Regulation of iodine-glucose flip-flop in SW1736 anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The alternative manner of iodide and glucose uptake found in different types of thyroid cancer, referred to flip-flop. ATC cells indicate low iodide uptake and high glucose uptake, which lack the morphology and genetic characteristics of well-differentiated tumors and become increasingly invasive. Importance placed on the discovery of innovative multi-targeted medicines to suppress the dysregulated signaling in cancer. In this research, we aimed to clarify molecular mechanism of Rutin as a phytomedicine on anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line based on iodide and glucose uptake. MATERIAL METHODS: The MTT test was employed to test cell viability. Iodide uptake assay was performed using a spectrophotometric assay to determine iodide uptake in SW1736 cells based on Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. For glucose uptake detection, ''GOD-PAP'' enzymatic colorimetric assay was applied to measure the direct glucose levels inside of the cells. Determination of NIS, GLUT1 and 3 mRNA expression in SW1736 cells was performed by qRT-PCR. Determination of NIS, GLUT1 and 3 protein levels in SW1736 cells was performed by western blotting. RESULTS: According to our results, Rutin inhibited the viability of SW1736 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR analysis exposed that NIS mRNA levels were increased in Rutin treated group compared to the control group. Accordingly, western blot showed high expression of NIS protein and low expression of GLUT 1 and 3 in Rutin treated SW1736 cell line. Rutin increased iodide uptake and decreased glucose uptake in thyroid cancer cell line SW1736 compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Multiple mechanisms point to Rutin's role as a major stimulator of iodide uptake and inhibitor of glucose uptake, including effects at the mRNA and protein levels for both NIS and GLUTs, respectively. Here in, we described the flip-flop phenomenon as a possible therapeutic target for ATC. Moreover, Rutin is first documented here as a NIS expression inducer capable of restoring cell differentiation in SW1736 cell line. It also be concluded that GLUTs as metabolic targets can be blocked specifically by Rutin for thyroid cancer prevention and treatment.

Canine follicular cell and medullary thyroid carcinomas: Immunohistochemical characterization.

Research on modulation of iodine uptake by thyroid cells could help improve radioiodine treatment of dogs with thyroid tumors. The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistochemical expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), thyroglobulin, thyrotropin receptor (TSHR), sodium iodide symporter (NIS), pendrin, thyroid peroxidase (TPO), vimentin, and Ki-67 in follicular cell thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs), and to compare protein expression between FTC causing hyperthyroidism and FTC of euthyroid dogs. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 25 FTCs (9 follicular, 8 follicular-compact, and 8 compact) and 8 MTCs. FTCs and MTCs were positive for TTF-1, and expression was higher in FTCs of euthyroid dogs compared with FTCs of hyperthyroid dogs (P= .041). Immunolabeling for thyroglobulin was higher in follicular and follicular-compact FTCs compared with compact FTCs (P = .001), while vimentin expression was higher in follicular-compact FTCs compared with follicular FTCs (P = .011). The expression of TSHR, NIS, pendrin, and TPO was not significantly different among the different subtypes of FTCs or between FTCs causing hyperthyroidism and FTCs in euthyroid dogs. TSHR, NIS, pendrin, and TPO were also expressed in MTCs. Ki-67 labeling index was comparable between FTCs and MTCs, and between FTCs causing hyperthyroidism and FTCs in euthyroid dogs. Proteins of iodine transport were also expressed in canine MTCs, which could have implications for diagnosis and treatment. The different expression of thyroglobulin and vimentin between FTC histological subtypes could reflect variations in tumor differentiation.

Radioiodine therapy in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: Resistance and overcoming strategy.

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine tumor and its incidence is fast-growing worldwide in recent years. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common pathological subtype which is typically curable with surgery and Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy (approximately 85%). Radioactive iodine is the first-line treatment for patients with metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC). However, 60% of patients with aggressive metastasis DTC developed resistance to RAI treatment and had a poor overall prognosis. The molecular mechanisms of RAI resistance include gene mutation and fusion, failure to transport RAI into the DTC cells, and interference with the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, it is unclear whether the above are the main drivers of the inability of patients with DTC to benefit from iodine therapy. With the development of new biological technologies, strategies that bolster RAI function include TKI-targeted therapy, DTC cell redifferentiation, and improved drug delivery via extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged. Despite some promising data and early success, overall survival was not prolonged in the majority of patients, and the disease continued to progress. It is still necessary to understand the genetic landscape and signaling pathways leading to iodine resistance and enhance the effectiveness and safety of the RAI sensitization approach. This review will summarize the mechanisms of RAI resistance, predictive biomarkers of RAI resistance, and the current RAI sensitization strategies.

SBP1 promotes tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer through TXN/NIS pathway.

BACKGROUND: As the tissue with the highest selenium content in the body, the occurrence and development of thyroid cancer are closely related to selenium and selenoproteins. Selenium-binding protein 1 (SBP1) has been repeatedly implicated in several cancers, but its role and molecular mechanisms in thyroid cancer remains largely undefined. METHODS: The expression of SBP1, sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and thioredoxin (TXN) were analyzed in clinical samples and cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and tube formation assays were used to analyze the cell viability and tube formation of cells. Immunofluorescence was used to determine the expression of the NIS. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was carried out to verify the interaction of SBP1 with TXN. The mouse xenograft experiment was performed to investigate the growth of thyroid cancer cells with SBP1 knockdown in vivo. RESULTS: SBP1 was significantly increased in human thyroid cancer tissues and cells, especially in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Overexpression of SBP1 promoted FTC-133 cell proliferation, and the culture supernatant of SBP1-overexpression FTC-133 cells promoted tube formation of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Knockdown of SBP1, however, inhibited cell proliferation and tube formation. Furthermore, overexpression of SBP1 inhibited cellular differentiation of differentiated thyroid cancer cell line FTC-133, as indicated by decreased expression of thyroid stimulating hormone receptors, thyroglobulin and NIS. Knockdown of SBP1, however, promoted differentiation of BHT101 cells, an anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line. Notably, TXN, a negative regulator of NIS, was found to be significantly upregulated in human thyroid cancer tissues, and it was positively regulated by SBP1. Co-IP assay implied a direct interaction of SBP1 with TXN. Additionally, TXN overexpression reversed the effect of SBP1 knockdown on BHT101 cell viability, tube formation and cell differentiation. An in vivo study found that knockdown of SBP1 promoted the expression of thyroid stimulating hormone receptors, thyroglobulin and NIS, as well as inhibited the growth and progression of thyroid cancer tumors. CONCLUSION: SBP1 promoted tumorigenesis and dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer through positively regulating TXN.

Towards a science-based testing strategy to identify maternal thyroid hormone imbalance and neurodevelopmental effects in the progeny - Part IV: the ECETOC and CLE Proposal for a Thyroid Function-Related Neurodevelopmental Toxicity Testing and Assessment Scheme (Thyroid-NDT-TAS).

Following the European Commission Endocrine Disruptor Criteria, substances shall be considered as having endocrine disrupting properties if they (a) elicit adverse effects, (b) have endocrine activity, and (c) the two are linked by an endocrine mode-of-action (MoA) unless the MoA is not relevant for humans. A comprehensive, structured approach to assess whether substances meet the Endocrine Disruptor Criteria for the thyroid modality (EDC-T) is currently unavailable. Here, the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals Thyroxine Task Force and CropLife Europe propose a Thyroid Function-Related Neurodevelopmental Toxicity Testing and Assessment Scheme (Thyroid-NDT-TAS). In Tier 0, before entering the Thyroid-NDT-TAS, all available in vivo, in vitro and in silico data are submitted to weight-of-evidence (WoE) evaluations to determine whether the substance of interest poses a concern for thyroid disruption. If so, Tier 1 of the Thyroid-NDT-TAS includes an initial MoA and human relevance assessment (structured by the key events of possibly relevant adverse outcome pathways) and the generation of supportive in vitro/in silico data, if relevant. Only if Tier 1 is inconclusive, Tier 2 involves higher-tier testing to generate further thyroid- and/or neurodevelopment-related data. Tier 3 includes the final MoA and human relevance assessment and an overarching WoE evaluation to draw a conclusion on whether, or not, the substance meets the EDC-T. The Thyroid-NDT-TAS is based on the state-of-the-science, and it has been developed to minimise animal testing. To make human safety assessments more accurate, it is recommended to apply the Thyroid-NDT-TAS during future regulatory assessments.

The paradoxical lean phenotype of hypothyroid mice is marked by increased adaptive thermogenesis in the skeletal muscle.

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide, given its growing incidence and its association with a variety of comorbidities. Weight gain results from an increase in energy intake without a concomitant increase in energy expenditure. To combat the obesity epidemic, many studies have focused on the pathways underlying satiety and hunger signaling, while other studies have concentrated on the mechanisms involved in energy expenditure, most notably adaptive thermogenesis. Hypothyroidism in humans is typically associated with a decreased basal metabolic rate, lower energy expenditure, and weight gain. However, hypothyroid mouse models have been reported to have a leaner phenotype than euthyroid controls. To elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we used a drug-free mouse model of hypothyroidism: mice lacking the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), the plasma membrane protein that mediates active iodide uptake in the thyroid. In addition to being leaner than euthyroid mice, owing in part to reduced food intake, these hypothyroid mice show signs of compensatory up-regulation of the skeletal-muscle adaptive thermogenic marker sarcolipin, with an associated increase in fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Neither catecholamines nor thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are responsible for sarcolipin expression or FAO stimulation; rather, thyroid hormones are likely to negatively regulate both processes in skeletal muscle. Our findings indicate that hypothyroidism in mice results in a variety of metabolic changes, which collectively lead to a leaner phenotype. A deeper understanding of these changes may make it possible to develop new strategies against obesity.

Overexpression of Both Human Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) and BRG1-Bromodomain Synergistically Enhances Radioiodine Sensitivity by Stabilizing p53 through NPM1 Expression.

Improved therapeutic strategies are required to minimize side effects associated with radioiodine gene therapy to avoid unnecessary damage to normal cells and radiation-induced secondary malignancies. We previously reported that codon-optimized sodium iodide symporter (oNIS) enhances absorption of I-131 and that the brahma-associated gene 1 bromodomain (BRG1-BRD) causes inefficient DNA damage repair after high-energy X-ray therapy. To increase the therapeutic effect without applying excessive radiation, we considered the combination of oNIS and BRG1-BRD as gene therapy for the most effective radioiodine treatment. The antitumor effect of I-131 with oNIS or oNIS+BRD expression was examined by tumor xenograft models along with functional assays at the cellular level. The synergistic effect of both BRG1-BRD and oNIS gene overexpression resulted in more DNA double-strand breaks and led to reduced cell proliferation/survival rates after I-131 treatment, which was mediated by the p53/p21 pathway. We found increased p53, p21, and nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) in oNIS- and BRD-expressing cells following I-131 treatment, even though the remaining levels of citrulline and protein arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) were unchanged at the protein level.

A NEW HYPOTHESIS IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME (GBM). PART 1: INTRODUCTION.

Modern treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is based on neurosurgical methods combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The prognosis for patients with GBM is extremely poor. Often, complete removal of the tumor is impossible and it often recurs. Therefore, in addition to standard regimens, modern methods such as modulated electrohyperthermia, monoclonal antibodies and individualised multimodal immunotherapy (IMI) based on vaccines and oncolytic viruses are also used in the treatment of GBM. Radioiodine therapy (RIT) also holds out hope for an effective treatment of this extremely aggressive brain tumor. The expression of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) gene has been proven to have a positive effect on the treatment of selected cancers. Research confirm the presence of expression of this gene in GBM cells, although only in animal studies. Is it possible and therapeutically effective to treat GBM with RIT without the use of an exogenous NIS gene? The safety of therapy is relevant, as the only more serious adverse effect may be hypothyroidism. The use of RIT requires further clinical studies in patients. Perhaps it is worth revolutionizing GBM therapy to give sufferers a "new life".

A NEW HYPOTHESIS IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME (GBM). PART 2: IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY OPTION IN RECURRENT GM WHEN ALL STANDARD TREATMENTS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED?

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant brain tumor. The average survival time for a patient diagnosed with GBM, using standard treatment methods, is several months. Besides the routinely applied treatments such as neurosurgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, progress is being made in the field of oncology, offering hope for improved treatment outcomes. New treatment methods include individualized multimodal immunotherapy (IMI) and modulated electro-hyperthermia. The coauthor of the above series of articles (parts 1 and 2) - A.Cz. presents the concept of a new, potentially breakthrough treatment option for recurrent GBM. A.Cz. was diagnosed with GBM in August 2021. Exhaustion of standard treatment methods, as well as immunotherapy and virotherapy, only provided temporary relief. Unfortunately, after a few months, the disease recurred. Having little to lose, A.Cz. accepted an ablative dose of 2960 MBq (80 mCi) of I131, based on available literature data. Three days before the administration of radioiodine therapy (RIT), A.Cz. prophylactically blocked the thyroid's ability to absorb the radioisotope. In June 2023, approximately 7 weeks after receiving single I131 dose, the MRI examination confirmed a 30% reduction in the tumor's size. Based on this, one can speculate that Iodine-131 therapy may be an alternative treatment option for GBM patients in the future. However, this hypothesis requires confirmation in further clinical studies.

Propensity Score-Matched Analysis to Identify Pathways Associated with Loss of Sodium Iodide Symporter in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) expression in thyroid follicular cells plays an important role in normal physiology and radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer. Loss of NIS expression is often seen in thyroid cancers and may lead to radioiodine refractoriness. To explore novel mechanisms of NIS repression beyond oncogenic drivers, clinical and RNA-seq data from the thyroid cancer dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to control for various genetic background factors. We found that tumoral NIS expression was negatively correlated with tumor size. Additionally, low NIS expression was the only factor associated with recurrence-free survival in a Cox multivariate regression analysis. After matching for clinicopathologic profiles and driver mutations, the principal component analysis revealed distinct gene expressions between the high and low NIS groups. Gene set enrichment analysis suggested the downregulation of hedgehog signaling, immune networks, and cell adhesions. Positively enriched pathways included DNA replication, nucleotide excision repair, MYC, and Wnt/ß-catenin pathways. In summary, we identified several potential targets which could be exploited to rescue the loss of NIS expression and develop redifferentiation strategies to facilitate radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer.

Molecular evidence reveals thyrotropin intervention enhances the risk of developing radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Radioiodine (RAI) is the mainstay of treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) following total thyroidectomy. Nevertheless, about 5% of patients with DTC are RAI-refractory (RAI-R). Understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with DTC during progression towards RAI-R DTC, including thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, may help to explain the pathophysiology of challenging RAI-R DTC clinical cases.

CpG island status as an epigenetic alteration for NIS promoter in thyroid neoplasms; a cross-sectional study with a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gene silence via methylation of the CpG islands is cancer's most common epigenetic modification. Given the highly significant role of NIS in thyroid cancer (TC) differentiation, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the DNA methylation pattern in seven CpG islands (CpG1-7 including +846, +918, +929, +947, +953, +955, and +963, respectively) of the NIS promoter in patients diagnosed with papillary (PTC), follicular (FTC), and multinodular goiter (MNG). Additionally, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to compare our results with studies concerning methylation of the NIS gene promoter. METHODS: Thyroid specimens from 64 patients met the eligibility criteria, consisting of 28 PTC, 9 FTC, and 27 benign MNG cases. The mRNA of NIS was tested by qRT-PCR. The bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) technique was performed to evaluate the promoter methylation pattern of the NIS gene. Sequencing results were received in chromatograph, FASTA, SEQ, and pdf formats and were analyzed using Chromas. The methylation percentage at each position and for each sample was calculated by mC/(mC+C) formula for all examined CpGs; following that, the methylation percentage was also calculated at each CpG site. Besides, a literature search was conducted without restricting publication dates. Nine studies met the eligibility criteria after removing duplicates, unrelated articles, and reviews. RESULTS: NIS mRNA levels decreased in tumoral tissues of PTC (P = 0.04) and FTC (P = 0.03) patients compared to their matched non-tumoral ones. The methylation of NIS promoter was not common in PTC samples, but it was frequent in FTC (P < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in the methylation levels in the 4th(+ 947), 6th(+ 955), and 7th(+ 963) CpGs sites in the forward strand of NIS promoter between FTC and MNG tissues (76.34 ± 3.12 vs 40.43 ± 8.42, P = 0.004, 69.63 ± 3.03 vs 23.29 ± 6.84, P = 0.001 and 50.33 ± 5.65 vs 24 ± 6.89, P = 0.030, respectively). There was no significant correlation between the expression and methylation status of NIS in PTC and FTC tissues. CONCLUSION: Perturbation in NIS promoter's methylation individually may have a potential utility in differentiating MNG and FTC tissues. The absence of a distinct methylation pattern implies the importance of other epigenetic processes, which may alter the production of NIS mRNA. In addition, according to the reversibility of DNA methylation, it is anticipated that the design of particular targeted demethylation medicines will lead to a novel cancer therapeutic strategy.

The PDZ protein SCRIB regulates sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) expression at the basolateral plasma membrane.

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) expresses at the basolateral plasma membrane of the thyroid follicular cell and mediates iodide accumulation required for normal thyroid hormonogenesis. Loss-of-function NIS variants cause congenital hypothyroidism due to impaired iodide accumulation in thyroid follicular cells underscoring the significance of NIS for thyroid physiology. Here we report novel findings derived from the thorough characterization of the nonsense NIS mutant p.R636* NIS-leading to a truncated protein missing the last eight amino acids-identified in twins with congenital hypothyroidism. R636* NIS is severely mislocalized into intracellular vesicular compartments due to the lack of a conserved carboxy-terminal type 1 PDZ-binding motif. As a result, R636* NIS is barely targeted to the plasma membrane and therefore iodide transport is reduced. Deletion of the PDZ-binding motif causes NIS accumulation into late endosomes and lysosomes. Using PDZ domain arrays, we revealed that the PDZ-domain containing protein SCRIB binds to the carboxy-terminus of NIS by a PDZ-PDZ interaction. Furthermore, in CRISPR/Cas9-based SCRIB deficient cells, NIS expression at the basolateral plasma membrane is compromised, leading to NIS localization into intracellular vesicular compartments. We conclude that the PDZ-binding motif is a plasma membrane retention signal that participates in the polarized expression of NIS by selectively interacting with the PDZ-domain containing protein SCRIB, thus retaining the transporter at the basolateral plasma membrane. Our data provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that regulate NIS expression at the plasma membrane, a topic of great interest in the thyroid cancer field considering the relevance of NIS-mediated radioactive iodide therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Towards a science-based testing strategy to identify maternal thyroid hormone imbalance and neurodevelopmental effects in the progeny-part III: how is substance-mediated thyroid hormone imbalance in pregnant/lactating rats or their progeny related to neurodevelopmental effects?

This review investigated which patterns of thyroid- and brain-related effects are seen in rats upon gestational/lactational exposure to 14 substances causing thyroid hormone imbalance by four different modes-of-action (inhibition of thyroid peroxidase, sodium-iodide symporter and deiodinase activities, enhancement of thyroid hormone clearance) or to dietary iodine deficiency. Brain-related parameters included motor activity, cognitive function, acoustic startle response, hearing function, periventricular heterotopia, electrophysiology and brain gene expression. Specific modes-of-action were not related to specific patterns of brain-related effects. Based upon the rat data reviewed, maternal serum thyroid hormone levels do not show a causal relationship with statistically significant neurodevelopmental effects. Offspring serum thyroxine together with offspring serum triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone appear relevant to predict the likelihood for neurodevelopmental effects. Based upon the collated database, thresholds of ≥60%/≥50% offspring serum thyroxine reduction and ≥20% and statistically significant offspring serum triiodothyronine reduction indicate an increased likelihood for statistically significant neurodevelopmental effects; accuracies: 83% and 67% when excluding electrophysiology (and gene expression). Measurements of brain thyroid hormone levels are likely relevant, too. The extent of substance-mediated thyroid hormone imbalance appears more important than substance mode-of-action to predict neurodevelopmental impairment in rats. Pertinent research needs were identified, e.g. to determine whether the phenomenological offspring thyroid hormone thresholds are relevant for regulatory toxicity testing. The insight from this review shall be used to suggest a tiered testing strategy to determine whether gestational/lactational substance exposure may elicit thyroid hormone imbalance and potentially also neurodevelopmental effects.

Determination of exposure to major iodide ion uptake inhibitors through drinking waters.

Goiter, abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, is a significant worldwide public health problem. Iodine deficiency is known as the most common cause. Iodine is actively transported as iodide ion (I-) using Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) and sufficient blocking of I- transportation prevents the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The transportation can be blocked by some polyatomic anions known as I- uptake inhibitors. Perchlorate (ClO4-), thiocyanate (SCN-) and nitrate (NO3-) are reported as the major I- uptake inhibitors and exposure could be through various routes. Drinking water is an important exposure route. Since water is essential to sustain life, drinking water safety is very important for the protection of public health. However, as a result of natural and human-based processes, water can be contaminated and contamination of drinking water is a global food safety problem due to causing significant health and environmental problemsIn that context, this study aims to determine exposure levels to I- uptake inhibitors that arise from drinking waters at five different districts in Antalya, Turkey. Collected water samples contained NO3- and ClO4- in the range of 0.86-47.42 mg/L and

Regional Hyperthermia Enhances Mesenchymal Stem Cell Recruitment to Tumor Stroma: Implications for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Tumor Therapy.

The tropism of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tumors forms the basis for their use as delivery vehicles for the tumor-specific transport of therapeutic genes, such as the theranostic sodium iodide symporter (NIS). Hyperthermia is used as an adjuvant for various tumor therapies and has been proposed to enhance leukocyte recruitment. Here, we describe the enhanced recruitment of adoptively applied NIS-expressing MSCs to tumors in response to regional hyperthermia. Hyperthermia (41°C, 1 h) of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HuH7) led to transiently increased production of immunomodulatory factors. MSCs showed enhanced chemotaxis to supernatants derived from heat-treated cells in a 3D live-cell tracking assay and was validated in vivo in subcutaneous HuH7 mouse xenografts. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-NIS-MSCs were applied 6-48 h after or 24-48 h before hyperthermia treatment. Using 123I-scintigraphy, thermo-stimulation (41°C, 1 h) 24 h after CMV-NIS-MSC injection resulted in a significantly increased uptake of 123I in heat-treated tumors compared with controls. Immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR confirmed tumor-selective, temperature-dependent MSC migration. Therapeutic efficacy was significantly enhanced by combining CMV-NIS-MSC-mediated 131I therapy with regional hyperthermia. We demonstrate here for the first time that hyperthermia can significantly boost tumoral MSC recruitment, thereby significantly enhancing therapeutic efficacy of MSC-mediated NIS gene therapy.

Improved Noninvasive In Vivo Tracking of AAV-9 Gene Therapy Using the Perchlorate-Resistant Sodium Iodide Symporter from Minke Whale.

The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is widely used as a reporter gene to noninvasively monitor the biodistribution and durability of vector-mediated gene expression via gamma scintigraphy, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron-emission tomography (PET). However, the approach is limited by background signal due to radiotracer uptake by endogenous NIS-expressing tissues. In this study, using the SPECT tracer pertechnetate (99mTcO4) and the PET tracer tetrafluoroborate (B18F4), in combination with the NIS inhibitor perchlorate, we compared the transport properties of human NIS and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata scammoni) NIS in vitro and in vivo. Based on its relative resistance to perchlorate, the NIS protein from minke whale appeared to be the superior candidate reporter gene. SPECT and PET imaging studies in nude mice challenged with NIS-encoding adeno-associated virus (AAV)-9 vectors confirmed that minke whale NIS, in contrast to human and endogenous mouse NIS, continues to function as a reliable reporter even when background radiotracer uptake by endogenous NIS is blocked by perchlorate.

Sinomenine Hydrochloride Promotes TSHR-Dependent Redifferentiation in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The curative effects of RAI therapy are not only related to radiosensitivity but also closely related to the accumulation of radionuclides in the lesion in PTC. Sinomenine hydrochloride (SH) can suppress tumor growth and increase radiosensitivity in several tumor cells, including PTC. The aim of this research was to investigate the therapeutic potential of SH on PTC cell redifferentiation. In this study, we treated BCPAP and TPC-1 cells with SH and tested the expression of thyroid differentiation-related genes. RAI uptake caused by SH-pretreatment was also evaluated. The results indicate that 4 mM SH significantly inhibited proliferation and increased the expression of the thyroid iodine-handling gene compared with the control group (p < 0.005), including the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). Furthermore, SH also upregulated the membrane localization of NIS and RAI uptake. We further verified that upregulation of NIS was associated with the activation of the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. In conclusion, SH can inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, promote redifferentiation, and then increase the efficacy of RAI therapy in PTC cells. Thus, our results suggest that SH could be useful as an adjuvant therapy in combination with RAI therapy in PTC.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Delivery in Individuals with Different Pathologies: Multimodal Tracking, Safety and Future Applications.

Due to their ease of isolation and their properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely investigated. MSCs have been proved capable of migration towards areas of inflammation, including tumors. Therefore, they have been suggested as vectors to carry therapies, specifically to neoplasias. As most of the individuals joining clinical trials that use MSCs for cancer and other pathologies are carefully recruited and do not suffer from other diseases, here we decided to study the safety and application of iv-injected MSCs in animals simultaneously induced with different inflammatory pathologies (diabetes, wound healing and tumors). We studied this by in vitro and in vivo approaches using different gene reporters (GFP, hNIS, and f-Luc) and non-invasive techniques (PET, BLI, or fluorescence). Our results found that MSCs reached different organs depending on the previously induced pathology. Moreover, we evaluated the property of MSCs to target tumors as vectors to deliver adenoviruses, including the interaction between tumor microenvironment and MSCs on their arrival. Mechanisms such as transdifferentiation, MSC fusion with cells, or paracrine processes after MSCs homing were studied, increasing the knowledge and safety of this new therapy for cancer.

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Congenital Hypothyroidism-Causative Genes Reveals Unexpected Thyroglobulin Gene Variants in Patients with Iodide Transport Defect.

Congenital iodide transport defect is an uncommon autosomal recessive disorder caused by loss-of-function variants in the sodium iodide symporter (NIS)-coding SLC5A5 gene and leading to dyshormonogenic congenital hypothyroidism. Here, we conducted a targeted next-generation sequencing assessment of congenital hypothyroidism-causative genes in a cohort of nine unrelated pediatric patients suspected of having a congenital iodide transport defect based on the absence of 99mTc-pertechnetate accumulation in a eutopic thyroid gland. Although, unexpectedly, we could not detect pathogenic SLC5A5 gene variants, we identified two novel compound heterozygous TG gene variants (p.Q29* and c.177-2A>C), three novel heterozygous TG gene variants (p.F1542Vfs*20, p.Y2563C, and p.S523P), and a novel heterozygous DUOX2 gene variant (p.E1496Dfs*51). Splicing minigene reporter-based in vitro assays revealed that the variant c.177-2A>C affected normal TG pre-mRNA splicing, leading to the frameshift variant p.T59Sfs*17. The frameshift TG variants p.T59Sfs*17 and p.F1542Vfs*20, but not the DUOX2 variant p.E1496Dfs*51, were predicted to undergo nonsense-mediated decay. Moreover, functional in vitro expression assays revealed that the variant p.Y2563C reduced the secretion of the TG protein. Our investigation revealed unexpected findings regarding the genetics of congenital iodide transport defects, supporting the existence of yet to be discovered mechanisms involved in thyroid hormonogenesis.