MEST promotes lung cancer invasion and metastasis by interacting with VCP to activate NF-κB signaling

A HOTAIR-associated super-enhancer orchestrates glioblastoma malignancy via MEST

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most malignant primary brain tumors, and factors governing its progression are not fully characterized. Recent research suggests that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR and super-enhancers (SEs) contribute significantly to GBM progression. Here, we performed TCGA data analysis revealing that high HOTAIR expression in GBM is associated with poor prognosis. Conversely, HOTAIR knock-down (KD) decreased proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of GBM cells. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis identified DEGs in GBM cells related to cell growth and adhesion. Using an integrated approach, we also identify MEST as a HOTAIR-associated SE target gene. Intriguingly, MEST suppression in GBM cells phenocopied HOTAIR KD, as evidenced by reduced cell proliferation and invasion, whereas MEST overexpression counteracted effects of HOTAIR depletion. Moreover, 3 C technique-based PCR confirmed reduced interaction between HOTAIR-associated SEs and target genes after HOTAIR KD. This study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism governing GBM, offering promising directions for clinical interventions.

Mechanisms of cardiomyopathy in duchenne muscular dystrophy: A study using pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with severe and mild motor impairment

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disorder marked by progressive muscle degeneration and early cardiac involvement, with cardiac dysfunction as a major contributor to mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying DMD-associated cardiac dysfunction remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate these mechanisms and identify gene expression patterns associated with disease progression. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were derived from two patients with DMD exhibiting severe and mild motor impairment and differentiated into cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). The resulting iPSC-CMs expressed myocardial markers, with genetic analysis confirmed dystrophin deficiency in DMD iPSC-CMs. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct gene expression profiles, with severe DMD iPSC-CMs exhibiting upregulation of the positive regulation of the transmembrane receptor protein serine/threonine kinase signaling pathway, leading to reduced proliferation, while mild DMD iPSC-CMs showed increased PI3K-Akt signaling and metabolic activity. Severe DMD iPSC-CMs also displayed more pronounced arrhythmicity, with significant correlation between dilated cardiomyopathy signaling changes and heart rate differences. This study establishes an iPSC-CM model for DMD cardiomyopathy, revealing altered gene expression and signaling pathways involved in cardiac dysfunction. Although non-allelic effects and unquantified differentiation efficiency may impact interpretation, these findings highlight key molecular alterations and offer potential therapeutic targets to improve cardiac outcomes in DMD.

VCP downstream metabolite glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) inhibits CD8+T cells function in the HCC microenvironment

CD8+T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are often functionally impaired, which limits their ability to mount effective anti-tumor responses. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Here, we identified valosin-containing protein (VCP) as a key regulator of CD8+T cells suppression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our findings reveal that VCP suppresses the activation, expansion, and cytotoxic capacity of CD8+T cells both in vitro and in vivo, significantly contributing to the immunosuppressive nature of the TME. Mechanistically, VCP stabilizes the expression of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1-like protein (GPD1L), leading to the accumulation of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), a downstream metabolite of GPD1L. The accumulated G3P diffuses into the TME and directly interacts with SRC-family tyrosine kinase LCK, a critical component of the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway in CD8+T cells. This interaction heightens the phosphorylation of Tyr505, a key inhibitory residue, ultimately reducing LCK activity and impairing downstream TCR signaling. Consequently, CD8+T cells lose their functional capacity, diminishing their ability to fight against HCC. Importantly, we demonstrated that targeting VCP in combination with anti-PD1 therapy significantly suppresses HCC tumor growth and restores the anti-tumor function of CD8+T cells, suggesting synergistic therapeutic potential. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized mechanism involving VCP and G3P in suppressing T-cell-mediated immunity in the TME, positioning VCP as a promising upstream target for enhancing immunotherapy in HCC.

A hypoxia-derived gene signature to suggest cisplatin-based therapeutic responses in patients with cervical cancer

Cervical cancer remains a significant global public health concern, often exhibits cisplatin resistance in clinical settings. Hypoxia, a characteristic of cervical cancer, substantially contributes to cisplatin resistance. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin in patients with cervical cancer and to identify potential effective drugs against cisplatin resistance, we established a hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)-related risk score (HRRS) model using clinical data from patients treated with cisplatin. Cox and LASSO regression analyses were used to stratify patient risks and prognosis. Through qRT-PCR, we validated nine potential prognostic HIF-1 genes that successfully predict cisplatin responsiveness in patients and cell lines. Subsequently, we identified fostamatinib, an FDA-approved spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as a promising drug for targeting the HRRS-high group. We observed a positive correlation between the IC50 values of fostamatinib and HRRS in cervical cancer cell lines. Moreover, fostamatinib exhibited potent anticancer effects on high HRRS groups in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we developed a hypoxia-related gene signature that suggests cisplatin response prediction in cervical cancer and identified fostamatinib as a potential novel treatment approach for resistant cases.

Conquering dual challenges: A sialic-modified liposome for targeting activated neutrophils to tackle comorbid lung inflammation and cancer metastasis

In clinical settings, cancer frequently coexists with multi-system diseases. Owing to compromised immune systems, patients with cancer exhibit an increased susceptibility to infections and inflammation. Notably, lung inflammation occurs with high incidence among these patients. Furthermore, the inflammatory milieu within the lungs often accelerates the metastasis of cancer, thereby enhancing mortality rates and posing substantial challenges for clinical management. To date, effective strategies addressing both lung inflammation and cancer concurrently are lacking. In this context, we introduce a novel therapeutic approach involving a sialic acid-lipid derivative (SA-PG10-C18) modified doxorubicin-curcumin co-loaded liposome (DOX/CUR-SAL). This formulation effectively targeted activated neutrophils, which are abundantly present in inflammatory and metastatic lung tissues. DOX/CUR-SAL notably inhibited neutrophil-mediated pro-inflammatory and pro-metastatic processes. Utilizing a newly established mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) and metastasis comorbidity, DOX/CUR-SAL modulated the lung immune microenvironment and arrested the progression of both inflammation and metastasis, without inducing side effects. The treated animals demonstrated favorable survival conditions, persisting beyond 45 days. This innovative therapeutic strategy offers a novel concept and reference for treating comorbid conditions of tumors and inflammation, thus breaking the clinical impasse where lung inflammation and cancer metastasis have been treated separately.

MEST promotes immune escape in gastric cancer by downregulating MHCI expression via SHP2

BACKGROUND

Immune escape is a major obstacle to T-cell-based immunotherapy for cancers such as gastric cancer (GC). Mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST) is a tumor-promoting factor that regulates multiple oncogenic signaling pathways. However, the role of MEST-mediated immune escape is unclear.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis of MEST expression and enrichment pathways were performed Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR) or western blot was used to detect the expression of MEST, Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2), Major histocompatibility class I (MHCI)-related genes. Cell function was assessed by Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, Transwell, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) kit, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Xenograft nude mice and immune-reconstructed mice were used to test the effects of different treatments on tumor growth and immune escape in vivo.

RESULTS

MEST was upregulated in GC and promoted tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion. Rescue experiments revealed that TNO155 treatment or knockdown of SHP2 promoted the killing ability of CD8+ T cells and the expression of granzyme B (GZMB) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and MEST overexpression reversed the effect. In vivo experiments confirmed that MEST promoted tumor growth, knockdown of MEST inhibited immune escape in GC, and that combination treatment with anti-PD-1 improved anti-tumor activity.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we demonstrated that MEST inhibited IFN-γ secretion from CD8+ T cells by up-regulating SHP2, thereby downregulating MHCI expression in GC cells to promote immune escape and providing a new T cell-based therapeutic potential for GC.

Versatile function of NF-ĸB in inflammation and cancer

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-ĸB) plays a crucial role in both innate and adaptive immune systems, significantly influencing various physiological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival, and stemness. The function of NF-ĸB in cancer progression and response to chemotherapy has gained increasing attention. This review highlights the role of NF-ĸB in inflammation control, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic implications in cancer treatment. NF-ĸB is instrumental in altering the release of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, which are key in the regulation of carcinogenesis. Specifically, in conditions including colitis, NF-ĸB upregulation can intensify inflammation, potentially leading to the development of colorectal cancer. Its pivotal role extends to regulating the tumor microenvironment, impacting components such as macrophages, fibroblasts, T cells, and natural killer cells. This regulation influences tumorigenesis and can dampen anti-tumor immune responses. Additionally, NF-ĸB modulates cell death mechanisms, notably by inhibiting apoptosis and ferroptosis. It also has a dual role in stimulating or suppressing autophagy in various cancers. Beyond these functions, NF-ĸB plays a role in controlling cancer stem cells, fostering angiogenesis, increasing metastatic potential through EMT induction, and reducing tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Given its oncogenic capabilities, research has focused on natural products and small molecule compounds that can suppress NF-ĸB, offering promising avenues for cancer therapy.

LncRNA RGMB-AS1 inhibits HMOX1 ubiquitination and NAA10 activation to induce ferroptosis in non-small cell lung cancer

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death caused by excessive lipid peroxide accumulation, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we identified the long non-coding RNA RGMB-AS1 as a key regulator of ferroptosis in NSCLC. Mechanistically, RGMB-AS1 interacted with heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) and prevented its ubiquitination by the E3 ligase TRC8, leading to increased HMOX1 stability and enhanced ferroptosis. Additionally, RGMB-AS1 bound to the 82-87 amino acid region of N-alpha-acetyltransferase 10 (NAA10), stimulating its acetyltransferase activity and promoting the conversion of acetyl-CoA to HMG-CoA, further contributing to ferroptosis. The RGMB-AS1-HMOX1 and RGMB-AS1-NAA10 axes synergistically inhibited NSCLC growth both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, low RGMB-AS1 expression was associated with advanced tumor stage and poor overall survival in NSCLC patients. Furthermore, adeno-associated virus-mediated RGMB-AS1 overexpression significantly suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Our findings uncover a novel lncRNA-mediated regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis and highlight the potential of RGMB-AS1 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in NSCLC.

PTPLAD1 Regulates PHB-Raf Interaction to Orchestrate Epithelial-Mesenchymal and Mitofusion-Fission Transitions in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The poor prognosis of this malignancy is attributed mainly to the persistent activation of cancer signaling for metastasis. Here, we showed that protein tyrosine phosphatase-like A domain containing 1 (PTPLAD1) is down-regulated in highly metastatic CRC cells and negatively associated with poor survival of CRC patients. Systematic analysis reveals that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mitochondrial fusion-to-fission (MFT) transition are two critical features for CRC patients with low expression of PTPLAD1. PTPLAD1 overexpression suppresses the metastasis of CRC in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting the Raf/ERK signaling-mediated EMT and mitofission. Mechanically, PTPLAD1 binds with PHB via its middle fragment (141-178 amino acids) and induces dephosphorylation of PHB-Y259 to disrupt the interaction of PHB-Raf, resulting in the inactivation of Raf/ERK signaling. Our results unveil a novel mechanism in which Raf/ERK signaling activated in metastatic CRC induces EMT and mitochondrial fission simultaneously, which can be suppressed by PTPLAD1. This finding may provide a new paradigm for developing more effective treatment strategies for CRC.

KRT80 Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression and Serves as a Substrate for VCP

Background: Keratin 80(KRT80) encodes a type II intermediate filament protein, known for maintaining cell integrity of cells and its involvement in the tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. However, comprehensive research on its relevance to lung adenocarcinoma remains limited. Methods: In this study, we utilized multiple databases to investigate the transcriptional expression of KRT80 and its correlation with clinicopathological features. A range of assays, including the Cell Counting Kit 8 assay, colony formation assay, cell migration assay, and flow cytometry, were employed to elucidate the impact of KRT80 on the malignant behavior of lung adenocarcinoma. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were also used to identify putative genes interacting with KRT80. Results: The expression of KRT80 was elevated in lung adenocarcinoma and patients with high levels of KRT80 expression had poor clinical outcomes. Silencing KRT80 suppressed cell viability, and migration, while overexpression had the opposite effect. In addition, Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry revealed an interaction between KRT80 and valosin-containing protein (VCP), with VCP knockdown reducing the stability of KRT80 protein. Overexpression of KRT80 mitigated the inhibitory effect of VCP knockdown to some extent. Conclusion: Our findings collectively suggest that KRT80 is a promising diagnostic and prognostic indicator for lung adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the interaction between KRT80 and VCP plays a crucial role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma, which implies that KRT80 is a promising therapeutic target.

XAF1 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis via VCP-RNF114-JUP axis

Metastasis is the main cause of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related death, and the 5-year relative survival rate for CRC patients with distant metastasis is only 14%. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP)-associated factor 1 (XAF1) is a zinc-rich protein belonging to the interferon (IFN)-induced gene family. Here, we report a metastasis-promoting role of XAF1 in CRC by acting as a novel adaptor of valosin-containing protein (VCP). XAF1 facilitates VCP-mediated deubiquitination of the E3 ligase RING finger protein 114 (RNF114), which promotes K48-linked ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of junction plakoglobin (JUP). The XAF1-VCP-RNF114-JUP axis is critical for the migration and metastasis of CRC cells. Moreover, we observe correlations between the protein levels of XAF1, RNF114, and JUP in clinical samples. Collectively, our findings reveal an oncogenic function of XAF1 in mCRC and suggest that the XAF1-VCP-RNF114-JUP axis is a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

LAFEM: A Scoring Model to Evaluate Functional Landscape of Lysine Acetylome

Protein lysine acetylation is a critical post-translational modification involved in a wide range of biological processes. To date, about 20,000 acetylation sites of Homo sapiens were identified through mass spectrometry-based proteomic technology, but more than 95% of them have unclear functional annotations because of the lack of existing prioritization strategy to assess the functional importance of the acetylation sites on large scale. Hence, we established a lysine acetylation functional evaluating model (LAFEM) by considering eight critical features surrounding lysine acetylation site to high-throughput estimate the functional importance of given acetylation sites. This was achieved by selecting one of the random forest models with the best performance in 10-fold cross-validation on undersampled training dataset. The global analysis demonstrated that the molecular environment of acetylation sites with high acetylation functional scores (AFSs) mainly had the features of larger solvent-accessible surface area, stronger hydrogen bonding-donating abilities, near motif and domain, higher homology, and disordered degree. Importantly, LAFEM performed well in validation dataset and acetylome, showing good accuracy to screen out fitness directly relevant acetylation sites and assisting to explain the core reason for the difference between biological models from the perspective of acetylome. We further used cellular experiments to confirm that, in nuclear casein kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase substrate 1, acetyl-K35 with higher AFS was more important than acetyl-K9 with lower AFS in the proliferation of A549 cells. LAFEM provides a prioritization strategy to large scale discover the fitness directly relevant acetylation sites, which constitutes an unprecedented resource for better understanding of functional acetylome.

IDO1 facilitates esophageal carcinoma progression by driving the direct binding of NF-κB and CXCL10

Esophageal carcinoma (EC), one of the most lethal human malignancies, lacks effective targeted therapies. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) plays a key role in a variety of cancers, but its role and mechanism in EC are still unclear. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the expression of IDO1 in EC, and the prognostic value of IDO1 in EC was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier test. The in vitro and in vivo function loss/acquisition tests were performed to evaluate the biological effects of IDO1 in EC. The mechanism of action of IDO1-regulation EC was explored through Firefly luciferase & Renilla luciferase activity reporter, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays. Clinically, IDO1 expression was abnormally elevated in EC and positively correlated with overall survival. Functionally, IDO1 was contributed to the proliferation and migration of EC cells. Mechanically, IDO1 regulated the expression of chemokine C-X-C ligand 10 (CXCL10) by promoting the entry of NF-κB into the nucleus to combine with the promoter of CXCL10. Consistently, IDO1 facilitated EC progression may dependent on the presence of CXCL10. Moreover, NF-κB alleviated the inhibitory effect of IDO1 knockdown on EC. IDO1 drove the progression of EC by directly binding NF-κB and CXCL10, the finding that may provide an effective theoretical basis for precise therapies for EC.

Semaphorin4A promotes lung cancer by activation of NF-κB pathway mediated by PlexinB1

Background

Lung cancer (LC) is the most prevalent cancer with a poor prognosis. Semaphorin4A (Sema4A) is important in many physiological and pathological processes. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of Sema4A in LC.

Methods

Firstly, Sema4A expression was analyzed by the available dataset and detected in human normal bronchial epithelial cell line (HBE) and LC cell line (NCI-H460). Then, LC cells were transfected with Sema4A siRNA, and the cells were stimulated by PlexinB1, PlexinB2, PlexinD1 blocking antibodies, IgG antibody, BAY 11-7082 (an inhibitor for NF-κB pathway) and Sema4A-Fc protein, alone or in combination. After transfection, PlexinB1 mRNA expression was analyzed. Next, the biological functions, including proliferative, migratory, invasive abilities and viability of the cells were detected by colony formation, scratch, Transwell and MTT assays, respectively. NF-κB, Stat3 and MAPK protein expressions were determined by western blot. Furthermore, the secretion of IL-6 in LC cells was tested by ELISA.

Results

Sema4A was highly expressed in LC tissues and cells, could activate the NF-κB pathway and upregulate PlexinB1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, we observed that Sema4A knockdown suppressed the biological functions of NCI-H460 cells, while Sema4A-Fc protein reversed the situation. However, Sema4A-induced biological functions and activation in the NF-κB pathway were inhibited by PlexinB1 blocking antibody. Consistently, Sema4A promoted IL-6 production, which was down-regulated by PlexinB1 blocking antibody and BAY 11-7082.

Conclusions

Sema4A may facilitate LC development via the activation of the NF-κB pathway mediated by PlexinB1, suggesting that Sema4A would be a novel therapeutic target for LC treatment.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor pracinostat suppresses colorectal cancer by inducing CDK5-Drp1 signaling-mediated peripheral mitofission

Divisions at the periphery and midzone of mitochondria are two fission signatures that determine the fate of mitochondria and cells. Pharmacological induction of excessively asymmetric mitofission-associated cell death (MFAD) by switching the scission position from the mitochondrial midzone to the periphery represents a promising strategy for anticancer therapy. By screening a series of pan-inhibitors, we identified pracinostat, a pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, as a novel MFAD inducer, that exhibited a significant anticancer effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) in vivo and in vitro. Pracinostat increased the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and induced its acetylation at residue lysine 33, accelerating the formation of complex CDK5/CDK5 regulatory subunit 1 and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial peripheral fission. CRC cells with high level of CDK5 (CDK5-high) displayed midzone mitochondrial division that was associated with oncogenic phenotype, but treatment with pracinostat led to a lethal increase in the already-elevated level of CDK5 in the CRC cells. Mechanistically, pracinostat switched the scission position from the mitochondrial midzone to the periphery by improving the binding of Drp1 from mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) to mitochondrial fission 1 protein (FIS1). Thus, our results revealed the anticancer mechanism of HDACi pracinostat in CRC via activating CDK5-Drp1 signaling to cause selective MFAD of those CDK5-high tumor cells, which implicates a new paradigm to develop potential therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.

Targeting ARF1-IQGAP1 interaction to suppress colorectal cancer metastasis and vemurafenib resistance

INTRODUCTION

Acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib is frequently observed in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), and it is a thorny issue that results in treatment failure. As adaptive responses for vemurafenib treatment, a series of cellular bypasses are response for the adaptive feedback reactivation of ERK signaling, which warrant further investigation.

OBJECTIVES

We identified ARF1 (ADP-ribosylation factor 1) as a novel regulator of both vemurafenib resistance and cancer metastasis, its molecular mechanism and potential inhibitor were investigated in this study.

METHODS

DIA-based quantitative proteomics and RNA-seq were performed to systematic analyze the profiling of vemurafenib-resistant RKO cells (RKO-VR) and highly invasive RKO cells (RKO-I8), respectively. Co‑immunoprecipitation assay was performed to detect the interaction of ARF1 and IQGAP1 (IQ-domain GTPase activating protein 1). An ELISA-based drug screen system on FDA-approved drug library was established to screen the compounds against the interaction of ARF1-IQGAP1.The biological functions of ARF1 and LY2835219 were determined by transwell, western blotting, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and in vivo experimental metastasis assays.

RESULTS

We found that ARF1 strongly interacted with IQGAP1 to activate ERK signaling in VR and I8 CRC cells. Deletion of IQGAP1 or inactivation of ARF1 (ARF-T48S) restored the invasive ability induced by ARF1. As ARF1-IQGAP1 interaction is essential for ERK activation, we screened LY2835219 as novel inhibitor of ARF1-IQGAP1 interaction, which inactivated ERK signaling and suppressed CRC metastasis and vemurafenib-resistance in vitro and in vivo with no observed side effect. Furthermore, LY2835219 in combined treatment with vemurafenib exerted significantly inhibitory effect on ARF1-mediated cancer metastasis than used independently.

CONCLUSION

This study uncovers that ARF1-IQGAP1 interaction-mediated ERK signaling reactivation is critical for vemurafenib resistance and cancer metastasis, and that LY2835219 is a promising therapeutic agent for CRC both as a single agent and in combination with vemurafenib.

Biological effects and mechanisms of fisetin in cancer: a promising anti-cancer agent

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid, possesses numerous biological activities that have been extensively studied in various diseases. When it comes to cancer, fisetin exhibits a range of biological effects, such as suppressing cell growth, triggering programmed cell death, reducing the formation of new blood vessels, protecting against oxidative stress, and inhibiting cell migration. Moreover, fisetin has the ability to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The anticancer properties of fisetin can be attributed to a diverse array of molecules and signaling pathways, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and Nrf2/HO-1. Consequently, fisetin holds promise as a therapeutic agent for anticancer treatment. In this review, we place emphasis on the biological functions and various molecular targets of fisetin in anticancer therapy.

Inhibition of VCP modulates NF-κB signaling pathway to suppress multiple myeloma cell proliferation and osteoclast differentiation

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy, in which the dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is associated with the pathogenesis. The valosin containing protein (VCP)/p97, a member of the AAA+ ATPase family, possesses multiple functions to regulate the protein quality control including ubiquitin-proteasome system and molecular chaperone. VCP is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors while still elusive in MM. VCP inhibitors have gradually shown great potential for cancer treatment. This study aims to identify if VCP is a therapeutic target in MM and confirm the effect of a novel inhibitor of VCP (VCP20) on MM. We found that VCP was elevated in MM patients and correlated with shorter survival in clinical TT2 cohort. Silencing VCP using siRNA resulted in decreased MM cell proliferation via NF-κB signaling pathway. VCP20 evidently inhibited MM cell proliferation and osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, exosomes containing VCP derived from MM cells partially alleviated the inhibitory effect of VCP20 on cell proliferation and osteoclast differentiation. Mechanism study revealed that VCP20 inactivated the NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting ubiquitination degradation of IκBα. Furthermore, VCP20 suppressed MM cell proliferation, prolonged the survival of MM model mice and improved bone destruction in vivo. Collectively, our findings suggest that VCP is a novel target in MM progression. Targeting VCP with VCP20 suppresses malignancy progression of MM via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Valosin containing protein (VCP): initiator, modifier, and potential drug target for neurodegenerative diseases

The AAA+ ATPase valosin containing protein (VCP) is essential for cell and organ homeostasis, especially in cells of the nervous system. As part of a large network, VCP collaborates with many cofactors to ensure proteostasis under normal, stress, and disease conditions. A large number of mutations have revealed the importance of VCP for human health. In particular, VCP facilitates the dismantling of protein aggregates and the removal of dysfunctional organelles. These are critical events to prevent malfunction of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. In line with this idea, VCP mutants are linked to the onset and progression of neurodegeneration and other diseases. The intricate molecular mechanisms that connect VCP mutations to distinct brain pathologies continue to be uncovered. Emerging evidence supports the model that VCP controls cellular functions on multiple levels and in a cell type specific fashion. Accordingly, VCP mutants derail cellular homeostasis through several mechanisms that can instigate disease. Our review focuses on the association between VCP malfunction and neurodegeneration. We discuss the latest insights in the field, emphasize open questions, and speculate on the potential of VCP as a drug target for some of the most devastating forms of neurodegeneration.

Overexpression of SERPINA3 suppresses tumor progression by modulating SPOP/NF‑κB in lung cancer

The pathogenesis mechanism of lung cancer is very complex, with high incidence and mortality. Serpin family A member 3 (SERPINA3) expression levels were reduced in the sera of patients with lung cancer and may be a candidate diagnostic and prognostic survival biomarker in lung cancer, as previously reported. However, the detailed biological functions of SERPINA3 in the pathogenesis of lung cancer remain unknown. In the present study, it was aimed to explore the effects of SERPINA3 on the occurrence of lung cancer. SERPINA3 expression was assessed using bioinformatics database analysis and experimental detection. Then, the biological effects of SERPINA3 were investigated in a cell culture system and a xenograft model of human lung cancer. The potential regulatory mechanism of SERPINA3 in lung cancer was explored by data‑independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA‑MS) detection and further validated by western blotting (WB). The results indicated that SERPINA3 expression levels were significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. At the cellular level, it was revealed that overexpressed SERPINA3 inhibited cell growth, proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted the apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Moreover, overexpressed SERPINA3 enhanced the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to osimertinib. In vivo, a xenograft model of human lung cancer was established with BALB/c nude mice. After the injection of A549 cells, the tumor growth of the tumor‑bearing mice in the SERPINA3‑overexpressing group increased more slowly, and the tumor volume was smaller than that in the empty‑vector group. Mechanistically, a total of 65 differentially expressed proteins were identified. It was found that the speckle‑type POZ protein (SPOP) was significantly upregulated in SERPINA3‑overexpressing H157 cells using DIA‑MS detection and analysis. WB validation showed that SPOP expression increased, and NF‑kappaB (NF‑κB) p65 was inhibited in cell lines and tumor tissues of mice when SERPINA3 was overexpressed. The present findings suggest that SERPINA3 is involved in the development of lung cancer and has an antineoplastic role in lung cancer.

Polyphyllin D punctures hypertrophic lysosomes to reverse drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting acid sphingomyelinase

Hypertrophic lysosomes are critical for tumor progression and drug resistance; however, effective and specific lysosome-targeting compounds for cancer therapy are lacking. Here we conducted a lysosomotropic pharmacophore-based in silico screen in a natural product library (2,212 compounds), and identified polyphyllin D (PD) as a novel lysosome-targeted compound. PD treatment was found to cause lysosomal damage, as evidenced by the blockade of autophagic flux, loss of lysophagy, and the release of lysosomal contents, thus exhibiting anticancer effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell both in vitro and in vivo. Closer mechanistic examination revealed that PD suppressed the activity of acid sphingomyelinase (SMPD1), a lysosomal phosphodieserase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to produce ceramide and phosphocholine, by directly occupying its surface groove, with Trp148 in SMPD1 acting as a major binding residue; this suppression of SMPD1 activity irreversibly triggers lysosomal injury and initiates lysosome-dependent cell death. Furthermore, PD-enhanced lysosomal membrane permeabilization to release sorafenib, augmenting the anticancer effect of sorafenib both in vivo and in vitro. Overall, our study suggests that PD can potentially be further developed as a novel autophagy inhibitor, and a combination of PD with classical chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC intervention.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Elucidate the Molecular Basis of Pre-mRNA Translocation by the Prp2 Spliceosomal Helicase

The spliceosome machinery catalyzes precursor-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing by undergoing at each splicing cycle assembly, activation, catalysis, and disassembly processes, thanks to the concerted action of specific RNA-dependent ATPases/helicases. Prp2, a member of the DExH-box ATPase/helicase family, harnesses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to translocate a single pre-mRNA strand in the 5' to 3' direction, thus promoting spliceosome remodeling to its catalytic-competent state. Here, we established the functional coupling between ATPase and helicase activities of Prp2. Namely, extensive multi-μs molecular dynamics simulations allowed us to unlock how, after pre-mRNA selection, ATP binding, hydrolysis, and dissociation induce a functional typewriter-like rotation of the Prp2 C-terminal domain. This movement, endorsed by an iterative swing of interactions established between specific Prp2 residues with the nucleobases at 5'- and 3'-ends of pre-mRNA, promotes pre-mRNA translocation. Notably, some of these Prp2 residues are conserved in the DExH-box family, suggesting that the translocation mechanism elucidated here may be applicable to all DExH-box helicases.

LINC00493-encoded microprotein SMIM26 exerts anti-metastatic activity in renal cell carcinoma

Human microproteins encoded by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been increasingly discovered, however, complete functional characterization of these emerging proteins is scattered. Here, we show that LINC00493-encoded SMIM26, an understudied microprotein localized in mitochondria, is tendentiously downregulated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and correlated with poor overall survival. LINC00493 is recognized by RNA-binding protein PABPC4 and transferred to ribosomes for translation of a 95-amino-acid protein SMIM26. SMIM26, but not LINC00493, suppresses ccRCC growth and metastatic lung colonization by interacting with acylglycerol kinase (AGK) and glutathione transport regulator SLC25A11 via its N-terminus. This interaction increases the mitochondrial localization of AGK and subsequently inhibits AGK-mediated AKT phosphorylation. Moreover, the formation of the SMIM26-AGK-SCL25A11 complex maintains mitochondrial glutathione import and respiratory efficiency, which is abrogated by AGK overexpression or SLC25A11 knockdown. This study functionally characterizes the LINC00493-encoded microprotein SMIM26 and establishes its anti-metastatic role in ccRCC, and therefore illuminates the importance of hidden proteins in human cancers.

Characterization of 3D-Bioprinted In Vitro Lung Cancer Models Using RNA-Sequencing Techniques

OBJECTIVE

To construct an in vitro lung cancer model using 3D bioprinting and evaluate the feasibility of the model. Transcriptome sequencing was used to compare the differential genes and functions of 2D and 3D lung cancer cells.

METHODS

1. A549 cells were mixed with sodium alginate/gelatine/fibrinogen as 3D-printed biological ink to construct a hydrogel scaffold for the in vitro model of lung cancer; 2. A hydrogel scaffold was printed using a extrusion 3D bioprinter; 3. The printed lung cancer model was evaluated in vitro; and 4. A549 cells cultured in 2D and 3D tumour models in vitro were collected, and RNA-seq conducted bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

1. The in vitro lung cancer model printed using 3D-bioprinting technology was a porous microstructure model, suitable for the survival of A549 cells. Compared with the 2D cell-line model, the 3D model is closer to the fundamental human growth environment; 2. There was no significant difference in cell survival rate between the 2D and 3D groups; 3. In the cell proliferation rate measurement, it was found that the cells in the 2D group had a speedy growth rate in the first five days, but after five days, the growth rate slowed down. Cell proliferation showed a declining process after the ninth day of cell culture. However, cells in the 3D group showed a slow growth process at the beginning, and the growth rate reached a peak on the 12th day. Then, the growth rate showed a downward trend; and 4. RNA-seq compared A549 cells from 2D and 3D lung cancer models. A total of 3112 genes were differentially expressed, including 1189 up-regulated and 1923 down-regulated genes, with p-value ≤ 0.05 and |Log2Ratio| ≥ 1 as screening conditions. After functional enrichment analysis of differential genes, these differential genes affect the biological regulation of A549 cells, thus promoting lung cancer progression.

CONCLUSION

This study uses 3D-bioprinting technology to construct a tumour model of lung cancer that can grow sustainably in vitro. Three-dimensional bioprinting may provide a new research platform for studying the lung cancer TME mechanism and anticancer drug screening.

The effectiveness of blood-activating and stasis-transforming traditional Chinese medicines (BAST) in lung cancer progression-a comprehensive review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Blood-activating and stasis-transforming traditional Chinese medicines (BAST) are a class of herbs that have the effect of dilating blood vessels and dispersing stagnation. Modern pharmaceutical research has demonstrated that they are capable of improving hemodynamics and micro-flow, resist thrombosis and promote blood flow. BAST contain numerous active ingredients, which can theoretically regulate multiple targets at the same time and have a wide range of pharmacological effects in the treatment of diseases including human cancers. Clinically, BAST have minimal side effects and can be used in combination with Western medicine to improve patients' quality of life, lessen adverse effects and minimize the risk of recurrence and metastasis of cancers.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

We aimed to summarize the research progression of BAST on lung cancer in the past five years and present a prospect for the future. Particularly, this review further analyzes the effects and molecular mechanisms that BAST inhibit the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant studies about BSAT were collected from PubMed and Web of science.

RESULTS

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest mortality rate. Most patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage and are highly susceptible to metastasis. Recent studies have shown that BAST, a class of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the function of opening veins and dispersing blood stasis, significantly improve hemodynamics and microcirculation, prevent thrombosis and promote blood flow, and thereby inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer. In the current review, we analyzed 51 active ingredients extracted from BAST. It was found that BAST and their active ingredients contribute to the prevention of invasion and metastasis of lung cancer through multiple mechanisms, such as regulation of EMT process, specific signaling pathway and metastasis-related genes, tumor blood vessel formation, immune microenvironment and inflammatory response of tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

BSAT and its active ingredients have showed promising anticancer activity and significantly inhibit the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer. A growing number of studies have realized their potential clinical significance in the therapy of lung cancer, which will provide substantial evidences for the development of new TCM for lung cancer therapy.

Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening identifies a targetable MEST-PURA interaction in cancer metastasis

BACKGROUND

Metastasis is one of the most lethal hallmarks of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), yet the mechanisms remain unclear due to a lack of reliable experimental models and systematic identification of key drivers. There is urgent need to develop useful therapies for this lethal disease.

METHODS

A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening, in combination with gene profiling of highly invasive and metastatic ESCC sublines, as well as PDX models, was performed to identify key regulators of cancer metastasis. The Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were taken to examine gene function. Protein interactome, RNA-seq, and whole genome methylation sequencing were used to investigate gene regulation and molecular mechanisms. Clinical significance was analyzed in tumor tissue microarray and TCGA databases. Homology modeling, modified ELISA, surface plasmon resonance and functional assays were performed to identify lead compound which targets MEST to suppress cancer metastasis.

FINDINGS

High MEST expression was associated with poor patient survival and promoted cancer invasion and metastasis in ESCC. Mechanistically, MEST activates SRCIN1/RASAL1-ERK-snail signaling by interacting with PURA. miR-449a was identified as a direct regulator of MEST, and hypermethylation of its promoter led to MEST upregulation, whereas systemically delivered miR-449a mimic could suppress tumor metastasis without overt toxicity. Furthermore, molecular docking and computational screening in a small-molecule library of 1,500,000 compounds and functional assays showed that G699-0288 targets the MEST-PURA interaction and significantly inhibits cancer metastasis.

INTERPRETATION

We identified the MEST-PURA-SRCIN1/RASAL1-ERK-snail signaling cascade as an important mechanism underlying cancer metastasis. Blockade of MEST-PURA interaction has therapeutic potential in management of cancer metastasis.

FUNDING

This work was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC2501000, 2021YFC2501900, 2017YFA0505100); National Natural Science Foundation of China (31961160727, 82073196, 81973339, 81803551); NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme (N_HKU727/19); Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2021A1515011158, 2021A0505030035); Key Laboratory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes of China (2021KSYS009).

The mechanism of VCP-mediated metastasis of osteosarcoma based on cell autophagy and the EMT pathway

OBJECTIVE

Study of the molecular mechanisms of metastasis is still the research focus for osteosarcoma (OS) prevention. This study investigates the mechanism of valosin-containing protein (VCP) promoting OS metastasis in vitro through autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

METHODS

Different cell lines of osteosarcoma (143B and MG63) were adopted in this study. The level of VCP expression in osteosarcoma cells was changed, and the level of autophagy and the progression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed. Then autophagy and EMT in OS cells were changed artificially, and proliferation and migration ability were observed.

RESULTS

The expression of LC3II/I was decreased, but the insolubilized P62 protein expression was increased in the VCP inhibiting group and the autophagy inhibitor treatment group. Simultaneously, E-cadherin protein expression increased while N-cadherin protein expression decreased in the VCP inhibiting group but increased in the TGF-β1 treatment group. In addition, suppressing VCP can cause a decrease in Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1), smad2, smad3, phosphorylated smad2 (p-smad2), and phosphorylated smad3 (p-smad3). Autophagy inhibitors and agonists have no significant effect on the migration and invasion of OS cells but can significantly affect the ability of cells to resist anoikis. EMT inhibitors and agonists have a proportional effect on the migration and invasion of OS cells.

CONCLUSION

VCP is likely to promote the migration and invasion of OS cells by inducing EMT, possibly via TGF-β1/smad2/3 signaling pathway. In this process, VCP-mediated autophagy may contribute to successful distant metastasis of tumor cells indirectly.

EFHD1, a novel mitochondrial regulator of tumor metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

The biological function of many mitochondrial proteins in mechanistic detail has not been well investigated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). A seven-mitochondrial-gene signature was generated by Lasso regression analysis to improve the prediction of prognosis of patients with ccRCC, using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium cohort. Among those seven genes, EFHD1 is less studied and its role in the progression of ccRCC remains unknown. The decreased expression of EFHD1 was validated in clinical samples and was correlated with unfavorable outcome. Overexpression of EFHD1 in ccRCC cells resulted in the reduction of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ , and the inhibition of cell migration and invasion in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, EFHD1 physically bound to the core mitochondrial calcium transporter (mitochondrial calcium uniporter, MCU) through its N-terminal domain. The interaction between EFHD1 and MCU suppressed the uptake of Ca²⁺ into mitochondria, and deactivated the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway. Further data revealed that the ectopic expression of EFHD1 upregulated STARD13 to enhance the phosphorylation of YAP protein at Ser-127. The knockdown of STARD13 or the overexpression of MCU partly abrogated the EFHD1-mediated induction of phosphorylation of YAP at Ser-127 and suppression of cell migration. Taken together, the newly identified EFHD1-MCU-STARD13 axis participates in the modulation of the Hippo/YAP pathway and serves as a novel regulator in the progression of ccRCC.

A deep tabular data learning model predicting cisplatin sensitivity identifies BCL2L1 dependency in cancer

Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, is widely used as a front-line treatment for several malignancies. However, treatment outcomes vary widely due to intrinsic and acquired resistance. In this study, cisplatin-perturbed gene expression and pathway enrichment were used to define a gene signature, which was further utilized to develop a cisplatin sensitivity prediction model using the TabNet algorithm. The TabNet model performed better (>80 % accuracy) than all other machine learning models when compared to a wide range of machine learning algorithms. Moreover, by using feature importance and comparing predicted ovarian cancer patient samples, BCL2L1 was identified as an important gene contributing to cisplatin resistance. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of BCL2L1 was found to synergistically increase cisplatin efficacy. Collectively, this study developed a tool to predict cisplatin sensitivity using cisplatin-perturbed gene expression and pathway enrichment knowledge and identified BCL2L1 as an important gene in this setting.

Valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97) inhibition reduces viral clearance and induces toxicity associated with muscular damage

Valosin-containing protein (VCP)/p97 has emerged as a central regulator of the ubiquitin-proteasome system by connecting ubiquitylation and degradation. The development of CB-5083, an ATPase D2-domain-selective and orally bioavailable inhibitor of VCP/p97, allows targeting of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in human diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effect of CB-5083 on the immune response in mice by using the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) as an infection model. We demonstrate that LCMV infection increased the susceptibility to CB-5083 treatment in a CD8-independent manner. Administration of CB-5083 to mice reduced the cytotoxic T cell response and impaired viral clearance. Compared to uninfected cells, CB-5083 treatment enhanced the unfolded protein response in LCMV-infected cells. Administration of CB-5083 during the expansion of CD8⁺ T cells led to strong toxicity in mice within hours, which resulted in enhanced IL-6 levels in the serum and accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins. Furthermore, we linked the observed toxicity to the specific formation of aggregates in the skeletal muscle tissue and the upregulation of both lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in the serum.

A damage-associated molecular patterns-related gene signature for the prediction of prognosis and immune microenvironment in children stage III acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background

Immunogenic cell death (ICD)-mediated immune response provides a strong rationale to overcome immune evasion in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ICD will produce damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in tumor microenvironment. However, there are few studies on the application of DAMPs-related molecular subtypes in clinically predicting stage III of ALL prognosis. The current study is to identify the DAMPs-associated genes and their molecular subtypes in the stage III of ALL and construct a reliable risk model for prognosis as well as exploring the potential immune-related mechanism.

Materials and methods

We used Target and EBI database for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis of the stage III pediatric ALL samples. Three clusters were identified based on a consistent clustering analysis. By using Cox regression and LASSO analysis, we determined DEGs that attribute to survival benefit. In addition, the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify potential molecular pathways regulated by the DAMPs-related gene signatures. ESTIMATE was employed for evaluating the composition of immune cell populations.

Results

A sum of 146 DAMPs-associated DEGs in ALL were determined and seven transcripts among them were selected to establish a risk model. The DAMPs-associated gene signature significantly contributed to worse prognosis in the high-risk group. We also found that the high-risk group exhibited low immune cell infiltration and high expression of immune checkpoints.

Conclusion

In summary, our study showed that the DAMPs-related DEGs in the stage III of children ALL could be used to predict their prognosis. The risk model of DAMPs we established may be more sensitive to immunotherapy prediction.

Inhibition of nuclear deacetylase Sirtuin-1 induces mitochondrial acetylation and calcium overload leading to cell death

Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) is a critical nuclear deacetylase that participates in a wide range of biological processes. We hereby employed quantitative acetyl-proteomics to globally reveal the landscape of SIRT1-dependent acetylation in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells stimulated by specific SIRT1 inhibitor Inauhzin (INZ). We strikingly observed that SIRT1 inhibition enhances protein acetylation levels, with the multisite-acetylated proteins (acetyl sites >4/protein) mainly enriched in mitochondria. INZ treatment increases mitochondrial fission and depolarization in CRC cells. The acetylation of mitochondrial proteins promoted by SIRT1 inhibition prevents the recruitment of ubiquitin and LC3 for mitophagic degradation. We then found that, SIRT1 inhibition increases the acetylation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) at residue K332, resulting in mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload and depolarization, and ultimately CRC apoptosis. Arginine substitution of the K332 (K332R) dramatically decreases the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ influx, mitochondrial membrane potential loss and ROS burst induced by INZ. This finding uncovers a non-canonical role of SIRT1 in regulating mitochondrial function and implicates a possible way for anticancer intervention through SIRT1 inhibition.

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SIRT1 inhibition induces mitochondrial fission, depolarization and ROS burst.

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SIRT1 inhibition induces the mitochondrial acetylation.

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Mitochondrial acetylation prevents the recruitment of ubiquitin and LC3 for mitophagic degradation.

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SIRT1 inhibition increases the acetylation of MCU at residue K332, resulting in mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload.

Increased co-expression of MEST and BRCA1 is associated with worse prognosis and immune infiltration in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The crosstalk between tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer cells plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer. Imprinted gene MEST is a tumor-promoting factor that modulates several carcinogenic signaling pathways. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of MEST and its association with immune cell infiltration.

METHODS

The transcriptome data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was utilized, and the expression and immune characteristics of MEST were verified by immunohistochemistry of ovarian cancer specimens. Kaplan-Meier Plotter was used to assess the prognostic value in patients with ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

We found that high expression of MEST was associated with diminished immune cell infiltration and worse prognosis of ovarian cancer patients in independent cohorts. There was a positive correlation between MEST and BRCA1 expression. The MEST^highBRCA1^high ovarian cancer group was correlated with lower infiltration of CD4⁺ cells, CD57⁺ cells, CD68⁺ cells and MPO⁺ cells, had worse overall survival (OS) in TCGA (HR = 1.57, p = 0.0004) and GSE27651 (HR = 4.27, p = 0.0002) cohorts, and predicted poor progress free survival (PFS) in GSE9891 (HR = 1.76, p = 0.0098) and GSE15622 (HR = 4.80, p = 0.0121) cohorts. Moreover, the expression of PD-L1 predicted unfavorable OS (HR = 2.48, p = 0.0415) and PFS (HR = 2.36, p = 0.0215) in MEST^lowBRCA1^low ovarian cancer group in GSE9891 cohort.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the co-expression of MEST and BRCA1 may be an ideal combination for predicting the prognosis and response to immunotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer.

Long Noncoding RNA 00472: A Novel Biomarker in Human Diseases

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in human diseases. They control gene expression levels and influence various biological processes through multiple mechanisms. Functional abnormalities in lncRNAs are strongly associated with occurrence and development of various diseases. LINC00472, which is located on chromosome 6q13, is involved in several human diseases, particularly cancers of the breast, lung, liver, osteosarcoma, bladder, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic and stomach. Importantly, LINC00472 can be used as a biomarker for breast cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapeutic regimens, including doxorubicin. LINC00472 is regulated by microRNAs and several signaling pathways. However, the significance of LINC00472 in human diseases has not been clearly established. In this review, we elucidate on the significance of LINC00472 in various human diseases, indicating that LINC00472 may be a diagnostic, prognostic as well as therapeutic target for these diseases.