Prof. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 promotes the growth of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating Foxp3

Objective(s): Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) participates in malignant tumor. However, the role of TRPV4 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated TRPV4 was upregulated in NSCLC tissues and NSCLC cell lines. Materials and Methods: TRPV4 level in the NSCLC patients and cell lines were detected, and its function was studied both in vivo and vitro. Results: The level of TRPV4 showed a positive correlation with tumor size of NSCLC patients. Activation TRPV4 by agonist GSK1016790A promoted cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis in A549 cells, and these effects were enhanced when the cells have overexpressed TRPV4. Moreover, GSK1016790A induced inhibitory effects on apoptosis of A549 cells was impaired when GSK1016790A used together with TRPV4 selective antagonist HC-067047, or impaired when the cells have already downregulated TRPV4 expression by TRPV4 siRNA. In vivo study, pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 prevented A549 cells transplanted tumor growth. It was showed Foxp3 level was significantly increased in the NSCLC tissues, and showed a positive correlation with the level of TRPV4. Deactivation of TRPV4 using TRPV4 siRNA or HC-067047 significantly reduced expression of Foxp3 in GSK1016790A treated NSCLC cells. Moreover, downregulation Foxp3 by transfection of Foxp3 siRNA significantly impaired TRPV4 induced NSCLC cells proliferations in vitro. Conclusions: Antitumor effects caused by TRPV4 inhibition in NSCLC might be attributed to the suppression of Foxp3 which induced subsequent cell apoptosis. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of TRPV4 may be a promising option for NSCLC treatment.

Muscle adaptation to sleeve gastrectomy: Potential role of nutritional supplementation and physical exercise

Skeletal muscle is metabolically and functionally flexible and contractile under normal conditions. Obesity is a risk factor that causes metabolic disorders and reduces muscle contractility. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been used for surgical correction of obesity. This work aimed to investigate how obesity and its surgical correction affects skeletal muscle and the possible role of nutritional supplementation and physical exercise. Adult male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups, 8 rats per group: group Ia (control non-obese), group Ib (control obese), group II (post-operative, SG), group III (post SG + nutritional supplementation) and group IV (post SG + nutritional supplementation + physical exercise). SG resulted in cellular and metabolic degenerative disorders in the muscle including wasting, weakness and fibrosis with elevated inflammatory, oxidative and injury markers. Nutritional supplementation induced the post SG muscle regeneration indicated by high expression of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and myogenin and low expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). Interestingly, it improved the metabolic state of the muscle by reducing the oxidative stress, inflammatory and muscle injury markers and delaying the onset of fatigue. What is more, physical exercise along with nutritional supplementation resulted in further improvement of the muscle metabolic state and function. In conclusion, nutritional supplementations together with physical exercise after SG are essential for preserving muscle mass and contractility and improving its metabolic and functional status.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in BCAT1 gene is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The level of circulatory branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) is often increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Catabolism of BCAAs involves a transamination reaction mediated by the branched chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAT1) enzyme. Differences in the level of BCAT1 were found to be linked with hypertension, obesity, and cancer. Herein, using a case control design, we tested the association of rs9668920 and rs12321766 polymorphisms in BCAT1 gene with T2DM. Three hundred subjects were recruited in the study. Genotyping of the indicated polymorphisms was achieved using restriction fragment length polymorphism technique after amplification of the target sequences. The results showed that, under a recessive inheritance model, the GG genotype of rs9668920 increased the risk of T2DM (P=0.026; OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.119–6.048). This effect was independent of the age, body mass index, waist circumference, serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and BCAAs (P>0.05). In conclusion, The GG genotype of BCAT1 rs9668920 SNP might be a risk factor of T2DM. More studies are required to confirm this finding.

CRABP2 involvement in a mechanism of Golgi stress and tumor dry matter in non-small cell lung cancer cells via ER dependent Hippo pathway

Objective: The paper aimed to explore the mechanism of cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2 (CRABP2) involvement in Golgi stress and tumor dryness in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells through the estrogen receptor (ER) dependent Hippo pathway. Methods: Human NSCLC cell line A549 was purchased from ATCC andcultured in RPMI-1640 with 10% FBS. Attractene reagent was used for plasmid transfection. ER (sh) RNA was designed using RNAi Designer. Seventy-six hours after infection, stable cells were obtained after treated with puromycin for 3 weeks. ER silencing cells (with inhibited ER expression) were compared to the control cells (normal cultured NSCLC cell line A549, CRABP2 normal expression). CRABP2 and ER expression levels were detected by RT-PCR. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation, and the cell localization of ER and Golgi was observed by confocal microscopy. The invasion and metastasis of cells were analyzed by Boden chamber invasion and migration assays. Western blotting assays was used for detecting the protein expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, ZO-1 protein and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related factors. Results: The lower expression level of mRNA was detected in the ER-silencing group compared to the control group (P<0.05). We also found a higher proliferation level of cells, the number of invading and metastatic cells, the expression of vimentin, p-Lats1T1079, Lats1 and p-YAPS127 mRNA in the control group compared to the ER silencing group (P<0.05). And the expression level of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylate eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (p-eIF2 alpha), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) in the control group was higher than that in the ER silencing group (P<0.05). Adversely, a lower expression level of E-cadherin and ZO-1 protein was found in the control group compared to the ER silencing group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression of CRABP2 in NSCLC cells was regulated by ER, and cell proliferation and invasion were regulated by the Hippo pathway. At the same time, it was found that decreased expression of CRABP2 enhanced endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi stress response.

Mitochondria, pattern recognition receptors and autophagy under physiological and pathological conditions, including viral infections

Research on the health of mammals invariably shows how dynamic immunology is and how the role of many elements and immune processes of the macroorganism, developed in the process of evolution in protecting against threats, including infections, is changing. Among these elements conditioning the homeostasis of the macroorganism are mitochondria, PRR receptors (pattern recognition receptors) and the phenomenon of autophagy. In the context of physiological and pathological states in the body, mitochondria perform various functions. The primary function of these organelles is to produce energy in the cell, but on the other hand, they are heavily involved in various cellular processes, including ROS production and calcium homeostasis. They are largely involved in the activation of immune mechanisms during infectious and non-infectious conditions through mtDNA and the mitochondrial MAVS protein. Mitochondrial involvement has been also determined in PRR-related mechanisms as mtDNA has the ability to directly stimulate TLRs. On the other hand, mitochondria are also associated with apoptotic cell death and autophagy.

SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) is in a rising trend of mutations increasing the positive electric charge in crucial regions of spike protein S.

An increase in the positive electric charge of SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) was reported and the electrostatic interaction between spike protein S and ACE2 receptor was estimated.

Two cases of neuronopathic form of Gaucher disease – diagnostic difficulties

Background: Gaucher disease is one of the most common inherited lysosomal storage diseases caused by the deficiency of the enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase, leading to the accumulation of glucocerebroside. Depending on the clinical manifestations, two different forms of the disease are distinguished – the non-neuronopathic form (type 1) with a variety of presentations – from asymptomatic to symptomatic patients (characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, anemia and osteopenia), and the neuronopathic form (known as types 2 and 3). Besides visceral, osseous, and hematopoietic organ lesions, neuronopathic forms are associated with central nervous system involvement (bulbar and pyramidal signs, horizontal saccadic eye movements, myoclonic epilepsy, progressive development delay). In type 2, the neurological symptoms appear earlier and are more severe, the survival time is shorter. In type 3, the neurological symptoms are milder and allow patients to live a fully productive life. Case presentation: This article includes a review of two cases of neuronopathic Gaucher disease: type 2 and severe type 3. Both patients presented symptoms during infancy and the manifestations were similar but varied in intensity and the dynamics of progress. Enzyme replacement therapy was started in both cases, which decreased visceral symptoms. Conclusions: Both described cases indicate the lack of knowledge and the tendency of doctors to disregard the possibility of Gaucher disease in their paediatrics patients.

Betulinic acid targets drug-resistant human gastric cancer cells by inducing autophagic cell death, suppresses cell migration and invasion, and modulates the ERK/MEK signaling pathway

The main purpose of this study was to examine the anticancer effects of betulinic acid – a plant triterpene, against gastric cancer, along with demonstrating its underlying mechanism. The MTT assay and clonogenic assays were executed to assess cellular viability in control and betulinic acid treated cells. Transmission electron microscopy and western blotting were implemented to study autophagy stimulation by betulinic acid. The ERK/MEK signaling pathway was monitored by western blotting. Migration and invasion of SGC-7901 cells was investigated via transwell chamber assay. Results of this investigation indicated that betulinic acid induced remarkable cytotoxicity against gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, in contrast to normal gastric GES-1 cells. The cytotoxicity of betulinic acid was observed due to its autophagy stimulation tendency in target cells. Autophagic cell death was supported by the data attained from western blotting showing enhanced LC3-II, and lowered LC3-I and p62 expressions. Moreover, betulinic acid was observed to block the ERK/MEK signaling pathway in SGC-7901 cells, which was associated with declined levels of expressions of the phosphorylated ERK and MEK proteins. Finally, the transwell chamber assay revealed a potential lowering of migration and invasion by betulinic acid in the SGC-7901 cells. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that betulinic acid exhibited significant anti-gastric cancer effects mediated via autophagy induction, blocking of ERK/MEK signaling and suppression of migration and invasion. Therefore, betulinic acid may prove as a lead molecule in gastric cancer management and research.

The Jubilee Conference entitled: The latest achievements in biochemistry, biophysics and biotechnology – 50 years of history of the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków

The Jubilee Conference of the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University(FBBB JU) was held in Kraków on September 23–24, 2021. The honorary patronage of the Conference was givenby Professor Jacek Popiel, Rector of the Jagiellonian University.

Alterations in mitochondrial function and energy metabolism-related properties in thyroid cancer stem cells

Increasing evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are initiators of the occurrence, development, and recurrence of malignant tumors. Mitochondria are important organelles in eukaryotic cells, not only responsible for converting part of energy released during nutrients oxidation into the energy-yielding molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to fuel the activities of cell, but also play essential roles in processes such as cell apoptosis and cellular proliferation. The mitochondrial-related abnormalities have also been considered to have an important role in the origin and development of tumors. This study aimed at testing the abnormalities in mitochondrial function and energy/metabolism-related phenotypes in thyroid cancer stem cells (TCSCs). TCSCs were isolated and identified from MDA-T32 thyroid carcinoma cell line. The mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial arrangement, amount of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), oxygen/glucose consumption, and intracellular concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP levels were examined. Perinuclear mitochondrial distribution, low amount of mtDNA and oxygen/glucose consumption, high MMP, and low intracellular ROS and ATP concentrations were observed in TCSCs. Alterations in mitochondrial function and cellular energy metabolism may be used as novel indicators of thyroid cancer.