Krüppel-like Factor Research Articles

Sulforaphane ameliorates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by KLF4-mediated macrophage M2 polarization

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global issue and a severe threat to public health. However, to date, no approved therapeutic drugs have been developed. Dietary interventions with natural products have shown promise in preventing and treating NAFLD. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a phytocompound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and previous research has demonstrated that SFN can ameliorate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects remain unclear. In this study, we confirmed the protective effects of SFN on excessive lipid accumulation and inflammatory injury in a high-fat, high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mouse model. We found that SFN attenuates the inflammatory injury in a macrophage cell line and the liver of NASH mice, owing to the promotion of M1-type macrophage polarization toward the M2-type and the regulation of inflammatory mediators. Further analysis demonstrated that this SFN-induced macrophage M2-type polarization occurs in a Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4)-dependent manner. In summary, we uncovered a new mechanism of action underlying SFN activity and provide evidence that dietary intervention with SFN might be protective against NASH.

The web of intrigue: unraveling the role of NETosis within the gut-microbiome-immune-heart axis in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure.

This review summarizes the role of NETosis, or the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and its interplay with the gut microbiome in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure. NETosis contributes to inflammation, thrombosis, and atherothrombosis, all central to the pathophysiology of AMI and heart failure. NETosis can be activated by inflammation and dietary factors, indicating association with metabolic conditions. In cases of heart failure, NETosis is regulated by inflammatory molecules such as C-reactive protein (CRP), and Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) - a protein that plays a role in controlling inflammation, and angiotensin II. Changes in the gut microbiome are linked to the severity and recovery of cardiac injury post-AMI and heart failure progression. The microbiome's influence extends to immune modulation and inflammatory responses, potentially affecting NETosis.

KLF1 Activates RAC3 to Mediate Fatty Acid Synthesis and Enhance Cisplatin Resistance in Bladder Cancer Cells.

While cisplatin remains a frontline treatment for bladder cancer (BCa), the onset of resistance greatly hampers its effectiveness. RAC3 is closely linked to chemoresistance in cancer cells, but its specific role in cisplatin resistance within BCa is still elusive. RAC3 expression in BCa was analyzed using bioinformatics and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified RAC3-enriched pathways and the correlation between RAC3 and fatty acid synthase (FASN), a gene involved in fatty acid synthesis. Potential upstream transcription factors of RAC3 were predicted and their interaction with RAC3 was confirmed via dual-luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. T24/DDP, a cisplatin-resistant BCa cell line, was established to probe into the regulatory role of RAC3 in cisplatin resistance. Cell proliferation was evaluated by colony formation and the IC50 values after cisplatin treatment were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides (TGs), as well as the expression of DGAT2 and FASN proteins, were measured to gauge the extent of fatty acid synthesis in cells. Elevated expression of RAC3 was observed in BCa and the cisplatin-resistant BCa cells (T24/DDP). The knockdown of RAC3 within T24/DDP cells was demonstrated to counteract cisplatin resistance. Subsequent analyses identified RAC3 as being notably enriched in the fatty acid synthesis pathway, with Kruppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) emerging as a key upstream regulator. The overexpression of RAC3 was correlated with increased cisplatin resistance in T24/DDP cells, an effect that was mitigated by the addition of the FASN inhibitor, Orlistat. Furthermore, the downregulation of KLF1 suppressed RAC3 expression, disrupted fatty acid synthesis, and attenuated cisplatin resistance in T24/DDP cells. Conversely, the co-overexpression of RAC3 counteracted the effects conferred by KLF1 knockdown. Our study has validated that KLF1 activates RAC3 to mediate fatty acid synthesis and promote cisplatin resistance in BCa, suggesting the KLF1/RAC3 axis as a potential target for combating cisplatin-resistant BCa.

Sphingosine Kinase 1 Aggravates Liver Fibrosis by Mediating Macrophage Recruitment and Polarization

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) has distinct roles in the activation of Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis. Here, we aim to investigate the roles of SphK1 on hepatic macrophage recruitment and polarization in liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride in wild-type and SphK1-/- mice to study the recruitment and polarization of macrophages. The effects of SphK1 originated from macrophages or other liver cell types on liver fibrosis were further strengthened by bone marrow transplantation. The direct effects of SphK1 on macrophage polarization were also investigated invitro. Expression analysis of SphK1 and macrophage polarization index was conducted with human liver samples. SphK1 deletion attenuated the recruitment of hepatic macrophages along with reduced M1 and M2 polarization in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride. SphK1 deficiency in endogenous liver cells attenuated macrophage recruitment via C-C motif chemokine ligand 2. Macrophage SphK1 activated the ASK1-JNK1/2-p38 signaling pathway to promote M1 polarization. Furthermore, macrophage SphK1 downregulated small ubiquitin-like modifier-specific peptidase1 to decrease de-SUMOylation of Kruppel-like factor 4 to promote M2 polarization. Finally, we confirmed that SphK1 expression was elevated and positively correlated with macrophage M1 and M2 polarization in human fibrosis livers. Our findings demonstrated that SphK1 aggravated liver fibrosis by promoting macrophage recruitment and M1/M2 polarization. SphK1 in macrophages is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Peripheral-derived regulatory T cells contribute to tumor-mediated immune suppression in a nonredundant manner

Identifying tumor-mediated mechanisms that impair immunity is instrumental for the design of new cancer therapies. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a key component of cancer-derived immune suppression; however, these lymphocytes are necessary to prevent systemic autoimmunity in mice and humans, and thus, direct targeting of Tregs is not a clinical option for cancer patients. We have previously demonstrated that excising transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (Klf2) within the T cell lineage blocks the generation of peripheral-derived Tregs (pTregs) without impairing production of thymic-derived Tregs. Using this mouse model, we have now demonstrated that eliminating pTregs is sufficient to delay/prevent tumor malignancy without causing autoimmunity. Cancer-bearing mice that expressed KLF2 converted tumor-specific CD4+ T cells into pTregs, which accumulated in secondary lymphoid organs and impaired further T cell effector activity. In contrast, pTreg-deficient mice retained cancer-specific immunity, including improved T cell infiltration into "cold" tumors, reduced T cell exhaustion in tumor beds, restricted generation of tumor-associated myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and the continued production of circulating effector T cells that arose in a cancer-dependent manner. Results indicate that tumor-specific pTregs are critical for early stages of cancer progression and blocking the generation of these inhibitory lymphocytes safely delays/prevents malignancy in preclinical models of melanoma and prostate cancer.

Circular RNA circ_0002984 Facilitates the Proliferation and Migration of Ox-LDL-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via the Let-7a-5p/KLF5 Pathway.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). This study aimed to explore the exact role and mechanism of circ_0002984 in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-mediated human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs). The model of smooth muscle cell phenotype switching was constructed by treating HVSMCs with ox-LDL. The levels of circ_0002984, let-7a-5p, and kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) were measured by quantitative real-time PCR or western blot assay. Cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU staining, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry. The expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and KLF5 was examined by western blot. The relationship between let-7a-5p and circ_0002984 or KLF5 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RIP assay. The results showed thatcirc_0002984 and KLF5 were up-regulated, while let-7a-5p was down-regulated in AS patients and ox-LDL-disposed HVSMCs. Silence of circ_0002984 suppressed proliferation and migration, and promoted apoptosis in ox-LDL-stimulated HVSMCs. Moreover, circ_0002984 sponged let-7a-5p to regulate the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in ox-LDL-resulted HVSMCs. In addition, KLF5 was a target of let-7a-5p and its overexpression reversed the effect of let-7a-5p on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in ox-LDL-treated HVSMCs. Also, circ_0002984 positively regulated KLF5 expression by absorbing let-7a-5p. The promotion effect of circ_0002984 on the proliferation and migration of ox-LDL-treated HVSMCs was reversed by KLF5 silencing. Taken together,depletion of circ_0002984 inhibited the proliferation and migration of ox-LDL-stimulated HVSMCs, which might be achieved by modulating the let-7a-5p/KLF5 axis.

BRD4-specific PROTAC inhibits basal-like breast cancer partially through downregulating KLF5 expression

Interest in the use of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in cancer therapy has increased in recent years. Targeting bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) proteins, especially bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), has shown inhibitory effects on basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). However, the bioavailability of BRD4 PROTACs is restricted by their non-selective biodegradability and low tumor-targeting ability. We demonstrated that 6b (BRD4 PROTAC) suppresses BLBC cell growth by targeting BRD4, but not BRD2 and BRD3, for cereblon (CRBN)-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Compound 6b also inhibited expression of Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) transcription factor, a key oncoprotein in BLBC, controlled by BRD4-mediated super-enhancers. Moreover, 6b inhibited HCC1806 tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. The combination of 6b and KLF5 inhibitors showed additive effects on BLBC. These results suggest that BRD4-specific PROTAC can effectively inhibit BLBC by downregulating KLF5, and that 6b has potential as a novel therapeutic drug for BLBC.

Sequential system based on ferritin delivery system and cell therapy for modulating the pathological microenvironment and promoting recovery

The vicious crosstalk among capillarization of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), activation of hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs), and hepatocyte damage poses a significant impediment to the successful treatment of liver fibrosis. In this study, we propose a sequential combination therapy aimed at disrupting the malignant crosstalk and reshaping the benign microenvironment while repairing damaged hepatocytes to achieve effective treatment of liver fibrosis. Firstly, H-subunit apoferrin (Ferritin) was adopted to load platycodonin D (PLD) and MnO2, forming ferritin@MnO2/PLD (FMP) nanoparticles, which exploited the high affinity of ferritin for the highly expressed transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) to achieve the precise targeted delivery of FMP in the liver. Upon PLD intervention, restoration of the fenestration pores in capillarized LSECs was facilitated by modulating the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and Kruppel Like Factor 2 (KLF2) signaling pathways both in vitro and in vivo, enabling efficient entry of FMP into the Disse space. Subsequently, FMP NPs effectively inhibited HSC activation by modulating the TLR2/TLR4/NF-κB-p65 signaling pathway. Moreover, FMP NPs efficiently scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigated the expression of inflammatory mediators, thereby reshaping the microenvironment to support hepatocyte repair. Finally, administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) was employed to promote the regeneration and functional recovery of damaged hepatocytes. In conclusion, the combined sequential therapy involving FMP and BMMSCs effectively attenuated liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 administration, resulting in significant amelioration of the fibrotic condition. The therapeutic strategy outlined in this study underscores the significance of disrupting the deleterious cellular interactions and remodeling the microenvironment, thereby presenting a promising avenue for clinical intervention in liver fibrosis.

BCG vaccination alters the epigenetic landscape of progenitor cells in human bone marrow to influence innate immune responses

Although the Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used to prevent tuberculosis, it also offers protection against a diverse range of non-mycobacterial infections. However, the underlying protective mechanisms in humans are not yet fully understood. Here, we surveyed at single-cell resolution the gene expression and chromatin landscape of human bone marrow, aspirated before and 90days after BCG vaccination or placebo. We showed that BCG alters both the gene expression and epigenetic profiles of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Changes in gene expression occurred primarily within uncommitted stem cells. By contrast, changes in chromatin accessibility were most prevalent within differentiated progenitor cells at sites influenced by Kruppel-like factor (KLF) and early growth response (EGR) transcription factors and were highly correlated (r>0.8) with the interleukin (IL)-1β secretion capacity of paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Our findings shed light on BCG vaccination's profound and lasting effects on HSPCs and its influence on innate immune responses and trained immunity.

USP11 promotes renal tubular cell pyroptosis and fibrosis in UUO mice via inhibiting KLF4 ubiquitin degradation.

The pyroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells leads to tubular loss and inflammation and then promotes renal fibrosis. The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) can bidirectionally regulate the transcription of target genes. Our previous study revealed that sustained elevation of KLF4 is responsible for the transition of acute kidney injury (AKI) into chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal fibrosis. In this study, we explored the upstream mechanisms of renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis from the perspective of posttranslational regulation and focused on the transcription factor KLF4. Mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) surgery and euthanized on D7 or D14 for renal tissue harvesting. We showed that the pyroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells mediated by both the Caspase-1/GSDMD and Caspase-3/GSDME pathways was time-dependently increased in UUO mouse kidneys. Furthermore, we found that the expression of the transcription factor KLF4 was also upregulated in a time-dependent manner in UUO mouse kidneys. Tubular epithelial cell-specific Klf4 knockout alleviated UUO-induced pyroptosis and renal fibrosis. In Ang II-treated mouse renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (MTECs), we demonstrated that KLF4 bound to the promoter regions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-1 and directly increased their transcription. In addition, we found that ubiquitin-specific protease 11 (USP11) was increased in UUO mouse kidneys. USP11 deubiquitinated KLF4. Knockout of Usp11 or pretreatment with the USP11 inhibitor mitoxantrone (3 mg/kg, i.p., twice a week for two weeks before UUO surgery) significantly alleviated the increases in KLF4 expression, pyroptosis and renal fibrosis. These results demonstrated that the increased expression of USP11 in renal tubular cells prevents the ubiquitin degradation of KLF4 and that elevated KLF4 promotes inflammation and renal fibrosis by initiating tubular cell pyroptosis.

Bioinformatic Evaluation of KLF13 Genetic Variant: Implications for Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Symptoms.

The Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family represents a group of transcription factors (TFs) performing different biological processes that are crucial for proper neuronal function, including neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival. As reported, genetic variants within the KLF family have been associated with a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric symptoms. In a patient exhibiting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined with both neurodevelopmental and psychiatric symptoms, whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis revealed a de novo heterozygous variant within the Krüppel-like factor 13 (KLF13) gene, which belongs to the KLF family and regulates axonal growth, development, and regeneration in mice. Moreover, in silico analyses pertaining to the likely pathogenic significance of the variant and the impact of the mutation on the KLF13 protein structure suggested a potential deleterious effect. In fact, the variant was localized in correspondence to the starting residue of the N-terminal domain of KLF13, essential for protein-protein interactions, DNA binding, and transcriptional activation or repression. This study aims to highlight the potential involvement of the KLF13 gene in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out that excluded variants, those undetectable by WES, or the polygenic risk may have contributed to the patient's phenotype given ADHD's high polygenic risk. However, further functional studies are required to validate its potential contribution to these disorders.

Abstract Tu015: Angiopoietin-like 4 Stabilizes Atherosclerotic Plaques by Modulating the Phenotypic Transition of Endothelial Cells and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death, is a vascular disease of chronic inflammation. We recently showed that angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) promotes cardiac repair by suppressing pathological inflammation. Given the fundamental contribution of inflammation to atherosclerosis, we assessed the role of ANGPTL4 in the development of atherosclerosis and determined whether ANGPTL4 regulates atherosclerotic plaque stability. We injected ANGPTL4 protein twice a week into atherosclerotic Apoe-/- mice and analyzed the atherosclerotic lesion size, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and plaque stability. In atherosclerotic mice, ANGPTL4 reduced the atherosclerotic plaque size, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular inflammation. Furthermore, ANGPTL4 was associated with maintenance of vascular integrity and attenuated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in both HUVEC and atherosclerotic plaque of Apoe-/- mice. In the atherosclerotic lesions and fibrous caps, the number of α-SMA(+), SM22α(+), and SM-MHC(+) cells was higher, while the number of CD68(+) and Mac2(+) cells was lower in the ANGPTL4 group. Most importantly, the fibrous cap was significantly thicker in the ANGPTL4 group than in the PBS group. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) isolated from atherosclerotic aortas showed significantly increased expression of CD68 and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a modulator of the vascular SMC phenotype, along with downregulation of α-SMA, and these changes were attenuated by ANGPTL4 treatment. Furthermore, ANGPTL4 reduced TNFa-induced NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), a major source of reactive oxygen species, resulting in attenuation of KLF4-mediated SMC phenotypic changes. Our results reveal that ANGPTL4 treatment inhibits atherogenesis and suggest that targeting vascular stability and inflammation may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat atherosclerosis. Even more importantly, ANGPTL4 treatment inhibited the phenotypic changes of SMCs into macrophage-like cells by downregulating NOX1 activation of KLF4, leading to the formation of more stable plaques.

KLF4 Induces Colorectal Cancer by Promoting EMT via STAT3 Activation.

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) has been demonstrated to exert a pro-carcinogenic effect in solid tissues. However, the precise biological function and underlying mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains elucidated. To investigate whether KLF4 participates in the proliferation and invasion of CRC. The expression of KLF4 was investigated using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. The clinical significance of KLF4 was evaluated. Furthermore, the effect of inhibiting or overexpressing KLF4 on tumor was examined. Immunoblotting and qPCR were used to detect Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins levels. Additionally, the molecular function of KLF4 is related to the STAT3 signaling pathway and was determined through JASPAR, GSEA analysis, and in vitro experiments. KLF4 exhibits down-regulated expression in CRC and is part of the vessel invasion, TNM stage, and worse prognosis. In vitro studies have shown that KLF4 promotes cellular proliferation and invasion, as well as EMT processes. Xenograft tumor models confirmed the oncogenic role of KLF4 in nude mice. Furthermore, GSEA and JASPAR databases analysis reveal that the binding of KLF4 to the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) promoter site induces activation of p-STAT3 signaling. Subsequent targeting of STAT3 confirmed its pivotal role in mediating the oncogenic effects exerted by KLF4. The study suggests that KLF4 activates STAT3 signaling, inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby promoting CRC progression.

Pharmacological characterization of the antidiabetic drug metformin in atherosclerosis inhibition: A comprehensive insight.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a progressive disease that interferes with blood flow, leading to cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, and vascular ischemia. The progression of AS is correlated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Various signaling pathways, like nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), are involved in the pathogenesis of AS. Nrf2 and KLF2 have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, activation of these pathways may reduce the development of AS. Metformin, an insulin-sensitizing drug used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), increases the expression of Nrf2 and KLF2. AS is a common long-term macrovascular complication of T2DM. Thus, metformin, through its pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effect, may attenuate the development and progression of AS. Therefore, this review aims to investigate the possible role of metformin in AS concerning its effect on Nrf2 and KLF2 and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. In addition to its antidiabetic effect, metformin can reduce cardiovascular morbidities and mortalities compared to other antidiabetic agents, even with similar blood glucose control by the Nrf2/KLF2 pathway activation. In conclusion, metformin is an effective therapeutic strategy against the development and progression of AS, mainly through activation of the KLF2/Nrf2 axis.

Genetic Analysis of Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Ferroptosis from Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Based on Machine Learning.

To locate the candidate therapeutic target genes involved in ferroptosis in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH). Bioinformatics analysis study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangdong, China, from March to July 2023. After processing the gene expression omnibus (GEO) data with the R programming language, differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes in SONFH were identified. To pinpoint the genes most strongly linked to SONFH in association with ferroptosis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) were employed. Subsequently, the screened essential genes were analysed to investigate immune cell infiltration, and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks involving these marker genes were constructed. The machine learning algorithms identified three genes i.e., SOCS1 (suppressor of cytokine signalling1), MYCN (N-myc proto-oncogene protein), and KLF2 (Kruppel-like factor 2) as diagnostic feature biomarkers associated with ferroptosis. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis revealed that alterations in the immune microenvironment, such as Macrophages M1, Monocytes, and T cells CD4 naive, could be linked to SOCS1, MYCN, and KLF2. Moreover, the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network exposed a complex regulatory relationship based on marker genes. SOCS1, MYCN, and KLF2 are potential biomarkers associated with ferroptosis in SONFH, pending confirmation in future studies. Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head, Ferroptosis, Machine learning, Genetic analysis.

Elevated levels of KLF12 impair trophoblast syncytialization via GCM1 downregulation

Objective: Placental dysfunction is a major contributor to miscarriages in humans. We observed elevated expression of Kruppel-like factor 12 (KLF12) in placental villi of women who experienced miscarriage compared to that in women with healthy pregnancies. This study aimed to elucidate the role of KLF12 in maintaining a successful pregnancy. Methods: To investigate the role of KLF12 in placentation, we employed a model of forskolin-induced syncytialization in BeWo cells. Results: Our findings revealed that KLF12 expression is downregulated during normal syncytialization. Conversely, we observed that abnormally high KLF12 levels directly suppressed glial cells missing-1 (GCM1) expression. This suppression of GCM1 expression subsequently impaired BeWo cell syncytialization. Furthermore, we observed placental deformities in KLF12-overexpressing mouse fetuses. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that elevated levels of KLF12 disrupt trophoblast syncytialization by downregulating GCM1 expression. These findings suggest that KLF12 may be a novel candidate gene contributing to unexplained miscarriages.

Different parts of the mussel Gigantidas haimaensis holobiont responded differently to deep-sea sampling stress.

Acute environmental changes cause stress during conventional deep-sea biological sampling without in situ fixation and affect gene expressions of samples collected. However, the degree of influence and underlying mechanisms are hardly investigated. Here, we conducted comparative transcriptomic analyses between in situ and onboard fixed gills and between in situ and onboard fixed mantles of deep-sea mussel Gigantidas haimaensis to assess the effects of incidental sampling stress. Results showed that transcription, translation, and energy metabolism were upregulated in onboard fixed gills and mantles, thereby mobilizing rapid gene expression to tackle the stress. Autophagy and phagocytosis that related to symbiotic interactions between the host and endosymbiont were downregulated in the onboard fixed gills. These findings demonstrated that symbiotic gill and nonsymbiotic mantle responded differently to sampling stress, and symbiosis in the gill was perturbed. Further comparative metatranscriptomic analysis between in situ and onboard fixed gills revealed that stress response genes, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and methane fixation were upregulated in the onboard fixed endosymbiotic Gammaproteobacteria inside the gills, implying that energy metabolism of the endosymbiont was increased to cope with sampling stress. Furthermore, comparative analysis between the mussel G. haimaensis and the limpet Bathyacmaea lactea transcriptomes resultedidentified six transcription factor orthologs upregulated in both onboard fixed mussel mantles and limpets, including sharply increased early growth response protein 1 and Kruppel-like factor 5. They potentially play key roles in initiating the response of sampled deep-sea macrobenthos to sampling stress. Our results clearly show that in situ fixed biological samples are vital for studying deep-sea environmental adaptation.

Ca2+ signals are essential for T-cell proliferation, while Zn2+ signals are necessary for T helper cell 1 differentiation

The regulation of T-cell fate is crucial for the balance between infection control and tolerance. Calcium (Ca2+) and zinc (Zn2+) signals are both induced after T-cell stimulation, but their specific roles in the fate of activation and differentiation remain to be elucidated. Are Zn2+- and Ca2+ signals responsible for different aspects in T-cell activation and differentiation and do they act in concert or in opposition? It is crucial to understand the interplay of the intracellular signals to influence the fate of T cells in diseases with undesirable T-cell activities or in Zn2+-deficient patients. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with the Zn2+ ionophore pyrithione and thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA). Intracellular Zn2+ and Ca2+ signals were monitored by flow cytometry and ELISA, quantitative PCR and western blot were used to evaluate T-cell differentiation and the underlying molecular mechanism. We found that Zn2+ signals upregulated the early T-cell activation marker CD69, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), and Krüppel-like factor 10 (KLF-10) expression, which are important for T helper cell (Th) 1 differentiation. Ca2+ signals, on the other hand, increased T-bet and Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) expression and interleukin (IL)-2 release. Most interestingly, the combination of Zn2+ and Ca2+ signals was indispensable to induce interferon (IFN)-γ expression and increased the surface expression of CD69 by several-fold. These results highlight the importance of the parallel occurrence of Ca2+ and Zn2+ signals. Both signals act in concert and are required for the differentiation into Th1 cells, for the stabilization of regulatory T cells, and induces T-cell activation by several-fold. This provides further insight into the impaired immune functions of patients with zinc deficiency.

Metformin overcomes chemoresistance by regulating stemness via KLF4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Chemoresistance is a common event after chemotherapy, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Accumulated evidence suggests that the cancer stemness significantly contributes to therapy resistance. An unresolved question remains regarding how to effectively overcome OSCC chemoresistance by targeting stemness. This study aims to investigate the antitumor effect of metformin and clarify the potential molecular mechanisms. Cellular models resistant to chemotherapy were established, and their viability and sphere-forming ability were assessed using CCK-8 and soft agar formation assays, respectively. RNA-seq and Western blotting analyses were employed to delve into the molecular pathways. Furthermore, to corroborate the inhibitory effects of metformin and cisplatin at an animal level, a subcutaneous tumor transplantation model was instituted. Metformin as a monotherapy exhibited inhibition of stemness traits via Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Metformin and cisplatin can synergically inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. Animal experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of cisplatin and metformin on tumor in mice. Our study proposes a potential therapeutic approach of combining chemotherapy with metformin to overcome chemoresistance in OSCC.

The neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in medullary thyroid cancer

Neurotransmitters are key modulators in neuro-immune circuits and have been linked to tumor progression. Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor, expresses neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is insensitive to chemo- and radiotherapies, and the effectiveness of immunotherapies remains unknown. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of the tumor microenvironment would facilitate effective therapies and provide evidence on CGRP’s function outside the nervous system. Here, we compare the single-cell landscape of MTC and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and find that expression of CGRP in MTC is associated with dendritic cell (DC) abnormal development characterized by activation of cAMP related pathways and high levels of Kruppel Like Factor 2 (KLF2), correlated with an impaired activity of tumor infiltrating T cells. A CGRP receptor antagonist could offset CGRP detrimental impact on DC development in vitro. Our study provides insights of the MTC immunosuppressive microenvironment, and proposes CGRP receptor as a potential therapeutic target.