Dual role of triglyceride structures facilitates anti-tumor drug delivery: Both as a self-assembling module and a responsive module.

Small molecule prodrugs self-assembled nano-delivery systems with tumor responsive linkages are emerging as an effective platform. However, the heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment may limit the anti-tumor effect of prodrug nanomedicines with a single response module. Here, we chose disulfide bond as the response module and branched chain alcohol as the self-assembly modification module to construct a single-responsive prodrug. We also constructed a double-responsive paclitaxel prodrug combining triglyceride and disulfide bond, taking into account of the highly expressed lipase and glutathione levels in tumor cells. The results showed that the anti-tumor effect of single-responsive branched chain alcohol modified prodrug nanoparticles was inferior to triglyceride prodrug nanoparticles with dual response modules. The triglyceride structure can not only serve as a self-assembly modification module, but also serve as a response module for intelligent drug release in tumor. Such dual roles will facilitate the efficient delivery of small molecule self-assembled prodrugs to tumor sites.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of MYB Transcription Factors in Sudan Grass under Drought Stress.

Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense S.) is a warm-season annual grass with high yield, rich nutritional value, good regeneration, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, prolonged drought affects the yield and quality of Sudan grass. As one of the largest families of multifunctional transcription factors in plants, MYB is widely involved in regulating plant growth and development, hormonal signaling, and stress responses at the gene transcription level. However, the regulatory role of MYB genes has not been well characterized in Sudan grass under abiotic stress. In this study, 113 MYB genes were identified in the Sudan grass genome and categorized into three groups by phylogenetic analysis. The promoter regions of SsMYB genes contain different cis-regulatory elements, which are involved in developmental, hormonal, and stress responses, and may be closely related to their diverse regulatory functions. In addition, collinearity analysis showed that the expansion of the SsMYB gene family occurred mainly through segmental duplications. Under drought conditions, SsMYB genes showed diverse expression patterns, which varied at different time points. Interaction networks of 74 SsMYB genes were predicted based on motif binding sites, expression correlations, and protein interactions. Heterologous expression showed that SsMYB8, SsMYB15, and SsMYB64 all significantly enhanced the drought tolerance of yeast cells. Meanwhile, the subcellular localization of all three genes is in the nucleus. Overall, this study provides new insights into the evolution and function of MYB genes and provides valuable candidate genes for breeding efforts in Sudan grass.

Induction of complementary immunogenic necroptosis and apoptosis cell death pathways inhibits cancer metastasis and relapse.

Interactions of light-sensitive drugs and materials with Cerenkov radiation-emitting radiopharmaceuticals generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to inhibit localized and disseminated cancer progression, but the cell death mechanisms underlying this radionuclide stimulated dynamic therapy (RaST) remain elusive. Using ROS-regenerative nanophotosensitizers coated with a tumor-targeting transferrin-titanocene complex (TiO2-TC-Tf) and radiolabeled 2-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG), we found that adherent dying cells maintained metabolic activity with increased membrane permeabilization. Mechanistic assessment of these cells revealed that RaST activated the expression of RIPK-1 and RIPK-3, which mediate necroptosis cell death. Subsequent recruitment of the nuclear factors kappa B and the executioner mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudo kinase (MLKL) triggered plasma membrane permeabilization and pore formation, respectively, followed by the release of cytokines and immunogenic damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In immune-deficient breast cancer models with adequate stroma and growth factors that recapitulate the human tumor microenvironment, RaST failed to inhibit tumor progression and the ensuing lung metastasis. A similar aggressive tumor model in immunocompetent mice responded to RaST, achieving a remarkable partial response (PR) and complete response (CR) with no evidence of lung metastasis, suggesting active immune system engagement. RaST recruited antitumor CD11b+, CD11c+, and CD8b+ effector immune cells after initiating dual immunogenic apoptosis and necroptosis cell death pathways in responding tumors in vivo. Over time, cancer cells upregulated the expression of negative immune regulating cytokine (TGF-ß) and soluble immune checkpoints (sICP) to challenge RaST effect in the CR mice. Using a signal-amplifying cancer-imaging agent, LS301, we identified latent minimal residual disseminated tumors in the lymph nodes (LNs) of the CR group. Despite increased protumor immunogens in the CR mice, RaST prevented cancer relapse and metastasis through dynamic redistribution of ROS-regenerative TiO2 from bones at the early treatment stage to the spleen and LNs, maintaining active immunity against cancer progression and migration. This study reveals the immune-mechanistic underpinnings of RaST-mediated antitumor immune response and highlights immunogenic reprogramming of tumors in response to RaST. Overcoming apoptosis resistance through complementary necroptosis activation paves the way for strategic drug combinations to improve cancer treatment.

Transferrin receptor in primary and metastatic breast cancer: Evaluation of expression and experimental modulation to improve molecular targeting.

BACKGROUND: Conjugation of transferrin (Tf) to imaging or nanotherapeutic agents is a promising strategy to target breast cancer. Since the efficacy of these biomaterials often depends on the overexpression of the targeted receptor, we set out to survey expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) in primary and metastatic breast cancer samples, including metastases and relapse, and investigate its modulation in experimental models. METHODS: Gene expression was investigated by datamining in twelve publicly-available datasets. Dedicated Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were generated to evaluate matched primary and bone metastases as well as and pre and post chemotherapy tumors from the same patient. TMA were stained with the FDA-approved MRQ-48 antibody against TfR and graded by staining intensity (H-score). Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and isogenic metastatic mouse models were used to study in vivo TfR expression and uptake of transferrin. RESULTS: TFRC gene and protein expression were high in breast cancer of all subtypes and stages, and in 60-85% of bone metastases. TfR was detectable after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, albeit with some variability. Fluorophore-conjugated transferrin iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) enhanced TfR uptake in human breast cancer cells in vitro and proved transferrin localization at metastatic sites and correlation of tumor burden relative to untreated tumor mice. CONCLUSIONS: TfR is expressed in breast cancer, primary, metastatic, and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Variability in expression of TfR suggests that evaluation of the expression of TfR in individual patients could identify the best candidates for targeting. Further, systemic iron chelation with DFO may upregulate receptor expression and improve uptake of therapeutics or tracers that use transferrin as a homing ligand.

Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf. Response to Osmotic Stress Determined via Single-Molecule Real-Time Sequencing and Next-Generation Sequencing.

Drought, as a widespread environmental factor in nature, has become one of the most critical factors restricting the yield of forage grass. Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf.), as a tall and large grass, has a large biomass and is widely used as forage and biofuel. However, its growth and development are limited by drought stress. To obtain novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the drought response and excavate drought tolerance genes in sudangrass, the first full-length transcriptome database of sudangrass under drought stress at different time points was constructed by combining single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) and next-generation transcriptome sequencing (NGS). A total of 32.3 Gb of raw data was obtained, including 20,199 full-length transcripts with an average length of 1628 bp after assembly and correction. In total, 11,921 and 8559 up- and down-regulated differentially expressed genes were identified between the control group and plants subjected to drought stress. Additionally, 951 transcription factors belonging to 50 families and 358 alternative splicing events were found. A KEGG analysis of 158 core genes exhibiting continuous changes over time revealed that 'galactose metabolism' is a hub pathway and raffinose synthase 2 and ß-fructofuranosidase are key genes in the response to drought stress. This study revealed the molecular mechanism underlying drought tolerance in sudangrass. Furthermore, the genes identified in this study provide valuable resources for further research into the response to drought stress.

Non-Ischemic, Non-Hypoxic Myocardial Injury, and Long-Term Mortality in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Cardiac damage is commonly reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but its prevalence and impact on the long-term survival of patients remain uncertain. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of myocardial injury and assess its prognostic value in patients with COVID-19. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was performed at the Affiliated Hospital of Jianghan University. Data from 766 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized from December 27, 2019 to April 25, 2020 were collected. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, electrocardiogram, treatment data and all-cause mortality during follow-up were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the 766 patients with moderate to critically ill COVID-19, 86 (11.2%) died after a mean follow-up of 72.8 days. Myocardial injury occurred in 94 (12.3%) patients. The mortality rate was 64.9% (61/94) and 3.7% (25/672) in patients with and without myocardial injury, respectively. Cox regression showed that myocardial injury was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio: 8.76, 95% confidence interval: 4.76-16.11, P < 0.001). Of the 90 patients with myocardial injury with electrocardiogram results, sinus tachycardia was present in 29, bundle branch block in 26, low voltage in 10, and abnormal T-wave in 53. Conclusions: COVID-19 not only involves pneumonia but also cardiac damage. Myocardial injury is a common complication and an independent risk factor for mortality in COVID-19 patients.

[Scalp-nape acupuncture as adjuvant therapy for pharyngeal dysphagia of stroke at recovery stage: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of scalp-nape acupuncture for pharyngeal dysphagia of stroke at recovery stage on the basis of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and rehabilitation training. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with pharyngeal dysphagia of stroke at recovery stage were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 21 cases in each group. Conventional medical symptomatic treatment was given in both groups. NMES and rehabilitation training were adopted in the control group, 30 min for each one. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, scalp-nape acupuncture was given in the observation group, scalp acupuncture was applied at lower 2/5 of anterior and posterior oblique lines of parietal and temporal, nape acupuncture was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Yiming (EX-HN 14), Gongxue (Extra), Zhiqiang (Extra), Tunyan (Extra), etc. The treatment was given once a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment, the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) score, the Kubota water swallowing test grade, the functional oral intake scale (FOIS) grade and the swallowing quality of life (SWAL-QOL) score were observed in both groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the VDS scores were decreased and the SWAL-QOL scores were increased compared before treatment (P<0.05), the Kubota water swallowing test grade and FOIS grade were improved compared before treatment (P<0.05) in both groups. The changes of VDS score and SWAL-QOL score, Kubota water swallowing test grade and FOIS grade in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on NMES and rehabilitation training, scalp-nape acupuncture can enhance the therapeutic effect on pharyngeal dysphagia of stroke at recovery stage, and improve the patients' swallowing function and quality of life.

Heparanase Blockade as a Novel Dual-Targeting Therapy for COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused over 5 million deaths worldwide. Pneumonia and systemic inflammation contribute to its high mortality. Many viruses use heparan sulfate proteoglycans as coreceptors for viral entry, and heparanase (HPSE) is a known regulator of both viral entry and inflammatory cytokines. We evaluated the heparanase inhibitor Roneparstat, a modified heparin with minimum anticoagulant activity, in pathophysiology and therapy for COVID-19. We found that Roneparstat significantly decreased the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and retroviruses (human T-lymphotropic virus 1 [HTLV-1] and HIV-1) in vitro. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of cells from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients revealed a marked increase in HPSE gene expression in CD68+ macrophages compared to healthy controls. Elevated levels of HPSE expression in macrophages correlated with the severity of COVID-19 and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes, including IL6, TNF, IL1B, and CCL2. In line with this finding, we found a marked induction of HPSE and numerous inflammatory cytokines in human macrophages challenged with SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein. Treatment with Roneparstat significantly attenuated SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein-mediated inflammatory cytokine release from human macrophages, through disruption of NF-κB signaling. HPSE knockdown in a macrophage cell line also showed diminished inflammatory cytokine production during S1 protein challenge. Taken together, this study provides a proof of concept that heparanase is a target for SARS-CoV-2-mediated pathogenesis and that Roneparstat may serve as a dual-targeted therapy to reduce viral infection and inflammation in COVID-19. IMPORTANCE The complex pathogenesis of COVID-19 consists of two major pathological phases: an initial infection phase elicited by SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication and an inflammation phase that could lead to tissue damage, which can evolve into acute respiratory failure or even death. While the development and deployment of vaccines are ongoing, effective therapy for COVID-19 is still urgently needed. In this study, we explored HPSE blockade with Roneparstat, a phase I clinically tested HPSE inhibitor, in the context of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Treatment with Roneparstat showed wide-spectrum anti-infection activities against SARS-CoV-2, HTLV-1, and HIV-1 in vitro. In addition, HPSE blockade with Roneparstat significantly attenuated SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein-induced inflammatory cytokine release from human macrophages through disruption of NF-κB signaling. Together, this study provides a proof of principle for the use of Roneparstat as a dual-targeting therapy for COVID-19 to decrease viral infection and dampen the proinflammatory immune response mediated by macrophages.

Identification of novel drought-responsive miRNA regulatory network of drought stress response in common vetch (Vicia sativa).

Drought is among the most important natural disasters with severe effects on animals and plants. MicroRNAs are a class of noncoding RNAs that play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and response to stress factors, including drought. However, the microRNAs in drought responses in common vetch (Vicia sativa), an annual herbaceous leguminous plant commonly used for forage by including it in mixed seeding during winter and spring, have not been characterized. To explore the microRNAs' response to drought in common vetch, we sequenced 10 small RNA (sRNA) libraries by the next-generation sequencing technology. We obtained 379 known miRNAs belonging to 38 families and 47 novel miRNAs. The two groups had varying numbers of differentially expressed miRNAs: 85 in the comparison group D5 vs C5 and 38 in the comparison group D3 vs C3. Combined analysis of mRNA and miRNA in the same samples under drought treatment identified 318 different target genes of 123 miRNAs. Functional annotation of the target genes revealed that the miRNAs regulate drought-responsive genes, such as leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase-encoding genes (LRR-RLKs), ABC transporter G family member 1 (ABCG1), and MAG2-interacting protein 2 (MIP2). The genes were involved in various pathways, including cell wall biosynthesis, reactive oxygen removal, and protein transport. The findings in this study provide new insights into the miRNA-mediated regulatory networks of drought stress response in common vetch.

Breast cancer-derived GM-CSF regulates arginase 1 in myeloid cells to promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells contribute to the development of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Myeloid cell expression of arginase 1 (ARG1) promotes a protumor phenotype by inhibiting T cell function and depleting extracellular l-arginine, but the mechanism underlying this expression, especially in breast cancer, is poorly understood. In breast cancer clinical samples and in our mouse models, we identified tumor-derived GM-CSF as the primary regulator of myeloid cell ARG1 expression and local immune suppression through a gene-KO screen of breast tumor cell-produced factors. The induction of myeloid cell ARG1 required GM-CSF and a low pH environment. GM-CSF signaling through STAT3 and p38 MAPK and acid signaling through cAMP were required to activate myeloid cell ARG1 expression in a STAT6-independent manner. Importantly, breast tumor cell-derived GM-CSF promoted tumor progression by inhibiting host antitumor immunity, driving a significant accumulation of ARG1-expressing myeloid cells compared with lung and melanoma tumors with minimal GM-CSF expression. Blockade of tumoral GM-CSF enhanced the efficacy of tumor-specific adoptive T cell therapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Taken together, we show that breast tumor cell-derived GM-CSF contributes to the development of the immunosuppressive breast cancer microenvironment by regulating myeloid cell ARG1 expression and can be targeted to enhance breast cancer immunotherapy.

Targeted Therapy to ß3 Integrin Reduces Chemoresistance in Breast Cancer Bone Metastases.

Breast cancer bone metastases are common and incurable. Tumoral integrin ß3 (ß3) expression is induced through interaction with the bone microenvironment. Although ß3 is known to promote bone colonization, its functional role during therapy of established bone metastases is not known. We found increased numbers of ß3+ tumor cells in murine bone metastases after docetaxel chemotherapy. ß3+ tumor cells were present in 97% of post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy triple-negative breast cancer patient samples (n = 38). High tumoral ß3 expression was associated with worse outcomes in both pre- and postchemotherapy triple-negative breast cancer groups. Genetic deletion of tumoral ß3 had minimal effect in vitro, but significantly enhanced in vivo docetaxel activity, particularly in the bone. Rescue experiments confirmed that this effect required intact ß3 signaling. Ultrastructural, transcriptomic, and functional analyses revealed an alternative metabolic response to chemotherapy in ß3-expressing cells characterized by enhanced oxygen consumption, reactive oxygen species generation, and protein production. We identified mTORC1 as a candidate for therapeutic targeting of this ß3-mediated, chemotherapy-induced metabolic response. mTORC1 inhibition in combination with docetaxel synergistically attenuated murine bone metastases. Furthermore, micelle nanoparticle delivery of mTORC1 inhibitor to cells expressing activated αvß3 integrins enhanced docetaxel efficacy in bone metastases. Taken together, we show that ß3 integrin induction by the bone microenvironment promotes resistance to chemotherapy through an altered metabolic response that can be defused by combination with αvß3-targeted mTORC1 inhibitor nanotherapy. Our work demonstrates the importance of the metastatic microenvironment when designing treatments and presents new, bone-specific strategies for enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy.

Hepatic lipids promote liver metastasis.

Obesity predisposes to cancer and a virtual universality of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the impact of hepatic steatosis on liver metastasis is enigmatic. We find that while control mice were relatively resistant to hepatic metastasis, those which were lipodystrophic or obese, with NAFLD, had a dramatic increase in breast cancer and melanoma liver metastases. NAFLD promotes liver metastasis by reciprocal activation initiated by tumor-induced triglyceride lipolysis in juxtaposed hepatocytes. The lipolytic products are transferred to cancer cells via fatty acid transporter protein 1, where they are metabolized by mitochondrial oxidation to promote tumor growth. The histology of human liver metastasis indicated the same occurs in humans. Furthermore, comparison of isolates of normal and fatty liver established that steatotic lipids had enhanced tumor-stimulating capacity. Normalization of glucose metabolism by metformin did not reduce steatosis-induced metastasis, establishing the process is not mediated by the metabolic syndrome. Alternatively, eradication of NAFLD in lipodystrophic mice by adipose tissue transplantation reduced breast cancer metastasis to that of control mice, indicating the steatosis-induced predisposition is reversible.

Nanotherapy delivery of c-myc inhibitor targets Protumor Macrophages and preserves Antitumor Macrophages in Breast Cancer.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) enhance tumor growth in mice and are correlated with a worse prognosis for breast cancer patients. While early therapies sought to deplete all macrophages, current therapeutics aim to reprogram pro-tumor macrophages (M2) and preserve those necessary for anti-tumor immune responses (M1). Recent studies have shown that c-MYC (MYC) is induced in M2 macrophages in vitro and in vivo where it regulates the expression of tumor-promoting genes. In a myeloid lineage MYC KO mouse model, MYC had important roles in macrophage maturation and function leading to reduced tumor growth. We therefore hypothesized that targeted delivery of a MYC inhibitor to established M2 TAMs could reduce polarization toward an M2 phenotype in breast cancer models. Methods: In this study, we developed a MYC inhibitor prodrug (MI3-PD) for encapsulation within perfluorocarbon nanoparticles, which can deliver drugs directly to the cytosol of the target cell through a phagocytosis independent mechanism. We have previously shown that M2-like TAMs express significant levels of the vitronectin receptor, integrin ß3, and in vivo targeting and therapeutic potential was evaluated using αvß3 integrin targeted rhodamine-labeled nanoparticles (NP) or integrin αvß3-MI3-PD nanoparticles. Results: We observed that rhodamine, delivered by αvß3-rhodamine NP, was incorporated into M2 tumor promoting macrophages through both phagocytosis-independent and dependent mechanisms, while NP uptake in tumor suppressing M1 macrophages was almost exclusively through phagocytosis. In a mouse model of breast cancer (4T1-GFP-FL), M2-like TAMs were significantly reduced with αvß3-MI3-PD NP treatment. To validate this effect was independent of drug delivery to tumor cells and was specific to the MYC inhibitor, mice with integrin ß3 knock out tumors (PyMT-Bo1 ß3KO) were treated with αvß3-NP or αvß3-MI3-PD NP. M2 macrophages were significantly reduced with αvß3-MI3-PD nanoparticle therapy but not αvß3-NP treatment. Conclusion: These data suggest αvß3-NP-mediated drug delivery of a c-MYC inhibitor can reduce protumor M2-like macrophages while preserving antitumor M1-like macrophages in breast cancer.

Fe-Doped CoP Flower-Like Microstructure on Carbon Membrane as Integrated Electrode with Enhanced Sodium Ion Storage.

Poor cyclability and rate performance always impede the development of transition metal phosphide-based anode materials. Many strategies have been used to address the above problems, such as the designing of hierarchical structures, combination with carbon materials, and doping with other metal elements. Considering those strategies, a flower-like Fe-doped CoP material is designed. The synthesis consists of microsheets grown on a carbon membrane (CM, leaves as precursor) through a hydrothermal method and in situ phosphorization. The Fe doping and carbon membrane synergistically induce the formation of a flower-like hierarchical microstructure during the crystal-growing process. The unique hierarchical microstructure increases the contact area between electrode and electrolyte, and accommodates the volume expansion during cycling. The hierarchical Fe-doped CoP grown directly on the carbon membrane increases the active sites for intercalation of sodium species and further promotes the internal electron conduction in the Fe-doped CoP/CM electrode. Thereby, the Fe-doped CoP/CM as the anode electrode for sodium ion batteries exhibits a high specific capacity of 515 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 100 cycles. Even if the current density rises to 500 mA g-1 , the specific capacity is still maintained at 324 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles, showing superior rate performances and cyclability.

HTLV-1 viral oncogene HBZ drives bone destruction in adult T cell leukemia.

Osteolytic bone lesions and hypercalcemia are common, serious complications in adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), an aggressive T cell malignancy associated with human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. The HTLV-1 viral oncogene HBZ has been implicated in ATL tumorigenesis and bone loss. In this study, we evaluated the role of HBZ on ATL-associated bone destruction using HTLV-1 infection and disease progression mouse models. Humanized mice infected with HTLV-1 developed lymphoproliferative disease and continuous, progressive osteolytic bone lesions. HTLV-1 lacking HBZ displayed only modest delays to lymphoproliferative disease but significantly decreased disease-associated bone loss compared with HTLV-1-infected mice. Gene expression array of acute ATL patient samples demonstrated increased expression of RANKL, a critical regulator of osteoclasts. We found that HBZ regulated RANKL in a c-Fos-dependent manner. Treatment of HTLV-1-infected humanized mice with denosumab, a monoclonal antibody against human RANKL, alleviated bone loss. Using patient-derived xenografts from primary human ATL cells to induce lymphoproliferative disease, we also observed profound tumor-induced bone destruction and increased c-Fos and RANKL gene expression. Together, these data show the critical role of HBZ in driving ATL-associated bone loss through RANKL and identify denosumab as a potential treatment to prevent bone complications in ATL patients.

miR-34a inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via regulation of FOXM1.

Downregulation of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) has frequently been observed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the underlying role and molecular mechanism of miR-34a in ESCC remains largely unknown. In the current study, it was demonstrated that miR-34a was downregulated and forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), a target gene of miR-34a, was upregulated in ESCC tumor tissues. Overexpression of miR-34a decreased FOXM1 mRNA and protein expression in the ESCC cell lines tested (TE-1 and TE-8). Inhibition of miR-34a increased FOXM1 mRNA and protein levels in human esophageal epithelial cells (HEEC). In addition, miR-34a mimics reduced the relative luciferase activity of ESCC cells transfected with FOXM1 3'UTR-WT, but not FOXM1 3'UTR-Mut. The CCK8 assay and scratch wound healing assay showed that overexpression of miR-34a induced inhibition of cell proliferation and cell migration. Additionally, transfection with miR-34a mimics reduced the expression of key genes involved in cell migration (MMP2 and MMP9) in ESCC cells. Thus, the present data demonstrated that miR-34a suppressed ESCC progression by directly targeting FOXM1.

Inflammation role in sensory neuropathy in Chinese patients with diabetes/prediabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Prediabetes involves people with glucose-metabolism impairment, and is related to different diabetic complications, like peripheral neuropathy. We aimed to explore the relationship among inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα]) and antiinflammatory (interleukin 10 [IL10]) cytokines as well as neuropathy of very distal-sensory-nerves in Chinese patients with prediabetes/diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present study, 55 patients having prediabetes, 55 patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and 48 controls were included. TNFα, HbA1c, and IL10 plasma levels were measured. Electrodiagnosis was conducted on dorsal-sural/medial-plantar sensory nerve, that is most distal feet sensory-nerves. RESULTS: Nerve conduction test (NCT) irregularities of dorsal-sural/medial-plantar sensory nerve were considerably greater in patients with prediabetes or diabetes. The means of TNFα levels demonstrated a significant increase in patients with diabetes when compared to prediabetes patients as well as controls showed a significant decrease in patients with prediabetes and diabetes contrasted with controls. No significant contrast with respect to serum biomarkers among patients having regular as well as irregular medial-plantar/dorsal-sural NCT was noted. Critical correlationship among TNFα as well as HbA1c with symptoms severity as well as disability while negative correlations of IL10 with neuropathy severity was noted. Biomarker levels of TNFα, IL10, and HbA1c were noted to differ significantly among patients without/with neuropathy. CONCLUSION: All in all, the proinflammatory phase appears to start from initial pre-clinical phases, sometime prior to advancement of diabetes. The higher neuropathy frequency in patients with prediabetes indicates conceivable causative impact; although, the prospective part of inflammation in pathogenetics of peripheral neuropathy requires more elucidation.

HTLV-1 viral oncogene HBZ induces osteolytic bone disease in transgenic mice.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive T cell malignancy that occurs in HTLV-1 infected patients. Most ATL patients develop osteolytic lesions and hypercalcemia of malignancy, causing severe skeletal related complications and reduced overall survival. The HTLV-1 virus encodes 2 viral oncogenes, Tax and HBZ. Tax, a transcriptional activator, is critical to ATL development, and has been implicated in pathologic osteolysis. HBZ, HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper transcription factor, promotes tumor cell proliferation and disrupts Wnt pathway modulators; however, its role in ATL induced osteolytic bone loss is unknown. To determine if HBZ is sufficient for the development of bone loss, we established a transgenic Granzyme B HBZ (Gzmb-HBZ) mouse model. Lymphoproliferative disease including tumors, enlarged spleens and/or abnormal white cell counts developed in two-thirds of Gzmb-HBZ mice at 18 months. HBZ positive cells were detected in tumors, spleen and bone marrow. Importantly, pathologic bone loss and hypercalcemia were present at 18 months. Bone-acting factors were present in serum and RANKL, PTHrP and DKK1, key mediators of hypercalcemia and bone loss, were upregulated in Gzmb-HBZ T cells. These data demonstrate that Gzmb-HBZ mice model ATL bone disease and express factors that are current therapeutic targets for metastatic and bone resident tumors.

Bone-Induced Expression of Integrin ß3 Enables Targeted Nanotherapy of Breast Cancer Metastases.

Bone metastases occur in approximately 70% of metastatic breast cancer patients, often leading to skeletal injuries. Current treatments are mainly palliative and underscore the unmet clinical need for improved therapies. In this study, we provide preclinical evidence for an antimetastatic therapy based on targeting integrin ß3 (ß3), which is selectively induced on breast cancer cells in bone by the local bone microenvironment. In a preclinical model of breast cancer, ß3 was strongly expressed on bone metastatic cancer cells, but not primary mammary tumors or visceral metastases. In tumor tissue from breast cancer patients, ß3 was significantly elevated on bone metastases relative to primary tumors from the same patient (n = 42). Mechanistic investigations revealed that TGFß signaling through SMAD2/SMAD3 was necessary for breast cancer induction of ß3 within the bone. Using a micelle-based nanoparticle therapy that recognizes integrin αvß3 (αvß3-MPs of ∼12.5 nm), we demonstrated specific localization to breast cancer bone metastases in mice. Using this system for targeted delivery of the chemotherapeutic docetaxel, we showed that bone tumor burden could be reduced significantly with less bone destruction and less hepatotoxicity compared with equimolar doses of free docetaxel. Furthermore, mice treated with αvß3-MP-docetaxel exhibited a significant decrease in bone-residing tumor cell proliferation compared with free docetaxel. Taken together, our results offer preclinical proof of concept for a method to enhance delivery of chemotherapeutics to breast cancer cells within the bone by exploiting their selective expression of integrin αvß3 at that metastatic site. Cancer Res; 77(22); 6299-312. ©2017 AACR.

Antagonizing Integrin ß3 Increases Immunosuppression in Cancer.

Integrin ß3 is critical for tumor invasion, neoangiogenesis, and inflammation, making it a promising cancer target. However, preclinical and clinical data of integrin ß3 antagonists have demonstrated no benefit or worse outcomes. We hypothesized that integrin ß3 could affect tumor immunity and evaluated tumors in mice with deletion of integrin ß3 in macrophage lineage cells (ß3KOM). ß3KOM mice had increased melanoma and breast cancer growth with increased tumor-promoting M2 macrophages and decreased CD8(+) T cells. Integrin ß3 antagonist, cilengitide, also enhanced tumor growth and increased M2 function. We uncovered a negative feedback loop in M2 myeloid cells, wherein integrin ß3 signaling favored STAT1 activation, an M1-polarizing signal, and suppressed M2-polarizing STAT6 activation. Finally, disruption of CD8(+) T cells, macrophages, or macrophage integrin ß3 signaling blocked the tumor-promoting effects of integrin ß3 antagonism. These results suggest that effects of integrin ß3 therapies on immune cells should be considered to improve outcomes. Cancer Res; 76(12); 3484-95. ©2016 AACR.