BACKGROUND: Cell cycle progression and leukemia development are tightly regulated processes in which even a small imbalance in the expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules and microRNAs (miRNAs) can lead to an increased risk of cancer/leukemia development. Here, we focus on the study of a ubiquitous, multifunctional, and oncogenic miRNA-hsa-miR-155-5p (miR-155, MIR155HG), which is overexpressed in malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Nonetheless, the precise mechanism of how miR-155 regulates the cell cycle in leukemic cells remains the subject of extensive research. METHODS: We edited the CLL cell line MEC-1 by CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce a short deletion within the MIR155HG gene. To describe changes at the transcriptome and miRNome level in miR-155-deficient cells, we performed mRNA-seq/miRNA-seq and validated changes by qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell cycle kinetics. A WST-1 assay, hemocytometer, and Annexin V/PI staining assessed cell viability and proliferation. RESULTS: The limited but phenotypically robust miR-155 modification impaired cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell ploidy. This was accompanied by overexpression of the negative cell cycle regulator p21/CDKN1A and Cyclin D1 (CCND1). We confirmed the overexpression of canonical miR-155 targets such as PU.1, FOS, SHIP-1, TP53INP1 and revealed new potential targets (FCRL5, ISG15, and MX1). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that miR-155 deficiency impairs cell proliferation, cell cycle, transcriptome, and miRNome via deregulation of the MIR155HG/TP53INP1/CDKN1A/CCND1 axis. Our CLL model is valuable for further studies to manipulate miRNA levels to revert highly aggressive leukemic cells to nearly benign or non-leukemic types.

• MeSH
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell * genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Cyclin D1 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 * genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Cycle Checkpoints * genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• MicroRNAs * genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• Cell Proliferation genetics   MeSH
• Heat-Shock Proteins MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic MeSH
• Carrier Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of the present study was to assess systemic circulatory and tissue activities of both the classical arm and of the alternative arm of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in a new transgenic rat line (TG7371) that expresses angiotensin-(1-7) (ANG 1-7)-producing fusion protein; the results were compared with the activities measured in control transgene-negative Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) rats. Plasma and tissue concentrations of angiotensin II (ANG II) and ANG 1-7, and kidney mRNA expressions of receptors responsible for biological actions of ANG II and ANG 1-7 [i.e. ANG II type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2) and Mas receptors] were assessed in TG7371 transgene-positive and in HanSD rats. We found that male TG7371 transgene-positive rats exhibited significantly elevated plasma, kidney, heart and lung ANG 1-7 concentrations as compared with control male HanSD rats; by contrast, there was no significant difference in ANG II concentrations and no significant differences in mRNA expression of AT1, AT2 and Mas receptors. In addition, we found that in male TG7371 transgene-positive rats blood pressure was lower than in male HanSD rats. These data indicate that the balance between the classical arm and the alternative arm of the RAS was in male TGR7371 transgene-positive rats markedly shifted in favor of the latter. In conclusion, TG7371 transgene-positive rats represent a new powerful tool to study the long-term role of the alternative arm of the RAS in the pathophysiology and potentially in the treatment of cardio-renal diseases.

• MeSH
• Angiotensin I * metabolism   MeSH
• Angiotensin II * MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Blood Pressure physiology   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Kidney metabolism   MeSH
• Kidney Diseases metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Peptide Fragments * metabolism   MeSH
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley * MeSH
• Rats, Transgenic * MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Mas MeSH
• Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Renin-Angiotensin System * physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The forskolin-induced swelling assay (FIS) in patient-derived intestinal organoids (PDIOs), used to determine in vitro responsiveness to elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), showed variability in swelling among PDIOs obtained from people with CF (pwCF) carrying the same F508del/F508del CFTR genotype. We aimed to characterise the effect of ETI on the transcriptional activity of PDIOs-derived cells to understand the intracellular processes triggered by ETI and the differences in treatment response. Six high- and six low-responding PDIOs to ETI, derived from F508del/F508del pwCF, were incubated with or without ETI for 2 to 6 h. Gene expression was assessed using 3'-mRNA sequencing and modelled using negative binomial models. Incubation with ETI resulted in a significant upregulation of several biological processes: mostly related to chemokines and signalling, chemotaxis, and tissue development processes. No changes were observed in abundance of the CFTR transcripts or in CFTR-related gene sets and pathways. The genes and pathways associated with ETI did not overlap with those whose expression changed with time only. PDIOs with a high FIS response did not significantly differ in any interpretable gene from the FIS-low organoids. The changes in the PDIOs gene expression upon the exposure to ETI cannot explain differences in the magnitude of PDIOs FIS-measured response to ETI. In conclusion, on incubation with ETI, genes of the CFTR-related pathways do not change their transcriptional activity; instead, overexpression was observed in genes of inflammatory-like cytokine response and receptor activation pathways.

• MeSH
• Chloride Channel Agonists therapeutic use   pharmacology   MeSH
• Aminophenols * therapeutic use   pharmacology   MeSH
• Benzodioxoles * therapeutic use   pharmacology   MeSH
• Quinolones * pharmacology   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Cystic Fibrosis * genetics   drug therapy   MeSH
• Drug Combinations MeSH
• Indoles * pharmacology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Organoids * metabolism   MeSH
• Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator genetics   MeSH
• Pyrazoles * pharmacology   MeSH
• Pyridines pharmacology   MeSH
• Pyrrolidines pharmacology   MeSH
• Pyrroles pharmacology   MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling methods   MeSH
• Intestines drug effects   MeSH
• Transcriptome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

In advanced prostate cancer (PC), in particular after acquisition of resistance to androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors (ARSI), upregulation of AR splice variants compromises endocrine therapy efficiency. Androgen receptor splice variant-7 (ARV7) is clinically the most relevant and has a distinct 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) compared to the AR full-length variant, suggesting a unique post-transcriptional regulation. Here, we set out to evaluate the applicability of the ARV7 3'UTR as a therapy target. A common single nucleotide polymorphism, rs5918762, was found to affect the splicing rate and thus the expression of ARV7 in cellular models and patient specimens. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 9 (SRSF9) was found to bind to and increase the inclusion of the cryptic exon 3 of ARV7 during the splicing process in the alternative C allele of rs5918762. The dual specificity protein kinase CLK2 interferes with the activity of SRSF9 by regulating its expression. Inhibition of the Cdc2-like kinase (CLK) family by the small molecules cirtuvivint or lorecivivint results in the decreased expression of ARV7. Both inhibitors show potent anti-proliferative effects in enzalutamide-treated or -naive PC models. Thus, targeting aberrant alternative splicing at the 3'UTR of ARV7 by disturbing the CLK2/SRSF9 axis might be a valuable therapeutic approach in late stage, ARSI-resistant PC.

• MeSH
• 3' Untranslated Regions genetics   MeSH
• Alternative Splicing genetics   drug effects   MeSH
• Receptors, Androgen * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• Prostatic Neoplasms * genetics   metabolism   pathology   drug therapy   MeSH
• Protein Isoforms genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases genetics   metabolism   antagonists & inhibitors   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic * drug effects   MeSH
• Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• RNA Splicing genetics   MeSH
• Protein-Tyrosine Kinases * genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common urological malignancy with an increasing incidence. The development of molecular biomarkers that can predict the response to treatment and guide personalized therapy selection would substantially improve patient outcomes. Dysregulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) has been shown to have a role in the pathogenesis of ccRCC. Thus, an increasing number of studies are being carried out with a focus on the identification of ncRNA biomarkers in ccRCC tissue samples and the connection of these markers with patients' prognosis, pathological stage and grade (including metastatic potential), and therapy outcome. RNA sequencing analysis led to the identification of several ncRNA biomarkers that are dysregulated in ccRCC and might have a role in ccRCC development. These ncRNAs have the potential to be prognostic and predictive biomarkers for ccRCC, with prospective applications in personalized treatment selection. Research on ncRNA biomarkers in ccRCC is advancing, but clinical implementation remains preliminary owing to challenges in validation, standardization and reproducibility. Comprehensive studies and integration of ncRNAs into clinical trials are essential to accelerate the clinical use of these biomarkers.

• MeSH
• Carcinoma, Renal Cell * genetics   diagnosis   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Biomarkers, Tumor * genetics   MeSH
• Kidney Neoplasms * genetics   diagnosis   MeSH
• RNA, Untranslated * genetics   MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Transcriptome * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation of lung tissues triggers irreversible alterations in the lung parenchyma, leading to fibrosis and pulmonary dysfunction. While the molecular and cellular responses of immune and connective tissue cells in the lungs are well characterized, the specific epithelial response remains unclear due to the lack of representative cell models. Recently, we introduced human embryonic stem cell-derived expandable lung epithelial (ELEP) cells as a novel model for studying lung injury and regeneration. METHODS: ELEPs were derived from the CCTL 14 human embryonic stem cell line through activin A-mediated endoderm specification, followed by further induction toward pulmonary epithelium using FGF2 and EGF. ELEPs exhibit a high proliferation rate and express key structural and molecular markers of alveolar progenitors, such as NKX2-1. The effects of Escherichia coli LPS serotype O55:B5 on the phenotype and molecular signaling of ELEPs were analyzed using viability and migration assays, mRNA and protein levels were determined by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: We demonstrated that purified LPS induces features of a hybrid epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pluripotent stem cell-derived ELEPs, triggers the unfolded protein response, and upregulates intracellular β-catenin level through retention of E-cadherin within the endoplasmic reticulum. CONCLUSIONS: Human embryonic stem cell-derived ELEPs provide a biologically relevant, non-cancerous lung cell model to investigate molecular responses to inflammatory stimuli and address epithelial plasticity. This approach offers novel insights into the fine molecular processes underlying lung injury and repair.

• MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Antigens, CD metabolism   MeSH
• Endoplasmic Reticulum * metabolism   drug effects   MeSH
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition * drug effects   MeSH
• Epithelial Cells * drug effects   metabolism   cytology   MeSH
• Cadherins * metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Human Embryonic Stem Cells * cytology   MeSH
• Lipopolysaccharides * pharmacology   MeSH
• Lung * cytology   MeSH
• Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Through the agnostic screening of patients with uncharacterised disease phenotypes for an upregulation of type I interferon (IFN) signalling, we identified a cohort of individuals heterozygous for mutations in PTPN1, encoding the protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). We aimed to describe the clinical phenotype and molecular and cellular pathology of this new disease. METHODS: In this case series, we identified patients and collected clinical and neuroradiological data through collaboration with paediatric neurology and clinical genetics colleagues across Europe (Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and the UK) and Israel. Variants in PTPN1 were identified by exome and directed Sanger sequencing. The expression of IFN-stimulated genes was determined by quantitative (q) PCR or NanoString technology. Experiments to assess RNA and protein expression and to investigate type 1 IFN signalling were undertaken in patient fibroblasts, hTERT-immortalised BJ-5ta fibroblasts, and RPE-1 cells using CRISPR-Cas9 editing and standard cell biology techniques. FINDINGS: Between Dec 20, 2013, and Jan 11, 2023, we identified 12 patients from 11 families who were heterozygous for mutations in PTPN1. We found ten novel or very rare variants in PTPN1 (frequency on gnomAD version 4.1.0 of <1·25 × 10:sup>-6). Six variants were predicted as STOP mutations, two involved canonical splice-site nucleotides, and two were missense substitutions. In three patients, the variant occurred de novo, whereas in nine affected individuals, the variant was inherited from an asymptomatic parent. The clinical phenotype was characterised by the subacute onset (age range 1-8 years) of loss of motor and language skills in the absence of seizures after initially normal development, leading to spastic dystonia and bulbar involvement. Neuroimaging variably demonstrated cerebral atrophy (sometimes unilateral initially) or high T2 white matter signal. Neopterin in CSF was elevated in all ten patients who were tested, and all probands demonstrated an upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes in whole blood. Although clinical stabilisation and neuroradiological improvement was seen in both treated and untreated patients, in six of eight treated patients, high-dose corticosteroids were judged clinically to result in an improvement in neurological status. Of the four asymptomatic parents tested, IFN signalling in blood was normal (three patients) or minimally elevated (one patient). Analysis of patient blood and fibroblasts showed that tested PTPN1 variants led to reduced levels of PTPN1 mRNA and PTP1B protein, and in-vitro assays demonstrated that loss of PTP1B function was associated with impaired negative regulation of type 1 IFN signalling. INTERPRETATION: PTPN1 haploinsufficiency causes a type 1 IFN-driven autoinflammatory encephalopathy. Notably, some patients demonstrated stabilisation, and even recovery, of neurological function in the absence of treatment, whereas in others, the disease appeared to be responsive to immune suppression. Prospective studies are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of specific immune suppression approaches in this disease population. FUNDING: The UK Medical Research Council, the European Research Council, and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Haploinsufficiency * genetics   MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Mutation genetics   MeSH
• Brain Diseases genetics   MeSH
• Neuroinflammatory Diseases genetics   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1 * genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

PI3K signaling pathway is crucial for a plethora of cellular processes and is extensively linked with tumorigenesis and chemo-/radioresistance. Although a number of small molecule inhibitors have been synthesized to control PI3K-mediated signaling, only a limited clinical success has been reached. Thus, the search for novel promising candidates is still ongoing. Herein, we present a novel series of N-(5-(2-morpholino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-8-yl)pyridin-2-yl)acylamides designed to simultaneously inhibit PI3K and DNA-PK activity. Compared to a commercial DNA-PK/PI3K inhibitor AZD7648, synthesized compounds generally exhibited markedly lower baseline cytotoxicity in all tested cell lines (MC38, B16F10, 4T1, CT26 and HEK-239). Through an array of biological experiments, we selected two most promising compounds, 2 and 6. While in cell-free conditions, 6 acted as a very efficient pan-PI3K and DNA-PK inhibitor, in physiological conditions, 2 performed better and acted as a potent chemosensitizer able to increase the amount of DNA double strand breaks induced by doxorubicin. This was plausibly due to its improved ability to accumulate in nuclei as evidenced by confocal analyses. Importantly, using P-gp overexpressing CT26 cells, we found that 2 is an efficient inhibitor of multidrug resistance (MDR) able to down-regulate expression of mRNA encoding MDR-driving proteins ABCB1A, ABCB1B and ABCC1. We also demonstrate that 2 can be simply loaded into lipid nanoparticles that retain its chemosensitizing properties. Taken together, the presented study provides a solid basis for a subsequent rational structure optimization towards new generation of multitarget inhibitors able to control crucial signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis and drug resistance.

• MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm * drug effects   MeSH
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors * pharmacology   MeSH
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors * pharmacology   chemistry   chemical synthesis   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Multiple * drug effects   MeSH
• Molecular Structure MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 * antagonists & inhibitors   metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Proliferation drug effects   MeSH
• DNA-Activated Protein Kinase * antagonists & inhibitors   metabolism   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents * pharmacology   chemistry   chemical synthesis   MeSH
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor MeSH
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug MeSH
• Structure-Activity Relationship MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second most prevalent malignancy globally, highlighting the urgent need for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, as well as a deeper understanding of its molecular basis. Extensive research has demonstrated that cells actively secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) to mediate intercellular communication at both proximal and distal sites. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the RNA content of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted into the culture media of five frequently utilised CRC cell lines (RKO, HCT116, HCT15, HT29, and DLD1). RNA sequencing data revealed significant insights into the RNA profiles of these sEVs, identifying nine protein-coding genes and fourteen long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes that consistently ranked among the top 30 most abundant across all cell lines. Notably, the genes found in sEVs were highly similar among the cell lines, indicating a conserved molecular signature. Several of these genes have been previously documented in the context of cancer biology, while others represent novel discoveries. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular cargo of sEVs in CRC, potentially unveiling novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

• MeSH
• Extracellular Vesicles * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• HCT116 Cells MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms * genetics   pathology   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Biomarkers, Tumor genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic MeSH
• RNA, Long Noncoding genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, RNA MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Investigation determines the beneficial effect of bergaptol against gestational diabetes (GD). Gestational diabetes was induced in female rats and treated them with bergaptol 20 and 40 mg/kg for eighteen days. Effect of bergaptol was assessed on blood glucose and insulin level in GD rat. Inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress parameters were also assessed in GD rats. Moreover, mRNA expression of INSR, NF-kappaB, Akt and GSK-3beta were assessed in the GD rats by qRT-PCR method. In silico network pharmacology study was performed, along with gene ontology and egg pathway to assessed the targets of bergaptol, molecular docking study was also performed for the confirmation of possible pathway involved in the management of GD. Blood glucose and insulin level was significantly reduces in the blood bergaptol treated group than GD group of rats. Treatment with bergaptol ameliorates the altered level of mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress parameters in GD rats. There was significant reduction in the mRNA expression of NF-kappaB and GSK-3beta and increase in expression of INSR and Akt in the tissue homogenate of bergaptol treated GD rats. Docking study shows effective binding strength of bergaptol individually with INSR, NF-kappaB, Akt and GSK-3beta-protein targets. In conclusion, data of investigation suggest that bergaptol improves the sensitivity of insulin receptor in GD, as it reduces parameters of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators by regulating INSR/NF-kappaB/Akt/GSK-3beta pathway. Key words Gestational diabetes, Bergaptol, Insulin resistance, Inflammation, Oxidative stress.

• MeSH
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental * drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Diabetes, Gestational * drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Insulin Resistance * physiology   MeSH
• Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta metabolism   MeSH
• Blood Glucose metabolism   drug effects   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Oxidative Stress drug effects   MeSH
• Rats, Wistar MeSH
• Receptor, Insulin metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Transduction drug effects   MeSH
• Molecular Docking Simulation * MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Inflammation drug therapy   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH