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Epithelioid glioblastoma (Ep-GBM) is a rare variant of glioblastoma characterized by a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Currently, there is no established standard treatment for Ep-GBM. Therefore, we identified 58 Ep-GBM cases to investigate these characteristics and identify the possible prognostic factors of survival. There were 30 male and 28 female patients with a median age of 39 years. Headaches and dizziness were the most common clinical symptom. The tumor is most frequently located in the temporal lobe (36.2%). The positivity rate for BRAF-V600E is 56.9% (33/58), for MGMT is 56.9% (33/58), and for INI-1 is 75% (30/40). Tumor recurrence was observed in 39 patients. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of all patients was 12.7 months, while the median overall survival (OS) was 29.1 months. Additionally, the median survival time after recurrence was 14.3 months. Both univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses revealed that individuals who received more than six cycles of adjuvant oral temozolomide experienced a longer median PFS compared to those who received fewer cycles. Characteristics associated with poorer PFS included tumor dissemination prior to initial surgery. Additionally, both analyses identified tumor dissemination, radiotherapy and adjuvant oral temozolomide as predictors of OS. Notably, for patients with recurrent Ep-GBM, reoperation was shown to significantly increase survival time after recurrence. In conclusion, the standard Stupp regimen is also applicable to patients with Ep-GBM, extending adjuvant oral temozolomide could further improve survival for Ep-GBM patients, reoperation may also prolong survival for recurrent Ep-GBM., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Influenza virus (IV) infection currently poses a serious and continuing threat to the global public health. Developing effective prevention strategies is important to defend against infection and spread of IV. Here, we developed a triple-protective nanoshield against IV infection in the lungs, formed by self-assembling DSPE-PEG amphiphilic polymers encapsulating the flu-preventive antiviral drug Arbidol internally. The preventive effect of the nanoshield against virus infection includes increasing the viscosity in the surrounding environment to physically defend against viral entry, forming a hydrated layer to block the interaction between viruses and cells, and inhibiting virus replication. Our finding suggested that a single inhalation of the nanoshield provides effective protection against IV infection for at least 8 h. Thus, this nanoshield may be a potential pandemic protection agent against IV, especially in viral environments, where no prophylactic or therapeutic measures are available.

After entering host cells by endocytosis, influenza A virus (IAV) is transported along microfilaments and then transported by dynein along microtubules (MTs) to the perinuclear region for genome release. Understanding the mechanisms of dynein-driven transport is significant for a comprehensive understanding of IAV infection. In this work, the roles of dynactin in dynein-driven transport of IAV were quantitatively dissected in situ using quantum dot-based single-virus tracking. It was revealed that dynactin was essential for dynein to transport IAV toward the nucleus. After virus entry, virus-carrying vesicles bound to dynein and dynactin before being delivered to MTs. The attachment of dynein to the vesicles was dependent on dynactin and its subunits, p150 Glued and Arp1. Once viruses reached MTs, dynactin-assisted dynein initiates retrograde transport of IAV. Importantly, the retrograde transport of viruses could be initiated at both plus ends (32%) and other regions on MTs (68%). Subsequently, dynactin accompanied and assisted dynein to persistently transport the virus along MTs in the retrograde direction. This study revealed the dynactin-dependent dynein-driven transport process of IAV, enhancing our understanding of IAV infection and providing important insights into the cell's endocytic transport mechanism.

Viral diseases are among the main threats to public health. Understanding the factors affecting viral invasion is important for antiviral research. Until now, it was known that most viruses have very low plaque-forming unit (PFU)-to-particle ratios. However, further investigation is required to determine the underlying factors. Here, using quantitative single-particle analysis methods, the invasion of Semliki Forest virus (SFV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and influenza A virus (IAV) containing attachment to the cell surface, entry into the cell, transport towards the cell interior, and fusion with endosomes to release nucleocapsids were quantitatively analysed in parallel. It was found that for SFV with an PFU-to-particle ratio of approximately 1:2, an entry efficiency of approximately 31% limited infection. For JEV, whose PFU-to-particle ratio was approximately 1:310, an attachment efficiency of approximately 27% and an entry efficiency of 10% were the main factors limiting its infection. Meanwhile, for IAV with PFU-to-particle ratios of 1:8100, 5% attachment efficiency, 9% entry efficiency, and 53% fusion efficiency significantly limited its infection. These results suggest that viruses with different infectivities have different limited steps in the invasion process. Moreover, there are significant differences in attachment efficiencies among viruses, emphasizing the pivotal role of attachment in viral invasion. The influence of the virus purification method on virus invasion was also investigated. This study, for the first time, reports the efficiencies of different stages of virus invasion, leading to a better understanding of virus invasion and providing a protocol to quantitatively analyse the virus invasion efficiency.

Actin- and microtubule (MT)-based transport systems are essential for intracellular transport. During influenza A virus (IAV) infection, MTs provide long tracks for virus trafficking toward the nucleus. However, the role of the actin cytoskeleton in IAV entry and especially the transit process is still ambiguous. Here, by using quantum dot-based single-virus tracking, it was revealed that the actin cytoskeleton was crucial for the virus entry via clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). After entry via CME, the virus reached MTs through three different pathways: the virus (1) was driven by myosin VI to move along actin filaments to reach MTs (AF); (2) was propelled by actin tails assembled by an Arp2/3-dependent mechanism to reach MTs (AT); and (3) directly reached MTs without experiencing actin-related movement (NA). Therefore, the NA pathway was the main one and the fastest for the virus to reach MTs. The AT pathway was activated only when plenty of viruses entered the cell. The viruses transported by the AF and AT pathways shared similar moving velocities, durations, and displacements. This study comprehensively visualized the role of the actin cytoskeleton in IAV entry and transport, revealing different pathways for IAV to reach MTs after entry. The results are of great significance for globally understanding IAV infection and the cellular endocytic transport pathway.

Labeling the genome and envelope of a virus with multicolor quantum dots (QDs) simultaneously enables real-time monitoring of viral uncoating and genome release, contributing to our understanding of virus infection mechanisms. However, current labeling techniques require genetic modification, which alters the virus's composition and infectivity. To address this, we utilized the CRISPR/Cas13 system and a bioorthogonal metabolic method to label the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genome and envelopes with different-colored QDs in situ. This technique allows one-step two-color labeling of the viral envelope and intraviral genome with QDs harnessing virus infection. In combination with single-virus tracking, we visualized JEV uncoating and genome release in real time near the endoplasmic reticulum of live cells. This labeling strategy allows for real-time visualization of uncoating and genome release at the single-virus level, and it is expected to advance the study of other viral infection mechanisms.

Exosomes play an important role in the spread of viral infections and immune escape. However, the exact ability and mechanisms by which exosomes produced during viral infections (vExos) infect host cells are still not fully understood. In this study, we developed a dual-color exosome labeling strategy that simultaneously labels the external and internal structures of exosomes with quantum dots to enable in situ monitoring of the transport process of vExos in live cells using the single-particle tracking technique. Our finding revealed that vExos contains the complete influenza A virus (IAV) genome and viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs) proteins but lacks viral envelope proteins. Notably, these vExos have the ability to infect cells and produce progeny viruses. We also found that vExos are transported in three stages, slow-fast-slow, and move to the perinuclear region via microfilaments and microtubules. About 30% of internalized vExos shed the external membrane and release the internal vRNPs into the cytoplasm by fusion with endolysosomes. This study suggested that vExos plays a supporting role in IAV infection by assisting with IAV propagation in a virus-independent manner. It emphasizes the need to consider the infectious potential of vExos and draws attention to the potential risk of exosomes produced by viral infections.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane-enclosed structures that deliver biomolecules for intercellular communication. Developing visualization methods to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of EVs' behaviors will facilitate their understanding and translation. With a quantum dot (QD) labeling strategy, a single particle tracking (SPT) platform is proposed here for dissecting the dynamic behaviors of EVs. The interplays between tumor cell-derived small EVs (T-sEVs) and endothelial cells (ECs) are specifically investigated based on this platform. It is revealed that, following a clathrin-mediated endocytosis by ECs, T-sEVs are transported to the perinuclear region in a typical three-stage pattern. Importantly, T-sEVs frequently interact with and finally enter lysosomes, followed by quick release of their carried miRNAs. This study, for the first time, reports the entire process and detailed dynamics of T-sEV transportation and cargo-release in ECs, leading to better understanding of their proangiogenic functions. Additionally, the QD-based SPT technique will help uncover more secrets of sEV-mediated cell-cell communication., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Mammalian cell display technology uses eukaryotic protein expression system to display proteins on cell surfaces and has become an important method in biological research. Although mammalian cell display technology has many advantages and development potential, certain attributes of the displayed protein remain uncharacterized, such as whether the displayed proteins re-enter the cell and how displayed proteins move into the cell. Here, we present the endocytosis mechanism, motility behavior, and transport kinetics of displayed proteins determined using HaloTag as the displayed protein and quantum dot-based single-particle tracking. The displayed protein enters the cell through clathrin-mediated endocytosis and is transported through the cell in three stages, which is dependent on microfilaments and microtubules. The dynamic information obtained in this study provides answers to questions about endocytosis and postendocytosis transport of displayed proteins and, therefore, is expected to facilitate the development of surface display technology.

Endostatin (ES, ENDO) has been reported to suppress the growth of tumors while inducing the proliferation of lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs), causing a poor prognosis for lung cancer. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether BRM270 can inhibit the proliferation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Endostatin + BRM270 showed anti-tumor effects by reducing tumor volume and increasing survival. Administration of BRM270 reduced the number of aldehyde dehydrogenase-positive (ALDH+) cells and the level of ALDH1A1 expression in tumors by increasing the level of miR-128 while decreasing the levels of BMI-1, ABCC-5, E2F3, and c-MET. The luciferase activity of miR-128 promoter was increased by an increasing concentration of BRM270. In addition, BMI-1, ABCC-5, E2F3, and c-MET were identified as candidate targets of miR-128, and the overexpression of miR-128 significantly reduced mRNA/protein levels of BMI-1, ABCC-5, E2F3, and c-MET in A549 and H460 cells. Administration of BRM270 inhibited the expression of BMI-1, ABCC-5, E2F3, and c-MET in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, we showed for the first time that the combined administration of endostatin and BRM270 achieved anti-tumor effects while suppressing the proliferation of stem cells., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Influenza A virus (IAV) is internalized into its host cells by endocytosis, which involves many cellular proteins and molecules. In this study, we focus on the function of calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) in IAV endocytosis. We have found that IAV infection is accompanied by the increase in concentration of cytosolic Ca 2+ , which is mainly attributed to the influx of extracellular Ca 2+ . When Ca 2+ influx is abolished, IAV internalization will be markedly suppressed, but the virus attachment to its host cells will be unaffected. Extracellular Ca 2+ influx is essential to the clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) of IAVs but dispensable to the clathrin-independent endocytosis of the virus and is dispensable to the CME of transferrin or low-density lipoprotein as a control. Ca 2+ influx might participate in the dynamin-promoted membrane fission in the CME of IAVs. Our study highlights that IAVs enter host cells via extracellular Ca 2+ influx-involved clathrin- and dynamin-dependent endocytosis, which will facilitate better understanding of IAV infection and development of anti-influenza drugs.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), an emerging class of organic porous materials, have attracted intense attention due to their versatile applications. However, the deliberate fabrication of COF-based nanomaterials for nanomedical application remains challenging due to difficulty in their size- and structure-controlled synthesis and poor aqueous dispersibility. Herein, we report two boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-decorated nanoscale COFs (NCOFs), which were prepared by the Schiff-base condensation of the free end -CHO (bonding defects in COFs) on the established imine-based NCOFs with the amino-substituted organic photosensitizer BODIPY via "bonding defects functionalization" approach. Thus BODIPY has been successfully nanocrystallized via the NCOF platform, and can be used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat tumors. These NCOF-based PDT agents featured nanometer size (∼110 nm), low dark toxicity, and high phototoxicity as evidenced by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Moreover, the "bonding defects functionalization" approach might open up new avenues for the fabrication of additional COF-based platforms for biomedical treatment., (Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective To observe the effects of Hedyotis diffusa extract (HDE) on the prolifera- tion, apoptosis, and inflammatory factors of HaCaT cells, and to explore its possible molecular mecha- nisms. Methods HaCaT cells were divided into 3 groups, the vehicle group, the control group, and 3 dose HDE groups. No epidermal growth factor (EGF) or HDE was added in the vehicle group. EGF was added with no HDE treatment in the control group. HDE (25, 50, 100 mg/mL) and EGF were added in the 3 HDE groups to co-culture HaCaT cells. The effects of HDE on EGF-induced proliferation of HaCaT cells were de- tected using CCK-8 assay. The effects of HDE on the growth cycle and apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells were measured using flow cytometry. Moreover, protein expression levels of Ki67, Bcl-xL, clAP1 , procaspase- 3, and cleaved caspase-3 were determined using Western blot. In addition, levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in the supernatant were detected using ELISA. The level of phosphoration of NF-κB p65 (p-p65) was meas- ured using Western blot. Results Compared with the vehicle group, the absorbance of HaCaT cells and the expression level of Ki67 increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01) ; levels of p-p65, IL-6, and IL-8 were elevated (P <0. 05, P <0. 01); IL-10 level was lowered (P <0.01) in the control group. Compared with the control group, the absorbance of HaCaT cells and the expression level of Ki67 decreased (P <0.05, P <0.01) ; levels of p-p65, IL-6, and IL-8 were reduced (P <0. 05, P <0. 01); IL-10 level was elevated (P <0. 05, P < 0.01) in the 3 dose HDE groups. Meanwhile, the apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells increased more in the 3 dose HDE groups than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The percentage of HaCaT cells at G1 phase was 58. 51 %, 73.12%, and 79. 95% in 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL HDE groups, respectively, showing statisti- cal difference when compared with that in the control group (52. 85%; P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The percentage and apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells at G1 phase were elevated more in 50 and 100 mg/mL HDE groups than in 25 mg/mL HDE group (P <0. 01). Besides, the percentage and apoptosis rate of HaCaT cells at G1 phase were elevated more in 100 mg/mL HDE group than in 50 mg/mL HDE group (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group, protein expression levels of Bcl-xL and cIAP1 were reduced in 100 mg/mL HDE group (P < 0. 01). There was no statistical difference in caspase-3 total amount (P >0. 05), but cleaved caspase-3 ex- pression increased with statistical difference (P <0. 01). Conclusion HDE inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells possibly by arresting HaCaT cell growth at G1 phase, promoted the apoptosis of HaCaT cells by stressing protein expressions of Bcl-xL and cIAPI , and elevating protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3, and suppressed inflammatory response of HaCaT cells via regulating NF-κB expression.

The aim of the present study was to characterize and quantify the numbers and expression levels of cells markers associated with dendritic cell (DC) maturation in small airways in current smokers and non-smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung tissues from the following 32 patients were obtained during resection for lung cancer: Eight smokers with COPD, eight non-smokers with COPD, eight current smokers without COPD and eight non-smokers without COPD, serving as a control. The tissue sections were immunostained for cluster of differentiation (CD)83+ and CD1a+ to delineate mature and immature DCs, and chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7+) to detect DC migratory ability. Myeloid DCs were collected from the lung tissues, and subsequently the CD83+ and CCR7+ expression levels in the lung myeloid DCs were detected using flow cytometry. The expression levels of CD83+, CD1a+ and CCR7+ mRNA in total lung RNA were evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Evident chronic bronchitis and emphysema pathological changes were observed in the lung tissues of patients with COPD. The results revealed that the numbers of CD83+ and CCR7+ DCs were reduced but the numbers of CD1a+ DCs were significantly increased in the COPD group as compared with the control group (P<0.05, respectively). Using RT-qPCR, the expression levels of CCR7+ and CD83+ mRNA were found to be reduced in the smokers with COPD as compared with the non-smokers without COPD group (P<0.05, respectively). Excessive local adaptive immune responses are key elements in the pathogenesis of COPD. Cigarette smoke may stimulate immune responses by impairing the homing of airway DCs to the lymph nodes and reduce the migratory potential of DCs. The present study revealed that COPD is associated with reduced numbers of mature CD83+ DCs and lower CCR7+ expression levels in small airways.

Aims: To study effects of down-regulation of pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) on proliferation and metastasis ability of the SCL-1 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) cell line and explore related mechanisms., Methods: SCL-1 cells were divided into 3 groups (untreated, siRNA control and PTTG siRNA). Cell proliferation assays were performed using a CCK-8 kit and proliferation and metastasis ability were analyzed using Boyden chambers. In addition, expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was detected by r-time qPCR and Western blotting., Results: Down-regulation of PTTG could markedly inhibit cell proliferation in SCL-1 cells, compared to untreated and control siRNA groups (P < 0.05). Real-time qPCR demonstrated that expression levels of PTTG, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the PTTG siRNA group were 0.8%, 23.2% and 21.3% of untreated levels. Western blotting revealed that expression of PTTG, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in the PTTG siRNA group was obviously down-regulated. The numbers of migrating cells (51.38 ± 4.71) in the PTTG siRNA group was obviously lower than that in untreated group (131.33 ± 6.12) and the control siRNA group (127.72 ± 5.20) (P < 0.05), suggesting that decrease of proliferation and metastasis ability mediated by PTTG knock-down may be closely correlated with down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression., Conclusion: Inhibition of PTTG expression may be a new target for therapy of CSCC.

Objective: To evaluate the siRNA-mediated inhibitory effect of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 on expression of p65, and explore the effect of blockade of NF-kappaB signal pathway on cell apoptosis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cutaneous SCC)., Methods: Cutaneous SCC cell line SCL-1 cells were transfected with 50 nmol/L p65 siRNA. The expression level of p65 mRNA was measured using RT-PCR method at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h . Expressions of p65, bcl-2 and bax proteins were determined using Western blotting. Activities of caspase-3/9 was detected by Caspase-Glo®-3/7, 8 and 9 kit. Finally, cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry., Results: The expression level of p65 mRNA in Cutaneous SCC SCL-1 cells was obviously down-regulated 48 h after transfection with p65 siRNA, and a significant difference was detected, as compared with 0 h after (0.23 ± 0.10 vs. 0.66 ± 0.05, P<0.05). The protein levels of p65 and bcl-2 decreased, and the bax protein level and activities of caspase-3/9 increased after transfection with p65 siRNA at h 48 . Further, the results of flow cytometry demonstrated that p65 siRNA could induce apoptosis of SCL-1 cells, and cell apoptosis ratio (20.28% ± 1.87%) in p65 siRNA group was significantly higher than that in the untreated group and control siRNA group (9.13% ± 1.51% and 9.37% ± 1.38%, respectively, F=47.532, P<0.01)., Conclusion: p65 siRNA can block NF-kappaB signal pathway, down-regulate expression of bcl-2, elevate the bax level and increase the activities of caspase-3/9, suggesting that NF-kappaB signal pathway may be a key molecular target for therapy of cutaneous SCC.

The lymphoid follicle is a specialized microenvironment for the differentiation of antigen (Ag)-activated B cells; the major stromal cell components in lymphoid follicle are the follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). At the same time, most of the B-cell lymphomas originate from the germinal center, and the generation and blast transformation of B-cell lymphoma occurs in close association with FDCs in the early stage of tumorigenesis. To study the functional roles of FDCs in lymphomagenesis, we established an inducible tumor model. The human B-cell lymphoma cell line, L3055, formed solid tumors only when inoculated with an FDC line, HK. In addition, 2 FDC-signaling molecules (FDC-SMs), a novel protein 8D6 and 4G10/CD44, are required for tumor formation in vivo, because monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to these 2 proteins inhibited lymphomagenesis completely when they were inoculated with L3055 and HK cells. However, these 2 FDC-SMs have distinct functional roles in tumor formation. FDC-SM-8D6 enhances L3055 cell proliferation, whereas FDC-SM-4G10/CD44 inhibits its apoptosis. Identification of the functional roles of these critical FDC-SMs may lead to the discovery of therapeutic drugs that suppress the survival and growth of lymphoma cells.