RNA vaccines: The dawn of a new age for tuberculosis?

Since 2019, there has been a growing focus on mRNA vaccines for infectious disease prevention, particularly following the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). mRNA vaccines offer advantages such as rapid production and the ability to induce robust cellular and antibody responses, which are essential for combating infections that require cell-mediated immunity, including Tuberculosis (TB). This review explores recent progress in TB mRNA vaccines and addresses several key areas: (1) the urgent need for new TB vaccines; (2) current advancements in TB vaccine development, and the advantages and challenges of mRNA technology; (3) the design and characteristics of TB mRNA vaccines; (4) the immunological mechanisms of TB mRNA vaccines; (5) manufacturing processes for TB mRNA vaccines; and (6) safety and regulatory considerations. This interdisciplinary review aims to provide insights for researchers working to address critical questions in TB mRNA vaccine development.

Haematologic outcomes and associated clinical characteristics among patients receiving Olaparib therapy in the UAE: a retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, such as Olaparib (Lynparza®), are pivotal in treating certain cancers, particularly those linked to BReast CAncer gene (BRCA) mutations. Despite its established efficacy, Olaparib use is associated with various adverse events (AEs), notably haematologic toxicities, such as anaemia. This retrospective chart review study aimed to examine haematologic outcomes and associated factors in patients treated with Olaparib at a tertiary hospital in the UAE.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical charts of patients prescribed Olaparib and focused on haematologic indices at a baseline of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month follow-up periods. Data were analysed to determine the AEs frequency, transfusions need and potential associated patients' clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

This study included all patients who received Olaparib (n = 66). Most patients were females (n = 61; 92.4%) and the vast majority were non-smokers (97%) and free of hepatic disease. Themean age of the patients was 57.03-year-old (SD) = 12.06 years), and body mass index (BMI) was 28.16 (SD = 6.40) kg/m2. A high rate of anaemia (70.8%) was detected among the patients during their Olaparib therapy. Approximately, one-third of the patients developed neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Transfusion was needed in almost half of the patients. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and neutropenia were significantly correlated with moderate-severe anaemia (OR = 0.097, 95% CI: 0.011-0.88, p value = .038) and (OR = 9.04, 95% CI: 1.024-79.78, p value = .048), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the side effects of Olaparib therapy in terms of haematology which could be avoided. Further studies are needed to better understand the therapeutic management of Olaparib and the mitigation of haematologic complications.

Sleep timing in flies from "adolescence" to adulthood

The aim of the present study was to assess sleep timing in Drosophila melanogaster at different ages, within the setting of an enforced schedule of varying light-dark stimuli, simulating light exposure variations between four typical office working days and one free day spent outside by a human, for a total of 30 days. Locomotor activity recording started when male flies were 3 days old. Flies exhibited a bimodal activity pattern, with a morning and an evening peak, and clear anticipation of the lights on and lights off transitions. From experimental day 10 (i.e. 12-day-old flies) onwards, a decrease in activity counts/increase in sleep amount were observed. On free days, a rise in activity counts and a reduction in sleep amount during the lights on interval was observed and was also present, albeit less obvious, on the subsequent working day during the lights off interval. A progressive delay in sleep onset was observed in the first days of the experiment, peaking on day 4 (i.e. 6-day-old flies), after which sleep onset timing gradually advanced. A delay in sleep offset was also observed for the first 13 days of the experiment, after which sleep offset stabilized. In conclusion, 'adolescent' flies exhibited changes in sleep timing that were reminiscent of those of human adolescents.

Coupling mechanisms coordinating mRNA translation with stages of the mRNA lifecycle

Gene expression involves a series of consequential processes, beginning with mRNA synthesis and culminating in translation. Traditionally studied as a linear sequence of events, recent findings challenge this perspective, revealing coupling mechanisms that coordinate key steps of gene expression, even when spatially and temporally distant. In this review, we focus on translation, the final stage of gene expression, and examine its coupling with key stages of mRNA metabolism: synthesis, processing, export, and decay. For each of these processes, we provide an overview of known instances of coupling with translation. Furthermore, we discuss the role of high-throughput technologies in uncovering these intricate interactions on a genome-wide scale. Finally, we highlight key challenges and propose future directions to advance our understanding of how coupling mechanisms orchestrate robust and adaptable gene expression programs.

Interplay of m6A RNA methylation and gut microbiota in modulating gut injury

The gut microbiota undergoes continuous variations among individuals and across their lifespan, shaped by diverse factors encompassing diet, age, lifestyle choices, medication intake, and disease states. These microbial inhabitants play a pivotal role in orchestrating physiological metabolic pathways through the production of metabolites like bile acids, choline, short-chain fatty acids, and neurotransmitters, thereby establishing a dynamic "gut-organ axis" with the host. The intricate interplay between the gut microbiota and the host is indispensable for gut health, and RNA N6-methyladenosine modification, a pivotal epigenetic mark on RNA, emerges as a key player in this process. M6A modification, the most prevalent internal modification of eukaryotic RNA, has garnered significant attention in the realm of RNA epigenetics. Recent findings underscore its potential to influence gut microbiota diversity and intestinal barrier function by modulating host gene expression patterns. Conversely, the gut microbiota, through its impact on the epigenetic landscape of host cells, may indirectly regulate the recruitment and activity of RNA m6A-modifying enzymes. This review endeavors to delve into the biological functions of m6A modification and its consequences on intestinal injury and disease pathogenesis, elucidating the partial possible mechanisms by which the gut microbiota and its metabolites maintain host intestinal health and homeostasis. Furthermore, it also explores the intricate crosstalk between them in intestinal injury, offering a novel perspective that deepens our understanding of the mechanisms underlying intestinal diseases.

Nec-1 regulates phenotypic transformation of heat stroke-induced vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibiting RIPK1

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular injury is a common complication of heat stroke (HS). However, the mechanism underlying vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) following HS remains unclear.

METHOD

A rat and VSMCs model was established by simulating high-temperature exposure. Primary VSMC was extracted in vitro, and CCK8 screened the concentration of Nec-1 and detected cell proliferation activity. The expression of α-smooth muscle protein (α-SMA), osteopontin (OPN), receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTS

The results of in vivo experiments showed that with the prolongation of HS recovery time, α-SMA expression basically decreased and OPN expression increased. Meanwhile, the expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3 was increased, which promoted the occurrence of necroptosis. In vitro results showed that with the extension of HS recovery time, the proliferative viability of VSMCs decreased, the cell morphology changed, and the apoptotic cells increased. The fluorescence results indicate that the expression levels of RIPK1 and PIPK3 in the cells are elevated, accompanied by the typical characteristics of cell necroptosis. Nec-1 restored the decreased cell viability and the high expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3 induced by heat stroke, and improved the occurrence of cell necrotic apoptosis. Nec-1 also restored α-SMA expression, reduced OPN expression, and reversed phenotypic abnormalities of VSMC caused by heat stroke.

CONCLUSION

HS induces abnormal phenotypic transformation and necroptosis in VSMCs. Necrostatin-1 can improve necroptosis and maintain the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. This study can provide new insights into cardiovascular damage caused by high temperatures.

Exploring the versatility of Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism in biomedical research: a comprehensive review

Drosophila melanogaster is a highly versatile model organism that has profoundly advanced our understanding of human diseases. With more than 60% of its genes having human homologs, Drosophila provides an invaluable system for modelling a wide range of pathologies, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, metabolic diseases, as well as cardiac and muscular conditions. This review highlights key developments in utilizing Drosophila for disease modelling, emphasizing the genetic tools that have transformed research in this field. Technologies such as the GAL4/UAS system, RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR-Cas9 have enabled precise genetic manipulation, with CRISPR-Cas9 allowing for the introduction of human disease mutations into orthologous Drosophila genes. These approaches have yielded critical insights into disease mechanisms, identified novel therapeutic targets and facilitated both drug screening and toxicological studies. Articles were selected based on their relevance, impact and contribution to the field, with a particular focus on studies offering innovative perspectives on disease mechanisms or therapeutic strategies. Our findings emphasize the central role of Drosophila in studying complex human diseases, underscoring its genetic similarities to humans and its effectiveness in modelling conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer. This review reaffirms Drosophila's critical role as a model organism, highlighting its potential to drive future research and therapeutic advancements.

6S-1 pRNA 9-mers are a prominent length species during outgrowth of Bacillus subtilis cells from extended stationary phase

Bacterial RNA polymerases (RNAP) utilize 6S RNAs as templates to synthesize ultrashort transcripts (up to ~14 nt), termed product RNAs (pRNAs), that play a key role in reversing the blockage of RNAP by 6S RNA. Here, we resolved the pRNA length profile of 6S-1 RNA from B. subtilis, a major model system for the study of 6S RNA biology, during outgrowth of cells from extended stationary phase. 9-mers were found to be a particularly abundant pRNA length species, followed by 8-/10-/11-mers and 13-/14-mers. Consistent with in vitro data from the Escherichia coli system, these findings support the mechanistic model according to which the housekeeping sigma factor (σ70 or σA) dissociates from 6S RNA:RNAP complexes upon synthesis of pRNA 9-mers, followed by final dissociation of 6S RNA and RNAP upon synthesis of longer pRNAs (13-/14-mers). Methodologically, the identification of such ultrashort RNAs in total cellular extracts by RNA-Seq is inefficient with standard protocols using adapter ligation to RNA 3'-ends for reverse transcription and PCR-based cDNA sequencing. Here, we demonstrate that ultrashort RNAs can instead be incorporated into RNA-Seq libraries by polyA-, polyC- and potentially also polyU-tailing of their 3'-ends. At positions where a non-tailing nucleotide is followed by one or more tailing nucleotides, an algorithm that integrates RNA-Seq results from at least two different 3'-end tailings allows one to approximate the fraction of read counts at such ambiguous positions. Finally, methodological biases and potential applications of our approach to other short RNAs are discussed.

RNA-binding protein quaking: a multifunctional regulator in tumour progression

BACKGROUND

Quaking (QKI) is a member of the signal transduction and activators of RNA (STAR) family, performing a crucial multifunctional regulatory role in alternative splicing, mRNA precursor processing, mRNA transport and localization, mRNA stabilization, and translation during tumour progression. Abnormal QKI expression or fusion mutations lead to aberrant RNA and protein expression, thereby promoting tumour progression. However, in many types of tumour, QKI played a role as tumour suppressor, the regulatory role of QKI in tumour progression remains ambiguous.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to analyze the isoform and function of QKI, the impact of QKI-regulated gene expression or signalling pathway alterations on tumour progression, and its potential clinical applications as a predictive marker or target for tumour therapy.

METHODS

We reviewed recent studies and summarized the function of QKI alteration in tumour progression.

RESULTS

QKI mediate post-transcriptional gene regulation including alternative splicing, polyadenylation, mRNA stabilization, mRNA subcellular location, and noncoding RNA by binding to the QRE elements of targeted nucleotide. The dysregulation of QKI is intricately correlated to tumour proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, tumor stem cells, the tumour microenvironment, and treatment sensitivity, and represents as a potential biological predictor in tumour diagnosis and prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

QKI play a critical role as tumour suppressor or an oncogene in tumour progression due to the different splicing sites and transcripts with various tumour subtype or tumor micorenvironment. Ongoing research about QKI's functions and mechanisms persist is required to conduct for better understanding the role of QKI in tumour regulation.

Comprehensive circRNA expression profile and hub genes screening during human liver development

BACKGROUND

Understanding the expression of non-coding RNA in the liver during embryonic development provides important insights into liver diseases. Therefore, we investigated circular RNA (circRNA) roles in human liver development, an unexplored research domain.

METHODS

Using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, we analysed foetal liver samples across developmental stages (7-20 weeks post-conception). Differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified and subjected to enrichment analysis using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Disease Ontology (DO). Modular analysis was performed using the Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING), followed by construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using Cytoscape software. The key genes were screened using Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE). The mRNA levels of hub genes were validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

There were 645 DE circRNAs and 5,145 DE mRNAs between human livers at the three growth stages (HB, EH, and LH). It was found that the activity of circRNAs was boosted remarkably in the hepatoblastic stage. Enrichment analysis found they mainly involved in nervous system regulation of liver function, embryonic organ development and digestive system development. In addition, DE circRNAs were primarily involved in the PI3K-AKT, MAPK and calcium pathways, potentially contributing to adult liver diseases. Notably, only hsa_circ_001471 and novel_circ_017382 were simultaneously identified at all stages and were persistently downregulated. A co-expression regulatory network involving these circRNAs was established. Three hub genes (LGR5, FOXL1 and RSPO3) were identified from the PPI network of 167 genes and may play key roles in human liver development. The RT-qPCR validation results were in agreement with the sequencing data.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide the first insights into the roles and regulatory networks of circRNAs in human liver development, laying the groundwork for further investigations of molecular and signalling networks.

Gut microbes-spinal connection is required for itch sensation

The gut microbiota has been linked to a number of neurological disorders. However, it is unclear whether the gut microbiota is involved in the genesis of chronic itch, a refractory condition that afflicts patients both physically and mentally. Here, we report that depletion of gut microbiota enhances tolerance to itch in mice orally administered with antibiotics (ABX) and mice free of germ. Of note, oral gavage with Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis), a prominent species of the genus Bacteroides with most differential change, corrected the ABX-induced itch dysfunction through its driven metabolite acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC). Mechanistically, gut microbiota or B. fragilis depletion caused a decrease in RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase FTO expression in the dorsal horn and a consequent increase in RNA m6A sites in Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor F (MrgprF) mRNA, leading to decreased MRGPRF protein. The downregulation of FTO was triggered by inactivation of ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1), a transcription factor that binds to the Fto promoter. These findings support a gut microbe - spinal connection in modulation of itch sensation in RNA m6A epigenetic-dependent manner and highlight a critical role of ALC in linking the altered B. fragilis and itch dysfunction.

Identification of serum tRNA-derived small RNAs biosignature for diagnosis of tuberculosis

The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a new class of non coding RNAs, which are stable in body fluids and can be used as potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis. However, the exact value of tsRNAs in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is still unclear. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of the serum tsRNAs biosignature to distinguish between active TB, healthy controls, latent TB infection, and other respiratory diseases. The differential expression profiles of tsRNAs in serum from active TB patients and healthy controls were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. A total of 905 subjects were prospectively recruited for our study from three different cohorts. Levels of tsRNA-Gly-CCC-2, tsRNA-Gly-GCC-1, and tsRNA-Lys-CTT-2-M2 were significantly elevated in the serum of TB patients compared to non-TB individuals, showing a correlation with lung injury severity and acid-fast bacilli grades in TB patients. The accuracy of the three-tsRNA biosignature for TB diagnosis was evaluated in the training (n = 289), test (n = 124), and prediction (n = 292) groups. By utilizing cross-validation with a random forest algorithm approach, the training cohort achieved a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100%. The test cohort exhibited a sensitivity of 75.8% and a specificity of 91.2%. Within the prediction group, the sensitivity and specificity were 73.1% and 92.5%, respectively. The three-tsRNA biosignature generally decreased within 3 months of treatment and then remained stable. In conclusion, the three-tsRNA biosignature might serve as biomarker to diagnose TB and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in a high-burden TB clinical setting.

Integrating RNA-seq and scRNA-seq to explore the prognostic features and immune landscape of exosome-related genes in breast cancer metastasis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the role of exosome-related genes in breast cancer (BRCA) metastasis by integrating RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data from BRCA samples and to develop a reliable prognostic model.

METHODS

Initially, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on exosome-related genes from the BRCA cohort in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Three prognostic genes (JUP, CAPZA1 and ARVCF) were identified through univariate Cox regression and Lasso-Cox regression analyses, and a metastasis-related risk score model was established based on these genes. Immune cell infiltration, immune escape and drug sensitivity disparities between high- and low-risk groups were assessed using CIBERSORT and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) methods. High- and low-risk cell populations were discerned based on the expression of prognostic genes in BRCA scRNA-seq data.

RESULTS

M0 and M1 macrophages significantly promote the metastasis of breast cancer (BRCA). The developed prognostic model demonstrates good predictive performance for patient survival at 1, 3 and 5 years, with AUC values of 0.654, 0.602 and 0.635, respectively. Compared to the low-risk group, the high-risk group exhibits increased immune cell infiltration and higher levels of immune evasion. scRNA-seq data reveal that high-risk cells have significantly higher risk scores and exhibit notable differences in signalling pathways and intercellular communication patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a novel risk score model based on exosome-related genes, validated by comprehensive analyses including differential expression, survival analysis and external dataset validation. The model's clinical significance is reinforced through its ability to stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups with distinct survival outcomes and immune landscape characteristics. The integration of RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data highlights the predictive accuracy of the model and underscores its potential for identifying novel therapeutic targets and improving patient prognosis.

Guanosine enhances the bactericidal effect of ceftiofur sodium on Streptococcus suis by activating bacterial metabolism

The emergence and rapid development of antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to global public health. Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an important zoonotic pathogen, and the development of its antibiotic resistance has made the infections difficult to treat. The combination of non-antibiotic compounds with antibiotics is considered a promising strategy against multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, the mechanism by which metabolites act as antibiotic adjuvant remains unclear. Here, we found that guanosine metabolism was repressed in multidrug-resistant S. suis. Exogenous guanosine promoted the antibacterial effects of ceftiofur sodium (CEF) in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that exogenous guanosine promoted the biosynthesis of purine pathway, TCA cycle and bacterial respiration, which make bacteria more sensitive to the killing effect of antibacterial. In addition, the function of the cell membrane is affected by guanosine and the accumulation of antimicrobials in the bacteria increased. Bacterial-oxidative stress and DNA damage induced by guanosine is also one of the mechanisms by which the antibacterial effect is enhanced. These results suggest that guanosine is a promising adjuvant for antibacterial drugs and provide new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of S. suis infection.

Analysis of somatic piRNAs in the malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii reveals atypical classes of genic small RNAs

Piwi-interacting small RNAs (piRNA) play a key role in controlling the activity of transposable elements (TEs) in the animal germline. In diverse arthropod species, including the pathogen vectors mosquitoes, the piRNA pathway is also active in nongonadal somatic tissues, where its targets and functions are less clear. Here, we studied the features of small RNA production in head and thorax tissues of an uninfected laboratory strain of Anopheles coluzzii focusing on the 24-32-nt-long RNAs. Small RNAs derived from repetitive elements constitute a minor fraction while most small RNAs process from long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and protein-coding gene mRNAs. The majority of small RNAs derived from repetitive elements and lncRNAs exhibited typical piRNAs features. By contrast, majority of protein-coding gene-derived 24-32 nt small RNAs lack the hallmarks of piRNAs and have signatures of nontemplated 3' end tailing. Most of the atypical small RNAs exhibit female-biased expression and originate from mitochondrial and nuclear genes involved in energy metabolism. We also identified atypical genic small RNAs in Anopheles gambiae somatic tissues, which further validates the noncanonical mechanism of their production. We discuss a novel mechanism of small RNA production in mosquito somatic tissues and the possible functional significance of genic small RNAs.

Stage-specific modulation of Drosophila gene expression with muscle GAL4 promoters

The bipartite GAL4/UAS system is the most widely used method for targeted gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster and facilitates rapid in vivo genetic experimentation. Defining precise gene expression patterns for tissues and/or cell types under GAL4 control will continue to evolve to suit experimental needs. However, the precise spatial and temporal expression patterns for some commonly used muscle tissue promoters are still unclear. This missing information limits the precise timing of experiments during development. Here, we focus on three muscle-enriched GAL4 drivers (Mef2-GAL4, C57-GAL4 and G7-GAL4) to better inform selection of the most appropriate muscle promoter for experimental needs. Specifically, C57-GAL4 and G7-GAL4 turn on in the first or second instar larval stages, respectively, and can be used to bypass myogenesis for studies of muscle function after development.

Microbial diversity and fitness in the gut-brain axis: influences on developmental risk for Alzheimer's disease

The gut-brain axis (GBA) denotes the dynamic and bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system (CNS). This review explored this axis, focusing on the role of microbial diversity and fitness in maintaining gastrointestinal health and preventing neurodegeneration, particularly in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Gut dysbiosis, characterized by the imbalance in populations of beneficial and harmful bacteria, has been associated with increased systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and the progression of AD through pathogenic mechanisms involving amyloid deposition, tauopathy, and increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Emerging evidence highlighted the therapeutic potential of probiotics, dietary interventions, and intermittent fasting in restoring microbial balance, reducing inflammation, and minimizing neurodegenerative risks. Probiotics and synbiotics are promising in helping improve cognitive function and metabolic health, while dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet were linked to decreased neuroinflammation and enhanced gut-brain communication. Despite significant advancement, further research is needed to elucidate the specific microbial strains, metabolites, and mechanisms influencing brain health. Future studies employing longitudinal designs and advanced omics technologies are essential to developing targeted microbiome-based therapies for managing AD-related disorders.

Timing of dietary effects on the epigenome and their potential protective effects against toxins

Exposure to toxins causes lasting damaging effects on the body. Numerous studies in humans and animals suggest that diet has the potential to modify the epigenome and these modifications can be inherited transgenerationally, but few studies investigate how diet can protect against negative effects of toxins. Potential evidence in the primary literature supports that caloric restriction, high-fat diets, high protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, and dietary supplementation protect against environmental toxins and strengthen these effects on their offspring's epigenome. Most notably, the timing when dietary interventions are given - during a parent's early development, pregnancy, and/or lifetime - result in similar transgenerational epigenetic durations. This implies the existence of multiple opportunities to strategically fortify the epigenome. This narrative review explores how to best utilize dietary modifications to modify the epigenome to protect future generations against negative health effects of persistent environmental toxins. Furthermore, by suggesting an ideal diet with specific micronutrients, macronutrients, and food groups, epigenetics can play a key role in the field of preventive medicine. Based on these findings, longitudinal research should be conducted to determine if a high protein, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate diet during a mother's puberty or pregnancy can epigenetically protect against alcohol, tobacco smoke, and air pollution across multiple generations.

The implication of non-AUG-initiated N-terminally extended proteoforms in cancer

Dysregulated translation is a hallmark of cancer, and recent genome-wide studies in tumour cells have uncovered widespread translation of non-canonical reading frames that often initiate at non-AUG codons. If an upstream non-canonical start site is located within a frame with an annotated coding sequence (CDS), such translation events can lead to the production of proteoforms with altered N-termini (PANTs). Certain examples of PANTs from oncogenes (e.g. c-MYC) and tumour suppressors (e.g. PTEN) have been previously linked to cancer. We have performed a systematic computational analysis on recently identified non-AUG initiation-derived N-terminal extensions of cancer-associated proteins, and we discuss how these extended proteoforms may acquire new oncogenic properties. We identified a loss of stability for the N-terminally extended proteoforms of oncogenes TCF-4 and SOX2. Furthermore, we discovered likely functional short linear motifs within the N-terminal extensions of oncogenes and tumour suppressors (SOX2, SUFU, SFPQ, TOP1 and SPEN/SHARP) that could provide an explanation for previously described functionalities or interactions of the proteins. In all, we identify novel cases where PANTs likely show different localization, functions, partner binding or turnover rates compared to the annotated proteoforms. Therefore, we propose that alterations in the stringency of translation initiation, often seen under conditions of cellular stress, may result in reprogramming of translation to generate novel PANTs that influence cancer progression.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived therapies for regeneration after central nervous system injury

In recent years, the progression of stem cell therapies has shown great promise in advancing the nascent field of regenerative medicine. Considering the non-regenerative nature of the mature central nervous system, the concept that "blank" cells could be reprogrammed and functionally integrated into host neural networks remained intriguing. Previous work has also demonstrated the ability of such cells to stimulate intrinsic growth programs in post-mitotic cells, such as neurons. While embryonic stem cells demonstrated great potential in treating central nervous system pathologies, ethical and technical concerns remained. These barriers, along with the clear necessity for this type of treatment, ultimately prompted the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells. The advantage of pluripotent cells in central nervous system regeneration is multifaceted, permitting differentiation into neural stem cells, neural progenitor cells, glia, and various neuronal subpopulations. The precise spatiotemporal application of extrinsic growth factors in vitro, in addition to microenvironmental signaling in vivo, influences the efficiency of this directed differentiation. While the pluri- or multipotency of these cells is appealing, it also poses the risk of unregulated differentiation and teratoma formation. Cells of the neuroectodermal lineage, such as neuronal subpopulations and glia, have been explored with varying degrees of success. Although the risk of cancer or teratoma formation is greatly reduced, each subpopulation varies in effectiveness and is influenced by a myriad of factors, such as the timing of the transplant, pathology type, and the ratio of accompanying progenitor cells. Furthermore, successful transplantation requires innovative approaches to develop delivery vectors that can mitigate cell death and support integration. Lastly, host immune responses to allogeneic grafts must be thoroughly characterized and further developed to reduce the need for immunosuppression. Translation to a clinical setting will involve careful consideration when assessing both physiologic and functional outcomes. This review will highlight both successes and challenges faced when using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell transplantation therapies to promote endogenous regeneration.

Oligodendroglial heterogeneity in health, disease, and recovery: deeper insights into myelin dynamics

Decades of research asserted that the oligodendroglial lineage comprises two cell types: oligodendrocyte precursor cells and oligodendrocytes. However, recent studies employing single-cell RNA sequencing techniques have uncovered novel cell states, prompting a revision of the existing terminology. Going forward, the oligodendroglial lineage should be delineated into five distinct cell states: oligodendrocyte precursor cells, committed oligodendrocyte precursor cells, newly formed oligodendrocytes, myelin-forming oligodendrocytes, and mature oligodendrocytes. This new classification system enables a deeper understanding of the oligodendroglia in both physiological and pathological contexts. Adopting this uniform terminology will facilitate comparison and integration of data across studies. This, including the consolidation of findings from various demyelinating models, is essential to better understand the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases. Additionally, comparing injury models across species with varying regenerative capacities can provide insights that may lead to new therapeutic strategies to overcome remyelination failure. Thus, by standardizing terminology and synthesizing data from diverse studies across different animal models, we can enhance our understanding of myelin pathology in central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, all of which involve oligodendroglial and myelin dysfunction.

Smooth muscle extracellular matrix modified small intestinal submucosa conduits promote peripheral nerve repair

Challenges still exist to develop an ideal cell-free nerve guidance conduit (NGC) providing a favorable microenvironment for rapid and successful nerve regeneration. Proteomic analysis revealed that extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was abundant in nerve-related active proteins and significantly enriched signaling pathways involved in nerve regeneration. However, whether NGCs based on SMCs-derived ECM modification strategy promote nerve regeneration remains unclear. In the study, we investigated the neuroregenerative effect of SMCs-derived ECM and developed a novel NGC (MyoNerve) by coating small intestinal submucosa (SIS) with SMCs-derived ECM. The SMCs-ECM was rich in neurotrophic factors, which endowed MyoNerve with remarkable neuroregenerative capabilities by promoting the expression of genes implicated in aspects of neuronal maintenance and activating signaling pathways involved in nerve regeneration. In vitro, MyoNerve exhibited excellent bioactivity for accelerating angiogenesis, regulating macrophages polarization, promoting the proliferation, migration and elongation of Schwann cells, enhancing differentiation of PC12 cells, and inducing the neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia. In the model of rat sciatic nerve 10 mm defect, MyoNerve showed great potential for functional nerve regeneration by promoting angiogenesis, proliferation and migration of Schwann cells and neuron, axonal regeneration, remyelination, and neurological functional recovery.

Nanocarrier-mediated siRNA delivery: a new approach for the treatment of traumatic brain injury-related Alzheimer's disease

Traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease share pathological similarities, including neuronal loss, amyloid-β deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits. Furthermore, traumatic brain injury can exacerbate Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies, potentially leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Nanocarriers offer a potential solution by facilitating the delivery of small interfering RNAs across the blood-brain barrier for the targeted silencing of key pathological genes implicated in traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease. Unlike traditional approaches to neuroregeneration, this is a molecular-targeted strategy, thus avoiding non-specific drug actions. This review focuses on the use of nanocarrier systems for the efficient and precise delivery of siRNAs, discussing the advantages, challenges, and future directions. In principle, siRNAs have the potential to target all genes and non-targetable proteins, holding significant promise for treating various diseases. Among the various therapeutic approaches currently available for neurological diseases, siRNA gene silencing can precisely "turn off" the expression of any gene at the genetic level, thus radically inhibiting disease progression; however, a significant challenge lies in delivering siRNAs across the blood-brain barrier. Nanoparticles have received increasing attention as an innovative drug delivery tool for the treatment of brain diseases. They are considered a potential therapeutic strategy with the advantages of being able to cross the blood-brain barrier, targeted drug delivery, enhanced drug stability, and multifunctional therapy. The use of nanoparticles to deliver specific modified siRNAs to the injured brain is gradually being recognized as a feasible and effective approach. Although this strategy is still in the preclinical exploration stage, it is expected to achieve clinical translation in the future, creating a new field of molecular targeted therapy and precision medicine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease associated with traumatic brain injury.

Bioprinted high cell density liver model with improved hepatic metabolic functions

In vitro liver tissue models are valuable for studying liver function, understanding liver diseases, and screening candidate drugs for toxicity and efficacy. While three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting shows promise in creating various types of functional tissues, current efforts to engineer a functional liver tissue face challenges in replicating native high cell density (HCD) and maintaining long-term cell viability. HCD is crucial for establishing the cell-cell interactions necessary to mimic the liver's metabolic and detoxification functions. However, HCD bioinks exacerbate light scattering in light-based 3D bioprinting. In this study, we incorporated iodixanol into our bioink formulation to minimize light scattering, enabling the fabrication of hepatic tissue constructs with an HCD of 8 × 107 cells/mL while maintaining high cell viability (∼80 %). The printed dense hepatic tissue constructs showed enhanced cell-cell interactions, as evidenced by increased expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1. Furthermore, these constructs promoted albumin secretion, urea production, and P450 metabolic activity. Additionally, HCD hepatic tissue inactivated the YAP/TAZ pathway via cell-cell interactions, preserving primary hepatocyte functions. Further screening revealed that hepatocytes in the dense model were more sensitive to drug treatments than those in a lower-density hepatic model, highlighting the importance of HCD in recapitulating the physiological drug responses. Overall, our approach represents a significant advancement in liver tissue engineering, providing a promising platform for the development of physiologically relevant in vitro liver models for drug screening and toxicity testing.

Mechanical confinement triggers spreading and migration of immobile cells by deforming nucleus

Cells in vivo are often subject to the challenge of spatial confinement from neighboring cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) that are usually adhesive and deformable. Here, we showed that confinement makes initially quiescent round cells on soft adhesive substrates spread and migrate, exhibiting a phenotype similar to that of cells on unconfined stiff substrates. Interestingly, the confinement-induced cell spreading and migration exist widely in many cell types, and depend on formins, cell contractility and endonuclear YAP-TEAD interaction. Finally, we demonstrated the nucleus is a mechanosensor independent of ECM rigidity, and its flattening alone is sufficient to trigger YAP nuclear translocation, assembly of focal adhesions and stress fibers, cell spreading and migration. Thus, our findings revealed a new inside-out mechanism through which the nucleus directly detects and responds to external mechanical confinement, and could have important implications for cell migration in crowded micro-environments during cancer metastasis, wound healing and embryonic development.

Crosstalk among canonical Wnt and Hippo pathway members in skeletal muscle and at the neuromuscular junction

Skeletal muscles are essential for locomotion, posture, and metabolic regulation. To understand physiological processes, exercise adaptation, and muscle-related disorders, it is critical to understand the molecular pathways that underlie skeletal muscle function. The process of muscle contraction, orchestrated by a complex interplay of molecular events, is at the core of skeletal muscle function. Muscle contraction is initiated by an action potential and neuromuscular transmission requiring a neuromuscular junction. Within muscle fibers, calcium ions play a critical role in mediating the interaction between actin and myosin filaments that generate force. Regulation of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a key role in excitation-contraction coupling. The development and growth of skeletal muscle are regulated by a network of molecular pathways collectively known as myogenesis. Myogenic regulators coordinate the differentiation of myoblasts into mature muscle fibers. Signaling pathways regulate muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy in response to mechanical stimuli and nutrient availability. Several muscle-related diseases, including congenital myasthenic disorders, sarcopenia, muscular dystrophies, and metabolic myopathies, are underpinned by dysregulated molecular pathways in skeletal muscle. Therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving muscle mass and function, enhancing regeneration, and improving metabolic health hold promise by targeting specific molecular pathways. Other molecular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle include the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, a critical regulator of myogenesis, muscle regeneration, and metabolic function, and the Hippo signaling pathway. In recent years, more details have been uncovered about the role of these two pathways during myogenesis and in developing and adult skeletal muscle fibers, and at the neuromuscular junction. In fact, research in the last few years now suggests that these two signaling pathways are interconnected and that they jointly control physiological and pathophysiological processes in muscle fibers. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the data on these two pathways, focusing on their concerted action next to their contribution to skeletal muscle biology. However, an in-depth discussion of the non-canonical Wnt pathway, the fibro/adipogenic precursors, or the mechanosensory aspects of these pathways is not the focus of this review.

Application and progress of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for additional therapeutic strategies to reduce their mortality rates. This review systematically outlines the historical development and recent advances of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cardiovascular diseases, with a focus on its therapeutic mechanisms and clinical outcomes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances oxygen delivery to ischemic and reperfused tissues, promotes angiogenesis, and significantly suppresses oxidative stress, inflammatory cascades, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, demonstrating multifaceted therapeutic potential in cardiovascular conditions. Specifically, hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with reperfusion strategies has been shown to markedly improve left ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction. In heart failure, it facilitates myocardial repair and enhances cardiac function. For arrhythmias, hyperbaric oxygen therapy effectively reduces the frequency and duration of premature ventricular contractions and paroxysmal tachycardia, while mitigating the risk of neurological complications following atrial fibrillation ablation. Furthermore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy preconditioning in cardiac surgery has demonstrated improvements in left ventricular stroke work, reductions in postoperative myocardial injury, and a decrease in related complications. Despite its promising applications, the widespread adoption of hyperbaric oxygen therapy remains hindered by the lack of standardized treatment protocols and high-quality evidence from rigorous clinical trials. In conclusion, this review underscores the potential value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the cardiovascular domain while highlighting the need for further optimization of therapeutic parameters and exploration of its synergistic effects with conventional therapies to provide clearer guidance for clinical implementation.

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 regulates heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression and is a potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202509000-00029/figure1/v/2024-11-05T132919Z/r/image-tiff Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions, particularly RNA processing, transcription, chromatin remodeling, and endosomal trafficking. However, it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyltransferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and, if so, what the mechanisms of this effect. In this study, protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model, chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model, using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and label-free proteomic analysis. The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized with β-tubulin III in the dorsal root ganglion, and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury, chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain. In addition, PRMT6 knockout (Prmt6-/-) mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity. Furthermore, the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression. Moreover, when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury, increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn, and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced. Mechanistically, protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F. Additionally, protein arginine methyltransferase-6-mediated modulation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino acids 319 to 388, but not classical H3R2 methylation. These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.

Overcoming immunotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer through nano-selenium probiotic complexes and IL-32 modulation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health burden, with immunotherapy often limited by immune tolerance and resistance. This study introduces an innovative approach using Selenium Nanoparticles-Loaded Extracellular Vesicles combined with Interleukin-32 and Engineered Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (SeNVs@NE-IL32-EcN) to enhance CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses and overcome immunotherapy resistance.

METHODS

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and transcriptomic analyses were performed to identify key immune cells and regulators involved in CRC immunotherapy resistance, focusing on CD8+ T cells and the regulatory factor IL32. A humanized xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate the impact of IL32 and SeNVs@NE-IL32-EcN on tumor growth and immune responses. The SeNVs@NE-IL32-EcN complex was synthesized through a reverse micelle method and functionalized using extracellular vesicles. Its morphology, size, antioxidant activity, and safety were characterized using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and in vitro co-culture assays.

RESULTS

Single-cell analyses revealed a significant reduction in CD8+ T cell infiltration in immunotherapy-resistant CRC patients. IL32 was identified as a key regulator enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic activity through granzyme B and IFN-γ secretion. Treatment with SeNVs@NE-IL32-EcN significantly improved the proliferation and activity of CD8+ T cells and reduced tumor progression in humanized mouse models. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrated the complex's biocompatibility, antioxidant properties, and ability to enhance CRC immunotherapy while mitigating immune tolerance.

CONCLUSION

SeNVs@NE-IL32-EcN offers a novel nano-biomaterial strategy that integrates nanotechnology and probiotic therapy to enhance CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity and overcome CRC immunotherapy resistance. This study lays the foundation for future therapeutic applications in cancer treatment by advancing immune-modulating biomaterials.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunt treatment for glioma and brain metastasis: a literature review

The incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumors are increasing annually, with gliomas and brain metastases linked to a poor prognosis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a promising treatment modality for both gliomas and brain metastases. It can alleviate tumor hypoxia and enhance radiosensitivity. When combined with other treatments for gliomas, this therapy has the potential to enhance survival rates. This review addresses the progress in research on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with radiotherapy. For brain metastases, the combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery is both feasible and advantagenous. This combination not only offers protection against radiation-induced brain injury but also supports the recovery of neurological and motor functions. The incidence of adverse reactions to hyperbaric oxygen therapy is relatively low, and it is safe and manageable. Future efforts should be made to investigate the mechanisms by which hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with radiotherapy treats gliomas and brain metastases, optimize protection of the combined treatment against brain injury, minimizing adverse reactions, conducting multidisciplinary research and clinical trials, and training healthcare providers to facilitate broader clinical application.

dTSR enables efficient improvement of heterologous production of spinosad in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

Spinosad (spinosyns A and D) is a highly effective and environmentally friendly insecticide widely used for pest control. However, the difficulty of genetic manipulation in the original strain, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, has hindered improvements in fermentation yields using synthetic biology methods. Additionally, there is a lack of simple and effective methods for enhancing the production of polyketide natural products derived from slow-growing rare actinomycetes. In this study, we developed a doubly transposition and site-specific recombination (dTSR) approach to insert bacterial attachment sites (attB) and two copies of spinosad biosynthetic gene cluster (spn BGC) into various chromosomal locations of Saccharopolyspora erythraea, thereby generating heterologous production strains for screening of spinosyn producers with improved yields. Engineered strains from the first round of TSR breeding produced spinosad at levels ranging from 5.6 to 30.5 mg/L. The second round of TSR breeding produced engineered strains with increased yields, with the highest spinosad production reaching 137.1 ± 10.9 mg/L. These results indicated that (1) the dTSR approach could efficiently generate initial heterologous strains with significantly improved spinosad production, and (2) the dTSR approach enabled random integration of a second copy of spn BGC into various chromosomal locations in Sac. erythraea, thereby further increasing heterologous spinosad production to high levels. This study provides a simple, rational, and efficient approach to improve the heterologous production of polyketide natural products in rare actinomycetes.

BCOR and ZC3H12A suppress a core stemness program in exhausted CD8+ T cells

In chronic viral infections, sustained CD8+ T cell response relies on TCF1+ precursor-exhausted T cells (TPEX) exhibiting stem-like properties. TPEX self-renew and respond to PD-1 blockade, underscoring their paramount importance. However, strategies for effectively augmenting TPEX remain limited. Here, we demonstrate that ZC3H12A deficiency initiates a stemness program in TPEX but also increases cell death, whereas BCOR deficiency predominantly promotes TPEX proliferation. Consequently, co-targeting of both BCOR and ZC3H12A imparts exceptional stemness and functionality to TPEX, thereby enhancing viral control. Mechanistically, BCOR and ZC3H12A collaboratively suppress a core stemness program in TPEX characterized by heightened expression of ∼216 factors. While TCF1 plays a role, this core stemness program relies on novel factors, including PDZK1IP1, IFIT3, PIM2, LTB, and POU2F2. Crucially, overexpressing POU2F2 robustly boosts TPEX and enhances antiviral immunity. Thus, a core stemness program exists in exhausted T cells, jointly repressed by BCOR and ZC3H12A, robustly controlling TPEX differentiation and providing new targets for addressing T cell exhaustion.

Neuroprotective potential for mitigating ischemia-reperfusion-induced damage

Reperfusion following cerebral ischemia causes both structural and functional damage to brain tissue and could aggravate a patient's condition; this phenomenon is known as cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Current studies have elucidated the neuroprotective role of the sirtuin protein family (Sirtuins) in modulating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the potential of utilizing it as a novel intervention target to influence the prognosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury requires additional exploration. In this review, the origin and research progress of Sirtuins are summarized, suggesting the involvement of Sirtuins in diverse mechanisms that affect cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, including inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier damage, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy. The therapeutic avenues related to Sirtuins that may improve the prognosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were also investigated by modulating Sirtuins expression and affecting representative pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B signaling, oxidative stress mediated by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, and the forkhead box O. This review also summarizes the potential of endogenous substances, such as RNA and hormones, drugs, dietary supplements, and emerging therapies that regulate Sirtuins expression. This review also reveals that regulating Sirtuins mitigates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury when combined with other risk factors. While Sirtuins show promise as a potential target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, most recent studies are based on rodent models with circadian rhythms that are distinct from those of humans, potentially influencing the efficacy of Sirtuins-targeting drug therapies. Overall, this review provides new insights into the role of Sirtuins in the pathology and treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Neuronal regulated cell death in aging-related neurodegenerative diseases: key pathways and therapeutic potentials

Regulated cell death (such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, cuproptosis, ferroptosis, disulfidptosis) involves complex signaling pathways and molecular effectors, and has been proven to be an important regulatory mechanism for regulating neuronal aging and death. However, excessive activation of regulated cell death may lead to the progression of aging-related diseases. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of seven forms of regulated cell death in age-related diseases. Notably, the newly identified ferroptosis and cuproptosis have been implicated in the risk of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. These forms of cell death exacerbate disease progression by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and pathological protein aggregation. The review also provides an overview of key signaling pathways and crosstalk mechanisms among these regulated cell death forms, with a focus on ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and disulfidptosis. For instance, FDX1 directly induces cuproptosis by regulating copper ion valency and dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase aggregation, while copper mediates glutathione peroxidase 4 degradation, enhancing ferroptosis sensitivity. Additionally, inhibiting the Xc- transport system to prevent ferroptosis can increase disulfide formation and shift the NADP + /NADPH ratio, transitioning ferroptosis to disulfidptosis. These insights help to uncover the potential connections among these novel regulated cell death forms and differentiate them from traditional regulated cell death mechanisms. In conclusion, identifying key targets and their crosstalk points among various regulated cell death pathways may aid in developing specific biomarkers to reverse the aging clock and treat age-related neurodegenerative conditions.

Discovery of natural MCL1 inhibitors using pharmacophore modelling, QSAR, docking, ADMET, molecular dynamics, and DFT analysis

Mcl-1, a member of the Bcl-2 family, is a crucial regulator of apoptosis, frequently overexpressed in various cancers, including lung, breast, pancreatic, cervical, ovarian cancers, leukemia, and lymphoma. Its anti-apoptotic function allows tumor cells to evade cell death and contributes to drug resistance, making it an essential target for anticancer drug development. This study aimed to discover potent antileukemic compounds targeting Mcl-1. We selected diverse molecules from the BindingDB database to construct a structure-based pharmacophore model, which facilitated the virtual screening of 407,270 compounds from the COCONUT database. An e-pharmacophore model was developed using the co-crystallized inhibitor, followed by QSAR modeling to estimate IC50 values and filter compounds with predicted values below the median. The top hits underwent molecular docking and MMGBSA binding energy calculations against Mcl-1, resulting in the selection of two promising candidates for further ADMET analysis. DFT calculations assessed their electronic properties, confirming favorable reactivity profiles of the screened compounds. Predictions for physicochemical and ADMET properties aligned with expected bioactivity and safety. Molecular dynamics simulations further validated their strong binding affinity and stability, positioning them as potential Mcl-1 inhibitors. Our comprehensive computational approach highlights these compounds as promising antileukemic agents, with future in vivo and in vitro validation recommended for further confirmation.

Nanotherapeutic strategies exploiting biological traits of cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells that orchestrate cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Despite advances in conventional therapies, the persistence of CSCs remains a major obstacle to achieving cancer eradication. Nanomedicine-based approaches have emerged for precise CSC targeting and elimination, offering unique advantages in overcoming the limitations of traditional treatments. This review systematically analyzes recent developments in nanomedicine for CSC-targeted therapy, emphasizing innovative nanomaterial designs addressing CSC-specific challenges. We first provide a detailed examination of CSC biology, focusing on their surface markers, signaling networks, microenvironmental interactions, and metabolic signatures. On this basis, we critically evaluate cutting-edge nanomaterial engineering designed to exploit these CSC traits, including stimuli-responsive nanodrugs, nanocarriers for drug delivery, and multifunctional nanoplatforms capable of generating localized hyperthermia or reactive oxygen species. These sophisticated nanotherapeutic approaches enhance selectivity and efficacy in CSC elimination, potentially circumventing drug resistance and cancer recurrence. Finally, we present an in-depth analysis of current challenges in translating nanomedicine-based CSC-targeted therapies from bench to bedside, offering critical insights into future research directions and clinical implementation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the intersection of nanomedicine and CSC biology, contributing to more effective cancer treatment modalities.

Interaction of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A with the blood-brain barrier

The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the blood-brain barrier remain poorly understood. The major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A has been identified as a key regulator of blood-brain barrier function. It plays a critical role in promoting and maintaining the formation and functional stability of the blood-brain barrier, in addition to the transport of lipids, such as docosahexaenoic acid, across the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies have suggested that major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A is involved in the molecular mechanisms of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in a variety of neurological diseases; however, little is known regarding the mechanisms by which major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A affects the blood-brain barrier. This paper provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the close relationship between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins and the blood-brain barrier, including their basic structures and functions, cross-linking between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A and the blood-brain barrier, and the in-depth studies on lipid transport and the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability. This comprehensive systematic review contributes to an in-depth understanding of the important role of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins in maintaining the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier and the research progress to date. This will not only help to elucidate the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, improve the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis, and optimize clinical treatment strategies, but it may also play an important role in prognostic monitoring. In addition, the effects of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A on blood-brain barrier leakage in various diseases and the research progress on cross-blood-brain barrier drug delivery are summarized. This review may contribute to the development of new approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases.

EZH2-dependent myelination following sciatic nerve injury

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202508000-00028/figure1/v/2024-09-30T120553Z/r/image-tiff Demyelination and remyelination have been major focal points in the study of peripheral nerve regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. Notably, the gene regulatory network of regenerated myelin differs from that of native myelin. Silencing of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) hinders the differentiation, maturation, and myelination of Schwann cells in vitro. To further determine the role of EZH2 in myelination and recovery post-peripheral nerve injury, conditional knockout mice lacking Ezh2 in Schwann cells (Ezh2fl/fl;Dhh-Cre and Ezh2fl/fl;Mpz-Cre) were generated. Our results show that a significant proportion of axons in the sciatic nerve of Ezh2-depleted mice remain unmyelinated. This highlights the crucial role of Ezh2 in initiating Schwann cell myelination. Furthermore, we observed that 21 days after inducing a sciatic nerve crush injury in these mice, most axons had remyelinated at the injury site in the control nerve, while Ezh2fl/fl;Mpz-Cre mice had significantly fewer remyelinated axons compared with their wild-type littermates. This suggests that the absence of Ezh2 in Schwann cells impairs myelin formation and remyelination. In conclusion, EZH2 has emerged as a pivotal regulatory factor in the process of demyelination and myelin regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. Modulating EZH2 activity during these processes may offer a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

Identification of Histone and N-Terminal Acetyltransferases Required for Reproduction and Embryonic Development of Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti

Histone acetylation levels maintained by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases play important roles in maintaining local chromatin accessibility and expression of genes that regulate many biological processes, including development and reproduction. N-terminal acetylation of proteins catalyzed by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) also regulates gene expression. We identified 25 HATs/NATs genes in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and investigated their function in female reproduction using RNA interference (RNAi). Among the HATs/NATs studied, the knockdown of AANAT1 (Arylamine N-acetyltransferase), NAA40 (N-alpha-acetyltransferase 40), NAA80 (N-alpha-acetyltransferase 80), KAT7 (Histone lysine acetyltransferase 7), ACNAT (Acyl-CoA N-acyltransferase), and MCM3AP (Minichromosome maintenance complex component 3 associated protein) significantly reduced egg laying and caused severe problems in oocyte development compared to that in control insects injected with dsGFP. Gene expression analysis using RT-qPCR revealed that vitellogenin and its receptor genes are downregulated in mosquitoes injected with dsAANAT1, dsNAA40, dsNAA80, dsKAT7, dsACNAT, and dsMCM3AP compared to that in control animals. Also, the knockdown of HATs/NATs genes ATAT1 (Alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1), AANAT1, TAFIID (Transcription initiation factor TFIID subunit 1), HATB (Histone acetyltransferase type B) and NAT9 (N-acetyltransferase 9) decreased more than 50% egg hatch by blocking embryonic development. These results suggest that the acetylation of proteins, especially histones mediated by NATs and HATs, plays an important role in regulating female reproduction and embryonic development of Ae. aegypti.

MicroRNAs in sickle cell disease: A comprehensive review

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a multifactorial disease characterized by a high incidence of morbidity and mortality due to chronic hemolysis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent studies have highlighted the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating key pathophysiological processes in SCD, including high levels of fetal hemoglobin production, and reduction in inflammation and cellular adhesion. This comprehensive review discusses the current understanding of miRNAs in SCD, including their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, despite substantial evidences indicating that malaria exacerbates SCD, the review will explore the complex interplay between miRNAs and SCD, with a focus on the exacerbating effects of malaria on SCD severity. Understanding the complex interplay between miRNAs and SCD may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions aimed at ameliorating disease severity and improving patient outcomes. Future prospects, challenges and safety concerns related to miRNA-based therapies, highlighting the need for further research.

Investigating the multifaceted role of nucleolin in cellular function and Cancer: Structure, Regulation, and therapeutic implications

Nucleolin (NCL), a highly conserved and multifunctional phosphoprotein, is primarily localized in the nucleolus and participates in various cellular compartments, including the nucleoplasm, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. Initially discovered in the 1970 s, NCL is integral to ribosome biogenesis through its roles in ribosomal RNA transcription, processing, and assembly. Beyond ribosome synthesis, NCL plays critical roles in cellular processes such as DNA and RNA metabolism, chromatin remodeling, and cell cycle regulation, underscoring its essentiality for cell viability. Structurally, NCL comprises multiple functional domains, which facilitates interaction with various kinases and other proteins. NCL's extensive post-translational modifications influence its localization and function. Importantly, NCL has emerged as a key player in multiple pathologies, particularly cancer, where it contributes to tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. On the cell surface, NCL acts as a co-receptor for growth factors and other ligands, facilitating oncogenic signaling. Additionally, its regulation of non-coding RNAs, stabilization of oncogenic mRNAs, and involvement in immune evasion highlight its potential as a therapeutic target. This review provides an unexplored in-depth overview of NCL's structure, functions, and modifications, with a focus on its role in cancer biology and its therapeutic implications.

Germline-specific deletion of testis-highly expressed Lrwd1 reveals nonessential roles in male fertility

Genetic etiologies constitute a major contributor to male factor infertility, a global health concern impacting over 7% of the reproductive-aged male population. Comprehensive transcriptomic profiling has identified more than 2300 mouse testicular-predominant genes, with knockout models functionally validating the critical role of numerous loci in preserving fertility. However, the biological significance of large portions of the male germ cell genes remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the function of leucine-rich repeats and WD40 repeat domain-containing protein 1 (Lrwd1) in male reproduction. Here we generated germ cell-specific Lrwd1 knockout mice with Stra8-Cre (Lrwd1-sKO) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and assessed their fertility. Our results demonstrated that the absence of Lrwd1 did not affect the fertility of male mice, and no significant differences in sperm morphology were observed between Lrwd1-sKO and control mice. Histological analysis of testicular and epididymal tissues revealed that seminiferous tubules contained all stages of germ cell development, including mature spermatozoa, without noticeable alterations. Additionally, the progression of spermatocytes through prophase I was not impaired in ablation of Lrwd1 in germ cell. These findings suggest that Lrwd1 is not essential for spermatogenesis or male fertility in mice, indicating that it does not play a critical role in reproductive function under normal physiological conditions.

Cell and gene therapeutic approaches in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) refers to a range of conditions marked by the buildup of triglycerides in liver cells, accompanied by inflammation, which contributes to liver damage, clinical symptoms, and histopathological alterations. Multiple molecular pathways contribute to NAFLD pathogenesis, including immune dysregulation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and tissue injury. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems play crucial roles in disease progression, with intricate crosstalk between liver and immune cells driving NAFLD development. Among emerging therapeutic strategies, cell and gene-based therapies have shown promise. This study reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms of NAFLD and explores the therapeutic potential of cell-based interventions, highlighting their immunomodulatory effects, inhibition of hepatic stellate cells, promotion of hepatocyte regeneration, and potential for hepatocyte differentiation. Additionally, we examine gene delivery vectors designed to target NAFLD, focusing on their role in engineering hepatocytes through gene addition or editing to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

In vitro investigation of epigenetic regulators related to chemo-resistance and stemness of CD133+VE cells sorted from U87MG cell line

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant adult primary brain tumor with frequent relapse and resistance to therapies. Glioma stem cells, a rare population, is thought to be the reason behind the treatment's failure. It is imperative to investigate the disease mechanisms and identify the biomarkers by which glioma stem cells would contribute to treatment relapse and resistance to already available chemotherapeutic agents. The CD133+VE cells were isolated from U87MG cell line and characterized by morphological features, cell viability, self-renewal efficiency, migration potential and karyotyping. Doxorubicin Cisplatin, Irinotecan, Etoposide and Temozolomide were used to determine the anti-proliferative effect on CD133+VE cells. Confocal microcopy was used to localize the chemotherapeutic agents in the CD133+VE cells. In quest of epigenetic biomarkers, RNA sequencing was performed to find the role of lncRNAs in stemness and resistance to therapies. U87cell line and CD133-VE cells were kept as controls for all the experiments. It was found that CD133+VEcells were highly proliferative with increased migration potential, elevated IC50 values against chemotherapeutic agents and showed distinct karyotyping related to pluripotency. Chemotherapeutic agent such as Doxorubicin was localized outside the nucleus revealing the drug resistance as evident by confocal microscopy. RNA sequencing revealed 126 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) in CD133+VEcells among which lncRNA LOXL1-AS1 was highly upregulated and lncRNA PAX8-AS1 was significantly downregulated. These lncRNAs has been reported to be related to drug resistance, migration and epithelial- to- mesenchymal transmission (EMT), self-renewal and stemness properties contributing to poor prognosis and disease relapse.

A cortical pool of LIN-5 (NuMA) controls cytokinetic furrow formation and cytokinesis completion

In animal cells, cleavage furrow formation is controlled by localized activation of the GTPase RhoA at the equatorial membrane using cues transmitted from the spindle. Here, we explore the function of LIN-5, a well-studied protein known for its role in aster separation and spindle positioning in cleavage furrow formation. We show that the cortical pool of LIN-5, recruited by GPR-1/2 and important for cortical force generation, regulates cleavage furrow formation independently of its roles in aster separation and spindle positioning. Instead, our data suggest that enrichment of LIN-5/GPR-1/2 at the polar cortical region is essential to ensure the timely accumulation of contractile ring components-myosin II and Anillin at the equatorial cortex. We additionally define a late cytokinesis role of cortical LIN-5/GPR-1/2 in midbody stabilization and abscission. These results indicate that the cortical LIN-5/GPR-1/2 complex contributes to multiple aspects of cytokinesis independently of its roles in spindle positioning and elongation.

FGFR2 residence in primary cilia is necessary for epithelial cell signaling

Primary cilium projects from cells to provide a communication platform with neighboring cells and the surrounding environment. This is ensured by the selective entry of membrane receptors and signaling molecules, producing fine-tuned and effective responses to the extracellular cues. In this study, we focused on one family of signaling molecules, the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), their residence within cilia, and its role in FGFR signaling. We show that FGFR1 and FGFR2, but not FGFR3 and FGFR4, localize to primary cilia of the developing mouse tissues and in vitro cells. For FGFR2, we demonstrate that the ciliary residence is necessary for its signaling and expression of target morphogenic genes. We also show that the pathogenic FGFR2 variants have minimal cilium presence, which can be rescued for the p.P253R variant associated with the Apert syndrome by using the RLY-4008 kinase inhibitor. Finally, we determine the molecular regulators of FGFR2 trafficking to cilia, including IFT144, BBS1, and the conserved T429V430 motif within FGFR2.

Potential therapeutic targets of eukaryotic translation initiation factors in tumor therapy

Translation initiation is the first and rate-limiting step in protein synthesis, and its dysregulation is frequently observed in various malignancies. Cap-dependent translation, the predominant form of translation initiation, relies on the coordinated action of eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs), including eIF1, eIF2, eIF4, and others. These factors play critical roles in regulating the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis, and their overexpression has been linked to tumor progression, proliferation, and metastasis. Notably, certain eIFs have emerged as potential prognostic markers due to their elevated expression in tumors. Targeting eIFs represents a promising strategy, particularly for cancers characterized by aberrant eIF activity. In this review, we summarize the roles of individual eIFs in cap-dependent translation and discuss their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. We also highlight recent advances in drug discovery efforts aimed at modulating eIF activity, providing insights into the development of novel anticancer therapies.

Discovery of the first-in-class DOT1L PROTAC degrader

DOT1L is the lysine methyltransferase responsible for histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79) methylation and plays a crucial role in leukemia progression. Furthermore, DOT1L has biological functions that are independent of its methyltransferase activity. Therefore, targeting and degrading DOT1L with PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) could represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class DOT1L PROTAC degrader, compound 13 (MS2133), which potently induces DOT1L degradation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, without affecting DOT1L mRNA expression. The DOT1L degradation induced by 13 requires binding to the E3 ligase von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and DOT1L and occurs through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. 13 is selective for DOT1L over other methyltransferases and effectively inhibits the growth of mixed lineage leukemia-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemia cells while having no toxicity on normal cells. Overall, 13 is a valuable chemical biology tool for further studying functions of DOT1L and a potential therapeutic for DOT1L-dependent cancers.

TSH inhibits osteoclast differentiation through AMPK signaling pathway

PURPOSE

It is believed that osteoporosis (OP) is associated with hyperthyroidism as a result of the elevation in thyroxine levels. However, patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by decreased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) alone, are at equal risk of osteoporosis. Research has shown that TSH receptor (TSHR) is expressed on osteoclasts, but whether TSH directly regulates osteoclasts and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we used osteoclast precursor cell conditional TSHR-knockout (TSHR CKO) mouse to study the effects of TSHR knockout on bone metabolism in mice and the changes in osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Transcriptomics was used to identify differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways.

RESULTS

In vitro, experiments confirmed that TSH inhibited osteoclast differentiation in mouse RAW264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line and targeted the key signaling pathway AMPK by RNA-seq sequencing. We found TSHR CKO mice exhibited decreased femoral biomechanics and damaged bone microstructure. The serum levels of bone resorption marker were increased, accompanied by an increase in the number of osteoclasts.

CONCLUSION

TSH inhibits osteoclast differentiation by activating the AMPK signaling pathway, and exerts an osteoprotective effect. This study will provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. TSH structural analogs or AMPK activators are expected to provide new ideas for the development of drugs to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Prognostic gene expression profile of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major global health burden, with significant heterogeneity in clinical outcomes among patients. Identifying robust prognostic gene expression signatures can help stratify patients, guide treatment decisions, and improve clinical management. This review provides an overview of current prognostic gene expression profiles in colorectal cancer research. We have synthesized evidence from numerous published studies investigating the association between tumor gene expression patterns and patient survival outcomes. The reviewed literature reveals several promising gene signatures that have demonstrated the ability to predict disease-free survival and overall survival in CRC patients, independent of standard clinicopathological risk factors. These genes are crucial in fundamental biological processes, including cell cycle control, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune regulation. The implementation of prognostic gene expression tests in clinical practice holds great potential for enabling more personalized management strategies for colorectal cancer.