Epigenetic targeting in lymphoma

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Algae-Derived Compounds in Hematological Malignancies

Algae are a rich source of bioactive compounds that have a wide range of beneficial effects on human health and can show significant potential in the treatment of hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. These diseases often pose a therapeutic challenge despite recent advances in treatment (e.g., the use of immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, CD38 monoclonal antibodies, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapy). A considerable number of patients experience relapses or resistance to the applied therapies. Algal compounds, alone or in combination with chemotherapy or other more advanced therapies, have exhibited antitumor and immunomodulatory effects in preclinical studies that may improve disease outcomes. These include the ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit tumor growth, and improve immune responses. However, most of these studies are conducted in vitro, often without in vivo validation or clinical trials. This paper summarizes the current evidence on the in vitro effects of algae extracts and isolated compounds on leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cell lines. In addition, we address the current advances in the application of algae-derived compounds as targeted drug carriers and their synergistic potential against hematologic malignancies.

Regulation of lymphoma in vitro by CLP36 through the PI3K/AKT/CREB signaling pathway

Background

CLP36 is also known as PDZ and LIM Domain 1 (PDLIM1) that is a ubiquitously-expressed α-actinin-binding cytoskeletal protein involved in carcinogenesis, and our current study aims to explore its involvement in lymphoma.

Methods

Accordingly, the CLP36 expression pattern in lymphoma and its association with the overall survival was predicted. Then, qPCR was applied to gauge CLP36 expression in lymphoma cells and determine the knockdown efficiency. The survival, proliferation and apoptosis of CLP36-silencing lymphoma cells were tested. Cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis were assessed based on cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, EdU staining, and flow cytometry, respectively. Additionally, qPCR was used to calculate the expressions of proteins associated with metastasis and apoptosis, while immunoblotting was employed to determine the phosphorylation status of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB).

Results

CLP36 expression was relatively higher in lymphoma, which was associated with a poor prognosis. Also, CLP36 was highly-expressed in lymphoma cells and the silencing of CLP36 contributed to the suppressed survival and proliferation as well as the enhanced apoptosis of lymphoma cells. Further, CLP36 silencing repressed the expressions of Cadherin 2 (CDH2) and Vimentin (VIM) yet promoted those of Bax and Caspase 3 in lymphoma cells, concurrent with the reduction on the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT and CREB, all of which were confirmed to be positively correlated with CLP36.

Conclusion

This study, so far as we are concerned, provided evidence on the involvement of CLP36/PI3K/AKT/CREB axis in lymphoma, which may be contributive for the identification on the relevant molecular targets of lymphoma.

Application effect of 18F-FDG PET/CT technique in diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of lymphoma

The objective of the study was to research diagnostic and prognostic values of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The diagnostic sensitivity (Sen) of PET/CT (94.75 %) was remarkably higher than 83.56 % of B-US. Age ≥ 65 years old, maximum focal diameter ≥5 cm, clinical stages III-IV, systemic symptoms, increased lactate dehydrogenase level, high modified international prognostic index score, Ecog score ≥1, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene, MYC protein expression rate, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were all factors that influenced the recurrence or progression of DLBCL. With higher MTV and TLG, patients would have a greater probability of recurrence or progression. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed a high diagnostic Sen in lymphoma lesions, and could accurately guide clinical staging. Combined with clinical parameters, laboratory indicators, and metabolic parameters, prognostic indicators of patients could be evaluated more accurately.

Deciphering the role of neddylation in tumor microenvironment modulation: common outcome of multiple signaling pathways

Neddylation is a post-translational modification process, similar to ubiquitination, that controls several biological processes. Notably, it is often aberrantly activated in neoplasms and plays a critical role in the intricate dynamics of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This regulatory influence of neddylation permeates extensively and profoundly within the TME, affecting the behavior of tumor cells, immune cells, angiogenesis, and the extracellular matrix. Usually, neddylation promotes tumor progression towards increased malignancy. In this review, we highlight the latest understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms that target neddylation to modulate the TME by affecting various signaling pathways. There is emerging evidence that the targeted disruption of the neddylation modification process, specifically the inhibition of cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) functionality, presents a promising avenue for targeted therapy. MLN4924, a small-molecule inhibitor of the neddylation pathway, precisely targets the neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8 activating enzyme (NAE). In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of neddylation modification therapy, particularly the integration of MLN4924 with chemotherapy or targeted therapy. This combined approach has demonstrated notable success in the treatment of a variety of hematological and solid tumors. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effects of MLN4924 on neddylation and summarized the current therapeutic outcomes of MLN4924 against various tumors. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, and thorough overview of neddylation modifications, and offers insight into the critical importance of this cellular process in tumorigenesis.

Laser Capture Microdissection in the Spatial Analysis of Epigenetic Modifications in Skin: A Comprehensive Review

Each cell in the body contains an intricate regulation for the expression of its relevant DNA. While every cell in a multicellular organism contains identical DNA, each tissue-specific cell expresses a different set of active genes. This organizational property exists in a paradigm that is largely controlled by forces external to the DNA sequence via epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation and chromatin modifications represent some of the classical epigenetic modifications that control gene expression. Complex tissues like skin consist of heterogeneous cell types that are spatially distributed and mixed. Furthermore, each individual skin cell has a unique response to physiological and pathological cues. As such, it is difficult to classify skin tissue as homogenous across all cell types and across different environmental exposures. Therefore, it would be prudent to isolate targeted tissue elements prior to any molecular analysis to avoid a possibility of confounding the sample with unwanted cell types. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a powerful technique used to isolate a targeted cell group with extreme microscopic precision. LCM presents itself as a solution to tackling the problem of tissue heterogeneity in molecular analysis. This review will cover an overview of LCM technology, the principals surrounding its application, and benefits of its application to the newly defined field of epigenomics, in particular of cutaneous pathology. This presents a comprehensive review about LCM and its use in the spatial analysis of skin epigenetics. Within the realm of skin pathology, this ability to isolate tissues under specific environmental stresses, such as oxidative stress, allows a far more focused investigation.

Epigenetic basis of diabetic vasculopathy

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes peripheral vascular disease because of which several blood-borne factors, including vital nutrients fail to reach the affected tissue. Tissue epigenome is sensitive to chronic hyperglycemia and is known to cause pathogenesis of micro- and macrovascular complications. These vascular complications of T2DM may perpetuate the onset of organ dysfunction. The burden of diabetes is primarily because of a wide range of complications of which nonhealing diabetic ulcers represent a major component. Thus, it is imperative that current research help recognize more effective methods for the diagnosis and management of early vascular injuries. This review addresses the significance of epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation and histone modifications in the evolution of macrovascular and microvascular complications of T2DM.