Sodium sulfite triggered hepatic apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis by inducing mitochondrial damage in mice and AML-12 cells

Lactoferrin Alleviates LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress and Necroptosis in Liver by Promoting Mitophagy

Lactoferrin (LF) is an important component of dairy products. Studies have shown that LF has a protective effect against liver injury, but the mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a key component of bacterial endotoxins, can lead to liver injury when exposure is excessive. Necroptosis is a newly identified type of programmed cell death characterized by cell swelling, rupture, and necrosis, and its excessive activation contributes to tissue damage. In this study, we demonstrated that LF alleviates LPS-induced oxidative stress and necroptosis in liver cells by modulating the ROS-RIPK1-RIPK3 pathway. In further mechanistic studies, we discovered that LF promotes mitophagy in liver cells to promptly remove damaged mitochondria caused by LPS, thereby reducing the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels associated with damaged mitochondria and alleviating oxidative stress and necrosis. To validate our findings, we used mitophagy inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) as a negative control, and the results confirmed our findings. These results provide novel strategies and insights into utilizing LF to alleviate LPS-induced liver injury.

Copper oxide nanoparticles disrupt lysosomal function and promote foam cell formation in RAW264.7 macrophages

Macrophage-derived foam cells are crucial in the development of atherosclerosis, a multifaceted and progressive disorder characterized by lipid and fibrous accumulation in major arteries. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have found widespread applications but their potential role in atherosclerosis remains understudied. In this study, we investigated the impact of CuONPs on foam cell formation in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that CuONPs, at concentrations as low as 10 μg/ml, significantly exacerbated foam cell formation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Exposure to CuONPs stimulated LDL release and elevated the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components, including NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed accumulation of CuONPs within macrophage lysosomes, leading to disrupted lysosomal function. CuONPs-treated cells exhibited autophagosome accumulation due to impaired lysosomal degradation, as confirmed by Western blot analysis showing abnormal expression of LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 proteins. Flow cytometry analysis further demonstrated decreased lysosomal acidity in CuONPs-exposed cells. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism whereby CuONPs activate the inflammasome, disrupt lysosomal function, and hinder cholesterol efflux, thereby exacerbating the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells. These results highlight the potential risks of CuONPs exposure and provide important insights into the role of environmental particulate matter in the development of atherosclerosis.

TTK promotes mitophagy by regulating ULK1 phosphorylation and pre-mRNA splicing to inhibit mitochondrial apoptosis in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) remains a major global health challenge, with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options in advanced stages. TTK protein kinase (TTK), a serine/threonine kinase, has been implicated in the progression of various cancers, but its role in BC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we show that TTK is significantly upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines, correlating with poor patient prognosis. Functional assays revealed that TTK promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of BC cells. Mechanistically, TTK enhances mitophagy by directly phosphorylating ULK1 at Ser477, thereby activating the ULK1/FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy pathway. TTK knockdown disrupts mitophagy, leading to impaired clearance of damaged mitochondria, excessive accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and activation of mitochondrial apoptosis. Furthermore, TTK phosphorylates SRSF3 at Ser108, preventing ULK1 exon 5 skipping and maintaining ULK1 mRNA stability. These findings show that TTK plays a key role in maintaining mitophagy in BC cells. Targeting TTK could offer a promising new approach for BC treatment by disrupting mitophagy and inducing mitochondrial apoptosis.

Apigenin-Mediated ESCRT-III Activation and Mitophagy Alleviate LPS-Induced Necroptosis in Renal Cells

Apigenin (API) is a flavonoid widely distributed in vegetables and fruits that exhibits numerous biological functions. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a key component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, can cause kidney injury when released into the bloodstream. Necroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by the rupture of cell membranes. Excessive occurrence of necroptosis can lead to substantial damage to cells and tissues. In the study, we discovered that API could mitigate LPS-induced kidney injury in mice and alleviate LPS-induced necroptosis in Normal Rat Kidney-52E (NRK-52E) cells by targeting the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS)-RIPK3-MLKL pathway. Further mechanistic studies revealed that API could potentially activate the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport-III (ESCRT-III), and activated ESCRT-III could repair cell membrane rupture caused by LPS-induced necroptosis. Simultaneously, we discovered that activated ESCRT-III could promote mitophagy, which facilitates the timely removal of damaged mitochondria and reduces intracellular mtROS levels. In conclusion, our results suggested that API alleviates LPS-induced renal cell necroptosis by activating ESCRT-III-dependent membrane repair and mitophagy. Our study provides new insights into the daily dietary intake of API to alleviate kidney injury caused by LPS.

Arsenic exposure provoked prostatic PANoptosis by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction in mice and WPMY-1 cells

Inorganic arsenic, a widespread environmental toxicant, significantly contributes to prostate injury. However, the exact cellular mechanisms remain unclear. This study explored the involvement of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis (PANoptosis), and their interconnections in arsenic-induced prostate injury. Herein, by employing in vitro (WPMY-1 cells exposed to arsenic for 48 h with or without reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS scavenger treatments) and in vivo (C57BL/6 mice were orally gavaged with arsenic and/or N-acetylcysteine for 90 consecutive days) models of arsenic-induced prostate injury and intervention, we demonstrated that sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) triggered mitochondrial damage-activated PANoptosis via the Bax/Bcl-xL/caspase-3/Gasdermin E (GSDME) pathway and the Z-DNA binding protein 1/receptor-interacting protein kinases 1 (RIPK1)/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) signaling pathway. Notably, treatment with NaAsO2, GSDME, or MLKL knockdown in WPMY-1 cells increased the phenotype of PANoptosis. Mechanistically, the GSDME-N, GSDMD-N, p-MLKL, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were increased (1.4-, 2.67-, 3.51-, and 2.16-fold, respectively) in NaAsO2-treated GSDME knockdown WPMY-1 cells, whereas GSDME-N and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were increased (1.30- and 1.21-fold, respectively) in NaAsO2-treated MLKL knockdown WPMY-1 cells. Our study highlights the crucial role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the initiation of PANoptosis during arsenic-induced prostate injury. Furthermore, we provide novel insights into the connections between apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, indicating that GSDME and MLKL proteins may act as crucial regulators and potential therapeutic targets for arsenic-induced PANoptosis.

Hesperidin mitigated deoxynivalenol-induced liver injury by inhibiting ROS/ P53/ PGC-1α-mediated disruption of mitochondrial dynamics and PANoptosis

BACKGROUND

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a physico-chemically stable food contaminant that is difficult to destroy during food production and culinary processing. Consumption of food contaminated with DON can impair the liver's antioxidant capacity and trigger various forms of programmed cell death. Hesperidin (HDN) is a highly antioxidant flavonoid compound with excellent biological activity and is a potential drug for treating liver damage. While the various pharmacological actions of HDN have been increasingly clarified over time, its protective role and precise mechanisms in mitigating liver damage caused by DON exposure are still largely shrouded in mystery.

PURPOSE AND METHODS

To investigate the potential of HDN to mitigate DON-induced liver injury and elucidate its specific mechanisms of action, we established both in vitro and in vivo models of DON exposure and administered HDN intervention.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that DON exposure triggered oxidative stress in the liver, DNA damage, and P53 pathway activation, resulted in mitochondrial dynamics disorder and dysfunction, and induced PANoptosis in the liver. HDN significantly attenuated these changes. Using COIP, protein-protein molecular docking, and immunofluorescence methods, we discovered that PGC-1α and P53 can connect tightly, regulating the dynamics and function of the mitochondria. In addition, we intervened in vitro using the N-acetyl-l-cysteine, the pifithrin α, and the Mito TEMPO.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated that HDN attenuated PANoptosis induced through mtROS overproduction by inhibiting ROS/ P53/ PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial damage, which ameliorated DON-induced liver injury.

Targeting alveolar epithelial cells with lipid micelle-encapsulated necroptosis inhibitors to alleviate acute lung injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) or its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), represents a critical condition characterized by extensive inflammation within the airways. Necroptosis, a form of cell death, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. However, the precise characteristics and mechanisms of necroptosis in ARDS remain unclear. Thus, our study seeks to elucidate the specific alterations and regulatory factors associated with necroptosis in ARDS and to identify potential therapeutic targets for the disease. We discovered that necroptosis mediates the progression of ALI through the activation and formation of the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL complex. Moreover, we substantiated the involvement of both MYD88 and TRIF in the activation of the TLR4 signaling pathway in ALI. Furthermore, we have developed a lipid micelle-encapsulated drug targeting MLKL in alveolar type II epithelial cells and successfully applied it to treat ALI in mice. This targeted nanoparticle selectively inhibited necroptosis, thereby mitigating epithelial cell damage and reducing inflammatory injury. Our study delves into the specific mechanisms of necroptosis in ALI and proposes novel targeted therapeutic agents, presenting innovative strategies for the management of ARDS.

SO2 derivatives impair ovarian function by inhibiting Serpine1/NF-κB pathway-mediated ovarian granulosa cell survival

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a contributor to air pollution. Human evidence has demonstrated an association between SO2 exposure and diminished ovarian reserve. The toxicity of SO2 is mainly attributed to its derivatives, bisulfite and sulfite, which have a variety of adverse effects on both human health and the environment, yet have been widely used as additives in food processing and transportation. However, the reproductive toxicity of SO2 derivatives remained elusive. In this study, we explored the impact of SO2 derivatives (bisulfite and sulfite) on ovarian function and further investigated the underlying mechanism. Exposure to SO2 derivatives in vivo could significantly reduce the ovarian reserve, the number and the quality of oocytes retrieved, induce ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, and lead to an increased number of atretic follicles, thus affecting the ovarian function of mice. In addition, we isolated and cultured the primary mouse ovarian granulosa cells (mGCs) to explore the impact of SO2 derivatives on the biological functions of mGCs and investigate the mechanism by which SO2 derivatives induced apoptosis of mGCs. We detected that SO2 derivatives could induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, increased abnormal mitochondria, and impaired function of sex hormone synthesis and secretion. Further, we found that SO2 derivatives could significantly downregulate the Serpine1 gene expression, inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and thereby inducing the apoptosis of mGCs.

Cerebellar pathology in forensic and clinical neuroscience

Recent research underscores the cerebellum's growing importance in forensic science and neurology, showing its functions extend beyond motor control, especially in identifying causes of death. Critical neuropathological markers including alpha-synuclein and tau protein aggregates, cellular degeneration, inflammation, and vascular changes are vital for identifying neurodegenerative diseases, injuries, and toxic exposures. Advanced forensic methods, such as Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis, have greatly improved the accuracy of diagnoses. Promising new therapies, including neuroprotective agents like resveratrol and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), offer potential in treating cerebellar disorders. The cerebellum's vulnerability to toxins, drugs, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) highlights its forensic relevance. Moreover, advancements in genetic diagnostics, such as next-generation sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9, are enhancing the understanding and treatment of genetic conditions like Joubert syndrome and Dandy-Walker malformation. These findings emphasize the need for further research into cerebellar function and its broader significance in both forensic science and neurology.

Unravelling the Role of PANoptosis in Liver Diseases: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

PANoptosis is a multimodal form of cell death that involves inflammatory, apoptotic, and necroptotic pathways, playing a key role in the development of liver diseases. This article first outlines the definition and characteristics of PANoptosis, and then explores its mechanisms of action in different types of liver diseases, including acute liver injury, liver failure, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, this article analyses the molecular regulatory network of PANoptosis and potential therapeutic targets. Finally, this article summarises the current research on PANoptosis in liver diseases and future research directions, and it reviews the role of the emerging cell death mechanism of PANoptosis in liver diseases.

Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth-Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Acute Liver Injury and Liver Fibrosis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to their regenerative potential. However, traditional MSC-based therapies are hindered by issues such as microvascular obstruction and low cell survival after transplantation. Exosomes derived from MSCs (MSC-Exo) provide a cell-free, nanoscale alternative, mitigating these risks and offering therapeutic potential for liver diseases. Nonetheless, the functional variability of MSCs from different sources complicates their clinical application. Stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) offer advantages such as ease of procurement and robust proliferative capacity, but their secretome, particularly SHED-Exo, remains underexplored in the context of liver disease therapy. This study analyzed MSC-Exo from various sources via small RNA sequencing to identify differences in microRNA profiles, aiding in the selection of optimal MSC sources for clinical use. SHED-Exo was subsequently tested in an acute liver injury model, showing notable regenerative effects, including enhanced hepatocyte proliferation, macrophage polarization, and reduced inflammation. Despite strong liver-targeting properties, the rapid hepatic clearance of SHED-Exo limits its effectiveness in chronic liver diseases. To address this challenge, a GelMA-based hydrogel was developed for in situ delivery, ensuring sustained release and enhanced antifibrotic efficacy, providing a promising strategy for chronic liver disease management.

AdipoRon ameliorates chronic ethanol induced cardiac necroptosis by reducing ceramide mediated mtROS

Chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption has been widely recognized as a significant contributor to cardiotoxicity. However, no specific treatment is currently available to ameliorate chronic ethanol induced cardiotoxicity. Adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoRon exerts protective effects in multiple organs through alleviating lipotoxicity. Our previous study showed that chronic ethanol consumption increased de novo ceramide synthesis and necroptosis in myocardium. In this study, we investigated the role of AdipoRon on ceramide metabolism and necroptosis in chronic ethanol-treated myocardium. Eight-week-old C57/BL6J mice were fed with a Lieber-Decarli diet containing vehicle or AdipoRon for 12 weeks. Cardiac function, histology and oxidative stress were assessed. We found that chronic ethanol treatment decreased expression of AdipoR2 in myocardium and H9c2 cells, whereas AdipoRon improved cardiac function, reduced myocardium ceramide levels and suppressed necroptosis. By pharmacological interventions, RNA interference and point mutations in AdipoR2, we demonstrated that AdipoRon reduced ceramide levels through PPARα mediated lipid metabolism rather than AdipoR2's ceramidase activity. Using transmission electron microscope and reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining, we showed that chronic ethanol induced myocardium mitochondria damage and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) accumulation. Meanwhile, we found that AdipoRon ameliorated chronic ethanol induced cardiac necroptosis via the SIRT3-SOD2-mtROS pathway. Moreover, C6 ceramide treatment recapitulated chronic ethanol in inducing mtROS and necroptosis, whereas the ceramide synthesis inhibitors myriocin (MYR) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) attenuated chronic ethanol induced mtROS and necroptosis. Collectively, AdipoRon ameliorates chronic ethanol induced cardiac necroptosis by reducing ceramide de novo synthesis and mtROS, which highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting ceramide metabolism and oxidative stress pathways in treating ethanol induced cardiotoxicity.

Pollutants in Microenvironmental Cellular Interactions During Liver Inflammation Cancer Transition and the Application of Multi-Omics Analysis

This study categorizes pollutant-induced inflammation-cancer transition into three stages: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It systematically reveals the temporal heterogeneity of pollutant-induced liver damage. The findings indicate that pollutants not only directly damage hepatocytes but also modulate key cells in the immune microenvironment, such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Kupffer cells, thereby amplifying inflammatory and fibrotic responses, ultimately accelerating the progression of HCC. Mechanistically, in the early stage (NAFLD), pollutants primarily cause hepatocyte injury through oxidative stress and lipid metabolism dysregulation. During the fibrosis stage, pollutants promote liver fibrosis by inducing extracellular matrix accumulation, while in the HCC stage, they drive tumorigenesis via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and p53 inactivation. Through multi-omics analyses, this study identifies critical pathogenic molecules and signaling pathways regulated by pollutants, providing new insights into their pathogenic mechanisms, potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. These findings offer valuable guidance for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for liver diseases and the formulation of environmental health risk prevention measures.

Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins May Induce Ovarian Damage in Mice via AIM2- and NLRP12-PANoptosome

Humans may intake 0.02 mg/kg/day of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), and no study is available on mammalian ovarian damage caused by low-level SCCPs. In this study, four groups of 5-week-old female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were orally administered 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg/day SCCPs for 21 consecutive days, and serum and ovaries were collected 20 h after the last SCCPs-administration. SCCPs at ≥0.1 mg/kg/day were found to reduce follicle counts at each stage, induce dose-dependent oxidative stress in mice, and lower serum E2 and ovarian anti-Müllerian hormone levels. The data indicated that cellular PANoptosis increased in the ovaries of all SCCP-treated mice. Furthermore, AIM2- and NLRP12-PANoptosome gene and protein levels were considerably elevated. Female germline stem cells (FGSCs) in the cortical portion of the ovary exhibited substantial damage in all SCCP groups, additionally, the expression of FGSC marker genes and major marker proteins was diminished in the ovaries. Oral administration of SCCPs with 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg/day to mice resulted in PANoptosis of the ovaries. Therefore, it was suggested that the oral administration of ≥0.1 mg/kg/day of SCCPs suppressed ovarian function, which may be attributed to the fact that SCCPs induced the generation of AIM2- and NLRP12-PANoptosome in ovary cells.

Cooperative application of transcriptomics and ceRNA hypothesis: lncRNA-00742/miR-116 targets CD74 to mediate vanadium-induced mitochondrial apoptosis in duck liver

Vanadium (V) is a poisonous metallic environmental pollutant which poses hazard to the animal health of the liver. Competitive endogenous ribonucleic acids (ceRNAs) are essential elements of mitochondrial function and apoptosis, and their effects have been associated with the metal toxicity mechanism. However, the specific mechanism of ceRNAs in V-induced mitochondrial apoptosis in the liver has not been adequately investigated. Hence, we established an in vivo model of ducks exposed to V for 44 days and an in vitro model of V exposure duck hepatocyte knockdown/overexpression. Results showed that V exposure triggered the differential expression of 1106 lncRNAs and 11 miRNAs in the liver. Besides, we established the lncRNA-00742/miR-116/CD74 regulatory network by the dual luciferase reporter gene. Our results also found that V induced mitochondrial injury and up-regulated the expression levels of mitochondrial apoptosis-related factors. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-116 attenuated V-induced mitochondrial injury and apoptosis in hepatocytes. In contrast, overexpression of miR-116 and knockdown of CD74 exacerbated mitochondrial injury and apoptosis. BTZO-1 upregulated the CD74 level and alleviated V-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. In summary, V induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in duck liver by activating the lncRNA-00742/miR-116/CD74 axis. This research firstly revealed the mechanism of lncRNA-related ceRNAs regulating V-induced mitochondrial apoptosis.

Targeting cell death in NAFLD: mechanisms and targeted therapies

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a group of chronic liver disease which ranges from simple steatosis (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and is characterized by lipid accumulation, inflammation activation, fibrosis, and cell death. To date, a number of preclinical studies or clinical trials associated with therapies targeting fatty acid metabolism, inflammatory factors and liver fibrosis are performed to develop effective drugs for NAFLD/NASH. However, few therapies are cell death signaling-targeted even though the various cell death modes are present throughout the progression of NAFLD/NASH. Here we summarize the four types of cell death including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis in the NAFLD and the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the pathogenic factors such as free fatty acid and LPS induce cell death in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. In addition, we also review the effects of cell death-targeted therapies on NAFLD. In summary, our review provides comprehensive insight into the roles of various cell death modes in the progression of NAFLD, which we hope will open new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Cell death shapes cancer immunity: spotlighting PANoptosis

PANoptosis represents a novel type of programmed cell death (PCD) with distinctive features that incorporate elements of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. PANoptosis is governed by a newly discovered cytoplasmic multimeric protein complex known as the PANoptosome. Unlike each of these PCD types individually, PANoptosis is still in the early stages of research and warrants further exploration of its specific regulatory mechanisms and primary targets. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the conceptual framework and molecular components of PANoptosis. In addition, we highlight recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications of PANoptosis. By elucidating the complex crosstalk between pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis and summarizing the functional consequences of PANoptosis with a special focus on the tumor immune microenvironment, this review aims to provide a theoretical basis for the potential application of PANoptosis in cancer therapy.

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides Ameliorate Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis along the Nrf2 Pathway

The excessive employment of acetaminophen (APAP) is capable of generating oxidative stress and apoptosis, which ultimately result in acute liver injury (ALI). Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) exhibit hepatoprotective activity, yet the protective impact and potential mechanism of GLPs in relation to APAP-induced ALI remain ambiguous. The intention of this research was to scrutinize the effect of GLPs on APAP-induced ALI and to shed light on their potential mechanism. The results demonstrated that GLPs were capable of notably alleviating the oxidative stress triggered by APAP, as shown through a significant drop in the liver index, the activities of serum ALT and AST, and the amounts of ROS and MDA in liver tissue, along with an increase in the levels of SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px. Within these, the hepatoprotective activity at the high dose was the most conspicuous, and its therapeutic efficacy surpassed that of the positive drug (bifendate). The results of histopathological staining (HE) and apoptosis staining (TUNEL) indicated that GLPs could remarkably inhibit the necrosis of hepatocytes, the permeation of inflammatory cells, and the occurrence of apoptosis induced by APAP. Moreover, Western blot analysis manifested that GLPs enhanced the manifestation of Nrf2 and its subsequent HO-1, GCLC, and NQO1 proteins within the Nrf2 pathway. The results of qPCR also indicated that GLPs augmented the expression of antioxidant genes Nrf2, HO-1, GCLC, and NQO1. The results reveal that GLPs are able to set off the Nrf2 signaling path and attenuate ALI-related oxidative stress and apoptosis, which is a potential natural medicine for the therapy of APAP-induced liver injury.

Lysosome-related genes predict acute myeloid leukemia prognosis and response to immunotherapy

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive and pathogenic hematologic malignancy with consistently high mortality. Lysosomes are organelles involved in cell growth and metabolism that fuse to form specialized Auer rods in AML, and their role in AML has not been elucidated. This study aimed to identify AML subtypes centered on lysosome-related genes and to construct a prognostic model to guide individualized treatment of AML.

Methods

Gene expression data and clinical data from AML patients were downloaded from two high-throughput sequencing platforms. The 191 lysosomal signature genes were obtained from the database MsigDB. Lysosomal clusters were identified by unsupervised consensus clustering. The differences in molecular expression, biological processes, and the immune microenvironment among lysosomal clusters were subsequently analyzed. Based on the molecular expression differences between lysosomal clusters, lysosomal-related genes affecting AML prognosis were screened by univariate cox regression and multivariate cox regression analyses. Algorithms for LASSO regression analyses were employed to construct prognostic models. The risk factor distribution, KM survival curve, was applied to evaluate the survival distribution of the model. Time-dependent ROC curves, nomograms and calibration curves were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the prognostic models. TIDE scores and drug sensitivity analyses were used to explore the implication of the model for AML treatment.

Results

Our study identified two lysosomal clusters, cluster1 has longer survival time and stronger immune infiltration compared to cluster2. The differences in biological processes between the two lysosomal clusters are mainly manifested in the lysosomes, vesicles, immune cell function, and apoptosis. The prognostic model consisting of six prognosis-related genes was constructed. The prognostic model showed good predictive performance in all three data sets. Patients in the low-risk group survived significantly longer than those in the high-risk group and had higher immune infiltration and stronger response to immunotherapy. Patients in the high-risk group showed greater sensitivity to cytarabine, imatinib, and bortezomib, but lower sensitivity to ATRA compared to low -risk patients.

Conclusion

Our prognostic model based on lysosome-related genes can effectively predict the prognosis of AML patients and provide reference evidence for individualized immunotherapy and pharmacological chemotherapy for AML.

The Intricate Balance between Life and Death: ROS, Cathepsins, and Their Interplay in Cell Death and Autophagy

Cellular survival hinges on a delicate balance between accumulating damages and repair mechanisms. In this intricate equilibrium, oxidants, currently considered physiological molecules, can compromise vital cellular components, ultimately triggering cell death. On the other hand, cells possess countermeasures, such as autophagy, which degrades and recycles damaged molecules and organelles, restoring homeostasis. Lysosomes and their enzymatic arsenal, including cathepsins, play critical roles in this balance, influencing the cell's fate toward either apoptosis and other mechanisms of regulated cell death or autophagy. However, the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cathepsins in these life-or-death pathways transcends a simple cause-and-effect relationship. These elements directly and indirectly influence each other's activities, creating a complex web of interactions. This review delves into the inner workings of regulated cell death and autophagy, highlighting the pivotal role of ROS and cathepsins in these pathways and their intricate interplay.