FSH receptor binding inhibitor depresses carcinogenesis of ovarian cancer via decreasing levels of K-Ras, c-Myc and FSHR

Targeting the FSH/FSHR axis in ovarian cancer: advanced treatment using nanotechnology and immunotherapy

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the gynecological malignancy with the poorest prognosis. Surgery and chemotherapy are the primary therapies for OC; however, patients often experience recurrence. Given the intimate interaction between OC cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), it is imperative to devise treatments that target both tumor cells and TME components. Recently, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the blood have been shown to correlate with poorer prognosis in individuals with OC. Ovarian carcinoma cells express FSH receptors (FSHRs). Thus, FSH is an important target in the development of novel therapeutic agents. Here, we review the effects of FSH on normal physiology, including the reproductive, skeletal, cardiac, and fat metabolic systems. Importantly, this review outlines the role and mechanism of the FSH/FSHR axis in the proliferation, survival, and metastasis of OC, providing theoretical support for the targeted FSHR treatment of OC. Current progress in targeting FSHR for OC, including the recent application of nanotechnology and immunotherapy, is presented. Finally, we discuss prospects and future directions of targeted FSHR therapy in OC.

Classical prescription Floris Sophorae Powder treat colorectal cancer by regulating KRAS/MEK-ERK signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) belongs to the category of intestinal wind, anal ulcer, abdominal mass and other diseases in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Floris Sophorae Powder (F.S), is a classical prescription is recorded in Puji Benshi Fang for the treatment of intestinal carbuncle. It has been incorporated into the prescriptions for the treatment of intestinal diseases and achieved remarkable results in modern medicine. However, the mechanism of F.S in the treatment of colorectal cancer remains unclear and requires further study.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate F.S in treating CRC and clarify the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was based on Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS) combined with Azoxymethane (AOM) induced CRC mouse model to clarify the pharmacological effects of F.S. The serum metabolomics was used to study the mechanism of action, and the chemical composition of F.S was found by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The rationality of serm metabolomics results was verified through the clinical target database of network pharmacology, and the upstream and downstream targets of related pathways were found. The mechanism pathway was verified by Western blot to clarify its mechanism of action.

RESULTS

In vivo pharmacological experiments showed that F.S inhibited tumor growth and improved hematochezia. The vital signs of mice in the high-dose F.S group approached to those in the control group. A total of 43 differential metabolites were found to be significantly changed by serum metabolomics. F.S could modulate and recover most of the differential metabolites, which proved to be closely related to the KRAS/MEK-ERK signaling pathway. A total of 46 compounds in F.S were identified, and the rationality of serm metabolic pathway was verified by network pharmacology. Western blot results also verified that the expression of KRAS, E2F1, p-MEK and p-ERK were significantly decreased after F.S treatment.

CONCLUSION

Classical prescription Floris Sophorae Powder treat colorectal cancer by regulating KRAS/MEK-ERK signaling pathway.

miR-21, miR-125b, and let-7b contribute to the involution of atretic follicles and corpus lutea in Tibetan sheep ovaries

Follicular granulosa cells (FGCs) are crucial for ovarian follicle functions, and miRNAs are differentially expressed at various stages of follicular developments. In this study, we confirmed that miR-21, miR-125b, and let-7b were located in FGCs/luteal cells by in situ hybridization experiments. Moreover, miR-21 and miR-125b expressions were upregulated in late corpus lutea (CL) and atretic follicles (AF); let-7b expression was increased in early AF. After transfected with inhibitor or mimic of miRNAs in FGCs, we found that FGCs apoptosis was decreased in the miR-21-mi group but increased in the miR-125b-mi group using flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expression levels were determined for apoptosis-related factors (e.g., Bcl-2 and Bax), the potential target genes of miRNAs (e.g., SMAD7, SP1, and STAT3), hormone receptors (e.g., FSHR and LHR), and genes related to hormone secretion (e.g., CYP19, CYP11, and 3βHSD). The protein levels of SMAD7 were decreased in the miR-21-mi group but opposite to SP1 and FSHR. In the let-7b-mi group, Bcl-2, SMAD7, and FSHR were suppressed but not Bax, CYP11, and 3βHSD. However, hormone secretion was not changed in the supernatant of transfected FGCs. This study provides information about ovarian miRNAs to improve the fertility in Tibetan sheep.

The Role of the Guanosine Nucleotide-Binding Protein in the Corpus Luteum

The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine gland in the ovary. In the ovarian cycle, repeated patterns of specific cellular proliferation, differentiation, and transformation occur that accompany the formation and regression of the corpus luteum. Molecular mechanism events in the ovarian microenvironment, such as angiogenesis and apoptosis, are complex. Recently, we focused on the role of RAS protein in the ovarian corpus luteum. RAS protein plays a vital role in the modulation of cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation by molecular pathway signaling. Additionally, reproductive hormones regulate RAS activity in the cellular physiological function of ovarian follicles during pre-ovulatory maturation and ovulation. Thus, we have reviewed the role of RAS protein related to the biological events of the corpus luteum in the ovary.