Napabucasin deactivates STAT3 and promotes mitoxantrone-mediated cGAS-STING activation for hepatocellular carcinoma chemo-immunotherapy.

The immune resistance of tumor microenvironment (TME) causes immune checkpoint blockade therapy inefficient to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Emerging strategies of using chemotherapy regimens to reverse the immune resistance provide the promise for promoting the efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The induction of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in tumor cells evokes the adaptive immunity and remodels the immunosuppressive TME. In this study, we report that mitoxantrone (MIT, a chemotherapeutic drug) activates the cGAS-STING signaling pathway of HCC cells. We provide an approach to augment the efficacy of MIT using a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor called napabucasin (NAP). We prepare an aminoethyl anisamide (AEAA)-targeted polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanocarrier for co-delivery of MIT and NAP. The resultant co-nanoformulation can elicit the cGAS-STING-based immune responses to reshape the immunoresistant TME in the mice orthotopically grafted with HCC. Consequently, the resultant co-nanoformulation can promote anti-PD-1 antibody for suppressing HCC development, generating long-term survival, and inhibiting tumor recurrence. This study reveals the potential of MIT to activate the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, and confirms the feasibility of nano co-delivery for MIT and NAP on achieving HCC chemo-immunotherapy.

Lrig1 regulates cell fate specification of glutamatergic neurons via FGF-driven Jak2/Stat3 signaling in cortical progenitors.

The cell-intrinsic mechanisms underlying the decision of a stem/progenitor cell to either proliferate or differentiate remain incompletely understood. Here, we identify the transmembrane protein Lrig1 as a physiological homeostatic regulator of FGF2-driven proliferation and self-renewal of neural progenitors at early-to-mid embryonic stages of cortical development. We show that Lrig1 is expressed in cortical progenitors (CPs), and its ablation caused expansion and increased proliferation of radial/apical progenitors and of neurogenic transit-amplifying Tbr2+ intermediate progenitors. Notably, our findings identify a previously unreported EGF-independent mechanism through which Lrig1 negatively regulates neural progenitor proliferation by modulating the FGF2-induced IL6/Jak2/Stat3 pathway, a molecular cascade that plays a pivotal role in the generation and maintenance of CPs. Consistently, Lrig1 knockout mice showed a significant increase in the density of pyramidal glutamatergic neurons placed in superficial layers 2 and 3 of the postnatal neocortex. Together, these results support a model in which Lrig1 regulates cortical neurogenesis by influencing the cycling activity of a set of progenitors that are temporally specified to produce upper layer glutamatergic neurons.

Investigation of the mechanism of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in elderly mouse myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

This study investigated the role of Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in elderly mice. It involves 30 elderly male KM mice divided into three groups: Sham, MIRI, and DPQ, where the MIRI and DPQ groups undergo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion with the DPQ group also receiving DPQ for PARP-1 inhibition. Over three weeks, assessments include histological analysis of myocardial lesions, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements, and evaluations of serum cardiac enzymes and inflammatory markers. This approach aims to understand the protective effects of DPQ in MIRI, focusing on its impact on cardiac health and inflammation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The findings suggest that PARP activation exacerbates cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in MIRI by possibly modulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Inhibition of PARP-1 with DPQ mitigates these effects, as indicated by reduced myocardial lesions and inflammatory infiltration, improved LVEF, and altered levels of inflammatory markers and signaling molecules. However, the differences in STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein expression between the DPQ and MIRI groups were not statistically significant, suggesting that while PARP inhibition affects many aspects of MIRI pathology, its impact on the JAK2/STAT3 pathway may not fully explain the observed benefits. This study contributes to our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, particularly in the context of aging. It highlights the potential of PARP inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to attenuate cardiac dysfunction and inflammation in MIRI, though further research is necessary to fully elucidate the underlying molecular pathways and to explore the clinical relevance of these findings in humans.

Defective N-glycosylation of IL6 induces metastasis and tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in lung cancer.

The IL6-GP130-STAT3 pathway facilitates lung cancer progression and resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Although glycosylation alters the stability of GP130, its effect on the ligand IL6 remains unclear. We herein find that N-glycosylated IL6, especially at Asn73, primarily stimulates JAK-STAT3 signaling and prolongs STAT3 phosphorylation, whereas N-glycosylation-defective IL6 (deNG-IL6) induces shortened STAT3 activation and alters the downstream signaling preference for the SRC-YAP-SOX2 axis. This signaling shift induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo, which are suppressed by targeted inhibitors and shRNAs against SRC, YAP, and SOX2. Osimertinib-resistant lung cancer cells secrete a large amount of deNG-IL6 through reduced N-glycosyltransferase gene expression, leading to clear SRC-YAP activation. deNG-IL6 contributes to drug resistance, as confirmed by in silico analysis of cellular and clinical transcriptomes and signal expression in patient specimens. Therefore, the N-glycosylation status of IL6 not only affects cell behaviors but also shows promise in monitoring the dynamics of lung cancer evolution.

In vitro biomaterial priming of human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells : implication of the Src/JAK/STAT3 pathway in vasculogenic mimicry.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) play a crucial role in promoting neovascularization, which is essential for wound healing. They are commonly utilized as an autologous source of progenitor cells in various stem cell-based therapies. However, incomplete MSC differentiation towards a vascular endothelial cell phenotype questions their involvement in an alternative process to angiogenesis, namely vasculogenic mimicry (VM), and the signal transducing events that regulate their in vitro priming into capillary-like structures. Here, human MSC were primed on top of Cultrex matrix to recapitulate an in vitro phenotype of VM. Total RNA was extracted, and differential gene expression assessed through RNA-Seq analysis and RT-qPCR. Transient gene silencing was achieved using specific siRNA. AG490, Tofacitinib, and PP2 pharmacological effects on VM structures were analyzed using the Wimasis software. In vitro VM occurred within 4 h and was prevented by the JAK/STAT3 inhibitors AG490 and Tofacitinib, as well as by the Src inhibitor PP2. RNA-Seq highlighted STAT3 as a signaling hub contributing to VM when transcripts from capillary-like structures were compared to those from cell monolayers. Concomitant increases in IL6, IL1b, CSF1, CSF2, STAT3, FOXC2, RPSA, FN1, and SNAI1 transcript levels suggest the acquisition of a combined angiogenic, inflammatory and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype in VM cultures. Increases in STAT3, FOXC2, RPSA, Fibronectin, and Snail protein expression were confirmed during VM. STAT3 and RPSA gene silencing abrogated in vitro VM. In conclusion, in vitro priming of MSC into VM structures requires Src/JAK/STAT3 signaling. This molecular evidence indicates that a clinically viable MSC-mediated pseudo-vasculature process could temporarily support grafts through VM, allowing time for the host vasculature to infiltrate and remodel the injured tissues.

Stat3 Inhibitors TTI-101 and SH5-07 Suppress Bladder Cancer Cell Survival in 3D Tumor Models.

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most lethal genitourinary malignancies owing to its propensity for recurrence and poor survival. The biochemical pathway, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), has gained significance as a molecular pathway that promotes proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance. In this study, we explored the targeting of STAT3 with TTI-101 and SH5-07 in BCa and elucidated the mechanisms in three-dimensional (3D) spheroid and organoid models. We optimized the growth of spheroids from human, rat, and mouse BCa cell lines (J82, NBT-II, and MB49 respectively) and organoids from BBN (N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine)-induced rat bladder tumors. Cell viability was assessed using MTT and trypan blue assays. Intracellular ATP production, ROS production, and calcium AM (CA)/EtBr staining were used to measure the spheroid and organoid inhibition and mitochondrial function. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the pharmacodynamic markers involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and STAT3 signaling in BCa. We found that targeting STAT3 (using TTI-101 and SH5-07) significantly reduced the proliferation of BCa spheroids and organoids, which was accompanied by decreased expression of pSTAT3, Cyclin D1, and PCNA. Our data also demonstrated that treatment with STAT3 inhibitors induced ROS production and cell death in BCa spheroids and organoids. STAT3 inhibition-induced cell death was associated with the activation of caspase 3/7 and PARP cleavage. Moreover, TTI-101 and SH5-07 target cancer stem cells by downregulating the expression of CD44 and CD133 in 3D models. This study provides the first evidence for the prevention of BCa with small-molecule inhibitors TTI-101 and SH5-07 via suppression of CSCs and STAT3 signaling.

Microglia mediate memory dysfunction via excitatory synaptic elimination in a fracture surgery mouse model.

Cognitive impairment is a common issue among human patients undergoing surgery, yet the neural mechanism causing this impairment remains unidentified. Surgical procedures often lead to glial cell activation and neuronal hypoexcitability, both of which are known to contribute to postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). However, the role of neuron-glia crosstalk in the pathology of POCD is still unclear. Through integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, we found that the complement cascades and microglial phagocytotic signaling pathways are activated in a mouse model of POCD. Following surgery, there is a significant increase in the presence of complement C3, but not C1q, in conjunction with presynaptic elements. This triggers a reduction in excitatory synapses, a decline in excitatory synaptic transmission, and subsequent memory deficits in the mouse model. By genetically knockout out C3ar1 or inhibiting p-STAT3 signaling, we successfully prevented neuronal hypoexcitability and alleviated cognitive impairment in the mouse model. Therefore, targeting the C3aR and downstream p-STAT3 signaling pathways could serve as potential therapeutic approaches for mitigating POCD.

IKKα-STAT3-S727 axis: a novel mechanism in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug, but its use can lead to cardiomyopathy, which is the leading cause of mortality among cancer patients. Macrophages play a role in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DCM), but the mechanisms undlerlying this relationship remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate how IKKα regulates macrophage activation and contributes to DCM in a mouse model. Specifically, the role of macrophage IKKα was evaluated in macrophage-specific IKKα knockout mice that received DOX injections. The findings revealed increased expression of IKKα in heart tissues after DOX administration. In mice lacking macrophage IKKα, myocardial injury, ventricular remodeling, inflammation, and proinflammatory macrophage activation worsened in response to DOX administration. Bone marrow transplant studies confirmed that IKKα deficiency exacerbated cardiac dysfunction. Macrophage IKKα knockout also led to mitochondrial damage and metabolic dysfunction in macrophages, thereby resulting in increased cardiomyocyte injury and oxidative stress. Single-cell sequencing analysis revealed that IKKα directly binds to STAT3, leading to the activation of STAT3 phosphorylation at S727. Interestingly, the inhibition of STAT3-S727 phosphorylation suppressed both DCM and cardiomyocyte injury. In conclusion, the IKKα-STAT3-S727 signaling pathway was found to play a crucial role in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. Targeting this pathway could be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating DOX-related heart failure.

The Mechanism of Leptin Resistance in Obesity and Therapeutic Perspective.

Leptin resistance is induced via leptin signaling blockade by chronic overstimulation of the leptin receptor and intracellular signaling defect or increased hypothalamic inflammation and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 expression. High-fat diet triggers leptin resistance induced by at least two independent causes: first, the limited ability of peripheral leptin to activate hypothalamic signaling transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling and secondly a signaling defect in leptin-responsive hypothalamic neurons. Central leptin resistance is dependent on decreased leptin transport efficiency across the blood brain barrier (BBB) rather than hypothalamic leptin insensitivity. Since the hypothalamic phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) represents a sensitive and specific readout of leptin receptor-B signaling, the assessment of pSTAT3 levels is the gold standard. Hypertriglyceridemia is one of important factors to inhibit the transport of leptin across BBB in obesity. Mismatch between high leptin and the amount of leptin receptor expression in obesity triggers brain leptin resistance via increasing hypothalamic inflammation and SOCS-3 expression. Therapeutic strategies that regulate the passage of leptin to the brain include the development of modifications in the structure of leptin analogues as well as the synthesis of new leptin receptor agonists with increased BBB permeability. In the hyperleptinemic state, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified leptin is unable to pass through the BBB. Peripheral histone deacetylase (HDAC) 6 inhibitor, tubastatin, and metformin increase central leptin sensitization. While add-on therapy with anagliptin, metformin and miglitol reduce leptin concentrations, the use of long-acting leptin analogs, and exendin-4 lead to the recovery of leptin sensitivity. Contouring surgery with fat removal, and bariatric surgery independently of the type of surgery performed provide significant improvement in leptin concentrations. Although approaches to correcting leptin resistance have shown some success, no clinically effective application has been developed to date. Due to the impairment of central and peripheral leptin signaling, as well as the extensive integration of leptin-sensitive metabolic pathways with other neurons, the effectiveness of methods used to eliminate leptin resistance is extremely limited.

pSTAT3 activation of Foxl2 initiates the female pathway underlying temperature-dependent sex determination.

Ovarian development was traditionally recognized as a "default" sexual outcome and therefore received much less scientific attention than testis development. In turtles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), how the female pathway is initiated to induce ovary development remains unknown. In this study, we have found that phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and Foxl2 exhibit temperature-dependent sexually dimorphic patterns and tempo-spatial coexpression in early embryos of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans). Inhibition of pSTAT3 at a female-producing temperature of 31 °C induces 64.7% female-to-male sex reversal, whereas activation of pSTAT3 at a male-producing temperature of 26 °C triggers 75.6% male-to-female sex reversal. In addition, pSTAT3 directly binds to the locus of the female sex-determining gene Foxl2 and promotes Foxl2 transcription. Overexpression or knockdown of Foxl2 can rescue the sex reversal induced by inhibition or activation of pSTAT3. This study has established a direct genetic link between warm temperature-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and female pathway initiation in a TSD system, highlighting the critical role of pSTAT3 in the cross talk between female and male pathways.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blocker Prevents Mineralocorticoid Receptor-Mediated Inflammation by Modulating Transcriptional Activity of Mineralocorticoid Receptor-p65-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Complex.

BACKGROUND: Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) induces cardiac inflammation cooperatively with nuclear factor-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3); MR blockers exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of esaxerenone, a novel MR blocker, in experimental myocardial infarction (MI) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male C57BL/6J mice subjected to ligation of the left anterior descending artery were randomly assigned to either the vehicle or esaxerenone group. Esaxerenone was provided with a regular chow diet. The mice were euthanized at either 4 or 15 days after MI. Cardiac function, fibrosis, and inflammation were evaluated. Esaxerenone significantly improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac fibrosis at 15 days after MI independently of its antihypertensive effect. Inflammatory cell infiltration, inflammatory-related gene expression, and elevated serum interleukin-6 levels at 4 days after MI were significantly attenuated by esaxerenone. In vitro experiments using mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 cells demonstrated that esaxerenone- and spironolactone-attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-6 expression without altering the posttranslational modification and nuclear translocation of p65 and STAT3. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that MR interacted with both p65 and STAT3 and enhanced the p65-STAT3 interaction, leading to a subsequent increase in interleukin-6 promoter activity, which was reversed by esaxerenone. CONCLUSIONS: Esaxerenone ameliorated postinfarct remodeling in experimental MI through its anti-inflammatory properties exerted by modulating the transcriptional activity of the MR-p65-STAT3 complex. These results suggest that the MR-p65-STAT3 complex can be a novel therapeutic target for treating MI.

Increased Expression of the Neuropeptides PACAP/VIP in the Brain of Mice with CNS Targeted Production of IL-6 Is Mediated in Part by Trans-Signalling.

Inflammation with expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in several neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory conditions and may cause neurochemical changes to endogenous neuroprotective systems. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are two neuropeptides with well-established protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Yet, whether PACAP and VIP levels are altered in mice with CNS-restricted, astrocyte-targeted production of IL-6 (GFAP-IL6) remains unknown. In this study, PACAP/VIP levels were assessed in the brain of GFAP-IL6 mice. In addition, we utilised bi-genic GFAP-IL6 mice carrying the human sgp130-Fc transgene (termed GFAP-IL6/sgp130Fc mice) to determine whether trans-signalling inhibition rescued PACAP/VIP changes in the CNS. Transcripts and protein levels of PACAP and VIP, as well as their receptors PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2, were significantly increased in the cerebrum and cerebellum of GFAP-IL6 mice vs. wild type (WT) littermates. These results were paralleled by a robust activation of the JAK/STAT3, NF-κB and ERK1/2MAPK pathways in GFAP-IL6 mice. In contrast, co-expression of sgp130Fc in GFAP-IL6/sgp130Fc mice reduced VIP expression and activation of STAT3 and NF-κB pathways, but it failed to rescue PACAP, PACAP/VIP receptors and Erk1/2MAPK phosphorylation. We conclude that forced expression of IL-6 in astrocytes induces the activation of the PACAP/VIP neuropeptide system in the brain, which is only partly modulated upon IL-6 trans-signalling inhibition. Increased expression of PACAP/VIP neuropeptides and receptors may represent a homeostatic response of the CNS to an uncontrolled IL-6 synthesis and its neuroinflammatory consequences.

[Therapeutic mechanism of Cynanchum wilfordii for ulcerative colitis: an analysis using UPLC-QE-MS, network pharmacology and metabolomics].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the targets and pathways of Cynanchum wilfordii for treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: UPLC-QE-MS was used to identify the components of Cynanchum wilfordii ethanol extract, and their targets were screened using public databases for construction of the core protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Forty male C57 mice were randomized into normal control group, model group, mesalazine group and Cynanchum wilfordii group (n=10), and in the latter 3 groups, mouse UC models were established by treatment with 2.5% DSS and the latter 2 groups drug interventions by gavage. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by recording body weight changes and DAI score. Pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed with HE and AB-PAS staining, and JAK2 and STAT3 protein expressions were detected with Western blotting. The metabolites and metabolic pathways were identified by metabonomics analysis. RESULTS: We identified 240 chemical components in Cynanchum wilfordii alcoholic extracts, including 19 steroids. A total of 177 Cynanchum wilfordii targets, 5406 UC genes, and 117 intersection genes were obtained. JAK2 and STAT3 were the core targets and significantly enriched in lipid and atherosclerosis pathways. Cynanchum wilfordii treatment significantly increased the body weight and decreased DAI score of UC mice (P < 0.05), alleviated intestinal pathologies, and decreased JAK2 and STAT3 protein expressions in the colon tissues. Most of the 83 intersecting differential metabolites between the control, model and Cynanchum wilfordii groups were identified as glycerophospholipids, arachidonic acid, and amino acids involving glycerophospholipid metabolism and other pathways. Correlation analysis suggested that the core targets of Cynanchum wilfordii for UC participated in regulation of the metabolites. CONCLUSION: Cynanchum wilfordii alleviates lipid and amino acid metabolism disorders to lessen UC in mice by regulating the core targets including JAK2 and STAT3 and the levels of endogenous metabolites.

Buzhong Yiqi decoction attenuates acquired myasthenia by regulating the JAK2/STAT3/AKT signaling pathway, inhibiting inflammation, and improving mitochondrial function.

Acquired myasthenia (AM), a debilitating autoimmune disease, is typically characterized by skeletal muscle fatigue and weakness. Despite advances in myasthenia gravis treatment, current approaches remain unsatisfactory and many result in unexpected side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has shown great potential in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, including relieving myasthenic symptoms, improving patients' quality of life, and reducing Western medicine side effects. This study investigates the protective effects and mechanism of BZYQD in mice with acquired myasthenia. BZYQD alleviates the reduced grip strength and increased expression of MAFbx and MuRF-1 in mice with acquired myasthenia. It also reduces levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in the mouse serum. In addition, BZYQD reduces ROS accumulation and the mitochondrial ROS production rate, while increasing ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential in mice with acquired myasthenia. Moreover, BZYQD decreases the expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and p-AKT in the skeletal muscle of mice with acquired myasthenia. In summary, BZYQD reduces inflammation, enhances mitochondrial function, and regulates the JAK2/STAT3/AKT signaling pathway to treat acquired myasthenia.

Identification of Entinostat as a Novel Modifier of STAT3 Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a pleiotropic factor involved in multiple vital biological processes and a key mediator of gene transcription in response to cytokines, growth factors and aberrant activation of oncogenic signaling. STAT3 has two splicing isoforms, STAT3α and STAT3ß, derived from alternative splicing of exon 23 within pre-mRNA. STAT3ß differs from STAT3α by replacement of 55 amino-acid residues in the C-terminal transactivation domain with 7 specific amino acids. Thus, a shorter STAT3ß was originally regarded as a dominant negative isoform of STAT3α. Recently accumulating evidence from independent studies have shown STAT3 splicing isoforms confer distinct and overlapping functions in many fundamental cellular regulatory steps such as cell differentiation, inflammatory responses, and cancer progression. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of STAT3 pre-mRNA splicing, and it remains undiscovered which chemical compounds or bioactive substances can induce the STAT3ß expression. In this study, we generated a potent reporter for detection of alternative splicing of STAT3 pre-mRNA optimized for the screening of function-known chemical library, and successfully identified entinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, as a novel inducer of STAT3ß through modulating mRNA splicing. Our findings demonstrate that alternative splicing of STAT3 can be regulated by a compound, providing an important clue for understanding the regulation mechanisms of the expression balance of STAT3 isoforms in a chemical biology approach. Entinostat is likely to be a promising seed compound for elucidating how the higher ratio of STAT3ß expression impacts on biological responses associated with Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Siweixizangmaoru Decoction Ameliorated Type II Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats via Regulating JAK2-STAT3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Siweixizangmaoru decoction (SXD) is widely used as an anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Tibet, however, the specific anti-inflammatory mechanism of SXD is still unclear. This research attempts to examine the efficacy and possible mechanisms of SXD in treating RA. The primary chemical components of SXD were identified using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS. We established a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage inflammatory injury model to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of SXD and validated it through in vivo experiments. According to our research in vitro as well as in vivo, SXD exhibits anti-inflammatory qualities. SXD can suppress nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory factor production in RAW264.7 cells activated by LPS. The mechanism underlying this effect might be connected to the janus tyrosine kinase 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. In vivo, SXD alleviates joint swelling, decreases the generation of inflammatory factors in the serum, lowers oxidative stress, and improves joint damage. In short, SXD improves joint degeneration and lowers symptoms associated with RA by regulating inflammation via the suppression of NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation.

Innate immunity gene Nod2 protects mice from orthotopic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nod2 is involved in innate immune responses to bacteria, regulation of metabolism, and sensitivity to cancer. A Nod2 polymorphism is associated with breast cancer, but the role of Nod2 in the development and progression of breast cancer is unknown. METHODS: Here, we tested the hypothesis that Nod2 protects mice from breast cancer using the 4T1 orthotopic model of mammary tumorigenesis. WT and Nod2-/- mice were injected with 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells and the development of tumors was monitored. A detailed analysis of the tumor transcriptome was performed and genes that were differentially expressed and pathways that were predicted to be altered between WT and Nod2-/- mice were identified. The activation of key signaling molecules involved in metabolism and development of cancer was studied. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate that Nod2-/- mice had a higher incidence and larger tumors than WT mice. Nod2-/- mice had increased expression of genes that promote DNA replication and cell division, and decreased expression of genes required for lipolysis, lipogenesis, and steroid biosynthesis compared with WT mice. Nod2-/- mice also had lower expression of genes required for adipogenesis and reduced levels of lipids compared with WT mice. The tumors in Nod2-/- mice had decreased expression of genes associated with PPARα/γ signaling, increased activation of STAT3, decreased activation of STAT5, and no change in the activation of ERK compared with WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Nod2 protects mice from the 4T1 orthotopic breast tumor, and that tumors in Nod2-/- mice are predicted to have increased DNA replication and cell proliferation and decreased lipid metabolism compared with WT mice.

Natural Product-Inspired Discovery of Naphthoquinone-Furo-Piperidine Derivatives as Novel STAT3 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, and STAT3 has emerged as an effective drug target for TNBC treatment. Herein, we employed a scaffold-hopping strategy of natural products to develop a series of naphthoquinone-furopiperidine derivatives as novel STAT3 inhibitors. The in vitro assay showed that compound 10g possessed higher antiproliferative activity than Cryptotanshinone and Napabucasin against TNBC cell lines, along with lower toxicity and potent antitumor activity in a TNBC xenograft model. Mechanistically, 10g could inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT3 and the binding affinity was determined by the SPR assay (KD = 8.30 µM). Molecule docking studies suggested a plausible binding mode between 10g and the SH2 domain, in which the piperidine fragment and the terminal hydroxy group of 10g played an important role in demonstrating the success of this evolution strategy. These findings provide a natural product-inspired novel STAT3 inhibitor for TNBC treatment.

Downregulation of CIAPIN1 regulates the proliferation, migration and glycolysis of breast cancer cells via inhibition of STAT3 pathway.

Cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) is a protein that regulates apoptosis and programmed cell death. This research aims to evaluate its potential role in inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and glycolysis and uncover its underlying molecular mechanism. We collected breast cancer tissue samples from eight patients between January 2019 and June 2023 in our Hospital to analyse CIAPIN1 expression. We transfected human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, and MDA-MB-468) with siRNA of CIAPIN1. Finally, we determined protein expression using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. CIAPIN1 expression was elevated in both breast cancer tissue and serum. Overexpression of CIAPIN1 detected in the breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-468. In addition, CIAPIN1 overexpression increased cell proliferation and migration rate. CIAPIN1 downregulation suppressed cell proliferation while elevated cellular apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress in breast cancer cells. Moreover, CIAPIN1 inhibition remarkably suppressed pyruvate, lactate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reduced the pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) protein expression and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in breast cancer cells. Downregulation of CIAPIN1 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and glycolysis capacity in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the STAT3/PKM2 pathway.

Water-soluble garlic polysaccharide (WSGP) improves ulcerative volitis by modulating the intestinal barrier and intestinal flora metabolites.

WSGP has demonstrated significant potential for various bioactive effects. However, limited research has explored their anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) effects and mechanism on the colonic system and gut microbial metabolites. We evaluated the ameliorative effects of WSGP on the UC mice model. Using H&E to assess histological injury of colon morphology, AB-PAS staining to detect mucin secretion from goblet cells and the mucous layer, IF to evaluate the expression of intercellular tight junction proteins, ELISA to measure inflammatory factors, WB analysis to measure protein expression of inflammatory signaling pathways, RT-qPCR to quantify gene transcription of inflammatory factors, and LC-MS to analyze metabolites in mouse cecum contents. WSGP supplementation increased food intake, body weight, and colon length while reducing disease activity and histological scores in colitis-afflicted mice. WSGP mitigated colonic tissue damage and restored intestinal barrier integrity by suppressing NF-κB/STAT3 signaling, thereby decreasing gene transcription, protein expression of proinflammatory factors, and nitric oxide production. Additionally, WSGP improved UC by altering the variety of intestinal microbial metabolites. This study demonstrates that WSGP supplementation attenuates UC mice by suppressing the NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway, enhancing mucosal barrier function, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and modulating gut microbial metabolites.