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Pan R, Koo C, Su W, You Q, Guo H, Liu B. Circular RNAs modulate cell death in cardiovascular diseases. Cell Death Discov 2025; 11:214. [PMID: 40316538 PMCID: PMC12048724 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-025-02504-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2025] [Revised: 04/15/2025] [Accepted: 04/23/2025] [Indexed: 05/04/2025] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a global health challenge, with programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms like apoptosis and necroptosis playing key roles in the progression. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been recognized as crucial regulators of gene expression, especially in modulating PCD. In current researches, circRNA regulation of apoptosis is the most studied area, followed by autophagy and ferroptosis. Notably, the regulatory role of circRNAs in pyroptosis and necroptosis has also begun to attract attention. From a mechanistic perspective, circRNAs influence cellular processes through several modes of action, including miRNA sponging, protein interactions, and polypeptide translation. Manipulating circRNAs and their downstream targets through inhibition or overexpression offers versatile therapeutic options for CVD treatment. Continued investigation into circRNA-mediated mechanisms may enhance our understanding of CVD pathophysiology and underscore their potential as novel and promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runfang Pan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chinying Koo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenyuan Su
- Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Center, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qianhui You
- Department of Anatomy, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Haidong Guo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Baonian Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Li Y, Gao X, Chen Y, Li H, Tang J, Sun W. Independent and interactive roles of hirudin and HMGB1 interference in protecting renal function by regulating autophagy, apoptosis, and kidney injury in chronic kidney disease. Eur J Histochem 2025; 69:4182. [PMID: 40191929 PMCID: PMC12038336 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2025.4182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2025] [Accepted: 03/07/2025] [Indexed: 05/01/2025] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder characterized by renal fibrosis, inflammation, and dysregulated autophagy and apoptosis. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) plays a crucial role in regulating autophagy in CKD. Hirudin, a potent thrombin inhibitor, has demonstrated antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on autophagy and apoptosis in CKD remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and an HK-2 cell culture model were established to assess the effects of varying doses of hirudin and HMGB1 interference. Molecular and histological analyses, including RTqPCR, Western blot, TUNEL staining, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), were performed to assess renal injury, fibrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy-related markers. Hirudin treatment significantly reduced the expression of LC3, ATG12, ATG5, α-SMA, COL1A1, caspase-3, and caspase-9 while increasing P62 levels (p<0.05). It also lowered the renal coefficient (p<0.001) and apoptosis levels. The optimal effective concentration of hirudin in vitro was determined to be 4.8 ATU/mL (p<0.001). HMGB1 interference suppressed autophagy and apoptosis, as indicated by decreased LC3-II/LC3-I, ATG12, ATG5, caspase-3, and caspase-9 levels, increased P62 expression (p<0.001), and reduced apoptosis. However, simultaneous HMGB1 interference in hirudin-treated cells weakened the therapeutic effects of hirudin, leading to increased autophagy and apoptosis markers, decreased P62 levels, and a higher renal coefficient. These findings indicate that hirudin exerts protective effects in CKD by modulating autophagy and apoptosis, potentially through HMGB1 regulation. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting these mechanisms in renal dysfunction and underscore the necessity for further research to support clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine), Nanjing, Jiangsu
| | - Xuan Gao
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Military Medical University (Southwest Hospital), Chongqing, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing
| | - Wei Sun
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine), Nanjing, Jiangsu
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Portale F, Carriero R, Iovino M, Kunderfranco P, Pandini M, Marelli G, Morina N, Lazzeri M, Casale P, Colombo P, De Simone G, Camisaschi C, Lugli E, Basso G, Cibella J, Marchini S, Bordi M, Meregalli G, Garbin A, Dambra M, Magrini E, Rackwitz W, Cecconi F, Corbelli A, Fiordaliso F, Eitler J, Tonn T, Di Mitri D. C/EBPβ-dependent autophagy inhibition hinders NK cell function in cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:10343. [PMID: 39609420 PMCID: PMC11604937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54355-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2024] [Indexed: 11/30/2024] Open
Abstract
NK cells are endowed with tumor killing ability, nevertheless most cancers impair NK cell functionality, and cell-based therapies have limited efficacy in solid tumors. How cancers render NK cell dysfunctional is unclear, and overcoming resistance is an important immune-therapeutic aim. Here, we identify autophagy as a central regulator of NK cell anti-tumor function. Analysis of differentially expressed genes in tumor-infiltrating versus non-tumor NK cells from our previously published scRNA-seq data of advanced human prostate cancer shows deregulation of the autophagic pathway in tumor-infiltrating NK cells. We confirm this by flow cytometry in patients and in diverse cancer models in mice. We further demonstrate that exposure of NK cells to cancer deregulates the autophagic process, decreases mitochondrial polarization and impairs effector functions. Mechanistically, CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), downstream of CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction, acts as regulator of NK cell metabolism. Accordingly, inhibition of CXCR4 and C/EBPβ restores NK cell fitness. Finally, genetic and pharmacological activation of autophagy improves NK cell effector and cytotoxic functions, which enables tumour control by NK and CAR-NK cells. In conclusion, our study identifies autophagy as an intracellular checkpoint in NK cells and introduces autophagy regulation as an approach to strengthen NK-cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Portale
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Carriero
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Bioinformatics Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Iovino
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Kunderfranco
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Bioinformatics Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Pandini
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Marelli
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Morina
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Lazzeri
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Urology Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Casale
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Urology Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Piergiuseppe Colombo
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Department of Pathology, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele De Simone
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Flow Cytometry Core, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Camisaschi
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Flow Cytometry Core, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Lugli
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Flow Cytometry Core, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Basso
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Genomics Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Javier Cibella
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Genomics Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Marchini
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Genomics Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bordi
- Department of Basic Biological science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Greta Meregalli
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Garbin
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Dambra
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Immunopathology Lab, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Magrini
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Immunopathology Lab, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Wiebke Rackwitz
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Department of Basic Biological science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corbelli
- Unit of Bio-imaging, Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Fiordaliso
- Unit of Bio-imaging, Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Jiri Eitler
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Torsten Tonn
- Experimental Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dresden, German Red Cross Blood Donation Service North-East, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Diletta Di Mitri
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Tumor Microenviroment Unit, 20089, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
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Florance I, Cordani M, Pashootan P, Moosavi MA, Zarrabi A, Chandrasekaran N. The impact of nanomaterials on autophagy across health and disease conditions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:184. [PMID: 38630152 PMCID: PMC11024050 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05199-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy, a catabolic process integral to cellular homeostasis, is constitutively active under physiological and stress conditions. The role of autophagy as a cellular defense response becomes particularly evident upon exposure to nanomaterials (NMs), especially environmental nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoplastics (nPs). This has positioned autophagy modulation at the forefront of nanotechnology-based therapeutic interventions. While NMs can exploit autophagy to enhance therapeutic outcomes, they can also trigger it as a pro-survival response against NP-induced toxicity. Conversely, a heightened autophagy response may also lead to regulated cell death (RCD), in particular autophagic cell death, upon NP exposure. Thus, the relationship between NMs and autophagy exhibits a dual nature with therapeutic and environmental interventions. Recognizing and decoding these intricate patterns are essential for pioneering next-generation autophagy-regulating NMs. This review delves into the present-day therapeutic potential of autophagy-modulating NMs, shedding light on their status in clinical trials, intervention of autophagy in the therapeutic applications of NMs, discusses the potency of autophagy for application as early indicator of NM toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Florance
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Marco Cordani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Parya Pashootan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O Box 14965/161, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Moosavi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O Box 14965/161, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34396, Turkey
- Department of Research Analytics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600 077, India
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Natarajan Chandrasekaran
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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Ahamed A, Hosea R, Wu S, Kasim V. The Emerging Roles of the Metabolic Regulator G6PD in Human Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17238. [PMID: 38139067 PMCID: PMC10743588 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming, especially reprogrammed glucose metabolism, is a well-known cancer hallmark related to various characteristics of tumor cells, including proliferation, survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), a branch of glycolysis, that converts glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) into 6-phosphogluconolactone (6PGL). Furthermore, PPP produces ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), which provides sugar-phosphate backbones for nucleotide synthesis as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), an important cellular reductant. Several studies have shown enhanced G6PD expression and PPP flux in various tumor cells, as well as their correlation with tumor progression through cancer hallmark regulation, especially reprogramming cellular metabolism, sustaining proliferative signaling, resisting cell death, and activating invasion and metastasis. Inhibiting G6PD could suppress tumor cell proliferation, promote cell death, reverse chemoresistance, and inhibit metastasis, suggesting the potential of G6PD as a target for anti-tumor therapeutic strategies. Indeed, while challenges-including side effects-still remain, small-molecule G6PD inhibitors showing potential anti-tumor effect either when used alone or in combination with other anti-tumor drugs have been developed. This review provides an overview of the structural significance of G6PD, its role in and regulation of tumor development and progression, and the strategies explored in relation to G6PD-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfar Ahamed
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Rendy Hosea
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Shourong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Vivi Kasim
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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