Identification of SSBP1 as a ferroptosis-related biomarker of glioblastoma based on a novel mitochondria-related gene risk model and in vitro experiments

Constructing a mitochondrial-related genes model based on machine learning for predicting the prognosis and therapeutic effect in colorectal cancer

The role of mitochondria in tumorigenesis and progression is has been increasingly demonstrated by numerous studies, but its prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. To address this, we developed a mitochondrial-related gene prognostic model using 101 combinations of 10 machine learning algorithms. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited significantly shorter overall survival time. The high-risk group exhibited elevated tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score, indicating diminished immunotherapy efficacy. To address the suboptimal treatment outcomes in these patients, we identified PYR-41 and pentostatin as potential therapeutic agents, which are anticipated to enhance therapeutic efficacy in the high-risk group. Additionally, four biomarkers (HSPA1A, CHDH, TRAP1, CDC25C) were validated by quantitative real-time PCR, with significant expression differences between normal intestinal epithelial cells and colon cancer cells. Our prognostic model provides accurate CRC outcome prediction and guides personalized therapeutic strategies.

Mitochondrial quality control and transfer communication in neurological disorders and neuroinflammation

Mitochondria, as the primary energy factories of cells, play a pivotal role in maintaining nervous system function and regulating inflammatory responses. The balance of mitochondrial quality control is critical for neuronal health, and disruptions in this balance are often implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. Mitochondrial dysfunction not only exacerbates energy deficits but also triggers neuroinflammation through the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review examines the mechanisms and recent advancements in mitochondrial quality control in neurological diseases, focusing on processes such as mitochondrial fusion and fission, mitophagy, biogenesis, and protein expression regulation. It further explores the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent inflammatory cascades in conditions such as ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. Additionally, emerging research highlights the significance of mitochondrial transfer mechanisms, particularly intercellular transfer between neurons and glial cells, as a potential strategy for mitigating inflammation and promoting cellular repair. This review provides insights into the molecular underpinnings of neuroinflammatory pathologies while underscoring the translational potential of targeting mitochondrial quality control for therapeutic development.

Analysis and prediction of immune cell infiltration characteristics in COPD: Folium isatidis and its active ingredients are able to combat lung lesions caused by COPD by correcting immune cell infiltration

Objective

As a respiratory disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a common fatal disease worldwide. We aimed to screen active traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for the treatment of COPD by COPD-related transcriptome gene chip analysis and verify their therapeutic activity for COPD.

Methods

We used bioinformatics analysis to predict potential therapeutic TCMs based on the immune cell infiltration characteristics in COPD. Further, BALB/c female mice were divided into different treatment groups to investigate the effect of indirubin (IDR) and FI on COPD. After 12 weeks of intranasal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive smoking, we started giving drug treatment to mice, including distilled water (control and model groups), dexamethasone, IDR and FI. The lung function, visceral index, degree of lung tissue damage, and immune cell infiltration were assessed.

Results

We identified 109 differential genes, 22 immune cells, and 50 TCMs associated with the alleviation of COPD. The in vivo experimental results showed that IDR and FI had protective effects against lung injury in mice and could inhibit COPD. The mechanism of this effect may be related to their ability to regulate the proportion and distribution of immune infiltration of B lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, Treg cells, NK cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and eosinophils.

Conclusion

IDR and FI can ameliorate disease development in COPD model mice by regulating immune cell infiltration. This offers an experimental groundwork for delving deeper into the mechanisms through which TCMs impact COPD treatment and for identifying possible therapeutic drugs for COPD.

Identification of CCDC58 as a potential predictive biomarker of immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial dynamics play a critical role in the proper functioning of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Coiled-coil domain-containing 58 (CCDC58), a mitochondrial-related gene, has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and infections. However, its predictive value in immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unexplored.

METHODS

In this study, RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and multiple online datasets were analyzed to explore the correlation between CCDC58 and clinicopathological features, prognosis, related signaling pathways and immune cell infiltration in HCC. Furthermore, primary T cells were isolated and cell experiments such as cytotoxic assays and transwell assays were conducted to verify pivotal conclusions.

RESULTS

We found that CCDC58 expression levels were significantly increased in HCC tissues. High CCDC58 expression in HCC tissues was significantly correlated with the patients' TNM stage, histologic grade, AFP level, tumor status, and poor clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the high expression of CCDC58 conferred a decreased immune activated phenotype and poor immune cell infiltration, and was strongly associated with expression of immune cell exhaustion markers in HCC. After the knockdown of CCDC58 in HCC cell lines, we observed that cytotoxicity of primary T cells increased via decreasing PD-1 expression on T cells and migration ability of primary T cell enhanced.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that CCDC58 might serve as a potential predictive biomarker of immune cell infiltration in HCC and is correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients.

Mitochondria derived from Stem cells modulated the biological behavior of monocyte-macrophages and inhibited inflammatory bone resorption

BACKGROUND

The transfer of mitochondria from stem cells effectively attenuates the viability of inflammatory cells. However, there is a paucity of research supporting the inhibitory effect of stem cells on inflammatory bone resorption through mitochondrial transfer.

METHODS

Mouse bone resorption models were established to investigate the impact of stem cell-derived mitochondria. Stem cells, stem cell-derived mitochondria and exosomes were injected into the animal models for experimental research. Healthy mice and mice with bone resorption were included as the control groups. The mitochondrial transfer and bone resorption of mice calvaria were evaluated by immunofluorescence, gross morphology, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), immunohistochemical staining. Monocyte-macrophages were incubated with stem cell-derived mitochondria as experimental group. Monocyte-macrophages and activated monocyte-macrophages cultured separately served as the control groups. The mitochondrial transfer and biological behavior of monocyte-macrophages were evaluated by immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Multiskan FC, and histochemical staining.

RESULTS

Stem cell-derived mitochondria were successfully transferred to monocyte-macrophages. In vivo, local injection of stem cells, mitochondria, and exosomes effectively mitigated inflammatory cell infiltration, suppressed osteoclast maturation, and demonstrated a higher relative bone volume in mouse bone resorption models compared to the negative control group. In vitro, the co-incubation of mitochondria effectively suppressed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, proliferation, fusion, and osteoclastogenesis in monocyte-macrophages compared to the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The modulation of monocyte-macrophages biological behaviors by stem cells may occur through the transfer of mitochondria, thereby mitigating inflammatory bone resorption.

Identification of TAP2 as a novel immune target in human cancers: insights from integrated bioinformatics and experimental approaches

BACKGROUND

Transporter 2, ATP binding cassette (ABC) subfamily B member (TAP2), encodes a protein within the ABC transporter superfamily. TAP2 plays a role in the progression of cancers, such as cervical, breast, and lung cancers. However, the relationship between TAP2 and cancer prognosis, immune cell infiltration, tumor microenvironment, and immunotherapy remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of TAP2 expression on its role in predicting tumor prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analyses such as Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, single-cell, and Connectivity Map analyses were used to comprehensively assess TAP2-related genomic alterations, prognostic value, enrichment pathways, single-cell expression patterns, and potential targeting inhibitors. In addition, molecular docking techniques were used to simulate drug binding to TAP2. WB and RT-qPCR were used to detect differences in TAP2 expression in glioma cell lines. The U251MG cell line was established with TAP2 overexpression. The effects of elevated TAP2 expression on GBM cell function was evaluated using various assays, including the Transwell migration, scratch, and clonal formation assays.

RESULTS

TAP2 exhibited aberrantly expression in tumor tissues with genomic alterations. TAP2 significantly correlates with poor prognosis across various cancers. It was also involved in immune-related pathways, immune infiltration, and immune checkpoint regulation, thereby influencing the tumor microenvironment and immune response to cancer. TAP2 was identified as a potential predictor of immunotherapy response and screened for potential targeted inhibitors for future therapeutic interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that TAP2 may serve as a promising prognostic marker and immune target in human cancers, warranting further investigation into its role in tumor immunity.

SSBP1 positively regulates RRM2, affecting epithelial mesenchymal transition and cell cycle arrest in human lung adenocarcinoma cells

Progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is frequently associated with alterations in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell cycle. Our study analyzed the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and identified a positive correlation between high expression of SSBP1 in LUAD tumor tissues and poor prognosis (p < 0.05), with an AUC of 0.853, suggesting that SSBP1 could serve as a prognostic biomarker. In vitro experiments, including siRNA-mediated SSBP1 knockdown and subsequent cell cloning and Transwell assays, revealed significant inhibition of proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression in LUAD cells (p < 0.05). In vivo mouse model experiments further confirmed that SSBP1 knockdown inhibits tumor burden (p < 0.05). Mechanistic investigations, integrating pathway enrichment analysis with molecular biology techniques, identified RRM2 as a downstream target of SSBP1, and RRM2 knockdown similarly suppressed LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that SSBP1 promotes EMT and cell cycle progression in LUAD cells by positively regulating RRM2, thereby accelerating disease progression. Collectively, our study not only confirms the potential role of SSBP1 in LUAD but also provides a theoretical foundation for therapeutic strategies targeting the SSBP1/RRM2 axis, potentially offering new therapeutic targets for LUAD patients.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number alterations: Key players in the complexity of glioblastoma (Review)

Renowned as a highly invasive and lethal tumor derived from neural stem cells in the central nervous system, glioblastoma (GBM) exhibits substantial histopathological variation and genomic complexity, which drive its rapid progression and therapeutic resistance. Alterations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (CN) serve a crucial role in GBM development and progression, affecting various aspects of tumor biology, including energy production, oxidative stress regulation and cellular adaptability. Fluctuations in mtDNA levels, whether elevated or diminished, can impair mitochondrial function, potentially disrupting oxidative phosphorylation and amplifying reactive oxygen species generation, thereby fueling tumor growth and influencing treatment responses. Understanding the mechanisms of mtDNA‑CN variations, and their interplay with genetic and environmental elements in the tumor microenvironment, is essential for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Targeting mtDNA alterations could strengthen treatment efficacy, mitigate resistance and ultimately enhance the prognosis of patients with this aggressive brain tumor. The present review summarizes the existing literature on mtDNA alterations, specifically emphasizing variations in mtDNA‑CN and their association with GBM by surveying articles published between 1996 and 2024, sourced from databases such as Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar. In addition, the review provides a brief overview of mitochondrial genome architecture, knowledge regarding the regulation of mtDNA integrity and CN, and how mitochondria significantly impact GBM tumorigenesis. This review further presents information on therapeutic approaches for restoring mtDNA‑CN that contribute to optimized mitochondrial function and improved health outcomes.

Mitochondrial single-stranded DNA binding protein 1 (SSBP1) high expression as a potential biomarker and association with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Background

Single-stranded DNA binding protein 1 (SSBP1) is a DNA binding protein found in mitochondria, encoded by nuclear genes. SSBP1 plays a crucial role in responding to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and maintaining genome stability, and it is linked to cancer occurrence and progression, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the expression of SSBP1 and its potential clinical significance in HCC.

Methods

RNA-seq data and clinical information of HCC samples and normal liver samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The expression of SSBP1 in HCC and its correlation with clinical pathological indicators, prognosis, immune cells, and infiltration were analyzed using R software, while the diagnostic value of SSBP1 in HCC was evaluated. Using the R software, we conducted Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) on the SSBP1 expression in HCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) detected SSBP1 expression in 31 HCC tissue pairs. Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) quantified protein and mRNA levels in 6 fresh HCC tissue. Protein expression and distribution of SSBP1 in HCC cell lines were analyzed using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and Immunofluorescence techniques.

Results

SSBP1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues compared to normal tissues (P<0.001) in both matched and unmatched samples. SSBP1 expression was correlated with gender and M stage (P<0.05), but not with other factors. High SSBP1 expression was identified as an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) in HCC patients [hazard ratio =1.713, P=0.01]. Immunocell infiltration analysis showed a negative correlation between SSBP1 expression and level of naive B cells, but a positive correlation with memory B cells and macrophages (|Spearman's r| >0.2, P<0.05). The diagnostic value of SSBP1 mRNA expression for early diagnosis prognosis of HCC (area under the curve >0.50). The GO enrichment analysis of SSBP1 revealed that it was enriched for mitochondrial biological functions. KEGG analysis showed that SSBP1 was associated with multiple DNA replication, mismatch repair and homologous recombination pathways. GSEA analysis showed that the first three pathways strongly related to the high expression of SSBP1 were DNA repair, myc-targets-v1 and reactive oxygen species signaling pathways. Validation through IHC and Western blotting high SSBP1 protein expression in HCC tissue, as well as qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed high expression in HCC cell lines. Immunofluorescence experiments indicated the localization of SSBP1 in the mitochondria of HCC cells.

Conclusions

High expression of SSBP1 is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in HCC patients and has good diagnostic value.

Downregulation of Gldc attenuates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in vitro by modulating Akt and NF-κB signalings

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a serious clinical complication that is caused by reperfusion therapy following myocardial infarction (MI). Mitochondria-related genes (Mito-RGs) play important roles in multiple diseases. However, the role of mitochondria-related genes in MIRI remains largely unknown. The GSE67308 dataset from the GEO database was utilized to identify MIRI-related gene modules through WGCNA. Meanwhile, differential expression analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GSE61592 dataset. Next, candidate Mito-RGs related to MIRI were screened by Venn analysis. Thereafter, a myocardial hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) H9C2 cell model and a mouse ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model were established to verify the expression level of glycine decarboxylase (Gldc) in MIRI in vitro and in vivo. Based on data from the GEO database, Gldc levels were notably upregulated in murine MIRI samples, compared to the control group. RT-qPCR and western blot confirmed that Gldc levels were obviously elevated in the heart of I/R mice and H/R-exposed cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the deficiency of Gldc notably increased the viability and reduced the apoptosis and inflammatory responses in H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. Meanwhile, Gldc downregulation significantly reduced p-NF-κB p65, Bax and cleaved caspase 3 levels and elevated p-Akt and Bcl-2 levels in H9C2 cells exposed to H/R. The ROC curve analysis further demonstrated that Gldc gene exhibited good diagnostic value for MIRI. Collectively, Gldc deficiency could attenuate H/R injury in cardiomyocytes in vitro through activating Akt and inactivating NF-κB signalings. These data suggested that GLDC may serve as both a diagnostic and therapeutic target for MIRI.

Upregulation of HAS2 promotes glioma cell proliferation and chemoresistance via c-myc

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant human brain tumor. Although comprehensive therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy following surgery, have shown promise in prolonging survival, the prognosis for GBM patients remains poor, with an overall survival rate of only 14.6 months. Chemoresistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment and contributes to relapse and poor survival rates in glioma patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel strategies to overcome chemoresistance and improve treatment outcomes for human glioma patients. Recent studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in chemoresistance. Our study demonstrates that upregulation of HAS2 and subsequent hyaluronan secretion promotes glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance in vitro and in vivo through the c-myc pathway. Targeting HAS2 sensitizes glioma cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, we found that hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1α regulates HAS2 expression. Together, our findings provide insights into the dysregulation of HAS2 and its role in chemoresistance and suggest potential therapeutic strategies for GBM.

Unveiling novel cell clusters and biomarkers in glioblastoma and its peritumoral microenvironment at the single-cell perspective

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly heterogeneous, recurrent and aggressively invasive primary malignant brain tumor. The heterogeneity of GBM results in poor targeted therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to depict the cellular landscape of GBM and its peritumor from a single-cell perspective. Discovering new cell subtypes and biomarkers, and providing a theoretical basis for precision therapy.

METHODS

We collected 8 tissue samples from 4 GBM patients to perform 10 × single-cell transcriptome sequencing. Quality control and filtering of data by Seurat package for clustering. Inferring copy number variations to identify malignant cells via the infercnv package. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by GSVA and clusterProfiler packages. STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct protein interaction networks. Inferring transcription factors by pySCENIC. Building cell differentiation trajectories via the monocle package. To infer intercellular communication networks by CellPhoneDB software.

RESULTS

We observed that the tumor microenvironment (TME) varies among different locations and different GBM patients. We identified a proliferative cluster of oligodendrocytes with high expression of mitochondrial genes. We also identified two clusters of myeloid cells, one primarily located in the peritumor exhibiting an M1 phenotype with elevated TNFAIP8L3 expression, and another in the tumor and peritumor showing a proliferative tendency towards an M2 phenotype with increased DTL expression. We identified XIST, KCNH7, SYT1 and DIAPH3 as potential factors associated with the proliferation of malignant cells in GBM.

CONCLUSIONS

These biomarkers and cell clusters we discovered may serve as targets for treatment. Targeted drugs developed against these biomarkers and cell clusters may enhance treatment efficacy, optimize immune therapy strategies, and improve the response rates of GBM patients to immunotherapy. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of individualized treatment and precision medicine for GBM, which may be used to improve the survival of GBM patients.

D-Loop Mutations as Prognostic Markers in Glioblastoma-A Pilot Study

Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor, poses significant treatment challenges. A deeper investigation into its molecular complexity is essential for the identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes in terms of survival and quality of life. While nuclear DNA mutations have been extensively studied, the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, specifically in the D-loop region, remains poorly understood. This prospective case-control study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of the mtDNA D-loop m.16126T>C variant in glioblastoma patients. Immunohistochemistry and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) were employed for mutation analysis, complemented by statistical analyses and a literature review. The study cohort comprised 22 glioblastoma patients (mean age 59.36 ± 14.17, 12 (54.55%) females), and 25 controls (59.48 ± 13.22, 12 (80%) females). The D-loop m.16126T>C variant was observed in four (18%) of the glioblastoma samples and was associated with shorter median survival (9.5 vs. 18 months; p = 0.016, log-rank test). This study underscores the importance of investigating mtDNA, especially D-loop variants, in glioblastoma, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and, therefore, its possible therapeutic targets, warranting further exploration.

Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis reveals CCDC58 as a carcinogenic factor related to immune infiltration

CCDC58, a member of the CCDC protein family, has been primarily associated with the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer, with limited research conducted on its involvement in other tumor types. We aimed to assess the significance of CCDC58 in pan-cancer. We utilized the TCGA, GTEx, and UALCAN databases to perform the differential expression of CCDC58 at both mRNA and protein levels. Prognostic value was evaluated through univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods. Mutation and methylation analyses were conducted using the cBioPortal and SMART databases. We identified genes interacting with and correlated to CCDC58 through STRING and GEPIA2, respectively. Subsequently, we performed GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. To gain insights into the functional status of CCDC58 at the single-cell level, we utilized CancerSEA. We explored the correlation between CCDC58 and immune infiltration as well as immunotherapy using the ESTIMATE package, TIMER2.0, TISIDB, TIDE, TIMSO, and TCIA. We examined the relationship between CCDC58 and tumor heterogeneity, stemness, DNA methyltransferases, and MMR genes. Lastly, we constructed a nomogram based on CCDC58 in HCC and investigated its association with drug sensitivity. CCDC58 expression was significantly upregulated and correlated with poor prognosis across various tumor types. The mutation frequency of CCDC58 was found to be increased in 25 tumors. We observed a negative correlation between CCDC58 expression and the methylation sites in the majority of tumors. CCDC58 showed negative correlations with immune and stromal scores, as well as with NK T cells, Tregs, CAFs, endothelial cells, and immunomodulators. Its value in immunotherapy was comparable to that of tumor mutational burden. CCDC58 exhibited positive correlations with tumor heterogeneity, stemness, DNA methyltransferase genes, and MMR genes. In HCC, CCDC58 was identified as an independent risk factor and demonstrated potential associations with multiple drugs. CCDC58 demonstrates significant clinical value as a prognostic marker and indicator of immune response across various tumor types. Its comprehensive analysis provides insights into its potential implications in pan-cancer research.

SSBP1 is a novel prognostic marker and promotes disease progression via p38MAPK signaling pathway in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease. Identification of meaningful co-expressed gene clusters or representative biomarkers of MM may help to identify new pathological mechanisms and promote the development of new therapies. Here, we performed weighted sgene co-expression network analysis and a series of bioinformatics analysis to identify single stranded DNA binding protein 1 (SSBP1) as novel hub gene associated with MM development and prognosis. In vitro, CRISPR/cas9 mediated knockdown of SSBP1 can significantly inhibit the proliferation of MM cells through inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. We also found that decreased SSBP1 expression significantly increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation and the level of phosphorylated p38MAPK. Furthermore, it was further verified that disruption of SSBP1 expression could inhibit the tumor growth via p38MAPK pathway in a human myeloma xenograft model. In summary, our study is the first to demonstrate that SSBP1 promotes MM development by regulating the p38MAPK pathway.

A Comprehensive Prognostic Model for Colon Adenocarcinoma Depending on Nuclear-Mitochondrial-Related Genes

Background: Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) has increasing incidence and is one of the most common malignant tumors. The mitochondria involved in cell energy metabolism, oxygen free radical generation, and cell apoptosis play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression. The relationship between mitochondrial genes and COAD remains largely unknown. Methods: COAD data including 512 samples were set out from the UCSC Xena database. The nuclear mitochondrial-related genes (NMRGs)-related risk prognostic model and prognostic nomogram were constructed, and NMRGs-related gene mutation and the immune environment were analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Then, a liver metastasis model of colorectal cancer was constructed and protein expression was detected using Western blot assay. Results: A prognostic model for COAD was constructed. Comparing the prognostic model dataset and the validation dataset showed considerable correlation in both risk grouping and prognosis. Based on the risk score (RS) model, the samples of the prognostic dataset were divided into high risk group and low risk group. Moreover, pathologic N and T stage and tumor recurrence in the two risk groups were significantly different. The four prognostic factors, including age and pathologic T stage in the nomogram survival model also showed excellent predictive performance. An optimal combination of nine differentially expressed NMRGs was finally obtained, including LARS2, PARS2, ETHE1, LRPPRC, TMEM70, AARS2, ACAD9, VARS2, and ATP8A2. The high-RS group had more inflamed immune features, including T and CD4+ memory cell activation. Besides, mitochondria-associated LRPPRC and LARS2 expression levels were increased in vivo xenograft construction and liver metastases assays. Conclusion: This study established a comprehensive prognostic model for COAD, incorporating nine genes associated with nuclear-mitochondrial functions. This model demonstrates superior predictive performance across four prognostic factors: age, pathological T stage, tumor recurrence, and overall prognosis. It is anticipated to be an effective model for enhancing the prognosis and treatment of COAD.

Ferritinophagy: research advance and clinical significance in cancers

Ferritinophagy, a process involving selective autophagy of ferritin facilitated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), entails the recognition of ferritin by NCOA4 and subsequent delivery to the autophagosome. Within the autophagosome, ferritin undergoes degradation, leading to the release of iron in the lysosome. It is worth noting that excessive iron levels can trigger cell death. Recent evidence has elucidated the significant roles played by ferritinophagy and ferroptosis in regulation the initiation and progression of cancer. Given the crucial role of ferritinophagy in tumor biology, it may serve as a potential target for future anti-tumor therapeutic interventions. In this study, we have provided the distinctive features of ferritinophagy and its distinctions from ferroptosis. Moreover, we have briefly examined the fundamental regulatory mechanisms of ferritinophagy, encompassing the involvement of the specific receptor NCOA4, the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and other pathways. Subsequently, we have synthesized the current understanding of the impact of ferritinophagy on cancer progression and its potential therapeutic applications, with a particular emphasis on the utilization of chemotherapy, nanomaterials, and immunotherapy to target the ferritinophagy pathway for anti-tumor purposes.

Role of mitochondria in the regulation of ferroptosis and disease

Ferroptosis is a distinctive form of iron-dependent cell death characterized by significant ultrastructural changes in mitochondria. Given the crucial involvement of mitochondria in various cellular processes such as reactive oxygen species production, energy metabolism, redox status, and iron metabolism, mounting evidence suggests a vital role of mitochondria in the regulation and execution of ferroptosis. Furthermore, there exists a strong correlation between ferroptosis and various diseases. In this review, we aim to summarize the mechanisms underlying the induction and defense of ferroptosis, emphasizing the influence of mitochondria on this intricate process. Additionally, we provide an overview of the role of ferroptosis in disease, particularly cancer, and elucidate the mechanisms by which drugs targeting mitochondria impact ferroptosis. By presenting a theoretical foundation and reference point, this review aims to contribute to both basic cell biology research and the investigation of clinically relevant diseases.

Identification and verification of characteristic differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes in osteosarcoma using bioinformatics analysis

BACKGROUND

This study identified and verified the characteristic differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (CDEFRGs) in osteosarcoma (OS).

METHODS

We extracted ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs), identified differentially expressed FRGs (DEFRGs) in OS, and conducted correlation analysis between DEFRGs. Next, we conducted GO and KEGG analyses to explore the biological functions and pathways of DEFRGs. Furthermore, we used LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms to screen CDEFRGs, and evaluated its accuracy in diagnosing OS through ROC curves. Then, we demonstrated the molecular function and pathway enrichment of CDEFRGs through GSEA analysis. In addition, we evaluated the differences in immune cell infiltration between OS and NC groups, as well as the correlation between CDEFRGs expressions and immune cell infiltrations. Finally, the expression of CDEFRGs was verified through qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry experiments.

RESULTS

We identified 51 DEFRGs and the expression relationship between them. GO and KEGG analysis revealed their key functions and important pathways. Based on four CDEFRGs (PEX3, CPEB1, NOX1, and ALOX5), we built the OS diagnostic model, and verified its accuracy. GSEA analysis further revealed the important functions and pathways of CDEFRGs. In addition, there were differences in immune cell infiltration between OS group and NC group, and CDEFRGs showed significant correlation with certain infiltrating immune cells. Finally, we validated the differential expression levels of four CDEFRGs through external experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shed light on the molecular pathological mechanism of OS and has offered novel perspectives for the early diagnosis and immune-targeted therapy of OS patients.

Identification and experimental validation of mitochondria-related genes biomarkers associated with immune infiltration for sepsis

Background

Sepsis remains a complex condition with incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis. Further research is needed to identify prognostic factors, risk stratification tools, and effective diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Methods

Three GEO datasets (GSE54514, GSE65682, and GSE95233) were used to explore the potential role of mitochondria-related genes (MiRGs) in sepsis. WGCNA and two machine learning algorithms (RF and LASSO) were used to identify the feature of MiRGs. Consensus clustering was subsequently carried out to determine the molecular subtypes for sepsis. CIBERSORT algorithm was conducted to assess the immune cell infiltration of samples. A nomogram was also established to evaluate the diagnostic ability of feature biomarkers via "rms" package.

Results

Three different expressed MiRGs (DE-MiRGs) were identified as sepsis biomarkers. A significant difference in the immune microenvironment landscape was observed between healthy controls and sepsis patients. Among the DE-MiRGs, NDUFB3 was selected to be a potential therapeutic target and its significant elevated expression level was confirmed in sepsis using in vitro experiments and confocal microscopy, indicating its significant contribution to the mitochondrial quality imbalance in the LPS-simulated sepsis model.

Conclusion

By digging the role of these pivotal genes in immune cell infiltration, we gained a better understanding of the molecular immune mechanism in sepsis and identified potential intervention and treatment strategies.

NADPH Oxidase Subunit CYBB Confers Chemotherapy and Ferroptosis Resistance in Mesenchymal Glioblastoma via Nrf2/SOD2 Modulation

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly heterogeneous disease with a mesenchymal subtype tending to exhibit more aggressive and multitherapy-resistant features. Glioblastoma stem-cells derived from mesenchymal cells are reliant on iron supply, accumulated with high reactive oxygen species (ROS), and susceptible to ferroptosis. Temozolomide (TMZ) treatment is the mainstay drug for GBM despite the rapid development of resistance in mesenchymal GBM. The main interconnection between mesenchymal features, TMZ resistance, and ferroptosis are poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrated that a subunit of NADPH oxidase, CYBB, orchestrated mesenchymal shift and promoted TMZ resistance by modulating the anti-ferroptosis circuitry Nrf2/SOD2 axis. Public transcriptomic data re-analysis found that CYBB and SOD2 were highly upregulated in the mesenchymal subtype of GBM. Accordingly, our GBM cohort confirmed a high expression of CYBB in the GBM tumor and was associated with mesenchymal features and poor clinical outcome. An in vitro study demonstrated that TMZ-resistant GBM cells displayed mesenchymal and stemness features while remaining resilient to erastin-mediated ferroptosis by activating the CYBB/Nrf2/SOD2 axis. The CYBB maintained a high ROS state to sustain the mesenchymal phenotype, TMZ resistance, and reduced erastin sensitivity. Mechanistically, CYBB interacted with Nrf2 and consequently regulated SOD2 transcription. Compensatory antioxidant SOD2 essentially protected against the deleterious effect of high ROS while attenuating ferroptosis in TMZ-resistant cells. An animal study highlighted the protective role of SOD2 to mitigate erastin-triggered ferroptosis and tolerate oxidative stress burden in mice harboring TMZ-resistant GBM cell xenografts. Therefore, CYBB captured ferroptosis resilience in mesenchymal GBM. The downstream compensatory activity of CYBB via the Nrf2/SOD2 axis is exploitable through erastin-induced ferroptosis to overcome TMZ resistance.

Recent advances in ferroptosis and therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma

Ferroptosis is an emerging form of cell death characterized by the over-accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis directly or indirectly disturbs glutathione peroxidases cycle through diverse pathways, impacting the cellular antioxidant capacities, aggravating accumulation of reactive oxygen species in lipid, and it finally causes oxidative overload and cell death. Ferroptosis plays a significant role in the pathophysiological processes of many diseases. Glioblastoma is one of the most common primary malignant brain tumors in the central nervous system in adults. Although there are many treatment plans for it, such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, they are currently ineffective and the recurrent rate is almost up to 100%. The therapies abovementioned have a strong relationship with ferroptosis at the cellular and molecular level according to the results reported by numerous researchers. The regulation of ferroptosis can significantly determine the outcome of the cells of glioblastoma. Thus ferroptosis, as a regulated form of programed cell death, has the possibility for treating glioblastoma.