Maja Žugec, Borut Furlani, Maria J Castañon, Boštjan Rituper, Irmgard Fischer, Giuseppe Broggi, Rosario Caltabiano, Giuseppe M V Barbagallo, Michelino Di Rosa, Daniele Tibullo, Rosalba Parenti, Nunzio Vicario, Saša Simčič, Victorio Martin Pozo Devoto, Gorazd B Stokin, Gerhard Wiche, Jernej Jorgačevski, Robert Zorec, Maja Potokar
{"title":"Plectin plays a role in the migration and volume regulation of astrocytes: a potential biomarker of glioblastoma.","authors":"Maja Žugec, Borut Furlani, Maria J Castañon, Boštjan Rituper, Irmgard Fischer, Giuseppe Broggi, Rosario Caltabiano, Giuseppe M V Barbagallo, Michelino Di Rosa, Daniele Tibullo, Rosalba Parenti, Nunzio Vicario, Saša Simčič, Victorio Martin Pozo Devoto, Gorazd B Stokin, Gerhard Wiche, Jernej Jorgačevski, Robert Zorec, Maja Potokar","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-01002-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-024-01002-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and intermediate filament (IF) proteins is altered in malignant glioblastoma (GBM), yet the expression of the major IF-based cytolinker, plectin (PLEC), and its contribution to GBM migration and invasiveness, are unknown. Here, we assessed the contribution of plectin in affecting the distribution of plasmalemmal AQP4 aggregates, migratory properties, and regulation of cell volume in astrocytes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In human GBM, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), AQP4 and PLEC transcripts was analyzed using publicly available datasets, and the colocalization of PLEC with AQP4 and with GFAP was determined by immunohistochemistry. We performed experiments on wild-type and plectin-deficient primary and immortalized mouse astrocytes, human astrocytes and permanent cell lines (U-251 MG and T98G) derived from a human malignant GBM. The expression of plectin isoforms in mouse astrocytes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Transfection, immunolabeling and confocal microscopy were used to assess plectin-induced alterations in the distribution of the cytoskeleton, the influence of plectin and its isoforms on the abundance and size of plasmalemmal AQP4 aggregates, and the presence of plectin at the plasma membrane. The release of plectin from cells was measured by ELISA. The migration and dynamics of cell volume regulation of immortalized astrocytes were assessed by the wound-healing assay and calcein labeling, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A positive correlation was found between plectin and AQP4 at the level of gene expression and protein localization in tumorous brain samples. Deficiency of plectin led to a decrease in the abundance and size of plasmalemmal AQP4 aggregates and altered distribution and bundling of the cytoskeleton. Astrocytes predominantly expressed P1c, P1e, and P1g plectin isoforms. The predominant plectin isoform associated with plasmalemmal AQP4 aggregates was P1c, which also affected the mobility of astrocytes most prominently. In the absence of plectin, the collective migration of astrocytes was impaired and the dynamics of cytoplasmic volume changes in peripheral cell regions decreased. Plectin's abundance on the plasma membrane surface and its release from cells were increased in the GBM cell lines.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Plectin affects cellular properties that contribute to the pathology of GBM. The observed increase in both cell surface and released plectin levels represents a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in the diagnostics and treatment of GBMs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10807171/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139541785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Physiology and pharmacological targeting of phase separation","authors":"Fangfang Wang, Youwei Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-00993-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-024-00993-z","url":null,"abstract":"Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in biology describes a process by which proteins form membraneless condensates within a cellular compartment when conditions are met, including the concentration and posttranslational modifications of the protein components, the condition of the aqueous solution (pH, ionic strength, pressure, and temperature), and the existence of assisting factors (such as RNAs or other proteins). In these supramolecular liquid droplet-like inclusion bodies, molecules are held together through weak intermolecular and/or intramolecular interactions. With the aid of LLPS, cells can assemble functional sub-units within a given cellular compartment by enriching or excluding specific factors, modulating cellular function, and rapidly responding to environmental or physiological cues. Hence, LLPS is emerging as an important means to regulate biology and physiology. Yet, excessive inclusion body formation by, for instance, higher-than-normal concentrations or mutant forms of the protein components could result in the conversion from dynamic liquid condensates into more rigid gel- or solid-like aggregates, leading to the disruption of the organelle’s function followed by the development of human disorders like neurodegenerative diseases. In summary, well-controlled formation and de-formation of LLPS is critical for normal biology and physiology from single cells to individual organisms, whereas abnormal LLPS is involved in the pathophysiology of human diseases. In turn, targeting these aggregates or their formation represents a promising approach in treating diseases driven by abnormal LLPS including those neurodegenerative diseases that lack effective therapies.","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139510076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inactivation of pentraxin 3 suppresses M2-like macrophage activity and immunosuppression in colon cancer.","authors":"Feng-Wei Chen, Yung-Ling Wu, Chao-Chun Cheng, Yu-Wei Hsiao, Jhih-Ying Chi, Liang-Yi Hung, Chih-Peng Chang, Ming-Derg Lai, Ju-Ming Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12929-023-00991-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-023-00991-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The tumor microenvironment is characterized by inflammation-like and immunosuppression situations. Although cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are among the major stromal cell types in various solid cancers, including colon cancer, the interactions between CAFs and immune cells remains largely uncharacterized. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is responsive to proinflammatory cytokines and modulates immunity and tissue remodeling, but its involvement in tumor progression appears to be context-dependent and is unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Open-access databases were utilized to examine the association of PTX3 expression and the fibroblast signature in colon cancer. Loss-of-function assays, including studies in tamoxifen-induced Ptx3 knockout mice and treatment with an anti-PTX3 neutralizing antibody (WHC-001), were conducted to assess the involvement of PTX3 in colon cancer progression as well as its immunosuppressive effect. Finally, bioinformatic analyses and in vitro assays were performed to reveal the downstream effectors and decipher the involvement of the CREB1/CEBPB axis in response to PTX3 and PTX3-induced promotion of M2 macrophage polarization.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Clinically, higher PTX3 expression was positively correlated with fibroblasts and inflammatory response signatures and associated with a poor survival outcome in colon cancer patients. Blockade of PTX3 significantly reduced stromal cell-mediated tumor development. The decrease of the M2 macrophage population and an increase of the cytotoxic CD8<sup>+</sup> T-cell population were observed following PTX3 inactivation in allografted colon tumors. We further revealed that activation of cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) mediated the PTX3-induced promotion of M2 macrophage polarization.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PTX3 contributes to stromal cell-mediated protumor immunity by increasing M2-like macrophage polarization, and inhibition of PTX3 with WHC-001 is a potential therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10799366/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139502481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bin Zhang, Wei Kian Sim, Tang-Long Shen, Sai Kiang Lim
{"title":"Engineered EVs with pathogen proteins: promising vaccine alternatives to LNP-mRNA vaccines","authors":"Bin Zhang, Wei Kian Sim, Tang-Long Shen, Sai Kiang Lim","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-01000-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-024-01000-1","url":null,"abstract":"Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny, lipid membrane-bound structures that are released by most cells. They play a vital role in facilitating intercellular communication by delivering bioactive cargoes to recipient cells and triggering cellular as well as biological responses. EVs have enormous potential for therapeutic applications as native or engineered exosomes. Native EVs are naturally released by cells without undergoing any modifications to either the exosomes or the cells that secrete them. In contrast, engineered EVs have been deliberately modified post-secretion or through genetic engineering of the secreting cells to alter their composition. Here we propose that engineered EVs displaying pathogen proteins could serve as promising alternatives to lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mRNA vaccines. By leveraging their unique characteristics, these engineered EVs have the potential to overcome certain limitations associated with LNP-mRNA vaccines.","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139483331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huixin Chen, Patchara Phuektes, Li Sze Yeo, Yi Hao Wong, Regina Ching Hua Lee, Bowen Yi, Xinjun Hou, Sen Liu, Yu Cai, Justin Jang Hann Chu
{"title":"Attenuation of neurovirulence of chikungunya virus by a single amino acid mutation in viral E2 envelope protein.","authors":"Huixin Chen, Patchara Phuektes, Li Sze Yeo, Yi Hao Wong, Regina Ching Hua Lee, Bowen Yi, Xinjun Hou, Sen Liu, Yu Cai, Justin Jang Hann Chu","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-00995-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-024-00995-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has reemerged as a major public health concern, causing chikungunya fever with increasing cases and neurological complications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the present study, we investigated a low-passage human isolate of the East/ Central/South African (ECSA) lineage of CHIKV strain LK(EH)CH6708, which exhibited a mix of small and large viral plaques. The small and large plaque variants were isolated and designated as CHIKV-SP and CHIKV-BP, respectively. CHIKV-SP and CHIKV-BP were characterized in vitro and in vivo to compare their virus production and virulence. Additionally, whole viral genome analysis and reverse genetics were employed to identify genomic virulence factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CHIKV-SP demonstrated lower virus production in mammalian cells and attenuated virulence in a murine model. On the other hand, CHIKV-BP induced higher pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, compromised the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, and led to astrocyte infection in mouse brains. Furthermore, the CHIKV-SP variant had limited transmission potential in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, likely due to restricted dissemination. Whole viral genome analysis revealed multiple genetic mutations in the CHIKV-SP variant, including a Glycine (G) to Arginine (R) mutation at position 55 in the viral E2 glycoprotein. Reverse genetics experiments confirmed that the E2-G55R mutation alone was sufficient to reduce virus production in vitro and virulence in mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the attenuating effects of the E2-G55R mutation on CHIKV pathogenicity and neurovirulence and emphasize the importance of monitoring this mutation in natural infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10792792/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139478693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Waad H. Abuwatfa, William G. Pitt, Ghaleb A. Husseini
{"title":"Scaffold-based 3D cell culture models in cancer research","authors":"Waad H. Abuwatfa, William G. Pitt, Ghaleb A. Husseini","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-00994-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-024-00994-y","url":null,"abstract":"Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have emerged as valuable tools in cancer research, offering significant advantages over traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems. In 3D cell cultures, cancer cells are grown in an environment that more closely mimics the 3D architecture and complexity of in vivo tumors. This approach has revolutionized cancer research by providing a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and enabling the study of tumor behavior and response to therapies in a more physiologically relevant context. One of the key benefits of 3D cell culture in cancer research is the ability to recapitulate the complex interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding stroma. Tumors consist not only of cancer cells but also various other cell types, including stromal cells, immune cells, and blood vessels. These models bridge traditional 2D cell cultures and animal models, offering a cost-effective, scalable, and ethical alternative for preclinical research. As the field advances, 3D cell cultures are poised to play a pivotal role in understanding cancer biology and accelerating the development of effective anticancer therapies. This review article highlights the key advantages of 3D cell cultures, progress in the most common scaffold-based culturing techniques, pertinent literature on their applications in cancer research, and the ongoing challenges. ","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139459874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immune evasion in cell-based immunotherapy: unraveling challenges and novel strategies.","authors":"Yan-Ruide Li, Tyler Halladay, Lili Yang","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-00998-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-024-00998-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cell-based immunotherapies (CBIs), notably exemplified by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T (CAR-T) cell therapy, have emerged as groundbreaking approaches for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, akin to various other therapeutic modalities, tumor cells employ counterstrategies to manifest immune evasion, thereby circumventing the impact of CBIs. This phenomenon is facilitated by an intricately immunosuppression entrenched within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Principal mechanisms underpinning tumor immune evasion from CBIs encompass loss of antigens, downregulation of antigen presentation, activation of immune checkpoint pathways, initiation of anti-apoptotic cascades, and induction of immune dysfunction and exhaustion. In this review, we delve into the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the capacity of tumor cells to resist CBIs and proffer prospective stratagems to navigate around these challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10785504/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139432515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Therapeutic antibodies for the prevention and treatment of cancer.","authors":"Mukesh Kumar, Akansha Jalota, Sushil Kumar Sahu, Shabirul Haque","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-00996-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-024-00996-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The developments of antibodies for cancer therapeutics have made remarkable success in recent years. There are multiple factors contributing to the success of the biological molecule including origin of the antibody, isotype, affinity, avidity and mechanism of action. With better understanding of mechanism of cancer progression and immune manipulation, recombinant formats of antibodies are used to develop therapeutic modalities for manipulating the immune cells of patients by targeting specific molecules to control the disease. These molecules have been successful in minimizing the side effects instead caused by small molecules or systemic chemotherapy but because of the developing therapeutic resistance against these antibodies, combination therapy is thought to be the best bet for patient care. Here, in this review, we have discussed different aspects of antibodies in cancer therapy affecting their efficacy and mechanism of resistance with some relevant examples of the most studied molecules approved by the US FDA.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10787459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139432525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Changwu Wu, Jun Tan, Hong Shen, Chao Deng, Christian Kleber, Georg Osterhoff, Nikolas Schopow
{"title":"Exploring the relationship between metabolism and immune microenvironment in osteosarcoma based on metabolic pathways.","authors":"Changwu Wu, Jun Tan, Hong Shen, Chao Deng, Christian Kleber, Georg Osterhoff, Nikolas Schopow","doi":"10.1186/s12929-024-00999-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-024-00999-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Metabolic remodeling and changes in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in osteosarcoma are important factors affecting prognosis and treatment. However, the relationship between metabolism and TIME needs to be further explored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>RNA-Seq data and clinical information of 84 patients with osteosarcoma from the TARGET database and an independent cohort from the GEO database were included in this study. The activity of seven metabolic super-pathways and immune infiltration levels were inferred in osteosarcoma patients. Metabolism-related genes (MRGs) were identified and different metabolic clusters and MRG-related gene clusters were identified using unsupervised clustering. Then the TIME differences between the different clusters were compared. In addition, an MRGs-based risk model was constructed and the role of a key risk gene, ST3GAL4, in osteosarcoma cells was explored using molecular biological experiments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study revealed four key metabolic pathways in osteosarcoma, with vitamin and cofactor metabolism being the most relevant to prognosis and to TIME. Two metabolic pathway-related clusters (C1 and C2) were identified, with some differences in immune activating cell infiltration between the two clusters, and C2 was more likely to respond to two chemotherapeutic agents than C1. Three MRG-related gene clusters (GC1-3) were also identified, with significant differences in prognosis among the three clusters. GC2 and GC3 had higher immune cell infiltration than GC1. GC3 is most likely to respond to immune checkpoint blockade and to three commonly used clinical drugs. A metabolism-related risk model was developed and validated. The risk model has strong prognostic predictive power and the low-risk group has a higher level of immune infiltration than the high-risk group. Knockdown of ST3GAL4 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of osteosarcoma cells and inhibited the M2 polarization of macrophages.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The metabolism of vitamins and cofactors is an important prognostic regulator of TIME in osteosarcoma, MRG-related gene clusters can well reflect changes in osteosarcoma TIME and predict chemotherapy and immunotherapy response. The metabolism-related risk model may serve as a useful prognostic predictor. ST3GAL4 plays a critical role in the progression, glycolysis, and TIME of osteosarcoma cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10785352/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139424844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Philipp Terpe, Stefanie Ruhs, Virginie Dubourg, Michael Bucher, Michael Gekle
{"title":"The synergism of cytosolic acidosis and reduced NAD<sup>+</sup>/NADH ratio is responsible for lactic acidosis-induced vascular smooth muscle cell impairment in sepsis.","authors":"Philipp Terpe, Stefanie Ruhs, Virginie Dubourg, Michael Bucher, Michael Gekle","doi":"10.1186/s12929-023-00992-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12929-023-00992-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>During sepsis, serve vascular dysfunctions lead to life-threatening multiple organ failure, due to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) impairments, resulting in vasoplegia, hypotension and hypoperfusion. In addition, septic patients have an altered cell metabolism that leads to lactic acidosis. Septic patients suffering from lactic acidosis have a high risk of mortality. In addition, septic survivors are at risk of secondary vascular disease. The underlying mechanisms of whether and how lactic acidosis leads to the changes in VSMCs is not well understood. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the effect of lactic acidosis on VSMCs and additionally compare the effects with those induced by pure acidosis and sodium lactate.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) were treated for 48 h with lactic acidosis (LA_pH 6.8), hydrochloric acid (HCl_pH 6.8), sodium lactate (Na<sup>+</sup>-lactate_pH 7.4) and the respective controls (ctrl._pH 7.4; hyperosmolarity control: mannitol_pH 7.4) and comparatively analyzed for changes in (i) transcriptome, (ii) energy metabolism, and (iii) phenotype.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both types of acidosis led to comparable and sustained intracellular acidification without affecting cell viability. RNA sequencing and detailed transcriptome analysis revealed more significant changes for lactic acidosis than for hydrochloric acidosis, with lactate being almost ineffective, suggesting qualitative and quantitative synergism of acidosis and lactate. Bioinformatic predictions in energy metabolism and phenotype were confirmed experimentally. Lactic acidosis resulted in strong inhibition of glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and altered mitochondrial respiration which reduced cellular ATP content, likely due to increased TXNIP expression and altered NAD<sup>+</sup>/NADH ratio. Hydrochloric acidosis induced significantly smaller effects without changing the NAD<sup>+</sup>/NADH ratio, with the ATP content remaining constant. These metabolic changes led to osteo-/chondrogenic/senescent transdifferentiation of VSMCs, with the effect being more pronounced in lactic acidosis than in pure acidosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, lactic acidosis exerted a much stronger effect on energy metabolism than pure acidosis, whereas lactate had almost no effect, reflecting the qualitative and quantitative synergism of acidosis and lactate. As a consequence, lactic acidosis may lead to acute functional impairments of VSMC, sustained perturbations of the transcriptome and cellular dedifferentiation. Moreover, these effects may contribute to the acute and prolonged vascular pathomechanisms in septic patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":15365,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10775599/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139403100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}