Caspases: enemies within

Label-free detection of biomolecules using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Bioassays using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have gained increasing attention because of the high sensitivity of ICP-MS and the various strategies of labeling biomolecules with detectable metal tags. The classic strategy to tag the target biomolecules is through direct antibody-antigen interaction and DNA hybridization, and requires the separation of the bound from the unbound tags. Label-free ICP-MS techniques for biomolecular assays do not require direct labeling: they generate detectable metal ions indirectly from specific biomolecular reactions, such as enzymatic cleavage. Here, we highlight the development of three main strategies of label-free ICP-MS assays for biomolecules: (1) enzymatic cleavage of metal-labeled substrates, (2) release of immobilized metal ions from the DNA backbone, and (3) nucleic acid amplification-assisted aggregation and release of metal tags to achieve amplified detection. We briefly describe the fundamental basis of these label-free ICP-MS assays and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various designs. Future research is needed to reduce non-specific adsorption and minimize background and interference. Analytical innovations are also required to confront challenges faced by in vivo applications.

Mycoplasma glycine cleavage system key subunit GcvH is an apoptosis inhibitor targeting host endoplasmic reticulum

Mycoplasmas are minimal but notorious bacteria that infect humans and animals. These genome-reduced organisms have evolved strategies to overcome host apoptotic defense and establish persistent infection. Here, using Mycoplasma bovis as a model, we demonstrate that mycoplasma glycine cleavage system (GCS) H protein (GcvH) targets the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to hijack host apoptosis facilitating bacterial infection. Mechanically, GcvH interacts with the ER-resident kinase Brsk2 and stabilizes it by blocking its autophagic degradation. Brsk2 subsequently disturbs unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling, thereby inhibiting the key apoptotic molecule CHOP expression and ER-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway. CHOP mediates a cross-talk between ER- and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis. The GcvH N-terminal amino acid 31-35 region is necessary for GcvH interaction with Brsk2, as well as for GcvH to exert anti-apoptotic and potentially pro-infective functions. Notably, targeting Brsk2 to dampen apoptosis may be a conserved strategy for GCS-containing mycoplasmas. Our study reveals a novel role for the conserved metabolic route protein GcvH in Mycoplasma species. It also sheds light on how genome-reduced bacteria exploit a limited number of genomic proteins to resist host cell apoptosis thereby facilitating pathogenesis.

Tumour suppressor ABCA8 inhibits malignant progression of colorectal cancer via Wnt/β-catenin pathway

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumours of the digestive tract, and new therapeutic targets and prognostic markers are still urgently required. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 8 (ABCA8) in CRC remain unclear.

METHODS

Databases and clinical specimens were analysed to determine the expression level of ABCA8 in CRC. Colony formation, CCK-8 and Transwell assays were conducted to determine cell proliferation, viability, migration and invasion. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Western blot and rescue experiments were performed to determine the specific mechanisms of action of ABCA8.

RESULTS

ABCA8 expression is dramatically down-regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Ectopic expression of ABCA8 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro, inhibited cell growth, suppressed migration and invasion, reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppressed xenograft tumour growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, ABCA8 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

We verified that ABCA8 inhibits the malignant progression of CRC through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This newly discovered ABCA8-Wnt-β-catenin signalling axis is probably helpful in guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

Sterigmatocystin induces autophagic and apoptotic cell death of liver cancer cells via downregulation of XIAP

XIAP, or the X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein, is the most extensively studied member within the IAP gene family. It possesses the capability to impede apoptosis through direct inhibition of caspase activity. Various kinds of cancers overexpress XIAP to enable cancer cells to avoid apoptosis. Consequently, the inhibition of XIAP holds significant clinical implications for the development of anti-tumor medications and the treatment of cancer. In this study, sterigmatocystin, a natural compound obtained from the genus asperigillus, was demonstrated to be able to induce apoptotic and autophagic cell death in liver cancer cells. Mechanistically, sterigmatocystin induces apoptosis by downregulation of XIAP expression. Additionally, sterigmatocystin treatment induces cell cycle arrest, blocks cell proliferation, and slows down colony formation in liver cancer cells. Importantly, sterigmatocystin exhibits a remarkable therapeutic effect in a nude mice model. Our findings revealed a novel mechanism through which sterigmatocystin induces apoptotic and autophagic cell death of liver cancer cells by suppressing XIAP expression, this offers a promising therapeutic approach for treating liver cancer patients.

In Vitro Inhibition of Colorectal Cancer Gene Targets by Withania somnifera L. Methanolic Extracts: A Focus on Specific Genome Regulation

An approach that shows promise for quickening the evolution of innovative anticancer drugs is the assessment of natural biomass sources. Our study sought to assess the effect of W. somnifera L. (WS) methanolic root and stem extracts on the expression of five targeted genes (cyclooxygenase-2, caspase-9, 5-Lipoxygenase, B-cell lymphoma-extra-large, and B-cell lymphoma 2) in colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2 cell lines). Plant extracts were prepared for bioassay by dissolving them in dimethyl sulfoxide. Caco-2 cell lines were exposed to various concentrations of plant extracts, followed by RNA extraction for analysis. By explicitly relating phytoconstituents of WS to the dose-dependent overexpression of caspase-9 genes and the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, 5-Lipoxygenase, B-cell lymphoma-extra-large, and B-cell lymphoma 2 genes, our novel findings characterize WS as a promising natural inhibitor of colorectal cancer (CRC) growth. Nonetheless, we recommend additional in vitro research to verify the current findings. With significant clinical benefits hypothesized, we offer WS methanolic root and stem extracts as potential organic antagonists for colorectal carcinogenesis and suggest further in vivo and clinical investigations, following successful in vitro trials. We recommend more investigation into the specific phytoconstituents in WS that contribute to the regulatory mechanisms that inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.

Novel triterpenoid pyrones, phthalimides and phthalates are selectively cytotoxic in CCRF-CEM cancer cells - Synthesis, potency, and mitochondrial mechanism of action

A series of triterpenoid pyrones was synthesized and subsequently modified to introduce phthalimide or phthalate moieties into the triterpenoid skeleton. These compounds underwent in vitro cytotoxicity screening, revealing that a subset of six compounds exhibited potent activity, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Further biological evaluations, including Annexin V and propidium iodide staining experiment revealed, that all compounds induce selective apoptosis in cancer cells. Measurements of mitochondrial potential, cell cycle analysis, and the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins confirmed, that apoptosis was mediated via the mitochondrial pathway. These findings were further supported by cell cycle modulation and DNA/RNA synthesis studies, which indicated a significant increase in cell accumulation in the G0/G1 phase and a marked reduction in S-phase cells, alongside a substantial inhibition of DNA synthesis. The activation of caspase-3 and the cleavage of PARP, coupled with a decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins, underscored the induction of apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Given their high activity and pronounced effect on mitochondria function, trifluoromethyl pyrones 1f and 2f, and dihydrophthalimide 2h have been selected for further development.

Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Leukemic Evaluation of a Series of Dianilinopyrimidines by Regulating the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and STAT3/c-Myc Pathways

Although the long-term survival rate for leukemia has made significant progress over the years with the development of chemotherapeutics, patients still suffer from relapse, leading to an unsatisfactory outcome. To discover the new effective anti-leukemia compounds, we synthesized a series of dianilinopyrimidines and evaluated the anti-leukemia activities of those compounds by using leukemia cell lines (HEL, Jurkat, and K562). The results showed that the dianilinopyrimidine analog H-120 predominantly displayed the highest cytotoxic potential in HEL cells. It remarkably induced apoptosis of HEL cells by activating the apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)), increasing apoptosis protein Bad expression, and decreasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL). Furthermore, it induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M; concomitantly, we observed the activation of p53 and a reduction in phosphorylated cell division cycle 25C (p-CDC25C) / Cyclin B1 levels in treated cells. Additionally, the mechanism study revealed that H-120 decreased these phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3, rat sarcoma, phosphorylated cellular RAF proto-oncogene serine / threonine kinase, phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (p-STAT3, Ras, p-C-Raf, p-MEK, p-MRK, and c-Myc) protein levels in HEL cells. Using the cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins isolation assay, we found for the first time that H-120 can inhibit the activation of STAT3 and c-Myc and block STAT3 phosphorylation and dimerization. Moreover, H-120 treatment effectively inhibited the disease progression of erythroleukemia mice by promoting erythroid differentiation into the maturation of erythrocytes and activating the immune cells. Significantly, H-120 also improved liver function in erythroleukemia mice. Therefore, H-120 may be a potential chemotherapeutic drug for leukemia patients.

Nobiletin alleviates methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

We investigated the possible ameliorative effects of nobiletin (NBL) against methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely: Control; MTX (administered 20 mg/kg MTX); MTX+NBL (administered 20 mg/kg MTX and 10 mg/kg NBL per day); and NBL (administered 10 mg/kg/day NBL). Histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses were performed on the kidney and liver tissues of rats at the end of the study. MTX caused renal toxicity, as indicated by increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and caspase-3, as well as decreases in reduced glutathione (GSH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). MTX also caused hepatotoxicity, as indicated by increases in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), MDA and caspase-3 and decrease in interleukin 10 (IL-10), GSH, total antioxidant capacity, GPx, G6PD, CAT and Bcl-2. MTX caused histopathological changes in kidney and liver tissues indicating tissue and cellular damage. Administration of NBL concurrently with methotrexate reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic signs, and prevented kidney and liver damage caused by methotrexate. We consider NBL has attenuating and ameliorating effects on methotrexate-induced hepatorenal toxicity.

Mesenchymal stromal cells for improvement of cardiac function following acute myocardial infarction: a matter of timing

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of cardiovascular death and remains the most common cause of heart failure. Reopening of the occluded artery, i.e., reperfusion, is the only way to save the myocardium. However, the expected benefits of reducing infarct size are disappointing due to the reperfusion paradox, which also induces specific cell death. These ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) lesions can account for up to 50% of final infarct size, a major determinant for both mortality and the risk of heart failure (morbidity). In this review, we provide a detailed description of the cell death and inflammation mechanisms as features of I/R injury and cardioprotective strategies such as ischemic postconditioning as well as their underlying mechanisms. Due to their biological properties, the use of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) has been considered a potential therapeutic approach in AMI. Despite promising results and evidence of safety in preclinical studies using MSCs, the effects reported in clinical trials are not conclusive and even inconsistent. These discrepancies were attributed to many parameters such as donor age, in vitro culture, and storage time as well as injection time window after AMI, which alter MSC therapeutic properties. In the context of AMI, future directions will be to generate MSCs with enhanced properties to limit cell death in myocardial tissue and thereby reduce infarct size and improve the healing phase to increase postinfarct myocardial performance.

Pseudorabies virus gM and its homologous proteins in herpesviruses induce mitochondria-related apoptosis involved in viral pathogenicity

Apoptosis is a critical host antiviral defense mechanism. But many viruses have evolved multiple strategies to manipulate apoptosis and escape host antiviral immune responses. Herpesvirus infection regulated apoptosis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Hence, the present study aimed to study the relationship between herpesvirus infection and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo using the pseudorabies virus (PRV) as the model virus. We found that mitochondria-dependent apoptosis was induced by PRV gM, a late protein encoded by PRV UL10, a virulence-related gene involved in enhancing PRV pathogenicity. Mechanistically, gM competitively combines with BCL-XL to disrupt the BCL-XL-BAK complex, resulting in BCL-2-antagonistic killer (BAK) oligomerization and BCL-2-associated X (BAX) activation, which destroys the mitochondrial membrane potential and activates caspase-3/7 to trigger apoptosis. Interestingly, similar apoptotic mechanisms were observed in other herpesviruses (Herpes Simplex Virus-1 [HSV-1], human cytomegalovirus [HCMV], Equine herpesvirus-1 [EHV-1], and varicella-zoster virus [VZV]) driven by PRV gM homologs. Compared with their parental viruses, the pathogenicity of PRV-ΔUL10 or HSV-1-ΔUL10 in mice was reduced with lower apoptosis and viral replication, illustrating that UL10 is a key virulence-related gene in PRV and HSV-1. Consistently, caspase-3 deletion also diminished the replication and pathogenicity of PRV and HSV-1 in vitro and in mice, suggesting that caspase-3-mediated apoptosis is closely related to the replication and pathogenicity of PRV and HSV-1. Overall, our findings firstly reveal the mechanism by which PRV gM and its homologs in several herpesviruses regulate apoptosis to enhance the viral replication and pathogenicity, and the relationship between gM-mediated apoptosis and herpesvirus pathogenicity suggests a promising approach for developing attenuated live vaccines and therapy for herpesvirus-related diseases.

Detection of Protein Biomarkers Relevant to Sperm Characteristics and Fertility in Semen in Three Wild Felidae: The Flat-Headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), and Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii)

Effective wild cat conservation programs with assisted reproductive technologies are being developed in different parts of the world. The flat-headed cat, fishing cat, and Asiatic golden cat are three species among nine wild Felidae in Thailand that are in need of urgent conservation efforts. Here, we assessed routine sperm characteristics and we report the detection of protein biomarkers related to the fertilization process, IZUMO1 and the CRISP family, and apoptotic markers, active or cleaved caspase-3, in semen samples collected from these wild cats. IZUMO1 was located in the equatorial segment of the sperm head, which is the region involved in gamete interaction. The highest levels of IZUMO1 were found in both the sperm pellet and the seminal plasma of the flat-headed cat, as determined by immunoblotting. CRISP2, a sperm-egg fusion assisting protein, and CRISP3 were found in both the sperm pellet and the seminal plasma, and the highest levels were observed in the fishing cat. Positive correlations between certain semen parameters and IZUMO1, CRISP2, and CRISP3 expression were also demonstrated. Cleaved caspase-3 was found in all sperm samples in all three species and was associated with an increase in DNA fragmentation and a decrease in certain semen characteristics such as motility, viability, and intact acrosomes. Our results suggest that the analysis of IZUMO1, the CRISP family, and cleaved caspase-3, along with the routine sperm characteristics, may allow for better success in breeding management in wild Felidae, particularly in the flat-headed cat and the fishing cat.

Linoleic acid induces human ovarian granulosa cell inflammation and apoptosis through the ER-FOXO1-ROS-NFκB pathway

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive endocrinological disorder influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Linoleic acid (LA) is a widely consumed ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, accounting for approximately 80% of daily fatty acid intake. Building upon the prior investigations of our team, which established a connection between LA levels in the follicular fluid and PCOS, this study deeply examined the specific impact of LA using a granulosa cell line. Our findings revealed that LA exerts its influence on granulosa cells (GCs) by binding to the estrogen receptor (ER). Activated ER triggers the transcription of the FOXO1 gene. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation occur downstream of LA-induced FOXO1 activation. Increased OS and inflammation ultimately culminate in GC apoptosis. In summary, LA modulates the apoptosis and inflammation phenotypes of GCs through the ER-FOXO1-ROS-NF-κB pathway. Our study provides additional experimental evidence to comprehend the pathophysiology of PCOS and provides novel insights into the dietary management of individuals with PCOS.

Exosomes derived from programmed cell death: mechanism and biological significance

Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles present in bodily fluids that mediate intercellular communication by transferring bioactive molecules, thereby regulating a range of physiological and pathological processes. Exosomes can be secreted from nearly all cell types, and the biological function of exosomes is heterogeneous and depends on the donor cell type and state. Recent research has revealed that the levels of exosomes released from the endosomal system increase in cells undergoing programmed cell death. These exosomes play crucial roles in diseases, such as inflammation, tumors, and autoimmune diseases. However, there is currently a lack of systematic research on the differences in the biogenesis, secretion mechanisms, and composition of exosomes under different programmed cell death modalities. This review underscores the potential of exosomes as vital mediators of programmed cell death processes, highlighting the interconnection between exosome biosynthesis and the regulatory mechanisms governing cell death processes. Furthermore, we accentuate the prospect of leveraging exosomes for the development of innovative biomarkers and therapeutic strategies across various diseases.

Factors and Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Activity in the Brain: Possible Role in Recovery and Protection

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential in normal brain development, and cognitive and emotional functions. THs act through a cascade of events including uptake by the target cells by specific cell membrane transporters, activation or inactivation by deiodinase enzymes, and interaction with nuclear thyroid hormone receptors. Several thyroid responsive genes have been described in the developing and in the adult brain and many studies have demonstrated a systemic or local reduction in TH availability in neurologic disease and after brain injury. In this review, the main factors and mechanisms associated with the THs in the normal and damaged brain will be evaluated in different regions and cellular contexts. Furthermore, the most common animal models used to study the role of THs in brain damage and cognitive impairment will be described and the use of THs as a potential recovery strategy from neuropathological conditions will be evaluated. Finally, particular attention will be given to the link observed between TH alterations and increased risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative and dementing condition worldwide.

Characterization of caspase gene family in Sebastes schlegelii and their expression profiles under Aeromonas salmonicida and Vibrio anguillarum infection

The caspase, functioning as a proteinase, plays a crucial role in eukaryotic cell apoptosis, regulation of apoptosis, cellular growth, differentiation, and immunity. The identification of caspase gene family in Sebastes schlegelii is of great help to understand its antimicrobial research. In S. schlegelii, we totally identified nine caspase genes, including four apoptosis initiator caspases (caspase 2, caspase 8, caspase 9 and caspase 10), four apoptosis executioners (caspase 3a, caspase 3b, caspase 6, and caspase 7) and one inflammatory executioner (caspase 1). The duplication of caspase 3 genes on chr3 and chr8 may have been facilitated by whole genome duplication (WGD) events or other complex evolutionary processes. In general, the number of caspase genes relatively conserved in high vertebrates, while exhibiting variation in teleosts. Furthermore, syntenic analysis and phylogenetic relationships analysis supported the correct classification of these caspase gene family in S. schlegelii, especially for genes with duplicated copies. Additionally, the expression patterns of these caspase genes in different tissues of S. schlegelii under healthy conditions were assessed. The results revealed that the expression levels of most caspase genes were significantly elevated in the intestine, spleen, and liver. To further investigate the potential immune functions of these caspase genes in S. schlegelii, we challenged individuals with A. salmonicida and V. anguillarum, respectively. After infection with A. salmonicida, the expression levels of caspase 1 in the liver and spleen of S. schlegelii remained consistently elevated throughout the infection time points. The expression levels of most caspase family members in the intestine exhibited significant divergence following V. anguillarum infection. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the caspase gene families in S. schlegelii, thereby establishing a solid foundation for further investigations into the functional roles of these caspase genes.

Antineoplastic activity of GP-2250 in-vitro and in mouse xenograft models

This study examined the antineoplastic effects of GP-2250 (misetionamide), an oxathiazine derivative with broad activity, in multiple cancer cell lines and mouse xenograft models. Antineoplastic activity of GP-2250 was tested in >300 cancer cell lines using the OncoPanel cytotoxicity assay. GP-2250 activity was further tested in mouse xenograft models, in which GP-2250 or vehicle (10 ml/kg) was administered daily for 28 days by intraperitoneal injection in the lower right abdomen of CrTac:NCR-Foxn1nu mice with tumor volumes of 100 to 200 mm 3 . In the in-vitro models, GP-2250 increased cytotoxicity readings with IC50 and EC50 as well as indications of cell cycle blockage in pancreatic and ovarian cell lines. In mouse xenograft models, a reduction of 30-40% in tumor volume occurred in the GP-2250 group versus the vehicle group. On the final day of the study, tumor progression was significantly reduced in 4 tumor types: HT-29 in the GP-2250 500 and 1000 mg/kg groups, SKOV-3 in all GP-2250 treatment groups, Cal-27 in the GP-2250 1000 mg/kg group, and Hs-695T in the GP-2250 250 and 1000 mg/kg groups. Tumor regression in Cal-27 tumors was dose-dependent. GP-2250 demonstrated cytotoxic activity in vitro and reduced the tumor volume in a variety of human cancer cell lines in a xenograft mouse model. Given these results, as well as evidence of synergism with other anticancer drugs, GP-2250 shows promise as a new therapeutic agent for treating human cancers and is being evaluated in a phase 1 dose-escalation study (NCT03854100).

Caspase-3 Levels Alter With Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy in Patients With Periodontitis

Background This study aims to evaluate the levels of caspase-3 in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of chronic periodontitis patients before and after phase I treatment and compare it with those of healthy controls. Methodology The study involved 40 participants who were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 chronic periodontitis patients, and group 2 consisted of 10 healthy controls. GCF was collected at baseline for both groups and at three months for group 1. Periodontal parameters and caspase-3 levels were analyzed before and after non-surgical therapy. Results Caspase-3 levels were higher in patients with chronic periodontitis compared with healthy controls. However, comparing baseline and postoperative levels, there was a statistically significant reduction in periodontal parameters and caspase-3 levels, with 0.80 ± 0.03 at baseline and 0.44 ± 0.02 at three months after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Conclusions Caspase-3, being the key molecule in apoptosis, was found to be at lower concentrations in healthy gingiva and was increased in the presence of periodontal disease. However, with non-surgical periodontal therapy, caspase-3 levels decreased, proving that non-surgical periodontal therapy affects host immune mechanisms and reduces apoptosis, thereby preventing disease progression.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the BIRC6-mediated regulation of apoptosis and autophagy

Procaspase 9 is the initiator caspase for apoptosis, but how its levels and activities are maintained remains unclear. The gigantic Inhibitor-of-Apoptosis Protein BIRC6/BRUCE/Apollon inhibits both apoptosis and autophagy by promoting ubiquitylation of proapoptotic factors and the key autophagic protein LC3, respectively. Here we show that BIRC6 forms an anti-parallel U-shaped dimer with multiple previously unannotated domains, including a ubiquitin-like domain, and the proapoptotic factor Smac/DIABLO binds BIRC6 in the central cavity. Notably, Smac outcompetes the effector caspase 3 and the pro-apoptotic protease HtrA2, but not procaspase 9, for binding BIRC6 in cells. BIRC6 also binds LC3 through its LC3-interacting region, probably following dimer disruption of this BIRC6 region. Mutation at LC3 ubiquitylation site promotes autophagy and autophagic degradation of BIRC6. Moreover, induction of autophagy promotes autophagic degradation of BIRC6 and caspase 9, but not of other effector caspases. These results are important to understand how the balance between apoptosis and autophagy is regulated under pathophysiological conditions.

Research Advances on Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus

Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is a virulent pathogen that causes acute diarrhea in piglets. The virus was first discovered in Guangdong Province, China, in 2017 and has since emerged in Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangxi Provinces. The outbreak exhibited a localized and sporadic pattern, with no discernable temporal continuity. The virus can infect human progenitor cells and demonstrates considerable potential for cross-species transmission, representing a potential risk for zoonotic transmission. Therefore, continuous surveillance of and comprehensive research on SADS-CoV are imperative. This review provides an overview of the temporal and evolutionary features of SADS-CoV outbreaks, focusing on the structural characteristics of the virus, which serve as the basis for discussing its potential for interspecies transmission. Additionally, the review summarizes virus-host interactions, including the effects on host cells, as well as apoptotic and autophagic behaviors, and discusses prevention and treatment modalities for this viral infection.

Recent Trends in Curcumin-Containing Inorganic-Based Nanoparticles Intended for In Vivo Cancer Therapy

Curcumin is a natural compound that has been widely investigated thanks to its various biological properties, including antiproliferative. This molecule acts on different cancers such as lung, breast, pancreatic, colorectal, etc. However, the bioactive actions of curcumin have limitations when its physicochemical properties compromise its pharmacological potential. As a therapeutic strategy against cancer, curcumin has been associated with inorganic nanoparticles. These nanocarriers are capable of delivering curcumin and offering physicochemical properties that synergistically enhance anticancer properties. This review highlights the different types of curcumin-based inorganic nanoparticles and discusses their physicochemical properties and in vivo anticancer activity in different models of cancer.

Apoptosis Inhibitor 5: A Multifaceted Regulator of Cell Fate

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a fundamental process that maintains tissue homeostasis, eliminates damaged or infected cells, and plays a crucial role in various biological phenomena. The deregulation of apoptosis is involved in many human diseases, including cancer. One of the emerging players in the intricate regulatory network of apoptosis is apoptosis inhibitor 5 (API5), also called AAC-11 (anti-apoptosis clone 11) or FIF (fibroblast growth factor-2 interacting factor). While it may not have yet the same level of notoriety as some other cancer-associated proteins, API5 has garnered increasing attention in the cancer field in recent years, as elevated API5 levels are often associated with aggressive tumor behavior, resistance to therapy, and poor patient prognosis. This review aims to shed light on the multifaceted functions and regulatory mechanisms of API5 in cell fate decisions as well as its interest as therapeutic target in cancer.

Doxorubicin-loaded PEG-CdTe QDs conjugated with anti-CXCR4 mAbs: a novel delivery system for extramedullary multiple myeloma treatment

Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) is defined as the presence of plasma cells outside the bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients, and its prognosis is poor. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation, as a good option on early lines of therapy, has retained the survival benefit of youny EMM patients, but is intolerant for the majority of old patients because of drug cytotoxicity. To essentially address the intolerance above, we designed a CXCR4-PEG-CdTe-DOX (where CXCR4: chemokine receptor 4; PEG-CdTe: polyethylene glycol-modified cadmium telluride; DOX:doxorubicin) nanoplatform. First, CXCR4 is highly expressed in extramedullary plasma cells. Second, PEG-CdTe a drug carrier that controls drug release, can reduce adverse reactions, prolong drug (e.g, DOX) circulation time in the body, and form a targeting carrier after connecting antibodies. In vitro experiments showed CXCR4-PEG-CdTe-DOX facilitated intracellular drug accumulation through active CXCR4 targeting and released DOX into the microenvironment in a pH-controlled manner, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and apoptosis rate of myeloma cells (U266). Therefore, targeted chemotherapy mediated by CXCR4-PEG-CdTe-DOX is a promising option for EMM treatment.

Comparative pathogenicity of infectious bronchitis virus Massachusetts and Delmarva (DMV/1639) genotypes in laying hens

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious and acute viral disease of chicken caused by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of the family Coronaviridae. Even with extensive vaccination against IB by the poultry industry, the occurrence of new IBV genotypes is a continuous challenge encountered by the global poultry industry. This experiment was designed to compare the pathogenicity of two IBV strains belonging to Massachusetts (Mass) and Delmarva DMV/1639 genotypes. Specific pathogen-free laying hens were challenged during the peak of production (30 weeks), keeping a mock-infected control group. During 21 days of observation following infection, a significant drop in egg production with miss-shaped and soft shells was observed in the DMV/1639 IBV-infected hens only. The DMV/1639 IBV infected group showed prolonged and higher cloacal viral shedding compared with the Mass IBV-infected group. At the end of the study (21 days post-infection), the viral genome loads in the respiratory, urogenital, and immune tissues were significantly higher in the DMV/1639 IBV-infected group compared with the Mass IBV-infected group. Macroscopic lesions such as distorted ova leading to egg peritonitis were observed only in the DMV/1639 IBV-infected group. Moreover, microscopic lesion scores were significantly higher in the lung, kidney, cecal tonsils, and oviduct of the DMV/1639 IBV-infected group compared with the Mass IBV-infected group. Finally, the apoptosis index in the kidney, ovary, magnum, isthmus, and shell gland was significantly higher in the DMV/1639 IBV-infected group compared with the control and Mass-infected groups. This study examined the pathogenicity of two IBV genotypes that are impacting the layer industry in North America.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil and Its Constituents Prevent Rat Kidney Tissue Injury and Inflammation Induced by a High Dose of L-Arginine

This study aimed to evaluate the protective action of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil and its monoterpene constituents (thymol and carvacrol) in L-arginine-induced kidney damage by studying inflammatory and tissue damage parameters. The determination of biochemical markers that reflect kidney function, i.e., serum levels of urea and creatinine, tissue levels of neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), as well as a panel of oxidative-stress-related and inflammatory biomarkers, was performed. Furthermore, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of kidneys obtained from different experimental groups were conducted. Pre-treatment with the investigated compounds prevented an L-arginine-induced increase in serum and tissue kidney damage markers and, additionally, decreased the levels of inflammation-related parameters (TNF-α and nitric oxide concentrations and myeloperoxidase activity). Micromorphological kidney tissue changes correlate with the alterations observed in the biochemical parameters, as well as the expression of CD95 in tubule cells and CD68 in inflammatory infiltrate cells. The present results revealed that oregano essential oil, thymol, and carvacrol exert nephroprotective activity, which could be, to a great extent, associated with their anti-inflammatory, antiradical scavenging, and antiapoptotic action and, above all, due to their ability to lessen the disturbances arising from acute pancreatic damage. Further in-depth studies are needed in order to provide more detailed explanations of the observed activities.

The Mechanisms of Regulated Cell Death: Structural and Functional Proteomic Pathways Induced or Inhibited by a Specific Protein-A Narrative Review

Billions of cells die in us every hour, and our tissues do not shrink because there is a natural regulation where Cell Death (CD) is balanced with cell division. The process in which cells eliminate themselves in a controlled manner is called Programmed Cell Death (PCD). The PCD plays an important role during embryonic development, in maintaining homeostasis of the body's tissues, and in the elimination of damaged cells, under a wide range of physiological and developmental stimuli. A multitude of protein mediators of PCD have been identified and signals have been found to utilize common pathways elucidating the proteins involved. This narrative review focuses on caspase-dependent and caspase-independent PCD pathways. Included are studies of caspase-dependent PCD such as Anoikis, Catastrophe Mitotic, Pyroptosis, Emperitosis, Parthanatos and Cornification, and Caspase-Independent PCD as Wallerian Degeneration, Ferroptosis, Paraptosis, Entosis, Methuosis, and Extracellular Trap Abnormal Condition (ETosis), as well as neutrophil extracellular trap abnormal condition (NETosis) and Eosinophil Extracellular Trap Abnormal Condition (EETosis). Understanding PCD from those reported in this review could shed substantial light on the processes of biological homeostasis. In addition, identifying specific proteins involved in these processes is mandatory to identify molecular biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets. This knowledge could provide the ability to modulate the PCD response and could lead to new therapeutic interventions in a wide range of diseases.

Hematoporphyrin derivative photodynamic therapy induces apoptosis and suppresses the migration of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancer types in humans worldwide. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. However, its underlying mechanism needs to be studied thoroughly. The present study focused on the antitumor effect and underlying mechanism of the use of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD)-PDT against human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to measure cell viability. Migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay. An annexin V-FITC/PI kit was used to determine cell apoptosis rates. Protein expression levels were analyzed via western blotting. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to detect gene expression levels. A 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate kit was chosen to evaluate intracellular reactive oxygen species levels via flow cytometry. Cell viability and migration were decreased in KYSE-150 cells after HpD-PDT treatment. Cellular apoptosis was induced after HpD-PDT treatment, and the same trend was observed for autophagy. Furthermore, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was inhibited. The viability and migration of KYSE-150 cells were significantly inhibited, and apoptosis was induced more effectively following treatment with a combination of HpD-PDT and the PI3K inhibitor, a final concentration of 20 µM LY294002. In conclusion, HpD-PDT could suppress esophageal cancer cell viability, induce apoptosis and inhibit migration by downregulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Combination of HpD-PDT with PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) could enhance the therapeutic efficacy compared with that demonstrated by HpD-PDT alone. Further studies on combination therapy are required to achieve improved clinical outcomes.

Drug repurposing: A novel strategy to target cancer stem cells and therapeutic resistance

Chemotherapy is an effortless and frequently used approach in cancer therapy. However, in most cases, it can only prolong life expectancy and does not guarantee a complete cure. Furthermore, chemotherapy is associated with severe adverse effects, one of the major complications of effective cancer therapy. In addition, newly published research outputs show that cancer stem cells are involved in cancer disease progression, drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence and that they are functional in the trans-differentiation capacity of cancer stem cells to cancer cells in response to treatments. Novel strategies are therefore required for better management of cancer therapy. The prime approach would be to synthesize and develop novel drugs that need extensive resources, time, and endurance to be brought into therapeutic use. The subsequent approach would be to screen the anti-cancer activity of available non-cancerous drugs. This concept of repurposing non-cancer drugs as an alternative to current cancer therapy has become popular in recent years because using existing anticancer drugs has several adverse effects. Micronutrients have also been investigated for cancer therapy due to their significant anti-cancer effects with negligible or no side effects and availability in food sources. In this paper, we discuss an ideal hypothesis for screening available non-cancerous drugs with anticancer activity, with a focus on cancer stem cells and their clinical application for cancer treatment. Further, drug repurposing and the combination of micronutrients that can target both cancers and cancer stem cells may result in a better therapeutic approach leading to maximum tumor growth control.

Anti-Apoptosis Therapy for Meniscal Avascular Zone Repair: A Proof-of-Concept Study in a Lapine Model

In the present study, 24 rabbits were firstly used to evaluate the apoptosis index and matrix degeneration after untreated adult meniscal tears. Vertical tears (0.25 cm in length) were prepared in the avascular zone of the anterior horn. Specimens were harvested at 1, 3, 6, 12 weeks postoperatively. The apoptosis index around tear sites stayed at a high level throughout the whole follow-up period. The depletion of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and aggrecan at the tear site was observed, while the deposition of COL I and COL II was not affected, even at the last follow-up of 12 weeks after operation. The expression of SOX9 decreased significantly; no cellularity was observed at the wound interface at all timepoints. Secondly, another 20 rabbits were included to evaluate the effects of anti-apoptosis therapy on rescuing meniscal cells and enhancing meniscus repair. Longitudinal vertical tears (0.5 cm in length) were made in the meniscal avascular body. Tears were repaired by the inside-out suture technique, or repaired with sutures in addition to fibrin gel and blank silica nanoparticles, or silica nanoparticles encapsulating apoptosis inhibitors (z-vad-fmk). Samples were harvested at 12 months postoperatively. We found the locally administered z-vad-fmk agent at the wound interface significantly alleviated meniscal cell apoptosis and matrix degradation, and enhanced meniscal repair in the avascular zone at 12 months after operation. Thus, local administration of caspase inhibitors (z-vad-fmk) is a promising therapeutic strategy for alleviating meniscal cell loss and enhancing meniscal repair after adult meniscal tears in the avascular zone.

Transcriptome profiling reveals the strategy of thermal tolerance enhancement caused by heat-hardening in Mytilus coruscus

The thick-shell mussel Mytilus coruscus serves as a common sessile intertidal species and holds economic significance as an aquatic organism. M. coruscus often endure higher temperatures than their ideal range during consecutive low tides in the spring. This exposure to elevated temperatures provides them with a thermal tolerance boost, enabling them to adapt to high-temperature events caused by extreme low tides and adverse weather conditions. This phenomenon is referred to as heat-hardening. Some related studies showed the phenomenon of heat-hardening in sessile intertidal species but not reported at the mechanism level based on transcriptome so far. In this study, physiological experiments, gene family identification and transcriptome sequencing were performed to confirm the thermotolerance enhancement based on heat-hardening and explore the mechanism in M. coruscus. A total of 2935 DEGs were identified and the results of the KEGG enrichment showed that seven heat-hardening relative pathways were enriched, including Toll-like receptor signal pathway, Arachidonic acid metabolism, and others. Then, 24 HSP70 members and 36 CYP2 members, were identified, and the up-regulated members are correlated with increasing thermotolerance. Finally, we concluded that the heat-hardening M. coruscus have a better thermotolerance because of the capability of maintaining the integrity and the phenomenon of vasodilation of the gill under thermal stress. Further, the physiological experiments yielded the same conclusions. Overall, this study confirms the thermotolerance enhancement caused by heat-hardening and reveals the survival strategy in M. coruscus. In addition, the conclusion provides a new reference for studying the intertidal species' heat resistance mechanisms to combat extreme heat events and the strategies for dealing with extreme weather in aquaculture under the global warming trend.

Effects of neutrophil fate on inflammation

INTRODUCTION

Neutrophils are important participants in the innate immune response. They rapidly and efficiently identify and clear infectious agents by expressing large numbers of membrane receptors. Upon tissue injury or pathogen invasion, neutrophils are the first immune cells to reach the site of injury and participate in the inflammatory response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thorough search on PubMed related to neutrophil death or clearance pathways was performed.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory response and tissue damage can be aggravated when neutrophils are not removed rapidly from the site of injury. Recent studies have shown that neutrophils can be cleared through a variety of pathways, including non-inflammatory and inflammatory death, as well as reverse migration. Non-inflammatory death pathways include apoptosis and autophagy. Inflammatory death pathways include necroptosis, pyroptosis and NETosis. This review highlights the basic properties of neutrophils and the impact of their clearance pathways on the inflammatory response.

Perish in the Attempt: Regulated Cell Death in Regenerative and Nonregenerative Tissue

Significance: A cell plays its roles throughout its life span, even during its demise. Regulated cell death (RCD) is one of the key topics in modern biomedical studies. It is considered the main approach for removing stressed and/or damaged cells. Research during the past two decades revealed more roles of RCD, such as coordinating tissue development and driving compensatory proliferation during tissue repair. Recent Advances: Compensatory proliferation, initially identified in primitive organisms during the regeneration of lost tissue, is an evolutionarily conserved process that also functions in mammals. Among various types of RCD, apoptosis is considered the top candidate to induce compensatory proliferation in damaged tissue. Critical Issues: The roles of apoptosis in the recovery of nonregenerative tissue are still vague. The roles of other types of RCD, such as necroptosis and ferroptosis, have not been well characterized in the context of tissue regeneration. Future Directions: In this review article, we attempt to summarize the recent insights on the role of RCD in tissue repair. We focus on apoptosis, with expansion to ferroptosis and necroptosis, in primitive organisms with significant regenerative capacity as well as common mammalian research models. After gathering hints from regenerative tissue, in the second half of the review, we take a notoriously nonregenerative tissue, the myocardium, as an example to discuss the role of RCD in terminally differentiated quiescent cells. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 1053-1069.

Reduced neural progenitor cell count and cortical neurogenesis in guinea pigs congenitally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite with a worldwide distribution. Congenital infection can lead to severe pathological alterations in the brain. To examine the effects of toxoplasmosis in the fetal brain, pregnant guinea pigs are infected with T. gondii oocysts on gestation day 23 and dissected 10, 17 and 25 days afterwards. We show the neocortex to represent a target region of T. gondii and the parasite to infect neural progenitor cells (NPCs), neurons and astrocytes in the fetal brain. Importantly, we observe a significant reduction in neuron number at end-neurogenesis and find a marked reduction in NPC count, indicating that impaired neurogenesis underlies the neuronal decrease in infected fetuses. Moreover, we observe focal microglioses to be associated with T. gondii in the fetal brain. Our findings expand the understanding of the pathophysiology of congenital toxoplasmosis, especially contributing to the development of cortical malformations.

Proximal immune-epithelial progenitor interactions drive chronic tissue sequelae post COVID-19

The long-term physiological consequences of SARS-CoV-2, termed Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), are rapidly evolving into a major public health concern. The underlying cellular and molecular etiology remain poorly defined but growing evidence links PASC to abnormal immune responses and/or poor organ recovery post-infection. Yet, the precise mechanisms driving non-resolving inflammation and impaired tissue repair in the context of PASC remain unclear. With insights from three independent clinical cohorts of PASC patients with abnormal lung function and/or viral infection-mediated pulmonary fibrosis, we established a clinically relevant mouse model of post-viral lung sequelae to investigate the pathophysiology of respiratory PASC. By employing a combination of spatial transcriptomics and imaging, we identified dysregulated proximal interactions between immune cells and epithelial progenitors unique to the fibroproliferation in respiratory PASC but not acute COVID-19 or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Specifically, we found a central role for lung-resident CD8+ T cell-macrophage interactions in maintaining Krt8hi transitional and ectopic Krt5+ basal cell progenitors, thus impairing alveolar regeneration and driving fibrotic sequelae after acute viral pneumonia. Mechanistically, CD8+ T cell derived IFN-γ and TNF stimulated lung macrophages to chronically release IL-1β, resulting in the abnormal accumulation of dysplastic epithelial progenitors and fibrosis. Notably, therapeutic neutralization of IFN-γ and TNF, or IL-1β after the resolution of acute infection resulted in markedly improved alveolar regeneration and restoration of pulmonary function. Together, our findings implicate a dysregulated immune-epithelial progenitor niche in driving respiratory PASC. Moreover, in contrast to other approaches requiring early intervention, we highlight therapeutic strategies to rescue fibrotic disease in the aftermath of respiratory viral infections, addressing the current unmet need in the clinical management of PASC and post-viral disease.

Dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotoxicity of lanthanide phosphate (TbPO4) in developing zebrafish

Rare earth elements (REEs) are exploited for global use in manufacturing. Such activities result in their release into the environment and the transformation into more stable phosphate deposition. The objective of this study was to evaluate molecular and behavioral changes of zebrafish exposed to the synthesized terbium phosphate (TbPO4) at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 mg/L and to determine its potential for neurotoxicity. Metabolomics related to neurotransmitters, and assessment of transcripts and proteins were conducted to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying TbPO4 with emphasis on neurotransmitter systems. Exposure to 20 mg/L TbPO4 induced larval hyperactivity and perturbed the cholinergic system in zebrafish. Based on metabolomics related to neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and many of their precursors and metabolites were decreased in abundance by TbPO4. In addition, the expression levels of transcripts related to the synthesis, transport, receptor binding, and metabolism of DA and 5-HT were analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels. Transcript and protein levels for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for DA synthesis, were down-regulated in larval fish. Monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that catabolizes monoamines DA and 5-HT, was also reduced in mRNA abundance. We hypothesize that DA synthesis and monoamine metabolism are associated with behavioral alterations. This study elucidates putative mechanisms and exposure risks to wildlife and humans by characterizing phosphatic REE-induced neurotoxicity in developing zebrafish.

Rolipram and pentoxifylline combination ameliorates the morphological abnormalities of dorsal root ganglion neurons in experimental diabetic neuropathy by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is the most prevalent complication of diabetes. Pharmacological treatments for DN are often limited in efficacy, so the development of new agents to alleviate DN is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rolipram, a selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor (PDE-4I), and pentoxifylline, a general PDE inhibitor, using a rat model of DN. In this study, a diabetic rat model was established by i.p. injection of STZ (55 mg/kg). Rats were treated with rolipram (1 mg/kg), pentoxifylline (100 mg/kg), and combination of rolipram (0.5 mg/kg) and pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg), orally for 5 weeks. After treatments, sensory function was assessed by hot plate test. Then rats were anesthetized and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons isolated. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP, adenosine diphosphate and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels, Cytochrome c release, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 proteins expression in DRG neurons were assessed by biochemical and ELISA methods, and western blot analysis. DRG neurons were histologically examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining method. Rolipram and/or pentoxifylline significantly attenuated sensory dysfunction by modulating nociceptive threshold. Rolipram and/or pentoxifylline treatment dramatically increased the cAMP level, prevented mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis and degeneration of DRG neurons, which appears to be mediated by inducing ATP and MMP, improving cytochrome c release, as well as regulating the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins, and improving morphological abnormalities of DRG neurons. We found maximum effectiveness with rolipram and pentoxifylline combination on mentioned factors. These findings encourage the use of rolipram and pentoxifylline combination as a novel experimental evidence for further clinical investigations in the treatment of DN.

Modulatory Properties of Aloe secundiflora's Methanolic Extracts on Targeted Genes in Colorectal Cancer Management

Colon tumors have a very complicated and poorly understood pathogenesis. Plant-based organic compounds might provide a novel source for cancer treatment with a sufficient novel mode of action. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of Aloe secundiflora's (AS) methanolic extracts on the expression of CASPS9, 5-LOX, Bcl2, Bcl-xL, and COX-2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) management. Caco-2 cell lines were used in the experimental study. In the serial exhaustive extraction (SEE) method, methanol was utilized as the extraction solvent. Upon treatment of CASPS9 with the methanolic extracts, the expression of the genes was progressively upregulated, thus, dose-dependently increasing the rate of apoptosis. On the other hand, the expressions of 5-LOX, Bcl2, and Bcl-xL were variably downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. This is a unique novel study that evaluated the effects of AS methanolic extracts in vitro on CRC cell lines using different dosage concentrations. We, therefore, recommend the utilization of AS and the application of methanol as the extraction solvent of choice for maximum modulatory benefits in CRC management. In addition, we suggest research on the specific metabolites in AS involved in the modulatory pathways that suppress the development of CRC and potential metastases.

Slik maintains tissue homeostasis by preventing JNK-mediated apoptosis

BACKGROUND

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of cell death, which is essential for coordinating tissue homeostasis. In this study, we have characterized the Drosophila Ste20-like kinase Slik as a novel modulator of JNK pathway-mediated apoptotic cell death.

RESULTS

First, ectopic JNK signaling-triggered cell death is enhanced by slik depletion whereas suppressed by Slik overexpression. Second, loss of slik activates JNK signaling, which results in enhanced apoptosis and impaired tissue homeostasis. In addition, genetic epistasis analysis suggests that Slik acts upstream of or in parallel to Hep to regulate JNK-mediated apoptotic cell death. Moreover, Slik is necessary and sufficient for preventing physiologic JNK signaling-mediated cell death in development. Furthermore, introduction of STK10, the human ortholog of Slik, into Drosophila restores slik depletion-induced cell death and compromised tissue homeostasis. Lastly, knockdown of STK10 in human cancer cells also leads to JNK activation, which is cancelled by expression of Slik.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has uncovered an evolutionarily conserved role of Slik/STK10 in blocking JNK signaling, which is required for cell death inhibition and tissue homeostasis maintenance in development.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of elderberry diet in the rat model of seizure: a behavioral and histological investigation on the hippocampus

The present study was designed to evaluate whether elderberry (EB) effectively reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in hippocampal cells to modify seizure damage. Seizure was induced in rats by the injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). In the Seizure + EB group, EB powder was added to the rats' routine diet for eight consecutive weeks. The study included several behavioral tests, immunohistopathology, Voronoi tessellation (to estimate the spatial distribution of cells in the hippocampus), and Sholl analysis. The results in the Seizure + EB group showed an improvement in the behavioral aspects of the study, a reduction in astrogliosis, astrocyte process length, number of branches, and intersections distal to the soma in the hippocampus of rats compared to controls. Further analysis showed that EB diet increased nuclear factor-like 2 expression and decreased caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus in the Seizure + EB group. In addition, EB protected hippocampal pyramidal neurons from PTZ toxicity and improved the spatial distribution of hippocampal neurons in the pyramidal layer and dentate gyrus. The results of the present study suggest that EB can be considered a potent modifier of astrocyte reactivation and inflammatory responses.

Regulatory activities of Warbugia ugandensis ethanolic extracts on colorectal cancer-specific genome expression dose-dependently

The evaluation of natural biomass sources is a promising strategy in accelerating the development of novel anti-cancer medications. Our study aimed to evaluate the activity of W. ugandensis ethanolic roots and stems extracts on the expression of five targeted genes (COX-2, CASPS-9, Bcl-xL, Bcl2 and 5-LOX) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (Caco-2). Plant extracts were obtained using serial exhaustive extraction and dissolved in Dimethyl sulfoxide appropriately for bioassay. Caco-2 cell lines were passaged, treated with plant extracts at varying concentrations and their RNA's isolated for evaluation. Our unique study reports on W. ugandensis as efficient natural inhibitors of CRC growth, by directly linking its phytoconstituents to; downregulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, Bcl-xL, Bcl2 and upregulation of CASPS9 genes dose-dependently. We present W. ugandensis ethanolic roots and stems extracts as promising natural inhibitors for CRC carcinogenesis and recommend in vivo and subsequent clinical trials, with substantial clinical effects postulated. We further suggest studies on identification and characterization of the specific metabolites in W. ugandensis involved in the modulatory mechanisms, resulting to inhibition of CRC growth and possible metastases.

CLASRP oncogene as a novel target for colorectal cancer

Clk4-associated serine/arginine-rich protein (CLASRP), an alternative splicing regulator, may be involved in the development and progression of cancer by regulating the activity of the CDC-like kinase (Clk) family. This study explored the biological function of CLASRP in colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression of CLASRP, which is associated with clinicopathological features, was analysed in CRC tissues and paired noncancer tissues by RT-PCR. The roles of CLASRP were investigated in CRC cells transfected with plasmids or shRNA through proliferation, migration and invasion assays in vitro and a xenograft model in vivo. Apoptosis was analysed using CLASRP-overexpressing CRC cells by western blotting. Clk inhibitors were used to perform functional research on CLASRP in CLASRP-overexpressing CRC cells. CLASRP was significantly upregulated in CRC cell lines, while high CLASRP expression was correlated with metastasis in CRC patients. Functionally, overexpression of CLASRP significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Mechanistically, the proliferation, migration and invasion of CLASRP-overexpressing CRC cells were inhibited by Clk inhibitors, accompanied by low expression of CLASRP at the gene and protein levels. Clk inhibitors induced apoptosis of CLASRP-overexpressing CRC cells, resulting in direct blockade of cell growth. The expression levels of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 8 were increased in CLASRP-overexpressing CRC cells treated with Clk inhibitors. CLASRP might serve as a promotional oncogene in CRC cells and be suppressed by Clk inhibitors through activation of caspase pathways.

LncRNA 220: A Novel Long Non-Coding RNA Regulates Autophagy and Apoptosis in Kupffer Cells via the miR-5101/PI3K/AKT/mTOR Axis in LPS-Induced Endotoxemic Liver Injury in Mice

Sepsis is a severe medical condition distinguished by immune systematic dysfunction and multiple organic injury, or even failure, resulting from an acute systemic inflammatory response. Acute liver injury (ALI) could be considered as a notable inflammatory outcome of sepsis. Studies have demonstrated the essential roles played by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mediating the processes of various diseases, including their ability to engage in interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs) as complexes of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to modulate signaling pathways. In this study, a newly discovered lncRNA, named 220, was identified to function in regulating autophagy and apoptosis in Kupffer cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This was achieved through sponging miR-5101 as a ceRNA complex, as identified via high-throughput sequencing. The expression of 220 was found to be significantly different in the hepatic tissues of endotoxemic mice that were treated with LPS for 8 h, ultimately modulating the ALI process. Our studies have collectively demonstrated that 220 is a novel regulator that acts on LPS-induced autophagy and apoptosis in Kupffer cells, thereby mediating the ALI process induced by LPS. Furthermore, the validation of our findings using clinical databases suggests that 220 could potentially serve as a molecular target of clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic significance in septic liver injury.

Septins promote caspase activity and coordinate mitochondrial apoptosis

Apoptosis is a form of regulated cell death essential for tissue homeostasis and embryonic development. Apoptosis also plays a key role during bacterial infection, yet some intracellular bacterial pathogens (such as Shigella flexneri, whose lipopolysaccharide can block apoptosis) can manipulate cell death programs as an important survival strategy. Septins are a component of the cytoskeleton essential for mitochondrial dynamics and host defense, however, the role of septins in regulated cell death is mostly unknown. Here, we discover that septins promote mitochondrial (i.e., intrinsic) apoptosis in response to treatment with staurosporine (a pan-kinase inhibitor) or etoposide (a DNA topoisomerase inhibitor). Consistent with a role for septins in mitochondrial dynamics, septins promote the release of mitochondrial protein cytochrome c in apoptotic cells and are required for the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9 (core components of the apoptotic machinery). Apoptosis of HeLa cells induced in response to infection by S. flexneri ΔgalU (a lipopolysaccharide mutant unable to block apoptosis) is also septin-dependent. In vivo, zebrafish larvae are significantly more susceptible to infection with S. flexneri ΔgalU (as compared to infection with wildtype S. flexneri), yet septin deficient larvae are equally susceptible to infection with S. flexneri ΔgalU and wildtype S. flexneri. These data provide a new molecular framework to understand the complexity of mitochondrial apoptosis and its ability to combat bacterial infection.

Medicinal Characteristics of Withania somnifera L. in Colorectal Cancer Management

Research into tumorigenic pathways can aid in the development of more efficient cancer therapies and provide insight into the physiological regulatory mechanisms employed by rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Due to the severe side effects of cancer chemotherapeutic medications, plant chemicals and their analogues are now explored more frequently for the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC), opening the stage for new phytotherapeutic strategies that are considered effective and safe substitutes. Our study aimed to evaluate the medicinal properties of Withania somnifera L. and its safety applications in CRC management. Important databases were rigorously searched for relevant literature, and only 82 full-text publications matched the inclusion requirements from a massive collection of 10,002 titles and abstracts. W. somnifera L. contains a high concentration of active plant-based compounds. The pharmacological activity of the plant from our study has been demonstrated to exert antiproliferation, upregulation of apoptosis, decrease in oxidative stress, downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), induction of targeted cytotoxic effects on cancerous cells, and exertion of both antiangiogenesis and antimigratory effects. We advise further research before recommending W. somnifera L. for clinical use to identify the optimal concentrations required to elicit beneficial effects in CRC management in humans, singly or in combination.

Potential anticancer properties of calotropis procera: An investigation on breast and colon cancer cells

Calotropis procera is a perennial flowering plant of the Apocynaceae family, traditionally used in medicine to treat various ailments. Recent investigations have revealed its potential therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, analgesic, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic properties. RP-HPLC qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the phenolic acids and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract at two different wavelengths, 280 and 330 nm. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured via spectrophotometric determination in addition to the antioxidant activity. The antiproliferative effects of C. procera were investigated on two cancer cell lines: human colon (HCT-116) and breast (MCF-7) cancer. Several methods were utilised to analyse the effectiveness of the plant extract on the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, genes involved in the cell cycle, and protein expression profiles of HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells. These included the MTT assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI, analysis of the cell cycle, and Western blot. Results indicated that ferulic and caffeic acids were the major compounds at λmax 280 nm (1.374% and 0.561%, respectively), while the major compounds at λmax 325 nm were kaempferol and luteolin (1.036% and 0.512%, respectively). The ethanolic extract had significantly higher antioxidant activity (80 ± 2.3%) compared to ascorbic acid (90 ± 3.1%). C. procera extract exhibited dose-dependent cell growth inhibition, with an estimated IC50 of 50 μg/mL for MCF-7 and 55 μg/mL for HCT-116 cells at 24 h. Annexin V-FITC/PI confirmed the induction of apoptosis. Remarkably, cell cycle arrest occurred at the sub-G1 phase in MCF-7 cells, while in HCT-116 cells, it was observed at the G2-M phase. The sub-G1 arrest was associated with dysregulation of Akt, p-AKT, mTOR, and p-mTOR proteins, as confirmed by the Western blot analysis, while downregulation of CDK1, cyclin B1, and survivin caused G2-M arrest.

Encapsulating and stabilizing enzymes using hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks

Enzymes are outstanding natural catalysts with exquisite 3D structures, initiating countless life-sustaining biotransformations in living systems. The flexible structure of an enzyme, however, is highly susceptible to non-physiological environments, which greatly limits its large-scale industrial applications. Seeking suitable supports to immobilize fragile enzymes is one of the most efficient routes to ameliorate the stability problem. This protocol imparts a new bottom-up strategy for enzyme encapsulation using a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF-101). In short, the surface residues of the enzyme can trigger the nucleation of HOF-101 around its surface through the hydrogen-bonded biointerface. As a result, a series of enzymes with different surface chemistries are able to be encapsulated within a highly crystalline HOF-101 scaffold, which has long-range ordered mesochannels. The details of experimental procedures are described in this protocol, which involve the encapsulating method, characterizations of materials and biocatalytic performance tests. Compared with other immobilization methods, this enzyme-triggering HOF-101 encapsulation is easy to operate and affords higher loading efficiency. The formed HOF-101 scaffold has an unambiguous structure and well-arranged mesochannels, favoring mass transfer and understanding of the biocatalytic process. It takes ~13.5 h for successful synthesis of enzyme-encapsulated HOF-101, 3-4 d for characterizations of materials and ~4 h for the biocatalytic performance tests. In addition, no specific expertise is necessary for the preparation of this biocomposite, although the high-resolution imaging requires a low-electron-dose microscope technology. This protocol can provide a useful methodology to efficiently encapsulate enzymes and design biocatalytic HOF materials.

Engaging a Non-catalytic Cysteine Residue Drives Potent and Selective Inhibition of Caspase-6

Caspases are a family of cysteine-dependent proteases with important cellular functions in inflammation and apoptosis, while also implicated in human diseases. Classical chemical tools to study caspase functions lack selectivity for specific caspase family members due to highly conserved active sites and catalytic machinery. To overcome this limitation, we targeted a non-catalytic cysteine residue (C264) unique to caspase-6 (C6), an enigmatic and understudied caspase isoform. Starting from disulfide ligands identified in a cysteine trapping screen, we used a structure-informed covalent ligand design to produce potent, irreversible inhibitors (3a) and chemoproteomic probes (13-t) of C6 that exhibit unprecedented selectivity over other caspase family members and high proteome selectivity. This approach and the new tools described will enable rigorous interrogation of the role of caspase-6 in developmental biology and in inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor for detection of circulating tumor cells based on a highly efficient enzymatic cascade reaction

There has been great interest in the enzymatic cascade amplification strategy for the electrochemical detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In this work, we designed a highly efficient enzymatic cascade reaction based on a multiwalled carbon nanotubes-chitosan (MWCNTs-CS) composite for detection of CTCs. A high electrochemical effective surface area was obtained for a MWCNTs-CS-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for loading glucose oxidase (GOD), as well as a high loading rate and high electrical activity of the enzyme. As a 'power source', the MWCNTs-CS composites provided a strong driving power for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on the surface of polystyrene (PS) microspheres, which acted as probes for capturing CTCs and allowed the reaction to proceed with further facilitation of electron transfer. Aptamer, CTCs, and PS microspheres with HRP and anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (anti-EpCAM) antibody were assembled on the MWCNTs-CS/GCE to allow for the modulation of enzyme distance at the micrometer level, and thus ultra-long-range signal transmission was made possible. An ultrasensitive response to CTCs was obtained via this proposed sensing strategy, with a linear range from 10 cell mL^-1 to 6 × 10⁶ cell mL^-1 and a detection limit of 3 cell mL^-1. Moreover, this electrochemical sensor possessed the capability to detect CTCs in serum samples with satisfactory accuracy, which indicated great potential for early diagnosis and clinical analysis of cancer.

Scrophularia buergeriana Extract (Brainon) Attenuates Neuroinflammation in BV-2 Microglia Cells and Promotes Neuroprotection in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Microglia-induced neuroinflammation is one of the causative factors in cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorders. Our previous studies have revealed several benefits of Scrophularia buergeriana extract (Brainon^®) in the central nervous system, but the underlying mechanism of action has not been elucidated. This study is purposed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms of Brainon in the BV-2 condition SH-SY5Y model. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 conditioned media (CM) were used to treat SH-SY5Y cells to investigate neuroprotective effects of the extract against microglial cytotoxicity. Results demonstrated that pretreated Brainon decreased nitric oxide release, the inducible nitric oxide synthase expression level, and expression of cytokines like interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α by blocking expression of TLR4/MyD88 and NLRP3 and suppressing nuclear factor κB/AP-1 and p38/JNK signaling pathways in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. In addition, when SH-SY5Y cells were treated with CM, pretreatment with Brainon increased neuronal viability by upregulating expression of antioxidant proteins like as SODs and Gpx-1. Increased autophagy and mitophagy-associated proteins also provide important clues for SH-SY5Y to prevent apoptosis by Brainon. Brainon also modulated mTOR/AMPK signaling to clear misfolded proteins or damaged mitochondria via auto/mitophagy to protect SH-SY5Y cells from CM. Taken together, these results indicate that Brainon could reduce inflammatory mediators secreted from BV-2 cells and prevent apoptosis by increasing antioxidant and auto/mitophagy mechanisms by regulating mTOR/AMPK signaling in SH-SY5Y cells. Therefore, Brainon has the potential to be developed as a natural product in a brain health functional food to inhibit cognitive decline and neuronal death.

New Indazol-Pyrimidine-Based Derivatives as Selective Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis, and In Silico Studies

In this research study, the authors successfully synthesized potent new anticancer agents derived from indazol-pyrimidine. All the prepared compounds were tested for in vitro cell line inhibitory activity against three different cancerous cell lines. Results demonstrated that five of the novel compounds-4f, 4i, 4a, 4g, and 4d-possessed significant cytotoxic inhibitory activity against the MCF-7 cell line, with IC₅₀ values of 1.629, 1.841, 2.958, 4.680, and 4.798 μM, respectively, compared to the reference drug with an IC₅₀ value of 8.029 μM, thus demonstrating promising suppression power. Compounds 4i, 4g, 4e, 4d, and 4a showed effective cytotoxic activity stronger than the standard against Caco2 cells. Moreover, compounds 4a and 4i exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against the A549 cell line that was stronger than the reference drug. The most active products, 4f and 4i, werr e further examined for their mechanism of action. It turns out that they were capable of activating caspase-3/7 and, therefore, inducing apoptosis. However, produced a higher safety profile than the reference drug, towards the normal cells (MCF10a). Furthermore, the dynamic nature, binding interaction, and protein-ligand stability were explored through a Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation study. Various analysis parameters (RMSD, RMSF, RoG, and SASA) from the MD simulation trajectory have suggested the stability of the compounds during the 20 ns MD simulation study. In silico ADMET results revealed that the synthesized compounds had low toxicity, good solubility, and an absorption profile since they met Lipinski's rule of five and Veber's rule. The present research highlights the potential of derivatives with indazole scaffolds bearing pyrimidine as a lead compound for designing anticancer agents.

Current progress in the hypoglycemic mechanisms of natural polysaccharides

Unhealthy dietary pattern-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus poses a great threat to human health all over the world. Accumulating evidence has revealed that the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus is closely associated with the dysregulation of glucose metabolism and energy metabolism, serious oxidative stress, prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress, metabolic inflammation and intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Most important of all, insulin resistance and insulin deficiency are two key factors inducing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nowadays, natural polysaccharides have gained increasing attention owing to their numerous health-promoting functions, such as hypoglycemic, energy-regulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and prebiotic activities. Therefore, natural polysaccharides have been used to alleviate diet-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus. Specifically, this review comprehensively summarizes the underlying hypoglycemic mechanisms of natural polysaccharides and provides a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods. For the first time, this review elucidates hypoglycemic mechanisms of natural polysaccharides from the perspectives of their regulatory effects on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.