Resistin: An inflammatory cytokine with multi-faceted roles in cancer

Resistin predicts disease severity and survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND

Abnormal remodeling of distal pulmonary arteries in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to progressively increased pulmonary vascular resistance, followed by right ventricular hypertrophy and failure. Despite considerable advancements in PAH treatment prognosis remains poor. We aim to evaluate the potential for using the cytokine resistin as a genetic and biological marker for disease severity and survival in a large cohort of patients with PAH.

METHODS

Biospecimens, clinical, and genetic data for 1121 adults with PAH, including 808 with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and 313 with scleroderma-associated PAH (SSc-PAH), were obtained from a national repository. Serum resistin levels were measured by ELISA, and associations between resistin levels, clinical variables, and single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes were examined with multivariable regression models. Machine-learning (ML) algorithms were applied to develop and compare risk models for mortality prediction.

RESULTS

Resistin levels were significantly higher in all PAH samples and PAH subtype (IPAH and SSc-PAH) samples than in controls (P < .0001) and had significant discriminative abilities (AUCs of 0.84, 0.82, and 0.91, respectively; P < .001). High resistin levels (above 4.54 ng/mL) in PAH patients were associated with older age (P = .001), shorter 6-min walk distance (P = .001), and reduced cardiac performance (cardiac index, P = .016). Interestingly, mutant carriers of either rs3219175 or rs3745367 had higher resistin levels (adjusted P = .0001). High resistin levels in PAH patients were also associated with increased risk of death (hazard ratio: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.27-5.33; P < .0087). Comparisons of ML-derived survival models confirmed satisfactory prognostic value of the random forest model (AUC = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.62-0.79) for PAH.

CONCLUSIONS

This work establishes the importance of resistin in the pathobiology of human PAH. In line with its function in rodent models, serum resistin represents a novel biomarker for PAH prognostication and may indicate a new therapeutic avenue. ML-derived survival models highlighted the importance of including resistin levels to improve performance. Future studies are needed to develop multi-marker assays that improve noninvasive risk stratification.

Novel T cell exhaustion gene signature to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in thyroid carcinoma from integrated RNA-sequencing analysis

Exhausted CD8+ T lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages play critical roles in determining cancer prognosis and the efficacy of immunotherapy. Our study revealed a negative correlation between exhausted CD8+ T lymphocytes and prognosis in thyroid carcinoma (THCA). Consensus clustering divided patients into two subgroups of exhaustion with different prognoses, as defined by marker genes of exhausted CD8+ T cells. Subsequently, we constructed an eight-gene prognostic signature, and developed a risk score named the exhaustion-related gene score (ERGS) to forecast both prognosis and immunotherapy response in THCA. Bulk RNA sequencing analysis revealed a higher prevalence of M2 macrophages, indicative of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), in the high-ERGS group. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that SPP1+ macrophages and CD14+ monocytes infiltrations were positively associated with higher ERGS. Functionally, it was determined that SPP1+ macrophages exert an immunosuppressive role, while CD14+ monocytes were implicated in promoting tumor progression and angiogenesis. Analysis of cell-cell interactions between SPP1+ macrophages and T cells highlighted the activation of the SPP1-CD44 and MIF-CD74 axes, both of which could foster an immunosuppressive TME. Therapeutic strategies that target SPP1+ macrophages, CD14+ monocytes, and the SPP1-CD44 and MIF-CD74 axes may potentially improve the prognosis and amplify the immunotherapy response in THCA patients.

Bone marrow adipocytes and lung cancer bone metastasis: unraveling the role of adipokines in the tumor microenvironment

Bone is a common site of metastasis for lung cancer. The "seed and soil" hypothesis suggests that the bone marrow microenvironment ("soil") may provide a conducive survival environment for metastasizing tumor cells ("seeds"). The bone marrow microenvironment, comprising a complex array of cells, includes bone marrow adipocytes (BMAs), which constitute about 70% of the adult bone marrow volume and may play a significant role in tumor bone metastasis. BMAs can directly provide energy for tumor cells, promoting their proliferation and migration. Furthermore, BMAs participate in the tumor microenvironment's osteogenesis regulation, osteoclast(OC) regulation, and immune response through the secretion of adipokines, cytokines, and inflammatory factors. However, the precise mechanisms of BMAs in lung cancer bone metastasis remain largely unclear. This review primarily explores the role of BMAs and their secreted adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, Nesfatin-1, Resistin, chemerin, visfatin) in lung cancer bone metastasis, aiming to provide new insights into the mechanisms and clinical treatment of lung cancer bone metastasis.

Diabetes Mellitus and Thyroid Cancers: Risky Correlation, Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Prevention

The incidences of thyroid cancer and diabetes are rapidly increasing worldwide. The relationship between thyroid cancer and diabetes is a popular topic in medicine. Increasing evidence has shown that diabetes increases the risk of thyroid cancer to a certain extent. This mechanism may be related to genetic factors, abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion, oxidative stress injury, hyperinsulinemia, elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, abnormal secretion of adipocytokines, and increased secretion of inflammatory factors and chemokines. This article reviews the latest research progress on the relationship between thyroid cancer and diabetes, including the association between diabetes and the risk of developing thyroid cancer, its underlying mechanisms, and potential anti-thyroid cancer effects of hypoglycemic drugs. It providing novel strategies for the prevention, treatment, and improving the prognosis of thyroid cancer.

Beyond the barrier: the immune-inspired pathways of tumor extravasation

Extravasation is a fundamental step in the metastatic journey, where cancer cells exit the bloodstream and breach the endothelial cell barrier to infiltrate target tissues. The tactics cancer cells employ are sophisticated, closely reflecting those used by the immune system for tissue surveillance. Remarkably, tumor cells have been observed to form distinct associations or clusters with immune cells where neutrophils stand out as particularly crucial partners. These interactions are not accidental; they are critical for cancer cells to exploit the immune functions of neutrophils and successfully extravasate. In another strategy, tumor cells mimic the behavior and characteristics of immune cells. They release a suite of inflammatory mediators, which under normal circumstances, guide the processes of endothelium reshaping and facilitate the entry and movement of immune cells within tissues. In this review, we offer a new perspective on the tactics employed by cancer cells to extravasate and infiltrate target tissues. We delve into the myriad mechanisms that tumor cells borrow, adapt, and refine from the immune playbook. Video Abstract.

Resistin - A Plausible Therapeutic Target in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis

Resistin, a cytokine hormone predominantly secreted by adipose tissue, is elevated in various metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to its involvement in metabolic regulation, resistin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Numerous studies have reported increased resistin levels in psoriatic skin lesions, suggesting a possible association between resistin and psoriasis. Recent studies have suggested the potential involvement of resistin in the development and progression of certain cancers. Resistin is overexpressed in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancers. This suggests that it may play a role in the development of these cancers, possibly by inducing inflammation and cell growth. The link between resistin and cancer raises the possibility of shared underlying mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Chronic inflammation, one such mechanism, is a hallmark of psoriasis and cancer. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between resistin and psoriasis. Identifying potential therapeutic targets is crucial for effective management of psoriasis. By doing so, we may be able to develop more effective treatment options for individuals living with psoriasis and ultimately improve their quality of life. Ultimately, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the impact of resistin on psoriasis is essential for advancing our knowledge and finding new ways to treat and manage this challenging condition.

Single-cell analysis reveals diversity of tumor-associated macrophages and their interactions with T lymphocytes in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary CNS malignancy and clinical outcomes have remained stagnant despite introduction of new treatments. Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) interact with T cells has been of great interest. Although previous studies examining TAMs in GBM have shown that certain TAMs are associated with specific clinical and/or pathologic features, these studies used an outdated M1/M2 paradigm of macrophage polarization and failed to include the continuum of TAM states in GBM. Perhaps most significantly, the interactions of TAMs with T cells have yet to be fully explored. Our study uses single-cell RNA sequencing data from adult IDH-wildtype GBM, with the primary aim of deciphering the cellular interactions of the 7 TAM subtypes with T cells in the GBM TME. Furthermore, the interactions discovered herein are compared to IDH-mutant astrocytoma, allowing for focus on the cellular ecosystem unique to GBM. The resulting ligand-receptor interactions, signaling sources, and global communication patterns discovered provide a framework for future studies to explore methods of leveraging the immune system for treating GBM.

Proteomic Insights into Metastatic Breast Cancer Response to Brain Cell-Secreted Factors

The most devastating feature of cancer cells is their ability to metastasize to distant sites in the body. HER2+ and triple negative breast cancers frequently metastasize to the brain and stay potentially dormant for years, clinging to the microvasculature, until favorable environmental conditions support their proliferation. The sheltered and delicate nature of the brain prevents, however, early disease detection, diagnosis, and effective delivery of therapeutic drugs. Moreover, the challenges associated with the acquisition of brain tissues and biopsies add compounding difficulties to exploring the mechanistic aspects of tumor development, leading to slow progress in understanding the drivers of disease progression and response to therapy. To provide insights into the determinants of cancer cell behavior at the brain metastatic site, this study was aimed at exploring the growth and initial response of HER2+ breast cancer cells (SKBR3) to factors present in the brain perivascular niche. The neural microenvironment conditions were simulated by using the secretome of a set of brain cells that come first in contact with the cancer cells upon crossing the blood brain barrier, i.e., human endothelial cells (HBEC5i), human astrocytes (NHA) and human microglia (HMC3) cells. Cytokine microarrays were used to investigate the cell secretomes and explore the mediators responsible for cell-cell communication, and proteomic technologies for assessing the changes in the behavior of cancer cells upon exposure to the brain cell-secreted factors. The results of the study suggest that the exposure of SKBR3 cells to the brain secretomes altered their growth potential and drove them towards a state of quiescence. The cytokines, growth factors and enzymes detected in the brain cell-conditioned medium were supportive of mostly inflammatory conditions, indicating a collective functional contribution to cell activation, defense, inflammatory responses, chemotaxis, adhesion, angiogenesis, and ECM organization. The SKBR3 cells, on the other hand, secreted numerous cancer-promoting growth factors that were either absent or present in lower abundance in the brain cell culture media, suggesting that upon exposure the SKBR3 cells were deprived of favorable environmental conditions required for optimal growth. The findings of this study underscore the key role played by the neural niche in shaping the behavior of metastasized cancer cells, providing insights into the cancer-host cell cross-talk that contributes to driving metastasized cancer cells into dormancy and into the opportunities that exist for developing novel therapeutic strategies that target the brain metastases of breast cancer.

Imaging-based adipose biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes of cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review

Background

Since the application of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), the clinical outcome for metastatic cancer has been greatly improved. Nevertheless, treatment response varies in patients, making it urgent to identify patients who will receive clinical benefits after ICI therapy. Adipose body composition has proved to be associated with tumor response. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarize the current evidence on imaging adipose biomarkers that predict clinical outcomes in patients treated with ICI in various cancer types.

Methods

Embase and PubMed were searched from database inception to 1st February 2023. Articles included investigated the association between imaging-based adipose biomarkers and the clinical outcomes of patients treated with ICI. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated through Newcastle- Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and Radiomics Quality Score tools.

Results

Totally, 22 studies including 2256 patients were selected. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had the most articles (6 studies), followed by melanoma (5 studies), renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (3 studies), urothelial carcinoma (UC) (2 studies), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (1 study), gastric cancer (1 study) and liver cancer (1 study). The remaining 3 studies investigated metastatic solid tumors including various types of cancers. Adipose biomarkers can be summarized into 5 categories, including total fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, intramuscular fat and others, which exerted diverse correlations with patients' prognosis after being treated with ICI in different cancers. Most biomarkers of body fat were positively associated with survival benefits. Nevertheless, more total fat was predictable of worse outcomes in NSCLC, while inter-muscular fat was associated with poor clinical benefits in UC.

Conclusion

There is relatively well-supported evidence for imaging-based adipose biomarkers to predict the clinical outcome of ICI. In general, most of the studies show that adipose tissue is positively correlated with clinical outcomes. This review summarizes the significant biomarkers proven by researches for each cancer type. Further validation and large independent prospective cohorts are needed in the future. The protocol of this systematic review has been registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, registration no: CRD42023401986).

Relationship of circulating resistin levels with muscle mass determined by bioelectrical impedance in females with obesity

INTRODUCTION

Serum resistin levels have been associated with obesity, visceral fat, and insulin resistance. Its relationship with muscle mass has been less evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

to evaluate the relationship between muscle mass determined by electrical bioimpedance and circulating resistin levels in obese women over 60 years of age.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 313 obese women. Anthropometric data (weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference), BIA parameters (total fat mass (TFM), fat-free mass (FFM), fat-free mass index (FFMI)), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI)), blood pressure and laboratory tests were recorded.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into two different groups according to the mean value of SMI (11.93 kg/m2): low SMI versus high SMI. In the low SMI group, the resistin levels were higher than the resistin levels in the high SMI group (delta value: 2.8 + 0.3 ng/dl:p = 0.01). Serum resistin levels are inversely correlated with FFM, FFMI, SMM, and SMI. This adipokine shows a positive correlation with insulin, HOMA-IR and PCR levels. In the model with SMI as the dependent variable, resistin levels explained 12% of the variability in muscle mass (Beta -0.38, 95% CI -0.91 to -0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum resistin levels are associated with low skeletal muscle mass in obese women over 60 years of age.

Serum resistin and the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetic patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant type of liver cancer, is a major contributor to cancer-related fatalities across the globe. Diabetes has been identified as a significant risk factor for HCC, with recent research indicating that the hormone resistin could be involved in the onset and advancement of HCC in diabetic individuals. Resistin is a hormone that is known to be involved in inflammation and insulin resistance. Patients with HCC have been observed to exhibit increased resistin levels, which could be correlated with more severe disease stages and unfavourable prognoses. Nevertheless, the exact processes through which resistin influences the development and progression of HCC in diabetic patients remain unclear. This article aims to examine the existing literature on the possible use of resistin levels as a biomarker for HCC development and monitoring. Furthermore, it reviews the possible pathways of HCC initiation due to elevated resistin and offers new perspectives on comprehending the fundamental mechanisms of HCC in diabetic patients. Gaining a better understanding of these processes may yield valuable insights into HCC’s development and progression, as well as identify possible avenues for prevention and therapy.

The Role of Selected Adipocytokines in Ovarian Cancer and Endometrial Cancer

Due to their multidirectional influence, adipocytokines are currently the subject of numerous intensive studies. Significant impact applies to many processes, both physiological and pathological. Moreover, the role of adipocytokines in carcinogenesis seems particularly interesting and not fully understood. For this reason, ongoing research focuses on the role of these compounds in the network of interactions in the tumor microenvironment. Particular attention should be drawn to cancers that remain challenging for modern gynecological oncology-ovarian and endometrial cancer. This paper presents the role of selected adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, apelin, chemerin, omentin and vaspin in cancer, with a particular focus on ovarian and endometrial cancer, and their potential clinical relevance.

Resistin Promotes Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Metastasis through TLR4-Mediated Activation of p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

NPC is a type of malignant tumor with a high risk of local invasion and early distant metastasis. Resistin is an inflammatory cytokine that is predominantly produced from the immunocytes in humans. Accumulating evidence has suggested a clinical association of circulating resistin with the risk of tumorigenesis and a relationship between blood resistin levels and the risk of cancer metastasis. In this study, we explored the blood levels and the role of resistin in NPC. High resistin levels in NPC patients were positively associated with lymph node metastasis, and resistin promoted the migration and invasion of NPC cells in vitro. These findings were also replicated in a mouse model of NPC tumor metastasis. We identified TLR4 as a functional receptor in mediating the pro-migratory effects of resistin in NPC cells. Furthermore, p38 MAPK and NF-κB were intracellular effectors that mediated resistin-induced EMT. Taken together, our results suggest that resistin promotes NPC metastasis by activating the TLR4/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Construction and Validation of an Oxaliplatin-Resistant Gene Signature in Colorectal Cancer Patients Who Underwent Chemotherapy

Aberrant expression of genes contributes to the chemoresistance of colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. This study aimed to identify genes associated with the chemoresistance of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in CRC patients and to construct a signature. Oxaliplatin resistance-related genes were screened by analyzing the gene profiles of cell lines and tissue samples that underwent oxaliplatin-based treatment. Oxaliplatin resistance-related genes were used to establish a signature. The association of the signature had clinical significance, so the prognostic value of the signature was analyzed. Independent cohorts and CRC cell lines were used to validate the value of the gene signature and the oxaliplatin-resistant genes. There were 64 oxaliplatin resistance-related genes identified after overlapping the genes from the dataset of oxaliplatin-treated CRC cells and the dataset of patients treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. A gene signature based on five oxaliplatin resistance-related genes was established. This gene signature effectively predicted the prognosis of CRC patients who underwent chemotherapy. No significant associations were found between the gene mutations and survival of the patients; however, two genes were associated with microsatellite instability status. Two external independent cohorts and CRC cell line experiments validated the prognostic values of the signature and expression of the genes after oxaliplatin treatment. In conclusion, the oxaliplatin resistance-related gene signature involving five genes was a novel biomarker for the prediction of the chemotherapy response and prognosis of CRC patients who underwent oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Predictive significance of body composition indices in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab: A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The identification of predictive factors is imperative for identifying patients with optimal responses to nivolumab. We aimed to determine whether body composition parameters can predict treatment outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with nivolumab.

METHOD

We performed a multicenter retrospective chart review of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC treated with nivolumab between 2017 and 2020. Computed tomography images and anthropometric measures were used to determine the skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous adipose index, visceral adipose index (VAI), and body mass index. Objective response, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were the main outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) for low-index groups compared with high-index groups were calculated for these outcomes.

RESULTS

Our study comprised 114 patients with a median follow-up period of 23.1 months. Low SMI and low VAI were significantly associated with poor disease control [OR: 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.97] and poor response (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.94), respectively. Low SMI independently predicted poor OS (HR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.16-3.67), poor PFS (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.04-2.92), and increased incidence of irAEs (OR: 6.00, 95% CI: 1.04-34.61). Low VAI independently predicted poor PFS (HR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.15-3.73).

CONCLUSION

The SMI and VAI are predictive factors of nivolumab therapy in patients with HNSCC. Body composition indices should be assessed before nivolumab treatment for achieving optimal responses to nivolumab.

Resistin as a Systemic Inflammation-Related Biomarker for Sarcopenia in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background

Sarcopenia is common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is mainly caused by systemic inflammation. Resistin acts as a proinflammatory cytokine and is involved in the activation of multiple inflammatory signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between resistin levels and systemic inflammation and to assess the clinical value of circulating resistin for sarcopenia in patients with COPD.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 235 patients with COPD who were divided into development and validation sets. The definition of sarcopenia followed the guidelines from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Serum concentrations of resistin and TNF-α were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

In this study, higher serum resistin levels were significantly associated with lower skeletal muscle mass and muscular strength. The serum resistin levels in patients with sarcopenia were significantly higher than those in patients without sarcopenia. The serum resistin level had positive correlations with the serum TNF-α level (r = 0.250, p = 0.007). The predictive efficacy of the serum resistin level (AUC: 0.828) for sarcopenia was superior to that of the serum TNF-α level (AUC: 0.621). The cutoff point (7.138 ng/ml) for the serum resistin level was validated in the validation set (AUC: 0.818).

Conclusions

Serum resistin levels were associated with systemic inflammation and can be used accurately and easily to predict sarcopenia in patients with COPD.

The Role of Adipokines in Pancreatic Cancer

In modern society, inappropriate diets and other lifestyle habits have made obesity an increasingly prominent health problem. Pancreatic cancer (PC), a kind of highly aggressive malignant tumor, is known as a silent assassin and is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide, pushing modern medicine beyond help. Adipokines are coming into notice because of the role of the intermediate regulatory junctions between obesity and malignancy. This review summarizes the current evidence for the relationship between highly concerning adipokines and the pathogenesis of PC. Not only are classical adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin included, but they also cover the recognized chemerin and osteopontin. Through a summary of the biological functions of these adipokines as well as their receptors, it was discovered that in addition to their basic function of stimulating the biological activity of tumors, more studies confirm that adipokines intervene in the progression of PC from the viewpoint of tumor metabolism, immune escape, and reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Besides endocrine function, the impact of white adipose tissue (WAT)-induced chronic inflammation on PC is briefly discussed. Furthermore, the potential implication of the acknowledged endocrine behavior of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in relation to carcinogenesis is also explored. No matter the broad spectrum of obesity and the poor prognosis of PC, supplemental research is needed to unravel the detailed network of adipokines associated with PC. Exploiting profound therapeutic strategies that target adipokines and their receptors may go some way to improving the current worrying prognosis of PC patients.

Resistin Associated With Cytokines and Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecules Is Related to Worse Outcome in COVID-19

Introduction

Resistin is reported to form a cytokine network and cause endothelial damage. The pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unknown, but the association between cytokine storm and endothelial damage is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate resistin in COVID-19 pathogenesis compared with sepsis.

Materials and Methods

First, we evaluated the association of plasma resistin levels and disease severity and clinical outcome in two large cohorts: a publicly available cohort including 306 COVID-19 patients in the United States (MGH cohort) and our original cohort including only intubated 113 patients in Japan (Osaka cohort 1). Second, to understand pathogenesis, we evaluate resistin, cytokines and endothelial cell adhesion molecules in COVID-19 compared with sepsis. Blood samples were collected from 62 ICU-treated COVID-19 patients and 38 sepsis patients on day 1 (day of ICU admission), days 2-3, days 6-8, and from 18 healthy controls (Osaka cohort 2). The plasma resistin, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and IL-10) and endothelial cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were compared between patients and control. Correlations among resistin, inflammatory cytokines and endothelial cell adhesion molecules were evaluated in COVID-19 and sepsis.

Results

In the MGH cohort, the day 1 resistin levels were associated with disease severity score. The non-survivors showed significantly greater resistin levels than survivors on days 1, 4 and 8. In the Osaka cohort 1, 28-day non-survivors showed significantly higher resistin levels than 28-day survivors on days 6-8. Patients with late recovery (defined as the day of weaning off mechanical ventilation >12 or death) had significantly higher resistin levels than those with early recovery on day 1 and days 6-8. In the Osaka cohort 2, plasma resistin levels were elevated in COVID-19 and sepsis patients compared to controls at all measurement points and were associated with inflammatory cytokines and endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

Conclusion

Resistin was elevated in COVID-19 patients and was associated with cytokines and endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Higher resistin levels were related to worse outcome.

The Role of the Adipokine Resistin in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Obesity is a civilization disease associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some malignancies. The results concerning the relationship between obesity and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are inconclusive. The higher incidence of neoplasms in obese subjects has led to the development of the adipokine hypothesis. Omental adipocyte cells interact with cancer cells, promoting their migration and metastasis via the secretion of adipokines, growth factors, and hormones. One of the adipokines is resistin. It was shown in vitro that resistin stimulates the growth and differentiation of ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, it increases the level of angiogenesis factors, e.g., matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF). Additionally, resistin induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness in EOC cell lines. A positive correlation has been shown between a higher level of resistin expression and the stage of histological differentiation of EOC or the occurrence of lymph node metastases. In addition, the overexpression of resistin has been found to act as an independent factor determining disease-free survival as well as overall survival in EOC patients. Growing evidence supports the finding that resistin plays an important role in some mechanisms leading to the progression of EOC, though this issue still requires further research.

Thromboinflammatory Processes at the Nexus of Metabolic Dysfunction and Prostate Cancer: The Emerging Role of Periprostatic Adipose Tissue

Simple Summary

As overweight and obesity increase among the population worldwide, a parallel increase in the number of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer was observed. There appears to be a relationship between both diseases where the increase in the mass of fat tissue can lead to inflammation. Such a state of inflammation could produce many factors that increase the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, especially if this inflammation occurred in the fat stores adjacent to the prostate. Another important observation that links obesity, fat tissue inflammation, and prostate cancer is the increased production of blood clotting factors. In this article, we attempt to explain the role of these latter factors in the effect of increased body weight on the progression of prostate cancer and propose new ways of treatment that act by affecting how these clotting factors work.

Abstract

The increased global prevalence of metabolic disorders including obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes is mirrored by an increased incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). Ample evidence suggests that these metabolic disorders, being characterized by adipose tissue (AT) expansion and inflammation, not only present as risk factors for the development of PCa, but also drive its increased aggressiveness, enhanced progression, and metastasis. Despite the emerging molecular mechanisms linking AT dysfunction to the various hallmarks of PCa, thromboinflammatory processes implicated in the crosstalk between these diseases have not been thoroughly investigated. This is of particular importance as both diseases present states of hypercoagulability. Accumulating evidence implicates tissue factor, thrombin, and active factor X as well as other players of the coagulation cascade in the pathophysiological processes driving cancer development and progression. In this regard, it becomes pivotal to elucidate the thromboinflammatory processes occurring in the periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT), a fundamental microenvironmental niche of the prostate. Here, we highlight key findings linking thromboinflammation and the pleiotropic effects of coagulation factors and their inhibitors in metabolic diseases, PCa, and their crosstalk. We also propose several novel therapeutic targets and therapeutic interventions possibly modulating the interaction between these pathological states.

The first combined meta‐analytic approach for elucidating the relationship of circulating resistin levels and RETN gene polymorphisms with colorectal and breast cancer

Background

Evidence suggests that circulating resistin levels are altered in colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC). Again, polymorphisms in resistin-encoding gene RETN have been evaluated in CRC and BC. However, there is a scarcity of data establishing the relationship of resistin and RETN polymorphisms (rs1862513 and rs3745367) with these cancers. This study aimed to analyze the relationship of resistin levels and RETN polymorphisms with CRC and BC in a combined meta-analytic approach.

Main body of the abstract

After a comprehensive online literature search, screening and eligibility check, 41 articles (31 with resistin level and 10 with RETN polymorphisms) were retrieved for meta-analyses. The mean difference (MD) of resistin was calculated and pooled to investigate the effect sizes with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and the connection of genetic polymorphisms was analyzed with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. The analysis showed that resistin level is significantly higher in CRC (MD = 3.39) and BC (MD = 3.91) patients. Subgroup analysis in CRC showed significantly higher resistin in serum (MD = 4.61) and plasma (MD = 0.34), and in BC, a significantly elevated resistin level was reported in premenopausal (MD = 7.82) and postmenopausal (MD = 0.37) patients. Again, RETN rs1862513 showed a significantly strong association with CRC (codominant 1—OR 1.24, codominant 2—OR 1.31, dominant model—OR 1.25, and allele model—OR 1.16) and with BC (codominant 2—OR 1.51, codominant 3—OR 1.51, recessive model—OR 1.51, and allele model—OR 1.21). RETN rs3745367 did not show any association with these cancers.

Short conclusion

Overall, our analysis indicates that higher circulating resistin levels are associated with an elevated risk of CRC and premenopausal and postmenopausal BC. Besides, rs1862513 in RETN gene is significantly connected with both CRC and BC.

Importance of circulating adipocytokines in multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on case-control studies

BACKGROUND

Adipocytes and their products, adipocytokines, play important roles in the generation and development of multiple myeloma (MM). Studies have demonstrated some adipocytokines to be associated with MM, although those results are controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to verify the association of adipocytokines with MM.

METHODS

We performed a systematic retrieval of literature published prior to 26 October 2021. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to evaluate pooled effects. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted to detect sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the stability of the study. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots and Egger's linear regression test.

RESULTS

Ten eligible studies with 1269 MM patients and 2158 controls were included. The pooled analyses indicated that circulating leptin levels of MM patients were significantly higher than control levels (SMD= 0.87, 95%CI: 0.33 to 1.41), while the circulating adiponectin levels in MM patients were significantly lower than controls with a pooled SMD of -0.49 (95%CI: -0.78 to -0.20). The difference of circulating resistin levels were not significant between MM patients and controls (SMD= -0.08, 95%CI: -0.55 to 0.39). Subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis found that sample size, age, and sex were possible sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated our pooled results to be stable.

CONCLUSION

Decreased circulating adiponectin and increased leptin levels were associated with the occurrence and development of MM. Adiponectin and leptin may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for MM.

Mapping of MeLiM melanoma combining ICP-MS and MALDI-MSI methods

Here we developed a powerful tool for comprehensive data collection and mapping of molecular and elemental signatures in the Melanoma-bearing Libechov Minipig (MeLiM) model. The combination of different mass spectrometric methods allowed for detail investigation of specific melanoma markers and elements and their spatial distribution in tissue sections. MALDI-MSI combined with HPLC-MS/MS analyses resulted in identification of seven specific proteins, S100A12, CD163, MMP-2, galectin-1, tenascin, resistin and PCNA that were presented in the melanoma signatures. Furthermore, the ICP-MS method allowed for spatial detection of zinc, calcium, copper, and iron elements linked with the allocation of the specific binding proteins.

Reduced tissue and serum resistin expression as a clinical marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying esophageal cancer progression and the development of clinical tools for effective diagnosis remain unclear. Resistin, which was originally identified as an adipose tissue-secretory factor, has been associated with obesity-related diseases, including certain types of cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the expression levels of resistin in tissue and serum specimens from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to determine the potential biological effects of resistin on ESCC cells. The results demonstrated that both tissue and serum resistin levels were significantly lower in patients with ESCC compared with healthy controls. In addition, resistin expression was positively associated with the body mass index of patients with ESCC. In vitro studies revealed that resistin inhibited the migratory ability of ESCC cells, while having no effect on ESCC cell proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that resistin may have the potential to be developed into a clinical marker for ESCC. However, further studies are required to investigate resistin receptor expression and determine the potential involvement of resistin-associated biological pathways, which may provide insight for future development of targeted therapies for resistin-mediated ESCC.

Endocrine regulation of cancer stem cell compartments in breast tumors

Cancer cells within breast tumors exist within a hierarchy in which only a small and rare subset of cells is able to regenerate growths with the heterogeneity of the original tumor. These highly malignant cancer cells, which behave like stem cells for new cancers and are called "cancer stem cells" or CSCs, have also been shown to possess increased resistance to therapeutics, and represent the root cause underlying therapy failures, persistence of residual disease, and relapse. As >90% of cancer deaths are due to refractory tumors, identification of critical molecular drivers of the CSC-state would reveal vulnerabilities that can be leveraged in designing therapeutics that eradicate advanced disease and improve patient survival outcomes. An expanding and complex body of work has now described the exquisite susceptibility of CSC pools to the regulatory influences of local and systemic hormones. Indeed, breast CSCs express a plethora of hormonal receptors, which funnel hormonal influences over every aspect of breast neoplasia - be it tumor onset, growth, survival, invasion, metastasis, or therapy resistance - via directly impacting CSC behavior. This article is intended to shed light on this active area of investigation by attempting to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of the available evidence directly linking hormones to breast CSC biology.

Resistin Induces LIN28A-Mediated Let-7a Repression in Breast Cancer Cells Leading to IL-6 and STAT3 Upregulation

Simple Summary

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the United States and exhibits significant racial disparities in clinical outcomes. Earlier, we reported that the levels of resistin and IL-6 were significantly more elevated in the serum of African American women with breast cancer than in their Caucasian American counterparts. Here, we uncover its mechanistic significance by characterizing a novel resistin/LIN28A/Let-7a/IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis supporting the growth and stemness of breast cancer cells.

Abstract

Downregulation of the Let-7 family of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been reported in several cancers, including breast malignancy; however, underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Resistin is an important component of the tumor microenvironment, having a functional impact on the tumor cell phenotypes. Here, we examined the role of resistin in the regulation of Let-7 miRNAs and studied its downstream consequences. We found that resistin treatment led to the reduced expression of Let-7 family miRNAs in breast cancer (BC) cells, with the highest downregulation reported for Let-7a. Furthermore, resistin induced the expression of LIN28A, and its silencing abrogated resistin-mediated Let-7a suppression. Let-7a restoration or LIN28A silencing abolished the resistin-induced growth, clonogenicity, and sphere-forming ability of BC cells. Restoration of Let-7a also suppressed the resistin-induced expression of genes associated with growth, survival, and stemness. Pathway analysis suggested STAT3 as a putative central node associated with Let-7a-mediated gene regulation. In silico analysis identified STAT3 and its upstream modifier, IL-6, as putative Let-7a gene targets, which were later confirmed by 3′UTR-reporter assays. Together, our findings demonstrate a novel resistin/LIN28A/Let-7a/IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis supporting the growth and stemness of BC cells.

Is resistin the master link between inflammation and inflammation-related chronic diseases?

Resistin has been firstly discovered in mice and was identified as an adipose tissue-secreted hormone or adipokine linking obesity and insulin resistance. In humans, resistin has been characterized as a hormone expressed and secreted by Immune cells especially by macrophages, and was linked to many inflammatory responses including inflammation of adipose tissue due to macrophages' infiltration. Human and mouse resistin display sequence and structural similarities and also dissimilarities that could explain their different expression pattern. In mice, strong pieces of evidence clearly associated high resistin plasma levels to obesity and insulin resistance suggesting that resistin could play an important role in the onset and progression of obesity and insulin resistance via resistin-induced inflammation. In humans, the link between resistin and obesity/insulin resistance is still a matter of debate and needs more epidemiological studies. Also, resistin has been linked to other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers where resistin has been proposed in many studies as a biological marker.

Resistin, a Novel Host Defense Peptide of Innate Immunity

Resistin, a cysteine-rich protein, expressed in adipocytes, was initially proposed as a link between obesity and diabetes in mice. In humans, resistin is considered to be a pro-inflammatory molecule expressed in immune cells, which plays a regulatory role in many chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and cancers. However, increasing evidence shows that resistin functions as a host defense peptide of innate immunity, in terms of its wide-spectrum anti-microbial activity, modulation of immunity, and limitation of microbial product-induced inflammation. To date, the understanding of resistin participating in host defense mechanism is still limited. The review aims to summarize current knowledge about the biological properties, functions, and related mechanisms of resistin in host defense, which provides new insights into the pleiotropic biological function of resistin and yields promising strategies for developing new antimicrobial therapeutic agents.

Epidemiological link between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer

There exists a complex interaction between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer, and an increase in the incidence of cancer is expected with the growing obesity-diabetes pandemic. The association of cancer with diabetes mellitus and obesity appears to be site-specific, the highest risk being for post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer. Moreover, there is worsening of hyperglycaemia with the onset of cancer, evidencing a bi-directional link between cancer and diabetes mellitus and the need for monitoring for diabetes in cancer survivors. In this review, we look at the epidemiological evidence from observational studies and Mendelian randomization studies linking obesity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as the complex pathophysiological mechanisms involved, including insulin resistance with associated hyperinsulinaemia, the effect of chronic low-grade inflammation, and the effect of various adipokines that are associated with obesity and T2DM. Additionally, we describe the novel therapeutic strategies, based on their role on the discrete pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the tumourigenesis.

Resistin increases cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells via a mitochondria-mediated pathway

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer with a high mortality rate. Cisplatin is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of lung cancer patients, especially in advanced stages. Recent studies show that cisplatin may interact with mitochondria to induce apoptosis, which may partly account for its cytotoxicity. In the study, we explored the effect of resistin on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells and assessed whether mitochondria-dependent apoptosis was involved. Our results found that 25 ng/ml resistin could significantly increase cisplatin-induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, enhance reactive oxygen species generation, exacerbate the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, promote the distribution of cytochrome C in the cytoplasm from mitochondria, and activate caspase 3. Therefore, the results suggested that resistin might increase cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity via a mitochondria-mediated pathway in A549 cells. However, the precise mechanism remains to be explored in the future.

Roles and mechanisms of adipokines in drug resistance of tumor cells

The drug resistance of cancer cells has become one of the biggest obstacles of effective anticancer treatments. Adipocytes produce plenty of cytokines (also known as adipokines), which remarkably affect the drug resistance exhibited by cancer cells. Different adipokines (leptin, visfatin, resistin, adiponectin, Interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α) can induce drug resistance in different cancer cells by various functional mechanisms. This phenomenon is of great interest in pharmacological anti-cancer studies since it indicates that in the cancers with adipocyte-rich microenvironment, all adipokines join together to assist cancer cells to survive by facilitating drug resistance. Studies on adipokines contribute to the development of novel pharmacological strategies for cancer therapy if their roles and molecular targets are better understood. The review will elucidate the roles and the underlying mechanisms of adipokines in drug resistance, which may be of great significance for revealing new strategies for cancer treatment.