INTRODUCTION: The E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b is a novel target in immune-oncology, with critical roles in regulating T-cell activation and signaling pathways. By facilitating the ubiquitination and degradation of key signaling proteins, Cbl-b modulates immune responses, maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing unwarranted T-cell proliferation. The therapeutic potential of Cbl-b as a cancer immunotherapy target is underscored by its contribution to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, with efforts currently underway to develop small-molecule inhibitors. AREAS COVERED: We reviewed the small molecules, and antibody-drug conjugates targeting Cbl-b from 2018 to 2024. The patents were gathered through publicly available databases and analyzed with in-house developed cheminformatic workflow, described within the manuscript. EXPERT OPINION: Targeting Cbl-b presents a promising approach in immuno-oncology, offering a novel pathway to potentiate the immune system's ability to combat cancer beyond PDL1/PD1 inhibition. The development and clinical advancement of Cbl-b inhibitors, as evidenced by the ongoing trials, mark a significant step toward harnessing this target for therapeutic benefits. Overall, the strategic inhibition of Cbl-b holds substantial promise for improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes, heralding a new era in the fight against cancer.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční MeSH
- cílená molekulární terapie * MeSH
- imunokonjugáty farmakologie MeSH
- imunoterapie * metody MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádorové mikroprostředí * imunologie MeSH
- nádory * imunologie farmakoterapie MeSH
- patenty jako téma * MeSH
- protinádorové látky farmakologie MeSH
- protoonkogenní proteiny c-cbl * imunologie antagonisté a inhibitory MeSH
- signální transdukce účinky léků MeSH
- T-lymfocyty imunologie účinky léků MeSH
- vyvíjení léků * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
LIM and Src homology 3 (SH3) protein 2 (LASP2) is a small focal adhesion protein first identified as a splice variant of the nebulette gene (Nebl). As the newest member of the nebulin protein family, the regulation and function of LASP2 remain largely unknown. Our previous RNA-sequencing results identified Nebl as one of the most highly induced genes in the mouse liver in response to the activation of pregnane X receptor (PXR). In this study, we investigated this phenomenon further and show that PXR induces Lasp2 instead of Nebl, which partially use the same exons. Lasp2 was found to be induced in response to PXR ligand pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN) treatment in mouse liver in vivo both after 4-day treatment and after long-term, 28-day treatment and in both male and female mice. Interestingly, the Lasp2 induction was more efficient in high-fat diet-fed mice (103-fold after 4-day PCN treatment) than in the normal chow-fed mice (32-fold after 4-day PCN treatment). Lasp2 induction was abolished in PXR knockout mice but could be rescued by re-expression of PXR, indicating that Lasp2 induction is PXR mediated. In mouse primary hepatocytes cycloheximide did not inhibit Lasp2 induction by PCN and a PXR binding site could be recognized upstream of the mouse Lasp2 gene suggesting direct regulation of Lasp2 by PXR. In human 3D hepatocytes, rifampicin induced only a modest increase in LASP2 expression. This study shows for the first time that PXR activation strongly induces Lasp2 expression in mouse liver and establishes Lasp2 as a novel PXR target gene. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: RNA-sequencing results have previously identified nebulette (Nebl) to be efficiently induced by pregnane X receptor activating compounds. This study shows that instead of Nebl, LIM and Src homology 3 (SH3) protein 2 (Lasp2) coding for a small focal adhesion protein and partly sharing exons with the Nebl gene is a novel target of pregnane X receptor in mouse liver.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční genetika metabolismus MeSH
- cytoskeletální proteiny * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- hepatocyty metabolismus účinky léků MeSH
- játra * metabolismus účinky léků MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL * MeSH
- myši knockoutované * MeSH
- myši MeSH
- pregnanový X receptor * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- pregnenolonkarbonitril farmakologie MeSH
- proteiny s doménou LIM * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In the complex network of cellular physiology, the maintenance of cellular proteostasis emerges as a critical factor for cell survival, particularly under stress conditions. This homeostasis is largely governed by a sophisticated network of molecular chaperones and co-chaperones, among which Bcl-2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3), able to interact with the ATPase domain of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), plays a pivotal role. The BAG3-HSP70 functional module is not only essential for cellular homeostasis but is also involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiac dysfunction, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Inspired by our continuous interest in the development of new chemical platforms able to interfere with BAG3 protein, herein we report the discovery of compound 16, the first-in-class BAG3/HSP70 dual modulator, obtained by combining the multicomponent Ugi reaction with the alkyne-azide Huisgen procedure in a sequential tandem reaction approach. Through a combination of biophysical analysis, biochemical assays, and cell-based studies, we elucidated the mechanism of action of this inhibitor and assessed its potential as a therapeutic agent. Hence, this study can open new avenues for the development of novel anticancer strategies that leverage the simultaneous disruption of multiple chaperone pathways.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční * metabolismus antagonisté a inhibitory MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- molekulární chaperony metabolismus antagonisté a inhibitory chemie MeSH
- molekulární struktura MeSH
- nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
- proliferace buněk účinky léků MeSH
- proteiny regulující apoptózu * metabolismus antagonisté a inhibitory MeSH
- proteiny tepelného šoku HSP70 * antagonisté a inhibitory metabolismus MeSH
- protinádorové látky * farmakologie chemie chemická syntéza MeSH
- screeningové testy protinádorových léčiv MeSH
- vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
- vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
WBP1L is a broadly expressed transmembrane adaptor protein involved in regulating hematopoietic stem cell function and T cell development. It interacts with NEDD4-family E3 ubiquitin ligases and regulates important chemokine receptor CXCR4. Using tandem affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified novel WBP1L interactions with the IFNγ receptor and the Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases CRL1β-TrCP1/2. We found that WBP1L interaction with the IFNγ receptor serves to downregulate proximal IFNγ receptor signaling in female macrophages, while the interaction with CRL1β-TrCP1/2 ubiquitin ligases regulates WBP1L protein levels. Disrupting this interaction, as well as inhibiting proteasome activity or neddylation, increased WBP1L protein levels, demonstrating that CRL1β-TrCP1/2 ubiquitin ligases regulate WBP1L protein abundance. These data provide important insights into the mechanisms controlling WBP1L function.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční metabolismus MeSH
- HEK293 buňky MeSH
- hematopoéza * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- makrofágy metabolismus MeSH
- membránové proteiny metabolismus MeSH
- myši MeSH
- proteiny s repetitivními sekvencemi beta-transducinu metabolismus MeSH
- signální transdukce MeSH
- ubikvitinligasy * metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Bio-nano interactions have been extensively explored in nanomedicine to develop selective delivery strategies and reduce systemic toxicity. To enhance the delivery of nanocarriers to cancer cells and improve the therapeutic efficiency, different nanomaterials have been developed. However, the limited clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapies, largely due to issues associated with poor targeting, requires a deeper understanding of the biological phenomena underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions. In this context, we investigate the molecular and cellular mechanobiology parameters that control such interactions. We demonstrate that the pharmacological inhibition or the genetic ablation of the key mechanosensitive component of the Hippo pathway, i.e., yes-associated protein, enhances nanoparticle internalization by 1.5-fold. Importantly, this phenomenon occurs independently of nanoparticle properties, such as size, or cell properties such as surface area and stiffness. Our study reveals that the internalization of nanoparticles in target cells can be controlled by modulating cell mechanosensing pathways, potentially enhancing nanotherapy specificity.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční metabolismus MeSH
- buněčný převod mechanických signálů účinky léků MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
- nanočástice * chemie MeSH
- nanomedicína MeSH
- signální dráha Hippo MeSH
- signální proteiny YAP MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The knowledge about the contribution of the innate immune system to health and disease is expanding. However, to obtain reliable results, it is critical to select appropriate mouse models for in vivo studies. Data on genetic and phenotypic changes associated with different mouse strains can assist in this task. Such data can also facilitate our understanding of how specific polymorphisms and genetic alterations affect gene function, phenotypes, and disease outcomes. Extensive information is available on genetic changes in all major mouse strains. However, comparatively little is known about their impact on immune response and, in particular, on innate immunity. Here, we analyzed a mouse model of chronic multifocal osteomyelitis, an autoinflammatory disease driven exclusively by the innate immune system, which is caused by an inactivating mutation in the Pstpip2 gene. We investigated how the genetic background of BALB/c, C57BL/6J, and C57BL/6NCrl strains alters the molecular mechanisms controlling disease progression. While all mice developed the disease, symptoms were significantly milder in BALB/c and partially also in C57BL/6J when compared to C57BL/6NCrl. Disease severity correlated with the number of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and with the production of chemokines attracting these cells to the site of inflammation. It also correlated with increased expression of genes associated with autoinflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, neutrophil activation, and degranulation, resulting in altered neutrophil activation in vivo. Together, our data demonstrate striking effects of genetic background on multiple parameters of neutrophil function and activity influencing the onset and course of chronic multifocal osteomyelitis.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční genetika MeSH
- aktivace neutrofilů genetika MeSH
- cytoskeletální proteiny MeSH
- genetické pozadí * MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši MeSH
- neutrofily * imunologie patologie MeSH
- osteomyelitida * genetika imunologie patologie MeSH
- přirozená imunita genetika MeSH
- stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
- zánět genetika patologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
CXCL12 and CXCR4 proteins and mRNAs were monitored in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of lumbar (L4-L5) and cervical (C7-C8) spinal segments of naïve rats, rats subjected to sham operation, and those undergoing unilateral complete sciatic nerve transection (CSNT) on post-operation day 7 (POD7). Immunohistochemical, Western blot, and RT-PCR analyses revealed bilaterally increased levels of CXCR4 protein and mRNA in both lumbar and cervical DRG neurons after CSNT. Similarly, CXCL12 protein levels increased, and CXCL12 mRNA was upregulated primarily in lumbar DRGs ipsilateral to the nerve lesion. Intrathecal application of the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 following CSNT reduced CXCL12 and CXCR4 protein levels in cervical DRG neurons, as well as the length of afferent axons regenerated distal to the ulnar nerve crush. Furthermore, treatment with the CXCR4 inhibitor decreased levels of activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), a critical transforming factor in the neuronal regeneration program. Administration of IL-6 increased CXCR4 levels, whereas the JAK2-dependent STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitor (AG490) conversely decreased CXCR4 levels. This indicates a link between the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis and IL-6-induced activation of STAT3 in the sciatic nerve injury-induced pro-regenerative state of cervical DRG neurons. The role of CXCR4 signaling in the axon-promoting state of DRG neurons was confirmed through in vitro cultivation of primary sensory neurons in a medium supplemented with CXCL12, with or without AMD3100. The potential involvement of conditioned cervical DRG neurons in the induction of neuropathic pain is discussed.
- MeSH
- benzylaminy MeSH
- chemokin CXCL12 * metabolismus MeSH
- cyklamy farmakologie MeSH
- heterocyklické sloučeniny farmakologie MeSH
- interleukin-6 metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- nemoci sedacího nervu metabolismus MeSH
- nervové receptory * metabolismus MeSH
- nervus ischiadicus * zranění metabolismus MeSH
- potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
- receptory CXCR4 * metabolismus MeSH
- regenerace nervu * MeSH
- signální transdukce * MeSH
- spinální ganglia * metabolismus MeSH
- transkripční faktor STAT3 * metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The hippocampus (HPC) is essential for navigation and memory, tracking environmental continuity and change, including navigation relative to moving targets. CA1 ensembles expressing immediate-early gene (IEG) Arc and Homer1a RNA are contextually specific. While IEG expression correlates with HPC-dependent task demands, the effects of behavioral demands on IEG-expressing ensembles remain unclear. In three experiments, we investigated the effects of context switch, sustained presence, and task demands on dorso-proximal CA1 IEG+ ensembles in rats. Experiment 1 showed that the size of IEG+ (Arc, Homer1a RNA) ensembles dropped to baseline during uninterrupted 30-min exploration, reflecting familiarization, unless a context switch was present. Context-specificity of the ensembles depended on both environment identity and timing of the context switch. Experiment 2 found no effect of HPC-dependent mobile robot avoidance or HPC-independent avoidance of a stationary robot on IEG+ ensembles beyond mere exploration. Experiment 3 replicated these findings for c-Fos protein. The data suggest that IEG+ ensembles are driven by a context switch and shrink over time during sustained presence in the same environment. We found no evidence of task demands or their change affecting the size, stability over time, or task-specificity of IEG+ ensembles. These results shed light on the temporal dynamics of CA1 IEG+ ensembles, and their control by contextual and behavioral factors.
- MeSH
- chování zvířat fyziologie MeSH
- cytoskeletální proteiny genetika metabolismus MeSH
- hipokampální oblast CA1 * metabolismus fyziologie MeSH
- Homer scaffold proteiny * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- okamžité časné geny * fyziologie MeSH
- potkani Long-Evans * MeSH
- proteiny nervové tkáně genetika metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway crucially depends on the polymerization of dishevelled 2 (DVL2) into biomolecular condensates. However, given the low affinity of known DVL2 self-interaction sites and its low cellular concentration, it is unclear how polymers can form. Here, we detect oligomeric DVL2 complexes at endogenous protein levels in human cell lines, using a biochemical ultracentrifugation assay. We identify a low-complexity region (LCR4) in the C-terminus whose deletion and fusion decreased and increased the complexes, respectively. Notably, LCR4-induced complexes correlated with the formation of microscopically visible multimeric condensates. Adjacent to LCR4, we mapped a conserved domain (CD2) promoting condensates only. Molecularly, LCR4 and CD2 mediated DVL2 self-interaction via aggregating residues and phenylalanine stickers, respectively. Point mutations inactivating these interaction sites impaired Wnt pathway activation by DVL2. Our study discovers DVL2 complexes with functional importance for Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, we provide evidence that DVL2 condensates form in two steps by pre-oligomerization via high-affinity interaction sites, such as LCR4, and subsequent condensation via low-affinity interaction sites, such as CD2.
- MeSH
- beta-katenin metabolismus genetika MeSH
- HEK293 buňky MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- multimerizace proteinu MeSH
- protein dishevelled * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- signální dráha Wnt * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The cytokine TNF can trigger highly proinflammatory RIPK1-dependent cell death. Here, we show that the two adapter proteins, TANK and AZI2, suppress TNF-induced cell death by regulating the activation of TBK1 kinase. Mice lacking either TANK or AZI2 do not show an overt phenotype. Conversely, animals deficient in both adapters are born in a sub-Mendelian ratio and suffer from severe multi-organ inflammation, excessive antibody production, male sterility, and early mortality, which can be rescued by TNFR1 deficiency and significantly improved by expressing a kinase-dead form of RIPK1. Mechanistically, TANK and AZI2 both recruit TBK1 to the TNF receptor signaling complex, but with distinct kinetics due to interaction with different complex components. While TANK binds directly to the adapter NEMO, AZI2 is recruited later via deubiquitinase A20. In summary, our data show that TANK and AZI2 cooperatively sustain TBK1 activity during different stages of TNF receptor assembly to protect against autoinflammation.
- MeSH
- adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- buněčná smrt MeSH
- endopeptidasy MeSH
- intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny metabolismus genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
- myši knockoutované * MeSH
- myši MeSH
- protein-serin-threoninkinasy * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- receptory TNF - typ I * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- serin-threoninkinasy interagující s receptory * metabolismus genetika MeSH
- signální transdukce MeSH
- TNF-alfa * metabolismus MeSH
- TNFAIP3 metabolismus genetika MeSH
- zánět metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH