Regulation Of Cell Proliferation Research Articles

Crocin Potentiates Anti-tumor Properties of 5-FU by Regulating Cell Proliferation and Tumor Necrosis in Breast Cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women around the world. Crocus sativus, a natural food coloring and flavoring, has potent anti-tumor properties. The aim of the current study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of crocin, the main pharmacological active component of saffron, either alone or in combination with the standard chemotherapeutic treatment, 5-FU, in Breast cancer (BC) progression in both cellular and animal models. Material and Methods: MTT, Real-Time PCR, Western Blotting, Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) tissue staining were applied to determine the anti-tumor properties of crocin in in vitro and in vivo samples. Results: Our findings showed that crocin decreased breast cancer cell proliferation by suppressing cyclin D1 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. Moreover, this molecule improved 5- FU anti-cancer activities by decreasing the tumor volume and weight, increasing tumor necrosis, and suppressing tumor inflammation in an animal model. Inflammation-associated anti-cancer activity of crocin is mediated by the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, including IFN-γ and IL-1β, as well as inhibition of oxidative stress responses within the tumor environment. Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating the potent anti-tumor properties of crocin against BC progression. Our results suggest that this effective and low-toxic molecule could be a promising agent for reducing BC tumor progression when administered either alone or in combination with standard treatment in breast cancer patients.

Identification of Novel CDK 4/6 Inhibitors by High-throughput Virtual Screening

Background: CDK4/6 plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, and inhibiting this kinase can effectively prevent the initiation of cell growth and division. However, current FDAapproved CDK4/6 inhibitors have limitations such as poor bioavailability, adverse effects, high cost, and limited accessibility. Thus, this research aimed to discover novel CDK4/6 inhibitors to overcome the challenges associated with FDA-approved inhibitors. Methods: To identify potential CDK4/6 inhibitors, we have performed structure-based virtual screening. Chem-space and Mcule databases have been screened, followed by a series of filtering steps. These steps included assessing drug-likeness, PAINS alert, synthetic accessibility scores, ADMET properties, consensus molecular docking, and performing molecular dynamics simulations. Results: Four new compounds (CSC089414133, CSC091186116, CSC096023304, CSC101755872) have been identified as potential CDK4/6 inhibitors. These compounds exhibited strong binding affinity with CDK4/6, possessed drug-like features, showed no PAINS alert, had a low synthetic accessibility score, demonstrated effective ADMET properties, were non-toxic, and exhibited high stability. Conclusion: Inhibiting CDK4/6 with the identified compounds may lead to reduced cell proliferation and the promotion of cancer cell death.

Transcriptomic analysis identified novel biomarker in invasive placenta accreta spectrum

IntroductionPlacenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders pose a grave threat to maternal life due to severe hemorrhage and the heightened risk of peripartum hysterectomy. Consequently, there's a pressing need for circulating biomarkers in clinical settings. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), being stable in peripheral circulation, hold promise as potential biomarkers for PAS. MethodsThis study recruited singleton live pregnancies, including cases of invasive PAS, placenta previa (PP), and controls, across three phases. Initially, RNA-seq of peripheral blood identified 6 miRNAs in the screening phase. Subsequently, in the training and validation phases, miR-23a-5p, along with its target genes ASF1B and CHTF8, were validated using qRT-PCR. The diagnostic value of these markers for PAS and adverse outcomes was evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. ResultsThe results showed miR-23a-5p was down-regulated in PAS, whereas ASF1B and CHTF8 were up-regulated. miR-23a-5p had modest diagnostic efficiency for PAS and adverse outcomes, as the AUC were 0.689 and 0.711 respectively. However, when miR-23a-5p combined with CHTF8, the AUC can improve greatly to 0.869 in PAS diagnosis and 0.856 in prediction of adverse outcomes. DiscussionWe propose the miR-23a-5p plays a role in PAS pathogenesis through regulating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis by targeting various genes. This study confirmed its potential value of miR-23a-5p combined with target gene CHTF8 as novel biomarkers for PAS and adverse outcomes.

Extracellular matrix-mimicking cryogels composed of methacrylated fucoidan enhance vascularized skeletal muscle regeneration following volumetric muscle loss

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) significantly impairs the inherent regenerative ability of skeletal muscle and results in chronic functional impairment. Polysaccharides in the muscle extracellular matrix are crucial for regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Recent studies indicate that fucoidan has beneficial effects on musculoskeletal conditions. However, the impact of fucoidan on skeletal muscle regeneration remains poorly understood. In this study, methacrylated fucoidan (FuMA) was synthesized through chemical grafting of the methacryloyl group onto fucoidan. In vitro experiments demonstrated that treatment with FuMA significantly up-regulated the expression of myogenic markers and promoted the formation of myotubes in C2C12 myoblast cells. Importantly, FuMA treatment led to a significant enhancement in mitochondrial energy metabolism of myoblasts via activation of the NRF2 antioxidant signaling pathway. To further investigate the regenerative properties in repairing skeletal muscle defects, we fabricated a dual crosslinked cryogel consisting of FuMA and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) with a porous and interconnected structure. In a rat tibialis anterior muscle VML model, implantation of the FuMA/GelMA cryogel effectively promoted the regeneration of muscle fibers, reduced collagen deposition, and facilitated the formation of new blood vessels. Hence, polysaccharide-based cryogels represent a promising implantable biomimetic scaffold for facilitating skeletal muscle regeneration following severe injuries.

The heterogeneity of NOTCH1 to tumor immune infiltration in pan-cancer.

NOTCH1 signaling, a vital regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation, is widely involved in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors. Pharmacological regulation of NOTCH1 is promising in tumor immunotherapy, whereas the effective rate of existing therapies remains low. NOTCH1 functions, as a cancer suppressor or a cancer promoter in different cancers, is engaged in the crosstalk between the immune microenvironment and cancer cells, posing a major challenge to immunotherapy. Therefore, a comprehensive view of the overall situation of NOTCH1-associated immune infiltration in pan-cancer should be built. The relation between NOTCH1 and immune infiltration was initially investigated in this paper. In this study, the data originated from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were input into multiple online bioinformatic tools to study the characteristics of NOTCH1 in pan-cancer. We found that there was obvious heterogeneity in the NOTCH1-associated tumor immune infiltration in pan-cancer. In accordance with the heterogeneity, pan-cancer mainly fell into two categories, i.e., cancers that NOTCH1 promoted immune infiltration (termed hot tumors) and NOTCH1 inhibited immune infiltration (termed cold tumors). We further analyzed the changes of immune infiltration in pan-carcinoma species from the perspectives of NOTCH1 expression, mutation, gene function, tumor metastasis and drugs. NOTCH1 expression was significantly up-regulated in cold tumors but down-regulated in hot tumors. The Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of NOTCH1 with the two categories placed stress on angiogenesis and protein dealkylation, respectively. Further, the gene sets of angiogenesis facilitated immune infiltration, whereas the gene sets of protein dealkylation hindered immune infiltration. The tsRNA associated with NOTCH1 is a type of angiogenin that potentially exerts a significant influence on angiogenesis. We have conducted a meticulous analysis of the function of this tsRNA. NOTCH1 was conducive to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) immune infiltration, while the metastatic process was more dependent on the differentiation and angiogenesis function of NOTCH1. Accordingly, the heterogeneity of NOTCH1 in immune infiltration was extensively analyzed in this study based on the pan-cancer study, which can contribute to the formulation of specific immunotherapy strategies.

MID1-COMPLEMENTING ACTIVITY regulates cell proliferation and development via Ca2+ signaling in Marchantia polymorpha.

MID1-COMPLEMENTING ACTIVITY (MCA) is a land plant-specific, plasma membrane protein and Ca2+ signaling component that responds to exogenous mechanical stimuli, such as touch, gravity, and hypotonic-osmotic stress, in various plant species. MCA is essential for cell proliferation and differentiation during growth and development in rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays). However, the mechanism by which MCA mediates cell proliferation and differentiation via Ca2+ signaling remains unknown. Here, we address this question using the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. We show that the M. polymorpha MCA ortholog, MpMCA, is highly expressed in actively dividing regions, such as apical notches in the thalli and developing gametangiophores, and that MpMCA is a plasma membrane protein. In vivo Ca2+ imaging using a Ca2+ sensor (yellow cameleon) revealed that MpMCA is required for maintaining proper [Ca2+]cyt levels in the apical notch region, egg cells, and antheridium cells. Mpmca mutant plants showed severe cell proliferation and differentiation defects in the thalli, gametangiophores, and gametangia, resulting in abnormal development and unsuccessful fertilization. Furthermore, expression of the Arabidopsis MCA1 gene complemented most of the defects in the growth and development of the Mpmca mutant plants. Our findings indicate that MpMCA is an evolutionarily conserved Ca2+-signaling component that regulates cell proliferation and development across the life cycle of land plants.

Abstract 4141496: Methylation changes in monocytes of type 2 diabetes patients with cardiovascular disease are associated with apoptosis and inflammation pathways.

Background: Monocytes have been implicated in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular (CV) complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aim: We investigated diabetes-induced methylation changes and enriched pathways in circulating monocytes of T2D patients. We compared T2D vs. non-T2D participants and analyzed T2D patients according to diabetes control. Further, we assessed methylation changes in a subset of patients with poor diabetes control and high CV risk following a 6-month treatment intensification. Methods: We recruited consecutively 200 participants, 160 with T2D and 40 non-diabetes controls. Circulating monocytes were sorted using the FACSAria2 ™ cell sorter. Samples were sequenced using enhanced reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. Methylation data was processed with Lumi and limma R packages to obtain batch and covariate corrected differential expression values for the indicated comparisons. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (Qiagen) was used to identify enriched pathways for each tested condition. Differentially methylated genes used for pathway analysis were those with a p-value < 0.05 and an absolute logFC value ≥ 0.5. Results: There were 1122 differentially methylated genes when comparing T2D to non-T2D patients. Among the top five enriched canonical pathways, apoptosis signaling was predicted to be activated, while the RHO GTPase cycle and LPS-stimulated MAPK signaling pathways were predicted to be inhibited. Within patients with diabetes, there were 1670 differentially methylated genes comparing those with poor control (HbA1c ≥ 7%) vs. good control (HbA1c<7%). Among the top five enriched pathways, synthesis of DNA, DNA replication signaling, and cell cycle checkpoints were activated while inhibition of ARE-mediated mRNA degradation pathway was inhibited. In patients who responded to treatment intensification (Δ HbA1c = -1.5%, p= 0.02), 1377 differentially methylated genes and differentially inhibited pathways such as non-homologous end-joining and cellular response to heat stress were identified. In non-responders, we identified 1582 differentially methylated genes and activated pathways, including inhibition of mRNA degradation pathways and p14/p19 ARF signaling. Conclusion: Treatment intensification in T2D patients with CVD and poor control showed the presence of differentially methylated genes affecting pathways regulating cell proliferation and inflammation and are known to be associated with diabetic CVD complications.

LINC02139 interacts with and stabilizes XIAP to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer.

Previous reports showed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) participates in the development and progression of tumors. Nevertheless, the effect of LINC02139 and its mechanism on gastric cancer (GC) is still unknown. We revealed that LINC02139 is upregulated in GC cell lines and tissues and high LINC02139 expression was correlated with the advancement of GC in patients. Functionally, overexpression of LINC02139 promoted, while knockdown of LINC02139 impaired GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and impeded tumorigenesis in a tumor xenograft model in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC02139 directly bound to XIAP and increased the protein level by maintaining its protein stability through inhibition of the ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation pathway. Importantly, the regulatory function of XIAP in LINC02139-mediated oncogenic effects was demonstrated. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that LINC02139 and XIAP collaboratively modulate GC cell growth and apoptosis. Analysis of clinical GC tissues further confirmed the upregulation of XIAP and the positive association between LINC02139 and XIAP expression. These findings established LINC02139 as a driver of tumorigenesis and highlighted the crucial involvement of the LINC02139-XIAP axis in GC progression, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic target for combating GC advancement.

TMET-39. DUAL TARGETING OF MAP KINASE SIGNALING AND METABOLISM IS A THERAPEUTIC VULNERABILITY IN PEDIATRIC DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMAS

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming in pediatric diffuse midline glioma is driven by gene expression changes induced by the hallmark histone mutation H3K27M, which results in aberrantly permissive activation of oncogenic signaling pathways. Previous studies of diffuse midline glioma with altered H3K27 (DMG-H3K27a) have shown that the RAS pathway, specifically through its downstream kinase, extracellular-signal-related kinase 5 (ERK5), is critical for tumor growth. However, there remains a knowledge gap in identifying effectors of ERK signaling and their roles in DMG-H3K27a. Leveraging several patient multi-omic datasets, we identified a unique relationship between ERK5 and brain tumor glycolysis. We establish that ERK5 is a critical regulator of cell proliferation and glycolysis in DMG-H3K27a, where ERK5 knockdown leads to decreases in glycolysis and increases in mitochondrial metabolism. We demonstrate through loss of function and overexpression studies that ERK5 mediates glycolysis through regulation of glycolytic enzyme Phosphofructo-2-Kinase/Fructose-2,6-Biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). PFKFB3 is a protein that catalyzes the synthesis or degradation of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP). Furthermore, we establish a novel mechanism, in which ERK5 mediates PFKFB3 expression via activation of MEF2A, an oncogenic transcription factor. DMG-H3K27a cells are sensitive to the loss or inhibition of PFKFB3 both in vitro and in orthotopic mouse models. However, monotherapy is ineffective in heterogenous diseases such as gliomas, including DMG-H3K27a. To combat this, we show multi-targeted therapy against the ERK5-PFKFB3 axis is synergistic in vitro and in vivo. Multi-targeted drug therapy against the ERK5-PFKFB3 axis, such as with small-molecule inhibitors, may represent a promising therapeutic approach in patients with pediatric diffuse midline glioma. Moreover, we have identified resistance to our dual therapy using several systems biology approaches, which we are currently investigating and validating. Collectively, our study defines a novel, targetable axis in DMG-H3K27a and highlights the importance of tumor cell metabolism in defining therapeutic vulnerabilities.

CSIG-33. CERAMIDE-1-PHOSPHATE/CERK ARE REGULATORS OF ETMR GROWTH AND POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC TARGETS

Abstract Embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) is a highly aggressive CNS neoplasm which occurs almost exclusively in infants and is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. To identify functional signaling lipids that contribute to the aggressive nature of ETMR and that can be targeted therapeutically, we carried out mass spectrometry imaging on human ETMR patient samples, the patient-derived cell line BT183, and normal neural stem cells. We identified an accumulation of ceramide-1-photphate (C1P) within the rapidly proliferating embryonal tumor cells in patient samples and the cell model. We also detected high accumulation of C1P within the aberrant vascular proliferations in patient samples. Ceramide-1-phosphate is a pleiotropic bioactive signaling lipid that controls cell fate. C1P and its synthesizing enzyme, ceramide kinase (CERK), are known mitogens that have been shown to regulate cell proliferation in several non-CNS cancers. C1P is known to mediate the upregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/MEK/ERK1/2, Rho kinase, JNK, to promote cell survival and migration. After spatially mapping C1P accumulation in patient samples and our in vitro 3D models, we next carried out IHC to correlate lipid accumulation with its synthesizing enzyme, CERK. CERK was found to be abundantly accumulated in both endothelial and tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment of patient samples. Western blot analysis of CERK demonstrated a significant increase in the ETMR 3D tumorspheres compared to the NSC neurospheres. Treatment of the ETMR 3D tumorspheres with the CERK inhibitor, NVP-231, potently reduced cell growth and viability. Western blot analysis of ETMR tumorspheres at 8 and 24 hours post-treatment demonstrated a time-dependent decrease in N-MYC and a subsequent increase in p53. Studies are ongoing to validate these findings in vivo and to elucidate the signaling pathways that C1P/CERK regulate in both the vascular and tumor cells in ETMR.

Involvement of PDGFR-integrin interactions in the regulation of anoikis resistance in glioblastoma progression.

The interactions between platelet-derived growth factor/PDGF receptor and integrin signaling are crucial for cells to respond to extracellular stimuli. Integrin interactions with PDGFR within the lipid rafts activate downstream cellular signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, cell migration, cell differentiation, and cell death processes. The mechanisms underlying PDGFR activation mediated receptor internalization, interactions with other cell-surface receptors, particularly extracellular matrix receptors, integrins, and how these cellular mechanisms switch on anchorage-independent cell survival, leading to anoikis resistance are discussed. The role of regulatory molecules such as noncoding RNAs, that can modulate several molecular and cellular processes, including autophagy, in the acquisition of anoikis resistance is also discussed. Overall, the review provides a new perspective on a complex interplay of regulatory cellular machineries involving autophagy, noncoding RNAs and cellular mechanisms of PDGFR activation, PDGFR-integrin interactions, and involvement of lipids rafts in the acquisition of anoikis resistance that regulates glioblastoma progression along with potential future strategies to develop novel therapeutics for glioblastoma multiforme.

New Horizons in Cancer Progression and Metastasis: Hippo Signaling Pathway

The Hippo pathway is highly evolved to maintain tissue homeostasis in diverse species by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In tumor biology, the Hippo pathway is a prime example of signaling molecules involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Hippo core elements LATS1, LATS2, MST1, YAP, and TAZ have critical roles in the maintenance of traditional tissue architecture and cell homeostasis. However, in cancer development, dysregulation of Hippo signaling results in tumor progression and the formation secondary cancers. Hippo components not only transmit biochemical signals but also act as mediators of mechanotransduction pathways during malignant neoplasm development and metastatic disease. This review confers knowledge of Hippo pathway core components and their role in cancer progression and metastasis and highlights the clinical role of Hippo pathway in cancer treatment. The Hippo signaling pathway and its unresolved mechanisms hold great promise as potential therapeutic targets in the emerging field of metastatic cancer research.

Regulation of the Intestinal Stem Cell Pool and Proliferation in Drosophila

Understanding the regulation of somatic stem cells, both during homeostasis and in response to environmental challenges like injury, infection, chemical exposure, and nutritional changes, is critical because their dysregulation can result in tissue degeneration or tumorigenesis. The use of models such as the Drosophila and mammalian adult intestines offers valuable insights into tissue homeostasis and regeneration, advancing our knowledge of stem cell biology and cancer development. This review highlights significant findings from recent studies, unveiling the molecular mechanisms that govern self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). These insights not only enhance our understanding of normal tissue maintenance but also provide critical perspectives on how ISC dysfunction can lead to pathological conditions such as colorectal cancer (CRC).

Hedgehog Signalling Pathway and Its Role in Shaping the Architecture of Intestinal Epithelium

The hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway plays a key role in both embryonic and postnatal development of the intestine and is responsible for gut homeostasis. It regulates stem cell renewal, formation of the villous–crypt axis, differentiation of goblet and Paneth cells, the cell cycle, apoptosis, development of gut innervation, and lipid metabolism. Ligands of the Hh pathway, i.e., Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh), are expressed by superficial enterocytes but act in the mesenchyme, where they are bound by a Patched receptor localised on myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. This activates a cascade leading to the transcription of target genes, including those encoding G1/S-specific cyclin-D2 and -E1, B-cell lymphoma 2, fibroblast growth factor 4, and bone morphogenetic protein 4. The Hh pathway is tightly connected to Wnt signalling. Ihh is the major ligand in the Hh pathway. Its activation inhibits proliferation, while its blocking induces hyperproliferation and triggers a wound-healing response. Thus, Ihh is a negative feedback regulator of cell proliferation. There are data indicating that diet composition may affect the expression of the Hh pathway genes and proteins, which in turn, induces changes in mucosal architecture. This was shown for fat, vitamin A, haem, berberine, and ovotransferrin. The Hh signalling is also affected by the intestinal microbiota, which affects the intestinal barrier integrity. This review highlights the critical importance of the Hh pathway in shaping the intestinal mucosa and summarises the results obtained so far in research on the effect of dietary constituents on the activity of this pathway.

NEK2 Promotes ESCC Malignant Progression by Inhibiting Cellular Senescence via the FOXM1/c-Myc/p27 Signaling Pathway.

Never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a crucial serine-threonine kinase involved in the process of cell mitosis. However, the precise relationship between NEK2 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains inadequately understood. NEK2 expression in ESCC tissues was assessed through bioinformatics analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry, revealing a correlation with ESCC patient prognosis. Cultured ESCC cells and human normal esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC) were used to investigate the effects of NEK2 knockdown on the development and progression of ESCC by integrated confluence algorithm, colony formation, wound-healing, transwell, and ESCC xenograft tumor model, in vitro and in vivo. In ESCC tissues, NEK2 was found to be significantly upregulated, and its expression correlated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. NEK2 may facilitate ESCC development by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, results from in vivo experiments suggested that NEK2 knockdown can inhibit tumor growth. Moreover, forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) was identified as a potential downstream target of NEK2 in the regulation of ESCC, with its overexpression reversing the effects of NEK2 knockdown on ESCC. Mechanistic studies also indicated that NEK2 may promote the malignant progression of ESCC by inhibiting cellular senescence through the activation of the FOXM1/c-Myc/p27 signaling pathways, which may provide a novel perspective for the management of ESCC.

LINC02466 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through the mTOR pathway

ObjectiveLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) LINC02466 is an lncRNA newly linked to the adverse outcomes in primary liver cancer patients, and its crucial involvement in the disease's escalation. Decoding the specific role of LINC02466 in HCC progression is of great significance to provide a potential therapeutic target for HCC.MethodsRT-qPCR and Western Blot techniques was used to analyze the expression levels of LINC02466 in both malignant and surrounding healthy liver tissues. CCK8 assays and colony formation experiments indicates the LINC02466's effect on the proliferation rates of liver cancer cells. Flow cytometry was pivotal in revealing its significant influence on the cell cycle of these cells. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with log-rank tests were employed.ResultsThe suppression of LINC02466 markedly reduces the stemness attributes of liver cancer cells, indicating a potential therapeutic target. LINC02466 overexpression significantly increased tumor growth rates and final volumes. Further research indicated that LINC02466 significantly influences liver cancer progression through regulating the mTOR signaling pathway.ConclusionLINC02466 regulating cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and stemness characteristics via the mTOR pathway, suggesting LINC02466 as a potential therapeutic target for primary liver cancer.

Chimeric protein EWS::FLI1 drives cell proliferation in Ewing Sarcoma via aberrant expression of KCNN1/SK1 and dysregulation of calcium signaling.

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is characterized by EWS::FLI1 or EWS::ERG fusion proteins. Knowing that ion channels are involved in tumorigenesis, this work aimed to study the involvement of the KCNN1 gene, which encodes the SK1 potassium channel, in ES development. Bioinformatics analyses from databases were used to study KCNN1 expression in patients and cell lines. Molecular approaches and in vitro assays were used to study the transcriptional regulation of KCNN1 and its involvement in the regulation of ES cell proliferation. KCNN1 is overexpressed in ES patient biopsies, and its expression is inversely correlated with patient survival. EWS::FLI1, like EWS::ERG, promotes KCNN1 and SK1 expression, binding to GGAA microsatellites near the promoter of KCNN1 isoforms. KCNN1 is involved in the regulation of ES cell proliferation, with its silencing being associated with a slowing of the cell cycle, and its expression modulates membrane potential and therefore calcium flux. These results highlight that KCNN1 is a direct target of EWS::FLI1 and EWS::ERG and demonstrate that KCNN1 is involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium activity and ES cell proliferation, making it a promising therapeutic target in ES.

WNT16 as a promising biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus and its role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis.

To investigate the expression and function of WNT16, a member of the WNT family protein, in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). WNT16 expression was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 35 SLE patients and 25 healthy individuals using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, serum WNT16 protein levels were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 162 SLE patients, 96 healthy controls (HC), and disease controls comprised 154 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We investigated the associations between WNT16 protein levels and clinical manifestations, laboratory indices, and disease activity in SLE patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of serum WNT16 for SLE. Furthermore, we performed a knockdown assay on Jeko-1 cells and assessed cell proliferation and apoptosis using Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry. WNT16 mRNA in SLE patients' PBMCs were significantly lower than those in HC. Furthermore, serum WNT16 in SLE patients were markedly reduced compared to HC, RA, and SS cohorts. ROC curve analysis indicated that plasma WNT16 levels could serve as a potential biomarker for SLE identification (AUC=0.809, SLE vs. HC; AUC=0.760, SLE vs. RA; AUC=0.710, SLE vs. SS). Notably, a weak positive correlation was observed between WNT16 protein and both alkaline phosphatase and lymphocyte percentages. Conversely, a weak negative correlation existed between WNT16 and low-density lipoprotein, neutrophil percentage, and the incidence of pleurisy and disease activity. Additionally, our study confirmed that WNT16 knockdown impairs cell proliferation and enhances apoptosis. Serum WNT16 levels effectively differentiate SLE patients from healthy controls and individuals with other autoimmune disorders. WNT16 serves as a potential biomarker with high sensitivity. The diminished expression of WNT16 in SLE may have a significant role in its pathogenesis through the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Potential of FBXO8 Expression in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Its Regulation of Renal Adenocarcinoma Cells

BackgroundThe F-box protein 8 Gene (FBXO8) has been shown to suppress invasion and metastasis in various cancer types. Recurrence and drug resistance pose significant challenges in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Identifying novel biomarkers is crucial for addressing these issues. MethodsData on RNA sequencing and patient survival for KIRC was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), UALCAN, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. We confirmed FBXO8 gene expression and its impact on survival. Clinical characteristics were classified, and FBXO8 expression differences among various categories were observed. We conducted biofunctional predictions and analyzed the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints in relation to FBXO8 expression. FBXO8 was overexpressed using a plasmid, and we assessed Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis through CCK8, wound healing tests, and western blot analysis. ResultsOur findings revealed decreased FBXO8 expression in KIRC, with patients exhibiting low FBXO8 expression experiencing shorter survival times. The low expression group showed elevated TME immune and estimate scores. Biofunctional analyses indicated that FBXO8 expression was notably linked to drug metabolism cytochrome P450, nutrition disease, receptor-ligand activity, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Furthermore, we discovered significant correlations between FBXO8 expression and immune cell infiltration, as well as checkpoints such as CD274. Overexpression (OE) of FBXO8 led to a marked reduction in cell proliferation and migration, along with increased apoptosis, as evidenced by apoptosis-related protein expression. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that FBXO8 serves as a biomarker for KIRC and plays a role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.

Identification and validation of CCN family genes to predict the prognosis in gastric cancer

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is a deadly malignancy with an ever-increasing incidence worldwide. The cellular communication network (CCN) family serves as matricellular proteins and exerts their various functions via regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. This study aimed to perform an integrated analysis of CCNs to predict the prognosis in GC.MethodsThe microarray datasets were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify the differentially expressed genes between GC and non-tumor tissues. Functional enrichment and genetic alteration analysis revealed the biological functions and alteration status associated with CCNs. We analyzed the mRNA and protein expressions of CCN family in GC patients. Furthermore, the prognostic value of distinct CCN family members were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database. Finally, the human gastric cancer cell lines were used for in vitro experiments to further validate the role of WISP1.Results26 genes were firstly identified to be significantly highly expressed in gastric tumor tissues. CCN family genes were identified to predict the prognosis in GC. Among the six CCNs, WISP1 is upregulated in GC tissues and its highly expression is associated with poor survival in GC patients. Moreover, a significant correlation is found between the expression of WISP1 and the pathological stage of patients with GC. Additionally, in vitro experiments demonstrated that WISP1 promotes the proliferation and invasive potential of GC cells, suggesting it may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.ConclusionsA comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of CCN genes provides new insights into the potential roles of this family in GC. Importantly, WISP1 may be a good prognostic predictor and a potential therapeutic target for GC.