TRP Channels as Molecular Targets to Relieve Endocrine-Related Diseases

Roles of TRPM channels in glioma

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor. Despite advances in treatment, it remains one of the most aggressive and deadly tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). Gliomas are characterized by high malignancy, heterogeneity, invasiveness, and high resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is urgent to find potential new molecular targets for glioma. The TRPM channels consist of TRPM1-TPRM8 and play a role in many cellular functions, including proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, etc. More and more studies have shown that TRPM channels can be used as new therapeutic targets for glioma. In this review, we first introduce the structure, activation patterns, and physiological functions of TRPM channels. Additionally, the pathological mechanism of glioma mediated by TRPM2, 3, 7, and 8 and the related signaling pathways are described. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting TRPM for glioma.

Upregulation of TRPC1 protects against high glucose-induced HUVECs dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress

-To explore the effect of TRPC1 on endothelial cell function damage under a high glucose environment and its downstream molecular mechanism, and provide new theory and strategy for improving diabetic endothelial cell function and promoting vascular injury repair. In vitro, we use high glucose to treat human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and upregulated TRPC1 with adenovirus infection. HUVECs were split into 4 groups: (i) NG Group: Treated with normal glucose; (ii) HG Group: Treated with high glucose; (iii) HG + adGFP Group: High glucose + the control adenovirus (adGFP); (iv) HG + adTRPC1 Group: High glucose + recombinant adenovirus encoding TRPC1. We found that high glucose significantly decreased the expression level of TRPC1 protein, and impaired the proliferation and migration of HUVECs, which could be reversed by overexpression of TRPC1. In addition, high glucose induced an increase in ROS and MDA and a decrease in SOD activity, whereas TRPC1 overexpression could inhibit the growth of oxidative stress level. These findings suggest that overexpression of TRPC1 prevents HUVECs proliferation and migration dysfunction induced by high glucose via inhibiting oxidative stress injuries.

Lisch Epithelial Corneal Dystrophy Is Caused by Heterozygous Loss-of-Function Variants in MCOLN1

PURPOSE

To report the genetic etiology of Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy (LECD).

DESIGN

Multicenter cohort study.

METHODS

A discovery cohort of 27 individuals with LECD from 17 families, including 7 affected members from the original LECD family, 6 patients from 2 new families and 14 simplex cases, was recruited. A cohort of 6 individuals carrying a pathogenic MCOLN1 (mucolipin 1) variant was reviewed for signs of LECD. Next-generation sequencing or targeted Sanger sequencing were used in all patients to identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants and penetrance of variants.

RESULTS

Nine rare heterozygous MCOLN1 variants were identified in 23 of 27 affected individuals from 13 families. The truncating nature of 7 variants and functional testing of 1 missense variant indicated that they result in MCOLN1 haploinsufficiency. Importantly, in the homozygous and compound-heterozygous state, 4 of 9 LECD-associated variants cause the rare lysosomal storage disorder mucolipidosis IV (MLIV). Autosomal recessive MLIV is a systemic disease and comprises neurodegeneration as well as corneal opacity of infantile-onset with epithelial autofluorescent lysosomal inclusions. However, the 6 parents of 3 patients with MLIV confirmed to carry pathogenic MCOLN1 variants did not have the LECD phenotype, suggesting MCOLN1 haploinsufficiency may be associated with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity.

CONCLUSIONS

MCOLN1 haploinsufficiency is the major cause of LECD. Based on the overlapping clinical features of corneal epithelial cells with autofluorescent inclusions reported in both LECD and MLIV, it is concluded that some carriers of MCOLN1 haploinsufficiency-causing variants present with LECD.

Role of TRP Channels in Metabolism-Related Diseases

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), with its high prevalence and significant impact on cardiovascular disease, poses a substantial threat to human health. The early identification of pathological abnormalities related to MetS and prevention of the risk of associated diseases is of paramount importance. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, a type of nonselective cation channel, are expressed in a variety of tissues and have been implicated in the onset and progression of numerous metabolism-related diseases. This study aims to review and discuss the expression and function of TRP channels in metabolism-related tissues and blood vessels, and to elucidate the interactions and mechanisms between TRP channels and metabolism-related diseases. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using keywords such as TRP channels, metabolic syndrome, pancreas, liver, oxidative stress, diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis across various academic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Web of Science, and CNKI. Our review of the current research suggests that TRP channels may be involved in the development of metabolism-related diseases by regulating insulin secretion and release, lipid metabolism, vascular functional activity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. TRP channels, as nonselective cation channels, play pivotal roles in sensing various intra- and extracellular stimuli and regulating ion homeostasis by osmosis. They present potential new targets for the diagnosis or treatment of metabolism-related diseases.

Dual Activation of Calcium Channels Using Near-Infrared Responsive Conjugated Oligomer Nanoparticles for Precise Regulation of Blood Glucose Homeostasis

The rarity of efficient tools with spatiotemporal resolution and biocompatibility capabilities remains a major challenge for further progress and application of signaling manipulation. Herein, biomimetic conjugated oligomeric nanoparticles (CM-CONs) were developed to precisely modulate blood glucose homeostasis via the two-pronged activation of calcium channels. Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, CM-CONs efficiently generate local heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby simultaneously activating thermosensitive transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) and ROS-sensitive transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) calcium channels in small intestinal endocrine cells. The activation of the channels mediates inward calcium flow and then promotes glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) secretion. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that CM-CONs effectively regulate glucose homeostasis in diabetic model mice upon NIR light irradiation. This work develops a two-pronged attack strategy for accurately controlling blood glucose homeostasis, holding great prospects in the treatment for diabetes.

Biomimetic Gland Models with Engineered Stratagems

As extensively distributed tissues throughout the human body, glands play a critical role in various physiological processes. Therefore, the construction of biomimetic gland models in vitro has aroused great interest in multiple disciplines. In the biological field, the researchers focus on optimizing the cell sources and culture techniques to reconstruct the specific structures and functions of glands, such as the emergence of organoid technology. From the perspective of biomedical engineering, the generation of biomimetic gland models depends on the combination of engineered scaffolds and microfluidics, to mimic the in vivo environment of glandular tissues. These engineered stratagems endowed gland models with more biomimetic features, as well as a wide range of application prospects. In this review, we first describe the biomimetic strategies for constructing different in vitro gland models, focusing on the role of microfluidics in promoting the structure and function development of biomimetic glands. After summarizing several common in vitro models of endocrine and exocrine glands, the applications of gland models in disease modelling, drug screening, regenerative medicine, and personalized medicine are enumerated. Finally, we conclude the current challenges and our perspective of these biomimetic gland models.

NOD mouse dorsal root ganglia display morphological and gene expression defects before and during autoimmune diabetes development

Introduction

During the development of Autoimmune Diabetes (AD) an autoimmune attack against the Peripheral Nervous System occurs. To gain insight into this topic, analyses of Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) from Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice were carried out.

Methods

Histopathological analysis by electron and optical microscopy in DRG samples, and mRNA expression analyzes by the microarray technique in DRG and blood leukocyte samples from NOD and C57BL/6 mice were performed.

Results

The results showed the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in DRG cells early in life that could be related to a neurodegenerative process. In view of these results, mRNA expression analyses were conducted to determine the cause and/or the molecules involved in this suspected disorder. The results showed that DRG cells from NOD mice have alterations in the transcription of a wide range of genes, which explain the previously observed alterations. In addition, differences in the transcription genes in white blood cells were also detected.

Discussion

Taken together, these results indicate that functional defects are not only seen in beta cells but also in DRG in NOD mice. These results also indicate that these defects are not a consequence of the autoimmune process that takes place in NOD mice and suggest that they may be involved as triggers for its development.

The Cytotoxic Effects of Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol on Glioblastoma Stem Cells May Mostly Involve GPR55 and TRPV1 Signalling

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive cancers, comprising 60-70% of all gliomas. The large G-protein-coupled receptor family includes cannabinoid receptors CB1, CB2, GPR55, and non-specific ion receptor protein transporters TRPs. First, we found up-regulated CNR1, GPR55, and TRPV1 expression in glioma patient-derived tissue samples and cell lines compared with non-malignant brain samples. CNR1 and GPR55 did not correlate with glioma grade, whereas TRPV1 negatively correlated with grade and positively correlated with longer overall survival. This suggests a tumour-suppressor role of TRPV1. With respect to markers of GBM stem cells, preferred targets of therapy, TRPV1 and GPR55, but not CNR1, strongly correlated with different sets of stemness gene markers: NOTCH, OLIG2, CD9, TRIM28, and TUFM and CD15, SOX2, OCT4, and ID1, respectively. This is in line with the higher expression of TRPV1 and GPR55 genes in GSCs compared with differentiated GBM cells. Second, in a panel of patient-derived GSCs, we found that CBG and CBD exhibited the highest cytotoxicity at a molar ratio of 3:1. We suggest that this mixture should be tested in experimental animals and clinical studies, in which currently used Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is replaced with efficient and non-psychoactive CBG in adjuvant standard-of-care therapy.