A novel melanoma prognostic model based on the ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA

SpaCcLink: exploring downstream signaling regulations with graph attention network for systematic inference of spatial cell-cell communication

BACKGROUND

Cellular communication is vital for the proper functioning of multicellular organisms. A comprehensive analysis of cellular communication demands the consideration not only of the binding between ligands and receptors but also of a series of downstream signal transduction reactions within cells. Thanks to the advancements in spatial transcriptomics technology, we are now able to better decipher the process of cellular communication within the cellular microenvironment. Nevertheless, the majority of existing spatial cell-cell communication algorithms fail to take into account the downstream signals within cells.

RESULTS

In this study, we put forward SpaCcLink, a cell-cell communication analysis method that takes into account the downstream influence of individual receptors within cells and systematically investigates the spatial patterns of communication as well as downstream signal networks. Analyses conducted on real datasets derived from humans and mice have demonstrated that SpaCcLink can help in identifying more relevant ligands and receptors, thereby enabling us to systematically decode the downstream genes and signaling pathways that are influenced by cell-cell communication. Comparisons with other methods suggest that SpaCcLink can identify downstream genes that are more closely associated with biological processes and can also discover reliable ligand-receptor relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

By means of SpaCcLink, a more profound and all-encompassing comprehension of the mechanisms underlying cellular communication can be achieved, which in turn promotes and deepens our understanding of the intricate complexity within organisms.

Targeting HNRNPA2B1 to overcome chemotherapy resistance in gastric cancer stem cells: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly due to the resistance of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) to chemotherapy. This study investigates the role of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (HNRNPA2B1), a member of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), in modulating mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming and contributing to chemoresistance in GCSCs. Through extensive analysis of tumor cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets, HNRNPA2B1 was identified as a key regulator in GCSCs, correlating with poor prognosis and enhanced resistance to chemoresistance. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout of HNRNPA2B1 in GCSCs led to a significant decrease in mitochondrial function, reduced migration, invasion, and sphere formation abilities, and markedly increased apoptosis. These changes were accompanied by a shift in metabolic activity, evidenced by decreased oxygen consumption and increased extracellular acidification. Our results highlight HNRNPA2B1 as a pivotal factor in sustaining the malignant phenotype of GCSCs and present it as a potential therapeutic target to improve chemotherapy efficacy in GC.

Ferroptosis: A Targetable Vulnerability for Melanoma Treatment

Melanoma is a devastating form of skin cancer characterized by a high mutational burden, limited treatment success, and dismal prognosis. Although immunotherapy and targeted therapies have significantly revolutionized melanoma treatment, the majority of patients fail to achieve durable responses, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by the overwhelming accumulation of lipid peroxides, has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in preclinical melanoma models. A deeper understanding of the ferroptosis landscape in melanoma based on its biology characteristics, including phenotypic plasticity, metabolic state, genomic alterations, and epigenetic changes, as well as the complex role and mechanisms of ferroptosis in immune cells could provide a foundation for developing effective treatments. In this review, we outline the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, decipher the role of melanoma biology in ferroptosis regulation, reveal the therapeutic potential of ferroptosis in melanoma, and discuss the pressing questions that should guide future investigations into ferroptosis in melanoma.

Bioinformatics data combined with single-cell analysis reveals patterns of immunoinflammatory infiltration and cell death in melanoma

BACKGRUOND

Melanoma is a common cancer in dermatology, but its molecular mechanisms remain poorly explained.

AIM

Utilizing single-cell analytics and bioinformatics, the work sought to discover the immunological infiltration and cellular molecular mechanisms of melanoma.

METHODS

Melanoma genes databases were downloaded from GeneCards, and gene expression profiles were chosen from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE244889). Establishing and analyzing protein-protein interaction networks for functional enrichment made use of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) databases. The process assesses the immunological cell infiltration variations between normal and malignant samples by Immune Cell AI software program. Different cell type differences were clarified by cell quality control, filtration, removal of batch effects and cell clustering analysis using single cell analysis techniques.

RESULTS

Using a variety of machine learning techniques, 20 differentially expressed hub genes were found; among these, TP53, HSP90AB1, HSPA4, RHOA, CCND1, CYCS, PPARG, NFKBIA, CAV1, ANXA5, ENO1, ITGAM, YWHAZ, RELA, SOD1, and VDAC1 were found to be significantly significant. The results of enrichment analysis demonstrated that immune response and inflammatory response were strongly associated with melanoma. Animal mitophagy, ferroptosis, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the HIF-1 signaling pathway were the primary signaling pathways implicated. Cells of immunity, T-cells, lymphocytes, B-cells, NK-cells, monocytes, and macrophages were shown to be significantly infiltrated in melanoma patients, according to analysis. Single cell analysis also demonstrated that ferroptosis is a significant mechanism of cell death that contributes to the advancement of melanoma and that macrophages are important in the disease.

CONCLUSION

In summary, different immune cell infiltrations-particularly macrophages-have a significant impact on the onset and course of melanoma, and our findings may help direct future investigations into melanoma macrophages.

Melanoma biology and treatment: a review of novel regulated cell death-based approaches

The incidence of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, has increased due to ultraviolet exposure. The treatment of advanced melanoma, particularly metastatic cases, remains challenging with poor outcomes. Targeted therapies involving BRAF/MEK inhibitors and immunotherapy based on anti-PD1/anti-CTLA4 antibodies have achieved long-term survival rates of approximately 50% for patients with advanced melanoma. However, therapy resistance and inadequate treatment response continue to hinder further breakthroughs in treatments that increase survival rates. This review provides an introduction to the molecular-level pathogenesis of melanoma and offers an overview of current treatment options and their limitations. Cells can die by either accidental or regulated cell death (RCD). RCD is an orderly cell death controlled by a variety of macromolecules to maintain the stability of the internal environment. Since the uncontrolled proliferation of tumor cells requires evasion of RCD programs, inducing the RCD of melanoma cells may be a treatment strategy. This review summarizes studies on various types of nonapoptotic RCDs, such as autophagy-dependent cell death, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and the recently discovered cuproptosis, in the context of melanoma. The relationships between these RCDs and melanoma are examined, and the interplay between these RCDs and immunotherapy or targeted therapy in patients with melanoma is discussed. Given the findings demonstrating melanoma cell death in response to different stimuli associated with these RCDs, the induction of RCD shows promise as an integral component of treatment strategies for melanoma.

Regulatory miRNAs and lncRNAs in Skin Cancer: A Narrative Review

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have a significant regulatory role in the pathogenesis of skin cancer, despite the fact that protein-coding genes have generally been the focus of research efforts in the field. We comment on the actions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the current review with an eye toward potential therapeutic treatments. LncRNAs are remarkably adaptable, acting as scaffolding, guides, or decoys to modify key signaling pathways (i.e., the Wnt/β-catenin pathway) and gene expression. As post-transcriptional gatekeepers, miRNAs control gene expression by attaching to messenger RNAs and causing their degradation or suppression during translation. Cell cycle regulation, cellular differentiation, and immunological responses are all affected by the dysregulation of miRNAs observed in skin cancer. NcRNAs also show promise as diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic indicators. Unraveling the complexity of the regulatory networks governed by ncRNAs in skin cancer offers unprecedented opportunities for groundbreaking targeted therapies, revolutionizing the landscape of dermatologic care.