Teng Xu, Yaning Wang, Zechen Zhao, Jinsong Wang, Zhenyuan Zhao, Yuemei Yang, Xiaomeng Song, Qingguo Lai
{"title":"TNFAIP2 promotes NF-κB signaling mediate lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by protecting IKKβ from ubiquitin proteasome degradation.","authors":"Teng Xu, Yaning Wang, Zechen Zhao, Jinsong Wang, Zhenyuan Zhao, Yuemei Yang, Xiaomeng Song, Qingguo Lai","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02077-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02077-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tumor dissemination is a life-threatening event which confers to most cancer-related deaths with limited effective therapeutic option. TNFα-induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2) reveals pro-metastasis potential in several cancers. However, its definite role and underlying mechanism in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is largely unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The impact of TNFAIP2 on tumor metastasis was assessed based on the conditional knockout mouse with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) induced OSCC model through feature and immunohistochemistry analysis. To explore the specific mechanism, enrichment analysis and co-immunoprecipitation were applied. Meanwhile, the nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) based RNA interference delivery system was designed to restrict tumor dissemination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The conditional knockout Tnfaip2 in epithelium reduced tumor initiation rate, differentiation degree and cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in mouse exposed to 4NQO. Enrichment analysis suggested nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling was associated with these effects. Western blot proved that TNFAIP2 prevented the ubiquitin proteasome degradation of inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells, kinase beta (IKKβ), a classical transcriptional activator protein in NF-κB signaling. Mechanistically, TNFAIP2 was demonstrated to competitively interact with kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) to avoid IKKβ from ubiquitination at K63 and proteasomal degradation subsequently, which finally sustained NF-κB signaling and facilitated tumor metastasis by enhancing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lymphangiogenesis. Notably, the synthetic small interfering RNA delivery systems nHAp@PLL-siTnfaip2 showed significant effect in attenuating tumor progression of OSCC mouse.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Above results showed TNFAIP2 promoted EMT and lymphangiogenesis of OSCC by regulating NF-κB signaling, a mechanism that was dependent on the interaction with KEAP1 competitively. The nHAp based TNFAIP2 interference might serve as a novel therapeutic in limiting OSCC metastasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"83"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827437/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiaxin Li, Linyuan Shen, Kai Wang, Shuang Wu, Yan Wang, Yuheng Pan, Siyu Chen, Ting Zhao, Ye Zhao, Lili Niu, Lei Chen, Shunhua Zhang, Li Zhu, Mailin Gan
{"title":"Biogenesis of stress granules and their role in the regulation of stress-induced male reproduction disorders.","authors":"Jiaxin Li, Linyuan Shen, Kai Wang, Shuang Wu, Yan Wang, Yuheng Pan, Siyu Chen, Ting Zhao, Ye Zhao, Lili Niu, Lei Chen, Shunhua Zhang, Li Zhu, Mailin Gan","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02054-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02054-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stress granules (SGs) are conserved messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) granules that form through rapid coalescence in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells under stressful environments. These dynamic membrane-free organelles can respond to a variety of both intracellular and extracellular stressors. Studies have shown that stress conditions such as heat stress, arsenite exposure, and hypoxic stress can induce SGs formation. The formation of SGs helps mitigates the effects of environmental stimuli on cells, protects them from damage, and promotes cell survival. This paper focuses on the biogenesis of SGs and summarizes the role in regulating environmental stress-induced male reproductive disorders, with the aim of exploring SGs as a potential means of mitigating male reproduction disorders. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the detrimental effects of environmental stress on germ cells can be effectively suppressed by regulating the formation and timely disassembly of SGs. Therefore, regulating the phosphorylation of eIF2α and the assembly and disassembly of SGs could offer a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate the impacts of environmental stress on male reproduction health.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"84"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827146/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephen Ariyeloye, Deepika Watts, Mangesh T Jaykar, Cagdas Ermis, Anja Krüger, Denise Kaden, Barbara K Stepien, Vasileia Ismini Alexaki, Mirko Peitzsch, Nicole Bechmann, Peter Mirtschink, Ali El-Armouche, Ben Wielockx
{"title":"HIF1α controls steroidogenesis under acute hypoxic stress.","authors":"Stephen Ariyeloye, Deepika Watts, Mangesh T Jaykar, Cagdas Ermis, Anja Krüger, Denise Kaden, Barbara K Stepien, Vasileia Ismini Alexaki, Mirko Peitzsch, Nicole Bechmann, Peter Mirtschink, Ali El-Armouche, Ben Wielockx","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02080-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02080-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypoxia is a critical physiological and pathological condition known to influence various cellular processes, including steroidogenesis. While previous studies, including our own, have highlighted the regulatory effects of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α) on steroid production, the specific molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the role of hypoxia and HIF1α in steroid biosynthesis across multiple experimental models during acute exposure to low oxygen levels.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To assess the extent to which acute hypoxia modulates steroidogenesis, we employed several approaches, including the Y1 adrenocortical cell line, and a conditional HIF1α-deficient mouse line in the adrenal cortex. We focused on various regulatory patterns that may critically suppress steroidogenesis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In Y1 cells, hypoxia upregulated specific microRNAs in a HIF1α-dependent manner, resulting in the suppression of mRNA levels of critical steroidogenic enzymes and a subsequent reduction in steroid hormone production. The hypoxia/HIF1α-dependent induction of these microRNAs and the consequent modulation of steroid production were confirmed in vivo. Notably, using our adrenocortical-specific HIF1α-deficient mouse line, we demonstrated that the increase in miRNA expression in vivo is also directly HIF1α-dependent, while the regulation of steroidogenic enzymes (e.g., StAR and Cyp11a1) and steroid production occurs at the level of protein translation, revealing an unexpected layer of control under hypoxic/HIF1 α conditions in vivo.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying acute hypoxia/HIF1α-induced changes in steroid biosynthesis and may also be useful in developing new strategies for various steroid hormone pathologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"86"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lingyun Tang, Wenjie Zhang, Teng Qi, Zhengting Jiang, Dong Tang
{"title":"Exosomes play a crucial role in remodeling the tumor microenvironment and in the treatment of gastric cancer.","authors":"Lingyun Tang, Wenjie Zhang, Teng Qi, Zhengting Jiang, Dong Tang","doi":"10.1186/s12964-024-02009-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-024-02009-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastric cancer (GC) is a common and frequent malignant cancer of the digestive system with a poor prognosis. In addition to common therapies such as surgical resection and chemotherapy, novel biological interventions are quite valuable for research. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) that originate from various cell types and contain proteins, RNA, DNA, and other components that transmit biological signals and mediate intercellular communication. Numerous studies have shown that exosomes shape the tumor microenvironment (TME) by affecting hypoxia, inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and interstitial changes in the tumor, playing a crucial role in the development and metastasis of GC. This article reviews the important role of exosomes in the TME of GC and explores their potential clinical applications in GC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"82"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hengjie Wang, Ming Gao, Qing Cheng, Shuai Zhu, Yu Chen, Ling Gu, Xuejiang Guo, Ran Huo, Bo Xiong, Qiang Wang
{"title":"PAK4 promotes the cytoskeletal organization and meiotic maturation via phosphorylating DDX17 in oocyte.","authors":"Hengjie Wang, Ming Gao, Qing Cheng, Shuai Zhu, Yu Chen, Ling Gu, Xuejiang Guo, Ran Huo, Bo Xiong, Qiang Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02085-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02085-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PAK4 has been widely reported to function in somatic cells. However, its role and the underlying mechanisms in meiotic oocytes are largely unknown. Here, we show that PAK4 deficiency significantly disrupts maturational progression and meiotic apparatus in mouse oocytes. Furthermore, based on the kinase substrate binding preference and systematic functional screening, our mechanistic investigation demonstrated that PAK4 promotes cytoskeletal organization and oocyte maturation through phosphorylating serine 597 on DDX17. Of note, we identified a marked reduction of PAK4 protein in oocytes from diabetic mice. Importantly, ectopic expression of hyperphosphorylation-mimicking DDX17 mutant (DDX17-S597D) partly prevented the meiotic defects in these diabetic oocytes, indicating that the decreased phosphorylation of DDX17 due to PAK4 insufficiency is responsible for the impaired oocyte quality. In sum, these findings unveil the pivotal role of PAK4 in oocyte development and indicate a novel mechanism controlling meiotic progression and structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"85"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaowei Sun, Yanan Li, Yuxin He, Longjiao Cheng, Li Wang, Jinzi Wei, Jianan Chen, Linxuan Du, Zhongyang Shen, Yan Xie, Adam C Midgley, Wentao Jiang, Sei Yoshida
{"title":"Aberrant expression of GTPase-activating protein ARAP1 triggers circular dorsal ruffles associated with malignancy in hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells.","authors":"Xiaowei Sun, Yanan Li, Yuxin He, Longjiao Cheng, Li Wang, Jinzi Wei, Jianan Chen, Linxuan Du, Zhongyang Shen, Yan Xie, Adam C Midgley, Wentao Jiang, Sei Yoshida","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02084-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02084-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs) are large and rounded membrane ruffles that function as precursors of macropinocytosis. We recently reported that CDRs form in Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, but not in Huh7 and HepG2 HCC cells or LO2 cells, suggesting that an unknown molecular mechanism implicates CDRs in Hep3B malignancy through macropinocytosis uptake of excessive extracellular nutrients. In this study, we investigated the cellular role and the mechanism of CDRs in Hep3B cells by focusing on the GTPase-activating protein ARAP1.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>ARAP1 knock-out (KO) cells were generated. Confocal microscopy and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for identification of the target proteins and structure analysis, respectively. Proteasome inhibitor MG132, mitochondrial function inhibitor CCCP, ARF1 inhibitor Golgicide A, and macropinocytosis inhibitor EIPA were used to investigate the molecular mechanism. Cell proliferation and Transwell migration/invasion assays were used to investigate the role of ARAP1 in cellular malignancy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ARAP1 was localized to CDRs, which had reduced size following ARAP1 KO. CDRs comprised small vertical lamellipodia, the expression pattern of which was disrupted in ARAP1 KO cells. Extracellular solute uptake, rate of cell growth, and malignant potential were attenuated in KO cells. ARAP1 was also localized to mitochondria in Hep3B cells but not in the control cell lines. Mitochondrial fission protein was increased in KO cells. CCCP treatment blocked CDRs in Hep3B cells but not in controls. Surprisingly, ARAP1 expression level in Hep3B cells was lower than in Huh7, HepG2, and LO2 cells. MG132 treatment increased the ARAP1 levels in Hep3B cells, but not in Huh7 cells, revealing that ARAP1 is actively degraded in Hep3B cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results strongly suggest that the aberrant expression of ARAP1 in Hep3B cells modulates CDRs via mitochondrial function, thereby resulting in excess uptake of nutrients as an initial event in cancer development. Based on these findings, we propose that the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of CDRs, focusing on ARAP1, may serve as an effective therapeutic target in some types of HCC and cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"75"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11816549/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143400785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extracellular vesicles in Helicobacter pylori-mediated diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic potential.","authors":"Jianjun Wang, Xiuping Wang, Hao Luo, Yiping Xie, Hui Cao, Lingxiang Mao, Tingting Liu, Yushan Yue, Hui Qian","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02074-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02074-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are relevant elements for cell-to-cell communication and are considered crucial in host-pathogen interactions by transferring molecules between the pathogen and the host during infections. These structures participate in various physiological and pathological processes and are considered promising candidates as disease markers, therapeutic reagents, and drug carriers. Both H. pylori and the host epithelial cells infected by H. pylori secrete EVs, which contribute to inflammation and the development of disease phenotypes. However, many aspects of the cellular and molecular biology of EV functions remain incompletely understood due to methodological challenges in studying these small structures. This review also highlights the roles of EVs derived from H. pylori-infected cells in the pathogenesis of gastric and extragastric diseases. Understanding the specific functions of these EVs during H. pylori infections, whether are advantageous to the host or the pathogen, may help the development new therapeutic approaches to prevent disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"79"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11816533/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143400786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zengfa Deng, Changzhao Li, Shu Hu, Yanlin Zhong, Wei Li, Zhencan Lin, Xiaolin Mo, Ming Li, Dongliang Xu, Dianbo Long, Guping Mao, Yan Kang
{"title":"sdRNA-D43 derived from small nucleolar RNA snoRD43 improves chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression by negatively regulating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway via dual-targeting NRF1 and WIPI2.","authors":"Zengfa Deng, Changzhao Li, Shu Hu, Yanlin Zhong, Wei Li, Zhencan Lin, Xiaolin Mo, Ming Li, Dongliang Xu, Dianbo Long, Guping Mao, Yan Kang","doi":"10.1186/s12964-024-01975-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-024-01975-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chondrocyte senescence play an essential role in osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Recent studies have shown that snoRNA-derived RNA fragments (sdRNAs) are novel regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression. However, the expression profiles and their role in post-transcriptional gene regulation in chondrocyte senescence and OA progression is unknown. Here, we determined sdRNAs expression profile and explored sdRNA-D43 role in OA and its mechanism.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used qPCR arrays to determine sdRNAs expression in the chondrocytes of areas undamaged and damaged of the three knee OA samples. SdRNA-D43 expression was determined using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. Then, bioinformatics analysis was conducted on the target genes that might be silenced by sdRNA-D43. Primary chondrocytes of damaged regions of knee OA samples were transfected with a sdRNA-D43 inhibitor or mimic to determine their functions, including in relation to mitophagy and chondrocyte senescence. Argonaute2-RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to determine the target gene of sdRNA-D43. In a rat OA model induced by monosodium iodoacetate, adeno-associated virus sh-rat-sdRNA-D43 was injected into the knee joint cavity to assess its in vivo effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>sdRNA-D43 expression were upregulated in damaged areas of knee OA cartilage with increased senescent chondrocytes. sdRNA-D43 inhibited mitophagy and promoted chondrocytes senescence during OA progression. Mechanistically, sdRNA-D43 silenced the expression of both NRF1 and WIPI2 by binding to their 3'-UTR in an Argonaute2‑dependent manner, which inhibited PINK1/Parkin-mediated pathway. Additionally, injection of AAV-sh-sdRNA-D43 alleviated the progression of OA in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat model.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results reveal an important role for a novel sdRNA-D43 in OA progression. sdRNA-D43 improves chondrocyte senescence by negatively regulating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway via dual-targeting NRF1 and WIPI2, which provide a potential therapeutic strategy for OA treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"77"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11817878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143400800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rishi Man Chugh, Payel Bhanja, Ryan Zitter, Sumedha Gunewardena, Rajeev Badkul, Subhrajit Saha
{"title":"Modulation of β-Catenin promotes WNT expression in macrophages and mitigates intestinal injury.","authors":"Rishi Man Chugh, Payel Bhanja, Ryan Zitter, Sumedha Gunewardena, Rajeev Badkul, Subhrajit Saha","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02065-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02065-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Macrophages are the major source of WNT ligands. However, the regulation of WNT expression in macrophages has not been studied. In the present study, we have discovered that activation of canonical β-Catenin signaling suppresses WNT expression in macrophages. EVs from these pre-conditioned macrophages promoted intestinal stem cell regeneration and mitigated intestinal injury.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>ChIP-seq analysis and validation studies using recombinant DNA construct expressing Luciferase reporter under WNT promoter (e.g. WNT5a and WNT9b) were conducted to demonstrate the involvement of β-Catenin in the transcriptional regulation of WNT expression. The regulatory role of β-Catenin in WNT expression in macrophages was examined by treating these cells with a Tankyrase inhibitor. In addition, the gene expressing β-Catenin was deleted in macrophages using Csf1r.iCre; Ctnnb1<sup>fl/fl</sup> mice model. Both pharmacological and genetically modulated macrophages were examined for WNT expression and activity by qPCR and TCF/LEF luciferase assay respectively. Additionally, Csf1r.iCre; Ctnnb1<sup>fl/fl</sup> mice were exposed to irradiation to compare the radiosensitivity with their wildtype littermate. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from pre-conditioned WNT-enriched macrophages and infused in irradiated C57BL/6 and Lgr5/eGFP-IRES-Cre-ERT2; R26-ACTB-tdTomato-EGFP mice to determine the regenerative response of intestinal stem cell (ISC) and epithelial repair. Regenerative effects of EVs were also examined in mice model DSS induced colitis.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>ChIP-seq analysis and subsequent validation study suggested physical association of β-Catenin with WNT promoters to suppress WNT expression. Macrophage specific deletion of gene expressing β-Catenin or pharmacological inhibition of Tankyrase improves the WNT expression in macrophages several folds compared to control. Transfusion of these preconditioned macrophages or EVs from these cells delivers optimum level of morphogenic WNT to injured epithelium, activates ISC regeneration and mitigated radiation induced intestinal injury. Intestinal epithelium in Csf1r.iCre; Ctnnb1<sup>fl/fl</sup> mice also showed radioresistance compared to wild type littermate. Moreover, EVs derived from WNT enriched macrophages can mitigate intestinal injury in mice model of DSS induced acute colitis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study provides substantial evidence that macrophage-targeted modulation of canonical WNT signaling induces WNT expression in macrophages. Treatment with preconditioned macrophage derived WNT-enriched EVs can be a promising therapeutic approach against intestinal injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"78"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11818365/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143400793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Steffen K Meurer, Gina Bronneberg, Christian Penners, Marlies Kauffmann, Till Braunschweig, Christian Liedtke, Michael Huber, Ralf Weiskirchen
{"title":"TGF-β1 Induces Mucosal Mast Cell Genes and is Negatively Regulated by the IL-3/ERK1/2 Axis.","authors":"Steffen K Meurer, Gina Bronneberg, Christian Penners, Marlies Kauffmann, Till Braunschweig, Christian Liedtke, Michael Huber, Ralf Weiskirchen","doi":"10.1186/s12964-025-02048-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12964-025-02048-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mast cells develop from the myeloid lineage and are released from the bone marrow as immature cells, which then differentiate at the destination tissue based on cues from the local environment. In the liver, mast cells are recruited in diseased states to fibrogenic surroundings rich in TGF-β1. The aim of this study was to investigate TGF-β1 signaling in primary and permanent mast cells to identify common and unique mechanisms. The TGF-β receptor repertoire is similar among mast cells, with high expression of type I and type II receptors and very low expression of type III receptors (Betaglycan and Endoglin). Downstream, TGF-β1 activates the SMAD2/3 signaling axis and also SMAD1/5 with target genes Smad6 and Id1 in a transient manner. Initially, TGF-β1 upregulates the transcription of mucosal mast cell effectors Mcpt1 and Mcpt2 in all analyzed mast cells. This upregulation is reduced in the presence of IL-3, which promotes proliferation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation reduces proliferation and mitigates the negative effect of IL-3 on Mcpt1 mRNA and protein expression in the immortalized mast cell line PMC-306 but not in bone marrow-derived mast cells. Therefore, extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK1/2 are identified as a mutual switch between IL-3-driven proliferation and TGF-β1-promoted mucosal mast cell differentiation in PMC-306. In conclusion, TGF-β1 promotes a mucosal gene signature and inhibits proliferation in mast cells, with these effects being counter-regulated by IL-3/ERK1/2.</p>","PeriodicalId":55268,"journal":{"name":"Cell Communication and Signaling","volume":"23 1","pages":"76"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11817834/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143400804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}