bims-kishpe 2024-10-06 papers

bims-kishpe

Biomed News

on HSP70 role in hypoxia and metabolism in ECs

Issue of 2024–10–06
seventeen papers selected by
Alia Ablieh, Universität Heidelberg

Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α Contributes to Matrix Metalloproteinases 2/9 and Inflammatory Responses in Periodontitis.
Targeting MGST1 Makes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Sensitive to Radiotherapy by Epigenetically Enhancing ALOX15-Mediated Ferroptosis.
HIF1α Counteracts TGFβ1-Driven TSP1 Expression in Endothelial Cells to Stimulate Angiogenesis in the Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment.
Chronic hypoxia drives the occurrence of ferroptosis in liver of fat greening (Hexagrammos otakii) by activating HIF-1α and promoting iron production.
Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier 1 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Emerging Insights: miRNA Modulation of Ferroptosis Pathways in Lung Cancer.
Apigenin inhibits lipid metabolism of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting the histone demethylase KDM1A.
MiR-140-3p Improves Sensitivity to Docetaxel by Suppressing PD-L1/ABCG2/MVP Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma.
E3 ubiquitin ligase DTX2 fosters ferroptosis resistance via suppressing NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in non-small cell lung cancer.
Effects of uric acid on oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Intracellular Methylglyoxal Accumulation in Classically Activated Mouse Macrophages is Mediated by HIF-1α.
Mild therapeutic hypothermic protection activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit TRPM7 and suppress ferroptosis induced by myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion injury.
O-GlcNAcylation promotes malignancy and cisplatin resistance of lung cancer by stabilising NRF2.
The Adenosinergic Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
FERMT1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.
HSPA12A stimulates "Smurf1-Hif1α-aerobic glycolysis" axis to promote proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.
The mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger NCLX is implied in the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors.

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2024 Sep 28.

Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α Contributes to Matrix Metalloproteinases 2/9 and Inflammatory Responses in Periodontitis.

Yanyang Ning, Weilan Li, Li Zou, Hongren Shen, Zhijian Su.

  Periodontitis is a prevalent condition characterized by inflammation and tissue destruction within the periodontium, with hypoxia emerging as a contributing factor to its pathogenesis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) has a crucial role in orchestrating adaptive responses to hypoxic microenvironments and has been implicated in various inflammatory-related diseases. Understanding the interplay between HIF-1α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and inflammatory responses in periodontitis could provide insights into its molecular mechanisms. We investigated the relationship between HIF-1α, MMP2, and MMP9 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) from periodontitis patients. The expression levels of HIF-1α, MMP2, MMP9, and inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Additionally, osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was identified by alkaline phosphatase activity. Significantly elevated levels of HIF-1α, MMP2, and MMP9 were observed in GCF of periodontitis patients compared to controls. Positive correlations were found between HIF-1α and MMP2/MMP9, as well as with IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Modulation of HIF-1α expression in PDLSCs revealed its involvement in MMP2/9 secretion and inflammatory responses, with inhibition of HIF-1α mitigating these effects. Furthermore, HIF-1α inhibition alleviated the reduction in osteogenic differentiation induced by inflammatory stimuli. Our findings elucidate the regulatory role of HIF-1α in MMP expression, inflammatory responses, and osteogenic differentiation in periodontitis. In conclusion, targeting HIF-1α signaling pathways may offer therapeutic opportunities for managing periodontitis and promoting periodontal tissue regeneration.

Keywords:  Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; Inflammatory responses; Matrix metalloproteinases; Periodontal ligament stem cells.; Periodontitis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-024-01550-z
Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2024 Sep 27.

Targeting MGST1 Makes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Sensitive to Radiotherapy by Epigenetically Enhancing ALOX15-Mediated Ferroptosis.

Yechen Ma, Yuping Peng, Shulin Cheng, Long Jin.

   BACKGROUND: Ferroptosis is closely related to radiotherapy resistance in multiple can-cers. Herein, the role of microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) in regulating ferropto-sis and radiotherapy resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated.
METHODS: Radiation-resistant NSCLC cells (NCI-1299-IR and HCC827-IR cells) were estab-lished. After exposure to X-ray, cell proliferation and survival were assessed by colony formation assay and CCK-8 assay, and lipid ROS level was examined by the fluorophore BODIPY™ 581/591 C11. MDA, GSH, and Fe2+ levels were measured by ELISA kits. The molecular interac-tion was analyzed using ChIP and MSP assays.
RESULTS: Our results showed that RSL3 treatment greatly enhanced the radiotherapy sensitivity of NCI-1299-IR and HCC827-IR cells. It was subsequently revealed that MGST1 was highly ex-pressed in NCI-1299-IR and HCC827-IR cells than its parent cells, and silencing of MGST1 re-duced radioresistance of NCI-1299-IR and HCC827-IR cells by facilitating ferroptosis. Mechanis-tically, MGST1 knockdown greatly reduced HO-1 and DNMT1/3A protein levels, leading to re-duced DNA methylation on the ALOX15 promoter region, thereby epigenetically upregulating ALOX15 expression. As expected, the promoting effects of MGST1 silencing on radiosensitivity and ferroptosis in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells were strikingly eliminated by ALOX15 knock-down.
CONCLUSION: MGST1 knockdown epigenetically enhanced radiotherapy sensitivity of NCSLC cells by promoting ALOX15-mediated ferroptosis through regulating the HO-1/DNMT1 pathway.

Keywords:  Non-small cell lung cancer; radioresistance; ferroptosis; MGST1; ALOX15; HO-1/DNMT1 pathway.

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2174/0115680096317925240820053934
Cancer Res. 2024 Oct 02.

HIF1α Counteracts TGFβ1-Driven TSP1 Expression in Endothelial Cells to Stimulate Angiogenesis in the Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment.

Yu-Wei Luo, Yang Fang, Hui-Xian Zeng, Yu-Chen Ji, Meng-Zhi Wu, Hui Li, Jie-Ying Chen, Li-Min Zheng, Jian-Hong Fang, Shi-Mei Zhuang.

Emerging evidence suggests that transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) can inhibit angiogenesis, contradicting the coexistence of active angiogenesis and high abundance of TGFβ1 in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we investigated how tumors overcome the anti-angiogenic effect of TGFβ1. TGFβ1 treatment suppressed physiological angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane and zebrafish models but did not affect angiogenesis in mouse hepatoma xenografts. The suppressive effect of TGFβ1 on angiogenesis was recovered in mouse xenografts by a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) inhibitor. In contrast, a HIF1α stabilizer abrogated angiogenesis in zebrafish, indicating that hypoxia may attenuate the anti-angiogenic role of TGFβ1. Under normoxic conditions, TGFβ1 inhibited angiogenesis by upregulating anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) in endothelial cells (ECs) via TGFβ type I receptor (TGFβR1)-SMAD2/3 signaling. In a hypoxic microenvironment, HIF1α induced microRNA-145 (miR145) expression; miR145 abolished the inhibitory effect of TGFβ1 on angiogenesis by binding and repressing SMAD2/3 expression and subsequently reducing TSP1 levels in ECs. Primary ECs isolated from human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) displayed increased miR145 and decreased SMAD3 and TSP1 compared to ECs from adjacent non-tumor livers. The reduced SMAD3 or TSP1 in ECs was associated with increased angiogenesis in HCC tissues. Collectively, this study identified that TGFβ1-TGFβR1-SMAD2/3-TSP1 signaling in ECs inhibits angiogenesis. This inhibition can be circumvented by a hypoxia-HIF1α-miR145 axis, elucidating a mechanism by which hypoxia promotes angiogenesis.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-24-2324
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Sep 30. pii: S0147-6513(24)01211-9. [Epub ahead of print]285 117135

Chronic hypoxia drives the occurrence of ferroptosis in liver of fat greening (Hexagrammos otakii) by activating HIF-1α and promoting iron production.

Dongxu Gao, Yiting Wu, Yu Zhan, Lei Peng, Ling Zhao, Shengnan Cao, Zhuang Xue, Wei Wang.

   BACKGROUND: Hypoxia caused by global climate change and human activities has become a growing concern eliciting serious effect and damages to aquatic animals. Hexagrammos otakii is usually a victim of hypoxia which caused by high density aquaculture and high nutrient input. The mechanism underlying ferroptosis regulation after hypoxia-stress in liver of H. otakii, however, remains elusive.
METHODS: For a duration of 15 days, expose the H. otakii to low concentrations of dissolved oxygen (3.4 ± 0.2 mg/L). Detecting alterations in the H. otakii liver tissue by chemical staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. The expression variations of relevant genes in the liver of the H. otakii were simultaneously detected using Western blot and qPCR. A correlation analysis was performed between HIF-1α and iron ion expression in the liver of H. otakii following hypoxic stress.
RESULTS: In this study, we conducted the whole ferroptosis integrated analysis of H. otakii under chronic hypoxic condition. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly accumulated under the hypoxia treatment (Superoxide Dismutase, SOD; Catalase, CAT), and which results in a significantly enhanced of lipid peroxidation (Lipid Peroxidation, LPO; Malondialdehyde, MDA; Aminotransferase, AST; Alanine aminotransferase, ALT) in liver tissue. The HIF-1α signaling is activated to cope with the hypoxia stress through strategies including changing iron ion concentration (Fe3+ and TFR1) to breaking the oxidation balance (GSH and GSH-Px), and enhancing ferroptosis gene expression (GPX4). The expression of genes related to ferroptosis pathway (DMT1, FTH1, STEAP3, ACSL4, γ-GCS, SLC7A11) is significantly upregulated and associated to the expression of iron and HIF-1α.
CONCLUSIONS: It is demonstrated that the HIF-1α/Fe3+/ROS/GPX4 axis is involved in promoting ferroptosis in fat greening hepatocytes following hypoxia-stress. Ultimately, our findings unveil a process by which hypoxic stress strongly encourages ferroptosis by triggering HIF-1α and boosting iron synthesis.

Keywords:  Ferroptosis; Hexagrammos otakii; Hypoxia; Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α; TFR1

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117135
Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2024 Jan-Dec;23:23 15330338241282080

Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier 1 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Hongbo Zou, Yunfei Yin, Kai Xiong, Xuelian Luo, Zhongju Sun, Bijing Mao, Qichao Xie, Mei Tan, Rui Kong.

   BACKGROUND: Abnormal mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) expression plays a key role in tumor metabolic reprogramming and progression. Understanding its significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets.
METHODS: TIMER 2.0 was utilized to assess the expression of MPC1 in both normal and cancer tissues in pan-cancer. Overall survival (OS) differences between high and low MPC1 expression were analyzed in NSCLC using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. We also examined the expression of MPC1 in NSCLC cell lines using western blotting and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In addition, the tissue samples and clinical information of 80 patients with NSCLC from our hospital were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess MPC1 expression, and OS was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the prognostic values of the clinical characteristics and MPC1expression.
RESULTS: Analysis of public databases suggested that MPC1 was downregulated in NSCLC compared to that in normal lung tissue and predicted poor prognosis. In addition, the expression of MPC1 in NSCLC cell lines was lower than that in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells at both protein and mRNA levels. Further clinical analysis suggested that MPC1 expression was correlated with age, tumor T stage, and TNM stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that NSCLC patients with high MPC1 expression had a better prognosis, particularly in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), whereas no survival benefit was observed in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that MPC1 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC.
CONCLUSIONS: MPC1 is poorly expressed in NSCLC, particularly in LUAD, which predicts a poor prognosis and may serve as an independent prognostic factor. Further studies on MPC1 may reveal new targets for the treatment of NSCLC.

Keywords:  lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD); mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1); non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); overall survival (OS); prognosis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338241282080
Exp Cell Res. 2024 Oct 01. pii: S0014-4827(24)00363-X. [Epub ahead of print] 114272

Emerging Insights: miRNA Modulation of Ferroptosis Pathways in Lung Cancer.

Elsayed G E Elsakka, Heba M Midan, Ahmed I Abulsoud, Doaa Fathi, Nourhan M Abdelmaksoud, Sherif S Abdel Mageed, Mohamed Bakr Zaki, Mai A Abd-Elmawla, Nehal I Rizk, Mahmoud A Elrebehy, Tamer M Abdelghany, Ahmed E Elesawy, Reem K Shahin, Manar Mohammed El Tabaa, Osama A Mohammed, Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim, Mohammed S Elballal, Ahmed S Doghish.

  The newly discovered programmed iron-dependent necrosis, ferroptosis, is a novel pathway that is controlled by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and cellular redox changes. It can be triggered intrinsically by low antioxidant enzyme activity or extrinsically by blocking amino acid transporters or activating iron transporters. The induction of ferroptosis involves the activation of specific proteins, suppression of transporters, and increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (a condition in which the ER, a crucial organelle involved in protein folding and processing, becomes overwhelmed by an accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins. This situation disrupts the normal functioning of the ER, leading to a cellular stress response known as the unfolded protein response), leading to lipid peroxidation byproduct accumulation and toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are highly reactive molecules derived from diatomic oxygen and include various forms such as superoxide (O₂⁻), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Ferroptosis is closely associated with signaling molecules in lung cancer, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), and P53, and is regulated by epigenetic factors such as microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), leading to translational repression or degradation. Several miRNAs have been found to modulate ferroptosis by targeting key genes involved in iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defense pathways. The research on ferroptosis has expanded to target its role in lung cancer treatment and resistance prevention. This review encapsulates the significance of ferroptosis in lung cancer. Understanding the mechanisms and implications of ferroptosis in lung cancer cells may lead to targeted therapies exploiting cancer cell vulnerabilities to ferroptosis Also, improving treatment outcomes, and overcoming resistance.

Keywords:  Cellular redox; Ferroptosis; Iron-dependent necrosis; Lipid peroxidation; Lung cancer; miRNAs

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114272
Phytomedicine. 2024 Sep 18. pii: S0944-7113(24)00681-0. [Epub ahead of print]135 156024

Apigenin inhibits lipid metabolism of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting the histone demethylase KDM1A.

Cheng Peng, Ximei Zhang, Nini Zhou, Ting Hu, Yang Shen, Teng Jiang Chen, Yan Liu, Hongjuan Cui, Shunqin Zhu.

   BACKGROUND: The development of cancer is accompanied by metabolic reprogramming, and the liver serves as a central hub for lipid transportation. Apigenin, a plant-derived flavonoid, demonstrates potent anticancer properties across various cancer types and exhibits promising potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. However, there are limited studies focusing on the downstream targets of apigenin. Moreover, there are few reports on the impact of apigenin in lipid metabolism within liver cancer cells.
PURPOSE: The objective is to elucidate the metabolic mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of apigenin on liver cancer progression, search for downstream targets and provide reliable data support for the clinical trials of apigenin.
METHODS: Anticancer effects of apigenin were detected at cellular and molecular levels in vitro, and downstream targets of apigenin, especially metabolic pathway genes, were analyzed by transcriptome. Next, the downstream target of apigenin was verified and the biological function of the downstream target was examined. Finally, the downstream target of apigenin was further verified by restoring target gene expression.
RESULTS: Cellular molecular experiments showed that Apigenin inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and lipid metabolism of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Transcriptome analysis showed apigenin widely regulates histone demethylase, particularly histone H3K4 lysine demethylase 1A (KDM1A). Apigenin treatment inhibited the expression of KDM1A protein and mRNA levels in liver cancer cells, molecular docking predicted the interaction between apigenin and KDM1A. Furthermore, downregulation KDM1A inhibited the proliferation and lipid metabolism of HCC cells, in the same way, overexpressing KDM1A promoted proliferation of HCC cells. Finally, restoring KDM1A expression partially attenuated the effects of apigenin on lipid metabolism in HCC cells.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study provides compelling evidence that apigenin inhibits liver cancer progression and elucidates its mechanism of action in regulating lipid metabolism. Specifically, we find that apigenin suppresses the progression of HCC cells by downregulating genes involved in lipid metabolism. Additionally, our results indicate that KDM1A acts as a downstream target of apigenin in the inhibition of lipid metabolism in HCC. These findings offer experimental support for the potential use of apigenin as a therapeutic agent for liver cancer, highlighting its relevance in future clinical applications.

Keywords:  Apigenin; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Histone demethylase KDM1A; Lipid metabolism; Proliferation and migration

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156024
Anticancer Res. 2024 Oct;44(10): 4283-4299

MiR-140-3p Improves Sensitivity to Docetaxel by Suppressing PD-L1/ABCG2/MVP Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Minji Kwon, Dayeon Lim, Jayeon Park, World Gil, Jiwoo Jung, Suyeon Jung, Chaeeon Kim, Minjeong Go, Ye Hwang Cheong, Hee Sun Park, Yong-Bin Eom, Sin-Aye Park.

   BACKGROUND/AIM: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) or lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) accounts for the majority of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and overexpression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in these cells is known to induce tumor immune evasion or drug resistance. However, detailed studies are needed to determine whether microRNAs (miRNAs) that reduce PD-L1 expression can suppress drug resistance in NSCLC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kaplan Meier plotter and Receiver Operating Characteristic plotter were used to determine the effect of specific miRNAs on survival and chemotherapy response in NSCLC patients. Cell viability, colony formation and invasion assays, and qPCR analyses were also performed.
RESULTS: The expression of miRNA-140-3p (miR-140-3p) was lower in LUAD patients, compared to the normal group, and low expression of miR-140-3p was associated with poor survival of LUAD patients, but not in LUSC. The miR-140-3p mimic inhibited proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of LUAD cells. Interestingly, the expression of miR-140-3p was significantly lower in the group of LUAD patients who did not respond to docetaxel. In LUAD cells, combined treatment with miR-140-3p and docetaxel significantly reduced cell viability as well as the expression of ABCG2 and MVP, genes associated with drug resistance, compared to either treatment alone. Additionally, combined injection of miR-140-3p mimic and docetaxel significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to treatment with docetaxel alone.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the high expression of miR-140-3p in LUAD is correlated with good patient prognosis and may contribute to the treatment of LUAD, especially by increasing responsiveness to docetaxel.

Keywords:  Lung adenocarcinoma; MiR-140-3p; PD-L1; docetaxel; drug resistance

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.17258
Drug Resist Updat. 2024 Sep 28. pii: S1368-7646(24)00112-2. [Epub ahead of print]77 101154

E3 ubiquitin ligase DTX2 fosters ferroptosis resistance via suppressing NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Zhuang Liu, Chang Liu, Caihong Fan, Runze Li, Shiqi Zhang, Jia Liu, Bo Li, Shengzheng Zhang, Lihong Guo, Xudong Wang, Zhi Qi, Yanna Shen.

  Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the foremost contributor to cancer-related fatalities globally, with limited effective therapeutic modalities. Recent research has shed light on the role of ferroptosis in various types of cancers, offering a potential avenue for improving cancer therapy. Herein, we identified E3 ubiquitin ligase deltex 2 (DTX2) as a potential therapeutic target candidate implicated in promoting NSCLC cell growth by inhibiting ferroptosis. Our investigation revealed a significant upregulation of DTX2 in NSCLC cells and tissues, which was correlated with poor prognosis. Downregulation of DTX2 suppressed NSCLC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, while its overexpression accelerated cell proliferation. Moreover, knockdown of DTX2 promoted ferroptosis in NSCLC cells, which was mitigated by DTX2 overexpression. Mechanistically, we uncovered that DTX2 binds to nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), facilitating its ubiquitination and degradation via the K48 chain, which subsequently dampens NCOA4-driven ferritinophagy and ferroptosis in NSCLC cells. Notably, DTX2 knockdown promotes cisplatin-induced ferroptosis and overcomes drug resistance of NSCLC cells. These findings underscore the critical role of DTX2 in regulating ferroptosis and NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Keywords:  DTX2; Ferritinophagy; NCOA4; Non-small cell lung cancer; Ubiquitination

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drup.2024.101154
Biomed Rep. 2024 Dec;21(6): 171

Effects of uric acid on oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Segun Dogru, Ekrem Yasar, Akin Yesilkaya.

  Hyperuricemia during hypertension is associated with aberrant vascular functions and increased oxidative stress, which affects endothelial dysfunction. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of uric acid on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through oxidative stress remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the dose- and time-dependent effects of uric acid on oxidative stress and p53 protein expression in VSMCs. VSMCs were incubated with various concentrations of uric acid (0-50 mg/dl) for different time periods (1-24 h). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), protein carbonylation and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined using appropriate assay kits. Superoxide anion release was detected using the Görlach method. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression levels of p53. The findings demonstrated that the application of uric acid led to an increase in protein carbonylation and superoxide anion levels while causing a decrease in NO levels. Conversely, no significant effect was observed on TBARS levels. Additionally, it was observed that high concentrations of uric acid suppressed p53 expression at 6, 12 and 24 h. The present study provided evidence that the influence of uric acid on oxidative stress was more closely associated with time than dose; however, not all effects observed were strictly time-dependent.

Keywords:  nitric oxide; oxidative stress; p53; uric acid; vascular smooth muscle cells

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1859
J Leukoc Biol. 2024 Oct 03. pii: qiae215. [Epub ahead of print]

Intracellular Methylglyoxal Accumulation in Classically Activated Mouse Macrophages is Mediated by HIF-1α.

Daniel Prantner, Stefanie N Vogel.

  Approximately one million cases of sepsis in the U.S.A. occur annually. The early phase of sepsis features dramatic changes in host metabolism and inflammation. While examining the effects of metabolic pathways on inflammation, we discovered that the highly reactive glycolytic metabolite, methylglyoxal (MG), accumulates intracellularly during classical activation of macrophages. Herein, we explored the role of glycolysis and the master regulator of glycolysis, Hypoxia-Inducing Factor-1α (HIF-1α), in inflammation and MG accumulation in mouse and human macrophages. To determine how HIF-1α regulates the inflammatory response of macrophages, we correlated HIF-1α stabilization with proinflammatory gene expression and MG-adduct accumulation in WT vs HIF1a-deficient macrophages treated with LPS or LPS+IFN-γ. A nearly complete loss of HIF-1α protein expression in response to the hypoxia mimetic, cobalt chloride, confirmed the phenotype of the HIF1a-deficient macrophages. Moreover, absence of HIF-1α was also associated with decreased MG accumulation. Increasing the glucose concentration in cultured macrophages was sufficient to cause accumulation of endogenous MG-adducts which correlated with increased Tnf and Il1b expression during classical activation. Use of the MG antagonist, aminoguanidine, led to a significant decrease in Tnf and Il1b expression in both mouse macrophages and in the THP-1 human macrophage cell line. Although off-target effects cannot be ruled out, these results are consistent with the possibility that MG regulates cytokine expression in classically activated macrophages. Collectively, this work suggests that HIF-1α stabilization is upstream of MG accumulation and that targeting the activity of HIF-1α in macrophages may be therapeutic during sepsis by limiting endogenous MG accumulation.

Keywords:  Innate immunity; cytokine regulation; inflammation; metabolism

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/jleuko/qiae215
Mol Med Rep. 2024 Dec;pii: 220. [Epub ahead of print]30(6):

Mild therapeutic hypothermic protection activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit TRPM7 and suppress ferroptosis induced by myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion injury.

Yaqi Li, Yixuan Chen, Peng Yu, Deju Zhang, Xiaoyi Tang, Zicheng Zhu, Fan Xiao, Wei Deng, Yang Liu, Zhaoying Tan, Jing Zhang, Shuchun Yu.

  The present study aimed to investigate the role of PI3K‑mediated ferroptosis signaling induced by mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH), which was defined as a temperature of 34˚C, in protecting against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury (MIRI). To meet this aim, H9C2 cells underwent hypoxia‑reperfusion (H/R) and/or MTH. The MTT assay was used to assess cell viability, cytotoxicity was measured using a lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay, and Annexin V‑FITC/PI flow cytometric analysis was used to analyze early and late cell apoptosis. In addition, 84 healthy adult male Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=12), and underwent I/R and various treatments. Hemodynamics were monitored, and the levels of myocardial injury marker enzymes and oxidative stress markers in myocardial tissue were measured using ELISA. The expression levels of PI3K, AKT, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7 (TRPM7), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl‑CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in animals and cells were measured using western blot analysis. These experiments revealed that MTH could effectively reduce myocardial infarct size, improve hemodynamic performance following MIRI and suppress myocardial apoptosis, thereby contributing to the recovery from H/R injury. Mechanistically, MTH was revealed to be able to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in cells, upregulating GPX4, and downregulating the expression levels of TRPM7 and ACSL4. Treatment with 2‑aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (an inhibitor of TRPM7) could further strengthen the myocardial protective effects of MTH, whereas treatment with erastin (promoter of ferroptosis) and wortmannin (inhibitor of PI3K) led to the effective elimination of the myocardial protective effects of MTH. Compared with in the I/R group, the PI3K/AKT activation level and the expression levels of GPX4 were both significantly increased, whereas the expression levels of TRPM7 and ACSL4 were significantly decreased in the I/R + MTH group. Taken together, the results of the present study indicated that MTH may activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit TRPM7 and suppress ferroptosis induced by MIRI.

Keywords:  PI3K/AKT signaling pathway; mild therapeutic hypothermia; myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury; transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2024.13345
Clin Transl Med. 2024 Oct;14(10): e70037

O-GlcNAcylation promotes malignancy and cisplatin resistance of lung cancer by stabilising NRF2.

Yihan Zhang, Changning Sun, Leina Ma, Guokai Xiao, Yuchao Gu, Wengong Yu.

   BACKGROUND: The transcription factor NRF2 plays a significant role in regulating genes that protect cells from oxidative damage. O-GlcNAc modification, a type of posttranslational modification, is crucial for cellular response to stress. Although the involvement of both NRF2 and O-GlcNAc in maintaining cellular redox balance and promoting cancer malignancy has been demonstrated, the potential mechanisms remain elusive.
METHODS: The immunoblotting, luciferase reporter, ROS assay, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence was used to detect the effects of global cellular O-GlcNAcylation on NRF2. Mass spectrometry was utilised to map the O-GlcNAcylation sites on NRF2, which was validated by site-specific mutagenesis and O-GlcNAc enzymatic labelling. Human lung cancer samples were employed to verify the association between O-GlcNAc and NRF2. Subsequently, the impact of NRF2 O-GlcNAcylation in lung cancer malignancy and cisplatin resistance were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.
RESULTS: NRF2 is O-GlcNAcylated at Ser103 residue, which hinders its binding to KEAP1 and thus enhances its stability, nuclear localisation, and transcription activity. Oxidative stress and cisplatin can elevate the phosphorylation of OGT at Thr444 through the activation of AMPK kinase, leading to enhanced binding of OGT to NRF2 and subsequent elevation of NRF2 O-GlcNAcylation. Both in cellular and xenograft mouse models, O-GlcNAcylation of NRF2 at Ser103 promotes the malignancy of lung cancer. In human lung cancer tissue samples, there was a significant increase in global O-GlcNAcylation, and elevated levels of NRF2 and its O-GlcNAcylation compared to paired adjacent normal tissues. Chemotherapy promotes NRF2 O-GlcNAcylation, which in turn decreases cellular ROS levels and drives lung cancer cell survival.
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that OGT O-GlcNAcylates NRF2 at Ser103, and this modification plays a role in cellular antioxidant, lung cancer malignancy, and cisplatin resistance.

Keywords:  NRF2; O‐GlcNAc; ROS; drug resistance; lung cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.70037
Cancers (Basel). 2024 Sep 13. pii: 3142. [Epub ahead of print]16(18):

The Adenosinergic Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Olivier Van Kerkhove, Saartje Verfaillie, Brigitte Maes, Kristof Cuppens.

  Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-(L)1 and CTLA-4 have revolutionized the systemic treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), achieving impressive results. However, long-term clinical benefits are only seen in a minority of patients. Extensive research is being conducted on novel potential immune checkpoints and the mechanisms underlying ICI resistance. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in modulating the immune response and influencing the efficacy of ICIs. The adenosinergic pathway and extracellular adenosine (eADO) are potential targets to improve the response to ICIs in NSCLC patients. First, this review delves into the adenosinergic pathway and the impact of adenosine within the TME. Second, we provide an overview of relevant preclinical and clinical data on molecules targeting this pathway, particularly focusing on NSCLC.

Keywords:  adenosine; immune checkpoint inhibition; lung cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16183142
Transl Oncol. 2024 Sep 30. pii: S1936-5233(24)00271-7. [Epub ahead of print]50 102144

FERMT1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.

Wubin Guo, Mengnan Liu, Wei Luo, Jing Peng, Fei Liu, Xin Ma, Li Wang, Sijin Yang.

   OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermitin family member 1 (FERMT1) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via the EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.
METHODS: The expression of FERMT1 encoding protein kindlin-1 in HCC tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry, and FERMT1 mRNA expression in HCC tissues and cell lines was analyzed by qRT-PCR. After the FERMT1 expression of SNU182 and SNU387 interfered with siRNA, the cell viability, invasion, migration, and EMT were tested by CCK-8, transwell invasion, scratching, immunofluorescence/WB, respectively. Similarly, the effects of FERMT1 on the viability and metastasis of HCC were investigated in transplanted tumor and lung metastasis mouse models. The protein expressions of EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways were analyzed by WB. In addition, the relationship between FERMT1 and EGFR was further determined by immunofluorescence double staining and Co-IP.
RESULTS: FERMT1 was significantly upregulated in HCC, and silencing FERMT1 inhibited the viability, invasion, migration, and EMT of HCC. Silencing FERMT1 also inhibited the activation of EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. In addition, inhibition of EGFR, AKT, or ERK confirmed that EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways were involved in the promoting effects of FERMT1 on HCC. Co-IP and immunofluorescence experiments confirmed the targeting relationship between FERMT1 and EGFR.
CONCLUSION: FERMT1 was highly expressed in HCC and promoted viability, invasion, migration, and EMT of HCC by targeting EGFR to activate the EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. Our study revealed the role of FERMT1 in HCC and suggested that FERMT1 exerts biological effects through activating the EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.

Keywords:  EGFR/AKT/β-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways; Epithelial mesenchymal transition; FERMT1; Hepatocellular carcinoma

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102144
Cell Stress Chaperones. 2024 Sep 28. pii: S1355-8145(24)00117-2. [Epub ahead of print]

HSPA12A stimulates "Smurf1-Hif1α-aerobic glycolysis" axis to promote proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.

Xinxu Min, Yunfan Li, Xiaojin Zhang, Shijiang Liu, Ziyang Chen, Qian Mao, Qiuyue Kong, Zhaohe Wang, Li Liu, Zhengnian Ding.

  Proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) is critical for the recovery after kidney ischemia/reperfusion (KI/R). However, there is still lack of ideal therapies for promoting TEC proliferation. Heat shock protein A12A (HSPA12A) shows abundant expression in kidney in our previous studies. To investigate the role of HSPA12A in TEC proliferation after KI/R, an in vitro KI/R model was simulated by hypoxia (12h) and reoxygenation (12h) in human kidney tubular epithelial HK-2 cells. We found that when hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) triggered HK-2 cell injury, HSPA12A expression was downregulated and extracellular lactate, the read out of glycolysis, was also decreased. Loss and gain of functional studies showed that HSPA12A did not change cell viability after hypoxia, but increased cell proliferation as well as glycolytic flux of HK-2 cells after H/R. When blocking glycolysis by 2-DG or Oxamate, the HSPA12A-promoted HK-2 cell proliferation was also abolished. Further analysis revealed that HSPA12A overexpression increased Hif1α protein expression and nuclear localization in HK-2 cells in response to H/R, whereas HSPA12A knockdown showed the opposite effects. Notably, pharmacologically inhibition of Hif1α with YC-1 reversed the HSPA12A-induced increases of both glycolytic flux and proliferation of H/R HK-2 cells. Moreover, the HSPA12A-increased Hif1α protein expression was not via upregulating its transcription but though increasing its protein stability in a Smurf1-dependent manner. The findings indicate that HSPA12A might serve as a promising target for TEC proliferation to help recovery after KI/R.

Keywords:  HSPA12A; Hif1α; Hypoxia/reoxygenation; Proliferation; Tubular epithelial cells

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstres.2024.09.002
Redox Biol. 2024 Sep 19. pii: S2213-2317(24)00342-2. [Epub ahead of print]77 103364

The mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger NCLX is implied in the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors.

Carmen Choya-Foces, Elisa Navarro, Cristóbal de Los Ríos, Manuela G López, Javier Egea, Pablo Hernansanz-Agustín, Antonio Martínez-Ruiz.

Eukaryotic cells and organisms depend on oxygen for basic living functions, and they display a panoply of adaptations to situations in which oxygen availability is diminished (hypoxia). A number of these responses in animals are mediated by changes in gene expression programs directed by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), whose main mechanism of stabilization and functional activation in response to decreased cytosolic oxygen concentration was elucidated two decades ago. Human acute responses to hypoxia have been known for decades, although their precise molecular mechanism for oxygen sensing is not fully understood. It is already known that a redox component, linked with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of mitochondrial origin, is implied in these responses. We have recently described a mechanism by which the mitochondrial sodium/calcium exchanger, NCLX, participates in mitochondrial electron transport chain regulation and ROS production in response to acute hypoxia. Here we show that NCLX is also implied in the response to hypoxia mediated by the HIFs. By using a NCLX inhibitor and interference RNA we show that NCLX activity is necessary for HIF-α subunits stabilization in hypoxia and for HIF-1-dependent transcriptional activity. We also show that hypoxic mitochondrial ROS production is not required for HIF-1α stabilization under all circumstances, suggesting that the basal cytosolic redox state or other mechanism(s) could be operating in the NCLX-mediated response to hypoxia that operates through HIF-α stabilization. This finding provides a link between acute and medium-term responses to hypoxia, reinforcing a central role of mitochondrial cell signalling in the response to hypoxia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103364