Capsaicin inhibits the metastasis of human papillary thyroid carcinoma BCPAP cells through the modulation of the TRPV1 channel

Role of TRP channels in carcinogenesis and metastasis: Pathophysiology and regulation by non-coding RNAs

In 2021, David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian received Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their ground-breaking discoveries in the functional characterization of receptors for temperature and touch. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have captivated tremendous appreciation as promising drug targets over the past few years because of central involvement in different cancers. Based on the insights gleaned from decades of high-quality research, basic and clinical scientists have unveiled how Transient receptor potential channels regulated cancer onset and progression. Pioneering studies have sparked renewed interest and researchers have started to scratch the surface of mechanistic role of these channels in wide variety of cancers. In this review we have attempted to provide a summary of most recent updates and advancements made in the biology of these channels in context of cancers. We have partitioned this review into different subsections on the basis of emerging evidence about characteristically distinct role of TRPV (TRPV1, TRPV5), TRPM (TRPM3, TRPM7) and TRPC in cancers. Regulation of TRP channels by non-coding RNAs is also a very exciting area of research which will be helpful in developing a sharper understanding of the multi-step aspects of cancers.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels act as suppressors of the growth of glioma

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and function of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in glioma. We found that the expression of TRPV1 mRNA and protein were upregulated in glioma compared with normal brain by qPCR and western blot analysis. In order to investigate the function of TRPV1 in glioma, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and the inhibitor of TRPV1 were used. In vitro, the activation of TRPV1 induced cell apoptosis with decreased migration capability and inhibited proliferation, which was abolished upon TRPV1 pharmacological inhibition and silencing. Mechanistically, TRPV1 modulated glioma proliferation through the protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. More importantly, in immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mouse xenograft models, tumor size was significantly increased when TRPV1 expression was disrupted by a shRNA knockdown approach in vivo. Altogether, our findings indicate that TRPV1 negatively controls glioma cell proliferation in an Akt-dependent manner, which suggests that targeting TRPV1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for glioma.

Promising Role of Alkaloids in the Prevention and Treatment of Thyroid Cancer and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Comprehensive Review of the Current Evidence

Thyroid cancer (TC) and thyroid autoimmune disorders (AITD) are among the most common diseases in the general population, with higher incidence in women. Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Some studies, indeed, have pointed out the presence of AITD as a risk factor for TC, although this issue remains controversial. Prevention of autoimmune disease and cancer is the ultimate goal for clinicians and scientists, but it is not always feasible. Thus, new treatments, that overcome the current barriers to prevention and treatment of TC and AITD are needed. Alkaloids are secondary plant metabolites endowed with several biological activities including anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. In this perspective, alkaloids may represent a promising source of prophylactic and therapeutic agents for TC and AITD. This review encompasses the current published literature on alkaloids effects on TC and AITD, with a specific focus on the pathways involved in TC and AITD development and progression.

Phytochemical Modulation of Ion Channels in Oncologic Symptomatology and Treatment

Modern chemotherapies offer a broad approach to cancer treatment but eliminate both cancer and non-cancer cells indiscriminately and, thus, are associated with a host of side effects. Advances in precision oncology have brought about new targeted therapeutics, albeit mostly limited to a subset of patients with an actionable mutation. They too come with side effects and, ultimately, 'self-resistance' to the treatment. There is recent interest in the modulation of ion channels, transmembrane proteins that regulate the flow of electrically charged molecules in and out of cells, as an approach to aid treatment of cancer. Phytochemicals have been shown to act on ion channels with high specificity regardless of the tumor's genetic profile. This paper explores the use of phytochemicals in cancer symptom management and treatment.

Pathological mechanisms of cold and mechanical stress in modulating cancer progression

Environmental temperature and cellular mechanical force are the inherent factors that participate in various biological processes and regulate cancer progress, which have been hot topics worldwide. They occupy a dominant part in the cancer tissues through different approaches. However, extensive investigation regarding pathological mechanisms in the carcinogenic field. After research, we found cold stress via two means to manipulate tumors: neuroscience and mechanically sensitive ion channels (MICHs) such as TRP families to regulate the physiological and pathological activities. Excessive cold stimulation mediated neuroscience acting on every cancer stage through the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocorticoid (HPA) to reach the target organs. Comparatively speaking, mechanical force via Piezo of MICHs controls cancer development. The progression of cancer depends on the internal activation of proto-oncogenes and the external tumorigenic factors; the above two means eventually lead to genetic disorders at the molecular level. This review summarizes the interaction of bidirectional communication between them and the tumor. It covers the main processes from cytoplasm to nucleus related to metastasis cascade and tumor immune escape.

Promising Approaches in Plant-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Studies

Thyroid cancer, particularly undifferentiated tumors, poses a significant challenge due to its limited response to standard therapies. The incidence of thyroid cancer, predominantly differentiated carcinomas, is on the rise globally. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), though rare, is highly aggressive and challenging to treat. Therefore, this study aimed to collect data and explore alternative treatments, focusing on the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with natural compounds as well as the potential role of phytochemicals, including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, genistein, daidzein, naringenin, hesperitin, anthocyanidins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, curcumin, saponins, ursolic acid, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), capsaicin, and piperine in thyroid cancer treatment. PDT, utilizing sensitizers activated by tumor-directed light, demonstrates promising specificity compared to traditional treatments. Combining PDT with natural photosensitizers, such as hypericin and genistein, enhances cytotoxicity against thyroid carcinoma cells. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on phytochemicals and their anti-proliferative effects in in vitro and in vivo studies, emphasizing their effectiveness and mechanism of action as a novel therapeutic approach for thyroid cancers, especially those refractory to standard treatments.

Research focus and thematic trends of transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1 research: a bibliometric analysis of the global publications (1990-2023)

Recently, various studies have been devoted to the study of transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1 (TRPV1)-related diseases, potential drugs, and related mechanisms. The objective of this investigation was to examine the significant areas and cutting-edge developments in TRPV1 study within recent decades. Articles or reviews were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer 1.6.18 and CiteSpace 6.1 R2 software were utilized to examine publication growth, distribution by country/region, institution, journal, authorship, references, and keywords. The software identified keywords with a high citation burstiness to determine emerging topics. From 1990 to 2023, the annual global publications increased by 62,000%, from 1 to 621. Journal of neuroscience published the most manuscripts and Nature produced the highest citations. The USA, Seoul National University and Di marzo V were the most productive and impactful institution, country, and author, respectively. "TRPV1," "Capsaicin receptor," "Activation," and "Pain" are the most important keywords. The burst keywords "TRPV1 channel," "Oxidative stress," "TRPV1 structure," and "Cancer" are supposed to be the research frontiers. The present study offers valuable insights into the understanding of TRPV1 and pain-related conditions. The research on TRPV1 has demonstrated a steady increase in studies related to pain-related diseases in the past few decades. The significance of TRPV1 in cancer pathogenesis and the resolution of its structure will emerge as a new academic trend in this field, providing direction for more widespread and comprehensive studies in the future.

Comprehensive analysis of cellular senescence and immune microenvironment in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Senescence-induced therapy was previously considered as an effective treatment for tumors, and cellular senescence was initially regarded as an effective mechanism against cancer. However, whether cell senescence-related genes can be used to predict the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and immunotherapy remains unclear. We developed and validated a cell senescence-related signature (CSRS) by analyzing the gene expression of 278 genes related to cellular senescence in 738 patients with PTC. Additionally, further analysis showed that CSRS was a reliable predictor of patient outcomes in combination with immune checkpoint expression and drug susceptibility, and patients with high risk scores may benefit from immunotherapy. The findings of this study demonstrate that CSRS serves as an immunotherapeutic response and prognosis biomarker affecting the tumor immune microenvironment of PTC.

Research trends and frontier hotspots of TRPV1 based on bibliometric and visualization analyses

Background

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel with multiple activation mechanisms, which has received increasing attention since it was first cloned in 1997.

Methods

We used bibliometric and visualization analyses to evaluate the theme trends and knowledge structure of TRPV1 research-papers on TRPV1 from 2002 to 2022 obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to analyze authors, institutions, countries, co-cited references, and keywords.

Results

A total of 7413 papers were included. The main research area of TRPV1 was neuroscience; the most published country was the United States, and the University of California, San Francisco, had the highest centrality. Two major collaborative sub-networks were formed between the authors. The distribution of keywords shows that TRPV1 was initially studied extensively, and the recent studies focused on TRPV1 structure and diseases. "Oxidative stress," "TRPV1 structure," "cancer," and "model" have been the research hotspots in recent years.

Conclusions

This research provides valuable information for the study of TRPV1. Disease research was focused on pain, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Both agonists and antagonists of TRPV1 are gradually being used in clinical practice, and acupuncture was effective in treating TRPV1-mediated inflammatory pain. TRPV1 is involved in classical endogenous cannabis system signaling, and new signaling pathways continue to be revealed.

A journey from molecule to physiology and in silico tools for drug discovery targeting the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel

The heat and capsaicin receptor TRPV1 channel is widely expressed in nerve terminals of dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and trigeminal ganglia innervating the body and face, respectively, as well as in other tissues and organs including central nervous system. The TRPV1 channel is a versatile receptor that detects harmful heat, pain, and various internal and external ligands. Hence, it operates as a polymodal sensory channel. Many pathological conditions including neuroinflammation, cancer, psychiatric disorders, and pathological pain, are linked to the abnormal functioning of the TRPV1 in peripheral tissues. Intense biomedical research is underway to discover compounds that can modulate the channel and provide pain relief. The molecular mechanisms underlying temperature sensing remain largely unknown, although they are closely linked to pain transduction. Prolonged exposure to capsaicin generates analgesia, hence numerous capsaicin analogs have been developed to discover efficient analgesics for pain relief. The emergence of in silico tools offered significant techniques for molecular modeling and machine learning algorithms to indentify druggable sites in the channel and for repositioning of current drugs aimed at TRPV1. Here we recapitulate the physiological and pathophysiological functions of the TRPV1 channel, including structural models obtained through cryo-EM, pharmacological compounds tested on TRPV1, and the in silico tools for drug discovery and repositioning.

Long non-coding RNA ACTA2-AS1 suppresses metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer via regulation of miR-4428/KLF9 axis

BACKGROUND

Metastasis is the primary cause of recurrence and death in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). LncRNA ACTA2-AS1, a long non-coding RNA, acts as a tumor suppressor in multiple types of human malignancies, while the role of ACTA2-AS1 in PTC metastasis remains unclear.

METHODS

The ACTA2-AS1 expression in PTC tissues was analyzed. The sponged roles of ACTA2-AS1 via miR-4428/KLF9 axis were identified using starBase tool. The function of ACTA2-AS1 in PTC was performed with in vitro and in vivo experiments. The correlation between DNA methylation and mRNA expressions of these gene in the TCGA dataset was explored.

RESULTS

ACTA2-AS1 expression was downregulated in PTC tissues without metastasis and further decreased in PTC tissues with lymph node metastasis compared with that in normal tissues. Functionally, the overexpression of ACTA2-AS1 inhibited the growth, proliferation, and invasion of PTC cells, whereas its depletion exerted opposite effect. In vivo, ACTA2-AS1 expression inhibited PTC metastasis. Furthermore, ACTA2-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-4428, thereby positively regulating the expression of miR-4428 target gene, KLF9. Finally, miR-4428 overexpression enhanced invasive potential of PTC cells and significantly weakened the effects of ACTA2-AS1 on promotion and inhibition of KLF9 expression as well as invasive ability of PTC cells, respectively. In the TCGA dataset, the methylation level of ACTA2-AS1 was significantly correlated with its mRNA expression (r = 0.21, p = 2.1 × e-6).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that ACTA2-AS1 functions as a tumor suppressor in PTC progression at least partly by regulating the miR-4428-dependent expression of KLF9.

Capsaicin suppresses the migration and invasion of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through the modulation of mTOR signaling pathway

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignancy of the nasopharynx, is prevalent in Southeast Asia and Southern China. The prognosis of NPC is poor and local recurrence and metastasis often occur. Capsaicin (tran-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a pungent constituent of hot chili peppers, shows anti-cancer activities such as anti-proliferation and anti-metastasis. Currently, the role of capsaicin in cell metastasis of NPC is not well understood. We tested whether capsaicin has anti-metastatic activity in NPC cell lines. Capsaicin suppressed cell proliferation in dose-dependent manner. Moreover, capsaicin inhibited cell metastasis as shown by wound healing assay and decreased the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, the phosphorylation of mTOR was downregulated by capsaicin. Combination of capsaicin and rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) treatments led to increasing of anti-growth and anti-metastatic activities. Therefore, capsaicin has potential to be used as an optional therapeutic drug for treatment of NPC.

Crosstalk Between Peripheral Innervation and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive growth, and therapy resistance, leading to a poor overall prognosis. Emerging evidence shows that the peripheral nerve is an important non-tumor component in the tumor microenvironment that regulates tumor growth and immune escape. The crosstalk between the neuronal system and PDAC has become a hot research topic that may provide novel mechanisms underlying tumor progression and further uncover promising therapeutic targets. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms of perineural invasion and the role of various types of tumor innervation in the progression of PDAC, summarize the potential signaling pathways modulating the neuronal-cancer interaction, and discuss the current and future therapeutic possibilities for this condition.

The role of ion channels in the relationship between the immune system and cancer

The immune system is capable of identifying and eliminating cancer, a complicated illness marked by unchecked cellular proliferation. The significance of ion channels in the complex interaction between the immune system and cancer has been clarified by recent studies. Ion channels, which are proteins that control ion flow across cell membranes, have variety of physiological purposes, such as regulating immune cell activity and tumor development. Immune cell surfaces contain ion channels, which have been identified to control immune cell activation, motility, and effector activities. The regulation of immune responses against cancer cells has been linked to a number of ion channels, including potassium, calcium, and chloride channels. As an example, potassium channels are essential for regulating T cell activation and proliferation, which are vital for anti-tumor immunity. Calcium channels play a crucial role when immune cells produce cytotoxic chemicals in order to eliminate cancer cells. Chloride channels also affect immune cell infiltration and invasion into malignancies. Additionally, tumor cells' own expressed ion channels have an impact on their behavior and in the interaction with the immune system. The proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and immune evasion of cancer cells may all be impacted by changes in ion channel expression and function. Ion channels may also affect the tumor microenvironment by controlling angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, and immune cell infiltration. Ion channel function in the interaction between the immune system and cancer has important implications for cancer treatment. A possible method to improve anti-tumor immune responses and stop tumor development is to target certain ion channels. Small compounds and antibodies are among the ion channel modulators under investigation as possible immunotherapeutics. The complex interaction between ion channels, the immune system, and cancer highlights the significance of these channels for tumor immunity. The development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer will be made possible by unraveling the processes by which ion channels control immune responses and tumor activity. Hence, the main driving idea of the present chapter is trying to understand the possible function of ion channels in the complex crosstalk between cancer and immunoresponse. To this aim, after giving a brief journey of ion channels throughout the history, a classification of the main ion channels involved in cancer disease will be discussed. Finally, the last paragraph will focus on more recently advancements in the use of biomaterials as therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. The hope is that future research will take advantage of the promising combination of ion channels, immunomodulation and biomaterials filed to provide better solutions in the treatment of cancer disease.

Intersection between calcium signalling and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in the context of cancer

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a form of cellular phenotypic plasticity and is considered a crucial step in the progression of many cancers. The calcium ion (Ca²⁺) acts as a ubiquitous second messenger and is implicated in many cellular processes, including cell death, migration, invasion and more recently EMT. Throughout this review, the complex interplay between Ca²⁺ signalling and EMT will be explored. An overview of the Ca²⁺ pathways that are remodelled as a consequence of EMT is provided and the role of Ca²⁺ signalling in regulating EMT and its significance is considered. Ca²⁺ signalling pathways may represent a therapeutic opportunity to regulate EMT. However, as will be described in this review, the complexity of these signalling pathways represents significant challenges that must be considered if Ca²⁺ signalling is to be manipulated with the aim of therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1: A potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases

The transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), belonging to the TRPV channel family, is a non-selective, calcium-dependent, cation channel implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Collagen, an extracellular matrix component, can accumulate under pathological conditions and may lead to the destruction of tissue structure, organ dysfunction, and organ failure. Increasing evidence indicates that TRPV1 plays a role in the development and occurrence of fibrotic diseases, including myocardial, renal, pancreatic, and corneal fibrosis. However, the mechanism by which TRPV1 regulates fibrosis remains unclear. This review highlights the comprehensive role played by TRPV1 in regulating pro-fibrotic processes, the potential of TRPV1 as a therapeutic target in fibrotic diseases, as well as the different signaling pathways associated with TRPV1 and fibrosis.

Capsaicin: A Two-Decade Systematic Review of Global Research Output and Recent Advances Against Human Cancer

Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is one of the most important natural products in the genus Capsicum. Due to its numerous biological effects, there has been extensive and increasing research interest in capsaicin, resulting in increased scientific publications in recent years. Therefore, an in-depth bibliometric analysis of published literature on capsaicin from 2001 to 2021 was performed to assess the global research status, thematic and emerging areas, and potential insights into future research. Furthermore, recent research advances of capsaicin and its combination therapy on human cancer as well as their potential mechanisms of action were described. In the last two decades, research outputs on capsaicin have increased by an estimated 18% per year and were dominated by research articles at 93% of the 3753 assessed literature. In addition, anti-cancer/pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity, in vivo neurological and pain research studies were the keyword clusters generated and designated as thematic domains for capsaicin research. It was evident that the United States, China, and Japan accounted for about 42% of 3753 publications that met the inclusion criteria. Also, visibly dominant collaboration nodes and networks with most of the other identified countries were established. Assessment of the eligible literature revealed that the potential of capsaicin for mitigating cancer mainly entailed its chemo-preventive effects, which were often linked to its ability to exert multi-biological effects such as anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, clinical studies were limited, which may be related to some of the inherent challenges associated with capsaicin in the limited clinical trials. This review presents a novel approach to visualizing information about capsaicin research and a comprehensive perspective on the therapeutic significance and applications of capsaicin in the treatment of human cancer.

Calcium selective channel TRPV6: Structure, function, and implications in health and disease

Calcium-selective channel TRPV6 (Transient Receptor Potential channel family, Vanilloid subfamily member 6) belongs to the TRP family of cation channels and plays critical roles in transcellular calcium (Ca2+) transport, reuptake of Ca2+ into cells, and maintaining a local low Ca2+ environment for certain biological processes. Recent crystal and cryo-electron microscopy-based structures of TRPV6 have revealed mechanistic insights on how the protein achieves Ca2+ selectivity, permeation, and inactivation by calmodulin. The TRPV6 protein is expressed in a range of epithelial tissues such as the intestine, kidney, placenta, epididymis, and exocrine glands such as the pancreas, prostate and salivary, sweat, and mammary glands. The TRPV6 gene is a direct transcriptional target of the active form of vitamin D and is efficiently regulated to meet the body's need for Ca2+ demand. In addition, TRPV6 is also regulated by the level of dietary Ca2+ and under physiological conditions such as pregnancy and lactation. Genetic models of loss of function in TRPV6 display hypercalciuria, decreased bone marrow density, deficient weight gain, reduced fertility, and in some cases alopecia. The models also reveal that the channel plays an indispensable role in maintaining maternal-fetal Ca2+ transport and low Ca2+ environment in the epididymal lumen that is critical for male fertility. Most recently, loss of function mutations in TRPV6 gene is linked to transient neonatal hyperparathyroidism and early onset chronic pancreatitis. TRPV6 is overexpressed in a wide range of human malignancies and its upregulation is strongly correlated to tumor aggressiveness, metastasis, and poor survival in selected cancers. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the expression, structure, biophysical properties, function, polymorphisms, and regulation of TRPV6. The aberrant expression, polymorphisms, and dysfunction of this protein linked to human diseases are also discussed.

Capsaicin and cancer: Guilty as charged or innocent until proven guilty?

With an estimated 2 billion chili pepper connoisseurs worldwide, the human exposure to capsaicin is enormous. Therefore, the question whether nutritional capsaicin is a cancer causing or cancer preventive agent is of utmost importance. The gamut of human epidemiology studies suggests that capsaicin in modest, "restaurant-like" doses is not only safe to eat, but it may even provide health benefits, such as lower cancer-related death rate. Very "hot" food is, however, probably better avoided. Importantly, no increased cancer risk was reported in patients following topical (skin or intravesical) capsaicin therapy. Aberrant capsaicin receptor TRPV1 expression was noted in various cancers with potential implications for cancer therapy, diagnosis and prognostication. Indeed, capsaicin can kill cancer cells by a combination of on- and off-target mechanisms, though it remains unclear if this can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. The literature on capsaicin and cancer is vast and controversial. This review aims to find answers to questions that are relevant for our daily life and medical practice.

The Role of Altered Mitochondrial Metabolism in Thyroid Cancer Development and Mitochondria-Targeted Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common type of endocrine malignancy. Tumour formation, progression, and metastasis greatly depend on the efficacy of mitochondria-primarily, the regulation of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, dynamics, energy production, and associated reactive oxygen species generation. Recent studies have successfully confirmed the mitochondrial aetiology of thyroid carcinogenesis. In this review, we focus on the recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of thyroid cancer relating to altered mitochondrial metabolism. We also discuss the repurposing of known drugs and the induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis as a new trend in the development of anti-TC therapy.

Capsaicin inhibits HIF-1α accumulation through suppression of mitochondrial respiration in lung cancer cells

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α is an important transcription factor regulating cancer metabolism in hypoxic environment. Capsaicin is known to inhibit hypoxia-induced HIF activity in lung cancer. Hence, in this study we tried to elucidate its inhibitory mechanism of action. In lung cancer cells, including H1299, H23, A549, and H2009 cells, capsaicin inhibited cell growth and HIF activation. Under hypoxic conditions, capsaicin reduced the accumulation of HIF-1α protein and the expression of its target genes, including pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), with no effect on overall HIF-1α mRNA levels in the H1299 cells. In addition, capsaicin increased intracellular oxygen levels by suppressing mitochondrial respiration, resulting in a reduction of HIF-1α accumulation. Furthermore, mitochondrial ATP production was reduced by capsaicin through the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in the H1299, H23, A549, and H2009 cells. These results indicate that capsaicin potentially exhibits anticancer therapeutic effects in lung cancer under hypoxic conditions.

Capsaicin restores sodium iodine symporter-mediated radioiodine uptake through bypassing canonical TSH‒TSHR pathway in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly lethal disease. ATCs are resistant to standard therapies and are extremely difficult to manage. The stepwise cell dedifferentiation results in the impairment of the iodine-metabolizing machinery and the infeasibility of radioiodine treatment in ATC. Hence, re-inducing iodine-metabolizing gene expression to restore radioiodine avidity is considered as a promising strategy to fight against ATC. In the present study, capsaicin (CAP), a natural potent transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) agonist, was discovered to re-induce ATC cell differentiation and to increase the expression of thyroid transcription factors (TTFs including TTF-1, TTF-2, and PAX8) and iodine-metabolizing proteins, including thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), thyroid peroxidase, and sodium iodine symporter (NIS), in two ATC cell lines, 8505C and FRO. Strikingly, CAP treatment promoted NIS glycosylation and its membrane trafficking, resulting in a significant enhancement of radioiodine uptake of ATC cells in vitro. Mechanistically, CAP activated TRPV1 channel and subsequently triggered Ca2+ influx, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) generation, and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) signal activation. Next, CREB recognized and bound to the promoter of SLC5A5 to facilitate its transcription. Moreover, the TRPV1 antagonist CPZ, the calcium chelator BAPTA, and the PKA inhibitor H-89 effectively alleviated the re-differentiation exerted by CAP, demonstrating that CAP might improve radioiodine avidity through the activation of the TRPV1‒Ca2+/cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. In addition, our study indicated that CAP might trigger a novel cascade to re-differentiate ATC cells and provide unprecedented opportunities for radioiodine therapy in ATC, bypassing canonical TSH‒TSHR pathway.

TRPV Protein Family-From Mechanosensing to Cancer Invasion

Biophysical cues from the cellular microenvironment are detected by mechanosensitive machineries that translate physical signals into biochemical signaling cascades. At the crossroads of extracellular space and cell interior are located several ion channel families, including TRP family proteins, that are triggered by mechanical stimuli and drive intracellular signaling pathways through spatio-temporally controlled Ca2+-influx. Mechanosensitive Ca2+-channels, therefore, act as critical components in the rapid transmission of physical signals into biologically compatible information to impact crucial processes during development, morphogenesis and regeneration. Given the mechanosensitive nature of many of the TRP family channels, they must also respond to the biophysical changes along the development of several pathophysiological conditions and have also been linked to cancer progression. In this review, we will focus on the TRPV, vanilloid family of TRP proteins, and their connection to cancer progression through their mechanosensitive nature.

TRP Channels Interactome as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most frequent cancer types worldwide and the first cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Although significant therapeutic advances have been achieved with drugs such as tamoxifen and trastuzumab, breast cancer still caused 627,000 deaths in 2018. Since cancer is a multifactorial disease, it has become necessary to develop new molecular therapies that can target several relevant cellular processes at once. Ion channels are versatile regulators of several physiological- and pathophysiological-related mechanisms, including cancer-relevant processes such as tumor progression, apoptosis inhibition, proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance. Ion channels are the main regulators of cellular functions, conducting ions selectively through a pore-forming structure located in the plasma membrane, protein–protein interactions one of their main regulatory mechanisms. Among the different ion channel families, the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family stands out in the context of breast cancer since several members have been proposed as prognostic markers in this pathology. However, only a few approaches exist to block their specific activity during tumoral progress. In this article, we describe several TRP channels that have been involved in breast cancer progress with a particular focus on their binding partners that have also been described as drivers of breast cancer progression. Here, we propose disrupting these interactions as attractive and potential new therapeutic targets for treating this neoplastic disease.

The Impact of TRPV1 on Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy: A Systematic Review

The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) is a transmembrane protein that can be activated by various physical and chemical stimuli and is associated with pain transduction. In recent years, TRPV1 was discovered to play essential roles in cancer tumorigenesis and development, as TRPV1 expression levels are altered in numerous cancer cell types. Several investigations have discovered direct associations between TRPV1 and cancer cell proliferation, cell death, and metastasis. Furthermore, about two dozen TRPV1 agonists/antagonists are under clinical trial, as TRPV1 is a potential drug target for treating various diseases. Hence, more researchers are focusing on the effects of TRPV1 agonists or antagonists on cancer tumorigenesis and development. However, both agonists and antagonists may reveal anti-cancer effects, and the effect may function via or be independent of TRPV1. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact of TRPV1 on cancer cell proliferation, cell death, and metastasis, as well as on cancer therapy and the tumor microenvironment, and consider the implications of using TRPV1 agonists and antagonists for future research and potential therapeutic approaches.

Calcium Signaling in the Thyroid: Friend and Foe

Simple Summary

All cells in our body are activated by several different signals. The calcium ion is one of the most versatile signaling molecules, and regulates a multitude of different events in the cells. These range from activation of muscle contraction, to the regulation of cell movement, just to name a few. In normal thyroid cells, calcium signaling is of importance for the normal physiology of the cells. In thyroid pathologies, e.g., thyroid cancer, calcium is important for the regulation of proliferation and invasion, and may also activate gene transcription programs important for cancer cell survival. In this Commentary, we summarize what is known regarding calcium in the normal thyroid, and highlight the importance of calcium signaling in thyroid pathologies.

Abstract

Calcium signaling participates in a vast number of cellular processes, ranging from the regulation of muscle contraction, cell proliferation, and mitochondrial function, to the regulation of the membrane potential in cells. The actions of calcium signaling are, thus, of great physiological significance for the normal functioning of our cells. However, many of the processes that are regulated by calcium, including cell movement and proliferation, are important in the progression of cancer. In the normal thyroid, calcium signaling plays an important role, and evidence is also being gathered showing that calcium signaling participates in the progression of thyroid cancer. This review will summarize what we know in regard to calcium signaling in the normal thyroid as, well as in thyroid cancer.

Anti-obesity Medications in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Insight

The interplay between cancer and obesity is multifactorial and complex with the increased risk of cancer development in obese individuals posing a significant threat. Obesity leads to the upregulation or hyperactivation of several oncogenic pathways in cancer cells, which drives them towards a deleterious phenotype. The cross-talk between cancer and obesity is considered a large contributing factor in the development of chemotherapeutic drug resistance and the resistance to radiotherapy. The link between obesity and the development of cancer is so strong that a medication that demonstrates effectiveness against both conditions would serve as an essential step. In this context, anti-obesity medications provide a worthy list of candidates based on their chemo-preventive potential and chemotherapeutic properties. The current study focuses on exploring the potential of anti-obesity medicines as dual anticancer drugs. These medications target several key signaling pathways (e.g., AMPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, NF-κB, JNK/ERK), which prove to be crucial for both cancer growth and metastases. Some of these drugs also play an important role in attenuating the signaling and cellular events which incite cancer-obesity cross-talk and demonstrate efficient counteraction of neoplastic transformation. Thus, this review highlights a comprehensive view of the potential use of anti-obesity medicines to treat both cancer and obesity for patients exhibiting both comorbities.

Vitamin C induces ferroptosis in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells by ferritinophagy activation

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly lethal disease. So far, there is no available established treatment which can prolong its survival. In this regard, effective therapies are urgently needed. Vitamin C widely serves as an anti-cancer agent. However, the potential effects of vitamin C against thyroid tumorigenesis remained unclear. The present study demonstrated that vitamin C could significantly inhibit ATC cells growth through ferroptosis activation, evidenced by the GPX4 inactivation, ROS accumulation and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Our results demonstrated that vitamin C treatment induced ferritinophagy and subsequent degradation of ferritin, leading to the release of free iron. Excessive iron further triggered ROS generation via Fenton reaction. The positive feedback mediated by ROS and iron sustained lipid peroxidation and further resulted in ferroptosis of ATC cells. The better understanding of the anti-cancer mechanisms of vitamin C provides a potential strategy for ATC therapy.

Recovery of Capsaicinoids and Other Phytochemicals Involved With TRPV-1 Receptor to Re-valorize Chili Pepper Waste and Produce Nutraceuticals

The hot chili pepper industry represents one of the most important staple foods in Mexico and many Asian countries. Nowadays, large amounts of waste materials are produced from the pepper supply chain that could be used as a source to obtain nutraceuticals. Among the most common and important bioactive compounds contained in pepper residues are the capsaicinoids, which are the responsible of the pungency of the pepper. Capsaicinoids, mainly capsaicin, may ameliorate obesity, gastric disorder, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rhinitis, asthma, immune system diseases, and important viral diseases as the recent COVID-19. The aim of this review is to review the industrial process for the extraction of capsaicinoids ingredients from pepper residues and to examine the relation of the capsaicin and other chili pepper phytochemicals to prevent and treat chronic diseases explained through the key role of the TRPV1 receptor. The extraction and incorporation of these compounds into nutraceutical formulations depend mainly on the development of new methods to improve not only the yield of a particular compound but the validation of the bioactivity and phytochemical characterization.

Deciphering the Role of Ca2+ Signalling in Cancer Metastasis: From the Bench to the Bedside

Metastatic cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortalities. Metastasis is a complex, multi-process phenomenon, and a hallmark of cancer. Calcium (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous secondary messenger, and it has become evident that Ca2+ signalling plays a vital role in cancer. Ca2+ homeostasis is dysregulated in physiological processes related to tumour metastasis and progression-including cellular adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell migration, motility, and invasion. In this review, we looked at the role of intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ signalling pathways in processes that contribute to metastasis at the local level and also their effects on cancer metastasis globally, as well as at underlying molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Spatiotemporal Ca2+ homeostasis, in terms of oscillations or waves, is crucial for hindering tumour progression and metastasis. They are a limited number of clinical trials investigating treating patients with advanced stages of various cancer types. Ca2+ signalling may serve as a novel hallmark of cancer due to the versatility of Ca2+ signals in cells, which suggests that the modulation of specific upstream/downstream targets may be a therapeutic approach to treat cancer, particularly in patients with metastatic cancers.

The role of TRPV1 ion channels in the suppression of gastric cancer development

Background

Although the aberrant expression and function of most Ca²⁺-permeable channels are known to promote gastrointestinal tumors, the association between transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) channels and gastric cancer (GC) has not yet been explored. Herein, we sought to determine the role of TRPV1 channels in the development of GC and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved therein.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry, qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of TRPV1 in GC cells and tissues, and the clinical significance of TRPV1 in GC was also studied by clinicopathologic analysis. CCK8, colony formation, flow cytometry assays were used to detect the proliferation and survival of GC cells, while transwell assay was used to detect migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro. Tumor xenograft and peritoneal dissemination assays in nude mice were used to examine the role of TRPV1 in GC development in vivo.

Results

TRPV1 expression was significantly downregulated in human primary GC tissues compared to their adjacent tissues. The decreased expression of TRPV1 proteins in GC tissues was positively correlated with tumor size, histological grade, lymphatic metastasis, clinical stage, and was strongly correlated with poor prognosis of GC patients. Moreover, the expression of TRPV1 was closely correlated with Ki67, VEGFR, and E-cadherin, all of which are the well-known cancer markers for proliferation and metastasis. TRPV1 proteins were predominately expressed on the plasma membrane in several GC cell lines. TRPV1 overexpression blocked cell cycle at G1 phase to inhibit GC cell proliferation and attenuated migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro, but TRPV1 knockdown increased these parameters. TRPV1 significantly reduced gastric tumor size, number and peritoneal dissemination in vivo. Mechanistically, TRPV1 overexpression in GC cells increased [Ca²⁺]_i, activated CaMKKβ and AMPK phosphorylation, and decreased expression of cyclin D1 and MMP2, while TRPV1 knockdown induced the opposite effects.

Conclusions

TRPV1 uniquely suppresses GC development through a novel Ca²⁺/CaMKKβ/AMPK pathway and its downregulation is correlated with poor survival of human GC patients. Thus, TRPV1 upregulation and its downstream signaling may represent a promising target for GC prevention and therapy.

KCNN4 is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker that promotes papillary thyroid cancer progression

The incidence of thyroid cancer remains high worldwide, and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type. Potassium Calcium-Activated Channel Subfamily N Member 4 (KCNN4) has been reported as an oncogene in various cancers. We examined expression of KCNN4 in public databases and discovered that it is upregulated in PTC. We verified this finding using our own validated cohort and RNA sequencing data. We also found that KCNN4 is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker that is associated with disease-free survival, immune infiltration, and several other clinicopathological features of PTC. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated that apoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene sets are both upregulated in PTC patients with higher KCNN4 levels. In PTC cell lines, silencing KCNN4 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting indicated that silencing KCNN4 increased expression of apoptotic genes in PTC cells and reduced the expression of genes involved in their epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These results suggest that KCNN4 promotes PTC progression by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppressing apoptosis, which suggests KCNN4 may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of PTC.

Capsaicin induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells via TRPV1-mediated mitochondrial calcium overload

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare malignancy and has a poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior and resistance to treatments. Calcium (Ca²⁺) serves as a ubiquitous cellular second messenger and influences several tumor behaviors. Therefore, Ca²⁺ modulation is expected to be a novel therapeutic target in cancers. However, whether Ca²⁺ modulation is effective in ATC therapy remains unknown. In this study, we reported that capsaicin (CAP), a transient receptor potential vanilloid type1 (TRPV1) agonist, inhibited the viability of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. Capsaicin treatment triggered Ca²⁺ influx by TRPV1 activation, resulting in disequilibrium of intracellular calcium homeostasis. The rapidly increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration was mirrored in the mitochondria and caused a severe condition of mitochondrial calcium overload in ATC cells. In addition, the disruption of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis caused by capsaicin led to mitochondrial dysfunction in ATC cells, as evidenced by the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Next, the resulting release of cyt c into the cytosol triggered apoptosome assembly and subsequent caspase activation and apoptosis. It was worth noting that both TRPV1 antagonist (capsazepine) and calcium chelator (BAPTA) could attenuate aberrant Ca²⁺ homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induced by capsaicin treatment. Thus, our study demonstrated that capsaicin induced mitochondrial calcium overload and apoptosis in ATC cells through a TRPV1-mediated pathway. The better understanding of the anti-cancer mechanisms of calcium modulation provides a potential target for the ATC therapy.

Biological Properties, Bioactive Constituents, and Pharmacokinetics of Some Capsicum spp. and Capsaicinoids

Pepper originated from the Capsicum genus, which is recognized as one of the most predominant and globally distributed genera of the Solanaceae family. It is a diverse genus, consisting of more than 31 different species including five domesticated species, Capsicum baccatum, C. annuum, C. pubescen, C. frutescens, and C. chinense. Pepper is the most widely used spice in the world and is highly valued due to its pungency and unique flavor. Pepper is a good source of provitamin A; vitamins E and C; carotenoids; and phenolic compounds such as capsaicinoids, luteolin, and quercetin. All of these compounds are associated with their antioxidant as well as other biological activities. Interestingly, Capsicum fruits have been used as food additives in the treatment of toothache, parasitic infections, coughs, wound healing, sore throat, and rheumatism. Moreover, it possesses antimicrobial, antiseptic, anticancer, counterirritant, appetite stimulator, antioxidant, and immunomodulator activities. Capsaicin and Capsicum creams are accessible in numerous ways and have been utilized in HIV-linked neuropathy and intractable pain.

TRPV1 Antagonist DWP05195 Induces ER Stress-Dependent Apoptosis through the ROS-p38-CHOP Pathway in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

In addition to their analgesic activity, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) agonists and antagonists demonstrate profound anti-cancer activities in various human cancers. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of a novel TRPV1 antagonist, DWP05195, and evaluated its molecular mechanism in human ovarian cancer cells. DWP05195 demonstrated potent growth inhibitory effects in all five ovarian cancer cell lines examined. DWP05195 induced apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9. DWP05195 induced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Sodium phenylbutyrate (4-PBA), an ER-stress inhibitor, and CHOP knockdown significantly suppressed DWP5195-induced cell death. DWP05195-enhanced CHOP expression stimulated intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways through the regulation of Bcl2-like11 (BIM), death receptor 4 (DR4), and DR5. DWP05195-induced cell death was associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and p38 pathway activation. Pre-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) significantly suppressed DWP05195-induced CHOP expression and p38 activation. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase (NOX) through p47phox knockdown abolished DWP05195-induced CHOP expression and cell death. Taken together, the findings indicate that DWP05195 induces ER stress-induced apoptosis via the ROS-p38-CHOP pathway in human ovarian cancer cells.

Herbal Active Ingredients: An Emerging Potential for the Prevention and Treatment of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype of differentiated thyroid cancers in Asian coastal cities, where the patients have increased risk of potentially high or excessive iodine intake. Given the high metastasis and recurrence of patients with BRAF^V600E mutation, the mortality rate of thyroid cancer has recently shown an upward trend. A variety of therapies, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have been used to treat thyroid cancer, but these therapies still have limitations, including postoperative complications, drug resistance, poor efficacy, or serious side effects. Recent studies have shown the potential of active ingredients derived from herbal medicine in inhibiting PTC via various cell signaling pathways. Some plant-derived compounds, such as apigenin, genistein, and curcumin, are also known to prevent and treat PTC. This article summarizes the recent advances in the structure-functional impact of anti-PTC active ingredients and their effects on PTC cells and tumor microenvironments with an emphasis on their challenges from basic research to clinical practice.

Progress in understanding role of capsaicin in prevention and treatment of digestive system tumors

Radiation and chemotherapy are still the main treatments for malignant tumors, but their side effects are significant. Thus, searching natural active substances for the prevention and treatment of tumor has attracted wide attention. Capsaicin (Cap) is the main active ingredient in chili hot material. Since the 20th century, more and more studies have been performed on the clinical effects of Cap, and its antitumor function has become a currently hot research topic. The antitumor mechanism of Cap is complex, and it can cause tumor cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and autophagy, inhibit tumor cell migration and invasion, and have an anti-angiogenesis property. As a potential anti-tumor drug, Cap has a broad prospect to increase the efficacy of other chemotherapy drugs. This paper reviews the role of Cap in the prevention and treatment of digestive system tumors and discusses the possible mechanisms involved.

Diallyl trisulfide, a H2 S donor, inhibits cell growth of human papillary thyroid carcinoma KTC-1 cells through a positive feedback loop between H2 S and cystathionine-gamma-lyase

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), derived from garlic, is a well-known hydrogen sulfide (H₂ S) donor. H₂ S has recently emerged as a novel gasotransmitter involved in the regulation of cancer progression. The present study demonstrated that DATS along with other two H₂ S donors, NaHS and GYY4137, significantly inhibited papillary thyroid carcinoma KTC-1 cells growth. DATS treatment triggered a rapid H₂ S generation within 5 min in KTC-1 cells. Iodoacetamide, a potent thiol blocker reagent, partially rescued the cell membrane damage and ultimate cell death induced by DATS, indicating H₂ S contributed to the apoptosis-inducing efficacy of DATS on thyroid cancer cells. Specifically, DATS treatment significantly upregulated the expression and enzymatic activity of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH), one of H₂ S-producing enzymes, which was responsible for endogenous H₂ S generation. After DATS treatment, H₂ S quickly permeated cell membranes and activated NF-κΒ/p65 signaling pathway in KTC-1 cells. Nuclear translocated NF-κB bound to the promoter of CTH to enhance its transcription. These evidences proved that exogenous H₂ S elevated CTH expression. CTH, in turn, catalytically generated a much higher level of endogenous H₂ S. This positive feedback sustained excess H₂ S production, which resulted in PTC cells growth inhibition. These findings may shed light on the development of novel H₂ S-based antitumor agents.

Inflammation, Cancer and Immunity-Implication of TRPV1 Channel

Process of inflammation and complex interactions between immune and cancer cells within tumor microenvironment are known to drive and shape the outcome of the neoplastic disease. Recent studies increasingly show that ion channels can be used as potential targets to modulate immune response and to treat inflammatory disorders and cancer. The action of both innate and adaptive immune cells is tightly regulated by ionic signals provided by a network of distinct ion channels. TRPV1 channel, known as a capsaicin receptor, was recently documented to be expressed on the cells of the immune system but also aberrantly expressed in the several tumor types. It is activated by heat, protons, proinflammatory cytokines, and associated with pain and inflammation. TRPV1 channel is not only involved in calcium signaling fundamental for many cellular processes but also takes part in cell-environment crosstalk influencing cell behavior. Furthermore, in several studies, activation of TRPV1 by capsaicin was associated with anti-cancer effects. Therefore, TRPV1 provides a potential link between the process of inflammation, cancer and immunity, and offers new treatment possibilities. Nevertheless, in many cases, results regarding TRPV1 are contradictory and need further refinement. In this review we present the summary of the data related to the role of TRPV1 channel in the process of inflammation, cancer and immunity, limitations of the studies, and directions for future research.

Capsaicinoids: Multiple effects on angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis in human cancers

Cancer progression is a complex multistep process comprising of angiogenesis of the primary tumor, its invasion into the surrounding stroma and its migration to distant organs to produce metastases. Nutritional compounds of the "capsaicinoid" family regulate angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis of tumors. Capsaicinoids display robust anti-angiogenic activity in both cell culture and mice models. However, conflicting reports exist about the effect of capsaicinoids on invasion of metastasis of cancers. While some published reports have described an anti-invasive and anti-metastatic role for capsaicinoids, others have argued that capsaicinoids stimulate invasion and metastasis of cancers. The present review article summarizes these findings involving the bioactivity of capsaicin in angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis of cancer. A survey of literature indicate that they are several articles summarizing the growth-inhibitory activity of capsaicinoids but few describe its effects on angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis in detail. Our review article fills this gap of knowledge. The discovery of a second generation of natural and synthetic capsaicin analogs (with anti-tumor activity) will pave the way to improved strategies for the treatment of several human cancers.

Ion channels as therapeutic antibody targets

It is now well established that antibodies have numerous potential benefits when developed as therapeutics. Here, we evaluate the technical challenges of raising antibodies to membrane-spanning proteins together with enabling technologies that may facilitate the discovery of antibody therapeutics to ion channels. Additionally, we discuss the potential targeting opportunities in the anti-ion channel antibody landscape, along with a number of case studies where functional antibodies that target ion channels have been reported. Antibodies currently in development and progressing towards the clinic are highlighted.

Dietary phytochemicals in the regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and associated enzymes: A promising anticancer therapeutic approach

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological phenomenon that plays a primordial role for initiation of metastasis. It renders cancer cells with increased self-renewal and tumor-initiating capabilities and exacerbated resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy. Hence, regulation of EMT stands out to be an important strategy in controlling the behavior of malignant cells. Despite the enormous amount of preclinical data on the implication of EMT in cancer progression, there is still lack of routine clinical translation at therapeutic levels. The need of EMT-modulating drugs with high efficacy and low cytotoxicity has led to studies involving the evaluation of the efficacy of a plethora of various classes of phytochemicals present in dietary sources of fruits and vegetables. This review summarizes the role of these different classes of phytochemicals, their natural/synthetic analogs, and their nano-formulations in regulation of EMT in various preclinical models through attenuation of primary signaling pathways. Numerous proteins, transcription factors and enzymes targeted by various classes of phytochemicals in repression of EMT has been presented in this review. Additionally, we have critically analyzed the existing literature and provided views on new direction for accelerating the discovery of novel drug candidates which could be cautiously administered without concomitant effects.

miR-199b-5p-Stonin 2 axis regulates metastases and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is one of the most fatal malignant endocrine tumors, and the prognosis remains poor because of the lack of effective therapeutic targets. In this study, we demonstrated that the level of miR-199b-5p was markedly downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The ectopic expression level of miR-199b-5p in papillary thyroid carcinoma cell B-CPAP could inhibit growth, migration, and invasion as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and decreased cell metastasis in vivo, but silencing miR-199b-5p caused a contradictory outcome. Additionally, Stonin 2 (STON2) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-199b-5p. Consistent with the downregulation of miR-199b-5p, the overexpression of STON2 induced the growth, migration and invasion of B-CPAP cells. It was also demonstrated that miR-199b-5p suppressed papillary thyroid carcinoma cell aggressiveness by targeting STON2. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-199b-5p inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and increased the chemo-sensitivity of thyroid carcinoma B-CPAP cells toward the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. Finally, in vivo experiments further demonstrated that miR-199b-5p suppressed tumor growth in nude mice. Thus, this study revealed that miR-199b-5p functions as antioncogene miRNA in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells and that the miR-199b-5p/STON2 axis might be a potential treatment option for papillary thyroid carcinoma. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(1):28-40, 2019.

The inhibitory effect of Manuka honey on human colon cancer HCT-116 and LoVo cell growth. Part 2: Induction of oxidative stress, alteration of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, and suppression of metastatic ability

Despite its high content of phenolic compounds, the chemopreventive activity of Manuka honey (MH) is still elusive. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of MH on oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, cellular metabolism and the metastatic ability in HCT-116 and LoVo cells, paying particular attention to the molecular mechanisms involved. We observed a strong induction of oxidative stress after MH treatment since it augmented the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and increased the damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. Furthermore, MH suppressed the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant enzyme expression (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and heme oxygenase-1) and the activity of SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Cell metabolisms were markedly disrupted after MH treatment. It decreased maximal oxygen consumption and spare respiratory capacity, which could reduce the mitochondrial function that is correlated with cell survival potential. Simultaneously, MH decreased the extracellular acidification rate (glycolysis) of HCT-116 and LoVo cells. Furthermore, MH suppressed the p-AMPK/AMPK, PGC1α and SIRT1 activation, involved in the survival of HCT-116 and LoVo cells under metabolic stress conditions. Dose-dependently, MH reduced the migration and invasion (MMP-2 and MMP-9) ability, and concurrently regulated EMT-related markers (E cadherin, N cadherin, and β-catenin) in both cell types. The above findings indicate that MH induces HCT-116 and LoVo cell death partly by enhancing oxidative stress, as well as by regulating the energy metabolism in both aerobic and anaerobic pathways and suppressing the metastatic ability.