Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-22DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00552-4
Sohini Chakraborty, Satarupa Banerjee
{"title":"Combatting cellular immortality in cancers by targeting the shelterin protein complex.","authors":"Sohini Chakraborty, Satarupa Banerjee","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00552-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00552-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Shelterin proteins (TERF1, TERF2, TPP1, TINF2, POT1) protect telomeres, prevent unwarranted repair activation, and regulate telomerase activity. Alterations in these proteins can lead to cancer progression. This study uses an in-silico approach to examine shelterin in tumour samples across various cancers, employing mutation plots, phylogenetic trees, and sequence alignments. Network pharmacology identified TERF1 as an essential shelterin protein and transcription factors RUNX1, CTCF, and KDM2B as potential biomarkers due to their interactions with miRNAs and shelterin proteins. We performed MCODE analysis to identify subnetworks of ncRNAs interacting with the shelterin proteins. Shelterin expression predicted patient survival in 24 cancer types, with TERF1, TERF2, TINF2, and POT1 significantly expressed in testicular, AML, prostate, breast and renal cancers, respectively, and TPP1 in AML and skin cancer. Spearman and Pearson's analyses showed significant correlations of TERF1 across cancers, with near-significant correlations for all five proteins in different cancer datasets like breast cancer, kidney renal papillary and lung squamous cell carcinoma, skin cutaneous melanoma, etc.,. Shelterin expression correlated with patient survival in breast, renal, lung, skin, uterine, and gastric cancers. Insights into TPP1-associated glycans highlighted glycosylated sites contributing to tumorigenesis. This study provides molecular signatures for further functional and therapeutic research on shelterin, highlighting its potential as a target for anti-cancer therapies and promising prospects for cancer prognosis and prediction.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"120"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11585132/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142692697","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-20DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00567-x
Hao Xu, Hui Pan, Lian Fang, Cangyuan Zhang, Chen Xiong, Weiti Cai
{"title":"A glutamine metabolish-associated prognostic model to predict prognosis and therapeutic responses of hepatocellular carcinoma.","authors":"Hao Xu, Hui Pan, Lian Fang, Cangyuan Zhang, Chen Xiong, Weiti Cai","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00567-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00567-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most lethal malignancies around the world. However, the current management strategies for predicting prognosis in HCC patients remain unreliable. Our study developed a robust prognostic model based on glutamine metabolism associated-genes (GMAGs), utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The prognostic values of model were validated through the databases of the Gene Expression Omnibus and International Cancer Genome Consortium via Kaplan‒Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The potential biological pathways associated with prognostic risk were investigated through different enrichment analysis, and Gene variation analysis. The correlation between prognostic model and therapeutic responses were analyzed. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and cellular experiments were measured to analyze the GMAGs. Consequently, a prognostic model was constructed of 4 GMAGs (RRM1, RRM2, G6PD, and GPX7) through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The Kaplan‒Meier curves and ROC curves showed a reliable predictive capacity of prognosis for HCC patients (p < 0.05). The enrichment analyses revealed a multitude of biological pathways that are significantly associated with cancer. Patients with high prognostic risk might be sensitive to immunotherapy (p < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR revealed that all 4 GMAGs exhibited significantly higher expression levels in HCC samples compared to normal samples (p < 0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of RRM1 suppresses the progression of HCC cells. In this study, we developed a robust prognostic model for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients based on GMAGs, and identified RRM1 as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"118"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11577587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142675175","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-20DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00558-y
Edison Di Pietro, Romina Burla, Mattia La Torre, Mary-Paz González-García, Raffaele Dello Ioio, Isabella Saggio
{"title":"Telomeres: an organized string linking plants and mammals.","authors":"Edison Di Pietro, Romina Burla, Mattia La Torre, Mary-Paz González-García, Raffaele Dello Ioio, Isabella Saggio","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00558-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00558-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Telomeres are pivotal determinants of cell stemness, organismal aging, and lifespan. Herein, we examined similarities in telomeres of Arabidopsis thaliana, mice, and humans. We report the common traits, which include their composition in multimers of TTAGGG sequences and their protection by specialized proteins. Moreover, given the link between telomeres, on the one hand, and cell proliferation and stemness on the other, we discuss the counterintuitive convergence between plants and mammals in this regard, focusing on the impact of niches on cell stemness. Finally, we suggest that tackling the study of telomere function and cell stemness by taking into consideration both plants and mammals can aid in the understanding of interconnections and contribute to research focusing on aging and organismal lifespan determinants.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"119"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11577926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142680600","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-18DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00568-w
Yu Zhou, Yuan Yuan, Xuanqi Yao, Lin Wang, Liangfang Yao, Daolin Tang, Feng Chen, Jinbao Li
{"title":"miPEP31 alleviates sepsis development by regulating Chi3l1-dependent macrophage polarization.","authors":"Yu Zhou, Yuan Yuan, Xuanqi Yao, Lin Wang, Liangfang Yao, Daolin Tang, Feng Chen, Jinbao Li","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00568-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00568-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sepsis is a severe condition characterized by multiple organ dysfunction resulting from an imbalanced host immune response to infections. miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating various biological processes. However, the precise role of miR-31 in the immunopathology of sepsis remains poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The concentration of hsa-miR-31-5p in patients with sepsis (both survivors and non-survivors) and healthy individuals was assayed. Using an experimental sepsis model of caecal ligation and puncture (CLP), the impact of mmu-miR-31-5p on survival, organ injury, and inflammation was evaluated. Additionally, the effect of mmu-miR-31-5p on macrophage polarization through Chi3l1 was investigated. Lastly, the therapeutic effects of miPEP31 on experimental sepsis were examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of miRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) analyses identified hsa-miR-31-5p as a potential biomarker for patients with sepsis, with non-survivors showing higher levels of hsa-miR-31-5p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared to survivors. Functional studies conducted on peritoneal elucidated macrophages (PEMs) demonstrated that mmu-miR-31-5p inhibits M2 polarization in macrophages by downregulating Chi3l1. The utilization of miPEP31 as a therapeutic intervention had a substantial impact on reducing mortality rates, mitigating organ damage, inducing macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype, and suppressing the inflammatory response in murine models of severe sepsis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The suppression of miR-31 in sepsis plays a protective role in the host defense response by upregulating Chi3l1, highlighting the potential therapeutic efficacy of miPEP31 in sepsis treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"117"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11575066/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142667042","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":"Machine learning-driven estimation of mutational burden highlights DNAH5 as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.","authors":"Yangyang Fang, Tianmei Fu, Qian Zhang, Ziqing Xiong, Kuai Yu, Aiping Le","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00564-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00564-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) have emerged as pivotal predictive biomarkers in determining prognosis and response to immunotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. While Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) stands as the gold standard for TMB assessment, carry substantial costs and demand considerable time commitments. Additionally, the heterogeneity among high-TMB patients remains poorly characterized.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We employed eight advanced machine learning algorithms to develop gene-panel-based models for TMB estimation. To rigorously compare and validate these TMB estimation models, four external cohorts, involving 1,956 patients, were used. Furthermore, we computed the Pearson correlation coefficient between the estimated TMB and tumor neoantigen levels to elucidate their association. CD8<sup>+</sup> tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density was assessed via immunohistochemistry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The TMB estimation model based on the Lasso algorithm, incorporating 20 genes, exhibiting satisfactory performance across multiple independent cohorts (R<sup>2</sup> ≥ 0.859). This 20-gene TMB model proved to be an independent prognostic indicator for the progression-free survival (PFS) of CRC patients (p = 0.001). DNAH5 mutations were associated with a more favorable prognosis in high-TMB CRC patients, and correlated strongly with tumor neoantigen levels and CD8<sup>+</sup> TIL density.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The 20-gene model offers a cost-efficient approach to precisely estimating TMB, providing prognosis in patients with CRC. Incorporating DNAH5 within this model further refines the categorization of patients with elevated TMB. Utilizing the 20-gene model facilitates the stratification of patients with CRC, enabling more precise treatment planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"116"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11566893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614868","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00548-0
Wenlin Liu, Jie Wu, Yuanpu Lai, Siyi Zhang, Ankui Yang, Yixuan Li, Cuifang Chen, Zhongming Lu
{"title":"NID1 promotes laryngeal cancer stemness via activating WNT pathway.","authors":"Wenlin Liu, Jie Wu, Yuanpu Lai, Siyi Zhang, Ankui Yang, Yixuan Li, Cuifang Chen, Zhongming Lu","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00548-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00548-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Laryngeal cancer (LCA) is one of the most common head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with poor outcome. LCA stem cells are the main reason for LCA therapy resistance and relapse. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the self-renew of LCA stem cells is critical to develop now targets and strategies for LCA therapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Q-PCR and western blotting assays were used to determine NID1 level in LCA tissues and normal laryngeal tissues. MTT, colony formation assay, apoptosis assay and animal model were used to investigate the effect of NID1 on radiotherapy resistance. Side population assay and sphere formation assay were used to determine the role of LCA in the self-renew of LCA stem cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>NID1 was upregulated in LCA tissues, particularly in LCA tissues derived from relapsed patients, and associated with had poor outcome. NID1 knockdown suppressed radiotherapy resistance and the self-renew of LCA stem cells, while NID1 overexpression promoted radiotherapy resistance and the self-renew of LCA stem cells. Further analysis showed that NID1 promotes radiotherapy resistance and the self-renew of LCA stem cells via activating WNT pathway. Moreover, NID1 level was positively correlated with nuclear β-Catenin level in LCA tissues.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results show that NID1 promotes radiotherapy resistance and the self-renew of LCA stem cells via activating WNT pathway, providing a novel potential target for LCA treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"115"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11558908/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614901","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-12DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00565-z
Suyin Feng, Long Zhu, Yan Qin, Kun Kou, Yongtai Liu, Guangmin Zhang, Ziheng Wang, Hua Lu, Runfeng Sun
{"title":"Machine learning model reveals the role of angiogenesis and EMT genes in glioma patient prognosis and immunotherapy.","authors":"Suyin Feng, Long Zhu, Yan Qin, Kun Kou, Yongtai Liu, Guangmin Zhang, Ziheng Wang, Hua Lu, Runfeng Sun","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00565-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00565-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gliomas represent a highly aggressive class of tumors located in the brain. Despite the availability of multiple treatment modalities, the prognosis for patients diagnosed with glioma remains unfavorable. Therefore, further exploration of new biomarkers is crucial to enhance the prognostic assessment of glioma and to investigate more effective treatment options. In this research, we utilized multiple machine learning techniques to assess the significance of genes related to angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the context of prognosis and treatment for glioma patients. The random forest algorithm highlighted the significance of CALU, and further analysis indicated that the effect of CALU on glioma progression may be regulated by MYC. Different machine learning approaches were employed in our investigation to uncover crucial genes associated with angiogenesis and EMT in glioma. Our findings verify the connection between these genes and the prognosis of patients with glioma, as well as the results of immunotherapeutic interventions. Notably, through experimental verification, we identified CALU as a new prognostic marker for glioma, and inhibiting the expression of CALU can impede the progression of glioma.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"113"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11555840/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614853","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":"Active enhancers: recent research advances and insights into disease.","authors":"Junyou Zhang, Qilin Wang, Jiaxin Liu, Yingying Duan, Zhaoshuo Liu, Ziyi Zhang, Chunyan Li","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00559-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00559-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precise regulation of gene expression is crucial to development. Enhancers, the core of gene regulation, determine the spatiotemporal pattern of gene transcription. Since many disease-associated mutations are characterized in enhancers, the research on enhancer will provide clues to precise medicine. Rapid advances in high-throughput sequencing technology facilitate the characterization of enhancers at genome wide, but understanding the functional mechanisms of enhancers remains challenging. Herein, we provide a panorama of enhancer characteristics, including epigenetic modifications, enhancer transcripts, and enhancer-promoter interaction patterns. Furthermore, we outline the applications of high-throughput sequencing technology and functional genomics methods in enhancer research. Finally, we discuss the role of enhancers in human disease and their potential as targets for disease prevention and treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"112"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11556110/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614802","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-12DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00557-z
Hao Wang, Lei Zhang, Yunxiao Shang
{"title":"DEPTOR attenuates asthma progression by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress through SOD1.","authors":"Hao Wang, Lei Zhang, Yunxiao Shang","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00557-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00557-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been shown to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. DEPTOR (DEP Domain Containing MTOR Interacting Protein) is an endogenous mTOR inhibitor that participates in various physiological processes such as cell growth, apoptosis, autophagy, and ER homeostasis. However, the role of DEPTOR in the pathogenesis of asthma is still unknown. In this study, an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mice model and IL-13 induced 16HBE cells were used to evaluate the effect of DEPTOR on asthma. A decreased DEPTOR expression was shown in the lung tissues of OVA-mice and IL-13 induced 16HBE cells. Upregulation of DEPTOR attenuated airway goblet cell hyperplasia, inhibited mucus hypersecretion, decreased the expression of mucin MUC5AC, and suppressed the level of inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-5, which were all induced by OVA treatment. The increased protein expression of ER stress markers GRP78, CHOP, unfolded protein response (UPR) related proteins, and apoptosis markers in OVA mice were also inhibited by DEPTOR overexpression. In IL-13 induced 16HBE cells, overexpression of DEPTOR decreased IL-4, IL-5, and MUC5AC levels, preventing ER stress response and UPR process. Furthermore, from the proteomics results, we identified that SOD1 (Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase 1) may be the downstream factor of DEPTOR. Similar to DEPTOR, upregulation of SOD1 alleviated asthma progression. Rescue experiments showed that SOD1 inhibition abrogates the remission effect of DEPTOR on ER stress in vitro. In conclusion, these data suggested that DEPTOR attenuates asthma progression by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress through SOD1.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"114"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11556204/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614843","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}
Biology DirectPub Date : 2024-11-11DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00560-4
Xiangbo Huang, Nan Yi, Pengfei Zhu, Jian Gao, Jun Lv
{"title":"Sorafenib-induced macrophage extracellular traps via ARHGDIG/IL4/PADI4 axis confer drug resistance through inhibiting ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.","authors":"Xiangbo Huang, Nan Yi, Pengfei Zhu, Jian Gao, Jun Lv","doi":"10.1186/s13062-024-00560-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13062-024-00560-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common as well as leading causes of mortality worldwide, and sorafenib is the first-line treatment in HCC patients. Unfortunately, drug resistance to sorafenib often develops. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we reveal the important role of macrophage extracellular traps (METs)-mediated crosstalk between macrophages and tumor cells in sorafenib resistance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>METs in HCC tumor tissues were detected using immunofluorescence. The concentrations of MPO-DNA, elastase and cytokines were measured using ELISA. The mRNA expression levels of genes were confirmed by qRT-PCR. The siRNAs were conducted to knock ARHGDIG in Hepa1-6 and Hep3B cells. Western Blot assay was performed to determine protein expression of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor gamma (ARHGDIG, or RHOGDI-3), PADI2, and PADI4. Cell viability and migration were evaluated by CCK-8 assay and transwell assay, respectively. Cell ferroptosis was assessed by measurement of Fe<sup>2+</sup> concentration, flow cytometry assay of lipid ROS, and western blot assay of GPX4. The functions of sorafenib, DNase I, IL4 neutralization antibody and GPX4 in tumor growth were explored through in vivo experiments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sorafenib induced MET formation in M2 macrophages rather than M1 macrophages derived from both human and mice. In Hepa1-6 HCC mice, METs clearance by DNase I improved response to sorafenib therapy, detected by tumor weight, tumor growth curve, tumor volume, and survival. By screening candidate cytokines that affect macrophage function, we found that sorafenib-promoting IL4 secretion by HCC cells plays a crucial role in sorafenib-induced MET formation. Understanding the critical role of IL4 in sorafenib-induced MET formation led us to find that IL4 neutralization significantly improved the efficiency of sorafenib in HCC models. Mechanistically, we discovered that sorafenib increased the expression of ARHGDIG in HCC cells, which led to the release of IL4. In M2 macrophages, IL4 triggered MET formation by elevating the mRNA and protein expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) rather than PADI2. In HCC models, GSK484 inhibition of PADI4 could consistently weaken sorafenib resistance and improve sorafenib efficiency. Importantly, we discovered that METs contribute to sorafenib resistance by inhibiting the ferroptosis of HCC cells. Meanwhile, PADI4 inhibition or DNase I could reverse the sorafenib resistance caused by METs-inhibiting ferroptosis of HCC cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study concludes that sorafenib-induced METs inhibit the ferroptosis of tumor cells, suggesting that targeting the IL4/PADI4/METs axis in HCC could reduce or prevent sorafenib resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":9164,"journal":{"name":"Biology Direct","volume":"19 1","pages":"110"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11555812/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142614908","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}