Xiang Li , Rui Ding , Hui Wang , Sijing Chen , Xirui Fan , Yiyao Duan , Jun Hu , Hao Hu , Rui Wu , Rong Qin
{"title":"Research advancements on sumoylation in gastrointestinal cancers","authors":"Xiang Li , Rui Ding , Hui Wang , Sijing Chen , Xirui Fan , Yiyao Duan , Jun Hu , Hao Hu , Rui Wu , Rong Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>SUMOylation is a critical post-translational modification that modulates protein activity, stability, and subcellular distribution through the covalent attachment of SUMO proteins (SUMO1-5) to specific targets. This process is mediated by a cascade of enzymes, including E1, E2, E3 ligases, and deSUMOylation enzymes, enabling precise control over diverse biological functions such as gene expression, cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, signaling cascades, and metabolic pathways.</div><div>Dysregulation of SUMOylation enzymes has been contributes to cancer initiation, and treatment resistance, by enhancing tumor cell motility, aggressiveness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In gastrointestinal malignancies—including gastric, hepatic, colorectal, esophageal, gallbladder, and pancreatic cancers—SUMOylation drives tumor growth, metastasis, and invasiveness by reprogramming metabolic processes, signaling networks, and the surrounding tumor niche. Additionally, it contributes to resistance against chemotherapy and radiotherapy.</div><div>Understanding the molecular basis of SUMOylation not only underscores its significance in oncogenesis but also provides a foundation for developing novel anticancer therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 101401"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050660","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}
Junbo Xiao , Yi Han , Kezhen Liu , Xiaotong Wang , Shizhe Li , Jun Yi , Xiaowei Liu
{"title":"Post-translational modifications: Bridging viral infections and inflammatory bowel disease","authors":"Junbo Xiao , Yi Han , Kezhen Liu , Xiaotong Wang , Shizhe Li , Jun Yi , Xiaowei Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Macrophages are key innate immune cells that defend against pathogens, maintain tissue homeostasis, and regulate inflammation. A complex network of post-translational modifications (PTMs) controls the flexibility and adaptability of macrophage functions. These modifications change the structure, function, location, and interactions of proteins through covalent mechanisms such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, acetylation, and glycosylation. This enables macrophages to respond quickly and accurately to changes in their microenvironment. Dysregulated macrophage function is pivotal to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the resultant outcomes following viral infections. Recent evidence suggests that macrophage PTMs provide a mechanistic link between IBD and viral infection. Viral infections may accelerate disease onset or exacerbate IBD activity. Viruses exploit the PTM machinery of host cells for their replication and immune evasion. This review discusses how PTM changes in macrophages caused by viral infections can lead to a long-lasting, pro-inflammatory state that could tip the balance of intestinal immunity toward chronic IBD. We elucidate the functions of traditional PTMs such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, acetylation, and glycosylation, in conjunction with emerging modifications such as lactylation and citrullination (deimination). We emphasize their distinct roles in both antiviral responses and IBD pathogenesis, while also exploring therapeutic strategies targeting PTM pathways.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 101417"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245808","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":"The bidirectional link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer: A diagnostic aid, risk factor, and potential target for future therapy","authors":"Kevin Verhoeff, A.M. James Shapiro","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Historically, patients with pancreatic cancer presented with hyperglycemia and glycemic intolerance, leading to a hypothesis that diabetes may be associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Nearly 50 years later, our understanding about the association and pathophysiological link between diabetes and PDAC continues to expand. What has been elucidated is that new-onset diabetes, especially in patients with weight loss or over the age of 50, may be an early clinical sign of PDAC. Additionally, long-standing diabetes remains an independent risk factor for development of PDAC. The pathophysiology of both new-onset and long-standing diabetes and PDAC is closely linked to non-alcoholic steatopancreatitis, the local inflammatory microenvironment, and metabolic alterations that bidirectionally arise from and worsen diabetes. This review summarizes current evidence evaluating the association between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. We also review the pathophysiology of this interaction, and discuss how understanding these mechanism may allow prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pancreatic malignancy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 101414"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159379","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}
Jiaqi Li , Qingqing Zhai , Wangzheqi Zhang , Yisheng Chen , Changli Wang , Xiaoming Deng , Haoling Zhang , Zhiheng Lin , Yalin Zhu
{"title":"The multifunctionality of the caspase family of proteases: A new perspective beyond cell death","authors":"Jiaqi Li , Qingqing Zhai , Wangzheqi Zhang , Yisheng Chen , Changli Wang , Xiaoming Deng , Haoling Zhang , Zhiheng Lin , Yalin Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Caspase family proteases, as aspartate-specific cysteine proteases, have long been considered to function exclusively in programmed cell death. However, emerging evidence indicates that their functions extends well beyond apoptosis. Members of this family exhibit numerous non-cell death functions through dynamic regulation of activity gradients and spatiotemporal localization, participating extensively in physiological processes such as neuronal synaptic remodeling, immune homeostasis regulation, and metabolic reprogramming, thereby forming a functional continuum from the molecular to the system level. Based on these novel functions, we propose a function-oriented classification of caspases into three categories: homeostatic, defensive, and remodeling types, while revealing their cross-category functional overlap. In addition, the development of conformation-specific inhibitors and microenvironment-responsive delivery systems provides precise regulatory tools for targeted therapy. This paper systematically summarizes the non-apoptotic functions of the caspase family and proposes a \"spatiotemporal activity\" dynamic model, opening new avenues for tumor therapy, neurodegenerative disease intervention, and immune disorder regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 101411"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145092931","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":"The ocular immune system and Flaviviruses: A crossroad between defense and disease","authors":"Yao Xu , Wei Zhu , Xiao-feng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flaviviruses are emerging arthropod-borne viruses that cause severe endemic infections and epidemics on a global scale. Recent Zika virus outbreaks have highlighted a significant link between the virus and ocular abnormalities, increasing interest in the pathogenesis of Flaviviruses. Flavivirus pathogenesis involves a complex interplay between viral replication and immune responses, leading to a wide spectrum of human diseases. Flavivirus infections can cause ocular complications that are usually self-limiting but can result in irreversible visual impairment and vision loss. These complications can affect both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, and symptoms can range from mild conjunctivitis to more severe conditions like uveitis and even the inflammation of the optic nerve. Ocular inflammation often arises from the immune system's response to viral infections. In ocular Flavivirus infections, the immune response aims to protect the eye, but it can sometimes lead to inflammation and tissue damage. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the major Flaviviruses (Zika, Dengue, Yellow Fever, and West Nile) reported to cause ocular manifestations in humans, with emphasis on viral immunopathogenesis. Hence, we discuss how Flaviviruses modulate immune responses and cause ocular manifestations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 101409"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145081967","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}
Pei Liu , Weiwei Wang , Kun Zhao , Hong Zhang , Mingqiang Liu , Jianlei Li , Yadong Guo , Anquan Shang , Yongqiang Sun
{"title":"Viral pathogens in bone- and bone-marrow derived malignancies: Friends or foes?","authors":"Pei Liu , Weiwei Wang , Kun Zhao , Hong Zhang , Mingqiang Liu , Jianlei Li , Yadong Guo , Anquan Shang , Yongqiang Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101427","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101427","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Bone</h3><div>and bone-marrow associated cancers, including osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, multiple myeloma, and various leukemias, are highly aggressive tumors with limited therapeutic options and poor outcomes. Viruses play a paradoxical role in these diseases, acting both as pathogenic drivers and as potential therapeutic agents. On one hand, oncogenic viruses such as Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and hepatitis viruses have been implicated in the initiation and progression of certain hematologic and skeletal malignancies. On the other hand, oncolytic viruses have emerged as promising ‘friends,’ engineered to selectively infect, lyse, and stimulate immune responses against malignant cells within the unique microenvironment of bone and bone marrow. This duality raises critical questions about how viral biology intersects with cancer pathogenesis and therapy. In this review, we explore the evidence for viral pathogens as both foes that contribute to tumorigenesis and friends that can be harnessed as novel therapeutic platforms. We further highlight delivery challenges, safety considerations, and translational opportunities that may shape the future of virotherapy for bone and marrow cancers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"106 ","pages":"Article 101427"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606774","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":"Molecular mechanism involved in sarcopenia and frailty, diagnosis and therapy","authors":"Jose Viña, Maria Carmen Gomez-Cabrera","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101387","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 101387"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144805126","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":"Unveiling the P2X7 receptor: Exploring its mechanisms, pathogenic role in ocular diseases, and emerging therapeutic potential","authors":"Kai-Yang Chen , Hoi-Chun Chan , Chi-Ming Chan","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Purinergic signaling, mediated by extracellular ATP (eATP) and P2 receptors, plays a vital role in physiological and pathological processes. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), a ligand-gated cation channel, is crucial in inflammation, cell death, and immune responses. Widely expressed in retinal cells, P2X7R contributes to visual function regulation and retinal degeneration. This review explores P2X7R involvement in retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Behçet's disease (BD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), uveitis, Stargardt's disease (STGD), and toxoplasmosis.</div><div>P2X7R activation drives inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune dysregulation. For instance, it contributes to RPE degeneration in AMD, vascular proliferation in DR, neuroinflammation in glaucoma, and photoreceptor loss in RP. In uveitis, P2X7R enhances Th1 and Th17 responses. Targeting P2X7R with antagonists or modulators holds therapeutic potential, offering strategies to preserve retinal function and prevent vision loss in these debilitating diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 101389"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144720951","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}
Jing Xia , Jing Jin , Shuang Dai , HaoHan Fan , KeLiang Chen , JianMei Li , Feng Luo , Xingchen Peng
{"title":"Mitophagy: A key regulator of radiotherapy resistance in the tumor immune microenvironment","authors":"Jing Xia , Jing Jin , Shuang Dai , HaoHan Fan , KeLiang Chen , JianMei Li , Feng Luo , Xingchen Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality, with radiation therapy (RT) as a cornerstone of treatment despite frequent radioresistance. Emerging evidence indicates that mitophagy activation contributes to adaptive radioresistance of cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we highlight the dual role of mitophagy in modulating RT resistance and shaping the immune landscape of the TME. Mitophagy enhances cancer cell resilience by clearing radiation-damaged mitochondria, preserving metabolic homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress, while simultaneously altering the balance between immune activation and suppression within the TME. To provide mechanistic insight, we summarize key mitophagy-regulating pathways—including the PINK1/Parkin axis, BNIP3/NIX, and FUNDC1-mediated mechanisms—that respond to RT-induced mitochondrial stress and represent potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we explore how the interplay between mitophagy, metabolic reprogramming, and immune modulation shapes resistance not only to RT but also to immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy. Additionally, we examine how Type 2 diabetes(T2DM) mellitus impacts this process, as its associated metabolic disturbances exacerbate mitochondrial vulnerability to radiation and create an immunosuppressive milieu that compromises the tumor immune landscape. Understanding these interactions may support development of personalized therapeutic strategies for diabetic cancer patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 101385"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144665892","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}
Heng'an Ge , Zhoutong Shi , Centao Liu , Jingwei Lu , Ying Yao , Biao Cheng
{"title":"Viral and non-viral vectors for gene therapy in the treatment of bone-related disorders: molecular insights and clinical perspectives","authors":"Heng'an Ge , Zhoutong Shi , Centao Liu , Jingwei Lu , Ying Yao , Biao Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101400","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mam.2025.101400","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gene therapy offers a transformative approach for treating debilitating bone disorders by delivering therapeutic genetic material to target sites. The efficacy and safety of this approach are heavily reliant on the chosen delivery vehicle, either viral or non-viral vectors. Viral vectors are characterized by high transduction efficiency and the potential for long-term expression, as exemplified by Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs) and lentiviruses. However, their use is tempered by concerns over immunogenicity, manufacturing complexity, and safety. In contrast, non-viral vectors, which employ synthetic or physical methods, offer compelling advantages in safety, reduced immunogenicity, and manufacturing scalability but traditionally suffer from lower delivery efficiency. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing their cellular uptake and stability through advanced strategies such as lipid and polymer complexation and physical methods, aiming for targeted delivery to bone tissue. This includes the development of various nanocarriers and hydrogels designed to overcome physiological barriers. This study aims to comprehensively review and compare the current landscape of viral and non-viral gene therapy vectors, highlighting their mechanisms, advantages, disadvantages, and clinical applicability in the context of bone tissue regeneration and the treatment of bone disorders, with a focus on recent advancements and future directions to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49798,"journal":{"name":"Molecular Aspects of Medicine","volume":"105 ","pages":"Article 101400"},"PeriodicalIF":10.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916859","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}