Profiling and Targeting of Energy and Redox Metabolism in Grade 2 Bladder Cancer Cells with Different Invasiveness Properties

Choline Phosphate-Grafted Nanozymes as Universal Extracellular Vesicle Probes for Bladder Cancer Detection

Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are regarded as highly promising liquid-biopsy biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer (BC). However, detection of uEVs remains technically challenging owing to their huge heterogeneity and ultralow abundance in real samples. We herein present a choline phosphate-grafted platinum nanozyme (Pt@CP) that acts as a universal EV probe for the construction of a high-throughput and high-sensitivity immunoassay, which allowed multiplex profiling of uEV protein markers for BC detection. With the Pt@CP-based immunoassays, three uEV protein markers (MUC-1, CCDC25, and GLUT1) were identified for BC, by which the BC cases (n = 48), cystitis patients (n = 27), and healthy donors (n = 24) were discriminated with high clinical sensitivity and specificity (area under curve = 98.3%). For the BC cases (n = 9) after surgery, the Pt@CP-based immunoassay could report the postoperative residual tumor that cannot be observed by cystoscopy, which is clinically significant for assessing BC recurrence. This work provides generally high sensitivity for EV detection, facilitating the discovery and clinical use of EV-based biomarkers.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor is a T cell-negative costimulatory molecule

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a key regulator of glucose metabolism known to be expressed by pancreatic β cells. We herein investigated the role of GLP-1R on T lymphocytes during immune response. Our data showed that a subset of T lymphocytes expresses GLP-1R, which is upregulated during alloimmune response, similarly to PD-1. When mice received islet or cardiac allotransplantation, an expansion of GLP-1Rpos T cells occurred in the spleen and was found to infiltrate the graft. Additional single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis conducted on GLP-1Rpos and GLP-1Rneg CD3+ T cells unveiled the existence of molecular and functional dissimilarities between both subpopulations, as the GLP-1Rpos are mainly composed of exhausted CD8 T cells. GLP-1R acts as a T cell-negative costimulatory molecule, and GLP-1R signaling prolongs allograft survival, mitigates alloimmune response, and reduces T lymphocyte graft infiltration. Notably, GLP-1R antagonism triggered anti-tumor immunity when tested in a preclinical mouse model of colorectal cancer.

A new advanced cellular model of functional cholinergic-like neurons developed by reprogramming the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line

Modeling human neuronal properties in physiological and pathological conditions is essential to identify novel potential drugs and to explore pathological mechanisms of neurological diseases. For this purpose, we generated a three-dimensional (3D) neuronal culture, by employing the readily available human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, and a new differentiation protocol. The entire differentiation process occurred in a matrix and lasted 47 days, with 7 days of pre-differentiation phase and 40 days of differentiation, and allowed the development of a 3D culture in conditions consistent with the physiological environment. Neurons in the culture were electrically active, were able to establish functional networks, and showed features of cholinergic neurons. Hence here we provide an easily accessible, reproducible, and suitable culture method that might empower studies on synaptic function, vesicle trafficking, and metabolism, which sustain neuronal activity and cerebral circuits. Moreover, this novel differentiation protocol could represent a promising cellular tool to study physiological cellular processes, such as migration, differentiation, maturation, and to develop novel therapeutic approaches.

Prognostic significance and immunoinfiltration analysis of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and energy metabolism in bladder urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and aberrant energy metabolism are pivotal biological processes in tumor progression, significantly impacting tumor prognosis. However, the relationship between EMT, energy metabolism, and the immune microenvironment in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) remains inadequately understood.

METHODS

Bladder cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas were categorized into two groups via clustering analysis to elucidate disparities in expression, prognostic significance, and immune infiltration of genes associated with EMT and energy metabolism between these groups. Key genes associated with EMT and energy metabolism in BLCA were identified through Cox multifactorial regression analysis, immune infiltration analysis, etc. Subsequently, their prognostic significance in BLCA was validated.

RESULTS

Cluster analysis revealed significant differences in the expression of genes associated with EMT and energy metabolism between the two groups. Group 2 exhibited significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival compared to Group 1. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) emerged as the most critical gene associated with EMT, energy metabolism, prognosis, and immune infiltration in BLCA. Immunohistochemical assays demonstrated differential expression of CSPG4 in bladder tumors and normal bladder tissues, with high CSPG4 expression correlating with a poorer BLCA prognosis. Furthermore, CSPG4 exhibited an association with the immune checkpoint molecule programmed death-1 (PD1) in BLCA.

CONCLUSIONS

EMT and energy metabolism exert pivotal influences on the immune microenvironment in BLCA. CSPG4 holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for patients with BLCA, offering valuable insights into potential immunotherapeutic strategies for this patient population.

Sulforaphane rewires central metabolism to support antioxidant response and achieve glucose homeostasis

Cruciferous-rich diets, particularly broccoli, have been associated with reduced risk of developing cancers of various sites, cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. Sulforaphane (SF), a sulfur-containing broccoli-derived metabolite, has been identified as the major bioactive compound mediating these health benefits. Sulforaphane is a potent dietary activator of the transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid-like 2 (NRF2), the master regulator of antioxidant cell capacity responsible for inducing cytoprotective genes, but its role in glucose homeostasis remains unclear. In this study, we set to test the hypothesis that SF regulates glucose metabolism and ameliorates glucose overload and its resulting oxidative stress by inducing NRF2 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were exposed to varying glucose concentrations: basal (5.5 mM) and high glucose (25 mM), in the presence of physiological concentrations of SF (10 μM). SF upregulated the expression of glutathione (GSH) biosynthetic genes and significantly increased levels of reduced GSH. Labelled glucose and glutamine experiments to measure metabolic fluxes identified that SF increased intracellular utilisation of glycine and glutamate by redirecting the latter away from the TCA cycle and increased the import of cysteine from the media, likely to support glutathione synthesis. Furthermore, SF altered pathways generating NADPH, the necessary cofactor for oxidoreductase reactions, namely pentose phosphate pathway and 1C-metabolism, leading to the redirection of glucose away from glycolysis and towards PPP and of methionine towards methylation substrates. Finally, transcriptomic and targeted metabolomics LC-MS analysis of NRF2-KD HepG2 cells generated using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing revealed that the above metabolic effects are mediated through NRF2. These results suggest that the antioxidant properties of cruciferous diets are intricately connected to their metabolic benefits.

Effect of 2-deoxyglucose-mediated inhibition of glycolysis on migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells

The proper invasion of trophoblasts is crucial for embryo implantation and placental development, which is helpful to establish a correct maternal-fetal relationship. Trophoblasts can produce a large amount of lactate through aerobic glycolysis during early pregnancy. Lactate creates a low pH microenvironment around the embryo to help uterine tissue decompose and promote the invasion of trophoblasts. The purpose of this study is to reveal the the potential mechanism of aerobic glycolysis regulating the invasiveness of trophoblasts by investigating the effect of 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a glycolysis inhibitor, on the biological function of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells, the expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) markers and invasion-related factors. 2-DG could inhibit the aerobic glycolysis of trophoblasts and decrease the activity of trophoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, 2-DG inhibited the EMT of HTR-8/SVneo cells, down-regulated the expression of invasion-related factors matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 (MMP2/9) and up-regulated the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 1/2 (TIMP1/2), thus inhibiting cell migration and invasion. This paper provides a foundation in the significance of aerobic glycolysis of trophoblasts in the process of invasion, and also provides ideas and insights for the promotion of embryo implantation.

Synergistic effect of metformin and doxorubicin on the metastatic potential of T24 cells

BACKGROUND

The motor ability of cancer cells to cross the basement membrane contributes to their implantation in a new location. Metastasis is a significant factor that worsens the prognosis of cancer patients. Thus, reducing cell invasiveness is an important aspect of anticancer therapy, also in bladder cancer treatment.

MATERIAL

The study material was the T24 cell line of human urinary bladder cancer. The migratory potential of the cells and the effect of the treatment with individually doses and synergistic combination of doxorubicin and metformin in the 500:1 ratio for 24 h were analyzed.

RESULTS

The results obtained show a compound-initiated decrease in the motor abilities of bladder cancer cells compared to controls. A decrease in the rate of colony formation was observed, as well as inhibition of migration through inserts. The visualized reorganization of the vimentin and actin networks confirms the drug-initiated limitation of the metastatic potential of T24 cells.

CONCLUSION

According to our knowledge, we are the first to show, that combination of doxorubicin and metformin also worth considering in the treatment of bladder cancer. We showed that simultaneous administration of these cytostatic enhances the antiproliferative effect of drugs, but also limits cells' migratory potential.

UCHL5 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Bladder Cancer Cells by Activating c-Myc via AKT/mTOR Signaling

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L5 (UCHL5) is a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that removes ubiquitin from its substrates. Associations between UCHL5 and cancer have been reported in various tissues, but the effect of UCHL5 on bladder cancer has not been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the expression and function of UCHL5 in bladder cancer. UCHL5 was shown to be abnormally expressed using IHC of tissue microarray and Western blotting. Several procedures were performed to assess the effect of UCHL5 overexpression or knockdown on bladder cancer, such as cell proliferation, colony formation, wound-healing, and Transwell assays. In addition, RNA-Seq and Western blotting experiments were used to verify the status of downstream signaling pathways. Finally, bladder cancers with knockdown or overexpression of UCHL5 were treated with either SC79 or LY294002 to examine the participation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the expression of downstream targets c-Myc, SLC25A19, and ICAM5. In contrast to adjacent tissue samples, we discovered that UCHL5 was substantially expressed in bladder cancer samples. We also found that UCHL5 downregulation significantly suppressed both tumor growth in vivo and cell proliferation and migration in vitro. According to RNA-Seq analyses and Western blotting experiments, the expression of c-Myc, SLC25A19, and ICAM5 was modified as a result of UCHL5 activating AKT/mTOR signaling in bladder cancer cells. All things considered, our findings show that increased UCHL5 expression stimulates AKT/mTOR signaling, subsequently triggering the expression of c-Myc, SLC25A19, and ICAM5, which in turn promotes carcinogenesis in bladder cancer. UCHL5 is therefore a potential target for therapy in bladder cancer patients.

Cannabidiol Antiproliferative Effect in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells Is Modulated by Its Physical State and by IGF-1

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid that has been discussed for its safety and efficacy in cancer treatments. For this reason, we have inquired into its use on triple-negative human breast cancer. Analyzing the biological effects of CBD on MDA-MB-231, we have demonstrated that both CBD dosage and serum concentrations in the culture medium influence its outcomes; furthermore, light scattering studies demonstrated that serum impacts the CBD aggregation state by acting as a surfactant agent. Pharmacological studies on CBD in combination with chemotherapeutic agents reveal that CBD possesses a protective action against the cytotoxic effect exerted by cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 grown in standard conditions. Furthermore, in a low serum condition (0.5%), starting from a threshold concentration (5 µM), CBD forms aggregates, exerts cytostatic antiproliferative outcomes, and promotes cell cycle arrest activating autophagy. At doses above the threshold, CBD exerts a highly cytotoxic effect inducing bubbling cell death. Finally, IGF-1 and EGF antagonize the antiproliferative effect of CBD protecting cells from harmful consequences of CBD aggregates. In conclusion, CBD effect is strongly associated with the physical state and concentration that reaches the treated cells, parameters not taken into account in most of the research papers.

Response of earthworm coelomocytes and catalase to pentanone and hexanone: a revelation of the toxicity of conventional solvents at the cellular and molecular level

Organic solvents like 2-pentanone and 2-hexanone which are widely used in industrial production make up a large proportion of the source of chemical pollution. What is worrisome is that the cellular and molecular toxicity of 2-pentanone and 2-hexanone has not been reported yet. Based on this, earthworms and catalase (CAT) were chosen as target receptors for the toxicity studies. The cytotoxicity of 2-pentanone and 2-hexanone was revealed by measuring the multiple intracellular indicators of oxidative stress. At the molecular level, changes in the structure and function of CAT were characterized in vitro by the spectroscopy and molecular docking. The results show that 2-pentanone and 2-hexanone that induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species can eventually reduce coelomocytes viability, accompanying by the regular changes of antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation level. In addition, the exposure of 2-pentanone and 2-hexanone can shrink the backbone structure of CAT, quench the fluorescence, and misfold the secondary structure. The decrease in enzyme activity should be attributed to the structural changes induced by surface binding. This study discussed the toxicological effects and mechanisms of conventional solvents at the cellular and molecular level, which creatively proposed a joint research method.

A Multiomics Profiling Based on Online Database Revealed Prognostic Biomarkers of BLCA

Background

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most common urological malignancies globally, posing a severe threat to public health. In combination with protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of proteomics, Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and “CancerSubtypes” package of R software for transcriptomics can help identify biomarkers related to BLCA prognosis. This will have significant implications for prevention and treatment.

Method

BLCA data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and GEO database (GSE13507). GSVA analysis converted the gene expression matrix to the gene set expression matrix. “CancerSubtypes” classified patients into three subtypes and established a prognostic model based on differentially expressed gene sets (DEGSs) among the three subtypes. For genes from prognosis-related DEGSs, functional and pathway enrichment analyses and PPI network analysis were carried out. The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database was used for validation. Finally, the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) was determined using the CIBERSORT algorithm.

Results

In total, 414 tumor samples and 19 adjacent-tumor samples were obtained from TCGA, with 145 samples belonging to subtype A, 126 samples belonging to subtype B, and 136 samples belonging to subtype C. Then, we identified 83 DEGSs and constituted a prognostic signature with two of them: “GSE1460_CD4_THYMOCYTE_VS_THYMIC_STROMAL_CELL_DN” and “MODULE_253.” Finally, five subnets of two PPI networks were established, and nine core proteins were obtained: CDH2, COL1A1, EIF2S2, PSMA3, NAA10, DNM1L, TUBA4A, KIF11, and KIF23. The HPA database confirmed the expression of the nine core proteins in BLCA tissues. Furthermore, EIF2S2, PSMA3, DNM1L, and TUBA4A could be novel BLCA prognostic biomarkers.

Conclusions

In this study, we discovered two gene sets linked to BLCA prognosis. PPI analysis confirmed the network's core proteins, and several newly discovered biomarkers of BLCA prognosis were identified.

IRX5 promotes adipogenesis of hMSCs by repressing glycolysis

Iroquois homeobox transcription factor 5 (IRX5) plays a pivotal role in extramedullary adipogenesis, but little is known about the effects of IRX5 on adipogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of IRX5 on hMSCs adipogenesis. By means of qPCR analysis, we determined that IRX5 expression was elevated during adipogenic commitment of hMSCs. The biologic role of IRX5 was further investigated by employing a gain/loss-of-function strategy using an in vitro lentivirus-based system. IRX5 overexpression promoted adipogenesis whereas IRX5 knockdown reduced the adipogenic phenotype. RNA-seq and metabolomics revealed that IRX5 overexpression repressed glycolysis. Dual-luciferase assay results showed that IRX5 overexpression transcriptionally activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1α). Metformin and PGC-1α inhibitor reversed IRX5-induced adipogenesis and glycolytic inhibition. Collectively, IRX5 facilitates adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs by transcriptionally regulating PGC-1α and inhibiting glycolysis, revealing a potential target to control bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) fate decision and bone homeostasis.

An Optimized Workflow for the Analysis of Metabolic Fluxes in Cancer Spheroids Using Seahorse Technology

Three-dimensional cancer models, such as spheroids, are increasingly being used to study cancer metabolism because they can better recapitulate the molecular and physiological aspects of the tumor architecture than conventional monolayer cultures. Although Agilent Seahorse XFe96 (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, United States) is a valuable technology for studying metabolic alterations occurring in cancer cells, its application to three-dimensional cultures is still poorly optimized. We present a reliable and reproducible workflow for the Seahorse metabolic analysis of three-dimensional cultures. An optimized protocol enables the formation of spheroids highly regular in shape and homogenous in size, reducing variability in metabolic parameters among the experimental replicates, both under basal and drug treatment conditions. High-resolution imaging allows the calculation of the number of viable cells in each spheroid, the normalization of metabolic parameters on a per-cell basis, and grouping of the spheroids as a function of their size. Multivariate statistical tests on metabolic parameters determined by the Mito Stress test on two breast cancer cell lines show that metabolic differences among the studied spheroids are mostly related to the cell line rather than to the size of the spheroid. The optimized workflow allows high-resolution metabolic characterization of three-dimensional cultures, their comparison with monolayer cultures, and may aid in the design and interpretation of (multi)drug protocols.

RalGPS2 Interacts with Akt and PDK1 Promoting Tunneling Nanotubes Formation in Bladder Cancer and Kidney Cells Microenvironment

Simple Summary

Cell-to-cell communication in the tumor microenvironment is a crucial process to orchestrate the different components of the tumoral infrastructure. Among the mechanisms of cellular interplay in cancer cells, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are dynamic connections that play an important role. The mechanism of the formation of TNTs among cells and the molecules involved in the process remain to be elucidated. In this study, we analyze several bladder cancer cell lines, representative of tumors at different stages and grades. We demonstrate that TNTs are formed only by mid or high-stage cell lines that show muscle-invasive properties and that they actively transport mitochondria and proteins. The formation of TNTs is triggered by stressful conditions and starts with the assembly of a specific multimolecular complex. In this study, we characterize some of the protein components of the TNTs complex, as they are potential novel molecular targets for future therapies aimed at counteracting tumor progression.

Abstract

RalGPS2 is a Ras-independent Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for RalA GTPase that is involved in several cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization. Previously, we demonstrated that RalGPS2 also plays a role in the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in bladder cancer 5637 cells. In particular, TNTs are a novel mechanism of cell–cell communication in the tumor microenvironment, playing a central role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in TNTs formation still need to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that mid and high-stage bladder cancer cell lines have functional TNTs, which can transfer mitochondria. Moreover, using confocal fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we show in 5637 cells that TNTs mediate the trafficking of RalA protein and transmembrane MHC class III protein leukocyte-specific transcript 1 (LST1). Furthermore, we show that RalGPS2 is essential for nanotubes generation, and stress conditions boost its expression both in 5637 and HEK293 cell lines. Finally, we prove that RalGPS2 interacts with Akt and PDK1, in addition to LST1 and RalA, leading to the formation of a complex that promotes nanotubes formation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that in the tumor microenvironment, RalGPS2 orchestrates the assembly of multimolecular complexes that drive the formation of TNTs.

Overexpression of NREP Promotes Migration and Invasion in Gastric Cancer Through Facilitating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

The identification of biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets for gastric cancer (GC), the most common cause of cancer-related deaths around the world, is currently a major focus area in research. Here, we examined the utility of Neuronal Regeneration Related Protein (NREP) as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC. We assessed the clinical relevance, function, and molecular role of NREP in GC using bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Our results showed that in GC, NREP overexpression was significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Our findings also suggested that NREP may be involved in the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), with transforming growth factor β1 mediating both processes. In addition, NREP expression showed a positive correlation with the abundance of M2 macrophages, which are potent immunosuppressors. Together, these results indicate that NREP is overexpressed in GC and affects GC prognosis. Thus, NREP could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.