NF-κB in Gastric Cancer Development and Therapy

Plant-derived extracts or compounds for Helicobacter-associated gastritis: a systematic review of their anti-Helicobacter activity and anti-inflammatory effect in animal experiments

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter infection, which is the leading cause of gastritis and stomach cancer, has become common worldwide. Almost all Helicobacter-infected patients have chronic active gastritis, also known as Helicobacter-associated gastritis (HAG). However, the eradication rate of Helicobacter is decreasing due to the poor efficacy of current medications, which causes infection to recur, inflammation to persist, and stomach cancer to develop. Natural components have robust antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory capacity, as confirmed by many studies of alternative natural medicines.

PURPOSE

This article aimed to conduct a comprehensive search and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of anti-Helicobacter and anti-inflammatory activities of plant-derived extracts or compounds that can treat HAG in animal experiments. We intended to provide detailed preclinical-research foundation including plant and compound information, as well as the mechanisms by which these plant-derived substances inhibit the progression of Helicobacter infection, gastritis and neoplasms for future study.

METHODS

The systematic review is aligned with the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024527889). An extensive search was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Scientific Journal database (VIP), the Wanfang database, and the China biomedical literature service system (SinoMed), up until November 2023. Meta-analysis on Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4) estimating anti-Helicobacter and anti-inflammatory activity was performed. We used the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool to evaluate the risk of bias of each study included.

RESULTS

Our study encompassed 61 researches, comprised 36 extracts and 37 compounds improving HAG by inhibiting Helicobacter infection, the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and regulating apoptosis and proliferation. Sixteen families especially Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae and nine classes including Terpenoids, Alkaloids, Phenols, and Flavonoids may be promising directions for valuable new drugs. The Meta-analyse demonstrated the plant-base substance treatments possess significant anti-Helicobacter and anti-inflammation activity comparing to control groups. The included plants and compounds confirmed that signaling pathways NF-κB, JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, TLR4/MyD88, PI3K/AKT, NLRP3/Caspase-1 and NRF2/HO-1 play a key role in the progression of HAG.

CONCLUSION

Plant-derived extracts or compounds actively improve HAG by modulating relevant mechanisms and signaling pathways, particularly through the anti-Helicobacter and inflammatory regulation ways. Further researches to apply these treatments in humans are needed, which will provide direction for the future development of therapeutic drugs to increase eradication rate and alleviate gastritis.

Gastroprotective Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Broccoli Stems on Acute Injury in Rats: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Gastric Function and Inflammatory Responses

Background and Objectives: Acute gastric injury is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by inflammation and damage to the stomach lining. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential effects of broccoli stem extract (BSE) against acute gastritis in a rat model. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant properties of BSE were evaluated through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays and total polyphenol content analysis. Acute gastric injury was induced using 150 mM HCl/60% EtOH, and male SD rats (6-weeks old, n = 6/group) were administered BSE by oral gavage at concentrations of 50, 125, and 250 mg/kg. Results: The BSE 250 mg/kg group exhibited significant relief of clinical signs compared to the negative control group. In addition, the BSE 250 mg/kg group showed significant improvements in gastric tissue, including macroscopic reductions in ulcer size and improved overall gastric morphology as assessed through gross examination, as well as microscopic improvements such as reduced inflammation and the restoration of mucosal integrity observed in histopathological analysis. BSE modulated NF-κB signaling, decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and increased PGE2 levels. Pyloric ligation experiments demonstrated reduced pepsin and gastric acid secretion. Improvements in gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility were also observed in the BSE-treated group. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of BSE as an effective therapeutic agent for acute gastritis in rats, offering significant improvements in gastric damage, inflammation, and motility.

ADAMTS7 Enhances Gastric Cancer Growth and Metastasis by Triggering the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) family of metalloproteinases plays a vital role in various biological and pathological processes, including tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and cancer progression. Among the 19 ADAMTS family members, our research focused on ADAMTS7, which exhibited significant overexpression in gastric cancer (GC). This overexpression was strongly correlated with poor clinical outcomes, including reduced overall survival and heightened metastatic potential. To investigate the role of ADAMTS7 in GC, we employed an integrated approach encompassing bioinformatics analysis, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, as well as in vitro and in vivo functional analyses. Our results showed that silencing ADAMTS7 expression significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells, and furthermore, silencing ADAMTS7 significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of tumour cells in vivo in nude mice, highlighting its critical role in driving the malignant behaviour of GC cells. Further mechanistic studies identified the NF-κB signaling pathway as a key downstream target of ADAMTS7, with ADAMTS7 silencing resulting in a notable reduction in NF-κB pathway activity. These findings establish ADAMTS7 as a significant contributor to the aggressiveness of GC and a pivotal activator of the NF-κB pathway, a major regulator of inflammation and tumor progression. Consequently, ADAMTS7 emerges as a promising therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for GC. Our study opens new avenues for the development of targeted therapies aimed at inhibiting ADAMTS7 activity, thereby potentially improving treatment outcomes and survival rates for patients with GC.

Is Chronic Ice Water Ingestion a Risk Factor for Gastric Cancer Development? An Evidence-Based Hypothesis Focusing on East Asian Populations

This article introduces a novel risk factor for gastric cancer (GC) by analyzing available epidemiological data from East Asian populations. A significantly higher age-standardized GC rate was observed in Japanese and Korean populations than in Chinese populations, despite nearly identical ethnicity, food habits, obesity rates, and alcohol consumption. Given the pivotal role of environmental factors in GC development, particularly for the intestinal type, a thorough evaluation of the lifestyles of these three populations was conducted to identify commonalities and disparities. It was observed that Japanese and Korean individuals prefer consuming ice water, while Chinese individuals tend to drink warm water, potentially influenced by traditional Chinese medicine disciplines. Considering the key features of GC development, a literature review was conducted to investigate the mechanisms through which the consumption of ice water might contribute to GC initiation and progression. Mechanistically, exposing gastric cells to hypothermia can increase the risk of carcinogenesis through multiple pathways. This includes the promotion of Helicobacter pylori colonization, prolonged gastric inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in gastric cells. Furthermore, drinking ice water can enhance the survival, proliferation, and invasion of GC cells by releasing cold shock proteins, increasing gastric acid secretion, and delaying gastric emptying. Additionally, hypothermia can boost the immune evasion of cancer cells by weakening the antitumor immune system and activating different components of the tumor microenvironment. This paper also explores the association between exposure of GC cells to hypothermia and current insights into cancer hallmarks. These findings may partially elucidate the higher incidence of GC in Japanese and Korean populations and provide a clue for future experimental studies.Graphical abstract available for this article.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and In Silico Analysis to Explore the Bioactive Compounds Against Gastric Cancer Treatment

Gastric cancer (GC) has become a major challenge in oncology research, primarily due to its detection at advanced stages. In this study, we identified and validated the pharmacological mechanisms involved in treating gastric cancer using an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, and a dynamic approach. Gastric cancer-related genes were obtained from DisGeNET, Genecard, and Malacard databases, while potential targets of bioactive compounds were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. Network pharmacology and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses were employed to understand the molecular mechanisms of action. This should further be investigated to isolate bioactive compounds that can be used to treat different ailments. Albumin (ALB), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) had a higher expression in gastric cancer than in normal conditions. Top genes were validated by using the GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis) database. Furthermore, the lead compounds dehydroxy-isocalamendiol and spathulenol exhibited the highest binding affinity with NFKB1 and HIF1A (-6.3 and -6 kJ/mol) in the molecular docking study. Enrichment analysis indicated enrichment of these hub targets in the programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), Ras, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signalling pathways with significant cut-offs of FDR < 0.01 and p < 0.05. Therefore, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that dehydroxy-isocalamendiol and spathulenol exert therapeutic efficacy on gastric cancer by multiple targets, NFKB1 and HIF1A, and pathways (MAPK, PD-L1 checkpoint, PI3K-Akt, Ras, and HIF-1 pathways).

Immunological Strategies in Gastric Cancer: How Toll-like Receptors 2, -3, -4, and -9 on Monocytes and Dendritic Cells Depend on Patient Factors?

(1) Introduction: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key in immune response by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In gastric cancer (GC), TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 are crucial for modulating immune response and tumor progression. (2) Objective: This study aimed to assess the percentage of dendritic cells and monocytes expressing TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9, along with the concentration of their soluble forms in the serum of GC patients compared to healthy volunteers. Factors such as disease stage, tumor type, age, and gender were also analyzed. (3) Materials and Methods: Blood samples from newly diagnosed GC patients and healthy controls were immunophenotyped using flow cytometry to assess TLR expression on dendritic cell subpopulations and monocytes. Serum-soluble TLRs were measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis considered clinical variables such as tumor type, stage, age, and gender. (4) Results: TLR expression was significantly higher in GC patients, except for TLR3 on classical monocytes. Soluble forms of all TLRs were elevated in GC patients, with significant differences based on disease stage but not tumor type, except for serum TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9. (5) Conclusions: Elevated TLR expression and soluble TLR levels in GC patients suggest a role in tumor pathogenesis and progression, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Unraveling the influence of LncRNA in gastric cancer pathogenesis: a comprehensive review focus on signaling pathways interplay

Gastric cancers (GCs) are among the most common and fatal malignancies in the world. Despite our increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying GC, further biomarkers are still needed for more in-depth examination, focused prognosis, and treatment. GC is one among the long non-coding RNAs, or lncRNAs, that have emerged as key regulators of the pathophysiology of cancer. This comprehensive review focuses on the diverse functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development of GC and their interactions with important intracellular signaling pathways. LncRNAs affect GC-related carcinogenic signaling cascades including pathways for EGFR, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, p53, Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT, Hedgehog, NF-κB, and hypoxia-inducible factor. Dysregulated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression has been associated with multiple characteristics of cancer, such as extended growth, apoptosis resistance, enhanced invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, and therapy resistance. For instance, lncRNAs such as HOTAIR, MALAT1, and H19 promote the development of GC via altering these pathways. Beyond their main roles, GC lncRNAs exhibit potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The overview discusses CRISPR/Cas9 genome-modifying methods, antisense oligonucleotides, small molecules, and RNA interference as potential therapeutic approaches to regulate the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). An in-depth discussion of the intricate functions that lncRNAs play in the development of the majority of stomach malignancies is provided in this review. It provides the groundwork for future translational research in lncRNA-based whole processes toward GC by highlighting their carcinogenic effects, regulatory roles in significant signaling cascades, and practical scientific uses as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

The short peptide encoded by long non-coding RNA RNF217-AS1 inhibits stomach cancer tumorigenesis, macrophage recruitment, and pro-inflammatory responses

Certain long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have potential peptide-coding abilities. Here, the role and molecular basis of the RNF217-AS1-encoded peptide in stomach cancer (SC) tumorigenesis were explored. Here, lncRNAs associated with SC pathogenesis and macrophage infiltration and lncRNAs with peptide-coding potential were searched by bioinformatics analysis. The gene mRNA and protein levels were examined by RT-qPCR and western blot assays, respectively. Cell viability, migratory, and invasive abilities were measured by CCK-8, Transwell migration, and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The potential biological processes related to lncRNA RNF217-AS1 were identified by single-gene GSEA analysis. The effect of RNF217-AS1-encoded peptide on SC tumorigenesis was examined by mouse xenograft experiments. The results showed that lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 and RNF217-AS1 were differentially expressed and associated with macrophage infiltration in SC, and they had the ability to translate into short peptides. The RNF217-AS1 ORF-encoded peptide could reduce SC cell viability, inhibit cell migration and invasion, as well as hinder the development of SC xenograft tumors. The RNF217-AS1 ORF-encoded peptide in human SC AGS cells suppressed THP-1 cell migration, triggered the differential expression of CXCL1/CXCL2/CXCL8/CXCL12, and inactivated the TLR4/NF-κB/STAT1 signaling pathways. As a conclusion, the RNF217-AS1 ORF-encoded peptide hindered SC progression in vitro and in vivo and suppressed macrophage recruitment and pro-inflammatory responses in SC.

Acyltransferase zinc finger DHHC-type containing 2 aggravates gastric carcinoma growth by targeting Nrf2 signaling: A mechanism-based multicombination bionic nano-drug therapy

The significant regulatory role of palmitoylation modification in cancer-related targets has been demonstrated previously. However, the biological functions of Nrf2 in stomach cancer and whether the presence of Nrf2 palmitoylation affects gastric cancer (GC) progression and its treatment have not been reported. Several public datasets were used to look into the possible link between the amount of palmitoylated Nrf2 and the progression and its outcome of GC in patients. The palmitoylated Nrf2 levels in tumoral and peritumoral tissues from GC patients were also evaluated. Both loss-of-function and gain-of-function via transgenic experiments were performed to study the effects of palmitoylated Nrf2 on carcinogenesis and the pharmacological function of 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP) on the suppression of GC progression in vitro and in vitro. We discovered that Nrf2 was palmitoylated in the cytoplasmic domain, and this lipid posttranslational modification causes Nrf2 stabilization by inhibiting ubiquitination, delaying Nrf2 destruction via the proteasome and boosting nuclear translocation. Importantly, we also identify palmitoyltransferase zinc finger DHHC-type palmitoyltransferase 2 (DHHC2) as the primary acetyltransferase required for the palmitoylated Nrf2 and indicate that the suppression of Nrf2 palmitoylation via 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), or the knockdown of DHHC2, promotes anti-cancer immunity in vitro and in mice model-bearing xenografts. Of note, based on the antineoplastic mechanism of 2-BP, a novel anti-tumor drug delivery system ground 2-BP and oxaliplatin (OXA) dual-loading gold nanorods (GNRs) with tumor cell membrane coating biomimetic nanoparticles (CM@GNRs-BO) was established. In situ photothermal therapy is done using near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation to help release high-temperature-triggered drugs from the CM@GNRs-BO reservoir when needed. This is done to achieve photothermal/chemical synergistic therapy. Our findings show the influence and linkage of palmitoylated Nrf2 with tumoral and peritumoral tissues in GC patients, the underlying mechanism of palmitoylated Nrf2 in GC progression, and novel possible techniques for addressing Nrf2-associated immune evasion in cancer growth. Furthermore, the bionic nanomedicine developed by us has the characteristics of dual drugs delivery, homologous tumor targeting, and photothermal and chemical synergistic therapy, and is expected to become a potential platform for cancer treatment.

Effects of apigenin on gastric cancer cells

Gastric Cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. As the currently available therapeutic options are invasive, new and more benign options are being explored. One of which is Apigenin (Api), a natural flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, such as celery, parsley, garlic, bell pepper and chamomile tea. Api has known anti-inflammatory, -oxidant, and -proliferative proprieties in several diseases and its potential as an anticancer compound has been explored. Here we systematize the available data regarding the effects of Api on GC cells, in terms of cell proliferation, apoptosis, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and molecular targets. From the literature it is possible to conclude that Api inhibits cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which is accompanied by the reduction of clone formation and induction of apoptosis. This occurs through the Akt/Bad/Bcl2/Bax axis that activates the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, resulting in restriction of cell proliferation. Additionally, it seems that the anti-proliferative potential of Api on GC cells is particularly relevant in a more aggressive GC phenotype but can also affect normal gastric cells. This indicate that this flavonoid must be used in low-to-moderate doses to avoid side-effects induced by disturbance of the normal epithelium. In H. Pylori-infected cells, the literature demonstrates that Api reduces inflammation by diminishing the levels of H. pylori colonization, by preventing NF-kB activation and by diminishing the production of reactive oxygen specimens (ROS). Accordingly, in GC Api seems to regulate different hallmarks of cancer, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, inflammation and oxidative stress, demonstrating its potential has an anti-GC compound.

The Role of LMP1 in Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Gastric Cancer

EBV promotes many cancers such as lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and gastric; Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) is considered to be a major oncogenic protein encoded by Epstein- Barr virus (EBV). LMP1 functions as a carcinogen in lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and LMP1 may also promote gastric cancer. The expression level of LMP1 in host cells is a key determinant in tumorigenesis and maintenance of virus specificity. By promoting cell immortalization and cell transformation, promoting cell proliferation, affecting immunity, and regulating cell apoptosis, LMP1 plays a crucial tumorigenic role in epithelial cancers. However, very little is currently known about LMP1 in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC); the main reason is that the expression level of LMP1 in EBVaGC is comparatively lower than other EBV-encoded proteins, such as The Latent Membrane Protein 2A (LMP2A), Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1), to date, there are few studies related to LMP1 in EBVaGC. Recent studies have demonstrated that LMP1 promotes EBVaGC by affecting The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- Akt (PI3K-Akt), Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and other signaling pathways to regulate many downstream targets such as Forkhead box class O (FOXO), C-X-C-motif chemokine receptor (CXCR), COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2); moreover, the gene methylation induced by LMP1 in EBVaGC has become one of the characteristics that distinguish this gastric cancer (GC) from other types of gastric cancer and LMP1 also promotes the formation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of EBVaGC in several ways. This review synthesizes previous relevant literature, aiming to highlight the latest findings on the mechanism of action of LMP1 in EBVaGC, summarize the function of LMP1 in EBVaGC, lay the theoretical foundation for subsequent new research on LMP1 in EBVaGC, and contribute to the development of novel LMP1-targeted drugs.

Identification of a Noxo1 inhibitor by addition of a polyethylene glycol chain

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a heterogeneous group of highly reactive ions and molecules derived from molecular oxygen (O₂) which can cause DNA damage and lead to skin cancer. NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) is a major producer of ROS in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet light. Functionally, Nox1 forms a holoenzyme complex that generates two superoxide molecules and reduces NADPH. The signaling activation occurs when the organizer subunit Noxo1 translocates to the plasma membrane bringing a cytochrome p450, through interaction with Cyba. We propose to design inhibitors that prevent Cyba-Noxo1 binding as a topical application to reduce UV-generated ROS in human skin cells. Design started from an apocynin backbone structure to generate a small molecule to serve as an anchor point. The initial compound was then modified by addition of a polyethylene glycol linked biotin. Both inhibitors were found to be non-toxic in human keratinocyte cells. Further in vitro experiments using isothermal calorimetric binding quantification showed the modified biotinylated compound bound Noxo1 peptide with a K_D of 2 nM. Both using isothermal calorimetric binding and MALDI (TOF) MS showed that binding of a Cyba peptide to Noxo1 was blocked. In vivo experiments were performed using donated skin explants with topical application of the two inhibitors. Experiments show that ultraviolet light exposure of with the lead compound was able to reduce the amount of cyclobutene pyrimidine dimers in DNA, a molecule known to lead to carcinogenesis. Further synthesis showed that the polyethylene glycol but not the biotin was essential for inhibition.

Metallothionein-2: An emerging target in inflammatory diseases and cancers

Metallothionein-2 (MT-2) was originally discovered as a mediator of zinc homeostasis and cadmium detoxification. However, MT-2 has recently received increased attention because altered expression of MT-2 is closely related to various diseases such as asthma and cancers. Several pharmacological strategies have been developed to inhibit or modify MT-2, revealing its potential as drug target in diseases. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms of MT-2 action is warranted to improve drug development for potential clinical applications. In this review, we highlight recent advances in determining the protein structure, regulation, binding partners, and new functions of MT-2 in inflammatory diseases and cancers.

Signaling pathways of oxidative stress response: the potential therapeutic targets in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the top causes of cancer-related death globally. Although novel treatment strategies have been developed, attempts to eradicate gastric cancer have been proven insufficient. Oxidative stress is continually produced and continually present in the human body. Increasing evidences show that oxidative stress contributes significantly to the development of gastric cancer, either through initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer cells or causing cell death. As a result, the purpose of this article is to review the role of oxidative stress response and the subsequent signaling pathways as well as potential oxidative stress-related therapeutic targets in gastric cancer. Understanding the pathophysiology of gastric cancer and developing new therapies for gastric cancer depends on more researches focusing on the potential contributors to oxidative stress and gastric carcinogenesis.

Flavonoids' Dual Benefits in Gastrointestinal Cancer and Diabetes: A Potential Treatment on the Horizon?

Diabetes and gastrointestinal cancers (GI) are global health conditions with a massive burden on patients' lives worldwide. The development of both conditions is influenced by several factors, such as diet, genetics, environment, and infection, which shows a potential link between them. Flavonoids are naturally occurring phenolic compounds present in fruits and vegetables. Once ingested, unabsorbed flavonoids reaching the colon undergo enzymatic modification by the gut microbiome to facilitate absorption and produce ring fission products. The metabolized flavonoids exert antidiabetic and anti-GI cancer properties, targeting major impaired pathways such as apoptosis and cellular proliferation in both conditions, suggesting the potentially dual effects of flavonoids on diabetes and GI cancers. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the impact of flavonoids on diabetes and GI cancers in four significant pathways. It also addresses the synergistic effects of selected flavonoids on both conditions. While this is an intriguing approach, more studies are required to better understand the mechanism of how flavonoids can influence the same impaired pathways with different outcomes depending on the disease.

Human gastric fibroblasts ameliorate A20-dependent cell survival in co-cultured gastric epithelial cells infected by Helicobacter pylori

Crosstalk within the gastric epithelium, which is closely in contact with stromal fibroblasts in the gastric mucosa, has a pivotal impact in proliferation, differentiation and transformation of the gastric epithelium. The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori colonises the gastric epithelium and represents a risk factor for gastric pathophysiology. Infection of H. pylori induces the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which is involved in the pro-inflammatory response but also in cell survival. In co-cultures with human gastric fibroblasts (HGF), we found that apoptotic cell death is reduced in the polarised human gastric cancer cell line NCI-N87 or in gastric mucosoids during H. pylori infection. Interestingly, suppression of apoptotic cell death in NCI-N87 cells involved an enhanced A20 expression regulated by NF-κB activity in response to H. pylori infection. Moreover, A20 acts as an important negative regulator of caspase-8 activity, which was suppressed in NCI-N87 cells during co-culture with gastric fibroblasts. Our results provide evidence for NF-κB-dependent regulation of apoptotic cell death in cellular crosstalk and highlight the protective role of gastric fibroblasts in gastric epithelial cell death during H. pylori infection.

FADD as a key molecular player in cancer progression

Cancer is a leading disease-related cause of death worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic interventions, cancer remains a major global public health problem. Cancer pathogenesis is extremely intricate and largely unknown. Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) was initially identified as an adaptor protein for death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptosis. Recent evidence suggests that FADD plays a vital role in non-apoptotic cellular processes, such as proliferation, autophagy, and necroptosis. FADD expression and activity of are modulated by a complicated network of processes, such as DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and post-translational modification. FADD dysregulation has been shown to be closely associated with the pathogenesis of numerous types of cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms of FADD dysregulation involved in cancer progression are still not fully understood. This review mainly summarizes recent findings on the structure, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of FADD and focuses on its role in cancer progression. The clinical implications of FADD as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer patients are also discussed. The information reviewed herein may expand researchers’ understanding of FADD and contribute to the development of FADD-based therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.

Curcumol Undermines SDF-1α/CXCR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway to Suppress the Progression of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis (CAG) and Gastric Cancer

CAG is the most common precancerous disease of gastric cancer, which belongs to a kind of chronic gastritis. CAG is in close association with gastric cancer, which makes itself a critical node clinically in cancer prevention and treatment. Curcumol is a main active monomer in Fuzheng Huowei decoction, which has the properties of antioxidant, antiviral, and antitumor. In this study, the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR4/NF-κB was detected by in vivo and in vitro methods. Then, we found that the expressions of NF-κB, SDF-1α, CXCR4, and p-NF-κB were decreased in the curcumol treatment group. Curcumol inhibited gastric cancer cells’ viability, migration, and invasion and induced their apoptosis. After adding the lentivirus overexpressing SDF-1α to the curcumol treatment group, it was found that SDF-1α, CXCR4, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB protein expressions were all increased, and the effect of curcumol on gastric cancer cells was reversed. In the nude mouse experiment, the tumor volume in the curcumol + SDF-1α group was the largest, and the tumor volume in the Fuzheng Huowei decoction + NC group was the smallest. In conclusion, curcumol effectively protects gastric tissue and inhibits the viability of gastric cancer cells, and curcumol regulates SDF-1α/CXCR4/NF-κB to play a therapeutic role in chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer.

Bioinformatics Analysis Revealing the Correlation between NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Immune Infiltration in Gastric Cancer

Although the emerging of immunotherapy conferred a new landscape of gastric cancer (GC) treatment, its response rate was of significant individual differences. Insight into GC immune microenviroment may contribute to breaking the dilemma. To this end, the enrichment score of NF-κB signaling pathway was calculated in each GC sample from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) via ssGSEA algorithm, and its association with immune infiltration was estimated. Based on NF-κB-related genes, a risk score was established and its involvement in immune infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and N6-methyladenosine (M6A) modification was analyzed in GC. The results showed that NF-κB signaling pathway promoted the infiltration of immune cells in GC. In addition, GC samples were divided into low- and high-risk groups according to a seven-gene (CARD11, CCL21, GADD45B, LBP, RELB, TRAF1, and VCAM1) risk score. Although the high-risk group displayed high immune infiltration and high expression of M6A regulatory genes, it remains in an immunosuppressive microenviroment and whereby suffers a poorer outcome. Of note, most of hub genes were related to immune infiltration and could serve as an independent prognostic biomarker. Conclusively, our study emphasized the crucial role of NF-κB signaling pathway in GC immune microenviroment and provided several candidate genes that may participate in immune infiltration.

NF-κB as a regulator of cancer metastasis and therapy response: A focus on epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Metastasis of tumor cells is a complex challenge and significantly diminishes the overall survival and prognosis of cancer patients. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-known mechanism responsible for the invasiveness of tumor cells. A number of molecular pathways can regulate the EMT mechanism in cancer cells and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is one of them. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 can induce the transcription of several genes involved in EMT induction. The present review describes NF-κB and EMT interaction in cancer cells and their association in cancer progression. Due to the oncogenic role NF-κB signaling, its activation enhances metastasis of tumor cells via EMT induction. This has been confirmed in various cancers including brain, breast, lung and gastric cancers, among others. The ZEB1/2, transforming growth factor-β, and Slug as inducers of EMT undergo upregulation by NF-κB to promote metastasis of tumor cells. After EMT induction driven by NF-κB, a significant decrease occurs in E-cadherin levels, while N-cadherin and vimentin levels undergo an increase. The noncoding RNAs can potentially also function as upstream mediators and modulate NF-κB/EMT axis in cancers. Moreover, NF-κB/EMT axis is involved in mediating drug resistance in tumor cells. Thus, suppressing NF-κB/EMT axis can also promote the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents.

Parthenolide and Its Soluble Analogues: Multitasking Compounds with Antitumor Properties

Due to its chemical properties and multiple molecular effects on different tumor cell types, the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PN) can be considered an effective drug with significant potential in cancer therapy. PN has been shown to induce either classic apoptosis or alternative caspase-independent forms of cell death in many tumor models. The therapeutical potential of PN has been increased by chemical design and synthesis of more soluble analogues including dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT). This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of both PN and analogues action in tumor models, highlighting their effects on gene expression, signal transduction and execution of different types of cell death. Recent findings indicate that these compounds not only inhibit prosurvival transcriptional factors such as NF-κB and STATs but can also determine the activation of specific death pathways, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and modifications of Bcl-2 family members. An intriguing property of these compounds is its specific targeting of cancer stem cells. The unusual actions of PN and its analogues make these agents good candidates for molecular targeted cancer therapy.

A20 undermines alternative NF-κB activity and expression of anti-apoptotic genes in Helicobacter pylori infection

A hallmark of infection by the pathogen Helicobacter pylori, which colonizes the human gastric epithelium, is the simultaneous activation of the classical and alternative nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathways, underlying inflammation and cell survival. Here, we report that the classical NF-κB target gene product A20 contributes to the negative regulation of alternative NF-κB signaling in gastric epithelial cells infected by H. pylori. Mechanistically, the de novo synthesized A20 protein interacts with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-interacting protein with forkhead-associated domain (TIFA) and thereby interferes with the association of TIFA with the NIK regulatory complex. We also show that alternative NF-κB activity contributes to the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes, such as baculoviral IAP repeat containing 2 (BIRC2), BIRC3 and B-cell lymphoma 2-related protein A1 (BCL2A1) in gastric epithelial cells. Furthermore, the observed over-expression of RelB in human gastric biopsies with type B gastritis and RelB-dependent suppression of apoptotic cell death emphasize an important role of the alternative NF-κB pathway in H. pylori infection.

Downregulation of cathepsin C alleviates endothelial cell dysfunction by suppressing p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway in preeclampsia

Endothelial cell dysfunction is an essential pathophysiological feature of preeclampsia (PE). It has been reported that cathepsin C is upregulated in the maternal vascular endothelium of PE patients. The excessive activation of p38 MAPK leads to various diseases, including PE. NF-κB pathway can promote uteroplacental dysfunction, endothelial stress and development of PE. Moreover, it has been verified that cathepsin C can activate p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway. In the present work, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury model of HUVECs was established to discuss the biological functions of cathepsin C in endothelial cell dysfunction and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. The correlation between cathepsin C and p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway in H/R-stimulated HUVECs as well as the effects of cathepsin C and p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway on viability, apoptosis, invasion, in vitro angiogenesis of HUVECs and oxidative stress were assessed. The results revealed that H/R injury elevated cathepsin C expression and activated p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway in HUVECs and cathepsin C knockdown inhibited the activity of p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway in H/R-stimulated HUVECs. Downregulation of cathepsin C improved viability, inhibited apoptosis and enhanced invasion of H/R-stimulated HUVECs. In addition, downregulation of cathepsin C alleviated oxidative stress and induced stronger HUVEC angiogenesis in vitro. Furthermore, the protective effects of cathepsin C knockdown against endothelial cell dysfunction were reversed by p38 MAPK activator anisomycin. In other words, downregulation of cathepsin C could improve HUVEC viability and enhance anti-apoptotic capacity, anti-oxidative capability, invasive ability, as well as angiogenic potential of H/R-stimulated HUVECs by repressing p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Helicobacter pylori-induced NF-κB: trailblazer for gastric pathophysiology

NF-κB signaling pathways, induced by a variety of triggers, play a key role in regulating the expression of genes involved in the immune response and cellular responses to stress. The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori induces classical and alternative NF-κB signaling pathways via its effector ADP-L-glycero-β-D-manno-heptose (ADP-heptose). We review H. pylori- and NF-κB-dependent alterations in cellular processes and associated maladaptation leading to deleterious gastric pathophysiology that have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric diseases. Therapeutic options for gastric cancer (GC) include clinically relevant small molecule inhibitors of NF-κB and epigenetic therapy approaches. In this context, gastric organoid biobanks originated from patient material, represent a valuable platform for translational applications to predict patient responses to chemotherapy, with a view to personalized medicine.