A centromere-derived retroelement RNA localizes in cis and is a core element of the transcriptional landscape of Drosophila centromeres

Centromeres are essential chromosomal landmarks that dictate the point of attachment between chromosomes and spindle microtubules during cell division. The stable transmission of the centromere site through generations is ensured by a unique chromatin containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A. Previous studies have highlighted the impact of transcription on promoting CENP-A deposition. However, the specific sequences undergoing this transcription and their contribution to centromere function in metazoan systems remain elusive. In this study, we unveil the centromeric transcriptional landscape and explore its correlation with CENP-A in D. melanogaster, currently the only in vivo model with assembled centromeres. We find that the centromere-enriched retroelement G2/Jockey-3 (hereafter referred to as Jockey-3) is a major driver of centromere transcription, producing RNAs that localize to all mitotic centromeres, with the Y centromere showing the most transcription. Taking advantage of the polymorphism of Jockey-3, we show that these RNAs remain associated with their cognate DNA sequences in cis. Using a LacI/lacO system to generate de novo centromeres, we find that Jockey-3 transcripts do not localize to ectopic sites, suggesting they are unlikely to function as non-coding RNAs with a structural role at centromeres. At de novo centromeres on the lacO array, the presence of CENP-A augments the detection of exogenous lacO-derived transcripts specifically in metaphase. We propose that Jockey-3 contributes to the epigenetic maintenance of the centromere by promoting chromatin transcription, while inserting in a region that permits its continuous transmission. Given the conservation of retroelements as centromere components across taxa, our findings have broad implications in understanding this widespread association.

[Utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and its correlates among community- based older adults in Chongqing]

Objective: To investigate the utilization of sexual health services among community-based older adults in Chongqing and explore its potential correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using multistage sampling among community-based older adults aged ≥50 years was conducted in Chongqing between June 2020 and December 2022. A questionnaire including information on demographic characteristics, general health, sexual health status, and sexual health services utilization was collected. Sexual health and reproductive services utilization was defined as having ever been tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or having had a male/gynecological reproductive health examination in the past year. Logistic regression was used to examine the correlates of the utilization of sexual health services. Results: A total of 794 community-based older adults participated in the study (482 were male, and 312 were female). The mean age was (62.8±8.2) years. The proportion of HIV testing was 18.0%, and the proportion of reproductive health examination was 10.1% among community-based older adults. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age group of 60-69 years (aOR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.18-0.76), female (aOR=11.34, 95%CI: 5.71-22.52), monthly income ≥5 000 yuan (aOR=3.05, 95%CI: 1.01-9.27), being sexual activity (aOR=4.99, 95%CI: 2.23-11.15) was significantly associated with had a reproductive health examination in the past year. Conclusions: The proportion of sexual health services utilization among older adults was low. Older sexual health education should be further strengthened, the close relationship between older adults should be correctly guided and dealt with, and the sexual health services suitable for the older population should be formulated.

[Condom use and its correlates among community-based older adults in Chongqing]

Objective: To understand the current status of condom use and its correlates among community-based older adults in Chongqing, China. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on a multistage sampling method was conducted in Chongqing from June 2020 to December 2022. The estimated sample size was 735. Through face-to-face interviews, the investigators collected the sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior characteristics, awareness of AIDS prevention knowledge, etc. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the correlates of condom use during the last sexual behavior among the participants. Results: A total of 761 participants were included in this study, with 476 males and 285 females, whose average age was (63.8±8.2) years old, mainly in the age group of 60-69 years (44.5%). Among the participants, the rate of condom use during the last sexual behavior was 9.7%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that correlates of condom use during the last sexual behavior included urban household registration (aOR=2.34, 95%CI: 1.12-4.89), monthly income of 1 000-4 999 Yuan, and 5 000 Yuan and above (aOR=4.49, 95%CI: 1.31-15.41; aOR=16.33, 95%CI: 4.30-62.00), self-assessed sexual behavior risk as very risky/relatively risky (aOR=3.97, 95%CI: 1.40-11.31), awareness of AIDS prevention knowledge (aOR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.21-0.62). Conclusions: The rate of condom use among community-based older adults in Chongqing is low. Comprehensive intervention measures should be taken in combination with the characteristics and needs of community-based older adults to improve awareness of AIDS prevention knowledge and perception of AIDS risk and promote condom use among this population.

A review on the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine with anti-cancer effect targeting ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It can be triggered by various mechanisms, including the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-glutathione (GSH) axis, iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1)-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) pathway, and the ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1)-coenzyme Q10 axis. The redox balance is disrupted when ferroptosis occurs in cells, which is fatal to cancer cells. Additionally, some tumor-associated genes are involved in ferroptosis. Hence, targeting ferroptosis might be an effective strategy for treating cancer. Several small-molecule compounds exhibit anti-tumor effects through ferroptosis, including sorafenib and altretamine, which induce ferroptosis by inhibiting System-Xc and GPX4 respectively, but many problems, such as poor druggability, still exist. Some studies have shown that many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) induce ferroptosis by inhibiting GPX4, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), or by increasing the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), transferrin (TF), and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1). These changes can lead to the lysosomal degradation of ferritin, accumulation of iron, lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn can promote anti-tumor activities or synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis, and the anti-tumor pharmacology of TCM targeting ferroptosis including prescriptions, Chinese herbs, extracts, and natural compounds. Our findings might act as valuable reference for research on anti-tumor drugs targeting ferroptosis, especially those drugs developed from TCM.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Future Directions

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the development of tumors. Immunoregulatory cells and cytokines facilitate cancer cells to avoid immune surveillance. Overexpression of immune checkpoint molecules such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibits immune function and enables cancer cells to avoid clearance by the immune system. Thus, minimizing tumor immunosuppression could be an important strategy for cancer therapy. Currently, many immune checkpoint-targeted drugs, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, have been approved for marketing and have shown unique advantages in the clinical treatment of cancers. The concept of "strengthening resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is consistent with the immunotherapy of cancer. According to previous studies, the role of TCM in tumor immunotherapy is mainly associated with the positive regulation of natural killer cells, CD8/CD4 T cells, dendritic cells, M2 macrophages, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text], and IFN-[Formula: see text], as well as with the negative regulation of Tregs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, PD-1/PD-L1, transforming growth factor-[Formula: see text], and tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text]. This paper summarizes the current research on the effect of TCM targeting the TME, and further introduces the research progress on studying the effects of TCM on immune checkpoints. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that TCM can directly or indirectly affect the TME by inhibiting the overexpression of immune checkpoint molecules and enhancing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. TCM with immunomodulatory stimulation could be the key factor to achieve benefits from immunotherapy for patients with non-inflammatory, or "cold", tumors.

DHMMF, a natural flavonoid from Resina Draconis, inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression via inducing apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest mediated by DNA damage-driven upregulation of p21

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is extremely malignant in nature. It is an important way to discover anti-cancer drugs from natural products at present. (R)-7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-methylflavane (DHMMF), a natural flavonoid, was isolated from Resina Draconis which is the red resin from Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen. However, the anti-hepatoma effect and underlying mechanisms of DHMMF remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that DHMMF treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 and SK-HEP-1 cells. The IC₅₀ value of DHMMF for HepG2 and SK-HEP-1 cells were 0.67 μM and 0.66 μM, respectively, while the IC₅₀ value of DHMMF for human normal liver LO2 cells was 120.60 μM. DHMMF induced DNA damage, apoptosis, and G2/M phase arrest in HepG2 and SK-HEP-1 cells. Furthermore, the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of DHMMF in human hepatoma cells were mediated by the upregulation of p21. Importantly, DHMMF exhibited potent anti-HCC efficacy in a xenograft mice model and an orthotopic mice model of liver cancer. Additionally, the combined administration of DHMMF and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor BI 6727 showed a synergistic anti-HCC efficacy. Collectively, we demonstrated that DHMMF treatment induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest via DNA damage-driven upregulation of p21 expression in human hepatoma cells. DHMMF may serve as a promising drug candidate for HCC treatment, especially for patients of HCC with low p21 expression. Our results also suggested that DHMMF treatment in combination with PLK1 inhibitor may serve as a potential treatment strategy for patients with HCC.

Seven new 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarin derivatives from Angelica dahurica

Objective

To study the chemical constituents of the roots of Angelica dahurica, a well-known Chinese herbal medicine named Baizhi in Chinese.

Methods

Compounds were separated by various chromatographies, and the structures of new compounds were elucidated based on the analysis of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data (1D, 2D NMR, HRESI MS, IR, and UV). The absolute configurations of new compounds were determined by the calculated electronic circular dichroism and chemical derivatization. The inhibitory activities of all isolates against nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Results

Seven new 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarin derivatives (1a/1b, 2a/2b, 3a/3b, 4) together with a known furanocoumarin (5) were isolated from the roots of A. dahurica. The new compounds included three pairs of enantiomers, (4S, 2''R)-angelicadin A (1a)/(4R, 2''S)-angelicadin A (1b), (4S, 2''S)-angelicadin A (2a)/(4R, 2''R)-angelicadin A (2b), and (4S, 2''S)-secoangelicadin A (3a)/(4R, 2''R)-secoangelicadin A (3b), together with (4R, 2''R)-secoangelicadin A methyl ester (4). The known xanthotoxol (5) inhibited the NO production with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of (32.8 ± 0.8) µmol/L, but all the new compounds showed no inhibitory activities at the concentration of 100 µmol/L.

Conclusion

This is the first report of the discovery of 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarins from A. dahurica. The results are not only meaningful for the understanding of the chemical constituents of A. dahurica, but also enrich the reservoir of natural products.

Chinese dragon's blood ethyl acetate extract suppresses gastric cancer progression through induction of apoptosis and autophagy mediated by activation of MAPK and downregulation of the mTOR-Beclin1 signalling cascade

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. Chinese dragon's blood is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the red resin of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen. However, the antigastric cancer effect of Chinese dragon's blood has not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrated that Chinese dragon's blood ethyl acetate extract (CDBEE) suppressed the proliferative and metastatic potential of human gastric cancer MGC-803 and HGC-27 cells. CDBEE suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MGC-803 and HGC-27 cells. Moreover, CDBEE induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death in MGC-803 and HGC-27 cells. The cytotoxicity of CDBEE in human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells was dramatically weaker than that in human gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway was involved in the growth inhibition of MGC-803 and HGC-27 cells by CDBEE. Additionally, CDBEE-induced autophagic cell death was mediated by downregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-Beclin1 signalling cascade and upregulation of the ATG3/ATG7-LC3 signalling cascade. Importantly, CDBEE exhibited potent anti-GC efficacy in vivo without obvious toxicity or side effects. Therefore, CDBEE may be a promising candidate drug for the treatment of gastric cancer, especially for GC patients with aberrant MAPK signalling or mTOR signalling.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 inhibits the maturation of dendritic cells involving the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway in the glioma microenvironment

Recurrence and diffuse infiltration challenge traditional therapeutic strategies for malignant glioma. Immunotherapy appears to be a promising approach to obtain long-term survival. Dendritic cells (DCs), the most specialized and potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs), play an important part in initiating and amplifying both the innate and adaptive immune responses against cancer cells. However, cancer cells can escape from immune surveillance by inhibiting maturation of DCs. Until the present, molecular mechanisms of maturation inhibition of DCs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have not been fully revealed. Our study showed that pretreatment with tumor-conditioned medium (TCM) collected from supernatant of primary glioma cells significantly suppressed the maturation of DCs. TCM pretreatment significantly changed the morphology of DCs, TCM decreased the expression levels of CD80, CD83, CD86 and interleukin (IL)-12p70, while it increased the expression levels of IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and IL-6. RNA-Seq showed that TCM pretreatment significantly increased the gene expression level of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in DCs. suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) knock-down significantly antagonized the maturation inhibition of DCs by TCM, which was demonstrated by the restoration of maturation markers. TCM pretreatment also significantly suppressed T cell viability and T helper type 1 (Th1) response, and SOCS1 knock-down significantly antagonized this suppressive effect. Further, TCM pretreatment significantly suppressed p65 nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity in DCs, and SOCS1 knock-down significantly attenuated this suppressive effect. In conclusion, our research demonstrates that TCM up-regulate SOCS1 to suppress the maturation of DCs via the nuclear factor-kappa signaling pathway.

Preparation and Properties of Polyaminosiloxane Modified Polyester Waterborne Polyurethane

In this study, a organosilicon modified waterborne polyurethane (WPU) is synthesized with polyethylene glycol 1,4-butanediol adipate ester diol (PBA) to form the soft segment, dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) as the hydrophilic chain extender, and isophorone diisocyanate as the hard segment to synthesize the WPU prepolymer, and aminoethyl aminopropyl dimethicone (AEAPS) as the graft chain extender. The properties of the formed WPU films are then characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and dynamic mechanical analysis. It is found that when the amount of AEAPS in the WPU is increased from 0 to 30 wt%, the particle size of the AEAPS modified WPU emulsion is increased from 84.8 nm to 271.9 nm and maintained high centrifugal stability. Moreover, the water absorption of the WPU film is reduced from 43.4% to 24.1%, and the hardness is enhanced from 3H to 5H, while the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the soft segment of the modified WPU shifts from -37.4 °C to -44.3 °C, and the Tg of the hard segment shifts from 73.6 °C to 118.1 °C. Therefore, the overall performance of AEAPS modified WPU is improved.

[A clinical analysis of 10 cases with cardiac lymphoma]

目的

分析心脏淋巴瘤的发病情况、临床特征、治疗效果及预后。

方法

收集2000年1月至2016年6月期间确诊并有心脏累及的10例淋巴瘤患者的资料，对患者的一般资料、临床表现、病理诊断、实验室检查、心脏累及方式、心脏并发症、治疗方式、疗效及预后进行分析。

结果

3 918例淋巴瘤患者中，心脏累及者10例，其中原发性心脏淋巴瘤（PCL）1例（主要累及左右心房，以心肌内多发结节包块为主），继发性心脏淋巴瘤（SCL）9例（主要为心包包块，其中出现心包积液5例，心肌肿块2例）。男性6例，女性4例，中位年龄55（19~88）岁，主要临床表现为呼吸困难7例，胸痛5例，乏力、水肿各2例。病理类型包括弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）7例，T淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤、霍奇金淋巴瘤、Burkitt淋巴瘤各1例。心脏并发症包括充血性心力衰竭7例，心律失常4例（主要为窦性心动过速、心房颤动和房室传导阻滞）。除1例高龄、一般状况差未接受治疗外，其余9例患者均接受治疗（单纯化疗4例，化疗联合放疗5例）。中位随访时间为9（1~28）个月。1例PCL患者化疗后获部分缓解（PR），无进展生存（PFS）期为6个月，总生存（OS）期为21个月。SCL患者中6例起病累及心脏者，治疗后1例获完全缓解，5例获PR，中位PFS期为5个月，中位OS期为19个月；3例病情进展累及心脏者，2例治疗后获PR，1例未治疗者死亡，中位PFS期为4个月，OS因数据截尾，未能获得。

结论

心脏淋巴瘤为少见类型，DLBCL为最常见类型，呼吸困难、胸痛为最常见临床表现，并易出现充血性心力衰竭和心律失常，治疗以系统化疗为主，总体预后差。

[Risk factors related to HIV new infections among men who have sex with men in a cohort study]

Objectives: To analyze and understand the risk factors related to HIV new infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A longitudinal observational study among MSM was conducted to collect information on HIV related behaviors and sero-conversion. Univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to discuss the risk factors for HIV new infection. Results: A total number of 4 305 MSM were followed during 2013-2015. Among those self-reported MSM who are seeking partners on the Interner tended to have higher proportion on receptive anal intercourse and consistent condom use during anal intercourse than the subgroups seeking their partners in gay bars or bathrooms. HIV incidence among followed MSM during the study period appeared as 4.3/100 person years, with adjusted RR (aRR) of HIV infection for receptive anal intercourse as group 2.20 (95% CI: 1.49-3.24) times than that of insertion anal intercourse group. Those who used rush-poppers (aRR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.10-2.17), unprotected anal intercourse (aRR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.62-3.08), and those with syphilis infection (aRR=2.95, 95%CI: 2.00-4.35) were also risk factors for HIV new infections. After controlling other factors, the relationship between the ways of seeking partners and HIV new infection was not statistical significant. Conclusion: Risk factors for HIV new infection among MSM appeared complex and interactive, suggesting that further studies are needed to generate tailored strategies for the prevention of HIV epidemic among MSM population.

[Influence of sociocultural factors on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men: a qualitative study]

Objective: To understand how social and cultural factors influence sexual perceptions, sexual practices, and HIV transmission among men who have sex with men at selected sites in China. Methods: Qualitative methodology was used and face to face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted from April 2013 to October 2015 in Sichuan, Jiangxi, Henan, Heilongjiang provinces and Chongqing municipality of China. Results: A total of 184 men who have sex with men participated in the interviews. Forty-eight originated from Henan Province, and 12, 50, 47, and 27 from Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, Sichuan provinces and Chongqing municipality, respectively. A total of 122 participants(66.3%)were under 30 years of age, 111 were college graduates(61.3%), 140 were unmarried(76.5%), and 74 were HIV positive(40.2%). Among interviewees, 6%(11 MSM)were employed at nongovernmental organizations. The main findings revealed that: Owing to sociocultural influences and social norms, most homosexual men concealed their sexual orientation and married females so as to fulfill their family obligation; this may encourage HIV transmission from a high-risk population to the general population; the main features of male homosexual behaviors, as well as those of the associated community and subculture, included hedonism, less concern about health, drug abuse, encouraging of high risk behaviors among men who have sex with men, and negative attitudes regarding HIV prevention; subgroups among MSM were found to have differential HIV transmission risk behaviors, with young men more vulnerable to infection with HIV. Conclusion: Sociocultural factors, including external socioenvironmental circumstances and internal MSM community subcultures, have adverse impacts on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men. Because there were varied behavior modes and HIV transmission risks among MSM subgroups, further study focusing on MSM subgroups is imperative, to provide a basis for more targeted and effective prevention strategies.

Plant natural products: from traditional compounds to new emerging drugs in cancer therapy

Natural products are chemical compounds or substances produced naturally by living organisms. With the development of modern technology, more and more plant extracts have been found to be useful to medical practice. Both micromolecules and macromolecules have been reported to have the ability to inhibit tumour progression, a novel weapon to fight cancer by targeting its 10 characteristic hallmarks. In this review, we focus on summarizing plant natural compounds and their derivatives with anti-tumour properties, into categories, according to their potential therapeutic strategies against different types of human cancer. Taken together, we present a well-grounded review of these properties, hoping to shed new light on discovery of novel anti-tumour therapeutic drugs from known plant natural sources.

In silico analysis and experimental validation of active compounds from fructus Schisandrae chinensis in protection from hepatic injury

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore mechanisms by which fructus Schisandrae chinensis (Wuweizi) is able to reveal its protective capacity against hepatocyte injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Identification of candidate small molecular compounds was performed by text-mining, extraction and isolation, reverse-docking, network construction, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In vitro cytological examination and western blotting were used to validate efficacy of selected compounds.

RESULTS

We analyzed chemical composition of fructus Schisandrae chinensis and constructed protein-protein networks of key targets. Networks of miRNA-protein were constructed. Molecular docking and MD simulation results supported good interaction between selected compound 11/12 and GBA3/SHBG. Further in vitro examination divulged molecular mechanisms involved.

CONCLUSIONS

In silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that compound 11/12 of fructus Schisandrae chinensis targetted GBA3/SHBG in hepatocytes. Hopefully this will shed light on exploration of its complex molecular mechanisms.

Plant lectins, from ancient sugar-binding proteins to emerging anti-cancer drugs in apoptosis and autophagy

Ubiquitously distributed in different plant species, plant lectins are highly diverse carbohydrate-binding proteins of non-immune origin. They have interesting pharmacological activities and currently are of great interest to thousands of people working on biomedical research in cancer-related problems. It has been widely accepted that plant lectins affect both apoptosis and autophagy by modulating representative signalling pathways involved in Bcl-2 family, caspase family, p53, PI3K/Akt, ERK, BNIP3, Ras-Raf and ATG families, in cancer. Plant lectins may have a role as potential new anti-tumour agents in cancer drug discovery. Thus, here we summarize these findings on pathway- involved plant lectins, to provide a comprehensive perspective for further elucidating their potential role as novel anti-cancer drugs, with respect to both apoptosis and autophagy in cancer pathogenesis, and future therapy.

Key autophagic targets and relevant small-molecule compounds in cancer therapy

Autophagy is a highly conserved lysosomal degradation process which can recycle unnecessary or dysfunctional cell organelles and proteins, thereby playing a crucial regulatory role in cell survival and maintenance. It has been widely accepted that autophagy regulates various pathological processes, among which cancer attracts much attention. Autophagy may either promote cancer cell survival by providing energy during unfavourable metabolic circumstance or can induce individual cancer cell death by preventing necrosis and increasing genetic instability. Thus, dual roles of autophagy may determine the destiny of cancer cells and make it an attractive target for small-molecule drug discovery. Collectively, key autophagy-related elements as potential targets, oncogenes mTORC1, class I PI3K and AKT, as well as tumour suppressor class III PI3K, Beclin-1 and p53, have been discussed. In addition, some small molecule drugs, such as rapamycin and its derivatives, rottlerin, PP242 and AZD8055 (targeting PI3K/AKT/mTORC1), spautin-1, and tamoxifen, as well as oridonin and metformin (targeting p53), can modulate autophagic pathways in different types of cancer. All these data will shed new light on targeting the autophagic process for cancer therapy, using small-molecule compounds, to fight cancer in the near future.

UNC51-like kinase 1, autophagic regulator and cancer therapeutic target

Autophagy, the cell process of self-digestion, plays a pivotal role in maintaining energy homoeostasis and protein synthesis. When required, it causes degradation of long-lived proteins and damaged organelles, indicating that it may play a dual role in cancer, by both protecting against and promoting cell death. The autophagy-related gene (Atg) family, with more than 35 members, regulates multiple stages of the process. Serine/threonine protein kinase Atg1 in yeast, for example, can interact with other ATG gene products, functioning in autophagosome formation. One mammalian homologue of Atg1, UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and its related complex ULK1-mAtg13-FIP200 can mediate autophagy under nutrient-deprived conditions, by protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications. Although specific mechanisms of how ULK1 and its complex transduces upstream signals to the downstream central autophagy pathways is not fully understood, past studies have indicated that ULK1 can both suppress and promote tumour growth under different conditions. Here, we summarize some properties of ULK1 which can regulate autophagy in cancer, which may shed new light on future cancer therapy strategies, utilizing ULK1 as a potential new target.

Use of state administrative data sources to study adolescents and young adults with rare conditions

BACKGROUND

Effective care of young people with rare conditions requires ongoing coordinated medical treatment as well as educational and social support services. However, information on treatment is often lacking due to limited data. South Carolina has a repository of comprehensive health and human service data with which individuals may be tracked across the data systems of multiple state agencies and organizations.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method for studying health care of young persons with rare conditions using this repository.

METHODS

We identified individuals aged 15 to 24 years diagnosed during 2000-2010 with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), spina bifida (SB), or muscular dystrophy (MD) using a series of algorithms. ICD-9-CM codes were used to initially identify the cohort from medical billing data. Demographics, medical care, employment, education, and socioeconomic status data were then extracted from linked administrative sources.

RESULTS

We identified 1,040 individuals with these rare conditions: 125 with FXS, 695 with SB, and 220 with MD. The vast majority of the cases (95%) were identified in the Medicaid database. Half of the cohort was male, with a higher percentage in the FXS and MD groups. Sixty-two percent of the cohort was enrolled in the last year of high school. Over half of the cohort received support services from the state's disability and special-needs agency; 16% received food assistance. Thirty-eight percent were employed at some point during the study period. Forty-nine individuals with SB and 56 with MD died during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

We used a linked statewide data system to study rare conditions. Strengths include the diversity of information, rigorous identification strategies, and access to longitudinal data. Despite limitations inherent to administrative data, we found that linked state data systems are valuable resources for investigating important public health questions on rare conditions.

In silico analysis and experimental validation of azelastine hydrochloride (N4) targeting sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) in HBV therapy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) exerting its function with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its targeted candidate compounds, in HBV therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Identification of NTCP as a novel HBV target for screening candidate small molecules, was used by phylogenetic analysis, network construction, molecular modelling, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In vitro virological examination, q-PCR, western blotting and cytotoxicity studies were used for validating efficacy of the candidate compound.

RESULTS

We used the phylogenetic analysis of NTCP and constructed its protein-protein network. Also, we screened compounds from Drugbank and ZINC, among which five were validated for their authentication in HepG 2.2.15 cells. Then, we selected compound N4 (azelastine hydrochloride) as the most potent of them. This showed good inhibitory activity against HBsAg (IC50 = 7.5 μm) and HBeAg (IC50 = 3.7 μm), as well as high SI value (SI = 4.68). Further MD simulation results supported good interaction between compound N4 and NTCP.

CONCLUSIONS

In silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that compound N4 can target NTCP in HepG2.2.15 cells, which may shed light on exploring it as a potential anti-HBV drug.

Identifying hepatocellular carcinoma-related genes and pathways by system biology analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous researches have been focused on revealing the functions of each individual gene and/or pathway in the initiation, progression and maintenance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanistic relationships among different genes and/or pathways are largely unknown.

AIMS

In this study, we tended to uncover the potential molecular networks and critical genes which play important roles in HCC progression.

METHODS

The transcriptional profiles from normal and HCC patient samples were analyzed and compared using bioinformatic methods, including differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis, hierarchical clustering, construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and GO-Elite analysis.

RESULTS

Initially, the normal and HCC sample data were processed and 679 most dramatic DEGs were identified. The PPI network analysis indicates the significance of multiple biological processes as well as signaling pathways in affecting liver function and HCC progression. In addition, hierarchical clustering analysis showed the most significant modules and identified the relationship between different genes, and some important genes such as FOS, IGF1, ADH4, ITGA2 and LEF1 were found to be hubs which master each individual module.

CONCLUSION

Our study greatly improves the understanding of the HCC development in a systematic manner and provides the potential clue for exploiting drugs which might target the most significant genes and/or signaling pathways.

In silico analysis and experimental validation of molecular mechanisms of salvianolic acid A-inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammation, in RAW264.7 macrophages

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore mechanisms by which salvianolic acid A (SAA) revealed its anti-inflammatory activity, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was determined by the Griess reaction and cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Interleukin-6, TNFα and interleukin-1β were determined by ELISA. The RAW264.7 cells were transfected with siRNA against p38 or HO-1. Expressions of COX-2, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), NF-κB, HO-1, p-p38 and phosphorylation of IκB kinase α/β were detected by western blotting. Potential targets of SAA were analysed by homology modelling, target prediction, protein-protein interaction prediction and docking studies.

RESULTS

Salvianolic acid A suppressed LPS-triggered production of NO, TNFα and Interleukin-6. It also reduced protein expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2, and reduced translocation of NF-κB to nuclei. Moreover, SAA promoted expression of phosphorylated p38, and downstream HO-1. Zn (II) protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, or siRNA against HO-1 could effectively increase transfer of NF-κB. SAA was predicted to target amyloid-beta protein-like protein and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, that could regulate p38 and HO-1.

CONCLUSIONS

In silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that SAA exhibited its anti-inflammatory effect via the p38-HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, reduced transfer of NF-κB to the nuclei and thus reduced production of inflammatory mediators.

Oridonin: targeting programmed cell death pathways as an anti-tumour agent

Oridonin, an active diterpenoid isolated from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has drawn rising attention for its remarkable apoptosis- and autophagy-inducing activity and relevant molecular mechanisms in cancer therapy. Apoptosis is a well known type of cell death, whereas autophagy can play either pro-survival or pro-death roles in cancer cells. Accumulating evidence has recently revealed relationships between apoptosis and autophagy induced by oridonin; however, molecular mechanisms behind them remain to be discovered. In this review, we focus on highlighting updated research on oridonin-induced cell death signalling pathways implicated in apoptosis and autophagy, in many types of cancer. In addition, we further discuss cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy induced by oridonin, in cancer. Taken together, these findings open new perspectives for further exploring oridonin as a potential anti-tumour agent targeting apoptosis and autophagy, in future anti-cancer therapeutics.

Identification of novel caspase/autophagy-related gene switch to cell fate decisions in breast cancers

OBJECTIVES

Caspases, a family of cysteine proteases with unique substrate specificities, contribute to apoptosis, whereas autophagy-related genes (ATGs) regulate cytoprotective autophagy or autophagic cell death in cancer. Accumulating evidence has recently revealed underlying mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy; however, their intricate relationships still remain to be clarified. Identification of caspase/ATG switches between apoptosis and autophagy may address this problem.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Identification of caspase/ATG switches was carried out using a series of elegant systems biology & bioinformatics approaches, such as network construction, hub protein identification, microarray analyses, targeted microRNA prediction and molecular docking.

RESULTS

We computationally constructed the global human network from several online databases and further modified it into the basic caspase/ATG network. On the basis of apoptotic or autophagic gene differential expressions, we identified three molecular switches [including androgen receptor, serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK-1 (PAK-1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK-3)] between certain caspases and ATGs in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. Subsequently, we identified microRNAs (miRNAs) able to target androgen receptor, PAK-1 and MAPK-3, respectively. Ultimately, we screened a range of small molecule compounds from DrugBank, able to target the three above-mentioned molecular switches in breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We have systematically identified novel caspase/ATG switches involved in miRNA regulation, and predicted targeted anti-cancer drugs. These findings may uncover intricate relationships between apoptosis and autophagy and thus provide further new clues towards possible cancer drug discovery.

Programmed cell death pathways in cancer: a review of apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis

Programmed cell death (PCD), referring to apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis, is proposed to be death of a cell in any pathological format, when mediated by an intracellular program. These three forms of PCD may jointly decide the fate of cells of malignant neoplasms; apoptosis and programmed necrosis invariably contribute to cell death, whereas autophagy can play either pro-survival or pro-death roles. Recent bulk of accumulating evidence has contributed to a wealth of knowledge facilitating better understanding of cancer initiation and progression with the three distinctive types of cell death. To be able to decipher PCD signalling pathways may aid development of new targeted anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Thus in this review, we present a brief outline of apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis pathways and apoptosis-related microRNA regulation, in cancer. Taken together, understanding PCD and the complex interplay between apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis may ultimately allow scientists and clinicians to harness the three types of PCD for discovery of further novel drug targets, in the future cancer treatment.

Programmed cell death pathways in cancer: a review of apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis

Programmed cell death (PCD), referring to apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis, is proposed to be death of a cell in any pathological format, when mediated by an intracellular program. These three forms of PCD may jointly decide the fate of cells of malignant neoplasms; apoptosis and programmed necrosis invariably contribute to cell death, whereas autophagy can play either pro-survival or pro-death roles. Recent bulk of accumulating evidence has contributed to a wealth of knowledge facilitating better understanding of cancer initiation and progression with the three distinctive types of cell death. To be able to decipher PCD signalling pathways may aid development of new targeted anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Thus in this review, we present a brief outline of apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis pathways and apoptosis-related microRNA regulation, in cancer. Taken together, understanding PCD and the complex interplay between apoptosis, autophagy and programmed necrosis may ultimately allow scientists and clinicians to harness the three types of PCD for discovery of further novel drug targets, in the future cancer treatment.

Plant natural compounds: targeting pathways of autophagy as anti-cancer therapeutic agents

Natural compounds derived from plant sources are well characterized as possessing a wide variety of remarkable anti-tumour properties, for example modulating programmed cell death, primarily referring to apoptosis, and autophagy. Distinct from apoptosis, autophagy (an evolutionarily conserved, multi-step lysosomal degradation process in which a cell destroys long-lived proteins and damaged organelles) may play crucial regulatory roles in many pathological processes, most notably in cancer. In this review, we focus on highlighting several representative plant natural compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, paclitaxel, oridonin, quercetin and plant lectin - that may lead to cancer cell death - for regulation of some core autophagic pathways, involved in Ras-Raf signalling, Beclin-1 interactome, BCR-ABL, PI3KCI/Akt/mTOR, FOXO1 signalling and p53. Taken together, these findings would provide a new perspective for exploiting more plant natural compounds as potential novel anti-tumour drugs, by targeting the pathways of autophagy, for future cancer therapeutics.