ZNF224 is a mediator of TGF-ß pro-oncogenic function in melanoma.

The zinc finger protein ZNF224 plays a dual role in cancer, operating as both tumour suppressor and oncogenic factor depending on cellular and molecular partners. In this research we investigated the role of ZNF224 in melanoma, a highly invasive and metastatic cancer, and provided evidence for the involvement of ZNF224 in the TGF-ß signalling as a mediator of the TGF-ß pro-oncogenic function. Our results showed that ZNF224, whose expression increased in melanoma cell lines after TGF-ß stimulation, potentiated the activation induced by TGF-ß on its target genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Accordingly, overexpression of ZNF224 enhanced the tumourigenic properties of melanoma cells, promoting cell proliferation and invasiveness, whereas ZNF224 knockdown had the opposite effect. Moreover, ZNF224 positively modulates the expression of TGF-ß itself and its type 1 and 2 receptors (TßR1 and TßR2), thus highlighting a possible mechanism by which ZNF224 could enhance the endogenous TGFß/Smad signalling. Our findings unveil a positive regulatory loop between TGF-ß and ZNF224 to promote EMT, consequently increasing the tumour metastatic potential.

Comparative Proteomic Profiling of Secreted Extracellular Vesicles from Breast Fibroadenoma and Malignant Lesions: A Pilot Study.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle proteins, RNA, DNA, and lipids crucial for cell-to-cell communication. Recent findings have highlighted that EVs, by virtue of their cargo, may also contribute to breast cancer (BC) growth and metastatic dissemination. Indeed, EVs are gaining great interest as non-invasive cancer biomarkers. However, little is known about the biological and physical properties of EVs from malignant BC lesions, and even less is understood about EVs from non-malignant lesions, such as breast fibroadenoma (FAD), which are clinically managed using conservative approaches. Thus, for this pilot study, we attempted to purify and explore the proteomic profiles of EVs from benign breast lesions, HER2+ BCs, triple-negative BCs (TNBCs), and continuous BC cell lines (i.e., BT-549, MCF-10A, and MDA-MB-231), combining experimental and semi-quantitative approaches. Of note, proteome-wide analyses showed 49 common proteins across EVs harvested from FAD, HER2+ BCs, TNBCs, and model BC lines. This is the first feasibility study evaluating the physicochemical composition and proteome of EVs from benign breast cells and primary and immortalized BC cells. Our preliminary results hold promise for possible implications in precision medicine for BC.

miR-216a Acts as a Negative Regulator of Breast Cancer by Modulating Stemness Properties and Tumor Microenvironment.

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in females in terms of both incidence and mortality. Underlying the high mortality rate is the presence of cancer stem cells, which divide indefinitely and are resistant to conventional chemotherapies, so causing tumor relapse. In the present study, we identify miR-216a-5p as a downregulated microRNA in breast cancer stem cells vs. the differentiated counterpart. We demonstrate that overexpression of miR-216a-5p impairs stemness markers, mammosphere formation, ALDH activity, and the level of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which plays a significant role in breast cancer progression and metastasis by leading to the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). Indeed, miR-216a regulates the crosstalk between cancer cells and the cells of the microenvironment, in particular cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), through regulation of the TLR4/IL6 pathway. Thus, miR-216a has an important role in the regulation of stem phenotype, decreasing stem-like properties and affecting the cross-talk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.

Delineation of human prostate cancer evolution identifies chromothripsis as a polyclonal event and FKBP4 as a potential driver of castration resistance.

Understanding the evolutionary mechanisms and genomic events leading to castration-resistant (CR) prostate cancer (PC) is key to improve the outcome of this otherwise deadly disease. Here, we delineated the tumour history of seven patients progressing to castration resistance by analysing matched prostate cancer tissues before and after castration. We performed genomic profiling of DNA content-based flow-sorted populations in order to define the different evolutionary patterns. In one patient, we discovered that a catastrophic genomic event, known as chromothripsis, resulted in multiple CRPC tumour populations with distinct, potentially advantageous copy number aberrations, including an amplification of FK506 binding protein 4 (FKBP4, also known as FKBP52), a protein enhancing the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor signalling. Analysis of FKBP4 protein expression in more than 500 prostate cancer samples revealed increased expression in CRPC in comparison to hormone-naïve (HN) PC. Moreover, elevated FKBP4 expression was associated with poor survival of patients with HNPC. We propose FKBP4 amplification and overexpression as a selective advantage in the process of tumour evolution and as a potential mechanism associated with the development of CRPC. Furthermore, FKBP4 interaction with androgen receptor may provide a potential therapeutic target in PC. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Role of Exo-miRNAs in Cancer: A Focus on Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released into biological fluids where they act as carriers of various molecules, including proteins, lipids, and RNAs, between cells, modulating or perturbing specific physiological processes. Recently, it has been suggested that tumoral cells release excessive amounts of exosomes that, through their cargo, promote tumor progression, stimulating growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, insensitivity to chemotherapy, and immune evasion. Increasing evidence highlights exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNAs) as important players in tumorigenesis. MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding RNA able to regulate gene expression, targeting multiple mRNAs and inducing translational repression and/or mRNA degradation. Exo-miRNAs are highly stable and easily detectable in biological fluids, and for these reasons, miRNAs are potential cancer biomarkers useful diagnostically and prognostically. Furthermore, since exosomes are natural delivery systems between cells, they can be appropriately modified to carry therapeutic miRNAs to specific recipient cells. Here we summarize the main functions of exo-miRNAs and their possible role for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

High expression of HOXA13 correlates with poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas and modulates sorafenib response in in vitro models.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the fifth and ninth cause of mortality among male and female cancer patients, respectively and typically arises on a background of a cirrhotic liver. HCC develops in a multi-step process, often encompassing chronic liver injury, steatosis and cirrhosis eventually leading to the malignant transformation of hepatocytes. Aberrant expression of the class I homeobox gene family (HOX), a group of genes crucial in embryogenesis, has been reported in a variety of malignancies including solid tumors. Among HOX genes, HOXA13 is most overexpressed in HCC and is known to be directly regulated by the long non-coding RNA HOTTIP. In this study, taking advantage of a tissue microarray containing 305 tissue specimens, we found that HOXA13 protein expression increased monotonically from normal liver to cirrhotic liver to HCC and that HOXA13-positive HCCs were preferentially poorly differentiated and had fewer E-cadherin-positive cells. In two independent cohorts, patients with HOXA13-positive HCC had worse overall survival than those with HOXA13-negative HCC. Using HOXA13 immunohistochemistry and HOTTIP RNA in situ hybridization on consecutive sections of 16 resected HCCs, we demonstrated that HOXA13 and HOTTIP were expressed in the same neoplastic hepatocyte populations. Stable overexpression of HOXA13 in liver cancer cell lines resulted in increased colony formation on soft agar and migration potential as well as reduced sensitivity to sorafenib in vitro. Our results provide compelling evidence of a role for HOXA13 in HCC development and highlight for the first time its ability to modulate response to sorafenib.

Persistent serum creatinine increase following contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) may led to both a transient and a persistent serum creatinine (sCr) increase. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether serum cystatin C (sCyC) and urine and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL, sNGAL) are useful in the early identification of persistent sCr increase following CI-AKI. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients who developed CI-AKI were included into the study. Persistent sCr elevation was defined as a persistent increase ≥0.3 mg dL-1 at 1 month after contrast media (CM) administration. RESULTS: sCr levels recovered in 87 patients (74%; Transient group), whereas a persistent elevation of sCr was observed in the remaining 31 patients (26%; Persistent group). By multivariable logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of persistent sCr increase were insulin therapy, uNGAL at 48 hr and absolute sCr difference between 48 and 72 hr. On the contrary, sCyC assessment did not help in the early identification of this subset of patients. By receiver operating curve analysis, the best cutoff values for predicting persistent sCr increase were uNGAL ≥0.50 ng dL-1 at 48 hr, and the absolute sCr increase ≥0.20 mg dL-1 between 48 and 72 hr. CONCLUSIONS: uNGAL ≥0.50 ng dL-1 at 48 hr and absolute sCr increase ≥0.20 mg dL-1 between 48 and 72 hr but not sCyC are useful in the early identification of patients developing persistent sCr increase after CM administration.

High mobility group A1 enhances tumorigenicity of human cholangiocarcinoma and confers resistance to therapy.

High mobility group A1 (HMGA1) protein has been described to play an important role in numerous types of human carcinoma. By the modulation of several target genes HMGA1 promotes proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells. However, its role in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has not been addressed yet. Therefore, we determined HMGA1 mRNA expression in CCA samples in a transcriptome array (n = 104) and a smaller cohort (n = 13) by qRT-PCR. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray (n = 67). In addition, we analyzed changes in cell proliferation, colony formation, response to gemcitabine treatment, and target gene expression after modulation of HMGA1 expression in CCA cell lines. mRNA levels of HMGA1 were found to be upregulated in 15-62% depending on the cohort analyzed. Immunohistochemistry showed HMGA1 overexpression in 51% of CCA specimens. Integration with clinico-pathological data revealed that high HMGA1 expression was associated with reduced time to recurrence and a positive lymph node status in extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. In vitro experiments showed that overexpression of HMGA1 in CCA cell lines promoted cell proliferation, whereas its suppression reduced growth rate. HMGA1 further promoted colony formation in an anchorage independent growth and conferred resistance to gemcitabine treatment. Finally, HMGA1 modulated the expression of two genes involved in CCA carcinogenesis, iNOS and ERBB2. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HMGA1 expression is increased in a substantial number of CCA specimens. HMGA1 further promotes CCA tumorigenicity and confers resistance to chemotherapy.

Oncogenic driver genes and the inflammatory microenvironment dictate liver tumor phenotype.

UNLABELLED: The majority of hepatocellular carcinoma develops in the background of chronic liver inflammation caused by viral hepatitis and alcoholic or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. However, the impact of different types of chronic inflammatory microenvironments on the phenotypes of tumors generated by distinct oncogenes is largely unresolved. To address this issue, we generated murine liver tumors by constitutively active AKT-1 (AKT) and ß-catenin (CAT), followed by induction of chronic liver inflammation by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) and carbon tetrachloride. Also, the impact of DDC-induced chronic liver inflammation was compared between two liver tumor models using a combination of AKT-CAT or AKT-NRAS(G12V) . Treatment with DDC and carbon tetrachloride significantly facilitated the adenoma-to-carcinoma conversion and accelerated the growth of AKT-CAT tumors. Furthermore, DDC treatment altered the morphology of AKT-CAT tumors and caused loss of lipid droplets. Transcriptome analysis of AKT-CAT tumors revealed that cellular growth and proliferation were mainly affected by chronic inflammation and caused up-regulation of Cxcl16, Galectin-3, and Nedd9, among others. Integration with transcriptome profiles from human hepatocellular carcinomas further demonstrated that AKT-CAT tumors generated in the context of chronic liver inflammation showed enrichment of poor prognosis gene sets or decrease of good prognosis gene sets. In contrast, DDC had a more subtle effect on AKT-NRAS(G12V) tumors and primarily enhanced already existent tumor characteristics as supported by transcriptome analysis. However, it also reduced lipid droplets in AKT-NRAS(G12V) tumors. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that liver tumor phenotype is defined by a combination of driving oncogenes but also the nature of chronic liver inflammation. (Hepatology 2016;63:1888-1899).

Liver damage and senescence increases in patients developing hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Most patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have an underlying chronic liver inflammation, which causes a continuous damage leading to liver cirrhosis and eventually HCC. However, only a minority of cirrhotic patients develop HCC. To assess a possible differential impact of liver inflammation in patients developing HCC versus patients remaining tumor-free, we designed a longitudinal study and analysed liver tissue of the same patients (n = 33) at two points in time: once when no HCC was present and once several years later when an HCC was present. As a control group, we followed cirrhotic patients (n = 37) remaining tumor-free over a similar time frame. METHODS: We analysed cell damage and senescence of hepatocytes by measuring γ-H2AX positivity, p16INK4 and p21WAF/Cip1 expression, nuclear size, and telomere length. RESULTS: γ-H2AX positivity, p16INK4 and p21WAF/Cip1 expression, in the first liver biopsy was similar in patients developing HCC later on and cirrhotic patients remaining tumor free. In contrast, γ-H2AX positivity, p16INK4 and p21WAF/Cip1 expression, was significantly higher in the second non-tumoral liver biopsy of HCC patients than in the control patients. Consequently, the individual increase in γ-H2AX positivity, p16INK4 and p21WAF/Cip1 expression, from the first biopsy to the second biopsy was significantly higher in patients developing HCC than in patients remaining tumor free. In addition, changes in nuclear size and telomere length revealed a more pronounced cell aging in patients developing HCC than in patients remaining tumor free. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocytes from patients developing HCC go through more pronounced cell damage and senescence in contrast to cirrhotic patients remaining tumor free.

UbcH10 expression can predict prognosis and sensitivity to the antineoplastic treatment for colorectal cancer patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent and deadly malignancies worldwide. Despite the progresses made in diagnosis and treatment, the identification of tumor markers is still a strong clinical need, because current treatments are efficacious only in a subgroup of patients. UbcH10 represents a potential candidate biomarker, whose expression levels could be employed to predict response or resistance to chemotherapy or targeted agents. UbcH10 mRNA and protein expression levels have been evaluated in a large group of CRC patients and correlated with clinico-pathological characteristics, including KRAS mutations. Moreover, the endogenous levels of UbcH10 and its role on cell growth have been evaluated in CRC cells. Finally, to investigate the impact of UbcH10 protein expression on the response to irinotecan, its active metabolite SN-38 and cetuximab treatment, UbcH10 silencing experiments were carried-out on two colon carcinoma cell lines, Caco-2, and DLD1. Overexpression of UbcH10 mRNA and protein was observed in the vast majority of patients analyzed. UbcH10 suppression decreased CRC cell growth rate (at least in part through deregulation of Cyclin B and ERK1) and sensitized them to pharmacological treatments with irinotecan, SN-38 and cetuximab (at least in part through a down-regulation of AKT). Taken together, these findings indicate that UbcH10 expression regulates CRC growth and could play an important role in the personalization of the therapy of CRC patients.

Variable asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 expression in liver disease: Implications for therapeutic intervention.

AIM: One of the most promising strategies for the treatment of liver diseases is targeted drug delivery via the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). The success of this approach heavily depends on the ASGPR expression level on parenchymal liver cells. In this study, we assessed the mRNA and protein expression levels of the major receptor subunit, ASGR1, in hepatocytes both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: In vitro, various liver cancer-derived cell lines were evaluated. In vivo, we screened the ASGR1 mRNA on 59 hepatocellular carcinoma and matched non-neoplastic tissue using RNA microarray. In addition, 350 human liver specimens of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or non-neoplastic liver diseases were screened for ASGR1 protein level using tissue microarray analysis. RESULTS: Our data reveal that the ASGR1 mRNA expression directly correlates with the protein level. We demonstrate that the ASGR1 expression is upregulated in cirrhotic specimens and is significantly decreased with increasing hepatocellular carcinoma grade. CONCLUSION: Because the ASGR1 expression levels are variable between patients, our findings suggest that ASGPR-based targeting strategies should be combined with ASGPR-companion diagnostics to maximize clinical benefit.

Rosuvastatin for Reduction of Myocardial Damage during Coronary Angioplasty - the Remedy Trial.

BACKGROUND: Periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) is a frequent complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Statins might reduce its incidence. The aims of the present study are to assess whether such benefit is a class-effect or whether differences exist between various lipid-lowering strategies and whether cardioprotection is exerted by increasing circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). METHODS: The REMEDY study will enroll a total of 1080 patients submitted to elective PCI. Eligible patients will be randomized into 4 groups: 1) placebo; 2) atorvastatin (80 mg + 40 mg before PCI); 3) rosuvastatin (40 mg twice before PCI); and 4) rosuvastatin (5 mg) and ezetimibe (10 mg) twice before PCI. Peri-procedural MI is defined as an elevation of markers of cardiac injury (either CK-MB or troponin I or T) values >5x the upper reference limit estimated at the 99th percentile of the normal distribution, or a rise >20 % in case of baseline values already elevated. EPCs will be assessed before, at 24 h and - in a subset of diabetic patients - at 3 months after PCI (EPC-substudies). The primary endpoint of the main REMEDY study is the rate of peri-procedural MI in each of the 4 treatment arms. Secondary endpoints are the combined occurrence of 1-month major adverse events (MACE, including death, MI, or the need for unplanned revascularization); and any post-procedural increase in serum creatinine. Endpoints of the EPC-substudies are the impact of tested regimens on 1) early (24-h) and 3-month EPC levels and functional activity; 2) stent strut re-endothelialization and neointimal hyperplasia; 3) 1-year MACE. REMEDY will add important information on the cardioprotective effects of statins after PCI.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury: potential new strategies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is an impairment of renal function following contrast media administration in the absence of an alternative cause. It represents a powerful predictor of poor early and late outcomes. Here, we review the major strategies to prevent CI-AKI. RECENT FINDINGS: Hydration represents the gold standard as a prophylactic measure to prevent CI-AKI, acting by increasing urine flow rate and, thereby, by limiting the time of contact between the contrast media and the tubular epithelial cells. An optimal hydration regimen should be defined according to predefined clinical markers, such as urine flow rate, or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Recently, high-dose statins pretreatment has been included in the guidelines of CI-AKI prevention. However, uncertainty still exists on the efficacy of several compounds tested in both observational trials and randomized studies to prevent CI-AKI. Compounds evaluated include diuretics (furosemide), antioxidants (i.e. N-acetylcysteine and statins) and vasodilators (i.e. calcium antagonists, dopamine and fenoldopam). SUMMARY: Hydration still represents the most reliable strategy to prevent CI-AKI. New prophylactic strategies for acute kidney injury are still under investigation.

Phosphorylation-regulated degradation of the tumor-suppressor form of PED by chaperone-mediated autophagy in lung cancer cells.

PED/PEA-15 is a death effector domain (DED) family member with a variety of effects on cell growth and metabolism. To get further insight into the role of PED in cancer, we aimed to find new PED interactors. Using tandem affinity purification, we identified HSC70 (Heat Shock Cognate Protein of 70 kDa)-which, among other processes, is involved in chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-as a PED-interacting protein. We found that PED has two CMA-like motifs (i.e., KFERQ), one of which is located within a phosphorylation site, and demonstrate that PED is a bona fide CMA substrate and the first example in which phosphorylation modifies the ability of HSC70 to access KFERQ-like motifs and target the protein for lysosomal degradation. Phosphorylation of PED switches its function from tumor suppression to tumor promotion, and we show that HSC70 preferentially targets the unphosphorylated form of PED to CMA. Therefore, we propose that the up-regulated CMA activity characteristic of most types of cancer cell enhances oncogenesis by shifting the balance of PED function toward tumor promotion. This mechanism is consistent with the notion of a therapeutic potential for targeting CMA in cancer, as inhibition of this autophagic pathway may help restore a physiological ratio of PED forms.

Ultrasmall Carbon Nanodots as Theranostic Nanoheaters for Precision Breast Cancer Phototherapy: Establishing the Translational Potential in Tumor-in-a-Dish Models.

This study investigates the remarkable attributes of sulfur-doped carbon nanodots (CDs) synthesized in high yield and a narrow size distribution (4.8 nm). These CDs exhibit notable features, including potential bioelimination through renal clearance and efficient photothermal conversion in the near-infrared region with multicolor photoluminescence across the visible spectrum. Our research demonstrates high biocompatibility and effective near-infrared (NIR)-triggered photothermal toxicity when targeting mammospheres and patient-derived tumor organoids. Moreover, the study delves into the intricate cellular responses induced by CD-mediated hyperthermia. This involves efficient tumor mass death, activation of the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and upregulation of genes associated with apoptosis, hypoxia, and autophagy. The interaction of CDs with mammospheres reveals their ability to penetrate the complex microenvironment, impeded at 4 °C, indicating an energy-dependent endocytosis mechanism. This observation underscores the CDs' potential for targeted drug delivery, particularly in anticancer therapeutics. This investigation contributes to understanding the multifunctional properties of sulfur-doped CDs and highlights their promising applications in cancer therapeutics. Utilizing 3-D tumor-in-a-dish patients' organoids enhances translational potential, providing a clinically relevant platform for assessing therapeutic efficacy in a context mirroring the physiological conditions of cancerous tissues.

Kidney Injury After Minimal Radiographic Contrast Administration in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. OBJECTIVES: Contrast media (CM) volume minimization has been advocated for prevention of AKI. The DyeVert CM diversion system (Osprey Medical, Inc) is designed to reduce CM volume during coronary procedures. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, investigator-driven clinical trial conducted in 4 Italian centers from February 4, 2020 to September 13, 2022, 550 participants with ACS were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the following: 1) the contrast volume reduction (CVR) group (n = 276), in which CM injection was handled by the CM diversion system; and 2) the control group (n = 274), in which a conventional manual or automatic injection syringe was used. The primary endpoint was the rate of AKI, defined as a serum creatinine (sCr) increase ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours after CM exposure. RESULTS: There were 412 of 550 (74.5%) participants with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (211 of 276 [76.4%] in the CVR group and 201 of 274 [73.3%] in the control group). The CM volume was lower in the CVR group (95 ± 30 mL vs 160 ± 23 mL; P < 0.001). Seven participants (1 in the CVR group and 6 in the control group) did not have postprocedural sCr values. AKI occurred in 44 of 275 (16%) participants in the CVR group and in 65 of 268 (24.3%) participants in the control group (relative risk: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.93; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: CM volume reduction obtained using the CM diversion system is effective for prevention of AKI in patients with ACS undergoing invasive procedures. (REnal Insufficiency Following Contrast MEDIA Administration TriaL IV [REMEDIALIV]: NCT04714736).

The FKBP51s Splice Isoform Predicts Unfavorable Prognosis in Patients with Glioblastoma.

The primary treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) is removing the tumor mass as defined by MRI. However, MRI has limited diagnostic and predictive value. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are abundant in GBM tumor microenvironment (TME) and are found in peripheral blood (PB). FKBP51 expression, with its canonical and spliced isoforms, is constitutive in immune cells and aberrant in GBM. Spliced FKBP51s supports M2 polarization. To find an immunologic signature that combined with MRI could advance in diagnosis, we immunophenotyped the macrophages of TME and PB from 37 patients with GBM using FKBP51s and classical M1-M2 markers. We also determined the tumor levels of FKBP51s, PD-L1, and HLA-DR. Tumors expressing FKBP51s showed an increase in various M2 phenotypes and regulatory T cells in PB, indicating immunosuppression. Tumors expressing FKBP51s also activated STAT3 and were associated with reduced survival. Correlative studies with MRI and tumor/macrophages cocultures allowed to interpret TAMs. Tumor volume correlated with M1 infiltration of TME. Cocultures with spheroids produced M1 polarization, suggesting that M1 macrophages may infiltrate alongside cancer stem cells. Cocultures of adherent cells developed the M2 phenotype CD163/FKBP51s expressing pSTAT6, a transcription factor enabling migration and invasion. In patients with recurrences, increased counts of CD163/FKBP51s monocyte/macrophages in PB correlated with callosal infiltration and were accompanied by a concomitant decrease in TME-infiltrating M1 macrophages. PB PD-L1/FKBP51s connoted necrotic tumors. In conclusion, FKBP51s identifies a GBM subtype that significantly impairs the immune system. Moreover, FKBP51s marks PB macrophages associated with MRI features of glioma malignancy that can aid in patient monitoring. SIGNIFICANCE: Our research suggests that by combining imaging with analysis of monocyte/macrophage subsets in patients with GBM, we can enhance our understanding of the disease and assist in its treatment. We discovered a similarity in the macrophage composition between the TME and PB, and through association with imaging, we could interpret macrophages. In addition, we identified a predictive biomarker that drew more attention to immune suppression of patients with GBM.

MCT4-driven CAF-mediated metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer microenvironment is a vulnerability targetable by miR-425-5p.

Multiple oncogenic alterations contribute to breast cancer development. Metabolic reprogramming, deeply contributing to tumor microenvironment (TME) education, is now widely recognized as a hallmark of cancer. The reverse Warburg effect induces cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to produce and secrete L-lactate, enhancing malignant characteristics such as neoangiogenesis, metastatic dissemination, and treatment resistance. Monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) 4 is involved in lactate efflux from CAFs into stromal and epithelial cells. Here, we first assess the expression of miR-425-5p and its target MCT4 in breast cancer CAFs and normal fibroblasts. We analyzed the metabolic changes induced by miR-425-5p in CAFs and its role in the education of breast cancer epithelial cells. We show that miR-425-5p-induced MCT4 knockdown decreased lactate extrusion from CAFs and its availability in the TME. miR-425-5p overexpression induced profound metabolic transformation in CAFs, ultimately influencing breast cancer metabolism. Furthermore, miR-425-5p impaired the capacity of CAFs to sustain vessel formation and breast cancer cell migration, viability, and proliferation. These findings emphasize the key role of miR-425-5p in breast cancer metabolism and aggressiveness, and its possible importance for breast cancer therapy and monitoring.

Impact of a high loading dose of atorvastatin on contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: The role of statins in the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS: First, we investigated the in vivo effects of atorvastatin on CIAKI. Patients with chronic kidney disease enrolled in the Novel Approaches for Preventing or Limiting Events (NAPLES) II trial were randomly assigned to (1) the atorvastatin group (80 mg within 24 hours before contrast media [CM] exposure; n=202) or (2) the control group (n=208). All patients received a high dose of N-acetylcysteine and sodium bicarbonate solution. Second, we investigated the in vitro effects of atorvastatin pretreatment on CM-mediated modifications of intracellular pathways leading to apoptosis or survival in renal tubular cells. CIAKI (ie, an increase >10% of serum cystatin C concentration within 24 hours after CM exposure) occurred in 9 of 202 patients in the atorvastatin group (4.5%) and in 37 of 208 patients in the control group (17.8%) (P=0.005; odds ratio=0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.69). CIAKI rate was lower in the atorvastatin group in both diabetics and nondiabetics and in patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 31-60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)). In the in vitro model, pretreatment with atorvastatin (1) prevented CM-induced renal cell apoptosis by reducing stress kinases activation and (2) restored the survival signals (mediated by Akt and ERK pathways). CONCLUSIONS: A single high loading dose of atorvastatin administered within 24 hours before CM exposure is effective in reducing the rate of CIAKI. This beneficial effect is observed only in patients at low to medium risk.