The benefits of clustering in TNF receptor superfamily signaling

Exploration of the sensitization effect of Chaihu Shugan powder on chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer and its active ingredients

Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in the clinical treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but drug resistance limits its clinical application. The active ingredients of Chaihu Shugan Powder (CSP; Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder), quercetin and luteolin, both belong to flavonoid compounds and have significant anti-tumor potential, which can promote chemotherapy sensitivity. However, the correlation between the two and TNBC paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy sensitivity is unknown. We collected herbal components of CSP from the TCMSP database, and screened effective molecules and corresponding targets. STRING database was utilized to construct a protein-protein interaction network combining effective molecules and target genes. The top 50 nodes ranked by affinity were chosen for subsequent functional analysis, and the drug-active ingredient-gene interaction network was established using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was used to determine the small molecules that target TNBC PTX resistance. The "clusterProfiler" package was utilized for GO and KEGG enrichment analyses on the top 50 genes to determine the pathways affected by CSP. Cell counting and colony formation assays evaluated cell viability, IC50 values, and proliferation capacity. Flow cytometry tested PTX intracellular accumulation. Western blot assayed the expression of TNF pathway-related proteins. Active ingredients of CSP, quercetin and luteolin, could inhibit TNBC cell proliferation and promote PTX chemotherapy sensitization. Quercetin and luteolin repressed the TNF signaling pathway and promoted PTX chemotherapy sensitization. Quercetin and luteolin could inhibit TNBC cell proliferation and promote PTX chemotherapy sensitization through the TNF signaling pathway. Therefore, the use of quercetin and luteolin plus PTX treatment provides a prospective strategy for TNBC treatment.

Redundancy and absurd names in immunology

In this short review, examples of unnecessary multiple names of cell membrane molecules, for example, immune checkpoints and cytokines, are presented. Moreover, ridiculous or inaccurate names, such as 'Regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted' and 'tissue factor', are discussed.

Cascade Co8FeS8@Co1-xS nano-enzymes trigger efficiently apoptosis-ferroptosis combination tumor therapy

This study involved the preparation of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF)-derived Co8FeS8@Co1-xS nanoenzymes with strong interfacial interactions. The nanoenzymes presented the peroxidase (POD)-like activity and the oxidation activity of reduced glutathione (GSH). Accordingly, the dual activities of Co8FeS8@Co1-xS provided a self-cascading platform for producing significant amounts of hydroxyl radical (•OH) and depleting reduced glutathione, thereby inducing tumor cell apoptosis and ferroptosis. More importantly, the Co8FeS8@Co1-xS inhibited the anti-apoptosis protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and activated caspase family proteins, which caused tumor cell apoptosis. Simultaneously, Co8FeS8@Co1-xS affected the iron metabolism-related genes such as Heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1), amplifying the Fenton response and promoting apoptosis and ferroptosis. Therefore, the nanoenzyme synergistically killed anti-apoptotic tumor cells carrying Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations. Furthermore, Co8FeS8@Co1-xS demonstrated good biocompatibility, which paved the way for constructing a synergistic catalytic nanoplatform for an efficient tumor treatment.

TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand: Non-Apoptotic Signalling

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL or Apo2 or TNFSF10) belongs to the TNF superfamily. When bound to its agonistic receptors, TRAIL can induce apoptosis in tumour cells, while sparing healthy cells. Over the last three decades, this tumour selectivity has prompted many studies aiming at evaluating the anti-tumoral potential of TRAIL or its derivatives. Although most of these attempts have failed, so far, novel formulations are still being evaluated. However, emerging evidence indicates that TRAIL can also trigger a non-canonical signal transduction pathway that is likely to be detrimental for its use in oncology. Likewise, an increasing number of studies suggest that in some circumstances TRAIL can induce, via Death receptor 5 (DR5), tumour cell motility, potentially leading to and contributing to tumour metastasis. While the pro-apoptotic signal transduction machinery of TRAIL is well known from a mechanistic point of view, that of the non-canonical pathway is less understood. In this study, we the current state of knowledge of TRAIL non-canonical signalling.

Development of an optogenetics tool, Opto-RANK, for control of osteoclast differentiation using blue light

Optogenetics enables precise regulation of intracellular signaling in target cells. However, the application of optogenetics to induce the differentiation of precursor cells and generate mature cells with specific functions has not yet been fully explored. Here, we focused on osteoclasts, which play an important role in bone remodeling, to develop a novel optogenetics tool, Opto-RANK, which can manipulate intracellular signals involved in osteoclast differentiation and maturation using blue light. We engineered Opto-RANK variants, Opto-RANKc and Opto-RANKm, and generated stable cell lines through retroviral transduction. Differentiation was induced by blue light, and various assays were conducted for functional analysis. Osteoclast precursor cells expressing Opto-RANK differentiated into multinucleated giant cells on light exposure and displayed upregulation of genes normally induced in differentiated osteoclasts. Furthermore, the differentiated cells exhibited bone-resorbing activities, with the possibility of spatial control of the resorption by targeted light illumination. These results suggested that Opto-RANK cells differentiated by light possess the features of osteoclasts, both morphological and functional. Thus, Opto-RANK should be useful for detailed spatiotemporal analysis of intracellular signaling during osteoclast differentiation and the development of new therapies for various bone diseases.