Chronic tendon pathology: molecular basis and therapeutic implications

Tendons are frequently affected by chronic pain or rupture. Many causative factors have been implicated in the pathology, which until relatively recently was under-researched and poorly understood. There is now a greater knowledge of the molecular basis of tendon disease. Most tendon pathology (tendinopathy) is associated with degeneration, which is thought to be an active, cell-mediated process involving increased turnover and remodelling of the tendon extracellular matrix. Degradation of the tendon matrix is mediated by a variety of metalloproteinase enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases and 'aggrecanases'. Neuropeptides and other factors released by stimulated cells or nerve endings in or around the tendon might influence matrix turnover, and could provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention.     

Toll-like receptors and intestinal defence: molecular basis and therapeutic implications

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a principle role in distinct pathogen recognition and in the initiation of innate immune responses of the intestinal mucosa. Activated innate immunity interconnects downstream with adaptive immunity in complex feedback regulatory loops. Intestinal disease might result from inappropriate activation of the mucosal immune system driven by TLRs in response to normal luminal flora.     

Post-lactational mammary gland regression: molecular basis and implications for breast cancer

During pregnancy, there is a massive increase in the number of luminal epithelial cells in the breast, which are destined to become the milk factories after birth. These cells are no longer required when the young are weaned, and are removed in a carefully orchestrated event called involution. In this process, the secretory epithelial cells die and are replaced by adipocytes, which redifferentiate as the epithelium is removed. It is essential that the gland is properly remodelled to a pre-pregnant state so that successful lactation can occur following a subsequent pregnancy. Furthermore, failure to remove unnecessary lactational alveoli during weaning could result in inflammation and tissue damage. Recently, it has been shown that components in the fatty stroma in involuting breast can promote metastasis. Thus, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate involution, how these can fail, the consequences of the remodelling process, and how this knowledge can inform us about breast cancer. In this review, I discuss the roles of the JAK-STAT, NF-kappaB and other signalling pathways in the regulation of apoptosis and tissue remodelling during involution.     

Salmonella-induced enteritis: molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic implications

Salmonella-induced enteritis is a gastrointestinal disease that causes major economic and welfare problems throughout the world. Although the infection is generally self-limiting, subgroups of the population such as immunocompromised individuals, the young and the elderly are susceptible to developing more severe systemic infections. The emergence of widespread antibiotic resistance and the lack of a suitable vaccine against enteritis-causing Salmonella have led to a search for alternative therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on how Salmonella induces enteritis at the molecular level in terms of bacterial factors, such as the type III secretion systems used to inject a subset of bacterial proteins into host cells, and host factors, such as Toll-like receptors and cytokines. The type III secreted bacterial proteins elicit a variety of responses in host cells that contribute to enteritis. Cytokines form part of the host defence mechanism, but in combination with bacterial factors can contribute to Salmonella-induced enteritis. We also discuss animal and cell culture models currently used to study Salmonella-induced enteritis, and how understanding the mechanisms of the disease has impacted on the development of Salmonella therapeutics.     

Apoptosis in cancer: therapeutic implications

This review outlines the principal limitations of the mechanisms of active cell death (ACD, apoptosis) as the basis of tumorigenesis and the rationale of almost all therapies of malignancy. The concentration of cancer therapy in the direction of ACD induction is presented as both the result of progressive understanding of the mechanisms of apoptosis and that of the favourable tumor environment for ACD signal transmission. The latter property induces the by-stander killing of cancer cells, a fundamental mechanism because efficiency of all known methods of cancer treatment is far below 100%. Finally, recent results and hypotheses regarding cancer gene therapy based on final inductors of apoptosis and endogeneous ACD inhibitors in tumors are evaluated.     

The Warburg effect and its cancer therapeutic implications

Increased aerobic glycolysis in cancer, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect, has been observed in various tumor cells and represents a major biochemical alteration associated with malignant transformation. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying this metabolic change remain to be elucidated, the profound biochemical alteration in cancer cell energy metabolism provides exciting opportunities for the development of therapeutic strategies to preferentially kill cancer cells by targeting the glycolytic pathway. Several small molecules capable of inhibiting glycolysis in experimental systems have been shown to have promising anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. This review article provides a brief summary of our current understanding of the Warburg effect, the underlying mechanisms, and its influence on the development of therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.     

Huntington's disease: From molecular basis to therapeutic advances

Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant genetic neurodegenerative disorder, which is characterized by progressive motor dysfunction, emotional disturbances, dementia, and weight loss. The disease is caused by pathological CAG-triplet repeat extension(s), encoding polyglutamines, within the gene product, huntingtin. Huntingtin is ubiquitously expressed through the body and is a protein of uncertain molecular function(s). Mutant huntingtin, containing pathologically extended polyglutamines causes the earliest and most dramatic neuropathologic changes in the neostriatum and cerebral cortex. Extended polyglutamines confer structural conformational changes to huntingtin, which gains novel properties, resulting in aberrant interactions with multiple cellular components. The diverse and variable aberrations mediated by mutant huntingtin perturb many cellular functions essential for neuronal homeostasis and underlie pleiotropic mechanisms of Huntington's disease pathogenesis. The only approved drug for Huntington's disease is a symptomatic treatment, tetrabenazine; thus, novel neuroprotective strategies, slowing, blocking and possibly reversing disease progression, are vital for developing effective therapies.     

The neurovascular link in health and disease: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications

At first sight, the nervous and vascular systems seem to share little in common. However, neural and vascular cells not only are anatomically closely tied to each other, but they also utilize and respond to similar classes of signals to establish correct connectivity and wiring of their networks. Recent studies further provide evidence that this neurovascular crosstalk is more important for understanding the molecular basis of neurological disease than originally anticipated. Moreover, neurovascular strategies offer novel therapeutic opportunities for neurodegenerative disorders.     

ARID1A mutations in lung cancer: biology,prognostic role,and therapeutic implications

Mutations in the AT-interacting domain-rich protein 1A (ARID1A) gene, a critical component of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex, are frequently found in most human cancers. Approximately 5–10% of lung cancers carry ARID1A mutations. ARID1A loss in lung cancer correlates with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. Co-mutation of ARID1A and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) results in the limited efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) but increases the clinical benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ARID1A gene mutation plays a role in cell cycle regulation, metabolic reprogramming, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. We present the first comprehensive review of the relationship between ARID1A gene mutations and lung cancer and discuss the potential of ARID1A as a new molecular target.     

Molecular basis of inherited skin-blistering disorders, and therapeutic implications

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and associated skin-fragility syndromes are a group of inherited skin diseases characterised by trauma-induced blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Mutations in at least 14 distinct genes encoding molecular components of the epidermis or the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) can cause blistering skin diseases that differ by clinical presentation and severity of the symptoms. Despite great advances in discerning the genetic basis of this group of diseases, the molecular pathways leading to symptoms are not yet fully understood. Unravelling these pathways by molecular analysis of the structure and in vitro assessment of functional properties of the human proteins involved, combined with genetic models in lower organisms, should pave the way for specific cures for inherited skin fragility.     

The HER family and cancer: emerging molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family of transmembrane tyrosine kinases regulates diverse cellular functions in response to extracellular ligands. The deregulation of HER signaling through gene amplification or mutation is seen in many human tumors and an abundance of experimental evidence supports the etiological role of these events in cancer pathogenesis. In addition, the fact that they are feasible targets for both antibody and small-molecule therapeutics has made them highly pursued targets for the development of rationally designed anticancer drugs. Several HER-targeting agents have entered clinical practice and this has led to novel discoveries regarding the mechanisms of resistance, which has defined a new generation of challenges for targeted cancer therapies. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of HER signaling and targeting in cancer.     

RET in breast cancer: functional and therapeutic implications

Recent studies demonstrate that the receptor tyrosine kinase RET is overexpressed in a subset of ER-positive breast cancers and that crosstalk between RET and ER is important in responses to endocrine therapy. The development of small molecular inhibitors that target RET allows the opportunity to consider combination therapies as a strategy to improve response to treatment and to prevent and combat endocrine resistance. This review discusses: (i) the current knowledge about RET, its co-receptors and ligands in breast cancer; (ii) the breast cancer clinical trials involving agents that target RET; and (iii) the challenges that remain in terms of specificity of available inhibitors and in understanding the complex molecular mechanisms that underlie the resistance to endocrine therapy.     

The molecular basis of lymphoid architecture and B cell responses: implications for immunodeficiency and immunopathology

Immune responses usually take place in secondary lymphoid organs such as spleen and lymph nodes. Most lymphocytes within these organs are in transit, yet lymphoid organ structure is highly organized; T and B cells segregate into separate regions. B cell compartments include na?ve cells within follicles, marginal zones and B-1 cells. Interactions between TNF family molecules on hematopoietic cells and their receptors on mesenchymal cells guide the initial phase of lymphoid organogenesis, and regulate chemokine secretion that mediates subsequent T-B cell segregation. Recruitment of B cells into different compartments depends on both the milieu established during organogenesis, and the threshold for B cell receptor signaling, which is modulated by numerous coreceptors. Novel intrafollicular (germinal center) and extrafollicular (plasma cell) compartments are established when B cells respond to antigen. These divergent B cell responses are mediated by different patterns of gene expression, and influenced again by BCR signaling threshold and cellular interactions that depend on normal lymphoid architecture. Aberrant B cell responses are reviewed in the light of these principles taking into account the molecular and architectural aspects of immunopathology. Histological features of immunodeficiency reflect defects of B cell recruitment or differentiation. B cell hyper-reactivity may arise from altered BCR signaling thresholds (autoimmunity), defects in stimuli that guide differentiation in response to antigen (follicular hyperplasia vs plasmacytosis), or defective B cell gene expression. Interestingly, in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and Hashimoto's thyroiditis lymphoid organogenesis may be recapitulated in non-lymphoid parenchyma, under the influence of molecular interactions similar to those that operate during embryogenesis.     

乳腺癌靶向治疗的分子基础

近年来,乳腺癌靶向治疗的研究取得了显著进展。分子靶向药物通过作用于乳腺癌细胞相关细胞的分子信号传导途径,特异性针对异常环节进行干预,控制细胞基因的表达,从而抑制或杀死肿瘤细胞,以此达到治疗乳腺癌的目的。本文将对乳腺癌靶向治疗的分子基础研究进展做一综述。     

Nucleoside transporters: molecular biology and implications for therapeutic development.

The uptake of nucleosides (or nucleobases) is essential for nucleic acid synthesis in many human cell types and in parasitic organisms that cannot synthesize nucleotides de novo. The transporters responsible are also the route of entry for many cytotoxic nucleoside analogues used in cancer and viral chemotherapy. Moreover, by regulating adenosine concentrations in the vicinity of its cell-surface receptors, nucleoside transporters profoundly affect neurotransmission, vascular tone and other processes. The recent molecular characterization of two families of human nucleoside transporters has provided new insights into the mechanisms of natural nucleoside and drug uptake and into future developments of improved therapies.     

The molecular basis of FHA domain:phosphopeptide binding specificity and implications for phospho-dependent signaling mechanisms

Forkhead-associated (FHA) domains are a class of ubiquitous signaling modules that appear to function through interactions with phosphorylated target molecules. We have used oriented peptide library screening to determine the optimal phosphopeptide binding motifs recognized by several FHA domains, including those within a number of DNA damage checkpoint kinases, and determined the X-ray structure of Rad53p-FHA1, in complex with a phospho-threonine peptide, at 1.6 A resolution. The structure reveals a striking similarity to the MH2 domains of Smad tumor suppressor proteins and reveals a mode of peptide binding that differs from SH2, 14-3-3, or PTB domain complexes. These results have important implications for DNA damage signaling and CHK2-dependent tumor suppression, and they indicate that FHA domains play important and unsuspected roles in S/T kinase signaling mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.     

HDACi: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications in the innate immune system

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are an emerging class of novel anti-cancer drugs that cause growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells. In addition, many advances have been made in understanding the immunoregulation of Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors and interferons that have recently generated new momentum for the study of HDACi in immunity as a whole, and in the regulation of these innate signaling pathways specifically. HDACi have shown promise as new anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant agents. They have also demonstrated great potency and relative selectivity in various human/animal models of inflammatory diseases. This review focuses on recent progress and the current state of HDACi knowledge, as well as the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of HDACi for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers.