Identification of abnormally high expression of POGZ as a new biomarker associated with a poor prognosis in osteosarcoma

POGZ targeted by LINC01355/miR-27b-3p retards thyroid cancer progression via interplaying with MAD2L2

Despite the high morbidity of thyroid cancer (THCA), the underlying molecular pathology remains elusive. That autism-associated protein POGZ has recently been involved in tumorigenesis intrigues us exploring its relevant molecular regulatory network in THCA. Clinical characteristics and intermolecular relationships were dissected by bioinformatics. Interaction between POGZ and MAD2L2 was examined by Co-IP assay. Targeting relationships between miR-27b-3p and POGZ/LINC01355 was verified by sequence prediction and dual-luciferase reporter detection. Cellular effects of genes were assessed by CCK-8 assay, clone formation assay, and Transwell assay, and further confirmed by a tumor-bearing nude mice model. Our results demonstrated a decrease in POGZ expression in THCA tissues and cell lines, and an interaction between POGZ and MAD2L2 protein. POGZ inhibited both the proliferation and motility of THCA cells, with these effects being reversed upon MAD2L2 silencing. LINC01355 exhibited low expression level and a positive correlation with POGZ in THCA. Both miR-27b-3p and LINC01355 were identified as regulators of POGZ through targeting. Elevated miR-27b-3p suppressed POGZ expression. LINC01355 promoted POGZ and counteracted the inhibitory effects of miR-27b-3p. Furthermore, miR-27b-3p increased the proliferation and motility of THCA cells, an effect that was blocked by LINC01355. At the animal level, POGZ, LINC01355, and MAD2L2 all attenuated tumor growth in THCA. Collectively, POGZ restrains THCA growth by interacting with MAD2L2 protein, and POGZ modulation involves a complex interplay orchestrated by LINC01355-targeted miR-27b-3p. By reporting the first POGZ-focused ceRNA network involving noncoding RNA in THCA, our study paves the way for exploring POGZ-related pathways and developing new therapeutic strategies in cancer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04231-7.

PDE1B, a potential biomarker associated with tumor microenvironment and clinical prognostic significance in osteosarcoma

PDE1B had been found to be involved in various diseases, including tumors and non-tumors. However, little was known about the definite role of PDE1B in osteosarcoma. Therefore, we mined public data on osteosarcoma to reveal the prognostic values and immunological roles of the PDE1B gene. Three osteosarcoma-related datasets from online websites were utilized for further data analysis. R 4.3.2 software was utilized to conduct difference analysis, prognostic analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), nomogram construction, and immunological evaluations, respectively. Experimental verification of the PDE1B gene in osteosarcoma was conducted by qRT-PCR and western blot, based on the manufacturer's instructions. The PDE1B gene was discovered to be lowly expressed in osteosarcoma, and its low expression was associated with poor OS (all P < 0.05). Experimental verifications by qRT-PCR and western blot results remained consistent (all P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the PDE1B gene had independent abilities in predicting OS in the TARGET osteosarcoma dataset (both P < 0.05). GSEA revealed that PDE1B was markedly linked to the calcium, cell cycle, chemokine, JAK STAT, and VEGF pathways. Moreover, PDE1B was found to be markedly associated with immunity (all P < 0.05), and the TIDE algorithm further shed light on that patients with high-PDE1B expression would have a better immune response to immunotherapies than those with low-PDE1B expression, suggesting that the PDE1B gene could prevent immune escape from osteosarcoma. The PDE1B gene was found to be a tumor suppressor gene in osteosarcoma, and its high expression was related to a better OS prognosis, suppressing immune escape from osteosarcoma.

Absence of Either Ripk3 or Mlkl Reduces Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Independent of Liver Fibrosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the etiologies that contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and chronic inflammation is one of the proposed mediators of HCC. Because necroptosis is a cell death pathway that induces inflammation, we tested whether necroptosis-induced inflammation contributes to the progression of NAFLD to HCC in a mouse model of diet-induced HCC. Male and female wild-type (WT) mice and mouse models where necroptosis is blocked (Ripk3-/- or Mlkl-/- mice) were fed either a control diet, choline-deficient low-fat diet or choline-deficient high-fat diet. Blocking necroptosis reduced markers of inflammation [proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL6, and IL1β), F4/80+ve macrophages, CCR2+ve infiltrating monocytes], inflammation-associated oncogenic pathways (JNK, PD-L1/PD-1, β-catenin), and HCC in male mice. We demonstrate that hepatic necroptosis promotes recruitment and activation of liver macrophages leading to chronic inflammation, which in turn trigger oncogenic pathways leading to the progression of NAFLD to HCC in male mice. Whereas in female mice, blocking necroptosis reduced HCC independent of inflammation. Our data show a sex-specific difference in the development of inflammation, fibrosis, and HCC in WT mice. However, blocking necroptosis reduced HCC in both males and females without altering liver fibrosis. Thus, our study suggests that necroptosis is a valid therapeutic target for NAFLD-mediated HCC.

IMPLICATIONS

Necroptosis is a major contributor to hepatic inflammation that drives the progression of NAFLD to HCC and therefore represents a valid target for NAFLD-mediated HCC.

Asiaticoside reverses M2 phenotype macrophage polarization-evoked osteosarcoma cell malignant behaviour by TRAF6/NF-κB inhibition

CONTEXT

M2 phenotype macrophage polarization is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Asiaticoside (ATS) has multiple pharmacological functions.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the effect of ATS on M2 phenotype macrophage polarization in osteosarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The differentiation of human THP-1 monocytes into M0 phenotype macrophages was induced by 100 nM phorbol myristate acetate for 24 h, and treated with 20 ng/mL IL-4 and 20 ng/mL IL-13 for 48 h to obtain M2 phenotype macrophages. The function of ATS on the growth and invasion was investigated by cell counting kit-8, transwell, and western blot under the co-culture of M2 phenotype macrophages and osteosarcoma cells for 24 h. The mechanism of ATS on osteosarcoma was assessed using molecular experiments.

RESULTS

ATS reduced the THP-1 cell viability with an IC₅₀ of 128.67 μM. Also, ATS repressed the M2 phenotype macrophage polarization induced by IL-4/IL-13, and the effect was most notably at a 40 μM dose. ATS (40 μM) restrained the growth and invasion of osteosarcoma cells induced by M2 phenotype macrophages. In addition, ATS reduced the tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)/NF-κB activity in osteosarcoma cells and the TRAF6 knockdown reduced the growth and invasion of osteosarcoma cells induced by M2 phenotype macrophages. TRAF6 (2 μg/mL) attenuated the inhibitory effect of ATS on the growth and invasion of osteosarcoma cells caused by M2 phenotype macrophages. In vivo studies further confirmed ATS (2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg) repressed osteosarcoma tumour growth.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

ATS reversed M2 phenotype macrophage polarization-evoked osteosarcoma cell malignant behaviour by reducing TRAF6/NF-κB activity, suggesting ATS might be a promising drug for the clinical treatment of osteosarcoma.