Glutamine regulates ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion through ETS1

Complement C5a promotes human retinal pigment epithelial cell viability and migration through SLC38A1-mediated glutamine metabolism

The pathological basis of many visual disorders involves the abnormal viability and migration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Complement response disorder is a significant pathogenic factor causing some autoimmune and inflammation diseases. The complement activation product anaphylatoxin C5a signaling pathway may be associated with RPE cell dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze the molecular mechanisms by which C5a affects RPE cell viability and migration. Recombinant human complement component C5a protein stimulated RPE cells. Cell biological behavior, including cell viability, invasion, and migration were analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell methods. Bioinformatics analysis identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in C5a-treated RPE cells based on RNA sequencing. SLC38A1 was knocked down or overexpressed by vector transfection to investigate its involvement in C5a-stimulated RPE cells. C5a promotes RPE cell viability and migration. C5a-induced DEGs are enriched in migration-associated pathways. C5a increased SLC38A1, and SLC38A1 knockdown or overexpression inhibited or promoted RPE cell viability and migration. Glutaminase inhibition abrogated the promoting effect of C5a and SLC38A1 on cell biological behaviors. METTL3-HNRNPC-mediated m6A modification mediated C5a-induced SLC38A1. C5a, METTL3, and SLC38A1 constituted a signaling axis in regulating cell biological behaviors of C5a-treated RPE cells. C5a promotes RPE cell viability and migration, and SLC38A1-mediated improved glutamine metabolism is the downstream signal pathway of the C5a complement pathway. The C5a complement system may target the SLC38A1 to promote RPE cell migration.

Glutamine's double-edged sword: fueling tumor growth and offering therapeutic hope

Tumor metabolic reprogramming is a highly complex process that enables tumor survival in the presence of limited nutrients, involving multiple signaling pathways, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and transcription factors. Lately, glutamine has been found to enhance the growth, spread, and drug resistance of cancer cells, while also fostering an immunosuppressive microenvironment that aids tumor development. However, in some tumors, such as pancreatic cancer and melanoma, additional glutamine can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, and this mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the immune microenvironment. Therefore, further exploration of glutamine metabolism in tumors is essential for understanding the pathogenesis of cancer and for developing new metabolically targeted therapies. We systematically review the latest research on the reprogramming of glutamine metabolism and its role of tumor growth, spread, and immune system regulation. Additionally, we review the clinical research progress on targeted glutamine therapies and their application in combination with current anti-tumor treatments. Ultimately, we address the challenges and prospects involved in resistance to anti-cancer strategies aimed at glutamine metabolism.

ETS1 Expression in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Implications for Fibroblast Phenotype and Wound Healing Through the PP2A/YAP Pathway

Objective

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes, characterized by impaired wound healing and high morbidity and mortality risks. While ETS1 is known to influence fibroblast pathological remodeling, its specific role in DFU and fibroblast wound healing remains unclear.

Methods

Skin tissue samples from DFU patients were categorized by Wagner grades to analyze ETS1 expression. Primary fibroblasts derived from diabetes mellitus wound (DMFBs) were collected from wound margins to test migration ability and analyze cell phenotype by immunofluorescence; they were further treated with siETS1 and the ETS1 inhibitor YK-4-279. Techniques including Western blotting, quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expressionof ETS1, Collagen I, and phenotype in DMFBs. Additionally, the binding sites between human ETS1 and the PP2A promoter were predicted by the UCSC and JASPAR databases. It intended to explore the negative transcriptional regulation of PP2A by ETS1 and its implications in fibroblast function and wound healing.

Results

Fibroblasts derived from Wagner Grades II-IV exhibit differences in cell morphology, migratory ability, and phenotype. Our findings indicate a significant upregulation of ETS1 in Wagner III and IV. The downregulation of ETS1 was observed to enhance DMFB migration and increase the expression of Collagen I and α-SMA. These changes suggest a potential mechanism by which PP2A regulates the YAP/Hippo pathway in diabetic wound healing.

Conclusion

ETS1 appears to impede the repair processes in DFUs, likely through the negative regulation of PP2A, affecting fibroblast function and wound healing.

N6-methyladenosine modification of SLC38A7 promotes cell migration, invasion, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial function in gastric cancer

Solute carrier (SLC) 38 family, responsible for trans-membrane transport of neutral amino acids, plays a role in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells, but its role in gastric cancer (GC) progression remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the biological effects of SLC38A7 and its regulatory mechanisms in GC. RNA expression data, tumor tissue specimens, and GC cell lines were used for bioinformatics and experimental analyses. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell invasion assay were used to evaluate cell viability, migration, and invasion, respectively. Oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of the critical proteins in the mitochondrial respiratory chain were assayed using extracellular flux analysis, flow cytometry, and Western blot, respectively. RNA immunoprecipitation assay was used to explore the mechanisms of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation. SLC38A7 was upregulated in GC tissue and cell lines. SLC38A7 silencing suppressed cell viability, migration, invasion, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial function in cancer cells. SLC38A7 overexpression had the opposite biological effects. Interactions between SLC38A7 and methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) or insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) were detected. SLC38A7 mRNA stability was maintained by METTL3-IGF2BP2 axis in an m6A-dependent manner. Our results suggest that SLC38A7, stabilized by METTL3 and IGF2BP2-mediated m6A methylation, enhances cell viability, migration, invasion, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial function in GC, highlighting its role as a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Lipid-Based Nanocarrier by Targeting with LHRH Peptide: A Promising Approach for Prostate Cancer Radio-Imaging and Therapy

Prostate cancer is a prevalently detected malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Luteinizing-hormone-releasing-hormone (LHRH) receptors are overexpressed in such cancer cells, to which the LHRH-decapeptide can specifically bind. A lipid-polyethylene glycol-conjugated new LHRH-decapeptide analogue (D-P-HLH) was synthesized and characterized. D-P-HLH-coated and anticancer drug doxorubicin (DX)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (F-DX-SLN) were formulated by the cold homogenization technique and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, entrapment efficiency, and drug-release profile studies. F-DX-SLN allows site-specific DX delivery by reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. Cancer cells could precisely take up F-DX-SLN by targeting specific receptors, boosting the cytotoxicity at the tumor site. The efficacy of F-DX-SLN on PC3/SKBR3 cells by the MTT assay revealed that F-DX-SLN was more cytotoxic than DX and/or DX-SLN. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopic studies further support F-DX-SLNs' increased intracellular absorption capability in targeting LHRH overexpressed cancer cells. F-DX-SLN ensured high apoptotic potential, noticeably larger mitochondrial transmembrane depolarization action, as well as the activation of caspases, a longer half-life, and greater plasma concentration. F-DX-SLN/DX-SLN was radiolabeled with technetium-99m; scintigraphic imaging studies established its tumor selectivity in PC3 tumor-bearing nude mice. The efficacy of the formulations in cancer treatment, in vivo therapeutic efficacy tests, and histopathological studies were also conducted. Results clearly indicate that F-DX-SLN exhibits sustained and superior targeted administration of anticancer drugs, thus opening up the possibility of a drug delivery system with precise control and targeting effects. F-DX-SLN could also provide a nanotheranostic approach with improved efficacy for prostate cancer therapy.

Targeting the glutamine metabolism to suppress cell proliferation in mesenchymal docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer

Docetaxel (DX) serves as a palliative treatment option for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Despite initial remission, acquired DX resistance is inevitable. The mechanisms behind DX resistance have not yet been deciphered, but a mesenchymal phenotype is associated with DX resistance. Mesenchymal phenotypes have been linked to metabolic rewiring, obtaining most ATP production by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) powered substantially by glutamine (Gln). Likewise, Gln is known to play an essential role in modulating bioenergetic, redox homeostasis and autophagy. Herein, investigations of Gln deprivation on DX-sensitive and -resistant (DR) PCa cells revealed that the DR cell sub-lines were susceptible to Gln deprivation. Mechanistically, Gln deprivation reduced OXPHOS and ATP levels, causing a disturbance in cell cycle progression. Genetic and chemical inhibition of the Gln-metabolism key protein GLS1 could validate the Gln deprivation results, thereby representing a valid therapeutic target. Moreover, immunohistological investigation of GLS1 revealed a high-expressing GLS1 subgroup post-docetaxel failure, exhibiting low overall survival. This subgroup presents an intriguing opportunity for targeted therapy focusing on glutamine metabolism. Thus, these findings highlight a possible clinical rationale for the chemical inhibition of GLS1 as a therapeutic strategy to target mesenchymal DR PCa cells, thereby delaying accelerated tumour progression.

Identification of different subtypes of ovarian cancer and construction of prognostic models based on glutamine-metabolism associated genes

Ovarian cancer (OC) is common malignant tumor of female reproductive system. Glutamine metabolism-related genes (GMRGs) play a key role in ovarian cancer. Here, available database-- The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were applied in our research. OC samples from TCGA were divided into different clusters based on Cox analysis, which filtering GMRGs with survival information. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these clusters were intersected with DEGs between normal ovary samples and OC samples, and GMRGs in order to obtain GMRGs-related DEGs. Next, a risk model of OC was constructed and enrichment analysis of risk model was performed based on hallmark gene set. Besides, the immune cells ratio in OC samples were detected via Cell type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets Of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT). Finally, we explored a series of potential biomarkers of OC. In this research, 9 GMRGs-related DEGs were obtained. GMRGs-related DEGs were enriched to canonical Wnt signaling pathway.NKD2, C2orf88, and KLHDC8A, which were significantly associated with prognosis, were retained for risk model construction. Based on the risk model, 18 hallmark pathways with significant difference were enriched. Fifteen types of immune cells (such as iDC, NK CD56dim cells, and neutrophils) enjoying significant difference between these 2 risk groups (high risk group vs. low risk group) were detected, which indicates possible disparate TME in different metabolic subtypes of ovarian cancer.

SLC9A2, suppressing by the transcription suppressor ETS1, restrains growth and invasion of osteosarcoma via inhibition of aerobic glycolysis

Recent studies have shown that Solute Carrier Family 9 Member A2 (SLC9A2) could serve as a biomarker for cancer. However, its mechanism of action in osteosarcoma (OS) was still unclear. In this study, the data sets GSE154530 and GSE99671 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and 31 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to methylation were screened by bioinformatics analysis tools. Subsequently, SLC9A2 was screened as a candidate gene from DEGs, which was significantly downregulated in OS. CCK-8, transwell, western blotting and Seahorse XFe24 Cell Metabolic Analyzer assays demonstrated that overexpression of SLC9A2 could constrain OS cell proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays indicated ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1) was a transcription suppressor of SLC9A2, and overexpression of ETS1 could promote methylation levels in specific regions of the SLC9A2 promoter. ETS1 could promote the proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis ability of OS cells, as well as tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting the expression of SLC9A2. In addition, SLC9A2, suppressing by ETS1, restrains growth and invasion of OS via inhibition of aerobic glycolysis. Thus, SLC9A2 can function as a key inhibitory factor in the aerobic glycolysis to inhibit proliferation and invasion of OS. This indicated that SLC9A2 has a potential targeted therapeutic effect on OS.

Microfluidic devices for precise measurements of cell directionality reveal a role for glutamine during cell migration

Cancer cells that migrate from tumors into surrounding tissues are responsible for cancer dissemination through the body. Microfluidic devices have been instrumental in discovering unexpected features of cancer cell migration, including the migration in self-generated gradients and the contributions of cell-cell contact during collective migration. Here, we design microfluidic channels with five successive bifurcations to characterize the directionality of cancer cell migration with high precision. We uncover an unexpected role for glutamine in epithelial cancer cell orientation, which could be replaced by alfa-keto glutarate but not glucose.

Ets1 facilitates EMT/invasion through Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer has sustained as a major cause of cancer-related female mortality owing to its aggressive nature and a dearth of early detection markers. Ets1 oncoprotein, a transcription factor belonging to the Ets family, is a well-established promoter of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a prospective malignancy marker in ovarian cancer. Our study establishes Ets1 as a regulator of mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics through Drp1 augmentation via direct binding at DNM1L (DRP1) promoter. Ets1 overexpression-mediated Drp1 increment resulted in mitochondrial load reduction and compromised OXPHOS Complex 5 (ATP synthase) expression, facilitating a greater reliance on glycolysis over OXPHOS. Furthermore, our work demonstrates that inhibition of mitochondrial fission through molecular or pharmacological inhibition of Drp1 successfully mitigates Ets1-associated EMT in both in vitro and in vivo syngeneic mice model. Collectively, our data highlight the role of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation in driving Ets1-mediated bioenergetic alterations and EMT/invasion in ovarian cancer.

Insights into the tumor-stromal-immune cell metabolism cross talk in ovarian cancer

The ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a constellation of abundant cellular components, extracellular matrix, and soluble factors. Soluble factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, structural proteins, extracellular vesicles, and metabolites, are critical means of noncontact cellular communication acting as messengers to convey pro- or antitumorigenic signals. Vast advancements have been made in our understanding of how cancer cells adapt their metabolism to meet environmental demands and utilize these adaptations to promote survival, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The stromal TME contribution to this metabolic rewiring has been relatively underexplored, particularly in ovarian cancer. Thus, metabolic activity alterations in the TME hold promise for further study and potential therapeutic exploitation. In this review, we focus on the cellular components of the TME with emphasis on 1) metabolic signatures of ovarian cancer; 2) understanding the stromal cell network and their metabolic cross talk with tumor cells; and 3) how stromal and tumor cell metabolites alter intratumoral immune cell metabolism and function. Together, these elements provide insight into the metabolic influence of the TME and emphasize the importance of understanding how metabolic performance drives cancer progression.

Metabolic reprogramming of three major nutrients in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Metabolic reprogramming is a phenomenon in which cancer cells alter their metabolic pathways to support their uncontrolled growth and survival. Platinum-based chemotherapy resistance is associated with changes in glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. These changes lead to the creation of metabolic intermediates that can provide precursors for the biosynthesis of cellular components and help maintain cellular energy homeostasis. This article reviews the research progress of the metabolic reprogramming mechanism of platinumbased chemotherapy resistance caused by three major nutrients in ovarian cancer.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Radiolabeled Glutamine Conjugated Polymeric Nanoparticles: A Simple Approach for Tumor Imaging

Application of nanoradiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging has gained worldwide importance for their multifaceted potentials focusing on providing a safe and cost-effective approach. Biodistribution studies on such species are capable of bringing nanomedicine to patients. Current therapeutically available labeling strategies suffer from different limitations, including off-target cytotoxicity and radiolabel release over time. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) nanoparticles are biodegradable carriers for a variety of contrast agents that can be employed in medicine with high loading capacity for multimodal imaging agents. Here, glutamine-conjugated PLGA polymers were used to construct polymeric nanoparticles (G-PNP) similar to unconjugated PLGA nanoparticles (PNP)s formulated for ex vivo cell labeling and in vivo tumor scintigraphy studies. G-PNP/PNP, characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, atomic-force-microscopy, particle-size, and zeta-potential studies, were biocompatible as evaluated by MTT assay. G-PNPs were radiolabeled with ^99mtechnetium (^99mTc) by borohydrite reduction. G-PNPs demonstrated higher cellular uptake than PNPs, with no major cytotoxicity. Radiochemical purity indicated that ^99mTc labeled G-PNP (^99mTc-G-PNP) can form a stable complex with substantial stability in serum with respect to time. Imaging studies showed that ^99mTc-G-PNP significantly accumulated at the C6 glioma cell induced tumor-site in rats. Thus, ^99mTc-G-PNP demonstrated favorable characteristics and imaging potential which may make it a promising tumor imaging nanoprobe as a nanoradiopharmaceutical.

Microfluidic Devices for Precise Measurements of Cell Directionality Reveal a Role for Glutamine during Cell Migration

Cancer cells that migrate from tumors into surrounding tissues are responsible for cancer dissemination through the body. Microfluidic devices have been instrumental in discovering unexpected features of cancer cell migration, including the migration in self-generated gradients and the contributions of cell-cell contact during collective migration. Here, we design microfluidic channels with five successive bifurcations to characterize the directionality of cancer cell migration with high precision. We find that the directional decisions of cancer cells moving through bifurcating channels in response to self-generated epidermal growth factor (EGF) gradients require the presence of glutamine in the culture media. A biophysical model helps quantify the contribution of glucose and glutamine to cancer cell orientation during migration in self-generated gradients. Our study uncovers an unexpected interplay between cancer cell metabolism and cancer cell migration studies and may eventually lead to new ways to delay cancer cell invasion.

Metabolic dependencies and targets in ovarian cancer

Reprogramming of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. Cancer cells undergo metabolic adaptations to maintain tumorigenicity and survive under the attack of immune cells and chemotherapy in the tumor microenvironment. Metabolic alterations in ovarian cancer in part overlap with findings from other solid tumors and in part reflect unique traits. Altered metabolic pathways not only facilitate ovarian cancer cells' survival and proliferation but also endow them to metastasize, acquire resistance to chemotherapy, maintain cancer stem cell phenotype and escape the effects of anti-tumor immune defense. In this review, we comprehensively review the metabolic signatures of ovarian cancer and their impact on cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment. We highlight novel therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic pathways under development.

Plasticity of cancer invasion and energy metabolism

Energy deprivation is a frequent adverse event in tumors that is caused by mutations, malperfusion, hypoxia, and nutrition deficit. The resulting bioenergetic stress leads to signaling and metabolic adaptation responses in tumor cells, secures survival, and adjusts migration activity. The kinetic responses of cancer cells to energy deficit were recently identified, including a switch of invasive cancer cells to energy-conservative amoeboid migration and an enhanced capability for distant metastasis. We review the energy programs employed by different cancer invasion modes including collective, mesenchymal, and amoeboid migration, as well as their interconversion in response to energy deprivation, and we discuss the consequences for metastatic escape. Understanding the energy requirements of amoeboid and other dissemination strategies offers rationales for improving therapeutic targeting of metastatic cancer progression.

New progress of glutamine metabolism in the occurrence, development, and treatment of ovarian cancer from mechanism to clinic

Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that can be synthesized by cells. It plays a vital role in the growth and proliferation of mammalian cells cultured in vitro. In the process of tumor cell proliferation, glutamine not only contributes to protein synthesis but also serves as the primary nitrogen donor for purine and pyrimidine synthesis. Studies have shown that glutamine-addicted tumor cells depend on glutamine for survival and reprogram glutamine utilization through the Krebs cycle. Potential therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancer including blocking the entry of glutamine into the tricarboxylic acid cycle in highly aggressive ovarian cancer cells or inhibiting glutamine synthesis in less aggressive ovarian cancer cells. Glutamine metabolism is associated with poor prognosis of ovarian cancer. Combining platinum-based chemotherapy with inhibition of glutamine metabolic pathways may be a new strategy for treating ovarian cancer, especially drug-resistant ovarian cancer. This article reviews the role of glutamine metabolism in the biological behaviors of ovarian cancer cells, such as proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. Its potential use as a new target or biomarker for ovarian cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the prognosis is investigated.

Metabolic reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer: A novel orientation for immunotherapy

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic tumor, with the highest mortality rate. Numerous studies have been conducted on the treatment of ovarian cancer in the hopes of improving therapeutic outcomes. Immune cells have been revealed to play a dual function in the development of ovarian cancer, acting as both tumor promoters and tumor suppressors. Increasingly, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has been proposed and confirmed to play a unique role in tumor development and treatment by altering immunosuppressive and cytotoxic responses in the vicinity of tumor cells through metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, studies of immunometabolism have provided new insights into the understanding of the TIME. Targeting or activating metabolic processes of the TIME has the potential to be an antitumor therapy modality. In this review, we summarize the composition of the TIME of ovarian cancer and its metabolic reprogramming, its relationship with drug resistance in ovarian cancer, and recent research advances in immunotherapy.

Hormone-Glutamine Metabolism: A Critical Regulatory Axis in Endocrine-Related Cancers

The endocrine-related cancers and hormones are undoubtedly highly interconnected. How hormones support or repress tumor induction and progression has been extensively profiled. Furthermore, advances in understanding the role of glutamine metabolism in mediating tumorigenesis and development, coupled with these in-depth studies on hormone (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, androgen, prostaglandin, thyroid hormone, and insulin) regulation of glutamine metabolism, have led us to think about the relationship between these three factors, which remains to be elucidated. Accordingly, in this review, we present an updated overview of glutamine metabolism traits and its influence on endocrine oncology, as well as its upstream hormonal regulation. More importantly, this hormone/glutamine metabolism axis may help in the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for endocrine-related cancer.

Identification of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator as a prognostic marker for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia via the whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of monozygotic twins and data mining

BACKGROUND

Linked deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hypermethylation investigations of promoter methylation levels of candidate genes may help to increase the progressiveness and mortality rates of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), which is a unique myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm caused by excessive monocyte and granulocyte proliferation in infancy/early childhood. However, the roles of hypermethylation in this malignant disease are uncertain.

METHODS

Bone marrow samples from a JMML patient and peripheral blood samples from a healthy monozygotic twin and an unrelated healthy donor were collected with the informed consent of the participant's parents. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was then performed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to analyze specific differentially methylated region (DMG) related genes. The target genes were screened with Cytoscape and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING), which are gene/protein interaction databases. A data mining platform was used to examine the expression level data of the healthy control and JMML patient tissues in Gene Expression Omnibus data sets, and a survival analysis was performed for all the JMML patients.

RESULTS

The STRING analysis revealed that the red node [i.e., the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)] was the gene of interest. The gene-expression microarray data set analysis suggested that the CFTR expression levels did not differ significantly between the JMML patients and healthy controls (P=0.81). A statistically significant difference was observed in the CFTR promoter methylation level but not in the CFTR gene body methylation level. The overall survival analysis demonstrated that a high level of CFTR expression was associated with a worse survival rate in patients with JMML (P=0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

CFTR promoter hypermethylation may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and prognosis of JMML.

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Migration and Glycolysis by Terahertz Wave Modulation via Altered Chromatin Accessibility

Metastasis and metabolic disorders contribute to most cancer deaths and are potential drug targets in cancer treatment. However, corresponding drugs inevitably induce myeloid suppression and gastrointestinal toxicity. Here, we report a nonpharmaceutical and noninvasive electromagnetic intervention technique that exhibited long-term inhibition of cancer cells. Firstly, we revealed that optical radiation at the specific wavelength of 3.6  μm (i.e., 83 THz) significantly increased binding affinity between DNA and histone via molecular dynamics simulations, providing a theoretical possibility for THz modulation- (THM-) based cancer cell intervention. Subsequent cell functional assays demonstrated that low-power 3.6  μm THz wave could successfully inhibit cancer cell migration by 50% and reduce glycolysis by 60%. Then, mRNA sequencing and assays for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) indicated that low-power THM at 3.6  μm suppressed the genes associated with glycolysis and migration by reducing the chromatin accessibility of certain gene loci. Furthermore, THM at 3.6  μm on HCT-116 cancer cells reduced the liver metastasis by 60% in a metastatic xenograft mouse model by splenic injection, successfully validated the inhibition of cancer cell migration by THM in vivo. Together, this work provides a new paradigm for electromagnetic irradiation-induced epigenetic changes and represents a theoretical basis for possible innovative therapeutic applications of THM as the future of cancer treatments.

SIRT6 promotes mitochondrial fission and subsequent cellular invasion in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in terms of cancer mortality in women due to lack of early diagnosis and poor clinical management. Characteristics like high cellular proliferation, EMT and metabolic alterations contribute to oncogenicity. Cancer, being a "metabolic disorder," is governed by various key regulatory factors like metabolic enzymes, oncogenes, and tumor suppressors. Sirtuins (SIRT1-SIRT7) belong to the group of NAD⁺ deacetylase and ADP-ribosylation enzymes that function as NAD⁺ sensors and metabolic regulators. Among sirtuin orthologs, SIRT6 emerges as an important oncogenic player, although its possible mechanistic involvement in ovarian cancer advancement is still elusive. Our data indicated a higher expression of SIRT6 in ovarian cancer tissues compared with the non-malignant ovarian tissue. Further, we observed that overexpression of SIRT6 enhances glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in ovarian cancer cells. The energy derived from these processes facilitates migration and invasion through invadopodia formation by reorganization of actin fibers. Mechanistically, SIRT6 has been shown to promote ERK1/2-driven activatory phosphorylation of DRP1 at serine-616, which has an obligatory role in inducing mitochondrial fission. These fragmented mitochondria facilitate cell movement important for metastases. siRNA-mediated downregulation of SIRT6 was found to decrease cellular invasion through compromised mitochondrial fragmentation and subsequent reduction in stress fiber formation in ovarian cancer cells. Thus, the present report establishes the impact of SIRT6 in the regulation of morphological and functional aspects of mitochondria that modulates invasion in ovarian cancer cells.

Validating Cell Surface Proteases as Drug Targets for Cancer Therapy: What Do We Know, and Where Do We Go?

Cell surface proteases (also known as ectoproteases) are transmembrane and membrane-bound enzymes involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Several members, most notably dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4/CD26) and its related family member fibroblast activation protein (FAP), aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13), a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17/TACE), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP2 and MMP9, are often overexpressed in cancers and have been associated with tumour dysfunction. With multifaceted actions, these ectoproteases have been validated as therapeutic targets for cancer. Numerous inhibitors have been developed to target these enzymes, attempting to control their enzymatic activity. Even though clinical trials with these compounds did not show the expected results in most cases, the field of ectoprotease inhibitors is growing. This review summarizes the current knowledge on this subject and highlights the recent development of more effective and selective drugs targeting ectoproteases among which small molecular weight inhibitors, peptide conjugates, prodrugs, or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and derivatives. These promising avenues have the potential to deliver novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of cancers.

Extracellular Matrix Signals as Drivers of Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Metabolic Plasticity of Cancer Cells During Metastasis

The role of metabolism in tumor growth and chemoresistance has received considerable attention, however, the contribution of mitochondrial bioenergetics in migration, invasion, and metastasis is recently being understood. Migrating cancer cells adapt their energy needs to fluctuating changes in the microenvironment, exhibiting high metabolic plasticity. This occurs due to dynamic changes in the contributions of metabolic pathways to promote localized ATP production in lamellipodia and control signaling mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Recent evidence has shown that metabolic shifts toward a mitochondrial metabolism based on the reductive carboxylation, glutaminolysis, and phosphocreatine-creatine kinase pathways promote resistance to anoikis, migration, and invasion in cancer cells. The PGC1a-driven metabolic adaptations with increased electron transport chain activity and superoxide levels are essential for metastasis in several cancer models. Notably, these metabolic changes can be determined by the composition and density of the extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM stiffness, integrins, and small Rho GTPases promote mitochondrial fragmentation, mitochondrial localization in focal adhesion complexes, and metabolic plasticity, supporting enhanced migration and metastasis. Here, we discuss the role of ECM in regulating mitochondrial metabolism during migration and metastasis, highlighting the therapeutic potential of compounds affecting mitochondrial function and selectively block cancer cell migration.