Immunoregulation mechanism of VEGF signaling pathway inhibitors and its efficacy on the kidney

Berberine inhibits prostate cancer progression by inducing ferroptosis: evidence from network pharmacology

The uncertain ferroptosis-related role of berberine in prostate cancer was explored using network pharmacology methodology. Integration of ferroptosis targets in prostate cancer from the Genecard database and berberine targets from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and SwissTargetPrediction databases revealed 17 common targets. Among these, 10 hub genes, including CCNB1 , CDK1 , AURKA , AR , CDC42 , ICAM1 , TYMS , NTRK1 , PTGS 2, and SCD , were identified. Enrichment analyses yielded 799 Gene Ontology terms and 23 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways associated with berberine-related targets. Molecular docking simulations indicated berberine's binding capacity to all hub genes. In-vitro studies on LNCaP and PC3 cells demonstrated berberine's inhibition of cell proliferation and significant downregulation of TYMS , CCNB1 , AURKA , CDK1 , and SCD in both cell lines. Berberine exhibited cell line-specific effects by reducing AR expression in LNCaP cells and suppressing ICAM1 in PC3 cells. Overall, berberine shows promise in inhibiting prostate cancer progression through modulation of ferroptosis-related genes, including TYMS , AR , CCNB1 , AURKA , CDK1 , ICAM1 , NTRK1 , SCD , and CDC42 .

Ang-1 and VEGF: central regulators of angiogenesis

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) are central regulators of angiogenesis and are often inactivated in various cardiovascular diseases. VEGF forms complexes with ETS transcription factor family and exerts its action by downregulating multiple genes. Among the target genes of the VEGF-ETS complex, there are a significant number encoding key angiogenic regulators. Phosphorylation of the VEGF-ETS complex releases transcriptional repression on these angiogenic regulators, thereby promoting their expression. Ang-1 interacts with TEK, and this phosphorylation release can be modulated by the Ang-1-TEK signaling pathway. The Ang-1-TEK pathway participates in the transcriptional activation of VEGF genes. In summary, these elements constitute the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway. Additionally, Ang-1 is activated under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions, leading to an upregulation in the expression of TEK. Elevated TEK levels result in the formation of the VEGF-ETS complex, which, in turn, downregulates the expression of numerous angiogenic genes. Hence, the Ang-1-dependent transcriptional repression is indirect. Reduced expression of many target genes can lead to aberrant angiogenesis. A significant overlap exists between the target genes regulated by Ang-1-TEK-VEGF and those under the control of the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, this can be explained by the replacement of the VEGF-ETS complex with the TSP-1 transcriptional repression complex at the ETS sites on target gene promoters. Furthermore, VEGF possesses non-classical functions unrelated to ETS and DNA binding. Its supportive role in TSP-1 formation may be exerted through the VEGF-CRL5-VHL-HIF-1α-VH032-TGF-β-TSP-1 axis. This review assesses the regulatory mechanisms of the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway and explores its significant overlap with the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway.

Decreased expression of hsa-miR-142-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p in common variable immunodeficiency and involvement of their target genes and biological pathways

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic and heterogeneous type of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). However, the pathogenesis process of this disease is often unknown. Epigenetic modifications may be involved in unresolved patients. MiR-142 and miR-155 were identified as immune system modulators and dysregulated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We assessed hsa-miR-142-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p expression in a selected cohort of unresolved CVID cases and identified experimentally validated targets of these miRNAs. We constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network from the common targets of two miRNAs and determined the hub genes. The hub genes' expression was investigated in GEO datasets. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis were done for target genes. Hsa-miR-142-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p expression were significantly reduced in CVID patients. Evaluation of the PPI network demonstrated some hub genes in which pathogenic mutations have been reported in IEI, and other hub genes directly contribute to immune responses and the pathophysiology of IEI. Expression analysis of hub genes showed that they were significantly dysregulated in validating the CVID cohort. The pathway enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of the FOXO-mediated signaling pathway, TGFβ receptor complex, and VEGFR2-mediated vascular permeability. Considering the dysregulation of hsa-miR-142-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p in CVID and the known role of their target genes in the immune system, their involvement in the pathogenesis of CVID can be suggested.

Peficitinib halts acute kidney injury via JAK/STAT3 and growth factors immunomodulation

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden loss of kidney function and its management continues to be a challenge. In this study the effect of peficitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi), was studied in an aim to stop the progression of AKI at an early point of injury. Adult male mice were injected with aristolochic acid (AA) a single dose (10 mg/kg, i.p) to induce AKI. Peficitinib was injected in one of the two tested doses (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p) 1 h after AA injection and was continued daily for seven days. Histopathological evaluation showed that peficitinib alleviated necrosis and hyaline cast formation induced by aristolochic acid. It decreased serum creatinine and the kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) elevated by AA. Peficitinib also mitigated AA induced oxidative stress through regulating total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in renal tissue. Additionally, renal sections isolated from groups that received peficitinib revealed a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 interstitial expression and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) renal level. Peficitinib received groups showed a decrease in the active phosphorylated form of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3). Moreover, peficitinib decreased renal protein levels and gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines; interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). These findings suggest that peficitinib is helpful in halting AKI progression into chronic kidney disease through modulating JAK/STAT3 dependent inflammatory pathways and growth factors involved in normal glomerular function.

Proangiogenic potential of plasma exosomes from prostate cancer patients

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in the progression and metastasis of solid cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa). While small extracellular vesicles derived from PCa cell lines induce a proangiogenic phenotype in vascular endothelial cells, the contribution of plasma exosomes from patients with PCa to this process remains unclear. Here, we successfully extracted and characterized plasma exosomes. Notably, a ring of PKH67-labeled exosomes was observed around the HUVEC nucleus using fluorescence microscopy, indicating the uptake of exosomes by HUVEC. At the cellular level, PCa plasma exosomes enhanced angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and migration of HUVEC cells. Moreover, PCa plasma exosomes promoted angiogenesis and aortic sprouting. MicroRNAs are the most common genetic material in exosomes, and to identify miRNAs associated with the angiogenic response, we performed small RNA sequencing followed by RT-qPCR and bioinformatics analysis. These analyses revealed distinct miRNA profiles in plasma exosomes from patients with PCa compared to healthy individuals. Notably, hsa-miR-184 emerged as a potential regulator implicated in the proangiogenic effects of PCa plasma exosomes.

Network pharmacology study on fermented soybeans for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease in older individuals

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the disruption of synaptic communication among millions of neurons. Recent research has highlighted the potential therapeutic effectiveness of natural polyphenolic compounds in addressing AD. Soybeans are abundant in polyphenols, and their polyphenolic composition undergoes significant alteration through fermentation by Eurotium cristatum. Through comprehensive database searches, we identified active components within fermented soybean polyphenols and genes associated with AD. Subsequently, we utilized Venn diagrams to analyze the overlap between AD-related genes and these components. Furthermore, we visualized the network between intersecting targets and proteins using Cytoscape software. The anti-AD effects of soybeans were further explored through comprehensive analysis, including protein-protein interaction analysis, pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking studies. Our investigation unveiled 6-hydroxydaidzein as a major component of fermented soybean polyphenols, shedding light on its potential therapeutic significance in combating AD. The intersection between target proteins of fermented soybeans and disease-related targets in AD comprised 34 genes. Protein-protein interaction analysis highlighted key potential targets, including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B), amyloid precursor protein (APP), cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), and beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). Molecular docking results demonstrated a robust binding effect between major components from fermented soybeans and the aforesaid key targets implicated in AD treatment. These findings suggest that fermented soybeans demonstrate a degree of efficacy and present promising prospects in the prevention of AD.

Gold nanostructure-enhanced immunosensing: ultra-sensitive detection of VEGF tumor marker for early disease diagnosis

We present an advanced electrochemical immunosensor designed to detect the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) precisely. The sensor is constructed on a modified porous gold electrode through a fabrication process involving the deposition of silver and gold on an FTO substrate. Employing thermal annealing and a de-alloying process, the silver is eliminated from the electrode, producing a reproducible porous gold substrate. Utilizing a well-defined protocol, we immobilize the heavy-chain (VHH) antibody against VEGF on the gold substrate, facilitating VEGF detection through various electrochemical methods. Remarkably, this immunosensor performs well, featuring an impressive detection limit of 0.05 pg/mL and an extensive linear range from 0.1 pg/mL to 0.1 µg/mL. This emphasizes it's to measure biomarkers across a wide concentration spectrum precisely. The robust fabrication methodology in this research underscores its potential for widespread application, offering enhanced precision, reproducibility, and remarkable detection capabilities for the developed immunosensor.

Recent development of VEGFR small molecule inhibitors as anticancer agents: A patent review (2021-2023)

VEGFR, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is an important regulatory factor that promotes angiogenesis and vascular permeability. It plays a significant role in processes such as tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. VEGFR is mainly composed of three subtypes: VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3. Among them, VEGFR-2 is the crucial signaling receptor for VEGF, which is involved in various pathological and physiological functions. At present, VEGFR-2 is closely related to a variety of cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Hepatocellular carcinoma, Renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, glioma, etc. Consequently, VEGFR-2 serves as a crucial target for various cancer treatments. An increasing number of VEGFR inhibitors have been discovered to treat cancer, and they have achieved tremendous success in the clinic. Nevertheless, VEGFR inhibitors often exhibit severe cytotoxicity, resistance, and limitations in indications, which weaken the clinical therapeutic effect. In recent years, many small molecule inhibitors targeting VEGFR have been identified with anti-drug resistance, lower cytotoxicity, and better affinity. Here, we provide an overview of the structure and physiological functions of VEGFR, as well as some VEGFR inhibitors currently in clinical use. Also, we summarize the in vivo and in vitro activities, selectivity, structure-activity relationship, and therapeutic or preventive use of VEGFR small molecule inhibitors reported in patents in the past three years (2021-2023), thereby presenting the prospects and insights for the future development of targeted VEGFR inhibitors.

Regulation of VEGF-A expression and VEGF-A-targeted therapy in malignant tumors

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a highly conserved dimeric glycoprotein, is a key regulatory gene and a marker molecule of angiogenesis. The upregulation of VEGF-A facilitates the process of tumor vascularization, thereby fostering the initiation and progression of malignant neoplasms. Many genes can adjust the angiogenesis of tumors by changing the expression of VEGF-A. In addition, VEGF-A also exhibits immune regulatory properties, which directly or indirectly suppresses the antitumor activity of immune cells. The emergence of VEGF-A-targeted therapy alone or in rational combinations has revolutionized the treatment of various cancers. This review discusses how diverse mechanisms in various tumors regulate VEGF-A expression to promote tumor angiogenesis and the role of VEGF-A in tumor immune microenvironment. The application of drugs targeting VEGF-A in tumor therapy is also summarized including antibody molecule drugs and traditional Chinese medicine.

Administration of Bevacizumab and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease Development in Taiwan Residents: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role as a pro-angiogenic and pro-permeability factor within the kidney. Bevacizumab is a pharmaceutical monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody that inhibits the growth of new blood vessels, which blocks blood supply and thereby restricts tumor growth. Thus, we conducted a nationwide study to explore the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) development in Taiwan residents after bevacizumab therapy. We drew data from the extensive National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), which encompasses data from >99% of Taiwan's population from 1995 onwards. Individuals who received bevacizumab between 2012-2018 were identified as the bevacizumab cohort, with the index date set at the first usage. We randomly selected dates within the study period for the control group to serve as index dates. We excluded patients with a history of CKD prior to the index date or those <20 years old. In both cohorts, patients' propensity scores matched in a 1:1 ratio based on sex, age, index year, income, urbanization level, comorbidities, and medications. We found patients treated with bevacizumab had a significantly higher risk of contracting CKD than patients without bevacizumab (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.35, 95% confidence interval = 1.35-1.73). The risk of CKD was 1.35-fold higher in participants with bevacizumab treatment than those in the control group. These findings suggest that close monitoring of CKD development after bevacizumab administration is needed.