c-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibition attenuate oxidative stress-induced pancreatic β-Cell dysfunction via glutathione antioxidant system

Long-term 4-nonylphenol exposure drives cervical cell malignancy through MAPK-mediated ferroptosis inhibition

4-NP (4-nonylphenol), a prevalent environmental endocrine disruptor with estrogenic properties, is commonly detected in drinking water and food sources. It poses a significant risk of endocrine disruption, thereby influencing the onset and progression of diverse diseases, including tumorigenesis. However, its specific impact on cervical cancer remains to be fully elucidated. Our study focused on the biological effects of sustained exposure to low-dose 4-NP on human normal cervical epithelial cells (HcerEpic). After a continuous 30-week exposure to 4-NP, the treated cells exhibited a significant malignant transformation, whereas the solvent control group showed limited malignant phenotypes. Subsequent analyses of the metabolomic profiles of the transformed cells unveiled marked irregularities in glutathione metabolism and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. Analyses of transcriptomic profiles revealed significant activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and suppression of ferroptosis processes in these cells. Furthermore, the expression of MT2A was significantly upregulated following 4-NP exposure. Knockdown of MT2A restored the aberrant activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, elevated antioxidant capacity, ferroptosis inhibition, and ultimately the development of malignant phenotypes that induced by 4-NP in the transformed cells. Mechanistically, MT2A increased cellular antioxidant capabilities and facilitated the removal of toxic iron ions by enhancing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK MAPK pathways. The administration of activators and inhibitors of the MAPK pathway confirmed that the MAPK pathway mediated the 4-NP-induced suppression of ferroptosis and, ultimately, the malignant transformation of cervical epithelial cells. Overall, our findings elucidated a dynamic molecular transformation induced by prolonged exposure to 4-NP, and delineated comprehensive biological perspectives underlying 4-NP-induced cervical carcinogenesis. This offers novel theoretical underpinnings for the assessment of the carcinogenic risks associated with 4-NP.

β-Elemene enhances erlotinib sensitivity through induction of ferroptosis by upregulating lncRNA H19 in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer

Nearly half of all Asian non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harbour epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, and first-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are one of the first-line treatments that have improved the outcomes of these patients. Unfortunately, 20% of these patients can not benefit from the treatment. The basis of this primary resistance is poorly understood. Therefore, overcoming EGFR-TKI primary resistance and maintaining the efficacy of TKIs has become a key issue. β-Elemene, a sesquiterpene compound extracted from Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (wenyujing), has shown potent antitumor effects. In this research, we found that β-elemene combined with erlotinib enhanced the cytotoxicity of erlotinib to primary EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells with EGFR mutations and that ferroptosis was involved in the antitumor effect of the combination treatment. We found that lncRNA H19 was significantly downregulated in primary EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cell lines and was upregulated by the combination treatment. Overexpression or knockdown of H19 conferred sensitivity or resistance to erlotinib, respectively, in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The high level of H19 enhanced the cytotoxicity of erlotinib by inducing ferroptosis. In conclusion, our data showed that β-elemene combined with erlotinib could enhance sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs through induction of ferroptosis via H19 in primary EGFR-TKI-resistant lung cancer, providing a promising strategy to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC patients.

Ferroptosis Signaling in Pancreatic β-Cells: Novel Insights & Therapeutic Targeting

Metabolic stress impairs pancreatic β-cell survival and function in diabetes. Although the pathophysiology of metabolic stress is complex, aberrant tissue damage and β-cell death are brought on by an imbalance in redox equilibrium due to insufficient levels of endogenous antioxidant expression in β-cells. The vulnerability of β-cells to oxidative damage caused by iron accumulation has been linked to contributory β-cell ferroptotic-like malfunction under diabetogenic settings. Here, we take into account recent findings on how iron metabolism contributes to the deregulation of the redox response in diabetic conditions as well as the ferroptotic-like malfunction in the pancreatic β-cells, which may offer insights for deciphering the pathomechanisms and formulating plans for the treatment or prevention of metabolic stress brought on by β-cell failure.

Screening and Characteristics of Marine Bacillus velezensis Z-1 Protease and Its Application of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Mussels to Prepare Antioxidant Active Substances

Bacillus velezensis is a type of microorganism that is beneficial to humans and animals. In this work, a protease-producing B. velezensis strain Z-1 was screened from sludge in the sea area near Qingdao (deposit number CGMCC No. 25059). The response surface methodology was used to analyze protease production, and the optimal temperature was 37.09 °C and pH 7.73 with the addition of 0.42% NaCl, resulting in maximum protease production of 17.64 U/mL. The optimum reaction temperature and pH of the protease of strain Z-1 were 60 °C and 9.0, respectively. The protease had good temperature and pH stability, and good stability in solvents such as methanol, ethanol and Tween 80. Ammonium, NH₄⁺,and Mn²⁺ significantly promoted enzyme activity, while Zn²⁺ significantly inhibited the enzyme activity. The protease produced by strain Z-1 was used for the enzymolysis of mussel meat. The mussel hydrolysate exhibited good antioxidant function, with a DPPH free radical removal rate of 75.3%, a hydroxyl free radical removal rate of 75.9%, and a superoxide anion removal rate of 84.4%. This study provides a reference for the application of B. velez protease and the diverse processing applications of mussel meat.

Are off-target effects of imatinib the key to improving beta-cell function in diabetes?

The small tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, STI571) protects against both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but as it inhibits many TKs and other proteins, it is not clear by which mechanisms it acts. This present review will focus on the possibility that imatinib acts, at least in part, by improving beta-cell function and survival via off-target effects on beta-cell signaling/metabolic flow events. Particular attention will be given to the possibility that imatinib and other TK inhibitors function as inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration. A better understanding of how imatinib counteracts diabetes will possibly help to clarify the pathogenic role of beta-cell signaling events and mitochondrial function, and hopefully leading to improved treatment of the disease.