Long-term exposure to genistein inhibits the proliferation of gallbladder cancer by downregulating the MCM complex

Bioactive components of Jiedu Sangen decoction against colorectal cancer: A novel and comprehensive research strategy for natural drug development

BACKGROUND

Jiedu Sangen Decoction (JSD) is widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in southern China due to its good clinical efficacy, but the effective active ingredients are still unknown.

PURPOSE

This study fully explored the bioactive components of JSD based on an innovative and comprehensive research strategy. Using advanced computer technology (e.g., machine learning AHP-SOM algorithm and molecular dynamics simulation) to identify the most promising bioactive components and key targets in JSD, in order to provide new perspectives for the development of natural drugs.

METHODS

UPLC-MS/MS was used to screen bioactive components in JSD and rat plasma, and network pharmacology analysis combined with machine learning yielded the most promising bioactive components. RNA-seq was used to screen therapeutic targets before and after JSD acted on SW620 cells, and bioinformatics was used to analyze the clinical significance of these key targets. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and experiments verified the most promising bioactive components and their therapeutic targets.

RESULTS

JSD exhibited a strong pro-apoptotic effect on CRC in vitro. UPLC-MS/MS screened out 18 prototype components and 8 possible metabolites of JSD entering the blood. Network pharmacology combined with machine learning identified the three most promising bioactive components. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed six key targets of JSD against CRC. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations proposed the most promising "small molecule drug-target protein" combinations, and SPR and MST demonstrated the direct binding between them: Resveratrol - CA9, Genistein - NOTUM, and Afzelin - DPEP1. Molecular biology experiments found that resveratrol may promote CRC apoptosis through the CA9/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and genistein targets NOTUM to downregulate β-catenin expression to inhibit CRC proliferation.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to develop a novel and comprehensive research strategy to fully explore bioactive components of JSD and provide full support for natural drug development.

GINS1 facilitates the development of lung adenocarcinoma via Wnt/β-catenin activation

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD) is the primary reason for cancer-related deaths globally. GINS1 has a significant regulatory function in DNA replication. It is overexpressed in various malignant tumors, but the specific molecular mechanisms of GINS1 in LUAD pathogenesis are not fully elucidated. This is the first report that GINS1 enhances LUAD by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and may serve as a potential target for therapy.

METHODS

Bioinformatic analysis including analysis of difference, survival analysis and pathway enrichment, immunohistochemistry(IHC), western blotting(WB), and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) were used to detect GINS1 expression in LUAD cell lines and tissues. A range of in vivo and in vitro experiments, such as cck-8, EdU, cloning experiment, wound healing experiment and transwell experiment, confirmed that GINS1 facilitated the proliferation and migration of LUAD. Additionally, the potential mechanism of GINS1 was hypothesized through WB and transcriptome sequencing. The rescue experiment was used to verify our conclusion.

RESULTS

In this study, we discovered that GINS1 is significantly overexpressed in LUAD cell lines and tissues. Analysis of Kaplan - Meier survival data indicated that high levels of GINS1 expression are often linked to unfavorable survival outcomes. Additionally, a series of experiments showed that silencing GINS1 led to less proliferation and migration of LUAD cell lines, while its overexpression enhanced tumor progression. Furthermore, subcutaneous tumor experiments in nude mice supported the role of GINS1 in promoting tumor development in vivo. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing revealed that tumor progression is related to cell cycle (G1 to S phase transition associated with cyclinD) and β-catenin signaling pathway, which we subsequently validated using WB. A series of rescue experiment further confirmed that GINS1 facilitates the advancement of LUAD via the β-catenin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that GINS1 plays a critical role in the progression of LUAD by modulating key molecular pathways, particularly the β-catenin signaling pathway., and it might serve as a potential new target of β-catenin signaling pathway for treatment of LUAD.

CORN 2.0 - Condition Orientated Regulatory Networks 2.0

Gene regulation is a fundamental process that allows organisms to adapt to their environment and increase complexity through the action of nucleic acid-binding proteins (NBPs), such as transcription factors (TFs), which regulate specific sets of genes under distinct conditions. These regulatory interactions form transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs), which can be further broken down into transcriptional regulatory sub-networks (TRSNs) centered around individual TFs. TRSNs are more stable and practical for analysis, making them ideal for studying gene regulation under specific conditions. Condition-Oriented Regulatory Networks (CORN, https://qinlab.sysu.edu.cn/corn/home) is a comprehensive library of condition-based TRSNs, including those induced by natural compounds, small molecules, drug treatments, and gene perturbations. CORN 2.0 represents a significant update, associating 7540 specific conditions with 71934 TRSNs across 52 human cell lines, involving 542 transcription factors (TFs). Notably, CORN 2.0 includes 1550 natural compound-triggered TRSNs, providing a valuable resource for studying the pharmacological effects of natural products. This study demonstrates the utility of CORN in three key areas: personalized medicine, induced pluripotency transitions, and natural compound-associated pharmacology. By linking specific conditions to their corresponding TRSNs, CORN enables researchers to explore how gene regulatory networks are altered under various conditions, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions.

Unleashing the potential of Genistein and its derivatives as effective therapeutic agents for breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Genistein (Gen), a phytoestrogen soy isoflavone, has emerged as a promising agent in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer due to its ability to function as a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). This review explores the multifaceted mechanisms through which Gen and its derivatives exert their anticancer effects, including modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, regulation of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and impacts on DNA methylation and enzyme functions. We discuss the dual roles of Gen in both enhancing and inhibiting estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent pathways., highlighting its complex interactions with ERα and ERβ. Furthermore, the review examines the synergistic effect of combining Gen with conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, and selenium, as well as other natural compounds like lycopene. Clinical studies suggest that while isoflavones may not significantly influence breast cancer progression in general, the high consumption of soy isoflavones is associated with reduced recurrence rates in breast cancer survivors. Importantly, Gen's ability to modulate key signaling pathways and enhance the efficacy of existing treatments improves its potential as a valuable adjunct in breast cancer therapy. In conclusion, Gen and its derivatives offer a novel and promising approach for treatment of breast cancer. Continued research into their mechanisms of action and clinical applications will be essential in optimizing their therapeutic potential and translating these findings into effective clinical interventions.

Advances in synthesizing plant-derived isoflavones and their precursors with multiple pharmacological activities using engineered yeasts

Isoflavones such as daidzein and genistein are naturally occurring compounds found in plants such as legumes. They have diverse pharmacological activities, making them valuable in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Currently, isoflavones are mainly obtained through the extraction of plant biomass. Chemical synthesis is challenging for most isoflavones due to the complexity of their structures. The limited supply of isoflavones cannot meet the market demands. Advances in synthetic biology have provided a sustainable and efficient solution for the production of isoflavones, with yeasts often serving as the microbial chassis for biosynthesis. This review summarizes the pharmacological properties of specific isoflavones, their biosynthetic pathways, and the technical strategies used in engineered yeasts for isoflavone production. In addition, the development of synthetic biology and state-of-the-art biotechnological strategies for the environmentally friendly production of bioactive isoflavones is discussed.

Isoflavones: Promising Natural Agent for Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Isoflavones are currently being investigated by researchers in order to demonstrate their ability to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells. The current review aimed to demonstrate the potential of isoflavones to eliminate cancerous cells in the stomach, liver, lung, breast, and prostate, as their anticancer properties are due to the ability to block the signaling pathways of the extracellular signal-controlled kinase (MAPK/ERK) and proteasome (PI3K/AKT/mTOR). Isoflavones can inhibit the cell division of various cancer cells. Isoflavones can block the androgen receptor (AR), a protein that is required for the growth and dissemination of prostate cancer. It initiates the caspase cascade and obstructs the production of new proteins to eliminate lung cancer cells. These inhibit colon cancer cells by entering their G2/M cell cycle phase and inducing apoptosis. These are also known to inhibit the production of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and cyclin B1, two proteins that are related to an enhanced risk of colon cancer. These suppress the breakdown of cyclin B1 and CDK2 to stop the development of cancer. Preclinical evidence consistently supports the efficacy of isoflavones in suppressing tumor growth; however, human clinical trials show variability due to differences in bioavailability, metabolism, and dosage. Despite their promise as alternative or adjunctive cancer therapies, limitations such as low solubility, interindividual metabolic variations, and inconsistent clinical outcomes necessitate further large-scale, controlled trials. Future research should focus on improving bioavailability and exploring synergistic effects with conventional therapies.

Patient-derived xenograft model in cancer: establishment and applications

The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is a crucial in vivo model extensively employed in cancer research that has been shown to maintain the genomic characteristics and pathological structure of patients across various subtypes, metastatic, and diverse treatment histories. Various treatment strategies utilized in PDX models can offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of tumor progression, drug resistance, and the development of novel therapies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the establishment and applications of PDX models. We present an overview of the history and current status of PDX models, elucidate the diverse construction methodologies employed for different tumors, and conduct a comparative analysis to highlight the distinct advantages and limitations of this model in relation to other in vivo models. The applications are elucidated in the domain of comprehending the mechanisms underlying tumor development and cancer therapy, which highlights broad applications in the fields of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, delivery systems, combination therapy, antibody-drug conjugates and radiotherapy. Furthermore, the combination of the PDX model with multiomics and single-cell analyses for cancer research has also been emphasized. The application of the PDX model in clinical treatment and personalized medicine is additionally emphasized.

Clinical application of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration and J-Tube drainage

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative and postoperative biliary injuries remain significant complications of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Indocyanine green (ICG) has been shown to significantly reduce injuries caused by intraoperative operational errors. We found that the J-tube can reduce postoperative strictures and injuries to the common bile duct. At this moment, we aim to analyze and compare the complications, efficacy, short-term outcomes, and feasibility of these two adjunctive tools for LCBDE.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of ICG fluorescence imaging In LCBDE and J-tube drainage for patients with common bile duct stones.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected the clinical case data of patients who were treated at the Hepatobiliary Surgery Department of the Third People's Hospital of Nantong, affiliated with Nantong University, from January 2016 to January 2021 due to gallbladder stones with choledocholithiasis and who underwent LCBDE combined with a primary suture and either J-tube or T-tube drainage. The patients were divided into groups: Traditional white-light laparoscopy + T-tube group (WL + T-tube), traditional WL + J-tube group, fluorescent laparoscopy + T-tube group (ICG + T-tube) and fluorescent laparoscopy + J-tube group (ICG + J-tube). The preoperative and postoperative clinical case data, laboratory examination data, and intraoperative and postoperative complications (including postoperative bile leakage, electrolyte disturbances, biliary peritonitis, and postoperative infections) and other relevant indicators were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 198 patients (112 males and 86 females) were included in the study, with 74 patients in the WL + T-tube, 47 in the WL + J-tube, 42 in the ICG + T-tube, and 35 in the ICG + J-tube. Compared with the other groups, the ICG + J had significantly shorter operation time (114 minutes, P = 0.001), less blood loss (42 mL, P = 0.02), shorter postoperative hospital stays (7 days, P = 0.038), and lower surgical costs (China yuan 30178, P = 0.001). Furthermore, patients were subdivided into two groups based on whether a T-tube or J-tube was placed during the surgery. By the third postoperative day, the aspartate transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels were lower in the J-tube group than in the T-tube group (P < 0.001). At last, follow-up observations showed that the incidence of biliary strictures at three months postoperatively was significantly lower in the J-tube group than in the T-tube group (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

ICG fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration and J-tube drainage facilitates rapid identification of biliary anatomy and variations, reducing intraoperative bile duct injury, blood loss, surgery duration, and postoperative bile duct stenosis rates, supporting its clinical adoption.

Phosphorylation of the transcription factor OsNAC29 by OsMAPK3 activates diterpenoid genes to promote rice immunity

Well-conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are essential for orchestrating of a wide range of cellular processes in plants, including defense responses against pathogen attack. NAC transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in plant immunity, but their targets and how they are regulated remain largely unknown. Here, we identified the TF OsNAC29 as a key component of a MAPK signaling pathway involved in rice (Oryza sativa) disease resistance. OsNAC29 binds directly to CACGTG motifs in the promoters of OsTPS28 and OsCYP71Z2, which are crucial for the biosynthesis of the phytoalexin 5,10-diketo-casbene and consequently rice blast resistance. OsNAC29 positively regulates rice blast resistance by promoting the expression of of OsTPS28 and OsCYP71Z2, and the function of OsNAC29 is genetically dependent on OsCYP71Z2 and OsTPS28. Furthermore, OsNAC29 interacts with OsRACK1A and OsMAPK3/6 to form an immune complex; OsMAPK3 phosphorylates OsNAC29 at Thr304 to prevent its proteasome-mediated degradation and promote its function against rice blast fungus. Phosphorylation of OsNAC29 at Thr304 is induced upon Magnaporthe oryzae infection and chitin treatment. Our data demonstrate the positive role of the OsMAPK3-OsNAC29-OsTPS28/OsCYP71Z2 module in rice blast resistance, providing insights into the molecular regulatory network and fine-tuning of NAC TFs in rice immunity.

Super-Enhancer Reprograming Driven by SOX9 and TCF7L2 Represents Transcription-Targeted Therapeutic Vulnerability for Treating Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly aggressive malignancy lacking clinically available targeted therapeutic agents. Super-enhancers (SEs) are crucial epigenetic cis-regulatory elements whose extensive reprogramming drives aberrant transcription in cancers. To study SE in GBC, the genomic distribution of H3K27ac is profiled in multiple GBC tissue and cell line samples to establish the SE landscape and its associated core regulatory circuitry (CRC). The biliary lineage factor SOX9 and Wnt pathway effector TCF7L2, two master transcription factor (TF) candidates identified by CRC analysis, are verified to co-occupy each other's SE region, forming a mutually autoregulatory loop to drive oncogenic SE reprogramming in a subset of GBC. The SOX9/TCF7L2 double-high GBC cells are highly dependent on the two TFs and enriched of SE-associated gene signatures related to stemness, ErbB and Wnt pathways. Patients with more such GBC cells exhibited significantly worse prognosis. Furthermore, SOX9/TCF7L2 double-high GBC preclinical models are found to be susceptible to SE-targeted CDK7 inhibition therapy in vitro and in vivo. Together, this study provides novel insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the oncogenesis of a subset of GBCs with poorer prognosis and illustrates promising prognostic stratification and therapeutic strategies for treating those GBC patients in future clinical trials.

Burden of biliary tract carcinoma in China (1990-2021): Findings from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study

Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is a group of malignant tumors that originate in the digestive system and occurs with a high incidence in China. Few consistent and comparable assessments of BTC disease burden have been conducted at national or subnational levels, and little is known about the demographic, temporal, and geographic patterns of epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of BTC in China. The incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature death and years lived with disability (YLDs) of BTC were comprehensively examined by age, sex, and calendar year in the Chinese population, using the methodological framework and analytical strategies used for the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study. All-age incidence increased from 17,077 to 51,720 between 1990 and 2021, and the age-standardized incidence rate rose by 13.62%; all-age deaths increased from 17,251 to 37,833, but the age-standardized mortality rate fell by nearly one-fifth. The DALYs rose by 89.57% while the age-standardized DALY rate fell by 23.24%. Variations of the tendencies in BTC burden were found between sexes and age groups. Data for each provincial region indicate that coastal eastern provincial regions have higher incidence and YLD levels, whereas northern provincial regions have higher mortality, DALY, and YLL levels. The proportions of DALYs attributable to high body mass index (BMI) illustrate the growing attribution obesity has made, and high BMI usually puts more burden on northern provincial regions. These results provide evidence to support precise, targeted, and customed public health strategies aimed at enhancing biliary tract health among the Chinese population.

Terpenoids from quinoa reverse drug resistance of colon cancer by upregulating miR-495-3p

BACKGROUND

Quinoa contains far more nutrients than any traditional grain crop. It is known that terpenoids in quinoa have anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, but their role in reversing drug resistance remains unclear.

RESULTS

Our previous studies showed that quinoa-derived terpenoid compounds (QBT) can inhibit the occurrence and development of colon cancer. This study further indicates that QBT markedly reverse drug resistance of colon cancer. The results showed that QBT combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) treatment significantly enhanced the chemotherapy sensitivity of HCT-8/Fu, compared with 5-Fu treatment alone. Moreover, we found that QBT significantly reduced the expression of drug-resistant proteins (P-gp, MRP1, BCRP), and increased the accumulation of chemotherapy drugs. Taking P-gp as the target for biogenesis prediction analysis, results showed that upregulation of miR-495-3p enhanced the chemosensitivity of drug-resistant HCT-8/Fu cells. Besides, the results showed that miR-495-3p was abnormally methylated in HCT-8/Fu compared with HCT-8 colon cancer cells. The expression of methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b was abnormal. After QBT treatment, the expression level of methyltransferases returned to normal. In addition, the QBT + 5Fu group showed inhibition of tumors in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

QBT treatment downregulated the expression of drug-resistant protein P-gp by inhibiting the methylation of miR-495-3p, and enhanced the accumulation of 5-Fu in vivo, which in turn reversed its chemoresistance. This suggests that QBT has potential ability as a new drug-resistance reversal agent in colorectal cancer. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chinese national clinical practice guideline on diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract cancers

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is relatively rare and comprises a spectrum of invasive tumors arising from the biliary tree. The prognosis is extremely poor. The incidence of BTC is relatively high in Asian countries, and a high number of cases are diagnosed annually in China owing to the large population. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the epidemiology and high-risk factors for BTC in China. The signs associated with BTC are complex, often require collaborative treatment from surgeons, endoscopists, oncologists, and radiation therapists. Thus, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive Chinese guideline for BTC.

METHODS

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed following the process recommended by the World Health Organization. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence and make recommendations. The full CPG report was reviewed by external guideline methodologists and clinicians with no direct involvement in the development of this CPG. Two guideline reporting checklists have been adhered to: Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) and Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT).

RESULTS

The guideline development group, which comprised 85 multidisciplinary clinical experts across China. After a controversies conference, 17 clinical questions concerning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of BTC were proposed. Additionally, detailed descriptions of the surgical principles, perioperative management, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and endoscopic management were proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

The guideline development group created a comprehensive Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of BTC, covering various aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. The 17 clinical questions have important reference value for the management of BTC.

A Future Avenue of Treatment Ulcerative Colitis Targeting Macrophage Polarization: A Phytochemical Application

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent inflammatory bowel disease primarily impacting the mucosa of the colon. It is characterized by recurring and incurable symptoms and causes immense suffering and significant economic burden due to limited treatment options. Typical symptoms of UC include diarrhea, alterations in bowel patterns, bleeding from the rectum, rectal pain or urgency, anemia, and tiredness. Therefore, developing novel and effective treatment strategies for UC is imperative.

Purpose

This review aimed to explain how macrophage polarization contributes to UC development and compiled information on natural compounds with promising therapeutic potential that can target the macrophage phenotype and shed light on its potential mode of action.

Results

The phenotypic alteration of macrophages profoundly affects the development of UC, and these cells are essential for preserving intestinal immunological homeostasis. Evidence from research suggests that one effective method for UC prevention and therapy is to guide macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. Phytochemicals, which are compounds extracted from plants, possess a wide array of biological activities. For example: Ginsenoside Rg1 emerges as a crucial regulator of macrophage polarization, promoting the M2 phenotype while inhibiting the M1 phenotype. Notably, their low toxicity and high effectiveness render them promising candidates for therapeutic interventions. These compounds have demonstrated encouraging protective effects against inflammation in the colon.

Conclusions

Exploring phytochemicals as a therapeutic avenue targeting macrophage polarization presents an innovative approach to treating UC.

GPRC5A promotes gallbladder cancer metastasis by upregulating TNS4 via the JAK2-STAT3 pathway

Aberrant expression of G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member A (GPRC5A) has been reported in multiple cancers and is closely related to patient prognosis. However, the mechanistic role of GPRC5A in gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains unclear. Here, we determined tumor expression levels of GPRC5A and the molecular mechanisms by which GPRC5A regulates gallbladder cancer metastasis. We found that GPRC5A was significantly upregulated in GBC, correlating with poorer patient survival. Knocking down GPRC5A inhibited GBC cell metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. GRPRC5A knockdown resulted in downregulation of TNS4 expression through the JAK2-STAT3 axis. Clinically, GPRC5A expression positively correlated with TNS4. Finally, STAT3 bound to TNS4's promoter region, inducing its expression. Overall, GPRC5A showed high expression in GBC tissues, associated with poor patient prognosis. Our findings first demonstrate that the GPRC5A-JAK2-STAT3-TNS4 pathway promotes GBC cell metastasis, suggesting potential therapy targets.

Unwinding Helicase MCM Functionality for Diagnosis and Therapeutics of Replication Abnormalities Associated with Cancer: A Review

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) protein is a component of an active helicase that is essential for the initiation of DNA replication. Dysregulation of MCM functions contribute to abnormal cell proliferation and genomic instability. The interactions of MCM with cellular factors, including Cdc45 and GINS, determine the formation of active helicase and functioning of helicase. The functioning of MCM determines the fate of DNA replication and, thus, genomic integrity. This complex is upregulated in precancerous cells and can act as an important tool for diagnostic applications. The MCM protein complex can be an important broad-spectrum therapeutic target in various cancers. Investigations have supported the potential and applications of MCM in cancer diagnosis and its therapeutics. In this article, we discuss the physiological roles of MCM and its associated factors in DNA replication and cancer pathogenesis.

Advances in immunotherapy for biliary tract cancers

ABSTRACT

Biliary tract cancers (BTC), a heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis, including gallbladder cancer (GBC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). Although surgery is currently the primary regimen to treat BTC, most BTC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and miss the opportunity of surgical eradication. As a result, non-surgical therapy serves as the main intervention for advanced BTC. In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising therapies in a number of solid cancers, and it includes immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) monotherapy or combined therapy, tumor vaccines, oncolytic virus immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy (ACT), and cytokine therapy. However, these therapies have been practiced in limited clinical settings in patients with BTC. In this review, we focus on the discussion of latest advances of immunotherapy in BTC and update the progress of multiple current clinical trials with different immunotherapies.

The anticancer activity of bile acids in drug discovery and development

Bile acids (BAs) constitute essential components of cholesterol metabolites that are synthesized in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and excreted into the intestine through the biliary system. They play a crucial role in nutrient absorption, lipid and glucose regulation, and the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. In additional, BAs have demonstrated the ability to attenuate disease progression such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, heart disease, and respiratory ailments. Intriguingly, recent research has offered exciting evidence to unveil their potential antitumor properties against various cancer cell types including tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, colon cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, gallbladder cancer, neuroblastoma, and others. Up to date, multiple laboratories have synthesized novel BA derivatives to develop potential drug candidates. These derivatives have exhibited the capacity to induce cell death in individual cancer cell types and display promising anti-tumor activities. This review extensively elucidates the anticancer activity of natural BAs and synthetic derivatives in cancer cells, their associated signaling pathways, and therapeutic strategies. Understanding of BAs and their derivatives activities and action mechanisms will evidently assist anticancer drug discovery and devise novel treatment.

ELF3 promotes gemcitabine resistance through PKMYT1/CDK1 signaling pathway in gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine is the standard treatment for gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients, and the development of resistance frequently limits its efficacy. However, the molecular features and mechanisms of gemcitabine resistance (Gem-R) in GBC cells remain unknown. Herein, we aimed to explore the role of ELF3 in Gem-R of GBC, including the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

RNA sequencing was used to screen the essential genes related to the generation of Gem-R in GBC tissues. The correlation between Gem-R and ELF3 expression was identified in GDSC, GEO database, GBC tissues, and 3 GBC cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot were used to examine the expression of ELF3, PKMYT1, and CDK1. Luciferase reporter assays were used to identify the binding site of ELF3 in the PKMYT1 promoter region. CCK-8 assay and clonogenic survival assays were used to evaluate the sensitivity of gemcitabine in GBC cells. A GBC xenograft model was used to evaluate the influence of ELF3 on the therapeutic effect of gemcitabine.

RESULTS

A consistently positive correlation between ELF3 expression and Gem-R, both in newly generated GBC RNA-seq data and in the datasets from GDSC and GEO. Gem-R in GBC cells was facilitated by ELF3 overexpression, whereas ELF3 knockdown had the opposite effect. In vivo experiments further proved that reducing ELF3 expression promoted the gemcitabine sensitivity of GBC cells and extended the survival time of mice that received orthotopic xenografted tumors. Mechanistically, ELF3 upregulated PKMYT1 expression by interacting with the DNA binding region of PKMYT1 in GBC cells, thereby promoting the phosphorylation of CDK1 and inducing Gem-R. Treatment with a combination of the PKMYT1 shRNA and gemcitabine significantly reduced the growth of GBC cells induced by overexpression of ELF3 in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

ELF3/PKMYT1/CDK1 axis significantly regulates Gem-R to GBC cells and may represent a promising drug target for treating GBC patients.

YKL-40 derived from infiltrating macrophages cooperates with GDF15 to establish an immune suppressive microenvironment in gallbladder cancer

Despite of the high lethality of gallbladder cancer (GBC), little is known regarding molecular regulation of the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we determined tumor expression levels of YKL-40 and the molecular mechanisms by which YKL-40 regulates escape of anti-tumor immune surveillance. We found that elevated expression levels of YKL-40 in plasma and tissue were correlated with tumor size, stage IV and lymph node metastasis. Single cell transcriptome analysis revealed that YKL-40 was predominantly derived from M2-like subtype of infiltrating macrophages. Blockade of M2-like macrophage differentiation of THP-1 cells with YKL-40 shRNA resulted in reprogramming to M1-like macrophages and restricting tumor development. YKL-40 induced tumor cell expression and secretion of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), thus coordinating to promote PD-L1 expression mediated by PI3K, AKT and/or Erk activation. Interestingly, extracellular GDF15 inhibited intracellular expression of GDF15 that suppressed PD-L1 expression. Thus, YKL-40 disrupted the balance of pro- and anti-PD-L1 regulation to enhance expression of PD-L1 and inhibition of T cell cytotoxicity, leading to tumor immune evasion. The data suggest that YKL-40 and GDF15 could serve as diagnostic biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets for GBC.

Role of MicroRNA-502-3p in Human Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that play a major role in gene regulation in several diseases. MicroRNA-502-3p (MiR-502-3p) has been previously characterized in a variety of human diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, tuberculosis, cancers, and neurological disorders. Our studies recently explored the new role of miR-502-3p in regulating synapse function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is the most common cause of dementia in elderly individuals. Synapse is the initial target that is hit during AD progression. The most common causes of synapse dysfunction in AD are amyloid beta, hyperphosphorylated tau, and microglia activation. MiR-502-3p was found to be localized and overexpressed in the AD synapses. Overexpression of miR-502-3p was correlated with AD severity in terms of Braak stages. Studies have shown that miR-502-3p modulates the glutaminergic and GABAergic synapse function in AD. The current study’s emphasis is to discuss the in-depth roles of miR-502-3p in human diseases and AD and the future possibilities concerning miR-502-3p as a therapeutic for AD treatment.

A potential therapeutic approach for ulcerative colitis: targeted regulation of macrophage polarization through phytochemicals

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurring and incurable symptoms, causes immense suffering and economic burden for patients due to the limited treatment options available. Therefore, it is imperative to develop novel and promising strategies, as well as safe and effective drugs, for the clinical management of UC. Macrophages play a critical role as the initial line of defense in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis, and their phenotypic transformation significantly influences the progression of UC. Scientific studies have demonstrated that directing macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype is an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of UC. Phytochemicals derived from botanical sources have garnered the interest of the scientific community owing to their distinct bioactivity and nutritional value, which have been shown to confer beneficial protective effects against colonic inflammation. In this review, we explicated the influence of macrophage polarization on the development of UC and collated data on the significant potential of natural substances that can target the macrophage phenotype and elucidate the possible mechanism of action for its treatment. These findings may provide novel directions and references for the clinical management of UC.

tRF-3013b inhibits gallbladder cancer proliferation by targeting TPRG1L

BACKGROUND

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are newly discovered noncoding RNAs and regulate tumor progression via diverse molecular mechanisms. However, the expression and biofunction of tRFs in gallbladder cancer (GBC) have not been reported yet.

METHODS

The expression of tRFs in GBC was detected by tRF and tiRNA sequencing in GBC tissues and adjacent tissues. The biological function of tRFs was investigated by cell proliferation assay, clonal formation assay, cell cycle assay, and xenotransplantation model in GBC cell lines. The molecular mechanism was discovered and verified by transcriptome sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), target gene site prediction, and RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP).

RESULTS

tRF-3013b was significantly downregulated in GBC compared with para-cancer tissues. Decreased expression of tRF-3013b in GBC patients was correlated with poor overall survival. Dicer regulated the production of tRF-3013b, and its expression was positively correlated with tRF-3013b in GBC tissues. Functional experiments demonstrated that tRF-3013b inhibited GBC cell proliferation and induced cell-cycle arrest. Mechanically, tRF-3013b exerted RNA silencing effect on TPRG1L by binding to AGO3, and then inhibited NF-κB. TPRG1L overexpression could rescue the effects of tRF-3013b on GBC cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that Dicer-induced tRF-3013b inhibited GBC proliferation by targeting TPRG1L and repressed NF-κB, pointing to tRF-3013b as a novel potential therapeutic target of GBC.