Gonzalez, Montserrat Torrebadell, Estela Prada, Guillem Pascual-Pasto, Oscar Munoz, Sara Perez-Jaume, Isadora Lemos, Noelia Salvador, Monica Vila-Ubach, Ana Doncel-Requena, Mariona Sunol, Angel M. Carcaboso, Jaume Mora, Cinzia Lavarino
Summary: This study identifies macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a key cytokine involved in the infiltration of neuroblastoma (NB) cells in the bone marrow (BM). In the BM microenvironment, NB cells produce MIF, which is associated with enhanced invasion and survival of NB cells, as well as activation of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of MIF demonstrates the anti-tumor efficacy of targeting MIF, inhibiting NB aggressiveness, improving drug response, delaying NB growth, and improving survival in the xenograft model.
Article
Cell Biology
Tsukasa Kadota, Yu Fujita, Jun Araya, Naoaki Watanabe, Shota Fujimoto, Hironori Kawamoto, Shunsuke Minagawa, Hiromichi Hara, Takashi Ohtsuka, Yusuke Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Kuwano, Takahiro Ochiya
Summary: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by progressive lung fibrosis and poor prognosis, with aberrant gene expression and extracellular vesicles (EVs) playing critical roles in inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation and cellular senescence. Human bronchial epithelial cell-derived EVs (HBEC EVs), particularly through microRNA cargo, show promising anti-fibrotic properties by modulating WNT signaling pathways.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Dan Dong, Lei Na, Kailing Zhou, Zhuo Wang, Yu Sun, Qianqian Zheng, Jian Gao, Chenghai Zhao, Wei Wang
Summary: The research revealed that FZD5 prevents EMT in gastric cancer and is associated with longer survival. ELF3 acts as a downstream effector of FZD5, repressing ZEB1 expression and guarding against EMT.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yizuo Song, Ruyi Li, Miaomiao Ye, Chunyu Pan, Lihong Zheng, Zhi-wei Wang, Xueqiong Zhu
Summary: This study found that MSCs from different tissues exhibit different chemotaxis towards cervical cancer cells, with chorion-derived MSC (CD-MSC) showing the strongest tropic capacity. The CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway was identified to contribute to the differential chemotaxis of MSCs to cervical cancer cells.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiqiang He, Chenyan Li, Hua Yin, Xiaojun Tan, Jun Yi, Shujun Tian, Yan Wang, Jian Liu
Summary: Mesenchymal stem cells have potential therapeutic potential in the treatment of diseases due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This study explores the effects of MSCs on lung cancer cells and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in mice, indicating that MSCs can attenuate lung injury and inhibit inflammation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Apoorva D. Mavatkar, Chandrakala M. Naidu, Jyothi S. Prabhu, Madhumathy G. Nair
Summary: This review focuses on the process of breast cancer metastatic programming, which involves the coevolution of tumor cells with the surrounding extracellular niche. The authors examine the protein-miRNA secretome and provide evidence for the crucial role played by various stromal cells in promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer. In-silico analysis further supports the importance of the stromal niche in mediating EMT. The review highlights the significance of studying the stromal microenvironment for tailored anti-cancer therapy and the discovery of diagnostic markers.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gerhard A. Burger, Daphne N. Nesenberend, Carlijn M. Lems, Sander C. Hille, Joost B. Beltman
Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) play crucial roles in cancer progression, but their molecular interaction remains unclear. In this study, a mathematical model was proposed to describe the crosstalk between EMT and interferon gamma (IFN gamma)-induced PD-L1 expression. The model revealed that microRNA-200 (miR-200) regulates the stability of the EMT circuit and PD-L1 levels, which are further enhanced by IFN gamma. This bidirectional crosstalk also suggests that IFN gamma promotes EMT and inhibits mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Overall, this model provides insights into the mechanisms underlying EMT-mediated immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapy.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Qun Lin, Xiaolin Fang, Gehao Liang, Qing Luo, Yinghuan Cen, Yu Shi, Shijie Jia, Juanmei Li, Wenqian Yang, Andrew J. Sanders, Chang Gong, Wenguo Jiang
Summary: CTNND1 downregulation plays a critical role in facilitating bone metastasis of TNBC, and may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting the risk of bone metastases in TNBC patients.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Le Kang, Xue Fang, Yi-Hang Song, Zi-Xuan He, Zhi-Jie Wang, Shu-Ling Wang, Zhao-Shen Li, Yu Bai
Summary: Neutrophils play a multifaceted role in intestinal inflammation, contributing to the elimination of pathogens but also causing tissue damage. This article focuses on the interactions between neutrophils and epithelial cells in the intestine and highlights the molecular factors involved in neutrophil recruitment, migration, and detachment from the epithelium.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Raphael Borie, Caroline Kannengiesser, Katerina Antoniou, Francesco Bonella, Bruno Crestani, Aurelie Fabre, Antoine Froidure, Liam Galvin, Matthias Griese, Jan C. Grutters, Maria Molina-Molina, Venerino Poletti, Antje Prasse, Elisabetta Renzoni, Jasper van der Smagt, Coline H. M. van Moorsel
Summary: The discovery of gene mutations that cause pulmonary fibrosis confirms the genetic predisposition to this condition. While genetic sequencing is already part of routine clinical practice for familial pulmonary fibrosis cases in some countries, it has not been widely incorporated into interstitial lung disease services and lacks international consensus.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Bas Smits, Sigune Goldacker, Suranjith Seneviratne, Marion Malphettes, Hilary Longhurst, Omar E. Mohamed, Carla Witt-Rautenberg, Lucy Leeman, Eva Schwaneck, Isabelle Raymond, Kilifa Meghit, Annette Uhlmann, Christine Winterhalter, Joris van Montfrans, Marion Klima, Sarita Workman, Claire Fieschi, Lorena Lorenzo, Sonja Boyle, Shamin Onyango-Odera, Suzanne Price, Marc Schmalzing, Valerie Aurillac, Antje Prasse, Ieneke Hartmann, Jennifer J. Meerburg, Mariette Kemner-van de Corput, Harm Tiddens, Bodo Grimbacher, Peter Kelleher, Smita Y. Patel, Anne-Sophie Korganow, Jean-Francois Viallard, Hans-Peter Tony, Claire Bethune, Hendrik Schulze-Koops, Torsten Witte, Aarnoud Huissoon, Helen Baxendale, Sofia Grigoriadou, Eric Oksenhendler, Siobhan O. Burns, Klaus Warnatz
Summary: This study analyzed the effect of high-dose corticosteroids on granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (gl-ILD) using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans and pulmonary function tests (PFT). The results showed that high-dose corticosteroid treatment significantly improved HRCT scores and lung function, achieving long-term remission in 42% of patients with gl-ILD. However, low-dose maintenance therapy was not beneficial and had poor efficacy in relapsing disease.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Ju Chen, Wei-Kai Huang, Sarshan R. Pather, Wei-Fang Chang, Li-Ying Sung, Han-Chung Wu, Mei-Ying Liao, Chi-Chiu Lee, Hsuan-Hui Wu, Chung-Yi Wu, Kuo-Shiang Liao, Chun-Yu Lin, Shang-Chih Yang, Hsuan Lin, Pei-Lun Lai, Chi-Hou Ng, Chun-Mei Hu, I-Chih Chen, Chi-Hsuan Chuang, Chien-Ying Lai, Po-Yu Lin, Yueh-Chang Lee, Scott C. Schuyler, Axel Schambach, Frank Leigh Lu, Jean Lu
Summary: This study identifies a membrane protein, PODXL, as a critical regulator of pluripotency in stem cells. It is found that PODXL plays a role in regulating cholesterol levels, which in turn affects the function and characteristics of pluripotent stem cells. Additionally, PODXL is involved in modulating actin network, SREBP transcription factors, and lipid raft dynamics.
Article
Oncology
Robert Polten, Ivana Kutle, Jens Hachenberg, Ruediger Klapdor, Michael Morgan, Axel Schambach
Summary: Current treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, but complete cancer removal is not always possible and some cancer cells may be resistant to treatment. The use of immunotherapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and genetically modified immune cells, shows promise in improving patient survival.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Toby M. Maher, Paul Ford, Kevin K. Brown, Ulrich Costabel, Vincent Cottin, Sonye K. Danoff, Irene Groenveld, Eric Helmer, R. Gisli Jenkins, Julie Milner, Geert Molenberghs, Bjorn Penninckx, Matthew J. Randall, Bernt Van den Blink, Ann Fieuw, Charlotte Vandenrijn, Sanda Rocak, Ineke Seghers, Lixin Shao, Amit Taneja, Garrit Jentsch, Timothy R. Watkins, Wim A. Wuyts, Michael Kreuter, Nadia Verbruggen, Niyati Prasad, Marlies S. Wijsenbeek
Summary: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autotaxin inhibitor ziritaxestat in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study found that ziritaxestat did not improve clinical outcomes compared with placebo in patients with IPF.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Martin Aringer, Dirk Koschel, Thomas Doerner, Philipp Sewerin, Antje Prasse, Torsten Witte
Summary: Sjogren's syndrome is a potential autoimmune cause of interstitial lung disease. The diagnostic pathway for this syndrome is not well-defined compared to other autoimmune diseases. Subjective sicca symptoms and specific autoantibodies have limitations in their sensitivity and/or specificity as screening tests. To address this, a consensus has been developed to include additional antibodies and objective measures in the diagnosis.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR RHEUMATOLOGIE
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Juergen Behr, Francesco Bonella, Andreas Guenther, Dirk Koschel, Antje Prasse, David Pittrow, Jens Klotsche, Michael Kreuter
Summary: This study is a long-term registry aimed to describe the characteristics, management, and course of newly diagnosed patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease (fILD) in Germany. So far, 360 patients have been enrolled, and a total of 900 patients are planned to be included over three years. The registry will provide important data on patient characteristics, management, and trajectories, and allow for comparisons with other countries.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Juliette Nowak, Marco Bentele, Ivana Kutle, Katharina Zimmermann, Jonathan Lukas Luehmann, Doris Steinemann, Stephan Kloess, Ulrike Koehl, Willi Rossberg, Amed Ahmed, Dirk Schaudien, Lavinia Neubert, Jan-Christopher Kamp, Mark P. Kuehnel, Athanasia Warnecke, Axel Schambach, Michael Morgan
Summary: Despite poor prognosis and survival rates for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), immunotherapy using CAR-NK cells targeting HER1/EGFR shows promise for HNSCC treatment. However, targeting HER1 alone is not sufficient to eliminate potential cancer stem cells. It is necessary to target multiple tumor-associated antigens to reduce high relapse rates in HNSCC.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Martin Kolb, Kevin R. Flaherty, Rafael S. Silva, Antje Prasse, Carlo Vancheri, Heiko Mueller, Kamila Sroka-Saidi, Athol U. Wells, INBUILD Trial Investigators
Summary: The study found that nintedanib consistently slowed the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The effectiveness of nintedanib in reducing the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) was also consistent across subgroups based on different baseline characteristics. This supports the use of nintedanib as a treatment for progressive pulmonary fibrosis.
ADVANCES IN THERAPY
(2023)
Letter
Critical Care Medicine
Jonas C. Schupp, Edward P. Manning, Maurizio Chioccioli, Jan C. Kamp, Leonard Christian, Changwan Ryu, Erica Herzog, Mark P. Kuehnel, Antje Prasse, Naftali Kaminski, Danny D. Jonigk, Robert J. Homer
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bianca Altvater, Sareetha Kailayangiri, Christian Spurny, Maike Fluegge, Jutta Meltzer, Lea Greune, Katja Urban, Christian Schwoeppe, Caroline Brand, Christoph Schliemann, Heike Hintelmann, Saliha Harrach, Wolfgang Hartmann, Hinrich Abken, Johannes Kuehle, Axel Schambach, Dennis Goerlich, Wolfgang E. Berdel, Claudia Rossig
Summary: To improve the effectiveness of CAR-engineered T cells in solid cancers, we developed a novel cell-based combination strategy involving an additional therapeutic mode of action. In this strategy, CAR T cells act as micropharmacies that produce a targeted coagulation protein called tTF-NGR, which induces blood clotting and hypoxia when it localizes to the vascular endothelial cells in tumor tissues. This approach aims to create locoregional tumor vascular infarction and combined immune-mediated and hypoxic tumor cell death.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Jannik Ruwisch, Tobias Welte, Antje Prasse
DEUTSCHE MEDIZINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Antonella L. Bastone, Violetta Dziadek, Philipp John-Neek, Friederike Mansel, Jenni Fleischauer, Eric Agyeman-Duah, Dirk Schaudien, Oliver Dittrich-Breiholz, Adrian Schwarzer, Axel Schambach, Michael Rothe
Summary: Safety assessment in retroviral vector-mediated gene therapy is challenging due to the risk of insertional mutagenesis. The authors developed two assays, IVIM and SAGA, to predict genotoxicity of integrating vectors. However, both assays have a myeloid bias, so the authors investigated lymphoid mutants and identified unique gene expression changes. The highly sensitive molecular readout based on gene expression will contribute to preclinical prediction of retroviral genotoxicity.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jenni Fleischauer, Antonella Lucia Bastone, Anton Selich, Philipp John-Neek, Luisa Weisskoeppel, Dirk Schaudien, Axel Schambach, Michael Rothe
Summary: Researchers developed cell culture conditions to maintain the stemness of murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and prevent differentiation. They used A83-01, pomalidomide, and UM171 (APU) to attenuate differentiation and preserve the stemness of HSPCs. Expanded HSPCs showed functional characteristics and could be used for retroviral vector testing and genotoxicity studies.
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Bianca Altvater, Sareetha Kailayangiri, Christian Spurny, Maike Flugge, Jutta Meltzer, Lea Greune, Christian Schwoppe, Caroline Brand, Christoph Schliemann, Wolfgang Hartmann, Hinrich Abken, Axel Schambach, Nicole Farwick, Wolfgang E. Berdel, Claudia Rossig
Article
Cell Biology
Ke Mi, Lizhong Zeng, Yang Chen, Jingya Ning, Siyuan Zhang, Peilin Zhao, Shuanying Yang
Summary: In this study, the researchers explored the role of DHX38 in NSCLC and its underlying molecular mechanism. They found that DHX38 was overexpressed in NSCLC and patients with high DHX38 expression had poor prognosis. DHX38 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC and activated the MAPK pathway. The researchers also identified G3BP1 as a target protein that interacted with DHX38 and showed that DHX38 regulated the expression of G3BP1. Silencing G3BP1 reversed the effects of DHX38 overexpression on tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited the MAPK pathway activation.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Tiina A. Jokela, Mark A. Dane, Rebecca L. Smith, Kaylyn L. Devlin, Sundus Shalabi, Jennifer C. Lopez, Masaru Miyano, Martha R. Stampfer, James E. Korkola, Joe W. Gray, Laura M. Heiser, Mark A. Labarge
Summary: Microenvironment signals have a significant impact on cell fate and tissue homeostasis. Understanding how different microenvironment factors regulate cellular phenotype has been challenging. In this study, a high-throughput microenvironment microarray was used to identify factors that support the proliferation and maintenance of primary human mammary luminal epithelial cells. Multiple factors that modulate luminal cell number were identified and their effects were confirmed using RNA sequencing and cell-based functional studies. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was found to be robust to individual variation and played a role in expanding luminal cells. Our approach demonstrates the power of high-dimensional cell-based approaches in dissecting microenvironmental signals.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Chao He, Yongfeng Ding, Yan Yang, Gang Che, Fei Teng, Haohao Wang, Jing Zhang, Donghui Zhou, Yanyan Chen, Zhan Zhou, Haiyong Wang, Lisong Teng
Summary: This study categorized gastric cancer patients into three stemness subtypes, each demonstrating distinct prognoses, components of tumor microenvironment (TME) infiltration, and varying sensitivity or resistance to treatment. A stemness risk model was constructed to predict treatment response and prognosis.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Haile Zhao, Lijuan Feng, Rui Cheng, Man Wu, Xiaozhou Bai, Lifei Fan, Yaping Liu
Summary: miR-29c-3p is overexpressed in benign and malignant ovarian carcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis. Its overexpression modulates tumorigenesis in ovarian cancer cells, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, proliferation, migration, and invasion, through the regulation of DNMT3A, TET1, and HBP1. miR-29c-3p may serve as a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis or co-diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Haiyan Zhao, Fangfang Bi, Mengyuan Li, Yuhan Diao, Chen Zhang
Summary: This study confirmed the tumor suppressor effect of RNF180 on ovarian cancer, elucidated the mechanism of the molecule network related to RNF180 and IPO4 in ovarian cancer, and identified a new therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Chu Chen, Guanhua Xu, Jiajia Chen, Chunshuai Wu, Jinlong Zhang, Jiawei Jiang, Hongxiang Hong, Zhiming Cui
Summary: This study investigated the role of transcription factor FoxO1 in facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) and found that FoxO1 deletion led to severe osteoarthritic changes. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and potential key contributors to FJOA. Additionally, over-expression of certain genes and inhibition of others were shown to counteract the impairments caused by FoxO1 deletion in chondrocyte migration and extracellular matrix synthesis. These findings help unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying FJOA and open up promising therapeutic avenues for its treatment.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Wen Deng, Ru Chen, Situ Xiong, Jianqiang Nie, Hailang Yang, Ming Jiang, Bing Hu, Xiaoqiang Liu, Bin Fu
Summary: This study demonstrates that circFSCN1 is upregulated in bladder cancer and associated with cancer-specific survival. CircFSCN1 promotes tumor progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer through enhancing MDM2-mediated silencing of p53 by sponging miR-145-5p.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Jun Wu, Weibin Hu, Wenhui Yang, Yihao Long, Kaizhao Chen, Fugui Li, Xiaodong Ma, Xun Li
Summary: Cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism play critical roles in tumor development and microenvironmental conditions. Squalene Epoxidase (SQLE), the second rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, is found to be uniquely expressed in various cancers, and its expression level is closely associated with tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability. SQLE expression is negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration. Inhibition of SQLE alters the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, protein metabolism and translation are identified as main binding factors with SQLE.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhihong Zhang, Mingyue Li, Yi Tai, Yue Xing, Hongxiang Zuo, Xuejun Jin, Juan Ma
Summary: ZNF70 plays an important role in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) by regulating macrophages IL-1 beta secretion to promote HCT116 proliferation. It may serve as a promising target for treating CAC.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Zenghong Wu, Gangping Li, Weijun Wang, Kun Zhang, Mengke Fan, Yu Jin, Rong Lin
Summary: This study comprehensively explored the role of immune checkpoints and tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer patients based on genomic data. It constructed an ICIs signature and ICI score to evaluate patient prognosis and heterogeneity.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Yantong Wan, Jieshu Zhou, Panpan Zhang, Xuemei Lin, Hao Li
Summary: This study found that Rac1 plays a role in astrocyte activation and attenuates chronic inflammatory pain by blocking the phosphorylation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-kappa B.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhen Wang, Diankun She, Lei Liu, Xianming Hua, Hao Zhu, Lingfeng Yu, Han Wang, Yan Zhu, Gentao Fan, Yicun Wang, Meng Xu, Guangxin Zhou
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that play a role in the regulation of various cancers, including osteosarcoma (OS). This study identified circSATB2 as a highly expressed circRNA in OS tissues and cell lines, and demonstrated its involvement in promoting OS proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, circSATB2 was found to regulate the progression of OS by sponging miR-661 and FUS to regulate ZNFX1 mRNA. These findings suggest that circSATB2 could serve as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Kenichi Ogata, Masafumi Moriyama, Tatsuya Kawado, Hiroki Yoshioka, Aiko Yano, Mayu Matsumura-Kawashima, Seiji Nakamura, Shintaro Kawano
Summary: This study found that extracellular vesicles released by induced pluripotent stem cells can reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, increase saliva volume, and decrease the production of antibodies associated with Sjogren's syndrome in a mouse model. The let-7 family in these vesicles may suppress the expression of TLR4 and NF-kappa B, which leads to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production through the MAPK pathway.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Mikayla R. Erdelsky, Sarah A. Groves, Charmi Shah, Samantha B. Delios, M. Bibiana Umana, Donald H. Maurice
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that cAMP signaling within the primary cilium plays a crucial role in promoting adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In this study, the researchers identified the specific cAMP phosphodiesterases expressed by these cells and found that inhibition of PDE4 promotes FFAR4-mediated adipogenesis. This work could potentially lead to the discovery of more targeted therapeutic approaches for controlling adipogenesis and differentiation of other stem cells.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Chun-Hui Liu, Jun-Jie Zhang, Qian-Jin Zhang, Yang Dong, Zhen-Duo Shi, Si-Hao Hong, Hou-Guang He, Wei Wu, Cong-Hui Han, Lin Hao
Summary: Bladder cancer, the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system, is associated with significantly up-regulated expression of P3H4, which is regulated by METTL3 and plays a crucial role in the proliferation, metastasis, and EMT progression of bladder cancer. Targeting this METTL3-P3H4 pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)