Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers with patients having unresectable or metastatic disease at diagnosis, with poor prognosis and very short survival. Given that genetic variation within autophagy-related genes influences autophagic flux and susceptibility to solid cancers, we decided to investigate whether 55,583 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 234 autophagy-related genes could influence the risk of developing PDAC in three large independent cohorts of European ancestry including 12,754 PDAC cases and 324,926 controls. The meta-analysis of these populations identified, for the first time, the association of the BIDrs9604789 variant with an increased risk of developing the disease (ORMeta = 1.31, p = 9.67 × 10-6). We also confirmed the association of TP63rs1515496 and TP63rs35389543 variants with PDAC risk (OR = 0.89, p = 6.27 × 10-8 and OR = 1.16, p = 2.74 × 10-5). Although it is known that BID induces autophagy and TP63 promotes cell growth, cell motility and invasion, we also found that carriers of the TP63rs1515496G allele had increased numbers of FOXP3+ Helios+ T regulatory cells and CD45RA+ T regulatory cells (p = 7.67 × 10-4 and p = 1.56 × 10-3), but also decreased levels of CD4+ T regulatory cells (p = 7.86 × 10-4). These results were in agreement with research suggesting that the TP63rs1515496 variant alters binding sites for FOXA1 and CTCF, which are transcription factors involved in modulating specific subsets of regulatory T cells. In conclusion, this study identifies BID as new susceptibility locus for PDAC and confirms previous studies suggesting that the TP63 gene is involved in the development of PDAC. This study also suggests new pathogenic mechanisms of the TP63 locus in PDAC.

• MeSH
• Autophagy * genetics   MeSH
• White People genetics   MeSH
• Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal * genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Forkhead Transcription Factors MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease * MeSH
• Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide * MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Biomarkers, Tumor * genetics   MeSH
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins * genetics   MeSH
• Pancreatic Neoplasms * genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Transcription Factors genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Meta-Analysis MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Mitochondrial dysfunction stands as a pivotal feature in neurodegenerative disorders, spurring the quest for targeted therapeutic interventions. This review examines Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 30 (USP30) as a master regulator of mitophagy with therapeutic promise in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). USP30's orchestration of mitophagy pathways, encompassing PINK1-dependent and PINK1-independent mechanisms, forms the crux of this exploration. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, selecting studies that investigated USP's function, inhibitor design, or therapeutic efficacy in AD and PD. Inclusion criteria encompassed mechanistic and preclinical/clinical data, while irrelevant or duplicate references were excluded. Extracted findings were synthesized narratively. RESULTS: USP30 modulates interactions with translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) 20, mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (MUL1), and Parkin, thus harmonizing mitochondrial quality control. Emerging novel USP30 inhibitors, racemic phenylalanine derivatives, N-cyano pyrrolidine, and notably, benzosulphonamide class compounds, restore mitophagy, and reduce neurodegenerative phenotypes across diverse models with minimal off-target effects. Modulation of other USPs also influences neurodegenerative disease pathways, offering additional therapeutic avenues. CONCLUSIONS: In highlighting the nuanced regulation of mitophagy by USP30, this work heralds a shift toward more precise and effective treatments, paving the way for a new era in the clinical management of neurodegenerative disorders.

• MeSH
• Precision Medicine methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mitochondrial Proteins MeSH
• Mitophagy * physiology   drug effects   MeSH
• Neurodegenerative Diseases * drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases metabolism   antagonists & inhibitors   MeSH
• Thiolester Hydrolases metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

To investigate the impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the cognitive function of mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD), while also identifying the cellular pathways associated with autophagy involved in the treatment. Twenty-four APP/PSl double transgenic mice were randomly assigned to either Group A or Group B, while another 24 C57 mice were randomly allocated to Group C or Group D. HBOT was administered to mice in Group B and Group D, and the Morris water maze test was used to assess changes in mice behavior. Histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to observe pathological alterations in the hippocampus of the mice brain tissue. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to analyze autophagy-related gene pathways in the hippocampus of the mice. Following HBOT, mice in Group B exhibited a significant reduction in escape latency and a notable increase in residence time within the target quadrant compared with Group A (P<0.05), as well as Group C and Group D (P<0.01). The hippocampal neurons in Group A and Group B mice exhibited disorganized arrangements, characterized by pyknosis and margination. Conversely, neurons in Group C displayed orderly arrangements, retaining intact structures with round nuclei demonstrating clear nuclear staining and normal morphology. The cellular morphology of mice in Group D remained unaffected. PCR analysis revealed no notable disparity in autophagy-related gene expression between Group A and Group C. However, the expression levels of five genes including Tgfb1, Mapk14, Bid, Atg7, and Akt1, were significantly elevated in Group B compared to Group A. HBOT has the potential to improve the cognitive function in mice modeled with AD. This improvement of cognitive function appears to be mediated by the up-regulation of autophagy-related genes, specifically Tgfb1, Mapk14, Bid, Atg7, and Akt1. These results indicate that HBOT may offer a therapeutic strategy for treating AD by enhancing autophagy mechanisms. Key words Alzheimer's disease, Autophagy, Hyperbaric oxygen, Morris water maze, PCR.

• MeSH
• Alzheimer Disease * therapy   metabolism   genetics   psychology   MeSH
• Autophagy * physiology   MeSH
• Hippocampus metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Hyperbaric Oxygenation * MeSH
• Cognition * physiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL * MeSH
• Mice, Transgenic * MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Signal Transduction * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Maintaining cellular homeostasis by removing damaged and senescent mitochondria, a process termed mitophagy, is crucial in preventing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and represents a promising therapeutic target. Our previous research revealed altered mitophagy biomarkers, such as increased CSF and serum PINK1 and serum BNIP3L and decreased serum TFEB levels, indicating impaired autophagy-lysosomal degradation in the AD continuum. However, the role of autophagy/mitophagy in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) remains unclear. This study investigated the biomarkers of autophagy/mitophagy and lysosomal biogenesis (PINK1, ULK1, BNIP3L, and TFEB) in biofluids (CSF and serum) from 308 biomarker-defined individuals across the FTLD continuum (FTLD-dementia, n = 29; FTLD-MCI, n = 33) and compared them with those across the AD continuum (MCI-AD, n = 100; AD-dementia, n = 100) and cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls (n = 46) recruited from Czech Brain Aging Study. Additionally, we compared the mitophagy biomarkers across different FTLD clinical subtypes (frontal, semantic and nonfluent variant) with CU, and explored the association between mitophagy biomarkers and clinical phenotypes of FTLD (biomarkers of tau, biomarkers of neurodegeneration, cognition and ATN profile).Our findings indicated a significantly lower CSF PINK1 and ULK1 levels in FTLD compared to AD, with FTLD dementia showing particularly low CSF PINK1 levels compared to AD-dementia. Conversely, CSF ULK1 levels were higher in FTLD-MCI compared to AD-dementia. Serum analyses revealed lower PINK1 and higher TFEB levels in FTLD dementia compared to AD dementia. This study provides compelling evidence of distinct alterations in autophagy/mitophagy biomarkers between FTLD and AD, indicating that these neurodegenerative diseases may affect the cellular waste disposal system through different pathways. This is the first study to explore mitophagy biomarkers in human CSF and serum in FTLD, opening avenues for further research and potential clinical applications.

• MeSH
• Alzheimer Disease * blood   pathology   cerebrospinal fluid   MeSH
• Autophagy * physiology   MeSH
• Biomarkers * cerebrospinal fluid   blood   MeSH
• Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration * pathology   cerebrospinal fluid   blood   MeSH
• Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog metabolism   MeSH
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mitophagy * MeSH
• Protein Kinases metabolism   blood   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Intracellular protein aggregation causes proteotoxic stress, underlying highly debilitating neurodegenerative disorders in parallel with decreased proteasome activity. Nevertheless, under such stress conditions, the expression of proteasome subunits is upregulated by Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related factor 1 (NRF1), a transcription factor that is encoded by NFE2L1. Activating the NRF1 pathway could accordingly delay the onset of neurodegenerative and other disorders with impaired cell proteostasis. Here, we present a series of small-molecule compounds based on bis(phenylmethylen)cycloalkanones and their heterocyclic analogues, identified via targeted library screening, that can induce NRF1-dependent downstream events, such as proteasome synthesis, heat shock response, and autophagy, in both model cell lines and Caenorhabditis elegans strains. These compounds increase proteasome activity and decrease the size and number of protein aggregates without causing any cellular stress or inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Therefore, our compounds represent a new promising therapeutic approach for various protein conformational diseases, including the most debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.

• MeSH
• Transcriptional Activation drug effects   MeSH
• Autophagy drug effects   MeSH
• Caenorhabditis elegans * drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• NF-E2-Related Factor 1 metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Small Molecule Libraries pharmacology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Protein Aggregation, Pathological metabolism   drug therapy   MeSH
• Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex * metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Aggregates * drug effects   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Linoleic acid (LA), an essential fatty acid, has emerged as a pivotal regulator in disorders associated with inflammation in recent years; however, the underlying mechanisms are still not completely understood. We utilized network pharmacology and experimental methodologies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of LA. Our network pharmacology analysis revealed that LA shares common targets with sepsis. These targets are enriched in various pathways comprising C-type signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, AMPK signaling pathway, and autophagy-animal. These findings suggest that LA may exert regulatory effects on inflammation and autophagy during sepsis. Subsequently, we established in vivo and ex vivo models of sepsis using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in experimental study. Treatment with LA reduced lung damage in mice with LPS-induced lung injury, and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF). LA also decreased the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to LPS. In LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, LA induced an elevation in LC3-II while causing a reduction in p62, which was associated with downregulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). We utilized 3-methyladenine (3-MA) to inhibit the autophagic activity, which reversed the modulatory effects of LA on LC3-II and p62. 3-MA also prevented the decline in TLR4 expression along with reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. Our findings suggest that the activation of autophagy by LA may lead to the downregulation of TLR4, thereby exerting its anti-inflammatory effects.

• MeSH
• Autophagy * drug effects   MeSH
• Linoleic Acid * pharmacology   MeSH
• Lipopolysaccharides * toxicity   MeSH
• Macrophages * drug effects   metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• RAW 264.7 Cells MeSH
• Sepsis chemically induced   drug therapy   metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Signal Transduction drug effects   MeSH
• Toll-Like Receptor 4 * metabolism   MeSH
• Inflammation * metabolism   drug therapy   chemically induced   pathology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Induction of autophagy represents an effective survival strategy for nutrient-deprived or stressed cancer cells. Autophagy contributes to the modulation of communication within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we conducted a study of the metabolic and signaling implications associated with autophagy induced by glutamine (Gln) and serum starvation and PI3K/mTOR inhibitor and autophagy inducer NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ) in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line FaDu. We compared the effect of these different types of autophagy induction on ATP production, lipid peroxidation, mitophagy, RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and EVs-associated cytokine secretome of cancer cells. Both BEZ and starvation resulted in a decline in ATP production. Simultaneously, Gln starvation enhanced oxidative damage of cancer cells by lipid peroxidation. In starved cells, there was a discernible fragmentation of the mitochondrial network coupled with an increase in the presence of tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) on the mitochondrial membrane, indicative of the sorting of mitochondrial cargo into EVs. Consequently, the abundance of mitochondrial RNAs (mtRNAs) in EVs released by FaDu cells was enhanced. Notably, mtRNAs were also detectable in EVs isolated from the serum of both HNSCC patients and healthy controls. Starvation and BEZ reduced the production of EVs by cancer cells, yet the characteristic molecular profile of these EVs remained unchanged. We also found that alterations in the release of inflammatory cytokines constitute a principal response to autophagy induction. Importantly, the specific mechanism driving autophagy induction significantly influenced the composition of the EVs-associated cytokine secretome.

• MeSH
• Adenosine Triphosphate * metabolism   MeSH
• Autophagy * drug effects   MeSH
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck metabolism   genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Extracellular Vesicles * metabolism   drug effects   MeSH
• Glutamine * metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mitochondria metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• Head and Neck Neoplasms metabolism   pathology   genetics   MeSH
• Oxidative Stress * MeSH
• RNA, Mitochondrial * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Lysosomes are crucial in the tumour immune microenvironment, which is essential for the survival and homeostasis in multiple myeloma (MM). Here, we aimed to identify lysosome-related genes for the prognosis of MM and predicted their regulatory mechanisms. Gene expression profiles of MM from the GSE2658 and GSE57317 datasets were analysed. Lysosome-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and used for molecular subtyping of MM patients. A prognostic model was constructed using univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses. The relationship between prognostic genes, immune cell types, and autophagy pathways was assessed through correlation analysis. RT-qPCR was performed to validate the expression of prognostic genes in MM cells. A total of 9,954 DEGs were identified between high and low immune score groups, with 213 intersecting with lysosomal genes. Molecular subtyping revealed two distinct MM subtypes with significant differences in immune cell types and autophagy pathway activities. Five lysosome-related DEGs (CORO1A, ELANE, PSAP, RNASE2, and SNAPIN) were identified as significant prognostic markers. The prognostic model showed moderate predictive accuracy with AUC values up to 0.723. Prognostic genes demonstrated significant correlations with various immune cell types and autophagy pathways. Additionally, CORO1A, PSAP and RNASE2 expression was up-regulated in MM cells, while ELANE and SNAPIN were down-regulated. Five lysosomal genes in MM were identified, and a new risk model for prognosis was developed using these genes. This research could lead to discovering important gene markers for the treatment and prognosis of MM.

• MeSH
• Autophagy genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lysosomes * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Multiple Myeloma * genetics   immunology   MeSH
• Biomarkers, Tumor genetics   MeSH
• Tumor Microenvironment genetics   immunology   MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Trehalóza je přírodní disacharid tvořený dvěma molekulami glukózy. Její přítomnost byla zjištěna v širokém spektru organismů – v rostlinách, řasách, sinicích, houbách, bakteriích a v bezobratlých živočiších, zatímco obratlovci včetně savců nejsou schopni trehalózu syntentizovat. Trehalóza se v organismech podílí na mnoha životních procesech. Probíhá řada studií, které odhalují její funkce a zkoumají možnosti jejího využití v medicíně, farmacii i v dalších odvětvích. Perspektivní je mimo jiné její neuroprotektivní účinek, který byl potvrzen na animálních modelech Alzheimerovy, Parkinsonovy a Huntingtonovy nemoci. Klinické studie, které by tento účinek ověřily u lidí, však dosud provedeny nebyly.

Trehalose is a natural disaccharide consisting of two molecules of glucose. It was detected in a wide spectrum of organisms – in plants, algae, cyanobacteria, mushrooms, bacteria and invertebrate animals; vertebrates including mammals are not able to synthetise trehalose. In orga nisms, trehalose participate in many life processes. Many studies have explored its functions and the possibilities of its application in medicine, pharmacy and other fields. Perspective is its neuroprotective effect which was confirmed in animal models of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. However, clinical studies are still lacking.

• MeSH
• Autophagy MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice, Transgenic MeSH
• Neurodegenerative Diseases MeSH
• Neuroprotective Agents * MeSH
• Trehalose * chemistry   physiology   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) is very important process for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, functionality and survival. Its dysregulation is associated with high risk and progression numerous serious diseases (e.g., oncological, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular ones). Therefore, targeting mitophagy mechanisms is very hot topic in the biological and medicinal research. The interrelationships between the regulation of mitophagy and iron homeostasis are now becoming apparent. In short, mitochondria are central point for the regulation of iron homeostasis, but change in intracellular cheatable iron level can induce/repress mitophagy. In this review, relationships between iron homeostasis and mitophagy are thoroughly discussed and described. Also, therapeutic applicability of mitophagy chelators in the context of individual diseases is comprehensively and critically evaluated.

• MeSH
• Iron Chelating Agents * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Homeostasis drug effects   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mitochondria * metabolism   drug effects   MeSH
• Mitophagy * drug effects   MeSH
• Iron * metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH