Interaction between tumor cell TNFR2 and monocyte membrane-bound TNF-α triggers tumorigenic inflammation in neuroblastoma

Effect of Synthetic Peptides Identified in the Bullfrog Skin on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Control: An In Vitro Analysis

(1) Background: This study evaluated the potential of a synthetic peptide (SGHPGAMGPVGPR), identified in the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) skin, in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress using RAW 264.7 macrophages; (2) Methods: Molecular docking determined its optimal interaction with cyclooxygenase (COX-2) an enzyme related to the production of prostaglandins, which play a crucial essential role in the inflammatory response. The peptide was commercially synthesized company, and its antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) levels, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) activity, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene expression and cell production were additionally quantified. (3) Results: The peptide SGHPGAMGPVGPR, designated as P1, exhibited remarkable free radical scavenging capacity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. No significant difference was observed in SOD and CAT activity in P1-treated macrophages, likely due to downregulation in the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Reduced GST activity was observed in these cells, which was potentially associated with TNF-α downregulation; (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that P1 modulates the antioxidant response through pathways independent of classical antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, decreased IL-6, COX2, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression was observed, indicating the involvement of a key pathway in the regulation of the OxInflammation process.

Tissue macrophages: origin, heterogenity, biological functions, diseases and therapeutic targets

Macrophages are immune cells belonging to the mononuclear phagocyte system. They play crucial roles in immune defense, surveillance, and homeostasis. This review systematically discusses the types of hematopoietic progenitors that give rise to macrophages, including primitive hematopoietic progenitors, erythro-myeloid progenitors, and hematopoietic stem cells. These progenitors have distinct genetic backgrounds and developmental processes. Accordingly, macrophages exhibit complex and diverse functions in the body, including phagocytosis and clearance of cellular debris, antigen presentation, and immune response, regulation of inflammation and cytokine production, tissue remodeling and repair, and multi-level regulatory signaling pathways/crosstalk involved in homeostasis and physiology. Besides, tumor-associated macrophages are a key component of the TME, exhibiting both anti-tumor and pro-tumor properties. Furthermore, the functional status of macrophages is closely linked to the development of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic conditions, and trauma. Targeting macrophages has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in these contexts. Clinical trials of macrophage-based targeted drugs, macrophage-based immunotherapies, and nanoparticle-based therapy were comprehensively summarized. Potential challenges and future directions in targeting macrophages have also been discussed. Overall, our review highlights the significance of this versatile immune cell in human health and disease, which is expected to inform future research and clinical practice.

The dichotomic role of cytokines in aging

The chronic inflammation present in aged individuals is generally depicted as a detrimental player for longevity. Here, it is discussed several beneficial effects associated with the cytokines that are chronically elevated in inflammaging. These cytokines, such as IL-1β, type I interferons, IL-6 and TNF positively regulate macroautophagy, mitochondrial function, anti-tumor immune responses and skeletal muscle biogenesis, possibly contributing to longevity. On the other side, the detrimental and antagonistic role of these cytokines including the induction of sarcopenia, tissue damage and promotion of tumorigenesis are also discussed, underscoring the dichotomy associated with inflammaging and its players. In addition, it is discussed the role of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and other cytokines that affect aging in a more linear way, such as IL-11, which promotes senescence, and IL-4 and IL-15, which promotes longevity. It is also discussed more specific regulators of aging that are downstream cytokines-mediated signaling.

Role of Genetic Polymorphisms -238 G>A and -308 G>A, and Serum TNF-α Levels in a Cohort of Mexican Pediatric Neuroblastoma Patients: Preliminary Study

The results of in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the pro-tumor effects of TNF-α, and this cytokine's increased expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with some types of cancer. Our study objective was to evaluate the possible association of TNF-α genetic polymorphisms and serum levels with susceptibility and prognosis in a cohort of Mexican patients with NB. We performed PCR-RFLP and ELISA methods to analyze the genetics of these SNPs and determine serum concentrations, respectively. The distribution of the -308 G>A and -238 G>A polymorphisms TNFα genotypes was considerably different between patients with NB and the control group. The SNP rs1800629 GG/GA genotypes were associated with a decreased risk of NB (OR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.03-0.393, p = 0.001) compared with the AA genotype, which was associated with susceptibility to NB (OR = 2.89, 95% CI = 1.45-5.76, p = 0.003) and related to unfavorable histology and high-risk NB. The rs361525 polymorphism GG genotype was associated with a lower risk of developing NB compared with the GA and AA genotypes (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.068-0.63, p = 0.006). Circulating TNF-α serum concentrations were significantly different (p < 0.001) between patients with NB and healthy controls; however, we found no relationship between the analyzed TNF-α serum levels and SNP genotypes. We found associations between the rs1800629AA genotype and lower event-free survival (p = 0.026); SNP rs361525 and TNF-α levels were not associated with survival in patients with NB. Our results suggest the TNF-α SNP rs1800629 as a probable factor of NB susceptibility. The -308 G/A polymorphism AA genotype has a probable role in promoting NB development and poor prognosis associated with unfavorable histology, high-risk tumors, and lower EFS in Mexican patients with NB. It should be noted that it is important to conduct research on a larger scale, through inter-institutional studies, to further evaluate the contribution of TNF-α genetic polymorphisms to the risk and prognosis of NB.

Cancer marker TNFRSF1A: From single‑cell heterogeneity of renal cell carcinoma to functional validation

During the progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), tumor growth, metastasis and treatment response heterogeneity are regulated by both the tumor itself and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the TME in RCC and construct a crosstalk network for clear cell RCC (ccRCC). An additional aim was to evaluate whether TNF receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A) is a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC. Single-cell data analysis of RCC was performed using the GSE152938 dataset, focusing on key cellular components and their involvement in the ccRCC TME. Additionally, cell-cell communication was analyzed to elucidate the complex network of the ccRCC microenvironment. Analyses of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium databases were performed to further mine the key TNF receptor genes, with a particular focus on the prediction and assessment of the cancer-associated features of TNFRSF1A. In addition, following the silencing of TNFRSF1A using small interfering RNA in the 786-O ccRCC cell line, a number of in vitro experiments were conducted to further investigate the cancer-promoting characteristics of TNFRSF1A. These included 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation, Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, Transwell, cell cycle and apoptosis assays. The TNF signaling pathway was found to have a critical role in the development of ccRCC. Based on the specific crosstalk identified between TNF and TNFRSF1A, the communication of this signaling pathway within the TME was elucidated. The results of the cellular phenotype experiments indicated that TNFRSF1A promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. Consequently, it is proposed that targeting TNFRSF1A may disrupt tumor progression and serve as a therapeutic strategy. In conclusion, by understanding the TME and identifying significant crosstalk within the TNF signaling pathway, the potential of TNFRSF1A as a therapeutic target is highlighted. This may facilitate an advance in precision medicine and improve the prognosis for patients with RCC.

Contribution of plasma MicroRNA-21, MicroRNA-155 and circulating monocytes plasticity to childhood neuroblastoma development and induction treatment outcome

Neuroblastoma (NB) accounts for 15% of all pediatric cancer fatalities (NB). Biomarkers that facilitate early NB detection are needed because by the time of diagnosis, over half of NBs had spread. MicroRNA-21(miR-21) and miR-155 are involved in cancer biology due to their immune modulation functions. Altered monocyte subset distribution is thought to be involved in a number of solid tumors due to its immunological role. We aimed to investigate the expression levels of miR-21 and miR-155 and their association with circulating monocytes subsets in NB and to evaluate if they correlate to the disease pathogenesis and outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This case control study involved 79 children classified into 39 newly diagnosed NB children and 40 age and sex matched healthy children. Real-time PCR was used to assess the expression of plasma miR-21 and miR-155. The frequency of circulating monocytes subsets was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

NB group showed significant up-regulation in expression of miR-21(20.9 folds) and miR-155 (1.8 folds) when compared to the control group (p < 0.001) and (p = 0.02) respectively. Also, frequency of circulating intermediate monocytes revealed significant up regulation in children with NB. In NB patients, there was a positive correlation between miR-21 and frequency of total and intermediate monocytes (r = 0.5 p < 0.001 and r = 0.7, p < 0.001, respectively). We found no discernible differences when we compared study markers between the high risk and intermediate risk groups. In addition, no significant difference was seen in study markers when patients were sub-grouped according to their induction treatment response. ROC curve analysis revealed that miR-21 up-regulation distinguished NB in childhood at an AUC of 0.94 (82% sensitivity and 100% specificity) while miR-155 up-regulation had less capacity to distinguish NB in childhood at an AUC of 0.65 (38% sensitivity and 93% specificity).

CONCLUSION

miR-21 can be utilized as a sensitive biomarker for childhood NB development. In pediatric NB, miR-21 was linked to intermediate monocyte plasticity. Both, miR-21 and miR-155 had no impact on NB outcome.

Biological differences underlying sex and gender disparities in bladder cancer: current synopsis and future directions

Sex and gender disparities in bladder cancer have long been a subject of interest to the cancer research community, wherein men have a 4 times higher incidence rate than women, and female patients often present with higher-grade disease and experience worse outcomes. Despite the known differences in disease incidence and clinical outcomes between male and female bladder cancer patients, clinical management remains the same. In this review, we critically analyze studies that report on the biological differences between men and women and evaluate how these differences contribute to sex and gender disparities in bladder cancer. Distinct characteristics of the male and female immune systems, differences in circulating hormone levels and hormone receptor expression, and different genetic and epigenetic alterations are major biological factors that all likely contribute to disparate incidence rates and outcomes for male and female bladder cancer patients. Future preclinical and clinical studies in this area should employ experimental approaches that account for and consider sex and gender disparities in bladder cancer, thereby facilitating the development of precision medicine for the effective treatment of bladder cancer in all patients.