HER2 puzzle pieces: Non-Coding RNAs as keys to mechanisms, chemoresistance, and clinical outcomes in Ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) presents significant challenges, characterized by limited treatment options and therapy resistance often attributed to dysregulation of the HER2 signaling pathway. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key players in regulating gene expression in OC. This comprehensive review underscores the pivotal role of ncRNAs in modulating HER2 signaling, with a specific focus on their mechanisms, impact on chemoresistance, and prognostic/diagnostic implications. MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs have been identified as essential regulators in the modulation of the HER2 pathway. By directly targeting key components of the HER2 axis, these ncRNAs influence its activation and downstream signaling cascades. Dysregulated ncRNAs have been closely associated with chemoresistance, leading to treatment failures and disease progression in OC. Furthermore, distinct expression profiles of ncRNAs hold promise as reliable prognostic and diagnostic markers, facilitating personalized treatment strategies and enhancing disease outcome assessments. A comprehensive understanding of how ncRNAs intricately modulate HER2 signaling is imperative for the development of targeted therapies and the improvement of patient outcomes. The integration of ncRNA profiles into clinical practice has the potential to enhance prognostic and diagnostic accuracy in the management of ovarian cancer. Further research efforts are essential to validate the clinical utility of ncRNAs and elucidate their precise roles in the regulation of HER2 signaling. In conclusion, ncRNAs play a crucial role in governing HER2 signaling in ovarian cancer, impacting chemoresistance and providing valuable prognostic and diagnostic insights. The exploration of ncRNA-mediated HER2 modulation offers promising avenues for the development of personalized treatment approaches, ultimately advancing patient care and outcomes in OC.

Streptococcus suis serotype 4: a population with the potential pathogenicity in humans and pigs.

Streptococcus suis is a major bacterial pathogen in pigs and an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Different S. suis serotypes exhibit diverse characteristics in population structure and pathogenicity. Surveillance data highlight the significance of S. suis serotype 4 (SS4) in swine streptococcusis, a pathotype causing human infections. However, except for a few epidemiologic studies, the information on SS4 remains limited. In this study, we investigated the population structure, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial characteristics of SS4 based on 126 isolates, including one from a patient with septicemia. We discovered significant diversities within this population, clustering into six minimum core genome (MCG) groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 7-2, and 7-3) and five lineages. Two main clonal complexes (CCs), CC17 and CC94, belong to MCG groups 1 and 3, respectively. Numerous important putative virulence-associated genes are present in these two MCG groups, and 35.00% (7/20) of pig isolates from CC17, CC94, and CC839 (also belonging to MCG group 3) were highly virulent (mortality rate ≥ 80%) in zebrafish and mice, similar to the human isolate ID36054. Cytotoxicity assays showed that the human and pig isolates of SS4 strains exhibit significant cytotoxicity to human cells. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that 95.83% of strains isolated from our labs were classified as multidrug-resistant. Prophages were identified as the primary vehicle for antibiotic resistance genes. Our study demonstrates the public health threat posed by SS4, expanding the understanding of SS4 population structure and pathogenicity characteristics and providing valuable information for its surveillance and prevention.