The proteasome activator REGγ counteracts immunoproteasome expression and autoimmunity.

For quite a long time, the 11S proteasome activator REGɑ and REGß, but not REGγ, are known to control immunoproteasome and promote antigen processing. Here, we demonstrate that REGγ functions as an inhibitor for immunoproteasome and autoimmune disease. Depletion of REGγ promotes MHC class I-restricted presentation to prime CD8+ T cells in vitro and in vivo. Mice deficient for REGγ have elevation of CD8+ T cells and DCs, and develop age-related spontaneous autoimmune symptoms. Mechanistically, REGγ specifically interacts with phosphorylated STAT3 and promotes its degradation in vitro and in cells. Inhibition of STAT3 dramatically attenuates levels of LMP2/LMP7 and antigen presentation in cells lacking REGγ. Importantly, treatment with STAT3 or LMP2/7 inhibitor prevented accumulation of immune complex in REGγ-/- kidney. Moreover, REGγ-/- mice also expedites Pristane-induced lupus. Bioinformatics and immunohistological analyses of clinical samples have correlated lower expression of REGγ with enhanced expression of phosphorylated STAT3, LMP2 and LMP7 in human Lupus Nephritis. Collectively, our results support the concept that REGγ is a new regulator of immunoproteasome to balance autoimmunity.

Prevalence of non alcoholic fatty liver and Non alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Peshawar Cantonment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence has not been well established. The aims of this study was to define prospectively non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence in hospitalized and ambulatory patients 20-65 years old during June 2013 to June 2014 were selected from Combined Military Hospital Peshawar Cantonment area. A base line questionnaire and right upper quadrant ultrasound was completed by all patients. On identifications of fatty liver among the selected cases further lab test data and liver biopsy reports were obtained. Mean BMI of female was 29.9 + 5.65 while prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was 49.8% and 16.6% respectively. Among all patients 62% were Punjabies, 23% were Pathans while 12% were Sindhies. Overall NAFLD prevalence was 47% while NASH was confirmed in 20 patients (12.3% of total and 30%of ultrasound positive patients). Pathans had the highest prevalence of NAFLD (58.5%) as compared to Punjabies (44.5%) and Sindhies (35.3%). Pathans also had a higher prevalence of NASH compared with Punjabies (19.5% VS 10%: P= 0.03). In general, NAFLD patients were more prevalent among male (59%), Diabetic (P<0.00005), hypertensive (P<0.00005) and older (P =0.005). They consumed more fast food (P=.049) had a higher BMI (P<0.0005) and had little or no exercise as compared to their normal or non NAFLD counter parts (P=0.02). NAFLD was found in 75% and NASH in 22.5% among the 26 diabetic patients. ALT, AST, BMI, insulin, quantitative insulin sensitivity checks index and cytokeratin - 18 correlated with NASH. It was concluded that NAFLD and NASH prevalence is higher than estimated previously, Pathans and Patients with diabetes are at high risk.

REGγ accelerates melanoma formation by regulating Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway.

It has been reported that the proteasome activator REGγ is associated with multiple oncogenic pathways in human cancers. However, the role of REGγ in the development of melanoma and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of REGγ on human melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that knockdown of REGγ inhibited melanoma cell growth and arrested melanoma cell at G1 phase. Furthermore, depletion of REGγ also inhibited the xenograft growth of human melanoma. Mechanistically, REGγ activates Wnt/ß-catenin signal pathway by degrading GSK-3ß in melanoma cell lines and mouse models. Transient knockdown of ß-catenin effectively blocked cell proliferation in REGγ wild-type melanoma cells. In human melanoma samples, REGγ was overexpressed and positively correlated with ß-catenin levels. This study demonstrates that REGγ is a central molecule in the development of melanoma by regulating Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. This suggests that targeting REGγ could be an alternative therapeutic approach for melanoma.

Tumor-suppressive p53 Signaling Empowers Metastatic Inhibitor KLF17-dependent Transcription to Overcome Tumorigenesis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Metastasis, which is controlled by concerted action of multiple genes, is a complex process and is an important cause of cancer death. Krüppel-like factor 17 (KLF17) is a negative regulator of metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during cancer progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanism and biological relevance of KLF17 in cancer cells are poorly understood. Here, we show that tumor suppressor protein p53 plays an integral role to induce KLF17 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). p53 is recruited to the KLF17 promoter and results in the formation of p53-DNA complex. p53 enhances binding of p300 and favors histone acetylation on the KLF17 promoter. Mechanistically, p53 physically interacts with KLF17 and thereby enhances the anti-metastatic function of KLF17. p53 empowers KLF17-mediated EMT genes transcription via enhancing physical association of KLF17 with target gene promoters. Nutlin-3 recruits KLF17 to EMT target gene promoters and results in the formation of KLF17-DNA complex via a p53-dependent pathway. p53 depletion abrogates DNA binding affinity of KLF17 to EMT target gene promoters. KLF17 is critical for p53 cellular activities in NSCLC. Importantly, KLF17 enhances p53 transcription to generate a novel positive feedback loop. KLF17 depletion accelerates lung cancer cell growth in response to chemotherapy. Mechanistically, we found that KLF17 increases the expression of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21, and pRB. Functionally, KLF17 required p53 to suppress cancer cell invasion and migration in NSCLC. In conclusion, our study highlights a novel insight into the anti-EMT effect of KLF17 via a p53-dependent pathway in NSCLC, and KLF17 may be a new therapeutic target in NSCLC with p53 status.

Hepatoprotective role of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Linn. against carbon tetrachloride-induced injuries.

Nicotiana plumbignifolia (Linn) is used as folk medicine in the treatment of liver dysfunction in Pakistan. The present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective role of N. plumbignifolia methanolice extract (NPME) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative damage in liver of chicks. Methanolic extract of N. plumbignifolia was obtained and was further evaluated as a hepatoprotective agent against CCl4-induced oxidative damage in liver of chicks. For this study, 60-day-old 50 male chicks were divided into five groups. Chicks of group 1 (control) had free access to food and water. Group II received 1 mL/kg of CCl4 (30% in olive oil v/v) via the intraperitoneal route thrice a week for 4 weeks. Group III received 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of silymarin via gavage after 48 h of CCl4 treatment, whereas group IV were given 200 mg/kg b.w. NPME after 48 h of CCl4 treatment. Hepatoprotective activity was assessed by measuring the activities of the antioxidant enzymes: catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)). Serum was analyzed for various biochemical parameters. The results revealed that CCl4 induced oxidative stress as evidenced by the significant decrease in the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes, while an increase in the levels of TBARS in liver samples is compared with the control group. Serum levels lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein was elevated while reducing high-density lipoprotein compared to controls. Cotreatment of NPME treatment reversed these alterations, which seems likely that NPME can protect the liver tissues against CCl4-mediated oxidative damage.

T-box transcription factor brachyury promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer via upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 12.

T-box transcription factor brachyury and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell invasion and metastasis. However, the association between Brachyury and the MMP family has not yet been fully investigated. The present study aimed to assess the influence of Brachyury on the expression of 23 MMP members and to further explore the mechanisms involved in the promotion of NSCLC cell invasion by Brachyury and MMPs in the H460 and H1299 stable cell lines. The protein expression levels and correlations between the brachyury transcription factor and the targeted MMPs were also validated in 52 NSCLC patient tissue samples. We observed that brachyury significantly upregulated MMP12 expression to promote NSCLC cell invasion. We also found a potential binding site for the brachyury transcription factor in the MMP12 promoter.

Gain-of-function of mutant p53: mutant p53 enhances cancer progression by inhibiting KLF17 expression in invasive breast carcinoma cells.

Kruppel-like-factor 17 (KLF17) is a negative regulator of metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). However, its expression is downregulated in metastatic breast cancer that contains p53 mutations. Here, we show that mutant-p53 plays a key role to suppress KLF17 and thereby enhances cancer progression, which defines novel gain-of-function (GOF) of mutant-p53. Mutant-p53 interacts with KLF17 and antagonizes KLF17 mediated EMT genes transcription. Depletion of KLF17 promotes cell viability, decreases apoptosis and induces drug resistance in metastatic breast cancer cells. KLF17 suppresses cell migration and invasion by decreasing CD44, PAI-1 and Cyclin-D1 expressions. Taken together, our results show that KLF17 is important for the suppression of metastasis and could be a potential therapeutic target during chemotherapy.