The baicalein amorphous solid dispersion to enhance the dissolution and bioavailability and effects on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and intestinal flora in Taihang chickens.

Baicalein (BAI) is a natural flavonoid with antioxidant, antitumor and antibacterial properties. However, the bioavailability of BAI was limited due to low solubility. This study aims to improve the solubility of BAI through the amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) and evaluate changes in its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in Taihang chickens. Polyethylene caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol grafted copolymer (Soluplus) was chosen as the carrier, and ASD was prepared by rotary evaporation and was characterized by powder X-ray diffractions (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). In vitro dissolution assays were used to screen the optimal ratio of drug to carrier, in vivo pharmacokinetic assays were conducted to investigate the promoting effect on the absorption. In addition, the effects of ASD on the growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and intestinal flora were investigated. ASD (1:9 and 2:8) did not exhibit crystal diffraction peaks of BAI in PXRD or endothermic peaks in DSC, indicating the successful preparation of ASD. The results of in vitro dissolution assay showed that the cumulative dissolution rate of ASD (2:8) within 600 min was 52.67%, which was 7.84-fold higher than BAI. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the peak concentration (Cmax) and the area under the drug-time curve (AUC0∼24) of ASD (2:8) was (5.20 ± 0.82) µg/mL and (17.03 ± 0.67) µg·h/mL, which was 1.91 and 2.64-fold higher than BAI, respectively. Dietary supplementation of BAI and ASD could increase average daily gain (ADG), while decrease feed conversion ratio (FCR), but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The drip loss of BAIASD group was lower than BAI group (P < 0.05). In addition, the antioxidant capacity of Taihang chickens were enhanced, the diversity and the abundance of beneficial bacteria was improved. Results of BAI upon the dietary supplementation tested in Taihang chickens, after preparation of ASD, indicating a superior enhancement effect in growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and intestinal flora due to an improved solubility and optimized bioavailability.

Human lung cancer harbors spatially organized stem-immunity hubs associated with response to immunotherapy.

The organization of immune cells in human tumors is not well understood. Immunogenic tumors harbor spatially localized multicellular 'immunity hubs' defined by expression of the T cell-attracting chemokines CXCL10/CXCL11 and abundant T cells. Here, we examined immunity hubs in human pre-immunotherapy lung cancer specimens and found an association with beneficial response to PD-1 blockade. Critically, we discovered the stem-immunity hub, a subtype of immunity hub strongly associated with favorable PD-1-blockade outcome. This hub is distinct from mature tertiary lymphoid structures and is enriched for stem-like TCF7+PD-1+CD8+ T cells, activated CCR7+LAMP3+ dendritic cells and CCL19+ fibroblasts as well as chemokines that organize these cells. Within the stem-immunity hub, we find preferential interactions between CXCL10+ macrophages and TCF7-CD8+ T cells as well as between mature regulatory dendritic cells and TCF7+CD4+ and regulatory T cells. These results provide a picture of the spatial organization of the human intratumoral immune response and its relevance to patient immunotherapy outcomes.

Dysregulated Repeat Element Viral-like Immune Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: Dysregulation of viral-like repeat RNAs are a common feature across many malignancies that are linked with immunological response, but the characterization of these in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is understudied. In this study, we performed RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) of different repeat RNAs, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for immune cell subpopulations, and spatial transcriptomics to understand the relationship of HCC repeat expression, immune response, and clinical outcomes. Experimental Design: RNA-ISH for LINE1, HERV-K, HERV-H, and HSATII repeats and IHC for T-cell, Treg, B-cell, macrophage, and immune checkpoint markers were performed on 43 resected HCC specimens. Spatial transcriptomics on tumor and vessel regions of interest was performed on 28 specimens from the same cohort. Results: High HERV-K and high LINE1 expression were both associated with worse overall survival. There was a positive correlation between LINE1 expression and FOXP3 T-regulatory cells (r = 0.51 p < 0.001) as well as expression of the TIM3 immune checkpoint (r = 0.34, p = 0.03). Spatial transcriptomic profiling of HERV-K high and LINE-1 high tumors identified elevated expression of multiple genes previously associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition, cellular proliferation, and worse overall prognosis in HCC including SSX1, MAGEC2, and SPINK1. Conclusion: Repeat RNAs may serve as useful prognostic biomarkers in HCC and may also serve as novel therapeutic targets. Additional study is needed to understand the mechanisms by which repeat RNAs impact HCC tumorigenesis.

Spatial transcriptomics reveals distinct tissue niches linked with steroid responsiveness in acute gastrointestinal GVHD.

Severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity, especially in steroid-resistant (SR) cases. Spatial transcriptomic technology can elucidate tissue-based interactions in vivo and possibly identify predictors of treatment response. Tissue sections from 32 treatment-naïve patients with biopsy-confirmed lower gastrointestinal (GI) aGVHD were obtained. The GeoMx digital spatial profiler was used to capture transcriptome profiles of >18 000 genes from different foci of immune infiltrates, colonic epithelium, and vascular endothelium. Each tissue compartment sampled showed 2 distinct clusters that were analyzed for differential expression and spatially resolved correlation of gene signatures. Classic cell-mediated immunity signatures, normal differentiated epithelial cells, and inflamed vasculature dominated foci sampled from steroid-sensitive cases. In contrast, a neutrophil predominant noncanonical inflammation with regenerative epithelial cells and some indication of angiogenic endothelial response was overrepresented in areas from SR cases. Evaluation of potential prognostic biomarkers identified ubiquitin specific peptidase 17-like (USP17L) family of genes as being differentially expressed in immune cells from patients with worsened survival. In summary, we demonstrate distinct tissue niches with unique gene expression signatures within lower GI tissue from patients with aGVHD and provide evidence of a potential prognostic biomarker.

A Polygenic Risk Score for Predicting Racial and Genetic Susceptibility to Prurigo Nodularis.

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is an understudied inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic, hyperkeratotic nodules. Identifying the genetic factors underlying PN could help to better understand its etiology and guide the development of therapies. In this study, we developed a polygenic risk score that predicts a diagnosis of PN (OR = 1.41, P = 1.6 × 10-5) in two independent and continentally distinct populations. We also performed GWASs, which uncovered genetic variants associated with PN, including one near PLCB4 (rs6039266: OR = 3.15, P = 4.8 × 10-8) and others near TXNRD1 (rs34217906: OR = 1.71, P = 6.4 × 10-7; rs7134193: OR = 1.57, P = 1.1 × 10-6). Finally, we discovered that Black patients have over a two-times greater genetic risk of developing PN (OR = 2.63, P = 7.8 × 10-4). Combining the polygenic risk score and self-reported race together was significantly predictive of PN (OR = 1.32, P = 4.7 × 10-3). Strikingly, this association was more significant with race than after adjusting for genetic ancestry. Because race is a sociocultural construct and not a genetically bound category, our findings suggest that genetics, environmental influence, and social determinants of health likely affect the development of PN and may contribute to clinically observed racial disparities.

Spatial analysis of human lung cancer reveals organized immune hubs enriched for stem-like CD8 T cells and associated with immunotherapy response.

The organization of immune cells in human tumors is not well understood. Immunogenic tumors harbor spatially-localized multicellular 'immunity hubs' defined by expression of the T cell-attracting chemokines CXCL10/CXCL11 and abundant T cells. Here, we examined immunity hubs in human pre-immunotherapy lung cancer specimens, and found that they were associated with beneficial responses to PD-1-blockade. Immunity hubs were enriched for many interferon-stimulated genes, T cells in multiple differentiation states, and CXCL9/10/11 + macrophages that preferentially interact with CD8 T cells. Critically, we discovered the stem-immunity hub, a subtype of immunity hub strongly associated with favorable PD-1-blockade outcomes, distinct from mature tertiary lymphoid structures, and enriched for stem-like TCF7+PD-1+ CD8 T cells and activated CCR7 + LAMP3 + dendritic cells, as well as chemokines that organize these cells. These results elucidate the spatial organization of the human intratumoral immune response and its relevance to patient immunotherapy outcomes.

Cutaneous immune-related adverse events are associated with longer overall survival in advanced cancer patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors: A multi-institutional cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) occur in up to 40% of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) recipients. However, the association of cirAEs with survival remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of cirAEs with survival among ICI recipients. METHODS: ICI recipients were identified from the Mass General Brigham healthcare system and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Patient charts were reviewed for cirAE development within 2 years after ICI initiation. Multivariate time-varying Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, Charlson Comorbidity Index, ICI type, cancer type, and year of ICI initiation were utilized to investigate the impact of cirAE development on overall survival. RESULTS: Of the 3731 ICI recipients, 18.1% developed a cirAE. Six-month landmark analysis and time-varying Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated that patients who developed cirAEs were associated with decreased mortality (hazardratio [HR] = 0.87, P = .027), particularly in patients with melanoma (HR = 0.67, P = .003). Among individual morphologies, lichenoid eruption (HR = 0.51, P < .001), psoriasiform eruption (HR = 0.52, P = .005), vitiligo (HR = 0.29, P = .007), isolated pruritus without visible manifestation of rash (HR = 0.71, P = .007), acneiform eruption (HR = 0.34, P = .025), and non-specific rash (HR = 0.68, P < .001) were significantly associated with better survival after multiple comparisons adjustment. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design; single geography. CONCLUSION: CirAE development is associated with improved survival among ICI recipients, especially patients with melanoma.

Influence of melanoma type on incidence and downstream implications of cutaneous immune-related adverse events in the setting of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) are associated with a survival benefit in the setting of advanced melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Previous studies have not examined the role of melanoma subtypes on cirAE development and downstream therapeutic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Examine the impact of melanoma subtypes on cirAE onset and survival among ICI recipients. METHODS: Retrospective multi-institutional cohort study. Multivariate time-series regressions were utilized to assess relationships between melanoma subtype, cirAE development, and survival. RESULTS: Among 747 ICI recipients, 236 (31.6%) patients developed a cirAE. Patients with acral melanoma were less likely to develop a cirAE (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.41, P = .016) compared to patients with nonacral cutaneous melanoma. Across all melanoma subtypes, cirAEs were associated with reduced mortality (HR = 0.76, P = .042). Patients with acral (HR = 2.04, P = .005), mucosal (HR = 2.30, P < .001), and uveal (HR = 4.09, P < .001) primaries exhibited the worst survival. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective cohort study. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate differences in cirAE development among melanoma subtypes. The presence of cirAEs was associated with better survival. Further, the lower incidence of cirAEs may be a marker of immunotherapy response, which is reflected in the association between acral melanoma and mortality.

Quantitative p53 immunostaining aids in the detection of prevalent dysplasia.

AIMS: The lack of accepted scoring criteria has precluded the use of p53 in routine practice. We evaluate the utility of automated quantitative p53 analysis in risk stratifying Barrett's oesophagus (BE) patients using non-dysplastic BE (NDBE) biopsies in a multicentric cohort of BE progressor (P) and non-progressor (NP) patients. METHODS: NDBE biopsies prior to the diagnosis of advanced neoplasia from 75 BE-P, and index and last surveillance biopsies from 148 BE-NP were stained for p53, and scored digitally as 1+, 2+ and 3+. A secondary cohort of 30 BE-P was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with BE-NP, BE-P was predominantly men (p=0.001), ≥55 years of age (p=0.008), with longer BE segments (71% vs 33%; p<0.001). The mean number of 3+p53 positive cells and 3+ positive glands were significantly more in BE-P versus BE-NP NDBE biopsies (175 vs 9.7, p<0.001; 9.8 vs 0.1; p<0.001, respectively). At a cut-off of ≥10 p53 (3+) positive cells, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay to identify BE-P were 39% and 93%. On multivariate analysis, scoring p53 in NDBE biopsies, age, gender and length of BE were significantly associated with neoplastic progression. 54% of patients classified as prevalent dysplasia showed an abnormal p53 immunohistochemical stain. These findings were validated in the secondary cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Automated p53 analysis in NDBE biopsies serves as a promising tool for assessing BE neoplastic progression and risk stratification. Our study highlights the practical applicability of p53 assay to routine surveillance practice and its ability to detect prevalent dysplasia.

Cutaneous immune-related adverse events are associated with longer overall survival in advanced cancer patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors: a multi-institutional cohort study.

Background: Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) occur in up to 40% of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) recipients. However, the association of cirAEs with survival remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the association of cirAEs with survival among ICI recipients. Methods: ICI recipients were identified from the Mass General Brigham healthcare system (MGB) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). Patient charts were reviewed for cirAE development within 2 years after ICI initiation. Multivariate time-varying Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, Charlson Comorbidity Index, ICI type, cancer type, and year of ICI initiation were utilized to investigate the impact of cirAE development on overall survival. Results: Of the 3,731 ICI recipients, 18.1% developed a cirAE. 6-month landmark analysis and time-varying Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated that patients who developed cirAEs were associated with decreased mortality (HR=0.87,p=0.027), particularly in melanoma patients (HR=0.67,p=0.003). Among individual morphologies, lichenoid eruption (HR=0.51,p<0.001), psoriasiform eruption (HR=0.52,p=0.005), vitiligo (HR=0.29,p=0.007), isolated pruritus without visible manifestation of rash (HR=0.71,p=0.007), acneiform eruption (HR =0.34,p=0.025), and non-specific rash (HR=0.68, p<0.001) were significantly associated with better survival after multiple comparisons adjustment. Limitations: Retrospective design; single geography. Conclusion: CirAE development is associated with improved survival among ICI recipients, especially melanoma patients. Capsule Summary: Patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) who developed cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) had favorable outcomes. This was especially notable for melanoma patients who had cirAEs, both those with vitiligo and other morphologies.Development of cirAEs in ICI-treated patients can be used to prognosticate survival and guide treatment decisions.

Large-scale real-world data analysis identifies comorbidity patterns in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia affects >3.2 million people in the USA. However, its comorbidity patterns have not been systematically characterized in real-world populations. To address this gap, we conducted an observational study using a cohort of 86 million patients in a nationwide health insurance dataset. We identified participants with schizophrenia and those without schizophrenia matched by age, sex, and the first three digits of zip code. For each phenotype encoded in phecodes, we compared their prevalence in schizophrenia patients and the matched non-schizophrenic participants, and we performed subgroup analyses stratified by age and sex. Results show that anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse commonly occur in adolescents and young adults prior to schizophrenia diagnoses. Patients aged 60 and above are at higher risks of developing delirium, alcoholism, dementia, pelvic fracture, and osteomyelitis than their matched controls. Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and eating disorders were more prevalent in women prior to schizophrenia diagnosis, whereas acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, and developmental delays were found at higher rates in men. Anxiety and obesity are more commonly seen in patients with schizoaffective disorders compared to patients with other types of schizophrenia. Leveraging a large-scale insurance claims dataset, this study identified less-known comorbidity patterns of schizophrenia and confirmed known ones. These comorbidity profiles can guide clinicians and researchers to take heed of early signs of co-occurring diseases.

Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition Disrupts Repeat Element Life Cycle in Colorectal Cancer.

Altered RNA expression of repetitive sequences and retrotransposition are frequently seen in colorectal cancer, implicating a functional importance of repeat activity in cancer progression. We show the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor 3TC targets activities of these repeat elements in colorectal cancer preclinical models with a preferential effect in p53-mutant cell lines linked with direct binding of p53 to repeat elements. We translate these findings to a human phase II trial of single-agent 3TC treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer with demonstration of clinical benefit in 9 of 32 patients. Analysis of 3TC effects on colorectal cancer tumorspheres demonstrates accumulation of immunogenic RNA:DNA hybrids linked with induction of interferon response genes and DNA damage response. Epigenetic and DNA-damaging agents induce repeat RNAs and have enhanced cytotoxicity with 3TC. These findings identify a vulnerability in colorectal cancer by targeting the viral mimicry of repeat elements. SIGNIFICANCE: Colorectal cancers express abundant repeat elements that have a viral-like life cycle that can be therapeutically targeted with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) commonly used for viral diseases. NRTIs induce DNA damage and interferon response that provide a new anticancer therapeutic strategy. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1397.

Active RB causes visible changes in nuclear organization.

RB restricts G1/S progression by inhibiting E2F. Here, we show that sustained expression of active RB, and prolonged G1 arrest, causes visible changes in chromosome architecture that are not directly associated with E2F inhibition. Using FISH probes against two euchromatin RB-associated regions, two heterochromatin domains that lack RB-bound loci, and two whole-chromosome probes, we found that constitutively active RB (ΔCDK-RB) promoted a more diffuse, dispersed, and scattered chromatin organization. These changes were RB dependent, were driven by specific isoforms of monophosphorylated RB, and required known RB-associated activities. ΔCDK-RB altered physical interactions between RB-bound genomic loci, but the RB-induced changes in chromosome architecture were unaffected by dominant-negative DP1. The RB-induced changes appeared to be widespread and influenced chromosome localization within nuclei. Gene expression profiles revealed that the dispersion phenotype was associated with an increased autophagy response. We infer that, after cell cycle arrest, RB acts through noncanonical mechanisms to significantly change nuclear organization, and this reorganization correlates with transitions in cellular state.

Selective targeting of MYC mRNA by stabilized antisense oligonucleotides.

MYC is a prolific proto-oncogene driving the malignant behaviors of numerous common cancers, yet potent and selective cell-permeable inhibitors of MYC remain elusive. In order to ultimately realize the goal of therapeutic MYC inhibition in cancer, we have initiated discovery chemistry efforts aimed at inhibiting MYC translation. Here we describe a series of conformationally stabilized synthetic antisense oligonucleotides designed to target MYC mRNA (MYCASOs). To support bioactivity, we designed and synthesized this focused library of MYCASOs incorporating locked nucleic acid (LNA) bases at the 5'- and 3'-ends, a phosphorothioate backbone, and internal DNA bases. Treatment of MYC-expressing cancer cells with MYCASOs leads to a potent decrease in MYC mRNA and protein levels. Cleaved MYC mRNA in MYCASO-treated cells is detected with a sensitive 5' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) assay. MYCASO treatment of cancer cell lines leads to significant inhibition of cellular proliferation while specifically perturbing MYC-driven gene expression signatures. In a MYC-induced model of hepatocellular carcinoma, MYCASO treatment decreases MYC protein levels within tumors, decreases tumor burden, and improves overall survival. MYCASOs represent a new chemical tool for in vitro and in vivo modulation of MYC activity, and promising therapeutic agents for MYC-addicted tumors.

NR4A1 regulates expression of immediate early genes, suppressing replication stress in cancer.

Deregulation of oncogenic signals in cancer triggers replication stress. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are rapidly and transiently expressed following stressful signals, contributing to an integrated response. Here, we find that the orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 localizes across the gene body and 3' UTR of IEGs, where it inhibits transcriptional elongation by RNA Pol II, generating R-loops and accessible chromatin domains. Acute replication stress causes immediate dissociation of NR4A1 and a burst of transcriptionally poised IEG expression. Ectopic expression of NR4A1 enhances tumorigenesis by breast cancer cells, while its deletion leads to massive chromosomal instability and proliferative failure, driven by deregulated expression of its IEG target, FOS. Approximately half of breast and other primary cancers exhibit accessible chromatin domains at IEG gene bodies, consistent with this stress-regulatory pathway. Cancers that have retained this mechanism in adapting to oncogenic replication stress may be dependent on NR4A1 for their proliferation.

Prediction of severe immune-related adverse events requiring hospital admission in patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors: study of a population level insurance claims database from the USA.

BACKGROUND: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are a serious side effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy for patients with advanced cancer. Currently, predisposing risk factors are undefined but understanding which patients are at increased risk for irAEs severe enough to require hospitalization would be beneficial to tailor treatment selection and monitoring. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with cancer treated with ICIs using unidentifiable claims data from an Aetna nationwide US health insurance database from January 3, 2011 to December 31, 2019, including patients with an identified primary cancer and at least one administration of an ICI. Regression analyses were performed. Main outcomes were incidence of and factors associated with irAE requiring hospitalization in ICI therapy. RESULTS: There were 68.8 million patients identified in the national database, and 14 378 patients with cancer identified with at least 1 administration of ICI in the study period. Patients were followed over 19 117 patient years and 504 (3.5%) developed an irAE requiring hospitalization. The incidence of irAEs requiring hospitalization per patient ICI treatment year was 2.6%, rising from 0% (0/71) in 2011 to 3.7% (93/2486) in 2016. Combination immunotherapy (OR: 2.44, p<0.001) was associated with increased odds of developing irAEs requiring hospitalization, whereas older patients (OR 0.98 per additional year, p<0.001) and those with non-lung cancer were associated with decreased odds of irAEs requiring hospitalization (melanoma OR: 0.70, p=0.01, renal cell carcinoma OR: 0.71, p=0.03, other cancers OR: 0.50, p<0.001). Sex, region, zip-code-imputed income, and zip-code unemployment were not associated with incidence of irAE requiring hospitalization. Prednisone (72%) and methylprednisolone (25%) were the most common immunosuppressive treatments identified in irAE hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: We found that 3.5% of patients initiating ICI therapy experienced irAEs requiring hospitalization and immunosuppression. The odds of irAEs requiring hospitalization were higher with younger age, treatment with combination ICI therapy (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated 4 and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)), and lower for other cancers compared with patients on PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors with lung cancer. This evidence from the first nationwide study of irAEs requiring hospitalization in the USA identified the real-world epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment patterns of these irAEs which may guide treatment and management decisions.

The Lipogenic Regulator SREBP2 Induces Transferrin in Circulating Melanoma Cells and Suppresses Ferroptosis.

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are shed by cancer into the bloodstream, where a viable subset overcomes oxidative stress to initiate metastasis. We show that single CTCs from patients with melanoma coordinately upregulate lipogenesis and iron homeostasis pathways. These are correlated with both intrinsic and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors across clonal cultures of BRAF-mutant CTCs. The lipogenesis regulator SREBP2 directly induces transcription of the iron carrier Transferrin (TF), reducing intracellular iron pools, reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation, thereby conferring resistance to inducers of ferroptosis. Knockdown of endogenous TF impairs tumor formation by melanoma CTCs, and their tumorigenic defects are partially rescued by the lipophilic antioxidants ferrostatin-1 and vitamin E. In a prospective melanoma cohort, presence of CTCs with high lipogenic and iron metabolic RNA signatures is correlated with adverse clinical outcome, irrespective of treatment regimen. Thus, SREBP2-driven iron homeostatic pathways contribute to cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: Through single-cell analysis of primary and cultured melanoma CTCs, we have uncovered intrinsic cancer cell heterogeneity within lipogenic and iron homeostatic pathways that modulates resistance to BRAF inhibitors and to ferroptosis inducers. Activation of these pathways within CTCs is correlated with adverse clinical outcome, pointing to therapeutic opportunities.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 521.

Royal jelly-derived proteins enhance proliferation and migration of human epidermal keratinocytes in an in vitro scratch wound model.

BACKGROUND: Skin injury is inevitable in daily life. In recent years, with the increasing morbidity of diseases such as diabetes and metabolic disorders, chronic wounds have become a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Royal jelly, reported to have multifarious biological and physiological properties, has been used as a remedy for a variety of wounds since ancient times. However, the active components and mechanisms underlying the wound-healing properties of royal jelly are still largely unknown. METHODS: Water-soluble proteins of royal jelly were fractionated and investigated for the proliferative and migratory effects on human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) in an in vitro wound healing model. The proteins present in bioactive fractions were characterised and quantified using Label-free protein quantification method. The potential functions of these proteins in biological systems were further analysed using bioinformatic tools. RESULTS: A protein fraction, mainly containing major royal jelly proteins 2 (MRJP2), MRJP3 and MRJP7, stimulated proliferative and migratory activities in HaCaT cells without visible cytotoxicity. It exerted the greatest effects on the growth of HaCaT cells in the first 48 h. Furthermore, when treated with this protein fraction, the closure rates of the in vitro scratch wound were significantly increased. Functional analysis indicated that MRJP2, MRJP3 and MRJP7 were associated with carbohydrate transport and metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: We fractionated the water-soluble proteins of royal jelly and identified one fraction (Fraction 2) that induced both proliferative and migratory effects on a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line. Major royal jelly proteins (MRJP2, MRJP3 and/or MRJP7) were speculated to possess potential wound-healing bioactivity. This is the first report that royal jelly may improve wound closure via MRJP-induced cellular proliferation and migration. These proteins may be valuable lead compounds for the development of novel wound healing medications. Our findings would facilitate better understanding of the wound repair mechanisms of royal jelly.

Effect of Ice Nucleation and Cryoprotectants during High Subzero-Preservation in Endothelialized Microchannels.

Cryopreservation is of significance in areas including tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and organ transplantation. We investigated endothelial cell attachment and membrane integrity in a microvasculature model at high subzero temperatures in the presence of extracellular ice. The results show that in the presence of heterogeneous extracellular ice formation induced by ice nucleating bacteria, endothelial cells showed improved attachment at temperature minimums of -6 °C. However, as temperatures decreased below -6 °C, endothelial cells required additional cryoprotectants. The glucose analog, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3-OMG), rescued cell attachment optimally at 100 mM (cells/lane was 34, as compared to 36 for controls), while 2% and 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG) were equally effective at -10 °C (88% and 86.4% intact membranes). Finally, endothelialized microchannels were stored for 72 h at -10 °C in a preservation solution consisting of the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, Snomax, 3-OMG, PEG, glycerol, and trehalose, whereby cell attachment was not significantly different from unfrozen controls, although membrane integrity was compromised. These findings enrich our knowledge about the direct impact of extracellular ice on endothelial cells. Specifically, we show that, by controlling the ice nucleation temperature and uniformity, we can preserve cell attachment and membrane integrity. Further, we demonstrate the strength of leveraging endothelialized microchannels to fuel discoveries in cryopreservation of thick tissues and solid organs.