技术资料

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat) are two common respiratory tract pathogens often associated with acute exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as well as with otitis media (OM) in children. Although there is evidence that these pathogens can adopt persistence mechanisms such as biofilm formation,the precise means through which they contribute to disease severity and chronicity remains incompletely understood,posing challenges for their effective eradication. The identification of potential vaccine candidates frequently entails the characterization of the host-pathogen interplay in vitro even though this approach is limited by the fact that conventional models do not permit long term bacterial infections. In the present work,by using air-liquid-interface (ALI) human airway in vitro models,we aimed to recreate COPD-related persistent bacterial infections. In particular,we explored an alternative use of the ALI system consisting in the assembly of an inverted epithelium grown on the basal part of a transwell membrane with the aim to enable the functionality of natural defense mechanisms such as mucociliary clearance and cellular extrusion that are usually hampered during conventional ALI infection experiments. The inversion of the epithelium did not affect tissue differentiation and considerably delayed NTHi or Mcat infection progression,allowing one to monitor host-pathogen interactions for up to three weeks. Notably,the use of these models,coupled with confocal and transmission electron microscopy,revealed unique features associated with NTHi and Mcat infection,highlighting persistence strategies including the formation of intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) and surface-associated biofilm-like structures. Overall,this study demonstrates the possibility to perform long term host-pathogen investigations in vitro with the aim to define persistence mechanisms adopted by respiratory pathogens and individuate potential new vaccine targets. View Publication

As a critical mitotic regulator,Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is aberrantly activated in a wide range of cancers. Therapeutic targeting of AUKRA is a promising strategy for the treatment of solid tumors. In this study,we evaluated the preclinical characteristics of JAB-2485,a small-molecule inhibitor of AURKA currently in Phase I/IIa clinical trial in the US ( NCT05490472 ). Biochemical studies demonstrated that JAB-2485 is potent and highly selective on AURKA,with subnanomolar IC 50 and around 1500-fold selectivity over AURKB or AURKC. In addition,JAB-2485 exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties featured by low clearance and good bioavailability,strong dose–response relationship,as well as low risk for hematotoxicity and off-target liability. As a single agent,JAB-2485 effectively induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of small cell lung cancer,triple-negative breast cancer,and neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore,JAB-2485 exhibited robust in vivo antitumor activity both as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapies or the bromodomain inhibitor JAB-8263 in xenograft models of various cancer types. Together,these encouraging preclinical data provide a strong basis for safety and efficacy evaluations of JAB-2485 in the clinical setting. View Publication

Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into subtype-specific neurons holds substantial potential for disease modeling in vitro . For successful differentiation,a detailed understanding of the transcriptional networks regulating cell fate decisions is critical. The heterochronic nature of neurodevelopment,during which distinct cells in the brain and during in vitro differentiation acquire their fates in an unsynchronized manner,hinders pooled transcriptional comparisons. One approach is to “translate” chronologic time into linear developmental and maturational time. Simple binary promotor-driven fluorescent proteins (FPs) to pool similar cells are unable to achieve this goal,due to asynchronous promotor onset in individual cells. We tested five fluorescent timer (FT) molecules expressed from the endogenous paired box 6 (PAX6) promoter in 293T and human hPSCs. Each of these FT systems faithfully reported chronologic time in 293T cells,but none of the FT constructs followed the same fluorescence kinetics in human neural progenitor cells. Subject areas: Natural sciences,Biological sciences,Biochemistry,Molecular biology,Neuroscience,Cellular neuroscience,Cell biology View Publication

The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionarily increased the overall survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However,drug resistance remains a major obstacle. Here,we demonstrated that a BCR-ABL1-independent long non-coding RNA,IRAIN,is constitutively expressed at low levels in CML,resulting in imatinib resistance. IRAIN knockdown decreased the sensitivity of CD34 + CML blasts and cell lines to imatinib,whereas IRAIN overexpression significantly increased sensitivity. Mechanistically,IRAIN downregulates CD44,a membrane receptor favorably affecting TKI resistance,by binding to the nuclear factor kappa B subunit p65 to reduce the expression of p65 and phosphorylated p65. Therefore,the demethylating drug decitabine,which upregulates IRAIN,combined with imatinib,formed a dual therapy strategy which can be applied to CML with resistance to TKIs. Subject areas: Molecular biology,Cell biology,Cancer View Publication

Which isoforms of apolipoprotein E (apoE) we inherit determine our risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD),but the mechanism underlying this link is poorly understood. In particular,the relevance of direct interactions between apoE and amyloid-β (Aβ) remains controversial. Here,single-molecule imaging shows that all isoforms of apoE associate with Aβ in the early stages of aggregation and then fall away as fibrillation happens. ApoE-Aβ co-aggregates account for ~50% of the mass of diffusible Aβ aggregates detected in the frontal cortices of homozygotes with the higher-risk APOE4 gene. We show how dynamic interactions between apoE and Aβ tune disease-related functions of Aβ aggregates throughout the course of aggregation. Our results connect inherited APOE genotype with the risk of developing AD by demonstrating how,in an isoform- and lipidation-specific way,apoE modulates the aggregation,clearance and toxicity of Aβ. Selectively removing non-lipidated apoE4-Aβ co-aggregates enhances clearance of toxic Aβ by glial cells,and reduces secretion of inflammatory markers and membrane damage,demonstrating a clear path to AD therapeutics. Subject terms: Protein aggregation,Nanoscale biophysics View Publication

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are a subpopulation of stromal cells modulating the immune environments in health and disease. We have previously shown that activation of TLR9 signaling in FRC in fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALC) regulate peritoneal immunity via suppressing immune cell recruitment and peritoneal resident macrophage (PRM) retention. However,FRCs are heterogeneous across tissues and organs. The functions of each FRC subset and the regulation of TLR9 in distinct FRC subsets are unknown. Here,we confirmed that specific deletion of TLR9 in FRC improved bacterial clearance and survival during peritoneal infection. Furthermore,using single-cell RNA sequencing,we found two subsets of FRCs (CD55 hi and CD55 lo ) in the mesenteric FALC. The CD55 hi FRCs were enriched in gene expression related to extracellular matrix formation. The CD55 lo FRCs were enriched in gene expression related to immune response. Interestingly,we found that TLR9 is dominantly expressed in the CD55 lo subset. Activation of TLR9 signaling suppressed proliferation,cytokine production,and retinoid metabolism in the CD55 lo FRC,but not CD55 hi FRC. Notably,we found that adoptive transfer of Tlr9 -/– CD55 lo FRC from mesenteric FALC more effectively improved the survival during peritonitis compared with WT-FRC or Tlr9 -/– CD55 hi FRC. Furthermore,we identified CD55 hi and CD55 lo subsets in human adipose tissue-derived FRC and confirmed the suppressive effect of TLR9 on the proliferation and cytokine production in the CD55 lo subset. Therefore,inhibition of TLR9 in the CD55 lo FRCs from adipose tissue could be a useful strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of FRC-based therapy for peritonitis. View Publication

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary brain tumor; GBM’s inevitable recurrence suggests that glioblastoma stem cells (GSC) allow these tumors to persist. Our previous work showed that FOSL1,transactivated by the STAT3 gene,functions as a tumorigenic gene in glioma pathogenesis and acts as a diagnostic marker and potential drug target in glioma patients. Accumulating evidence shows that STAT3 and NF-κB cooperate to promote the development and progression of various cancers. The link between STAT3 and NF-κB suggests that NF-κB can also transcriptionally regulate FOSL1 and contribute to gliomagenesis. To investigate downstream molecules of FOSL1,we analyzed the transcriptome after overexpressing FOSL1 in a PDX-L14 line characterized by deficient FOSL1 expression. We then conducted immunohistochemical staining for FOSL1 and NF-κB p65 using rabbit polyclonal anti-FOSL1 and NF-κB p65 in glioma tissue microarrays (TMA) derived from 141 glioma patients and 15 healthy individuals. Next,mutants of the human FOSL1 promoter,featuring mutations in essential binding sites for NF-κB were generated using a Q5 site-directed mutagenesis kit. Subsequently,we examined luciferase activity in glioma cells and compared it to the wild-type FOSL1 promoter. Then,we explored the mutual regulation between NF-κB signaling and FOSL1 by modulating the expression of NF-κB or FOSL1. Subsequently,we assessed the activity of FOSL1 and NF-κB. To understand the role of FOSL1 in cell growth and stemness,we conducted a CCK-8 assay and cell cycle analysis,assessing apoptosis and GSC markers,ALDH1,and CD133 under varying FOSL1 expression conditions. Transcriptome analyses of downstream molecules of FOSL1 show that NF-κB signaling pathway is regulated by FOSL1. NF-κB p65 protein expression correlates to the expression of FOSL1 in glioma patients,and both are associated with glioma grades. NF-κB is a crucial transcription factor activating the FOSL1 promoter in glioma cells. Mutual regulation between NF-κB and FOSL1 contributes to glioma tumorigenesis and stemness through promoting G1/S transition and inhibiting apoptosis. Therefore,the FOSL1 molecular pathway is functionally connected to NF-κB activation,enhances stemness,and is indicative that FOSL1 may potentially be a novel GBM drug target. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-024-05293-1. View Publication

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by persistent airway inflammation even after cigarette smoking cessation. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been implicated in COPD severity and acute airway inflammation induced by short-term cigarette smoke (CS). However,whether and how NETs contribute to sustained airway inflammation in COPD remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the immunoregulatory mechanism of NETs in COPD,employing human neutrophils,airway epithelial cells (AECs),dendritic cells (DCs),and a long-term CS-induced COPD mouse model,alongside cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase and toll-like receptor 9 knockout mice ( cGAS -−/−,TLR9 −/− ); Additionally,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of COPD patients was examined. Neutrophils from COPD patients released greater cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced NETs (CSE-NETs) due to mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction. These CSE-NETs,containing oxidatively-damaged DNA (NETs-DNA),promoted AECs proliferation,nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation,NF-κB-dependent cytokines and type-I interferons production,and DC maturation,which were ameliorated/reversed by silencing/inhibition of cGAS/TLR9. In the COPD mouse model,blocking NETs-DNA-sensing via cGAS − /− and TLR9 − /− mice,inhibiting NETosis using mitoTEMPO,and degrading NETs-DNA with DNase-I,respectively,reduced NETs infiltrations,airway inflammation,NF-κB activation and NF-κB-dependent cytokines,but not type-I interferons due to IFN-α/β receptor degradation. Elevated NETs components (myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase activity) in BALF of COPD smokers correlated with disease severity and NF-κB-dependent cytokine levels,but not type-I interferon levels. In conclusion,NETs-DNA promotes NF-κB-dependent autoimmunity via cGAS/TLR9 in long-term CS exposure-induced COPD. Therefore,targeting NETs-DNA and cGAS/TLR9 emerges as a potential strategy to alleviate persistent airway inflammation in COPD. Subject terms: Inflammation,Respiratory tract diseases View Publication

Successful cell and gene therapy clinical trials have resulted in the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approving their use for treatment of patients with certain types of cancers and monogenetic diseases. These novel therapies,which rely heavily on lentiviral vectors to deliver therapeutic transgenes to patient cells,have driven additional investigations,increasing demand for both pre-clinical and current Good Manufacturing Practices-grade viral vectors. To better support novel studies by improving current production methods,we report the development of a genetically modified HEK293T-based cell line that is null for expression of both Protein Kinase R and Beta-2 microglobulin and grows in suspension using serum-free media,SJ293TS-DPB. Absence of Protein Kinase R increased anti-sense lentiviral vector titers by more than 7-fold,while absence of Beta-2 microglobulin,a key component of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules,has been reported to reduce the immunogenicity of lentiviral particles. Furthermore,we describe an improved methodology for culturing SJ293TS-DPB that facilitates expansion,reduces handling,and increases titers by 2-fold compared with previous methods. SJ293TS-DPB stably produced lentiviral vectors for over 4 months and generated lentiviral vectors that efficiently transduce healthy human donor T cells and CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells. View Publication

RNA constitutes a large fraction of chromatin. Spatial distribution and functional relevance of most of RNA-chromatin interactions remain unknown. We established a landscape analysis of RNA-chromatin interactions in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In total more than 50 million interactions were captured in an AML cell line. Protein-coding mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs exhibited a substantial number of interactions with chromatin in cis suggesting transcriptional activity. In contrast,small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) associated with chromatin predominantly in trans suggesting chromatin specific functions. Of note,snoRNA-chromatin interaction was associated with chromatin modifications and occurred independently of the classical snoRNA-RNP complex. Two C/D box snoRNAs,namely SNORD118 and SNORD3A,displayed high frequency of trans -association with chromatin. The transcription of SNORD118 and SNORD3A was increased upon leukemia transformation and enriched in leukemia stem cells,but decreased during myeloid differentiation. Suppression of SNORD118 and SNORD3A impaired leukemia cell proliferation and colony forming capacity in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Notably,this effect was leukemia specific with less impact on healthy CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. These findings highlight the functional importance of chromatin-associated RNAs overall and in particular of SNORD118 and SNORD3A in maintaining leukemia propagation. Subject terms: Acute myeloid leukaemia,Cancer epigenetics View Publication

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a disease of the haematopoietic stem cells(HSCs) that is characterised by the uncontrolled proliferation and impaired differentiation of normal haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Several pathways that control the proliferation and differentiation of HSCs are impaired in AML. Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway has been shown in AML and beta-catenin,which is thought to be the key element of this pathway,has been frequently highlighted. The present study was designed to determine beta-catenin expression levels and beta-catenin-related genes in AML. In this study,beta-catenin gene expression levels were determined in 19 AML patients and 3 controls by qRT-PCR. Transcriptome analysis was performed on AML grouped according to beta-catenin expression levels. Differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were investigated in detail using the Database for Annotation Visualisation and Integrated Discovery(DAVID),Gene Ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG),STRING online tools. The transcriptome profiles of our AML samples showed different molecular signature profiles according to their beta-catenin levels(high-low). A total of 20 genes have been identified as hub genes. Among these,TTK,HJURP,KIF14,BTF3,RPL17 and RSL1D1 were found to be associated with beta-catenin and poor survival in AML. Furthermore,for the first time in our study,the ELOV6 gene,which is the most highly up-regulated gene in human AML samples,was correlated with a poor prognosis via high beta-catenin levels. It is suggested that the identification of beta-catenin-related gene profiles in AML may help to select new therapeutic targets for the treatment of AML. View Publication

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal malignancy originating from leukemia stem cells,characterized by a poor prognosis,underscoring the necessity for novel therapeutic targets and treatment methodologies. This study focuses on Ras homolog family member F,filopodia associated (RHOF),a Rho guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) family member. We found that RHOF is overexpressed in AML,correlating with an adverse prognosis. Our gain- and loss-of-function experiments revealed that RHOF overexpression enhances proliferation and impedes apoptosis in AML cells in vitro . Conversely,genetic suppression of RHOF markedly reduced the leukemia burden in a human AML xenograft mouse model. Furthermore,we investigated the synergistic effect of RHOF downregulation and chemotherapy,demonstrating significant therapeutic efficacy in vivo . Mechanistically,RHOF activates the AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway,thereby accelerating the progression of AML. Our findings elucidate the pivotal role of RHOF in AML pathogenesis and propose RHOF inhibition as a promising therapeutic approach for AML management. Subject areas: Biochemistry,Molecular biology,Cell biology,Cancer View Publication