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LRRK2 is a kinase whose activity is linked to Parkinson’s disease. This study identifies a pathway that links LRRK2 activation to lysosome perturbations. This pathway involves the process known as CASM and culminates in an interaction between LRRK2 and GABARAP at the surface of lysosomes. View Publication

The only cure of HIV has been achieved in a small number of people who received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) comprising allogeneic cells carrying a rare,naturally occurring,homozygous deletion in the CCR5 gene. The rarity of the mutation and the significant morbidity and mortality of such allogeneic transplants precludes widespread adoption of this HIV cure. Here,we show the application of CRISPR/Cas9 to achieve >90% CCR5 editing in human,mobilized hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPC),resulting in a transplant that undergoes normal hematopoiesis,produces CCR5 null T cells,and renders xenograft mice refractory to HIV infection. Titration studies transplanting decreasing frequencies of CCR5 edited HSPCs demonstrate that <90% CCR5 editing confers decreasing protective benefit that becomes negligible between 54% and 26%. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using CRISPR/Cas9/RNP to produce an HSPC transplant with high frequency CCR5 editing that is refractory to HIV replication. These results raise the potential of using CRISPR/Cas9 to produce a curative autologous HSCT and bring us closer to the development of a cure for HIV infection. Subject terms: HIV infections,CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing,Retrovirus,Translational research View Publication

Introduction: Pathogenic variants in the OFD1 gene are linked to a spectrum of syndromes that exhibit partial clinical overlap. Hemizygous loss-of-function variants are considered lethal in males,while heterozygous loss-of-function variants generally result in oro-facial-digital syndrome type 1. A reported phenotype,Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome type 2,was published once but remains controversial,with many specialists questioning its validity and arguing about its continued listing in the OMIM database. Methods: To investigate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the patients,we performed clinical exome sequencing,family-based genetic analysis,X-inactivation studies,electron microscopy,and detailed clinical assessments. Results: Three patients from unrelated families carrying loss-of-function variants in the OFD1 gene were identified,emphasizing the diverse phenotypic spectrum of OFD1 -associated disorders. The first patient,a female with a heterozygous frameshift variant p.(Gln398LeufsTer2),was diagnosed with oro-facial-digital syndrome type 1. The second patient,a male with a heterozygous nonsense variant p.(Gln892Ter),presented with features resembling Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome type 2,as previously reported under this diagnosis. The third patient,a male with another heterozygous nonsense variant p.(Glu879Ter),exhibited isolated primary ciliary dyskinesia without any syndromic features. Conclusions: This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the expanding phenotypic spectrum of OFD1 -associated disorders. It underscores the need for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying the diverse presentations and the necessity of re-evaluating diagnostic classifications for conditions such as SGBS2 in the context of variants in the OFD1 gene. View Publication

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) chemoresistance and metastasis. In this study,we used two NSCLC cell lines to investigate the regulating effect of hypoxia in the induction and maintenance of CSC traits. Our study demonstrated hypoxia-induced stemness and chemoresistance at levels comparable to those in typical CSC sphere culture. Activation of the NF-κB pathway (by transfection of NF-κB-p65) plays a key role in NSCLC CSCs and chemoresistance. Disulfiram (DS),an anti-alcoholism drug,showed a strong in vitro anti-CSC effect. It blocked cancer cell sphere reformation and clonogenicity,synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity of four anti-NSCLC drugs (doxorubicin,gemcitabine,oxaliplatin and paclitaxel) and reversed hypoxia-induced resistance. The effect of DS on CSCs is copper-dependent. A very short half-life in the bloodstream is the major limitation for the translation of DS into a cancer treatment. Our team previously developed a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticle encapsulated DS (DS-PLGA) with a long half-life in the bloodstream. Intra venous injection of DS-PLGA in combination with the oral application of copper gluconate has strong anticancer efficacy in a metastatic NSCLC mouse model. Further study may be able to translate DS-PLGA into cancer applications. View Publication

This study aimed to evaluate different combinations of three dietary supplements for potential additive or synergistic effects in an in vitro Parkinson’s Disease model. The complex and diverse processes leading to neurodegeneration in each patient with a neurodegenerative disorder cannot be effectively addressed by a single medication. Instead,various combinations of potentially neuroprotective agents targeting different disease mechanisms simultaneously may show improved additive or synergistic efficacy in slowing the disease progression and allowing the agents to be utilized at lower doses to minimize side effects. We evaluated four possible combinations of the three selected supplements: tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA),co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10),and creatine,chosen for their effects on different targets that had previously shown neuroprotective effects in preclinical models. We evaluated the following combinations: (1) TUDCA+CoQ10,(2) TUDCA+Creatine,(3) CoQ10 + Creatine,and (4) TUDCA+CoQ10 + Creatine. We used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived human dopaminergic neurons from a patient with Parkinson’s disease and healthy control,as well as microglial cells,to evaluate for an additive or synergistic effect of these combinations on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. We used neurofilament heavy chain,tubulin filament,and proinflammatory cytokines as metrics. We have identified a triple combination of these supplements that showed an additive protective effect across all these endpoints. Indeed,the agents in that combination could address the majority of the known pathways leading to neurodegeneration,such as accumulation of misfolded α -synuclein,mitochondrial dysfunction,reactive oxygen species,and neuroinflammation. We demonstrated that the combination of TUDCA,CoQ10,and creatine exerts an additive effect in in vitro models of a neurodegenerative disease,surpassing the efficacy of each compound individually. This combination shows strong potential as a candidate for further preclinical confirmatory studies and clinical trials as a neuroprotective treatment for patients with,or at risk for,Parkinson’s disease. View Publication

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1),a key regulator of the G2/M phase in mitosis,is frequently overexpressed in numerous tumors. Although PLK1 inhibitors have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for cancer,their use has been linked to significant anemia in a subset of patients,yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study,we utilized an in vitro human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34 + cell-based erythroid differentiation system,alongside a murine model,to investigate the impact of PLK1 inhibitors on erythropoiesis. Our results indicate that PLK1 inhibitors,specifically GSK461364 and BI6727,significantly suppress the proliferation of erythroid cells,resulting in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest,increased apoptosis in erythroid cells,and the formation of abnormally nucleated late-stage erythroblasts. In vivo,administration of PLK1 inhibitors in mice induced severe anemia,as evidenced by a marked reduction in red blood cells and hemoglobin levels. More specifically,PLK1 inhibition impaired the differentiation and erythroid commitment of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow,resulting in abnormal accumulation of BFU-E cells and reduced proliferation and differentiation of CFU-E,and a decrease in the number of terminal erythrocytes. Mechanistically,PLK1 inhibitors primarily induce apoptosis in erythroid cells by reducing Mitochondrial membrane potential and arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Overall,our findings underscore the critical role of PLK1 in erythropoiesis and shed light on the mechanisms underlying PLK1 inhibitor-induced anemia,providing essential guidance for developing strategies to prevent and manage anemia in clinical applications of PLK1-targeted therapies. View Publication

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown remarkable clinical efficacy,they can also induce a paradoxical cancer acceleration,known as hyperprogressive disease (HPD),whose causative mechanisms are still unclear. This study investigated the mechanisms of ICI resistance in an HPD-NSCLC model. Two primary cell cultures were established from samples of a NSCLC patient,before ICI initiation (“baseline”,NSCLC-B) and during HPD (“hyperprogression”,NSCLC-H). The cell lines were phenotypically and molecularly characterized through immunofluorescence,Western Blotting and RNA-Seq analysis. To assess cell plasticity and aggressiveness,cellular growth patterns were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo through 2D and 3D cell growth assays and patient-derived xenografts establishment. In vitro investigations,including the evaluation of cell sensitivity to interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and cell response to PD-L1 modulation,were conducted to explore the influence of these factors on cell plasticity regulation. NSCLC-H exhibited increased expression of specific CD44 isoforms and a more aggressive phenotype,including organoid formation ability,compared to NSCLC-B. Plastic changes in NSCLC-H were well described by a deep transcriptome shift,that also affected IFN-γ–related genes,including PD-L1. IFN-γ–mediated cell growth inhibition was compromised in both 2D-cultured NSCLC-B and NSCLC-H cells. Further,the cytokine induced a partial activation of both type I and type II IFN-pathway mediators,together with a striking increase in NSCLC-B growth in 3D cell culture systems. Finally,low IFN-γ doses and PD-L1 modulation both promoted plastic changes in NSCLC-B,increasing CD44 expression and its ability to produce spheres. Our findings identified plasticity as a relevant hallmark of ICI-mediated HPD by demonstrating that ICIs can modulate the IFN-γ and PD-L1 pathways,driving tumor cell plasticity and fueling HPD development. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-024-06023-8. View Publication

Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas systems is a promising avenue for the treatment of genetic diseases. However,cellular and humoral immunogenicity of genome editing tools,which originate from bacteria,complicates their clinical use. Here we report reduced immunogenicity (Red)(i)-variants of two clinically relevant nucleases,SaCas9 and AsCas12a. Through MHC-associated peptide proteomics (MAPPs) analysis,we identify putative immunogenic epitopes on each nuclease. Using computational modeling,we rationally design these proteins to evade the immune response. SaCas9 and AsCas12a Redi variants are substantially less recognized by adaptive immune components,including reduced binding affinity to MHC molecules and attenuated generation of cytotoxic T cell responses,yet maintain wild-type levels of activity and specificity. In vivo editing of PCSK9 with SaCas9.Redi.1 is comparable in efficiency to wild-type SaCas9,but significantly reduces undesired immune responses. This demonstrates the utility of this approach in engineering proteins to evade immune detection. Subject terms: Protein design,Immunogenetics,CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing View Publication

Our study highlights the role of epigenetic machinery in transformation of normal pluripotent stem cells to variant pluripotent state. We demonstrate the importance of non-histone protein methylation,which underlie the EMT and abnormal differentiation behaviour of variant hESCs. View Publication

Th2 inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that MMP-12,produced by M2 macrophages,induces EMT in nasal epithelial cells,thereby contributing to airway inflammation and remodeling in CRSwNP. The expression levels of MMP-12 were measured by RT-PCR in CRS nasal mucosa and THP-1 cells. mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin,vimentin,α-SMA,and fibronectin were determined using RT-PCR,western blotting,and immunofluorescence staining in primary nasal epithelial cells and air-liquid interface culture. The expression of MMP-12 was significantly increased in CRSwNP and M2-like THP-1 cells. In co-culture with primary nasal epithelial cells and M2-like THP-1 cells,E-cadherin expression was inhibited,and fibronectin,vimentin,and α-SMA expression were increased. MMP-12 decreased E-cadherin but induced fibronectin,vimentin,and α-SMA mRNA and protein expression in primary nasal epithelial cells and air-liquid interface culture. MMP408,an MMP-12 inhibitor,inhibited EMT-related factors. These findings suggest that MMP-12 expression in M2 macrophages induces EMT in nasal epithelial cells and may contribute to the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. View Publication

Erythropoiesis is a crucial process in hematopoiesis,yet it remains highly susceptible to disruption by various diseases,which significantly contribute to the global challenges of anemia and blood shortages. Current treatments like erythropoietin (EPO) or glucocorticoids often fall short,especially for hereditary anemias such as Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). To uncover new erythropoiesis-stimulating agents,we devised a screening system using primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). We discovered that BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi),commonly used to treat BRAF V600E melanoma,can unexpectedly and effectively promote progenitor cell proliferation by temporarily delaying erythroid differentiation. Notably,these inhibitors exhibited pronounced efficacy even under cytokine-restricted conditions and in patient samples of DBA. Mechanistically,although these BRAFi inhibit the MAPK cascade in BRAF V600E mutant cells,they paradoxically act as amplifiers in wild-type BRAF cells,potently enhancing the cascade. Furthermore,we found that while the oncogenic BRAF V600E mutation disrupts hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis through AP-1 hyperactivation,BRAFi minimally impact HSPC self-renewal and differentiation. In vivo studies have shown that BRAFi can enhance human hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis in severe immunodeficient mouse models and alleviate anemia in the Rpl11 haploinsufficiency DBA model,as well as other relevant anemia models. This discovery underscores the role of the MAPK pathway in hematopoiesis and positions BRAFi as a promising therapeutic option for improving hematopoietic reconstitution and treating anemias,including DBA. Subject terms: Drug screening,Molecular medicine View Publication

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising multiple molecularly distinct subtypes with varied prevalence,prognostics,and treatment strategies. Among them,triple-negative breast cancer,though the least prevalent,is the most aggressive subtype,with limited therapeutic options. Recent emergence of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks has highlighted how long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs),microRNAs (miRs),and mRNA orchestrate a complex interplay meticulously modulating mRNA functionality. Focusing on TNBC,this study aimed to construct a ceRNA network using differentially expressed lncRNAs,miRs,and mRNAs. We queried the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) between TNBC and luminal samples and found 389 upregulated and 386 downregulated lncRNAs,including novel transcripts in TNBC. DElncRNAs were further evaluated for their clinical,functional,and mechanistic relevance to TNBCs using the lnc2cancer 3.0 database,which presented LUCAT1 (lung cancer-associated transcript 1) as a putative node. Next,the ceRNA network (lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA) of LUCAT1 was established. Several miRNA–mRNA connections of LUCAT1 implicated in regulating stemness (LUCAT1-miR-375-Yap1,LUCAT1-miR181-5p-Wnt,LUCAT1-miR-199a-5p-ZEB1),apoptosis (LUCAT1-miR-181c-5p-Bcl2),drug efflux (LUCAT1-miR-200c-ABCB1,LRP1,MRP5,MDR1),and sheddase activities (LUCAT1-miR-493-5p-ADAM10) were identified,indicating an intricate regulatory mechanism of LUCAT1 in TNBC. Indeed,LUCAT1 silencing led to mitigated cell growth,migration,and stem-like features in TNBC. This work sheds light on the LUCAT1 ceRNA network in TNBC and implies its involvement in TNBC growth and progression. View Publication