Elevation of truncated (48 kDa) form of unconventional myosin 1C in blood serum correlates with severe Covid-19

In Covid-19 and autoimmune patients, there are several similarities revealed in the immune responses (Liu et al., 2021; Woodruff et al., 2020). Earlier, we firstly detected a truncated (48 kDa) form of the unconventional Myosin 1C (48/Myo1C) in a fraction of proteins soluble in 10% 2,2,2-trichloroacetic acid (TCA). These proteins were obtained from blood serum of patients with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis (Kit et al., 2018). Here, we demonstrated that content of 48/Myo1C was also elevated in blood serum of the severe Covid-19 patients. Whereas in blood of 28 clinically healthy human individuals regularly tested for Covid-19 infection, the amount of this protein was undetectable or very low, in blood of 16 of 28 patients hospitalized with severe course of this disease, its amount was significantly increased. Dexamethasone, steroid hormone which is widely used for treatment of severe Covid-19 patients, induced time-dependent elevation of the 48/Myo1C in blood of such patients. The 48/Myo1C dose-dependently suppressed the viability of anti-CD3-activated lymphocytes of human peripheral blood. Recently, we used affinity chromatography on the magnetic poly(glycidyl-methacrylate) (mag-PGMA-NH₂) microparticles functionalized with Myo1C and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry with molecular modeling in silico in order to identify potential molecular partners of the 48/Myo1C. It was found that 48/Myo1C might bind to component 3 of the complement system and the anti-thrombin-III (Starykovych et al., 2021). Thus, the mechanisms of the pathogenic action of truncated form of Myo1C in severe COVID-19 patients may involve a suppression of the immune cells, as well as modulation of complement and coagulation cascades.

Signaling pathways and therapeutic approaches in glioblastoma multiforme (Review)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor and is associated with a poor clinical prognosis. Despite the progress in the understanding of the molecular and genetic changes that promote tumorigenesis, effective treatment options are limited. The present review intended to identify and summarize major signaling pathways and genetic abnormalities involved in the pathogenesis of GBM, as well as therapies that target these pathways. Glioblastoma remains a difficult to treat tumor; however, in the last two decades, significant improvements in the understanding of GBM biology have enabled advances in available therapeutics. Significant genomic events and signaling pathway disruptions (NF‑κB, Wnt, PI3K/AKT/mTOR) involved in the formation of GBM were discussed. Current therapeutic options may only marginally prolong survival and the current standard of therapy cures only a small fraction of patients. As a result, there is an unmet requirement for further study into the processes of glioblastoma pathogenesis and the discovery of novel therapeutic targets in novel signaling pathways implicated in the evolution of glioblastoma.

Musashi 2 (MSI2) expression as an independent prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background

Musashi-2 (MSI2) is a member of RNA-binding protein family that regulates mRNA translation of numerous intracellular targets and influences maintenance of stem cell identity. This study assessed MSI2 as a potential clinical biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The current study included 40 patients with NSCLC, of whom one presented with stage 1, 14 presented with stage II, 15 presented with stage III, and 10 patients had stage IV. All patients received standard of care treatments. All patient samples were obtained before treatment started. We used immunohistochemical (IHC) approach to measure MSI2 protein expression in matching specimens of normal lung versus tumor tissues, and primary versus metastatic tumors, followed by correlative analysis in relation to clinical outcomes. In parallel, clinical correlative analysis of MSI2 mRNA expression was performed in silico using publicly available datasets (TCGA/ICGC and KM plots).

Results

MSI2 protein expression in patient samples was significantly elevated in NSCLC primary tumors versus normal lung tissue (P=0.03). MSI2 elevated expression positively correlated with a decreased progression free survival (PFS) (P=0.026) combined for all stages and with overall survival (OS) at stage IV (P=0.013). Elevated MSI2 expression on RNA level was confirmed in primary tumor versus normal tissue samples in TCGA dataset (P<0.0001), and positively correlated with decreased OS (P=0.02). No correlation was observed between MSI2 expression and age, sex, smoking, and treatment type.

Conclusions

Elevated MSI2 expression in primary NSCLC tumors is associated with poor prognosis and can be used as a novel potential prognostic biomarker in NSCLC patients. Future studies in an extended patient cohort are warranted.

Isolation and identification in human blood serum of the proteins possessing the ability to bind with 48 kDa form of unconventional myosin 1c and their possible diagnostic and prognostic value

We firstly identified 48 kDa molecular form of the unconventional myosin 1c (p48/Myo1C), and isolated it from blood serum of multiple sclerosis patients. The amount of p48/Myo1C in human blood serum correlated with some autoimmune, hemato-oncological and neurodegenerative diseases and thus may serve as a potential molecular biomarker. The biological functions of this protein in human blood remain unknown. Previously, we used the monodisperse magnetic poly (glycidyl methacrylate)(mag-PGMA-NH₂ ) microspheres with immobilized 48/Myo1C and western-blot analysis, which allowed us to identify IgM and IgG immunoglobulins presenting an affinity to this protein. Here, we used mass spectrometry followed by the western blotting in order to identify other blood serum proteins with affinity to 48/Myo1C. The obtained data demonstrate that 48/Myo1C binds to component 3 of the complement and the antithrombin-III proteins. A combination of magnetic microparticle-based affinity chromatography with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and an in silico analysis provided an opportunity to identify the partners of interaction of 48/Myo1C with other proteins, in particular those participating in complement and coagulation cascades.

Nanocomposites for X-Ray Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has long been known as an effective method for treating surface cancer tissues. Although this technique is widely used in modern medicine, some novel approaches for deep lying tumors have to be developed. Recently, deeper penetration of X-rays into tissues has been implemented, which is now known as X-ray photodynamic therapy (XPDT). The two methods differ in the photon energy used, thus requiring the use of different types of scintillating nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are known to convert the incident energy into the activation energy of a photosensitizer, which leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Since not all photosensitizers are found to be suitable for the currently used scintillating nanoparticles, it is necessary to find the most effective biocompatible combination of these two agents. The most successful combinations of nanoparticles for XPDT are presented. Nanomaterials such as metal-organic frameworks having properties of photosensitizers and scintillation nanoparticles are reported to have been used as XPDT agents. The role of metal-organic frameworks for applying XPDT as well as the mechanism underlying the generation of reactive oxygen species are discussed.

Expression of proteins involved in epigenetic regulation in human cutaneous melanoma and peritumoral skin

Epigenetic processes play a critical role in melanoma development. However, little is known about proteins responsible for epigenetic transformations in melanoma cells. The processes in the peritumoral skin within the excision margin are almost unstudied. We studied the changes in expression of 112 proteins involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the human cutaneous melanoma and its peritumoral zone using "The Proteomic Antibody Microarrays" (GRAA2, Sigma-Aldrich). Dimethylated histone H3 at lysines 4 and 9 as well as proteins involved in the regulation of transcription (histone deacetylases HDAC-1 and HDAC-11, DNA methyl-binding protein Kaiso), cell cycle control (protein kinases Aurora-В and PKR, chromosome protein CENP-E , and phosphorylated and acetylated histone H3), DNA repair (phosphorylated histone H2AX), and nuclear protein import (importins α3 and α5/7) were over-expressed in the melanoma tissue as compared with normal skin. At the same time, HDAC-10 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen PCNA were downregulated. In the peritumoral skin, at the excision margin (1-2 cm from the melanoma edge), we observed similar changes in expression of these proteins and, additionally, over-expression of arginine methyltransferases PRMT5 and NAD-dependent histone deacetylase SIR2. Histone methyltransferase G9a and metastasis-associated protein 2 were downregulated. Therefore, epigenetic regulation that requires histone modifications and expression of some regulatory proteins is of importance for melanoma development and propagation. The observed changes in the peritumoral skin may indicate the epigenetic pre-tuning in this zone possibly involved in malignant transformation. These results can be potentially useful for melanoma diagnostics and targeted therapy.