Cathepsin B maturation plays a critical role in leptin-induced hepatic cancer cell growth through activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes

Leptin impairs the therapeutic efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells by inducing apoptosis through NLRP3 inflammasomes activation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been widely applied for regenerative medicine and the treatment of immune-disorders due to their multilineage differentiation and potent immunomodulatory properties. The therapeutic application of MSC post transplantation are influenced by various endogenous modulators. Leptin, a hormone primarily derived from adipose tissue, exerts a variety of physiological functions, in addition to the metabolic effects. In this study, we examined the effects of leptin on the viability of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms with a particular focus on NLRP3 inflammasomes, which serve as signaling platform of the innate immune system. Leptin significantly decreased the viability of ADSC and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, NLRP3 inflammasomes signaling critically contributes to leptin-induced apoptosis of ADSC by upregulating p53 and Puma. In addition, NLRP3 inflammasomes activation by leptin is mediated via ER stress induction and ROS accumulation. Finally, suppression of ADSC therapeutic efficacy by leptin and the critical role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in this phenomenon were confirmed in DSS-induced colitis model. Pre-conditioning with leptin before transplantation impaired the therapeutic efficacy and immunomodulatory function of ADSC, which were restored by treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Taken together, the results suggest that leptin induces apoptotic cell death in ADSC and impairs the therapeutic effectiveness of ADSC by activating NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Cinnamaldehyde as a Potential Cathepsin-B Inhibitor: A Comparative Investigation with some Commercial Anticancer Drugs

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by heart disease. Despite improved diagnosis and treatment, cancer cells still evade normal physiological processes such as apoptosis, metabolism, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and epigenetics. To mitigate the numerous side effects linked to chemotherapy, leveraging natural products emerged as a promising alternative, either alone or in tandem with traditional agents. Cinnamaldehyde, an active ingredient of Cinnamomum cassia's stem bark has emerged as a molecule of research with diverse pharmacological properties. In the present study, we report an in silico potential of cinnamaldehyde (CM) potential as an anticancer agent across thirteen anti-cancer targets in comparison with chlorambucil (CB), docetaxel (DOC), melphalan (MP). Computational tools such as DFT, CHEM3D, molinspiration, vNNADMET, SWISS ADME, admetSAR, galaxyrefine, iGEMDOCK, and DS-Visualizer were employed. Additionally, anti-cathepsin B activity was assessed for cinnamaldehyde and the commercial drugs CB, DOC, MP and the results showed 52.76, 62.41, 72.48 and 65.52 % inhibition respectively which is comparable. The results supported molecular docking using iGEMDOCK. Both in silico and experimental findings substantiate cinnamaldehyde as a promising drug for cancer treatment including metastasis and invasion where cathepsin B involvement is indicated.

The causal relationship between cathepsins and digestive system tumors: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Multiple studies have confirmed the significant role of cathepsins in the development and progression of digestive system tumors. However, further investigation is needed to determine the causal relationships.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study using pooled data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to assess the causal associations between nine cathepsins (cathepsin B, E, F, G, H, L2, O, S, and Z) and six types of digestive system tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic cancer (PCa), biliary tract cancer (BTC), colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric carcinoma (GC), and esophageal cancer (EC). We employed the following methods including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median (WM), Cochran's Q, MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger intercept test and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. The STROBE-MR checklist for the reporting of MR studies was used in this study.

Results

The risk of HCC increased with high levels of cathepsin G (IVW: p = 0.029, odds ratio (OR) = 1.369, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.033-1.814). Similarly, BTC was associated with elevated cathepsin B levels (IVW: p = 0.025, OR = 1.693, 95% CI = 1.070-2.681). Conversely, a reduction in PCa risk was associated with increased cathepsin H levels (IVW: p = 0.027, OR = 0.896, 95% CI = 0.812-0.988). Lastly, high levels of cathepsin L2 were found to lower the risk of CRC (IVW: p = 0.034, OR = 0.814, 95% CI = 0.674-0.985).

Conclusion

Our findings confirm the causal relationship between cathepsins and digestive system tumors, which can offer valuable insights for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive system tumors.

Clinical Significance of Plasma Leptin and Its Receptors mRNA Expression in Craniopharyngiomas: A Prospective Study

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a benign tumor with a high rate of obesity and frequent recurrence. Moreover, the role of leptin/leptin receptors axis in obesity and the prognosis of CP is still unknown. Plasma leptin concentration and mRNA expression of leptin receptors were assessed in patients with CP. Moreover, the association between leptin/leptin receptors axis, weight-related outcomes, and progression-free survival (PFS) were explored in CP patients. Leptin receptors overexpressed in CP tumor tissue were compared to normal brain tissue (p < 0.05); compared to healthy controls, the concentration of leptin was elevated in CP with or without matched age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05). The high plasma leptin level was an independent risk predictor for significant weight gain (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.29, and p = 0.030) and new-onset obesity (aOR = 6.64, and p = 0.016). High plasma leptin level (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 3.74, and p = 0.011) and leptin receptor (LEPR) mRNA expression (aHR = 3.12, and p = 0.045) were independent risk factors for poor PFS in CP. Inappropriately elevated leptin relative to BMI and its failure to inhibit further weight gain indicate the existence of leptin resistance in patients with CP. Leptin and LEPR were independent predictors for PFS of patients with CP. The leptin/leptin receptors axis may be a potential therapeutic target for obesity in patients with CP.