Targeting ATAD3A-PINK1-mitophagy axis overcomes chemoimmunotherapy resistance by redirecting PD-L1 to mitochondria

Only a small proportion of patients with triple-negative breast cancer benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in combination with chemotherapy. Here, we discovered that therapeutic response to ICI plus paclitaxel was associated with subcellular redistribution of PD-L1. In our immunotherapy cohort of ICI in combination with nab-paclitaxel, tumor samples from responders showed significant distribution of PD-L1 at mitochondria, while non-responders showed increased accumulation of PD-L1 on tumor cell membrane instead of mitochondria. Our results also revealed that the distribution pattern of PD-L1 was regulated by an ATAD3A-PINK1 axis. Mechanistically, PINK1 recruited PD-L1 to mitochondria for degradation via a mitophagy pathway. Importantly, paclitaxel increased ATAD3A expression to disrupt proteostasis of PD-L1 by restraining PINK1-dependent mitophagy. Clinically, patients with tumors exhibiting high expression of ATAD3A detected before the treatment with ICI in combination with paclitaxel had markedly shorter progression-free survival compared with those with ATAD3A-low tumors. Preclinical results further demonstrated that targeting ATAD3A reset a favorable antitumor immune microenvironment and increased the efficacy of combination therapy of ICI plus paclitaxel. In summary, our results indicate that ATAD3A serves not only as a resistant factor for the combination therapy of ICI plus paclitaxel through preventing PD-L1 mitochondrial distribution, but also as a promising target for increasing the therapeutic responses to chemoimmunotherapy.

Two-Dimensional High-Quality Monolayered Triangular WS2 Flakes for Field-Effect Transistors

Large-area uniform of single-crystal tungsten disulfide (WS₂) is important for advanced optoelectronics based on two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals. However, difficulties in controlling the interrelated growth parameters restrict its development in devices. Herein, we present the synthesis of triangular monolayered WS₂ flakes with good uniformity and single crystal by adjusting the introduction time of sulfur precursor and the distances between the sources and substrates to control the nucleation density. Investigation of the morphology and structure by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy indicates that a series of triangular (side length of 233 μm) monolayered WS₂ flakes shows high-quality structure and homogenous crystallinity. Field-effect transistors based on the fabricated triangular monolayered WS₂ with single crystal demonstrate environmentally stable charge transport with a field-effect mobility of 50.5 cm²/V s and current modulation I_on/ I_off of ∼10⁷. The results of this study pave the way for the application of monolayered WS₂ in a multitude of 2D-material-based devices.

Acupuncture modulates the neuro-endocrine-immune network

As a nonspecific physical stimulation, the effect of acupuncture on diseases is produced by motivating the inherent regulatory system in the body, having the characteristics of whole regulation, dual directional regulation, etc. Modern scientific researches show that body's inherent regulatory system is neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network. Hence, we speculate that the regulatory effect of acupuncture may be produced through its regulation of NEI network. In this article, we reviewed the recent researches about acupuncture's effect on the NEI network, to find out the evidence of acupuncture adjusting NEI network and provide some evidences for revealing the mechanism of acupuncture.

Current status of standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion in China

With the wide-spread and application of acupuncture and moxibustion, the demand of its standardization construction is increasingly prominent. On the basis of further investigation into the standards of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, this article summarize the research status of Chinese standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion, analyse some problems existing in current construction of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization, and put forward several strategies for moving forward, in order to show an overall and objective understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion standardization.

Endothelin mediates the altered renal hemodynamics associated with experimental congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is commonly associated with renal dysfunction. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the role of endothelin in the renal dysfunction of experimental CHF by using tezosentan, a potent dual endothelin receptor antagonist. Rats were subjected to coronary artery ligation. Cardiac and renal hemodynamics were assessed after 3-5 weeks, when CHF had developed. Compared with control rats, CHF rats had significantly higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), lower mean arterial pressure, and reduced dP/dt(max). CHF rats had severe renal vasoconstriction, as assessed by increased renal vascular resistance (RVR, p < 0.001), decreased renal plasma flow (RPF, p < 0.001), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR, p < 0.001). Filtration fraction rose (p < 0.001). Urine flow rate and sodium excretion were markedly lower. Acute administration of tezosentan induced a marked decrease in LVEDP without change of dP/dt(max) and heart rate. Tezosentan decreased RVR (-43%, p < 0.001) and increased RPF and GFR. Filtration fraction decreased slightly. Tezosentan also increased urine flow rate and sodium excretion. These findings demonstrate that endothelin at least partly mediates the altered renal hemodynamics associated with experimental CHF. Dual endothelin receptor blockade could be useful for the improvement of both cardiac and renal function in CHF.