Proteomimetics of Natural Regulators of JAK–STAT Pathway: Novel Therapeutic Perspectives

The JAK-STAT pathway is a crucial cellular signaling cascade, including an intricate network of Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) responsible for its regulation. It mediates the activities of several cytokines, interferons, and growth factors and transduces extracellular signals into transcriptional programs to regulate cell growth and differentiation. It is essential for the development and function of both innate and adaptive immunities, and its aberrant deregulation was highlighted in neuroinflammatory diseases and in crucial mechanisms for tumor cell recognition and tumor-induced immune escape. For its involvement in a multitude of biological processes, it can be considered a valuable target for the development of drugs even if a specific focus on possible side effects associated with its inhibition is required. Herein, we review the possibilities to target JAK–STAT by focusing on its natural inhibitors as the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins. This protein family is a crucial checkpoint inhibitor in immune homeostasis and a valuable target in immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer and immune deficiency disorders.

Pros and Cons of Pharmacological Manipulation of cGMP-PDEs in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer

The cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, are ubiquitous second messengers responsible for translating extracellular signals to intracellular biological responses in both normal and tumor cells. When these signals are aberrant or missing, cells may undergo neoplastic transformation or become resistant to chemotherapy. cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are attracting tremendous interest as drug targets for many diseases, including cancer, where they regulate cell growth, apoptosis and sensitization to radio- and chemotherapy. In breast cancer, PDE5 inhibition is associated with increased intracellular cGMP levels, which is responsible for the phosphorylation of PKG and other downstream molecules involved in cell proliferation or apoptosis. In this review, we provide an overview of the most relevant studies regarding the controversial role of PDE inhibitors as off-label adjuvants in cancer therapy.

Gambaran Pengetahuan Dan Perilaku Tentang Pemeriksaan Payudara Sendiri (SADARI) Pada Remaja : Literature Review

The death rate caused by cancer has increased very rapidly. Breast cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal tissue. It comes from abnormal changes in genes that regulate cell growth so that cells lose their control. Breast cancer can be found early by doing BSE, as well as by doing a clinical examination. However, community behavior in doing the early detection of breast cancer is still low due to a lack of knowledge in doing BSE. Therefore, it needs to increase awareness of the health importance to improve a better quality of life. To determine BSE knowledge and breast self-examination behavior in adolescents through a literature review. The data collection technique used a literature review method of 5 articles. The articles were from Google Scholar and PubMed. They were published in 2011-2021. The critical assessment instrument used was strobe. The results of a literature review of 5 articles showed that from 704 respondents, most of the respondents who had good knowledge were 280 respondents (40%). Those who had never done BSE were 421 respondents (60%). In this literature review, the result showed that the respondents' knowledge of breast self-examination was good. The respondents also had not done any breast self-examination.Keywords: Breasl self-examination, knowledge, behavior AbstrakAngka kematian yang disebabkan oleh kanker mengalami peningkatan yang sangat pesat. Kanker payudara adalah pertumbuhan jaringan abnormal yang disebabkan perubahan yang tidak normal pada gen yang mengatur pertumbuhan sel, sehinggal sel kehilangan pengendalian. Kanker payudara dapat ditemukan secara dini dengan melakukan SADARI, serta dengan dilakukannya pemeriksaan klinik. Akan tetapi perilaku masyarakat dalam deteksi dini kanker payudara masih rendah yang disebabkan karena kurangnya pengetahuan dalam melakukan SADARI serta diperlukan adanya minat dan peningkatan kesadaran akan pentingnya kesehatan guna meningkatkan kualitas hidup yang lebih baik. Untuk mengetahui pengetahuan SADARI dan perilaku pemeriksaan payudara sendiri pada remaja melalui literature review. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan metode literature review 5 artikel yang bersumber database online dengan penelusuran elektronik pada Google Scholar dan PupMed yang dipublish pada tahun 2011-2021. Instrumen telaah kritis yang digunakan yaitu dengan menggunakan Strobe. Hasil literature review 5 artikel menunjukkan dari 704 responden sebagian besar responden yang pengetahuan baik berjumlah 280 responden dengan presentase (40%) dan yang tidak pernah melakukan SADARI berjumlah 421 responden dengan presentase (60%). Pada penelitian literature review kali ini di dapatkan hasil berupa pengetahuan pemeriksaan payudara sendiri baik dan perilaku pemeriksaan payudara sendiri tidak pernah melakukan.Kata kunci: Pemeriksaan payudara sendiri; pengetahuan; perilaku

Inherited Tolerance in Cattle to the Apicomplexan Protozoan Theileria parva is Associated with Decreased Proliferation of Parasite-Infected Lymphocytes

Theileria parva is the causative agent of East Coast fever and Corridor disease, which are fatal, economically important diseases of cattle in eastern, central and southern Africa. Improved methods of control of the diseases are urgently required. The parasite transforms host lymphocytes, resulting in a rapid, clonal expansion of infected cells. Resistance to the disease has long been reported in cattle from T. parva-endemic areas. We reveal here that first- and second-generation descendants of a single Bos indicus bull survived severe challenge with T. parva, (overall survival rate 57.3% compared to 8.7% for unrelated animals) in a series of five field studies. Tolerant cattle displayed a delayed and less severe parasitosis and febrile response than unrelated animals. The in vitro proliferation of cells from surviving cattle was much reduced compared to those from animals that succumbed to infection. Additionally, some pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL1β, IL6, TNFα or TGFβ which are usually strongly expressed in susceptible animals and are known to regulate cell growth or motility, remain low in tolerant animals. This correlates with the reduced proliferation and less severe clinical reactions observed in tolerant cattle. The results show for the first time that the inherited tolerance to T. parva is associated with decreased proliferation of infected lymphocytes. The results are discussed in terms of whether the reduced proliferation is the result of a perturbation of the transformation mechanism induced in infected cells or is due to an innate immune response present in the tolerant cattle.

Highly Reversible Tunable Thermal-repressible Split-T7 RNA polymerases (Thermal-T7RNAPs) for dynamic gene regulation

Temperature is a physical cue that is easy to apply, allowing cellular behaviors to be controlled in a contactless and dynamic manner via heat-inducible/repressible systems. However, existing heat-repressible systems are limited and rely on thermal sensitive mRNA or transcription factors which function at low temperatures, lack tunability, suffer delays or overly-complex. To provide an alternative mode of thermal regulation, we developed a library of compact, reversible and tunable thermal-repressible split-T7 RNA polymerase systems (Thermal-T7RNAPs) which fuses temperature-sensitive domains of Tlpa protein with split-T7RNAP to enable direct thermal control of the T7RNAP activity between 30-42 °C. We generated a large mutant library with varying thermal performances via automated screening framework to extend temperature tunability. Lastly, using the mutants, novel thermal logic circuitry was implemented to regulate cell growth and achieve active thermal control of the cell proportions within co-cultures. Overall, this technology expands avenues for thermal control in biotechnology applications.

STAT3-Specific Single Domain Nanobody Inhibits Expansion of Pathogenic Th17 Responses and Suppresses Uveitis in Mice

STAT3 activates transcription of genes that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and survival of mammalian cells. Genetic deletion of Stat3 in T cells has been shown to abrogate Th17 differentiation, suggesting that STAT3 is a potential therapeutic target for Th17-mediated diseases. However, a major impediment to therapeutic targeting of intracellular proteins such as STAT3 is the lack of efficient methods for delivering STAT3 inhibitors into cells. In this study, we developed a novel antibody (SBT-100) comprised of the variable (V) region of a STAT3-specific heavy chain molecule and demonstrate that this 15 kDa STAT3-specific nanobody enters human and mouse cells, and induced suppression of STAT3 activation and lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. To investigate whether SBT-100 would be effective in suppressing inflammation in vivo, we induced experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in C57BL/6J mice by active immunization with peptide from the ocular autoantigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP651-670). Analysis of the retina by fundoscopy, histological examination, or optical coherence tomography showed that treatment of the mice with SBT-100 suppressed uveitis by inhibiting expansion of pathogenic Th17 cells that mediate EAU. Electroretinographic (ERG) recordings of dark and light adapted a- and b-waves showed that SBT-100 treatment rescued mice from developing significant visual impairment observed in untreated EAU mice. Adoptive transfer of activated IRBP-specific T cells from untreated EAU mice induced EAU, while EAU was significantly attenuated in mice that received IRBP-specific T cells from SBT-100 treated mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate efficacy of SBT-100 in mice and suggests its therapeutic potential for human autoimmune diseases.

The NF-κB Nucleolar Stress Response Pathway

The nuclear organelle, the nucleolus, plays a critical role in stress response and the regulation of cellular homeostasis. P53 as a downstream effector of nucleolar stress is well defined. However, new data suggests that NF-κB also acts downstream of nucleolar stress to regulate cell growth and death. In this review, we will provide insight into the NF-κB nucleolar stress response pathway. We will discuss apoptosis mediated by nucleolar sequestration of RelA and new data demonstrating a role for p62 (sequestosome (SQSTM1)) in this process. We will also discuss activation of NF-κB signalling by degradation of the RNA polymerase I (PolI) complex component, transcription initiation factor-IA (TIF-IA (RRN3)), and contexts where TIF-IA-NF-κB signalling may be important. Finally, we will discuss how this pathway is targeted by aspirin to mediate apoptosis of colon cancer cells.

Taxifolin Targets PI3K and mTOR and Inhibits Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant primary brain tumor, has a very poor prognosis. With increasing knowledge of tumor molecular biology, targeted therapies are becoming increasingly integral to comprehensive GBM treatment strategies. mTOR is a key downstream molecule of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, integrating input signals from growth factors, nutrients, and energy sources to regulate cell growth and cell proliferation through multiple cellular responses. mTOR/PI3K dual-targeted therapy has shown promise in managing various cancers. Here, we report that taxifolin, a flavanone commonly found in milk thistle, inhibited mTOR/PI3K, promoted autophagy, and suppressed lipid synthesis in GBM. In silico analysis showed that taxifolin can bind to the rapamycin binding site of mTOR and the catalytic site of PI3K (p110α). In in vitro experiments, taxifolin inhibited mTOR and PI3K activity in five different glioma cell lines. Lastly, we showed that taxifolin suppressed tumors in mice; stimulated expression of autophagy-related genes LC3B-II, Atg7, atg12, and Beclin-1; and inhibited expression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes C/EBPα, PPARγ, FABP4, and FAS. Our observations suggest that taxifolin is potentially a valuable drug for treating GBM.

Analysis of Whole Genome Sequencing in a Cohort of Individuals with PHACE Syndrome Suggests Dysregulation of RAS/PI3K Signaling

The acronym PHACE stands for the co-occurrence of posterior brain fossa malformations, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, cardiac defects, and eye abnormalities. The majority of patients have a segmental hemangioma and at least one developmental structural anomaly. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. Here we discuss the candidate causative genes identified in a de novo analysis of whole genome sequencing of germline samples from 98 unrelated trios in which the probands had PHACE, all sequenced as part of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program. A g:Profiler pathway analysis of the genes with rare, de novo variants suggested dysregulation of the RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways that regulate cell growth, migration, and angiogenesis. These findings, along with the developmental anomalies and the vascular birthmark, support including PHACE within the RASopathy family of syndromes.

Importance of Protein Kinase and Its Inhibitor: A Review

Deregulation of a broad range of protein kinases has been linked to the development and growth of cancer cells. Protein kinases are intracellular enzymes that regulate cell growth and proliferation as well as the triggering and regulation of immune responses. Protein kinases are important therapeutic targets in cancer because of their critical role in signalling mechanisms that drive malignant cell characteristics. Intensive efforts in drug research have been made in this area over the last two decades. The current study delves into the catalytic domain of a protein kinase as well as information transfer from the cell’s membrane to internal targets. It also discusses the function of protein kinases in signal transduction and their cellular signalling pathways. Furthermore, it specifically outlines a systematic method to hybrid therapies to solve the issue of protein kinase resistance. The therapeutic use of nitric oxide, as well as other targets such as Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), Protein Kinase B (Akt), serine/threonine protein kinase (mTOR), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK), vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR), epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), and anaplastic lymphoma (ALK) etc., According to the review article, selective therapy has shown high effectiveness in the treatment of advanced cancer, with protein kinase inhibitors being a main focus of the therapy. As a result, the latest review summarized that, the current state of science with the aim of identifying a novel protein kinase inhibitor that may be utilized in the treatment of advanced cancers.