TWEAK promotes hepatic stellate cell migration through activating EGFR/Src and PI3K/AKT pathways

Network pharmacology and in vitro analyses reveal EGCG inhibits breast cancer progression via suppression of the EGFR/Src pathway

Breast cancer (BRCA) has emerged as a significant threat to women's health. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has shown promising therapeutic potential. However, its mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. This study employed a network pharmacology (NP) approach to investigate the key targets and signaling pathways regulated by EGCG in BRCA, and validated the findings through cell experiments. Our comprehensive analysis identified 10 key targets of EGCG, suggesting that EGCG may inhibit the EGFR/Src pathway. Consistently, our cell experiments revealed that EGCG could significantly inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of BRCA cells. Furthermore, EGCG downregulated the protein levels of EGFR, Src, PI3K, Akt, STAT3, and Bcl2. These experimental findings support the results of the NP analysis. In conclusion, our NP and in vitro studies indicate that EGCG inhibits BRCA progression by suppressing the EGFR/Src pathway and its downstream signals transduction including the PI3K/Akt and STAT3/Bcl2 pathways.

Suprabasin promotes gastric cancer liver metastasis via hepatic stellate cells-mediated EGF/CCL2/JAK2 intercellular signaling pathways

Gastric cancer is among the most prevalent gastrointestinal tumors, with liver metastasis significantly worsening patient outcomes. While hepatic stellate cell activation is crucial in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and liver metastasis, its role in gastric cancer liver metastasis is not well understood. In this study, we identified Suprabasin (SBSN) as a key oncogene driving gastric cancer liver metastasis. SBSN was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and further elevated in liver metastasis, correlating with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, SBSN promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells by activating the STAT3 signaling pathway, as shown in vitro and in vivo. Using a co-culture model of gastric cancer cells and hepatic stellate cell line LX-2, we found that increased SBSN expression in gastric cancer cells triggered EGF secretion, activating LX-2 cells through the EGF/EGFR axis. Activated LX-2 cells then secreted CCL2, initiating the CCL2/CCR2/JAK2 signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells, facilitating their migration to the liver and promoting colonization and growth. Our findings highlight the prognostic significance of SBSN in gastric cancer and liver metastasis, suggesting it as a potential biomarker for disease progression. The SBSN-mediated EGF/EGFR and CCL2/CCR2/JAK2 signaling axes are critical for LX-2 activation and gastric cancer cell migration, offering a rationale for targeting SBSN in treating gastric cancer liver metastasis.

Nintedanib attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-driven liver fibrosis by targeting Src signaling

Liver injury induces an inflammatory response that activates hepatic stellate cells, which is the initial factor of liver fibrosis. Nintedanib, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the Src signalling pathway, has been approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, it is still not known whether nintedanib ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting inflammasome activation. Here, a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis model was used to assess the anti-fibrotic efficacy of nintedanib in vivo. Lipopolysaccharide and ATP were used to activate nucleotide oligomerisation domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes in LX-2 cells, and the efficacy of nintedanib on NLRP3 inflammasome activation was evaluated. Moreover, we used Src-overexpressing and Src-downregulating lentiviruses to transfect LX-2 cells to explore the targets of nintedanib. Nintedanib attenuated inflammation and extracellular matrix accumulation in CCl4-induced fibrotic livers and reduced the expression of NLRP3, fibrotic makers, and the phosphorylation of Src, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), AKT, ERK1/2 in LX-2 cells. Furthermore, nintedanib thwarted NLRP3 inflammasome activation by suppressing the phosphorylation of Src and its downstream signalling pathway and reducing reactive oxygen species production. Our study indicates that nintedanib effectively suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation and has the potential for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Atractylenolide III Ameliorates Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the PI3K/AKT Pathway and Regulating Glutamine Metabolism

Liver fibrosis is one of the leading causes of hepatic sclerosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. However, the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of liver fibrosis are unknown, and no specific drugs are available to treat liver fibrosis. Atractylenolide III (ATL III) is a natural compound isolated from the plant Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. that possesses antioxidant properties and the ability to inhibit inflammatory responses. In this study, cholestatic hepatic fibrosis was induced in mice using a bile duct ligation (BDL) model and treated with 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg of ATL III via gavage for 14 days. ATL III significantly reduced the liver index, lowered serum ALT and AST levels, and reduced liver injury in bile-duct-ligated mice. In addition, ATL III significantly attenuated histopathological changes and reduced collagen deposition. ATL III reduced the expression of fibrosis-related genes α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I (col1a1), Collagen IV (col4a2), and fibrosis-related proteins α-SMA and col1a1 in liver tissue. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen molecular targets and pathways, ATL III was found to affect the PI3K/AKT singling pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT, thereby ameliorating BDL-induced liver fibrosis. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to evaluate the effect of ATL III on liver metabolites in BDL mice. ATL III further affected glutamine metabolism by down-regulating the activity of glutamine (GLS1) and glutamine metabolism. ATL III further affected glutamine metabolism by down-regulating the activity of glutaminase (GLS1), as well as glutamine metabolism. Therefore, we conclude that ATL III attenuates liver fibrosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway and glutamine metabolism, suggesting that ATL III is a potential drug candidate for treating liver fibrosis.

Targeting glutamine metabolism in hepatic stellate cells alleviates liver fibrosis

Glutamine metabolism plays an essential role in cell growth, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is a key enzyme. GDH promotes the metabolism of glutamate and glutamine to generate ATP, which is profoundly increased in multiple human cancers. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we verified that the small-molecule GDH inhibitor EGCG slowed the progression of fibrosis by inhibiting GDH enzyme activity and glutamine metabolism. SIRT4 is a mitochondrial enzyme with NAD that promotes ADP ribosylation and downregulates GDH activity. The role of SIRT4 in liver fibrosis and the related mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we measured the expression of SIRT4 and found that it was downregulated in liver fibrosis. Modest overexpression of SIRT4 protected the liver from fibrosis by inhibiting the transformation of glutamate to 2-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), thereby reducing the proliferative activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Collectively, our study reveals that SIRT4 controls GDH enzyme activity and expression, targeting glutamine metabolism in HSCs and alleviating liver fibrosis.

Mechanisms of ductular reaction in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease spectrum caused in part by insulin resistance and genetic predisposition. This disease is primarily characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in the absence of alcohol abuse and other causes of liver damage. Histologically, NAFLD is divided into several periods: simple steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and hyperlipidemia, NAFLD has become the main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. As a result, the pathogenesis of this disease is drawing increasing attention. Ductular reaction (DR) is a reactive bile duct hyperplasia caused by liver injury that involves hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and hepatic progenitor cells. Recently, DR is shown to play a pivotal role in simple steatosis progression to NASH or liver fibrosis, providing new research and treatment options. This study reviews several DR signaling pathways, including Notch, Hippo/YAP-TAZ, Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, HGF/c-Met, and TWEAK/Fn14, and their role in the occurrence and development of NASH.

TWEAKing the Hippocampus: The Effects of TWEAK on the Genomic Fabric of the Hippocampus in a Neuropsychiatric Lupus Mouse Model

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), specifically cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders, are widely prevalent in SLE patients, and yet poorly understood. TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE), and we have recently shown its effects on the transcriptome of the cortex of the lupus-prone mice model MRL/lpr. As the hippocampus is thought to be an important focus of NPSLE processes, we explored the TWEAK-induced transcriptional changes that occur in the hippocampus, and isolated several genes (Dnajc28, Syne2, transthyretin) and pathways (PI3K-AKT, as well as chemokine-signaling and neurotransmission pathways) that are most differentially affected by TWEAK activation. While the functional roles of these genes and pathways within NPSLE need to be further investigated, an interesting link between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration appears to emerge, which may prove to be a promising novel direction in NPSLE research.

Inhibition of COX-2 Impairs Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis through Reduced Stromal Cell Reaction

Liver colonization is initiated through the interplay between tumor cells and adhesion molecules present in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). This crosstalk stimulates tumor COX-2 upregulation and PGE₂ secretion. To elucidate the role of the LSEC intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the prometastatic response exerted by tumor and stromal COX-2, we utilized celecoxib (CLX) as a COX-2 inhibitory agent. We analyzed the in vitro proliferative and secretory responses of murine C26 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), cultured alone or with LSECs, and their effect on LSEC and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) migration and in vivo liver metastasis. CLX reduced sICAM-1-stimulated COX-2 activation and PGE₂ secretion in C26 cells cultured alone or cocultured with LSECs. Moreover, CLX abrogated sICAM-1-induced C26 cell proliferation and C26 secretion of promigratory factors for LSECs and HSCs. Interestingly, CLX reduced the protumoral response of HSC, reducing their migratory potential when stimulated with C26 secretomes and impairing their secretion of chemotactic factors for LSECs and C26 cells and proliferative factors for C26 cells. In vivo, CLX abrogated the prometastatic ability of sICAM-1-activated C26 cells while reducing liver metastasis. COX-2 inhibition blocked the creation of a favorable tumor microenvironment (TME) by hindering the intratumoral recruitment of activated HSCs and macrophages in addition to the accumulation of fibrillar collagen. These results point to COX-2 being a key modulator of processes initiated by host ICAM-1 during tumor cell/LSEC/HSC crosstalk, leading to the creation of a prometastatic TME in the liver.

Remodeling of Neurotransmission, Chemokine, and PI3K-AKT Signaling Genomic Fabrics in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Cognitive dysfunction and mood changes are prevalent and especially taxing issues for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its cognate receptor Fn14 have been shown to play an important role in neurocognitive dysfunction in murine lupus. We profiled and compared gene expression in the cortices of MRL/+, MRL/lpr (that manifest lupus-like phenotype) and MRL/lpr-Fn14 knockout (Fn14ko) adult female mice to determine the transcriptomic impact of TWEAK/Fn14 on cortical gene expression in lupus. We found that the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway strongly affects the expression level, variability and coordination of the genomic fabrics responsible for neurotransmission and chemokine signaling. Dysregulation of the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway in the MRL/lpr lupus strain compared with the MRL/+ control and Fn14ko mice was particularly prominent and, therefore, promising as a potential therapeutic target, although the complexity of the transcriptomic fabric highlights important considerations in in vivo experimental models.

Comprehensive analysis of LDHAP5 pseudogene expression and potential pathogenesis in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma

Background

We aimed to identify differentially expressed pseudogenes and explore their potential functions in four types of common gynecological malignancies (e.g., cervical squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, and uterine carcinosarcoma) using bioinformatics technology.

Materials and methods

We identified up-regulated and down-regulated pseudogenes and built a pseudogene-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network through public datasets to explore their potential functions in carcinogenesis and cancer prognosis.

Results

Among the 63 up-regulated pseudogenes identified, LDHAP5 demonstrated the greatest potential as a candidate pseudogene due to its significant association with poor overall survival in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that LDHAP5 showed significant enrichment in MicroRNAs in cancer, Pathway in cancer and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Further analysis revealed that EGFR was the potential target mRNA of LDHAP5, which may play an important role in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

LDHAP5 was associated with the occurrence and prognosis of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, and thus shows potential as a novel therapeutic target against such cancer.