Hypoxic induction of apoptosis occurs through HIF-1α and accompanies mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 2 cleavage in human endometrial adenocarcinoma Ishikawa cells

Oral nano-formulations for endocrine therapy of endometrioid adenocarcinomas

Endometrial cancer is one of the three major malignant tumors of the reproductive system that threaten women's lives and health. The incidence of this disease is on the rise globally. Most cases of endometrial cancer comprise endometrioid adenocarcinomas, whose treatment is challenged by factors such as their high recurrence rate and the need to preserve fertility among young patients. Thus, oral endocrine therapy has become the main treatment modality. The main drugs used in oral endocrine therapy are progestins, selective estrogen receptor antagonists, and aromatase inhibitors. However, their clinical use is hindered by their low solubility and low oral utilization. The rapid development of nanotechnology allows the combination of these drugs with oral nano-formulations to create a good carrier. Such nanocarriers, including nanospheres, nanocapsules, and micelles can protect the drug against clearance and increase the site specificity of drug delivery. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) and oral nano-formulations for endocrine therapy.

Hypoxia and the endometrium: An indispensable role for HIF-1α as therapeutic strategies

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) is a major molecular mediator of the hypoxic response. In the endometrium, local hypoxic conditions induced by hormonal fluctuations and endometrial vascular remodeling contribute to the production of HIF-1α, which plays an indispensable role in a series of physiological activities, such as menstruation and metamorphosis. The sensitive regulation of HIF-1α maintains the cellular viability and regenerative capacity of the endometrium against cellular stresses induced by hypoxia and excess reactive oxygen species. In contrast, abnormal HIF-1α levels exacerbate the development of various endometrial pathologies. This knowledge opens important possibilities for the development of promising HIF-1α-centered strategies to ameliorate endometrial disease. Nonetheless, additional efforts are required to elucidate the regulatory network of endometrial HIF-1α and promote the applications of HIF-1α-centered strategies in the human endometrium. Here, we summarize the role of the HIF-1α-mediated pathway in endometrial physiology and pathology, highlight the latest HIF-1α-centered strategies for treating endometrial diseases, and improve endometrial receptivity.

Role of MST2/YAP1 signaling pathway in retinal cells apoptosis and diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a main factor affecting vision of patients, and its pathogenesis is not completely clear. The purpose of our study was to investigate correlations between MST2 and DR progression, and to study the possible mechanism of MST2 and its down pathway in high glucose (HG)-mediated RGC-5 apoptosis. The diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg. HE and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the pathological changes and apoptosis of retinal cells in rats. Western blot, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that levels of MST2 were increased in diabetic group (DM) than control. In addition, the differential expression of MST2 is related to HG-induced apoptosis of RGC-5 cells. CCK-8 and Hoechst 33,342 apoptosis experiments showed that MST2 was required in HG-induced apoptosis of RGC-5 cells. Further research revealed that MST2 regulated the protein expression of YAP1 at the level of phosphorylation in HG-induced apoptosis. Simultaneously, we found that Xmu-mp-1 acts as a MST2 inhibitor to alleviate HG-induced apoptosis. In summary, our study indicates that the MST2/YAP1 signaling pathway plays an important role in DR pathogenesis and RGC-5 apoptosis. This discovery provides new opportunities for future drug development targeting this pathway to prevent DR.