| 1. |
- Hull, Rodney, et al.
(author)
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Microbiomics in Collusion with the Nervous System in Carcinogenesis : Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Treatment
- 2021
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In: Microorganisms. - : MDPI. - 2076-2607. ; 9:10
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The influence of the naturally occurring population of microbes on various human diseases has been a topic of much recent interest. Not surprisingly, continuously growing attention is devoted to the existence of a gut brain axis, where the microbiota present in the gut can affect the nervous system through the release of metabolites, stimulation of the immune system, changing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier or activating the vagus nerves. Many of the methods that stimulate the nervous system can also lead to the development of cancer by manipulating pathways associated with the hallmarks of cancer. Moreover, neurogenesis or the creation of new nervous tissue, is associated with the development and progression of cancer in a similar manner as the blood and lymphatic systems. Finally, microbes can secrete neurotransmitters, which can stimulate cancer growth and development. In this review we discuss the latest evidence that support the importance of microbiota and peripheral nerves in cancer development and dissemination.
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| 2. |
- Jensen, Lasse, et al.
(author)
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A multidisciplinary perspective on the complex interactions between sleep, circadian, and metabolic disruption in cancer patients
- 2021
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In: Cancer Metastasis Review. - : Springer. - 0167-7659 .- 1573-7233. ; 40, s. 1055-1071
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sleep is a basic need that is frequently set aside in modern societies. This leads to profound but complex physiological maladaptations in the body commonly referred to as circadian disruption, which recently has been characterized as a carcinogenic factor and reason for poor treatment outcomes, shortened survival, and reduced quality of life in cancer patients. As sleep and circadian physiology in cancer patients spans several disciplines including nursing science, neurology, oncology, molecular biology and medical technology, there is a lack of comprehensive and integrated approaches to deal with this serious and growing issue and at best a fractionated understanding of only part of the problem among researchers within each of these segments. Here, we take a multidisciplinary approach to comprehensively review the diagnosis and impact of sleep and circadian disruption in cancer patients. We discuss recent discoveries on molecular regulation of the circadian clock in healthy and malignant cells, the neurological and endocrine pathways controlling sleep and circadian rhythmicity, and their inputs to and outputs from the organism. The benefits and drawbacks of the various technologies, devices, and instruments used to assess sleep and circadian function, as well as the known consequences of sleep disruption and how sleep can be corrected in cancer patients, will be analyzed. We will throughout the review highlight the extensive crosstalk between sleep, circadian rhythms, and metabolic pathways involved in malignancy and identify current knowledge gaps and barriers for addressing the issue of sleep and circadian disruption in cancer patients. By addressing these issues, we hope to provide a foundation for further research as well as better and more effective care for the patients in the future.
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| 3. |
- Mukwaya, Anthonny, et al.
(author)
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Relapse of pathological angiogenesis : functional role of the basement membrane and potential treatment strategies
- 2021
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In: Experimental and Molecular Medicine. - : Springer Nature. - 1226-3613 .- 2092-6413. ; 53, s. 189-201
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Blinding eye diseases such as corneal neovascularization, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration are driven by pathological angiogenesis. In cancer, angiogenesis is key for tumor growth and metastasis. Current antiangiogenic treatments applied clinically interfere with the VEGF signaling pathway-the main angiogenic pathway-to inhibit angiogenesis. These treatments are, however, only partially effective in regressing new pathologic vessels, and the disease relapses following cessation of treatment. Moreover, the relapse of pathological angiogenesis can be rapid, aggressive and more difficult to treat than angiogenesis in the initial phase. The manner in which relapse occurs is poorly understood; however, recent studies have begun to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the revascularization process. Hypotheses have been generated to explain the rapid angiogenic relapse and increased resistance of relapsed disease to treatment. In this context, the present review summarizes knowledge of the various mechanisms of disease relapse gained from different experimental models of pathological angiogenesis. In addition, the basement membrane-a remnant of regressed vessels-is examined in detail to discuss its potential role in disease relapse. Finally, approaches for gaining a better understanding of the relapse process are discussed, including prospects for the management of relapse in the context of disease. Blood vessel formation: understanding relapse after inhibitory treatment Studying the sites of previous blood vessel occupation may explain how pathological vessel growth recurs after inhibitory treatment. Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, drives progression of cancerous tumors and blinding eye diseases. Existing treatments inhibiting critical growth factors are effective in the short term, but are often followed by aggressive relapse. Mukwaya et al., from Linkoping University in Sweden review the role of empty basement membrane sleeves (EBMS), the remnants of regressed blood vessels. Basement membrane supports endothelial cells, and EBMS could act as a scaffold for endothelial cells to rapidly rebuild blood vessels after anti-angiogenic treatment. Alternatively, EBMS may represent irreversibly abandoned conduits permanently isolated from the circulation, putatively through the deposition of excess collagen. Future work should carefully examine the role of basement membrane in the relapse of pathologic vessel growth.
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| 4. |
- Reimer, Lasse, et al.
(author)
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PKR kinase directly regulates tau expression and Alzheimer's disease-related tau phosphorylation
- 2021
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In: Brain Pathology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1015-6305 .- 1750-3639. ; 31:1, s. 103-119
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deposition of extensively hyperphosphorylated tau in specific brain cells is a clear pathological hallmark in Alzheimer's disease and a number of other neurodegenerative disorders, collectively termed the tauopathies. Furthermore, hyperphosphorylation of tau prevents it from fulfilling its physiological role as a microtubule-stabilizing protein and leaves it increasingly vulnerable to self-assembly, suggestive of a central underlying role of hyperphosphorylation as a contributing factor in the etiology of these diseases. Viain vitrophosphorylation and regulation of kinase activity within cells and acute brain tissue, we reveal that the inflammation associated kinase, protein kinase R (PKR), directly phosphorylates numerous abnormal and disease-modifying residues within tau including Thr181, Ser199/202, Thr231, Ser262, Ser396, Ser404 and Ser409. Similar to disease processes, these PKR-mediated phosphorylations actively displace tau from microtubules in cells. In addition, PKR overexpression and knockdown, respectively, increase and decrease tau protein and mRNA levels in cells. This regulation occurs independent of noncoding transcriptional elements, suggesting an underlying mechanism involving intra-exonic regulation of the tau-encoding microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene. Finally, acute encephalopathy in wild type mice, induced by intracranial Langat virus infection, results in robust inflammation and PKR upregulation accompanied by abnormally phosphorylated full-length- and truncated tau. These findings indicate that PKR, independent of other kinases and upon acute brain inflammation, is capable of triggering pathological modulation of tau, which, in turn, might form the initial pathologic seed in several tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease and Chronic traumatic encephalopathy where inflammation is severe.
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| 5. |
- Selvaraju, Karthik, et al.
(author)
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Sensitivity of Acute Myelocytic Leukemia Cells to the Dienone Compound VLX1570 Is Associated with Inhibition of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
- 2021
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In: Biomolecules. - : MDPI. - 2218-273X. ; 11:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dienone compounds with a 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl pharmacophore have been widely reported to show tumor cell selectivity. These compounds target the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), known to be essential for the viability of tumor cells. The induction of oxidative stress, depletion of glutathione, and induction of high-molecular-weight (HMW) complexes have also been reported. We here examined the response of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to the dienone compound VLX1570. AML cells have relatively high protein turnover rates and have also been reported to be sensitive to depletion of reduced glutathione. We found AML cells of diverse cytogenetic backgrounds to be sensitive to VLX1570, with drug exposure resulting in an accumulation of ubiquitin complexes, induction of ER stress, and the loss of cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase activation was observed but was not required for the loss of cell viability. Glutathione depletion was also observed but did not correlate to VLX1570 sensitivity. Formation of HMW complexes occurred at higher concentrations of VLX1570 than those required for the loss of cell viability and was not enhanced by glutathione depletion. To study the effect of VLX1570 we developed a zebrafish PDX model of AML and confirmed antigrowth activity in vivo. Our results show that VLX1570 induces UPS inhibition in AML cells and encourage further work in developing compounds useful for cancer therapeutics.
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| 6. |
- Viborg Lindskrog, Sia, et al.
(author)
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An integrated multi-omics analysis identifies prognostic molecular subtypes of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
- 2021
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The molecular landscape in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is characterized by large biological heterogeneity with variable clinical outcomes. Here, we perform an integrative multi-omics analysis of patients diagnosed with NMIBC (n=834). Transcriptomic analysis identifies four classes (1, 2a, 2b and 3) reflecting tumor biology and disease aggressiveness. Both transcriptome-based subtyping and the level of chromosomal instability provide independent prognostic value beyond established prognostic clinicopathological parameters. High chromosomal instability, p53-pathway disruption and APOBEC-related mutations are significantly associated with transcriptomic class 2a and poor outcome. RNA-derived immune cell infiltration is associated with chromosomally unstable tumors and enriched in class 2b. Spatial proteomics analysis confirms the higher infiltration of class 2b tumors and demonstrates an association between higher immune cell infiltration and lower recurrence rates. Finally, the independent prognostic value of the transcriptomic classes is documented in 1228 validation samples using a single sample classification tool. The classifier provides a framework for biomarker discovery and for optimizing treatment and surveillance in next-generation clinical trials.
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| 7. |
- Wu, Biying, et al.
(author)
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Megakaryocytes Mediate Hyperglycemia-Induced Tumor Metastasis
- 2021
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In: Cancer Research. - : AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. - 0008-5472 .- 1538-7445. ; 81:21, s. 5506-5522
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High blood glucose has long been established as a risk factor for tumor metastasis, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this association have not been elucidated. Here we describe that hyperglycemia promotes tumor metastasis via increased platelet activity. Administration of glucose, but not fructose, reprogrammed the metabolism of megakaryocytes to indirectly prime platelets into a prometastatic phenotype with increased adherence to tumor cells. In megakaryocytes, a glucose metabolism-related gene array identified the mitochondrial molecular chaperone glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP75) as a trigger for platelet activation and aggregation by stimulating the Ca2+-PKC alpha pathway. Genetic depletion of Glut1 in megakaryocytes blocked MYC-induced GRP75 expression. Pharmacologic blockade of platelet GRP75 compromised tumor-induced platelet activation and reduced metastasis. Moreover, in a pilot clinical study, drinking a 5% glucose solution elevated platelet GRP75 expression and activated platelets in healthy volunteers. Platelets from these volunteers promoted tumor metastasis in a plateletadoptive transfer mouse model. Together, under hyperglycemic conditions, MYC-induced upregulation of GRP75 in megakaryocytes increases platelet activation via the Ca2+-PKC alpha pathway to promote cancer metastasis, providing a potential new therapeutic target for preventing metastasis. Significance: This study provides mechanistic insights into a glucose-megakaryocyte-platelet axis that promotes metastasis and proposes an antimetastatic therapeutic approach by targeting the mitochondrial protein GRP75.
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| 8. |
- Wu, Jing, et al.
(author)
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Interleukin-33 is a Novel Immunosuppressor that Protects Cancer Cells from TIL Killing by a Macrophage-Mediated Shedding Mechanism
- 2021
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In: Advanced Science. - : Wiley. - 2198-3844. ; 8:21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recognition of specific antigens expressed in cancer cells is the initial process of cytolytic T cell-mediated cancer killing. However, this process can be affected by other non-cancerous cellular components in the tumor microenvironment. Here, it is shown that interleukin-33 (IL-33)-activated macrophages protect melanoma cells from tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte-mediated killing. Mechanistically, IL-33 markedly upregulates metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) expression in macrophages, which acts as a sheddase to trim NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, subsets of CD4+ T cells, iNKT cells, and gamma delta T cells. Further, MMP-9 also cleaves the MHC class I molecule, cell surface antigen-presenting complex molecules, expressed in melanoma cells. Consequently, IL-33-induced macrophage MMP-9 robustly mitigates the tumor killing-effect by T cells. Genetic and pharmacological loss-of-function of MMP-9 sheddase restore T cell-mediated cancer killing. Together, these data provide compelling in vitro and in vivo evidence showing novel mechanisms underlying the IL-33-macrophage-MMP-9 axis-mediated immune tolerance against cancer cells. Targeting each of these signaling components, including IL-33 and MMP-9 provides a new therapeutic paradigm for improving anticancer efficacy by immune therapy.
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| 9. |
- Xu, Bohan, et al.
(author)
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Role of VEGFR2 in Mediating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Under Glucose Deprivation and Determining Cell Death, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Factor Expression
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-634X. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a postmitotic monolayer located between the neuroretina and choroid, supports the retina and is closely associated with vision loss diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) upon dysfunction. Although environmental stresses are known to play critical roles in AMD pathogenesis and the roles of other stresses have been well investigated, glucose deprivation, which can arise from choriocapillary flow voids, has yet to be fully explored. In this study, we examined the involvement of VEGFR2 in glucose deprivation-mediated cell death and the underlying mechanisms. We found that VEGFR2 levels are a determinant for RPE cell death, a critical factor for dry AMD, under glucose deprivation. RNA sequencing analysis showed that upon VEGFR2 knockdown under glucose starvation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) are reduced. Consistently, VEGFR2 overexpression increased ER stress under the same condition. Although VEGFR2 was less expressed compared to EGFR1 and c-Met in RPE cells, it could elicit a higher level of ER stress induced by glucose starvation. Finally, downregulated VEGFR2 attenuated the oxidative stress and inflammatory factor expression, two downstream targets of ER stress. Our study, for the first time, has demonstrated a novel role of VEGFR2 in RPE cells under glucose deprivation, thus providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of AMD pathogenesis and suggesting that VEGFR2 might be a potential therapeutic target for AMD prevention, which may impede its progression.
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