PARP-1 and its associated nucleases in DNA damage response

Effect of curcumin on methotrexate-induced ovarian damage and follicle reserve in rats: the role of PARP-1 and P53

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate (MTX) is an agent used in the treatment of many neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases and is known to cause oxidative damage in normal tissues. Curcumin (Cur) is a natural polyphenol compound with powerful antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. In this study we investigate the effects of Cur on MTX-induced ovarian damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two young adult female Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: (1) Control (n = 8): only vehicle group, (2) Cur (n = 8): Cur-only group (200 mg/kg/day), (3) MTX (n = 8): MTX-only group (0.35 mg/kg/day), (4) MTX+Cur (n = 8): The group was given MTX (0.35 mg/kg/day) and Cur (200 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Then, SOD, CAT, MDA, AMH levels were measured using ELISA kits. Follicle count was performed on H&E stained slides. In addition, the expressions of P53 and PARP-1 were analysed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

MDA levels were seen to be higher in the MTX group than in the MTX+Cur group (p < 0.05). Cur treatment lowered MDA levels and increased SOD and CAT levels (p < 0.05 for all). In the MTX+Cur group, atretic follicle count decreased (p < 0,05), however, primordial follicle count increased (p < 0,01). Secondary follicle count and AMH levels were higher in MTX-treated groups (p < 0,05 and p < 0,01, respectively). Expressions of p53 and Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1) increased significantly in the MTX group compared to the other groups (p < 0,05).

CONCLUSION

Cur pretreatment prior to MTX administration may be an effective option in preserving the ovarian follicle pool by regulating P53 and PARP-1 expressions with its antioxidant effect.

Prolonged loss of nuclear HMGB1 in neurons following modeled TBI and implications for long-term genetic health

Under normal physiological conditions high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) stabilizes chromatin, controls transcription, and contributes to DNA repair. Cellular stress or injury results in HMGB1 release from the nucleus acting as a proinflammatory cytokine. The objective of this study was to characterize the temporal progression of nuclear HMGB1 loss up to one week following modeled TBI in 250 g male rats and correlate these changes with the response of DNA damage proteins. HMGB1 was present in the cytoplasm and absent from the nucleus of neurons within 6 h of injury. Quantitative immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed a significant decrease in nuclear HMGB1 expression at 6 and 24 h post-injury compared to controls. Approximately 20 % of neurons were lacking nuclear HMGB1 expression at 7 days post-injury. Cells which were negative for nuclear HMGB1 expression labelled positive for HIF1α, PARP, and γH2AX, indicators of oxidative stress and DNA damage. Nuclear HIF1α expression was detected at 6 h after injury. Nuclear expression of HIF1α, PARP, and γH2AX was observed at 7 days post-injury, suggesting activation of oxidative stress response mechanisms and DNA damage repair pathways. The temporal changes in HMGB1 translocation in conjunction with expression of DNA damage markers suggest a relationship between injury-induced HMGB1 loss in neurons and subsequent DNA damage. These results highlight a potential injury response mechanism with long-term implications in relation to genetic health of surviving neurons.

Parps in immune response: Potential targets for cancer immunotherapy

Immunotherapy in clinical application faces numerous challenges pertaining to both effectiveness and safety. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) exhibit multifunctional characteristics by transferring ADP-ribose units to target proteins or nucleic acids. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the biological function of PARPs in immune response. This article reviews the relationship between PARP family members and immune response. PARP1 and PARP2 inhibit anti-tumor immune activity by regulating immune checkpoint expression and the cGAS/STING signaling pathway. PARP7 and PARP11 play an important role in promoting immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. PARP9 promotes the production of Type I interferon and the infiltration of macrophages. PARP13 is a key tumor suppressor that promotes anti-tumor immune response. PARP14 plays a crucial role in promoting the differentiation of macrophages towards the M2 pro-tumor phenotype. Summarizing the molecular mechanisms of PARP7, PARP9, PARP11, PARP13 and PARP14 in regulating immune response is helpful to deepen our comprehension of the role of PARPs in immune function regulation. This provides a reference and basis for targeted PARP-based cancer treatment strategies and drug development. PARP1, PARP7 inhibitors or other PARP inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other immunotherapy strategies may be a more effective cancer therapy.

Olaparib monotherapy or combination therapy in lung cancer: an updated systematic review and meta- analysis

Background and aims

Impaired double strand DNA repair by homologous repair deficiency (HRD) leads to sensitivity to poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibition. A subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) harbour impaired DNA double strand break repair. This study aims to investigate meta-analysis on the olaparib monotherapy or combination therapy in lung cancer.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar data bases up to August 13, 2023 related articles were extracted title, abstract and full text of articles were screened. The quality included articles were assessing the data was extracted and hence analysis.

Results

After screening 5208 articles, 9 were selected for final review based on relevance to the topic. Olaparib monotherapy increased progression free survival (PFS) level [ES= 7.76; 95% CI= 0.16 to 1.36; P=0.208]. Olaparib maintenance therapy increased PFS compared to placebo in platinum-sensitive NSCLC patients [ES= 0.9; 95% CI= 0.9 to 0.9]. Combination therapy with durvalumab and olaparib decreased PFS level compared to the olaparib group [ES=6.07; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.67 to 11.46; P=0.000]. Adding gefitinib to olaparib decreased PFS compared to olaparib only group, significantly (ES=3.39; 95% CI=-0.78 to 7.56; P=0.609).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated olaparib as monotherapy can increase the PFS of patients with lung cancer, but the combination of olaparib and gefitinib or the combination of olaparib plus durvalumab couldn't have a significant effect. According to the high heterogeneous rate of studies further large-scale randomized control trials are still required to progress association.

Systematic Review Registration

Open Science Framework (OSF).

Role of PARP-1 structural and functional features in PARP-1 inhibitors development

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is the key enzyme among other PARPs for post-translational modification of DNA repair proteins. It has four functional domains for DNA-binding, automodification and enzymatic activity. PARP-1 participates in poly-ADP-ribosylation of itself or other proteins during DNA damage response. It recruits reparation machinery proteins that restore native DNA sequence. PARP-1 participates in chromatin structure organization and gene expression regulation. It was shown that PARP-1-dependent regulation mechanisms affect on possible risk of carcinogenesis. Therefore, PARP-1 was proposed as a novel target for cancer treatment. Three generations of PARP-1 inhibitors had been developed depending on pharmacophore structure. To date, four PARP-1 inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment as a chemotherapy potentiators or as a stand-alone therapy. However, different cytotoxicity effects of specific PARP-1 inhibitors were observed due to diverse PARP-1 activity in cellular processes. Moreover, cancer cells can develop resistance to PARP-1 inhibitors and decrease chemotherapy efficacy. There are promising strategies how to avoid these disadvantages including dual-targeted inhibitors and combination therapy.

Aneuploidy-driven gene expression profiling in human blastocysts: insights from RNA-Seq analysis

PURPOSE

Preimplantation aneuploidy in humans is one of the primary causes of implantation failure and embryo miscarriage. This study was conducted to gain insight into gene expression changes that may result from aneuploidy in blastocysts through RNA-Seq analysis.

METHODS

The surplus embryos of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) candidate couples with normal karyotype and maternal age < 38 were collected following identical ovarian stimulation protocol. The embryos were selected based on trophectoderm biopsy and array comparative genomic hybridization in three groups: normal group, small chromosomes aneuploidy group (SCA), including single aneuploidy for small chromosomes 16, 20, 21, 22, and other chromosomes aneuploidy group (OCA), including single aneuploidy for other chromosomes.

RESULTS

Principal component analysis revealed overall differentiation of transcriptome of the groups, confirming embryo classification. The Gene Ontology indicated that transcription, ubiquitination, autophagy, and DNA repair pathways were upregulated in aneuploid embryos. The overexpression of five genes, UBE2E2 and VPS4A, BUB1B, CDCA8, and COX14 was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, overexpression was observed in translation and protein synthesis pathways in aneuploid embryos. Mitochondrial pathway upregulation was notable in both SCA and OCA groups, while the apoptosis pathway was overexpressed only in the OCA group. Only cellular lipid synthesis pathway differed between SCA and OCA, the two aneuploid groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the impact of aneuploidy on the gene expression in blastocysts independent of aneuploidy type and paves the way for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of aneuploidy.

Unveiling Novel Targets in Lung Tumors for Enhanced Radiotherapy Efficacy: A Comprehensive Review

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of lung cancer management, though its efficacy is frequently undermined by intrinsic and acquired radioresistance. This review examines the complexity of lung tumors, highlighting their potential as a reservoir of novel targets for radiosensitization. Ionizing radiation (IR) primarily exerts its effects through oxidative damage and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Lung cancer cells, however, develop mutations that enhance DNA damage response (DDR) and suppress cell death pathways. Additionally, interactions between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) components-including immune cells, stromal cells, and molecular mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors-contribute to resistance against IR. Understanding these intricate relationships reveals potential targets to improve radiotherapy outcomes. Promising targets include DDR pathways, immunosuppressive cells and molecules, hypoxia, proangiogenic mediators, and other key signaling pathways. This review discusses emerging strategies, such as combining radiotherapy with immunomodulators, hypoxia and proangiogenic inhibitors, DDR-targeting agents, and other innovative approaches. By offering a comprehensive analysis of the lung TME, this review underscores opportunities to enhance radiotherapy effectiveness through targeted radiosensitization strategies.

Medroxyprogesterone promotes neuronal survival after cerebral ischemic stroke by inhibiting PARthanatos

Introduction

Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) is caused by the interruption of cerebral blood circulation due to thrombosis or embolism and is the second-leading cause of mortality worldwide. The neuronal death and motor dysfunction resulting from CIS are primarily attributed to the induction of PARthanatos in neurons at the site of ischemia. Blocking parthanatos is a promising treatment for CIS.

Methods

The effect of medroxyprogesterone treatment on PARthanatos in vitro was examined by CCK8 assay and flow cytometry and the target protein of medroxyprogesterone was then identified by a series of assays, including western blotting, immunofluorescence, cell thermal shift assay and molecular docking. Subsequently, the efficacy of medroxyprogesterone in the treatment of ischemic stroke was evaluated by FJC staining.

Results

In our study, medroxyprogesterone was able to block the occurrence of PARthanatos in Hela cells induced by MNNG. PARP-1 activity did not change after medroxyprogesterone treatment but prevented MNNG-induced apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) release from mitochondria by improving the stability of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In vivo, medroxyprogesterone significantly reduces neuronal death in mouse models of CIS by inhibiting PARthanatos.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that medroxyprogesterone effectively inhibits PARthanatos not by affecting the activity of PARP-1, but by directly binding to ERK and stabilizes the active phosphorylated ERK, thereby inhibiting AIF translocation. Furthermore, medroxyprogesterone shows potential as a neuroprotective agent for patients with CIS, potentially enhancing post-stroke recovery and reducing societal burdens.

Silica Nanoparticles Induce SH-SY5Y Cells Death Via PARP and Caspase Signaling Pathways

A growing stream of research indicates that exposure to Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) can cause nervous system damage, leading to the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the specific mechanism by which SiNPs cause neuroblast injury remains unclear and requires further research. This study established an in vitro experimental model of SH-SY5Y cells exposed to SiNPs and observed cell growth through an inverted fluorescence microscope. Cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. The intracellular ROS and Ca2+ levels were detected by flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was observed using both Hoechst33342 staining and TUNEL staining. The activities of SOD and ATPase and the content of ATP in the cells were tested by biochemical methods. The genes including parp-1, aif, par, ucp2, vdac and prdx3 were explored using quantitative real-time PCR. The expressions of PARP, AIF, PAR, Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Cyt C proteins were evaluated by Western Blot. The immunofluorescence technique was used to observe the distribution of Parthanatos-related proteins induced by SiNPs. The results showed that SiNPs reduced cell survival rate, induced excessive ROS and Ca2+ overload, decreased SOD activity, ATPase activity, intracellular and mitochondrial ATP content, increased the expression of mitochondrial function and PARP pathway related genes, as well as PARP and Caspase pathway protein expression, ultimately inducing cell apoptosis. As a further test of the roles of PARP and Caspase pathways in SiNPs induced SH-SY5Y cells death, we selected the PARP inhibitor Olaparib and Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD, and the above effects were significantly improved after treatment with the inhibitors. Conclusively, this study confirmed that SiNPs can generate excessive ROS production in SH-SY5Y cells, alter mitochondrial function, and induce cell death through Parthanatos and caspase dependent apoptotic pathways, which can coexist and interact with each other.

Liquid-liquid phase separation in viral infection: From the occurrence and function to treatment potentials

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules, as a widespread cellular functional mechanism, is closely related to life processes, and is also commonly present in the lifecycle of viruses. Viral infection often leads to the recombination and redistribution of intracellular components to form biomacromolecule condensates assembled from viral replication-related proteins and intracellular components, which plays an important role in the process of viral infection. In this review, the key and influencing factors of LLPS are generalized, which mainly depend on various molecular interactions and environmental conditions in solution. Meanwhile, some examples of viruses utilizing LLPS are summarized, which are conducive to further understanding the subtle and complex biological regulatory processes between phase condensation and viruses. Finally, some representative antiviral drugs targeting phase separation that have been discovered are also outlined. In conclusion, in-depth study of the role of LLPS in viral infection is helpful to understand the mechanisms of virus-related diseases from a new perspective, and also provide a new therapeutic strategy for future treatments.

Regulated cell death in acute myocardial infarction: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), primarily caused by coronary atherosclerosis, initiates a series of events that culminate in the obstruction of coronary arteries, resulting in severe myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. The subsequent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury further aggravates cardiac damage, leading to a decline in heart function and the risk of life-threatening complications. The complex interplay of multiple regulated cell death (RCD) pathways plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AMI. Each RCD pathway is orchestrated by a symphony of molecular regulatory mechanisms, highlighting the dynamic changes and critical roles of key effector molecules. Strategic disruption or inhibition of these molecular targets offers a tantalizing prospect for mitigating or even averting the onset of RCD, thereby limiting the extensive loss of cardiomyocytes and the progression of detrimental myocardial fibrosis. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms underlying various forms of RCD, provides an in-depth exploration of the pathogenesis of AMI through the lens of RCD, and highlights a range of promising therapeutic targets that hold the potential to revolutionize the management of AMI.

Low-dose intranasal deferoxamine modulates memory, neuroinflammation, and the neuronal transcriptome in the streptozotocin rodent model of Alzheimer's disease

Introduction

Intranasal (IN) deferoxamine (DFO) has emerged over the past decade as a promising therapeutic in preclinical experiments across neurodegenerative and neurovascular diseases. As an antioxidant iron chelator, its mechanisms are multimodal, involving the binding of brain iron and the consequent engagement of several pathways to counter pathogenesis across multiple diseases. We and other research groups have shown that IN DFO rescues cognitive impairment in several rodent models of Alzheimer Disease (AD).

Methods

This study was designed to probe dosing regimens to inform future clinical trials, while exploring mechanisms within the intracerebroventricular (ICV) streptozotocin (STZ) model.

Results

Five weeks of daily IN dosing of Long Evans rats with 15 μL of a 1% (0.3 mg), but not 0.1% (0.03 mg), solution of DFO rescued cognitive impairment caused by ICV STZ administration as assessed with the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test of spatial memory and learning. Furthermore, IN DFO modulated several aspects of the neuroinflammatory milieu of the ICV STZ model, which was assessed through a novel panel of brain cytokines and immunohistochemistry. Using RNA-sequencing and pathway analysis, STZ was shown to induce several pathways of cell death and neuroinflammation, and IN DFO engaged multiple transcriptomic pathways involved in hippocampal neuronal survival.

Discussion

To our knowledge this study is the first to assess the transcriptomic pathways and mechanisms associated with either the ICV STZ model or DFO treatment, and the first to demonstrate efficacy at this low dose.

The CYLD-PARP1 feedback loop regulates DNA damage repair and chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays a crucial role in DNA repair and genomic stability maintenance. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing PARP1 activity, particularly through deubiquitination, remain poorly elucidated. Using a deubiquitinase (DUB) library binding screen, we identified cylindromatosis (CYLD) as a bona fide DUB for PARP1 in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, CYLD is recruited by PARP1 to DNA lesions upon genotoxic stress, where it cleaves K63-linked polyubiquitin chains on PARP1 at residues K748, K940, and K949, resulting in compromised PARP1 activation. In a reciprocal manner, PARP1 PARylates CYLD at sites E191, E231, E259, and E509, thereby enhancing its DUB activity. Consequently, depletion of CYLD leads to increased efficiency in base excision repair and confers breast cancer cells with resistance to alkylating agents. Conversely, overexpression of CYLD enhances sensitivity to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) even in homologous recombination-proficient breast cancer cells. These findings offer unique insights into the intricate interplay between CYLD and PARP1 in DNA repair, underscoring the pivotal role of targeting this regulatory axis for breast cancer chemotherapy.

The Discovery of a Potent PARP1 Inhibitor Senaparib

PARP1 is a critical enzyme involved in DNA damage repair. It belongs to a superfamily of proteins and catalyzes poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation). PARP1 inhibitors are effective to treat tumors that have homologous recombination deficiency such as those with BRCA1/2 mutations. The PARP1 inhibitors that have been approved by FDA inhibit both PARP1 and PARP2. PARP2 has also been suggested to play a similar function in DNA repair as PARP1. In addition to inhibiting PARP1 enzymatic activities, PARP1 inhibitors cause the PARP1 enzyme to be "trapped" on DNA, stalling the DNA replication fork and eventually causing double-strand DNA breaks and cell death. Here, we report a PARP1 inhibitor, Senaparib, which has a novel chemical structure and high potency inhibiting PARP1/2 enzymes. Senaparib was highly potent in cell viability tests against tumor cells with BRCA1/2 mutations. It was efficacious in cell line-derived and patient-derived xenograft models in tumors harboring BRCA1/2 mutations. In combination studies, Senaparib used with temozolomide had shown strong synergistic cytotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Senaparib represents a novel class of PARP1 inhibitors that can be used for the treatment of cancer. A phase III clinical study of Senaparib for maintenance treatment following first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer has met its primary endpoint, and a new drug application of Senaparib has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration of China for review.

In-silico identification of potential peptide inhibitors to disrupt NLRP3 inflammasome complex formation by blocking NLRP3-ASC pyrin-pyrin interactions

The NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome is a well-known and frequently cited regulator of caspase-1 activation. It plays a significant role in several pathophysiological processes and is a major regulator of the innate immune response. A growing amount of scientific evidences for its aberrant activation in various chronic inflammatory diseases attracts a growing interest in the development of new NLRP3 inhibitors. One of the successful strategies used to identify new inhibitors is peptide inhibitors. Compared to small molecule inhibitors, peptide inhibitors show greater selectivity and less toxicity. In this study, we used an in-silico mutagenesis approach to design new peptide inhibitors from reported peptide inhibitor of NLRP3. The sequence of the peptide inhibitor against NLRP3 was searched from the literature and modeled using the online server PEP-FOLD3. The in-silico alanine scanning mutagenesis of the reference peptide revealed that residues, Y23, R28, E6, I26, R20, L19, Q33, K11, L14, and K13 have positive affinity values and are therefore better candidates for substitution to increase binding affinity. By replacing these residues, the affinity of the newly designed peptide inhibitors for the NLRP3 PYD protein was significantly increased. Further, molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations validated the stability and higher binding affinities of the newly designed peptide inhibitors compared to the wild-type peptide inhibitor. Our research revealed that all the suggested peptide inhibitors have higher binding affinities for the NLRP3 protein as compared to the native wild-type peptide inhibitor and could block NLRP3-ASC pyrin-pyrin interaction.

Ibuprofen modulates macrophage polarization by downregulating poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1

Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal drug, is well known for its anti-inflammatory activity. The effects of ibuprofen on the polarization of macrophages are still not clear. Herein, we used THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages to find that ibuprofen has inhibitory effects on the polarization of both classically activated M1 macrophages and alternatively activated M2 macrophages by downregulating NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. During M1 or M2 polarization, ibuprofen also downregulated the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1). Furthermore, knockdown of PARP1 by either small interfering RNA or PARP1 inhibitor PJ34 can exert inhibitory effects on the polarization of M1 and M2, and alter the immune response of macrophages to the infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. The results demonstrate that PARP1 plays a regulatory role in the ibuprofen-modulated polarization of macrophage, revealing the interplay between the DNA repair response process and macrophage polarization.

Furan impairs cell function by inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in mouse Sertoli cells in vitro

Research on heat-induced food contaminants, such as furan, has shown its harmful effects on various systems. However, the impact of furan on Sertoli cells, a crucial male reproductive system cell, has not been studied. The investigation involved the treatment of furan to TM4 Sertoli cells at various concentrations (750, 1500, and 3000 µM) over a period of 24 h. This in vitro study determined that furan causes a decrease in Sertoli cell viability and an increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity, leading to cytotoxicity. Additionally, we observed an increase in MDA, one of the oxidative stress markers, in Sertoli cells, indicating that furan exposure leads to lipid peroxidation. It was determined that enzyme activities in the antioxidant defense system in Sertoli cells decreased after furan exposure. The findings indicate that furan induces oxidative damage in Sertoli cells by impairing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and promoting the production of ROS. This study discovered that furan triggers apoptosis in Sertoli cells by damaging DNA and altering the expression levels of apoptotic genes. Moreover, results suggest that furan causes cellular toxicity and apoptosis, leading to damage to Sertoli cells and thus causing male infertility.

The synthesis and bioactivity of apigenin derivatives

BACKGROUND

Apigenin, a naturally occurring compound with a flavone core structure, is known for its diverse bioactivities, including anti-inflammation, anti-toxicant, anti-cancer and so on. There has been significant interest in the medicinal chemistry community. To address these challenges, researchers have developed various derivatives of apigenin to address challenges such as poor water-solubility and low intestinal absorption, aiming to enhance the pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetic properties of this compound.

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of apigenin derivatives with enhanced bioactivity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the function-based modification of these derivatives. In this paper, we provide an overview of the apigenin derivatives with varying bioactivities and explored their structure activity relationships. And the functions of different groups of apigenin derivatives were also analyzed.

CONCLUSION

This review summarized the current achievements that could provide some clues for further study of apigenin-based drugs.

The effects of CypA on apoptosis: potential target for the treatment of diseases

Cyclophilin A (CypA), the first member of cyclophilins, is distributed extensively in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, primarily localized in the cytoplasm. In addition to acting as an intracellular receptor for cyclosporin A (CSA), CypA plays a crucial role in diseases such as aging and tumorigenesis. Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is able to balance the rate of cell viability and death. In this review, we focus on the effects of CypA on apoptosis and the relationship between specific mechanisms of CypA promoting or inhibiting apoptosis and diseases, including tumorigenesis, cardiovascular diseases, organ injury, and microbial infections. Notably, the process of CypA promoting or inhibiting apoptosis is closely related to disease development. Finally, future prospects for the association of CypA and apoptosis are discussed, and a comprehensive understanding of the effects of CypA on apoptosis in relation to diseases is expected to provide new insights into the design of CypA as a therapeutic target for diseases. KEY POINTS: • Understand the effect of CypA on apoptosis. • CypA affects apoptosis through specific pathways. • The effect of CypA on apoptosis is associated with a variety of disease processes.

Regulatory roles of NAMPT and NAD+ metabolism in uterine leiomyoma progression: Implications for ECM accumulation, stemness, and microenvironment

Uterine leiomyoma (UL), commonly referred to as benign tumors, is characterized by excessive cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, and the presence of stem cell-like properties. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism, regulated in part by nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), plays a crucial role in these pathological processes and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. Additionally, redox signaling pathways are integral to the pathogenesis of UL, influencing the dynamics of NAD+ metabolism. This study sought to elucidate the regulatory functions of NAMPT and NAD+ metabolism, in conjunction with redox signaling, in the progression of UL, and to explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways. Evaluation of NAMPT expression in human UL tissues revealed a positive correlation between elevated NAMPT levels and increased ECM deposition, as well as the expression of stemness markers. The use of FK866 and nicotinamide (NAM), to inhibit NAMPT significantly suppressed UL cell viability and attenuated stem cell-like characteristics. Redox signaling pathways, including those associated with DNA damage, lysosomal function homeostasis, and redox-sensitive phagophore formation, were implicated in the regulation of ECM dynamics, particularly through ECM-targeted inhibition. This study highlights the pivotal roles of NAMPT, NAD+ metabolism, and redox signaling in the pathophysiology of UL. Targeting NAMPT, particularly through the use of inhibitors FK866 and NAM, represents a promising therapeutic approach for mitigating UL progression by modulating redox and ECM dynamics. These findings offer novel insights into UL pathogenesis and establish NAMPT as a compelling target for future clinical investigation.

Nanotherapeutic strategy against glioblastoma using enzyme inhibitors

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain cancer and thus patients with glioblastoma have a severely low 5-year survival rate (<5 %). Glioblastoma damages neural centers, causing severe depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders. Glioblastoma is highly resistant to most of available anti-tumor medications, due to heterogeneity of glioblastoma as well as the presence of stem-like cells. To overcome the challenges in the current medications against glioblastoma, novel medications that are effective in treating the aggressive and heterogenous glioblastoma should be developed. Enzyme inhibitor and nanomedicine have been getting attention because of effective anticancer efficacies of enzyme inhibitors and a role of nanomedicine as effective carrier of chemotherapeutic drugs by targeting specific tumor areas. Furthermore, a tumor-initiating neuroinflammatory microenvironment, which is crucial for glioblastoma progression, was linked with several carcinogenesis pathways. Therefore, in this review, first we summarize neuroinflammation and glioblastoma-related neuropathways. Second, we discuss the importance of enzyme inhibitors targeting specific proteins in relation with neuroinflammation and glioblastoma-related molecular mechanisms. Third, we summarize recent findings on the significance of nanotherapeutic anticancer drugs developed using natural or synthetic enzyme inhibitors against glioblastoma as well as currently available Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs against glioblastoma.

Micro-/nano-plastics as vectors of heavy metals and stress response of ciliates using transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses

The escalating presence of microplastics and heavy metals in marine environments significantly jeopardizes ecological stability and human health. Despite this, research on the combined effects of microplastics/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) and heavy metals on marine organisms remains limited. This study evaluated the impact of two sizes of polystyrene beads (approximately 2 μm and 200 nm) combined with cadmium (Cd) on the ciliate species Euplotes vannus. Results demonstrated that co-exposure of MPs/NPs and Cd markedly elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ciliates while impairing antioxidant enzyme activities, thus enhancing oxidative damage and significantly reducing carbon biomass in ciliates. Transcriptomic profiling indicated that co-exposure of MPs/NPs and Cd potentially caused severe DNA damage and protein oxidation, as evidenced by numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with mismatch repair, DNA replication, and proteasome function. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed that DEGs and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were significantly enriched in the TCA cycle, glycolysis, tryptophan metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. This suggests that co-exposure of MPs/NPs and Cd may reduce ciliate abundance and carbon biomass by inhibiting energy metabolism and antioxidant pathways. Additionally, compared to MPs, the co-exposure of NPs and Cd exhibited more severe negative effects due to the larger specific surface area of NPs, which can carry more Cd. These findings provide novel insights into the toxic effects of MPs/NPs and heavy metals on protozoan ciliates, offering foundational data for assessing the ecological risks of heavy metals exacerbated by MPs/NPs.

PARP inhibitors in prostate cancer: clinical applications

Despite recent advancements in the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), this disease remains lethal. A novel family of targeted pharmaceuticals known as poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors has been developed to treat mCRPC patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations. The FDA recently approved olaparib and rucaparib for treating mCRPC patients with HRR gene alterations. Ongoing trials are investigating combination therapies involving PARP inhibitors combined with radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) to improve the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors and broaden the range of patients who can benefit from the treatment. This review provides an overview of the development of PARP inhibitors in prostate cancer and analyzes the mechanisms underlying their resistance.

Combined effects of carbon ion radiation and PARP inhibitor on non-small cell lung carcinoma cells: Insights into DNA repair pathways and cell death mechanisms

The utilization of high linear energy transfer (LET) carbon ion (12C-ion) in radiotherapy has witnessed a notable rise in managing highly metastatic, recurrent, and chemo/radio-resistant human cancers. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a formidable challenge due to its chemo-resistance and aggressive nature, resulting in poor prognosis and survival rates. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the combination of 12C-ion with the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (PARPi) olaparib significantly mitigated metastasis in A549 cells. Here, we delve into the underlying rationale behind the combined action of olaparib with 12C-ion, focusing on DNA repair pathways and cell death mechanisms in asynchronous NSCLC A549 cells following single and combined treatments. Evaluation included analysis of colony-forming ability, DNA damage assessed by γH2AX foci, expression profiling of key proteins involved in Homologous Recombination (HR) and Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) repair pathways, caspase-3 activation, apoptotic body formation, and autophagic cell death. Our findings reveal that both PARPi olaparib and rucaparib sensitize A549 cells to 12C-ion exposure, with olaparib exhibiting superior sensitization. Moreover, 12C-ion exposure alone significantly downregulates both HR and NHEJ repair pathways by reducing the expression of MRE11--RAD51 and Ku70-Ku80 protein complexes at 24 h post-treatment. Notably, the combination of olaparib pre-treatment with 12C-ion markedly inhibits both HR and NHEJ pathways, culminating in DNA damage-induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death. Thus we are the first to demonstrate that olaparib sensitizes NSCLC cells to carbon ion by interfering with HR and NHEJ pathway. These insights underscore the promising therapeutic potential of combining PARP inhibition with carbon ion exposure for effective NSCLC management.

Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) Inhibitors in Diabetic Retinopathy: An Attractive but Elusive Choice for Drug Development

Owing to its promiscuous roles, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is involved in various neurological disorders including several retinal pathologies. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus affecting the retina. In the present review, we highlight the importance of PARP-1 participation in pathophysiology of DR and discuss promising potential inhibitors for treatment. A high glucose level enhances PARP-1 expression; PARP inhibitors have gained attention due to their potential therapeutic effects in DR. They target different checkpoints (blocking nuclear transcription factor (NF-κB) activation; oxidative stress protection, influence on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, impacting neovascularization). Nowadays, there are several improved clinical PARP-1 inhibitors with different allosteric effects. Combining PARP-1 inhibitors with other compounds is another promising option in DR treatments. Besides pharmacological inhibition, genetic disruption of the PARP-1 gene is another approach in PARP-1-initiated therapies. In terms of future treatments, the limitations of single-target approaches shift the focus onto combined therapies. We emphasize the importance of multi-targeted therapies, which could be effective not only in DR, but also in other ischemic conditions.

ADP-ribose hydrolases: biological functions and potential therapeutic targets

ADP-ribosylation (ADPRylation), which encompasses poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation, is an important post-translational modification catalysed by the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme superfamily. The process involves writers (PARPs) and erasers (ADP-ribose hydrolases), which work together to precisely regulate diverse cellular and molecular responses. Although the PARP-mediated synthesis of ADP-ribose (ADPr) has been well studied, ADPr degradation by degrading enzymes deserves further investigation. Nonetheless, recent studies have provided important new insights into the biology and functions of ADPr hydrolases. Notably, research has illuminated the significance of the poly(ADP-ribose) degradation pathway and its activation by the coordinated actions of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase and other ADPr hydrolases, which have been identified as key components of ADPRylation signalling networks. The degradation pathway has been proposed to play crucial roles in key cellular processes, such as DNA damage repair, chromatin dynamics, transcriptional regulation and cell death. A deep understanding of these ADPr erasing enzymes provides insights into the biological roles of ADPRylation in human health and disease aetiology and paves the road for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This review article provides a summary of current knowledge about the biochemical and molecular functions of ADPr erasers and their physiological implications in human pathology.

Parthanatos: Mechanisms, modulation, and therapeutic prospects in neurodegenerative disease and stroke

Parthanatos is a cell death signaling pathway that has emerged as a compelling target for pharmaceutical intervention. It plays a pivotal role in the neuron loss and neuroinflammation that occurs in Parkinson's Disease (PD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Huntington's Disease (HD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and stroke. There are currently no treatments available to humans to prevent cell death in any of these diseases. This review provides an in-depth examination of the current understanding of the Parthanatos mechanism, with a particular focus on its implications in neuroinflammation and various diseases discussed herein. Furthermore, we thoroughly review potential intervention targets within the Parthanatos pathway. We dissect recent progress in inhibitory strategies, complimented by a detailed structural analysis of key Parthanatos executioners, PARP-1, AIF, and MIF, along with an assessment of their established inhibitors. We hope to introduce a new perspective on the feasibility of targeting components within the Parthanatos pathway, emphasizing its potential to bring about transformative outcomes in therapeutic interventions. By delineating therapeutic opportunities and known targets, we seek to emphasize the imperative of blocking Parthanatos as a precursor to developing disease-modifying treatments. This comprehensive exploration aims to catalyze a paradigm shift in our understanding of potential neurodegenerative disease therapeutics, advocating for the pursuit of effective interventions centered around Parthanatos inhibition.

Molecular mechanism of PARP inhibitor resistance

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) are the first-approved anticancer drug designed to exploit synthetic lethality. PARPi selectively kill cancer cells with homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD), as a result, PARPi are widely employed to treated BRCA1/2-mutant ovarian, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Currently, four PARPi including Olaparib, Rucaparib, Niraparib, and Talazoparib have been developed and greatly improved clinical outcomes in cancer patients. However, accumulating evidences suggest that required or de novo resistance emerged. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms leading to PARPi resistances and review the potential strategies to overcome PARPi resistance.

From Nature to Treatment: The Impact of Pterostilbene on Mitigating Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Damage by Reducing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a critical pathogenic mechanism in various eye diseases, and an effective therapeutic strategy remains unresolved. Natural derivatives have recently reemerged; therefore, in our present study, we examined the potential therapeutic effects of a stilbenoid that is chemically related to resveratrol. Pterostilbene, recognized for its anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, and neuroprotective properties, counteracts oxidative stress during I/R injury through various mechanisms. This study explored pterostilbene as a retinoprotective agent. Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent retinal I/R injury and one-week reperfusion and were treated with either vehicle or pterostilbene. After this functional electroretinographical (ERG) measurement, Western blot and histological analyses were performed. Pterostilbene treatment significantly improved retinal function, as evidenced by increased b-wave amplitude on ERG. Histological studies showed reduced retinal thinning and preserved the retinal structure in the pterostilbene-treated groups. Moreover, Western blot analysis revealed a decreased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), indicating reduced glial activation and cellular stress. Additionally, the expression of pro-apoptotic and inflammatory markers, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) was significantly reduced in the pterostilbene-treated group. These findings suggest that pterostilbene offers protective effects on the retina by diminishing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, thus preserving retinal function and structure following I/R injury. This study underscores pterostilbene's potential as a neuroprotective therapeutic agent for treating retinal ischemic injury and related disorders.

Application of Nanotechnology and Phytochemicals in Anticancer Therapy

Cancer is well recognized as a leading cause of mortality. Although surgery tends to be the primary treatment option for many solid cancers, cancer surgery is still a risk factor for metastatic diseases and recurrence. For this reason, a variety of medications has been adopted for the postsurgical care of patients with cancer. However, conventional medicines have shown major challenges such as drug resistance, a high level of drug toxicity, and different drug responses, due to tumor heterogeneity. Nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulations could effectively overcome the challenges faced by conventional treatment methods. In particular, the combined use of nanomedicine with natural phytochemicals can enhance tumor targeting and increase the efficacy of anticancer agents with better solubility and bioavailability and reduced side effects. However, there is limited evidence in relation to the application of phytochemicals in cancer treatment, particularly focusing on nanotechnology. Therefore, in this review, first, we introduce the drug carriers used in advanced nanotechnology and their strengths and limitations. Second, we provide an update on well-studied nanotechnology-based anticancer therapies related to the carcinogenesis process, including signaling pathways related to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Wnt, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Notch, and Hedgehog (HH). Third, we introduce approved nanomedicines currently available for anticancer therapy. Fourth, we discuss the potential roles of natural phytochemicals as anticancer drugs. Fifth, we also discuss the synergistic effect of nanocarriers and phytochemicals in anticancer therapy.

PARP-1 dependent cell death pathway (Parthanatos) mediates early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a neurological condition with high mortality and poor prognosis, and there are currently no effective therapeutic drugs available. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) dependent cell death pathway-parthanatos is closely associated with stroke. We investigated improvements in neurological function, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier and parthanatos-related protein expression in rats with SAH after intraperitoneal administration of PARP-1 inhibitor (AG14361). Our study found that the expression of parthanatos-related proteins was significantly increased after SAH. Immunofluorescence staining showed increased expression of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in the nucleus after SAH. Administration of PARP-1 inhibitor significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the expression of parthanatos-related proteins. Immunofluorescence staining showed that PARP-1 inhibitor reduced the expression of 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and thus reduced oxidative stress. Moreover, PARP-1 inhibitor could inhibit inflammation-associated proteins level and neuronal apoptosis, protect the blood-brain barrier and significantly improve neurological function after SAH. These results suggest that PARP-1 inhibitor can significantly improve SAH, and the underlying mechanism may be through inhibiting parthanatos pathway.

PARP1-driven repair of topoisomerase IIIα DNA-protein crosslinks by FEN1

Persistent DNA-protein crosslinks formed by human topoisomerase IIIα (TOP3A-DPCs) interfere with DNA metabolism and lead to genome damage and cell death. Recently, we demonstrated that such abortive TOP3A-DPCs are ubiquitylated and proteolyzed by Spartan (SPRTN). Here, we identify transient poly(ADP-ribosylation) (PARylation) in addition to ubiquitylation as a signaling mechanism for TOP3A-DPC repair and provide evidence that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) drives the repair of TOP3A-DPCs by recruiting flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) to the TOP3A-DPCs. We find that blocking PARylation attenuates the interaction of FEN1 and TOP3A and that TOP3A-DPCs accumulate in cells with compromised PARP1 activity and in FEN1-deficient cells. We also show that PARP1 suppresses TOP3A-DPC ubiquitylation and that inhibiting the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 (UBE1) increases TOP3A-DPCs, consistent with ubiquitylation serving as a signaling mechanism for TOP3A-DPC repair mediated by SPRTN and TDP2. We propose that two concerted pathways repair TOP3A-DPCs: PARylation-driven FEN1 excision and ubiquitylation-driven SPRTN-TDP2 excision.

Advances in the mechanism of small nucleolar RNA and its role in DNA damage response

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) were previously regarded as a class of functionally conserved housekeeping genes, primarily involved in the regulation of ribosome biogenesis by ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modification. However, some of them are involved in several biological processes via complex molecular mechanisms. DNA damage response (DDR) is a conserved mechanism for maintaining genomic stability to prevent the occurrence of various human diseases. It has recently been revealed that snoRNAs are involved in DDR at multiple levels, indicating their relevant theoretical and clinical significance in this field. The present review systematically addresses four main points, including the biosynthesis and classification of snoRNAs, the mechanisms through which snoRNAs regulate target molecules, snoRNAs in the process of DDR, and the significance of snoRNA in disease diagnosis and treatment. It focuses on the potential functions of snoRNAs in DDR to help in the discovery of the roles of snoRNAs in maintaining genome stability and pathological processes.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as anticancer agents: An outlook on clinical progress, synthetic strategies, biological activity, and structure-activity relationship

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is considered an essential component in case of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) damage, response by sensing DNA damage and engaging DNA repair proteins. Those proteins repair the damaged DNA via an aspect of posttranslational modification, known as poly (ADP-Ribosyl)ation (PARylation). Specifically, PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have shown better results when administered alone in a variety of cancer types with BRCA (Breast Cancer gene) mutation. The clinical therapeutic benefits of PARP inhibitors have been diminished by their cytotoxicity, progression of drug resistance, and limitation of indication, regardless of their tremendous clinical effectiveness. A growing number of PARP-1 inhibitors, particularly those associated with BRCA-1/2 mutations, have been identified as potential cancer treatments. Recently, several researchers have identified various promising scaffolds, which have resulted in the resuscitation of the faith in PARP inhibitors as cancer therapies. This review provided a comprehensive update on the anatomy and physiology of the PARP enzyme, the profile of FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration)-approved drugs, and small-molecule inhibitors of PARP, including their synthetic routes, biological evaluation, selectivity, and structure-activity relationship.

Unveiling the hidden dangers: a review of non-apoptotic programmed cell death in anesthetic-induced developmental neurotoxicity

Anesthetic-induced developmental neurotoxicity (AIDN) can arise due to various factors, among which aberrant nerve cell death is a prominent risk factor. Animal studies have reported that repeated or prolonged anesthetic exposure can cause significant neuroapoptosis in the developing brain. Lately, non-apoptotic programmed cell deaths (PCDs), characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress, have gained increasing attention. Substantial evidence suggests that non-apoptotic PCDs are essential for neuronal cell death in AIDN compared to apoptosis. This article examines relevant publications in the PubMed database until April 2024. Only original articles in English that investigated the potential manifestations of non-apoptotic PCD in AIDN were analysed. Specifically, it investigates necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and parthanatos, elucidating the signaling mechanisms associated with each form. Furthermore, this study explores the potential relevance of these non-apoptotic PCDs pathways to the pathological mechanisms underlying AIDN, drawing upon their distinctive characteristics. Despite the considerable challenges involved in translating fundamental scientific knowledge into clinical therapeutic interventions, this comprehensive review offers a theoretical foundation for developing innovative preventive and treatment strategies targeting non-apoptotic PCDs in the context of AIDN.

Role of the PARP1/NF-κB Pathway in DNA Damage and Apoptosis of TK6 Cells Induced by Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone(HQ) is a widely used industrial raw material and is a topical lightening product found in over-the-counter products. However, inappropriate exposure to HQ can pose certain health hazards. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of DNA damage and cell apoptosis caused by HQ, with a focus on whether HQ activates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway to participate in this process and to investigate the correlation between the NF-κB pathway activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1(PARP1). Through various experimental techniques, such as DNA damage detection, cell apoptosis assessment, cell survival rate analysis, immunofluorescence, and nuclear-cytoplasmic separation, the cytotoxic effects of HQ were verified, and the activation of the NF-κB pathway was observed. Simultaneously, the relationship between the NF-κB pathway and PARP1 was verified by shRNA interference experiments. The results showed that HQ could significantly activate the NF-κB pathway, leading to a decreased cell survival rate, increased DNA damage, and cell apoptosis. Inhibiting the NF-κB pathway could significantly reduce HQ-induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis and restore cell proliferation and survival rate. shRNA interference experiments further indicated that the activation of the NF-κB pathway was regulated by PARP1. This study confirmed the important role of the NF-κB pathway in HQ-induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis and revealed that the activation of the NF-κB pathway was mediated by PARP1. This research provides important clues for a deeper understanding of the toxic mechanism of HQ.

Hydrogen alleviates hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage in neonatal rats by inhibiting injury of brain pericytes

Hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) can induce the death of cerebrovascular constituent cells through oxidative stress. Hydrogen is a powerful antioxidant which can activate the antioxidant system. A hypoxia-ischaemia brain damage (HIBD) model was established in 7-day-old SD rats. Rats were treated with different doses of hydrogen-rich water (HRW), and brain pericyte oxidative stress damage, cerebrovascular function and brain tissue damage were assessed. Meanwhile, in vitro-cultured pericytes were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and treated with different concentrations of HRW. Oxidative injury was measured and the molecular mechanism of how HRW alleviated oxidative injury of pericytes was also examined. The results showed that HRW significantly attenuated HI-induced oxidative stress in the brain pericytes of neonatal rats, partly through the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway, further improving cerebrovascular function and reducing brain injury and dysfunction. Furthermore, HRW is superior to a single-cell death inhibitor for apoptosis, ferroptosis, parthanatos, necroptosis and autophagy and can better inhibit HI-induced pericyte death. The liver and kidney functions of rats were not affected by present used HRW dose. This study elucidates the role and mechanism of hydrogen in treating HIBD from the perspective of pericytes, providing new theoretical evidence and mechanistic references for the clinical application of hydrogen in neonatal HIE.

Unlocking epigenetics for precision treatment of Ewing's sarcoma

Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) is a highly aggressive malignant bone tumor primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. Despite the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in some cases, the cure rate for patients with metastatic and recurrent disease remains low. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches to address the challenges associated with EWS treatment. Epigenetic regulation, a crucial factor in physiological processes, plays a significant role in controlling cell proliferation, maintaining gene integrity, and regulating transcription. Recent studies highlight the importance of abnormal epigenetic regulation in the initiation and progression of EWS. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate interactions between EWS and aberrant epigenetic regulation is essential for advancing clinical drug development. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of both epigenetic targets implicated in EWS, integrating various therapeutic modalities to offer innovative perspectives for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of EWS.

An insight into the anticancer potentials of lignan arctiin: A comprehensive review of molecular mechanisms

Natural products are being developed as possible treatment options due to the rising prevalence of cancer and the harmful side effects of synthetic medications. Arctiin is a naturally occurring lignan found in numerous plants and exhibits different pharmacological activities, along with cancer. To elucidate the anticancer properties and underlying mechanisms of action, a comprehensive search of various electronic databases was conducted using appropriate keywords to identify relevant publications. The findings suggest that arctiin exhibits anticancer properties against tumor formation and various cancers such as cervical, myeloma, prostate, endothelial, gastric, and colon cancers in several preclinical pharmacological investigations. This naturally occurring compound exerts its anticancer effect through different cellular mechanisms, including mitochondrial dysfunction, cell cycle at different phases (G2/M), inhibition of cell proliferation, apoptotic cell death, and cytotoxic effects, as well as inhibition of migration and invasion of various malignant cells. Moreover, the study also revealed that, among the various cellular pathways, arctiin was shown to be more potent in terms of the PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. However, pharmacokinetic investigation indicated the compound's poor oral bioavailability. Because of these findings, arctiin might be considered a promising chemotherapeutic drug candidate.

Construction of 5-Fluorouracil and Gallium Corrole Conjugates for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

Molecular hybridization is a well-established strategy for developing new drugs. In the pursuit of promising photosensitizers (PSs) with enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency, a series of novel 5-fluorouracil (5FU) gallium corrole conjugates (1-Ga-4-Ga) were designed and synthesized by hybridizing a chemotherapeutic drug and PSs. Their photodynamic antitumor activity was also evaluated. The most active complex (2-Ga) possesses a low IC50 value of 0.185 μM and a phototoxic index of 541 against HepG2 cells. Additionally, the 5FU-gallium corrole conjugate (2-Ga) exhibited a synergistic increase in cytotoxicity under irradiation. Excitedly, treatment of HepG2 tumor-bearing mice with 2-Ga under irradiation could completely ablate tumors without harming normal tissues. 2-Ga-mediated PDT could disrupt mitochondrial function, cause cell cycle arrest in the sub-G1 phase, and activate the cell apoptosis pathway by upregulating the cleaved PARP expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratios. This work provides a useful strategy for the design of new corrole-based chemo-photodynamic therapy drugs.

[18F]F-Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Radiotracers for Imaging PARP Expression and Their Potential Clinical Applications in Oncology

Including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in managing patients with inoperable tumors has significantly improved outcomes. The PARP inhibitors hamper single-strand deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair by trapping poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) at sites of DNA damage, forming a non-functional "PARP enzyme-inhibitor complex" leading to cell cytotoxicity. The effect is more pronounced in the presence of PARP upregulation and homologous recombination (HR) deficiencies such as breast cancer-associated gene (BRCA1/2). Hence, identifying HR-deficiencies by genomic analysis-for instance, BRCA1/2 used in triple-negative breast cancer-should be a part of the selection process for PARP inhibitor therapy. Published data suggest BRCA1/2 germline mutations do not consistently predict favorable responses to PARP inhibitors, suggesting that other factors beyond tumor mutation status may be at play. A variety of factors, including tumor heterogeneity in PARP expression and intrinsic and/or acquired resistance to PARP inhibitors, may be contributing factors. This justifies the use of an additional tool for appropriate patient selection, which is noninvasive, and capable of assessing whole-body in vivo PARP expression and evaluating PARP inhibitor pharmacokinetics as complementary to the currently available BRCA1/2 analysis. In this review, we discuss [18F]Fluorine PARP inhibitor radiotracers and their potential in the imaging of PARP expression and PARP inhibitor pharmacokinetics. To provide context we also briefly discuss possible causes of PARP inhibitor resistance or ineffectiveness. The discussion focuses on TNBC, which is a tumor type where PARP inhibitors are used as part of the standard-of-care treatment strategy.

A review of non-classical MAPK family member, MAPK4: A pivotal player in cancer development and therapeutic intervention

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases that play a crucial role in transmitting extracellular signals to the intracellular environment, influencing a wide range of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolic activities, immune function and stress response. MAPK4, a non-classical MAPK, is frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, including prostate, breast, cervix, thyroid, and gliomas. It orchestrates cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis via the AKT/mTOR and/or PDK1 signaling pathways, thus facilitating tumor cell growth. Furthermore, MAPK4 expression is closely associated with the effectiveness of specific inhibitors like PI3K and PARP1, and also correlate with the survival rates of cancer patients. Increasing evidence highlights MAPK4's involvement in the tumor microenvironment, modulating immune response and inflammation-related diseases. This review comprehensively explores the structure, function, and oncogenic role of MAPK4, providing a deeper understanding of its activation and mechanisms of action in tumorigenesis, which might be helpful for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for cancer management.

Omics-based molecular classifications empowering in precision oncology

BACKGROUND

In the past decades, cancer enigmatical heterogeneity at distinct expression levels could interpret disparities in therapeutic response and prognosis. It built hindrances to precision medicine, a tactic to tailor customized treatment informed by the tumors' molecular profile. Single-omics analysis dissected the biological features associated with carcinogenesis to some extent but still failed to revolutionize cancer treatment as expected. Integrated omics analysis incorporated tumor biological networks from diverse layers and deciphered a holistic overview of cancer behaviors, yielding precise molecular classification to facilitate the evolution and refinement of precision medicine.

CONCLUSION

This review outlined the biomarkers at multiple expression layers to tutor molecular classification and pinpoint tumor diagnosis, and explored the paradigm shift in precision therapy: from single- to multi-omics-based subtyping to optimize therapeutic regimens. Ultimately, we firmly believe that by parsing molecular characteristics, omics-based typing will be a powerful assistant for precision oncology.

Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H.Hara inhibits pancreatic cancer progression by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis and suppressing TGF-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background: Cynanchum paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H.Hara, a member of the Asclepiadaceae family, has a rich history as a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used to treat digestive disorders. However, its potential anti-cancer effects in pancreatic cancer remain largely unexplored. Aim: This study delves into the intricate anti-pancreatic cancer mechanisms of C. paniculatum (Bunge) Kitag. ex H.Hara aqueous extract (CPAE) by elucidating its role in apoptosis induction and the inhibition of invasion and migration. Methods: A comprehensive set of methodologies was employed to assess CPAE's impact, including cell viability analyses using MTT and colony formation assays, flow cytometry for cell cycle distribution and apoptosis assessment, scratch-wound and Matrigel invasion assays for migration and invasion capabilities, and immunoblotting to measure the expression levels of key proteins involved in apoptosis and metastasis. Additionally, a murine xenograft model was established to investigate CPAE's in vivo anti-cancer potential. Results: CPAE exhibited time- and dose-dependent suppression of proliferation and colony formation in pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, CPAE induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, effectively activating the caspase-dependent PARP pathway. At non-cytotoxic doses, CPAE significantly curtailed the metastatic abilities of pancreatic cells, effectively suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and downregulating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. In vivo experiments underscored CPAE's ability to inhibit tumor proliferation. Conclusion: This study illuminates the multifaceted anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-invasive, and anti-migratory effects of CPAE, both in vitro and in vivo. CPAE emerges as a promising herbal medicine for pancreatic cancer treatment, with its potential mediated through apoptosis induction via the caspase-dependent PARP pathway and MET suppression via the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway at non-cytotoxic doses. These findings advocate for further exploration of CPAE's therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of [18F]BIBD-300 as a Positron Emission Tomography Tracer for Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1

Compounds 8a-j were designed to adjust the mode of interaction and lipophilicity of FTT by scaffold hopping and changing the length of the alkoxy groups. Compounds 8a, 8d, 8g, and BIBD-300 were screened for high-affinity PARP-1 through enzyme inhibition assays and are worthy of further evaluation. PET imaging of MCF-7 subcutaneous tumors with moderate expression of PARP-1 showed that compared to [18F]FTT, [18F]8a, [18F]8d, and [18F]8g exhibited greater nonspecific uptake, a lower target-to-nontarget ratio, and severe defluorination, while [18F]BIBD-300 exhibited lower nonspecific uptake and a greater target-to-nontarget ratio. PET imaging of 22Rv1 subcutaneous tumors, which highly express PARP-1, confirmed that the uptake of [18F]BIBD-300 in normal organs, such as the liver, muscle, and bone, was lower than that of [18F]FTT, and the ratio of tumor-to-muscle and tumor-to-liver [18F]BIBD-300 was greater than that of [18F]FTT. The biodistribution results in mice with MCF-7 and 22Rv1 subcutaneous tumors further validated the results of PET imaging. Unlike [18F]FTT, which mainly relies on hepatobiliary clearance, [18F]BIBD-300, which has lower lipophilicity, undergoes a partial shift from hepatobiliary to renal clearance, providing the possibility for [18F]BIBD-300 to indicate liver cancer. The difference in the PET imaging results for [18F]FTT, [18F]BIBD-300, and [18F]8j in 22Rv1 mice and the corresponding molecular docking results further confirmed that subtle structural modifications in lipophilicity greatly optimize the properties of the tracer. Cell uptake experiments also demonstrated that [18F]BIBD-300 has a high affinity for PARP-1. Metabolized and unmetabolized [18F]FTT and [18F]BIBD-300 were detected in the brain, indicating that they could not accurately quantify the amount of PARP-1 in the brain. However, PET imaging of glioma showed that both [18F]FTT and [18F]BIBD-300 could accurately localize both in situ to C6 and U87MG tumors. Based on its potential advantages in the diagnosis of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and glioma, as well as liver cancer, [18F]BIBD-300 is a new option for an excellent PARP-1 tracer.

Dapagliflozin suppresses diabetes-induced oxidative DNA damage and hypermethylation in mouse somatic cells

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder resulting from the interplay of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors that increase the risk of cancer development. However, it is unclear whether the increased cancer risk is due to poor glycemic control or the use of some antidiabetic medications. Therefore, we investigated the genetic and epigenetic changes in somatic cells in a mouse model of diabetes and studied whether multiple exposures to the antidiabetic medication dapagliflozin influence these changes. We also elucidated the mechanism(s) of these ameliorations. The micronucleus test and modified comet assay were used to investigate bone marrow DNA damage and methylation changes. These assays revealed that dapagliflozin is non-genotoxic in the tested regimen, and oxidative DNA damage and hypermethylation were significantly higher in diabetic mice. Spectrophotometry also evaluated oxidative DNA damage and global DNA methylation, revealing similar significant alterations induced by diabetes. Conversely, the dapagliflozin-treated diabetic animals significantly reduced these changes. The expression of some genes involved in DNA repair and DNA methylation was disrupted considerably in the somatic cells of diabetic animals. In contrast, dapagliflozin treatment significantly restored these disruptions and enhanced DNA repair. The simultaneous effects of decreased oxidative DNA damage and hypermethylation levels suggest that dapagliflozin can be used as a safe antidiabetic drug to reduce DNA damage and hypermethylation in diabetes, demonstrating its usefulness in patients with diabetes to control hyperglycemia and decrease the development of its subsequent complications.

Cellular senescence in acute kidney injury: Target and opportunity

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical disease with a high incidence and mortality rate. It typically arises from hemodynamic alterations, sepsis, contrast agents, and toxic drugs, instigating a series of events that culminate in tissue and renal damage. This sequence of processes often leads to acute renal impairment, prompting the initiation of a repair response. Cellular senescence is an irreversible arrest of the cell cycle. Studies have shown that renal cellular senescence is closely associated with AKI through several mechanisms, including the promotion of oxidative stress and inflammatory response, telomere shortening, and the down-regulation of klotho expression. Exploring the role of cellular senescence in AKI provides innovative therapeutic ideas for both the prevention and treatment of AKI. Furthermore, it has been observed that targeted removal of senescent cells in vivo can efficiently postpone senescence, resulting in an enhanced prognosis for diseases associated with senescence. This article explores the effects of common anti-senescence drugs senolytics and senostatic and lifestyle interventions on renal diseases, and mentions the rapid development of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These studies have taken senescence-related research to a new level. Overall, this article comprehensively summarizes the studies on cellular senescence in AKI, aiming is to elucidate the relationship between cellular senescence and AKI, and explore treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of AKI.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli effector EspF triggers oxidative DNA lesions in intestinal epithelial cells

Attaching/effacing (A/E) pathogens induce DNA damage and colorectal cancer by injecting effector proteins into host cells via the type III secretion system (T3SS). EspF is one of the T3SS-dependent effector proteins exclusive to A/E pathogens, which include enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. The role of EspF in the induction of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the phosphorylation of the repair protein SMC1 has been demonstrated previously. However, the process of damage accumulation and DSB formation has remained enigmatic, and the damage response is not well understood. Here, we first showed a compensatory increase in the mismatch repair proteins MutS homolog 2 (MSH2) and MSH6, as well as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1, followed by a dramatic decrease, threatening cell survival in the presence of EspF. Flow cytometry revealed that EspF arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase to facilitate DNA repair. Subsequently, 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) lesions, a marker of oxidative damage, were assayed by ELISA and immunofluorescence, which revealed the accumulation of 8-oxoG from the cytosol to the nucleus. Furthermore, the status of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and DSBs was confirmed. We observed that EspF accelerated the course of DNA lesions, including 8-oxoG and unrepaired ssDNA, which were converted into DSBs; this was accompanied by the phosphorylation of replication protein A 32 in repair-defective cells. Collectively, these findings reveal that EspF triggers various types of oxidative DNA lesions with impairment of the DNA damage response and may result in genomic instability and cell death, offering novel insight into the tumorigenic potential of EspF.IMPORTANCEOxidative DNA lesions play causative roles in colitis-associated colon cancer. Accumulating evidence shows strong links between attaching/effacing (A/E) pathogens and colorectal cancer (CRC). EspF is one of many effector proteins exclusive to A/E pathogens with defined roles in the induction of oxidative stress, double-strand breaks (DSBs), and repair dysregulation. Here, we found that EspF promotes reactive oxygen species generation and 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) lesions when the repair system is activated, contributing to sustained cell survival. However, infected cells exposed to EspF presented 8-oxoG, which results in DSBs and ssDNA accumulation when the cell cycle is arrested at the G2/M phase and the repair system is defective or saturated by DNA lesions. In addition, we found that EspF could intensify the accumulation of nuclear DNA lesions through oxidative and replication stress. Overall, our work highlights the involvement of EspF in DNA lesions and DNA damage response, providing a novel avenue by which A/E pathogens may contribute to CRC.

Stress-Induced Changes in Nucleocytoplasmic Localization of Crucial Factors in Gene Expression Regulation

This study investigates the toxic effect of harmful materials, unfiltered by the placenta, on neonatal umbilical cord (UC) vessels, focusing on stress-induced adaptations in transcriptional and translational processes. It aims to analyze changes in pathways related to mRNA condensate formation, transcriptional regulation, and DNA damage response under maternal smoking-induced stress. UC vessels from neonates born to smoking (Sm) and nonsmoking mothers (Ctr) were examined. Immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy assessed the localization of key markers, including Transcription Complex Subunit 1 (CNOT1) and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II enzyme (RPB1). Additionally, markers of DNA damage response, such as Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, were evaluated. In Sm samples, dissolution of CNOT1 granules in UC vessels was observed, potentially aiding stalled translation and enhancing transcription via RPB1 assembly and translocation. Control vessels showed predominant cytoplasmic RPB1 localization. Despite adaptive responses, Sm endothelial cells exhibited significant damage, indicated by markers like Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. Ex vivo metal treatment on control vessels mirrored Sm sample alterations, emphasizing marker roles in cell survival under toxic exposure. Maternal smoking induces specific molecular adaptations in UC vessels, affecting mRNA condensate formation, transcriptional regulation, and DNA damage response pathways. Understanding these intricate molecular mechanisms could inform interventions to improve neonatal health outcomes and mitigate adverse effects of toxic exposure during pregnancy.

Rational Design of PARP1/c-Met Dual Inhibitors for Overcoming PARP1 Inhibitor Resistance Induced by c-Met Overexpression

The emergence of resistance to PARP1 inhibitors poses a current therapeutic challenge, necessitating the development of novel strategies to overcome this obstacle. The present study describes the design and synthesis of a series of small molecules that target both PARP1 and c-Met. Among them, compound 16 is identified as a highly potent dual inhibitor, exhibiting excellent inhibitory activities against PARP1 (IC50 = 3.3 nM) and c-Met (IC50 = 32.2 nM), as well as demonstrating good antiproliferative effects on HR-proficient cancer cell lines and those resistant to PARP1 inhibitors. Importantly, compound 16 demonstrates superior antitumor potency compared to the PARP1 inhibitor Olaparib and the c-Met inhibitor Crizotinib, either alone or in combination, in MDA-MB-231 and HCT116OR xenograft models. These findings highlight the potential of PARP1/c-Met dual inhibitors for expanding the indications of PARP1 inhibitors and overcoming tumor cells' resistance to them.