Transfer of IGF2BP3 Through Ara-C-Induced Apoptotic Bodies Promotes Survival of Recipient Cells

Apoptotic bodies: bioactive treasure left behind by the dying cells with robust diagnostic and therapeutic application potentials

Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is essential for growth and tissue homeostasis. Apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs) are a form of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by dying cells in the last stage of apoptosis and were previously regarded as debris of dead cells. Recent studies unraveled that ApoBDs are not cell debris but the bioactive treasure left behind by the dying cells with an important role in intercellular communications related to human health and various diseases. Defective clearance of ApoBDs and infected-cells-derived ApoBDs are possible etiology of some diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the function and mechanism of the action of ApoBDs in different physiological and pathological conditions. Recent advances in ApoBDs have elucidated the immunomodulatory, virus removal, vascular protection, tissue regenerative, and disease diagnostic potential of ApoBDs. Moreover, ApoBDs can be used as drug carriers enhancing drug stability, cellular uptake, and targeted therapy efficacy. These reports from the literature indicate that ApoBDs hold promising potential for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, systemic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and tissue regeneration. This review summarizes the recent advances in ApoBDs-related research and discusses the role of ApoBDs in health and diseases as well as the challenges and prospects of ApoBDs-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Targeting IGF2BP3 in Cancer

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can regulate multiple pathways by binding to RNAs, playing a variety of functions, such as localization, stability, and immunity. In recent years, with the development of technology, researchers have discovered that RBPs play a key role in the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification process. M6A methylation is the most abundant form of RNA modification in eukaryotes, which is defined as methylation on the sixth N atom of adenine in RNA. Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) is one of the components of m6A binding proteins, which plays an important role in decoding m6A marks and performing various biological functions. IGF2BP3 is abnormally expressed in many human cancers, often associated with poor prognosis. Here, we summarize the physiological role of IGF2BP3 in organisms and describe its role and mechanism in tumors. These data suggest that IGF2BP3 may be a valuable therapeutic target and prognostic marker in the future.

Transfer of miR-4755-5p through extracellular vesicles and particles induces decitabine resistance in recipient cells by targeting CDKN2B

Decitabine (5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, DAC), a DNA-hypomethylating agent, has been one of the frontline therapies for clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, but DAC-resistance often occurs and leads to treatment failure. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms of DAC resistance is important for improving its therapeutic efficacy. The extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) have been reported to be involved in mediating drug resistance by transporting diverse bioactive components. In this study, we established the DAC-resistant cell line (KG1a-DAC) from its parental human leukemia-derived cell line KG1a and observed that EVPs released from KG1a-DAC can promote DAC-resistant in KG1a cells. Moreover, treatment with KG1a-DAC EVPs reduced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (CDKN2B) in KG1a cells. miRNA-Seq analysis revealed that miR-4755-5p is overexpressed in EVPs from KG1a-DAC. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that miR-4755-5p rendered KG1a cells resistant to the DAC by targeting CDKN2B gene. Taken together, miR-4755-5p in EVPs released from the DAC-resistant cells plays an essential role in inducing DAC-resistance, and is a potential therapeutic target for suppression of DAC resistance.

The Role of RNA-Binding Proteins in Hematological Malignancies

Hematological malignancies comprise a plethora of different neoplasms, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, plus a myriad of dysplasia, such as myelodysplastic syndromes or anemias. Despite all the advances in patient care and the development of new therapies, some of these malignancies remain incurable, mainly due to resistance and refractoriness to treatment. Therefore, there is an unmet clinical need to identify new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets that play a role in treatment resistance and contribute to the poor outcomes of these tumors. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are a diverse class of proteins that interact with transcripts and noncoding RNAs and are involved in every step of the post-transcriptional processing of transcripts. Dysregulation of RBPs has been associated with the development of hematological malignancies, making them potential valuable biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Although a number of dysregulated RBPs have been identified in hematological malignancies, there is a critical need to understand the biology underlying their contribution to pathology, such as the spatiotemporal context and molecular mechanisms involved. In this review, we emphasize the importance of deciphering the regulatory mechanisms of RBPs to pinpoint novel therapeutic targets that could drive or contribute to hematological malignancy biology.