PFDA promotes cancer metastasis through macrophage M2 polarization mediated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Assessment of PFDA toxicity on RTgill-W1 cell line via metabolomics and lipidomics approaches

Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), a long-chain perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), is known for its environmental persistence and potential toxicity. This study evaluated PFDA toxicity in the RTgill-W1 cell line, a model for aquatic toxicology, using a combination of cell viability assays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements, and high-throughput metabolomics and lipidomics. PFDA exposure resulted in significant, dose-dependent reductions in cell viability and increased ROS production, with an EC₅₀ value of 51.9 ± 1.7 mg/L, highlighting its cytotoxic potential. Metabolomic profiling revealed dose-dependent disruptions in 168 metabolites, impacting pathways related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, vitamin and cofactor metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. Furthermore, lipidomic analysis identified 102 significantly altered lipids, primary affecting glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism - suggesting compromised membrane integrity, energy production, and signalling processes. These findings underscore PFDA's capacity to interfere with critical cellular processes and highlight the utility of integrated omics approaches in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of PFAS toxicity. Future studies should focus on validating fish cell assays through short-term in vivo tests to enhance their reliability and ecological relevance.

HKDC1 promotes colorectal cancer progression by regulating RCOR1 expression to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, enhancing proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition

HKDC1 (hexokinase domain containing 1) is recognized as an oncogene in various cancers, yet its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. This study aims to explore HKDC1 expression in CRC and its effects on tumor growth, migration, glycolysis, and EMT, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using TIMER2.0 and TCGA databases, we analyzed HKDC1 expression across multiple cancers and evaluated its prognostic value via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. HKDC1 expression in CRC tissues was validated through western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR, and its correlation with patient prognosis was assessed. Functional experiments involving HKDC1 knockdown and overexpression were performed to examine their impact on CRC cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and the cell cycle. Coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and mass spectrometry identified HKDC1's interaction with RCOR1, demonstrating its regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to promote CRC progression. High HKDC1 expression in CRC tissues correlated with poor patient prognosis. Knockdown of HKDC1 significantly reduced cell proliferation and migration, induced G1 phase arrest, and promoted apoptosis, whereas HKDC1 overexpression had the opposite effects. Additionally, HKDC1 promoted EMT and glycolysis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo, HKDC1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth, while overexpression accelerated tumor progression. This study is the first to demonstrate that HKDC1 enhances CRC proliferation, migration, glycolysis, and EMT by modulating RCOR1 and activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These findings suggest that HKDC1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for CRC, offering new insights for personalized treatment strategies.

The role of macrophage polarization in ovarian cancer: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic potentials

Ovarian cancer (OC) remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy, primarily due to its late-stage diagnosis, frequent recurrence, and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. A critical factor contributing to OC's aggressiveness is the tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly the presence and polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs, often skewed toward an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype, facilitate tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted regulation of macrophage polarization in OC, highlighting key molecular pathways such as PTEN loss, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, NF-κB, Myc, STAT3, and JNK, among others. Additionally, it explores the role of chemokines, non-coding RNAs, and various proteins in modulating TAM phenotypes. Emerging evidence underscores the significance of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) in promoting M2 polarization, thereby enhancing tumor progression and therapy resistance. The review also identifies critical biomarkers associated with macrophage polarization, including CD163, LILRB1, MUC2, and others, which hold prognostic and therapeutic potential. Therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs are extensively discussed, encompassing oncolytic viruses, engineered EVs, immunotherapies, nanoparticles, targeted therapies, and natural products. These approaches aim to reprogram TAMs from a pro-tumorigenic M2 state to an anti-tumorigenic M1 phenotype, thereby enhancing immune responses and overcoming resistance to treatments such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, the review addresses the interplay between macrophage polarization and therapy resistance, emphasizing the need for novel interventions to modulate the TME effectively. By synthesizing current knowledge on macrophage polarization in ovarian cancer, this study underscores the potential of targeting TAMs to improve clinical outcomes and personalize treatment strategies for OC patients. Continued research in this domain is essential to develop robust therapeutic frameworks that can mitigate the immunosuppressive TME and enhance the efficacy of existing and novel cancer therapies.