Tin Mesoporphyrin Selectively Reduces Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line A549 Proliferation by Interfering with Heme Oxygenase and Glutathione Systems

Energy metabolism as the hub of advanced non-small cell lung cancer management: a comprehensive view in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine

Energy metabolism is a hub of governing all processes at cellular and organismal levels such as, on one hand, reparable vs. irreparable cell damage, cell fate (proliferation, survival, apoptosis, malignant transformation etc.), and, on the other hand, carcinogenesis, tumor development, progression and metastazing versus anti-cancer protection and cure. The orchestrator is the mitochondria who produce, store and invest energy, conduct intracellular and systemically relevant signals decisive for internal and environmental stress adaptation, and coordinate corresponding processes at cellular and organismal levels. Consequently, the quality of mitochondrial health and homeostasis is a reliable target for health risk assessment at the stage of reversible damage to the health followed by cost-effective personalized protection against health-to-disease transition as well as for targeted protection against the disease progression (secondary care of cancer patients against growing primary tumors and metastatic disease). The energy reprogramming of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) attracts particular attention as clinically relevant and instrumental for the paradigm change from reactive medical services to predictive, preventive and personalized medicine (3PM). This article provides a detailed overview towards mechanisms and biological pathways involving metabolic reprogramming (MR) with respect to inhibiting the synthesis of biomolecules and blocking common NSCLC metabolic pathways as anti-NSCLC therapeutic strategies. For instance, mitophagy recycles macromolecules to yield mitochondrial substrates for energy homeostasis and nucleotide synthesis. Histone modification and DNA methylation can predict the onset of diseases, and plasma C7 analysis is an efficient medical service potentially resulting in an optimized healthcare economy in corresponding areas. The MEMP scoring provides the guidance for immunotherapy, prognostic assessment, and anti-cancer drug development. Metabolite sensing mechanisms of nutrients and their derivatives are potential MR-related therapy in NSCLC. Moreover, miR-495-3p reprogramming of sphingolipid rheostat by targeting Sphk1, 22/FOXM1 axis regulation, and A2 receptor antagonist are highly promising therapy strategies. TFEB as a biomarker in predicting immune checkpoint blockade and redox-related lncRNA prognostic signature (redox-LPS) are considered reliable predictive approaches. Finally, exemplified in this article metabolic phenotyping is instrumental for innovative population screening, health risk assessment, predictive multi-level diagnostics, targeted prevention, and treatment algorithms tailored to personalized patient profiles-all are essential pillars in the paradigm change from reactive medical services to 3PM approach in overall management of lung cancers. This article highlights the 3PM relevant innovation focused on energy metabolism as the hub to advance NSCLC management benefiting vulnerable subpopulations, affected patients, and healthcare at large.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-024-00357-5.

Novel Acetamide-Based HO-1 Inhibitor Counteracts Glioblastoma Progression by Interfering with the Hypoxic-Angiogenic Pathway

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the deadliest tumor among brain cancers. It is a solid tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation generating the hypoxic niches in the cancer core. By inducing the transcription of hypoxic inducible factor (HIF), hypoxia triggers many signaling cascades responsible for cancer progression and aggressiveness, including enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). The present work aimed to investigate the link between HO-1 expression and the hypoxic microenvironment of GBM by culturing two human glioblastoma cell lines (U87MG and A172) in the presence of a hypoxic mimetic agent, deferoxamine (DFX). By targeting hypoxia-induced HO-1, we have tested the effect of a novel acetamide-based HO-1 inhibitor (VP18/58) on GBM progression. Results have demonstrated that hypoxic conditions induced upregulation and nuclear expression of HO-1 in a cell-dependent manner related to malignant phenotype. Moreover, our data demonstrated that the HO-1 inhibitor counteracted GBM progression by modulating the HIFα/HO-1/VEGF signaling cascade in cancer cells bearing more malignant phenotypes.

1,4-dihydroxy quininib activates ferroptosis pathways in metastatic uveal melanoma and reveals a novel prognostic biomarker signature

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an ocular cancer, with propensity for lethal liver metastases. When metastatic UM (MUM) occurs, as few as 8% of patients survive beyond two years. Efficacious treatments for MUM are urgently needed. 1,4-dihydroxy quininib, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1) antagonist, alters UM cancer hallmarks in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Here, we investigated the 1,4-dihydroxy quininib mechanism of action and its translational potential in MUM. Proteomic profiling of OMM2.5 cells identified proteins differentially expressed after 1,4-dihydroxy quininib treatment. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and 4 hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) expression were assessed by immunoblots. Biliverdin, glutathione and lipid hydroperoxide were measured biochemically. Association between the expression of a specific ferroptosis signature and UM patient survival was performed using public databases. Our data revealed that 1,4-dihydroxy quininib modulates the expression of ferroptosis markers in OMM2.5 cells. Biochemical assays validated that GPX4, biliverdin, GCLM, glutathione and lipid hydroperoxide were significantly altered. HO-1 and 4-HNE levels were significantly increased in MUM tumor explants from orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (OPDX). Expression of genes inhibiting ferroptosis is significantly increased in UM patients with chromosome 3 monosomy. We identified IFerr, a novel ferroptosis signature correlating with UM patient survival. Altogether, we demontrated that in MUM cells and tissues, 1,4-dihydroxy quininib modulates key markers that induce ferroptosis, a relatively new type of cell death driven by iron-dependent peroxidation of phospholipids. Furthermore, we showed that high expression of specific genes inhibiting ferroptosis is associated with a worse UM prognosis, thus, the IFerr signature is a potential prognosticator for which patients develop MUM. All in all, ferroptosis has potential as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target for MUM.

Standardized Extract from Wastes of Edible Flowers and Snail Mucus Ameliorate Ultraviolet B-Induced Damage in Keratinocytes

Several studies have highlighted the ability of snail mucus in maintaining healthy skin conditions due to its emollient, regenerative, and protective properties. In particular, mucus derived from Helix aspersa muller has already been reported to have beneficial properties such as antimicrobial activity and wound repair capacity. In order to enhance the beneficial effects of snail mucus, a formulation enriched with antioxidant compounds derived from edible flower waste (Acmella oleracea L., Centaurea cyanus L., Tagetes erecta L., Calendula officinalis L., and Moringa oleifera Lam.) was obtained. UVB damage was used as a model to investigate in vitro the cytoprotective effects of snail mucus and edible flower extract. Results demonstrated that polyphenols from the flower waste extract boosted the antioxidant activity of snail mucus, providing cytoprotective effects in keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation. Additionally, glutathione content, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation levels were reduced following the combined treatment with snail mucus and edible flower waste extract. We demonstrated that flower waste can be considered a valid candidate for cosmeceutical applications due to its potent antioxidant activity. Thus, a new formulation of snail mucus enriched in extracts of edible flower waste could be useful to design innovative and sustainable broadband natural UV-screen cosmeceutical products.

Generation and characterization of human U-2 OS cell lines with the CRISPR/Cas9-edited protoporphyrinogen oxidase IX gene

In humans, disruptions in the heme biosynthetic pathway are associated with various types of porphyrias, including variegate porphyria that results from the decreased activity of protoporphyrinogen oxidase IX (PPO; E.C.1.3.3.4), the enzyme catalyzing the penultimate step of the heme biosynthesis. Here we report the generation and characterization of human cell lines, in which PPO was inactivated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The PPO knock-out (PPO-KO) cell lines are viable with the normal proliferation rate and show massive accumulation of protoporphyrinogen IX, the PPO substrate. Observed low heme levels trigger a decrease in the amount of functional heme containing respiratory complexes III and IV and overall reduced oxygen consumption rates. Untargeted proteomics further revealed dysregulation of 22 cellular proteins, including strong upregulation of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase, the major regulatory protein of the heme biosynthesis, as well as additional ten targets with unknown association to heme metabolism. Importantly, knock-in of PPO into PPO-KO cells rescued their wild-type phenotype, confirming the specificity of our model. Overall, our model system exploiting a non-erythroid human U-2 OS cell line reveals physiological consequences of the PPO ablation at the cellular level and can serve as a tool to study various aspects of dysregulated heme metabolism associated with variegate porphyria.

Mesoporous Silica Particles Functionalized with Newly Extracted Fish Oil (Omeg@Silica) Reducing IL-8 Counteract Cell Migration in NSCLC Cell Lines

Lung cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer in developed countries. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, exerts relevant effects in cancer growth and progression, including angiogenesis and metastasis in lung cancer. Mesoporous silica particles, functionalized with newly extracted fish oil (Omeg@Silica), are more effective than the fish oil alone in anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. The mechanisms that explain this efficacy are not yet understood. The aim of the present study is therefore to decipher the anti-cancer effects of a formulation of Omeg@Silica in aqueous ethanol (FOS) in adenocarcinoma (A549) and muco-epidermoid (NCI-H292) lung cancer cells, evaluating cell migration, as well as IL-8, NF-κB, and miRNA-21 expression. Results show that in both cell lines, FOS was more efficient than oil alone, in decreasing cell migration and IL-8 gene expression. FOS reduced IL-8 protein release in both cell lines, but this effect was only stronger than the oil alone in A549. In A549, FOS was able to reduce miRNA-21 and transcription factor NF-κB nuclear expression. Taken together, these data support the potential use of the Omeg@Silica as an add-on therapy for NSCLC. Dedicated studies which prove clinical efficacy are needed.

Factors Influencing Trace Element Levels in the Blood of Tin Smelting Workers

BACKGROUND

This study is to assess the correlation between blood concentration ranges of eight elements of tin smelting workers from Guangxi Liuzhou and their job type, working years, age, and sex.

METHODS

We collected blood samples of 218 tin smelting workers from a Chinese tin smelting factory and determined the levels of elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Within the blood concentrations of eight metal elements of the objects, the blood concentration of copper and zinc is affected by the job type of comprehensive work; that of arsenic and mercury is affected by refining; and that of chromium, cadmium, and lead is affected by primary smelting.

CONCLUSIONS

We present the remarkable influence of four job types on the blood concentration of seven trace elements.

Heme Oxygenase Modulation Drives Ferroptosis in TNBC Cells

The term ferroptosis refers to a peculiar type of programmed cell death (PCD) mainly characterized by extensive iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Recently, ferroptosis has been suggested as a potential new strategy for the treatment of several cancers, including breast cancer (BC). In particular, among the BC subtypes, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered the most aggressive, and conventional drugs fail to provide long-term efficacy. In this context, our study's purpose was to investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis in breast cancer cell lines and reveal the significance of heme oxygenase (HO) modulation in the process, providing new biochemical approaches. HO's effect on BC was evaluated by MTT tests, gene silencing, Western blot analysis, and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels. In order to assess HO's implication, different approaches were exploited, using two distinct HO-1 inducers (hemin and curcumin), a well-known HO inhibitor (SnMP) and a selective HO-2 inhibitor. The data obtained showed HO's contribution to the onset of ferroptosis; in particular, HO-1 induction seemed to accelerate the process. Moreover, our results suggest a potential role of HO-2 in erastin-induced ferroptosis. In view of the above, HO modulation in ferroptosis can offer a novel approach for breast cancer treatment.

Deciphering the Effects and Mechanisms of Yi-Fei-San-Jie-pill on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Integrating Network Target Analysis and Experimental Validation

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases, calls for better therapy. Yi-Fei-San-Jie-pill (YFSJ), a well-applicated traditional Chinese medicine formula, was reported to be effective in the treatment of NSCLC. However, its anti-tumor mechanism still needs to be fully elucidated. Herein, a reliable preclinical orthotopic but not subcutaneous model of NSCLC in mice was established to evaluate the anti-cancer properties and further validate the mechanisms of YFSJ. A bioinformatic analysis was executed to identify the potential targets and key pathways of YFSJ on NSCLC. In detail, the anti-tumor effect of YFSJ and the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was evaluated according to the tumor fluorescence value and comparison of different groups’ survival times. As a result, YFSJ markedly decreased tumor size and prolonged survival time in contrast with those in the orthotopic model group (p < 0.05), and it also significantly regulated the protein expression levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins. In conclusion, this study provides convincing evidence that YFSJ could inhibit the growth of tumors and prolong the survival time of tumor-bearing mice based on the NSCLC orthotopic model, and its anti-tumor effect was closely associated with the promotion of apoptosis and interference of autophagy coupled with regulation of immune infiltration.

The Expression of TP53-Induced Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR) Can Be Controlled by the Antioxidant Orchestrator NRF2 in Human Carcinoma Cells

Hyperactivation of the KEAP1-NRF2 axis is a common molecular trait in carcinomas from different origin. The transcriptional program induced by NRF2 involves antioxidant and metabolic genes that render cancer cells more capable of dealing with oxidative stress. The TP53-Induced Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR) is an important regulator of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway that was described as a p53 response gene, yet TIGAR expression is detected in p53-null tumors. In this study we investigated the role of NRF2 in the regulation of TIGAR in human carcinoma cell lines. Exposure of carcinoma cells to electrophilic molecules or overexpression of NRF2 significantly increased expression of TIGAR, in parallel to the known NRF2 target genes NQO1 and G6PD. The same was observed in TP53KO cells, indicating that NRF2-mediated regulation of TIGAR is p53-independent. Accordingly, downregulation of NRF2 decreased the expression of TIGAR in carcinoma cell lines from different origin. As NRF2 is essential in the bone, we used mouse primary osteoblasts to corroborate our findings. The antioxidant response elements for NRF2 binding to the promoter of human and mouse TIGAR were described. This study provides the first evidence that NRF2 controls the expression of TIGAR at the transcriptional level.