Liver cancer,and in particular hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a disease of rising prevalence and incidence.To date,definitive treatment options include either surgical excision or ablation of the affected area.With i...Liver cancer,and in particular hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a disease of rising prevalence and incidence.To date,definitive treatment options include either surgical excision or ablation of the affected area.With increasing research on several pathways that could be involved in the progression of HCC,new elements within these pathways emerge as potential targets for novel therapies.The WNT/β-catenin pathway favors the presence of M2 tumor-associated macrophages which in turn promote tumor growth and metastasis.The inhibition of this pathway is considered a good candidate for such targeted therapeutic interventions.Interestingly,as Huang et al show in their recently published article,Calculus bovis which is used in traditional Chinese medicine can exert an inhibitory effect on theβ-catenin pathway and become a potential candidate for targeted pharmacotherapy against liver cancer.展开更多
In this article,we comment on the work published by Huang et al,which explores the mechanisms by which Calculus bovis(CB)modulates the liver cancer immune microenvironment via the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.The...In this article,we comment on the work published by Huang et al,which explores the mechanisms by which Calculus bovis(CB)modulates the liver cancer immune microenvironment via the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.The study demon-strates that active components in CB effectively inhibit the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,significantly reducing the polarization of M2 tumor-associated macrophages.Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have validated the anti-tumour effects of CB,revealing its complex mechanisms of action through the modulation of immune cell functions within the tumour microenvironment.This article highlights CB’s therapeutic potential in liver cancer treatment and calls for further investigations into its mechanisms and clinical applications to develop safer,more effective options for patients.The study also revealed that key com-ponents of CB,such as bilirubin and bile acids,inhibit tumour cell proliferation and promote apoptosis through multiple pathways.Future research should explore the mechanisms of action of CB and its potential integration with existing treatments to improve the therapeutic outcomes of liver cancer patients.With multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced research,CB could become a key component of comprehensive liver cancer treatment,offering new hope for patients.展开更多
Liver cancer remains a significant global health challenge,characterized by high incidence and mortality rates.Despite advancements in medical treatments,the prognosis for liver cancer patients remains poor,highlighti...Liver cancer remains a significant global health challenge,characterized by high incidence and mortality rates.Despite advancements in medical treatments,the prognosis for liver cancer patients remains poor,highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),particularly Calculus bovis(CB),has shown promise in addressing this need due to its multitarget therapeutic mechanisms.CB refers to natural or synthetic gallstones,traditionally sourced from cattle,and used in TCM for their anti-inflammatory,detoxifying,and therapeutic properties.In modern practice,synthetic CB is often utilized to ensure consistent supply and safety.This article aims to discuss the findings of Huang et al,who investigated the anti-liver cancer properties of CB,focusing on its ability to inhibit M2 tumor-associated macrophage(TAM)polarization via modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.Huang et al employed a comprehensive approach integrating chemical analysis,animal model testing,and advanced bioinformatics.They identified active components of CB using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,evaluated its anti-neoplastic effects in a nude mouse model,and elucidated the underlying mechanisms through network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking studies.The study demonstrated that CB significantly inhibited liver tumor growth in vivo,as evidenced by reduced tumor size and weight in treated mice.Histological analyses confirmed signs of tumor regression.CB was found to modulate the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting the polarization of M2 phenotype-TAMs,as shown by reduced expression of M2 markers and downregulation of mRNA levels of C-C motif chemokine 22,arginase-1,transforming growth factor-beta 2,and interleukin-10.The study further revealed that CB’s antineoplastic activity involved the downregulation of Wnt5B andβ-catenin and upregulation of Axin2,thus inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of CB in liver cancer treatment through its modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and suppression of M2 phenotype-TAM polarization.This study underscores the value of integrating TCM with modern therapeutic strategies to develop novel effective treatments for liver cancer.展开更多
目的探讨甲基转移酶5(methyltransferase-like 5,METTL5)在三阴乳腺癌(triple-negative breast cancer,TNBC)中的作用和潜在机制。方法采用免疫组织化学方法和Western blot检测TNBC肿瘤组织和细胞系中METTL5的表达情况。用靶向METTL5的s...目的探讨甲基转移酶5(methyltransferase-like 5,METTL5)在三阴乳腺癌(triple-negative breast cancer,TNBC)中的作用和潜在机制。方法采用免疫组织化学方法和Western blot检测TNBC肿瘤组织和细胞系中METTL5的表达情况。用靶向METTL5的shRNA(shRNA-METTL5)转染TNBC细胞后,用CCK-8、集落形成、伤口愈合以及Transwell实验分别检测细胞增殖活性、迁移与侵袭,Western blot检测Wnt/β-catenin信号关键蛋白的表达。构建异种移植瘤模型,验证敲降METTL5对TNBC细胞在体内生长以及Wnt/β-catenin信号活性的影响。结果METTL5在TNBC肿瘤组织和细胞系中表达上调(P<0.01)。敲降METTL5可抑制TNBC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭并降低了Wnt/β-catenin信号分子β-catenin、细胞周期蛋白(Cyclin)D1、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2和MMP-7的表达(均P<0.01)。体内实验显示,敲降METTL5减缓了移植瘤生长和Wnt/β-catenin信号活性。结论敲降METTL5能抑制TNBC细胞的增殖、迁移与侵袭,其作用可能与抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路有关。展开更多
文摘Liver cancer,and in particular hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a disease of rising prevalence and incidence.To date,definitive treatment options include either surgical excision or ablation of the affected area.With increasing research on several pathways that could be involved in the progression of HCC,new elements within these pathways emerge as potential targets for novel therapies.The WNT/β-catenin pathway favors the presence of M2 tumor-associated macrophages which in turn promote tumor growth and metastasis.The inhibition of this pathway is considered a good candidate for such targeted therapeutic interventions.Interestingly,as Huang et al show in their recently published article,Calculus bovis which is used in traditional Chinese medicine can exert an inhibitory effect on theβ-catenin pathway and become a potential candidate for targeted pharmacotherapy against liver cancer.
文摘In this article,we comment on the work published by Huang et al,which explores the mechanisms by which Calculus bovis(CB)modulates the liver cancer immune microenvironment via the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.The study demon-strates that active components in CB effectively inhibit the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,significantly reducing the polarization of M2 tumor-associated macrophages.Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have validated the anti-tumour effects of CB,revealing its complex mechanisms of action through the modulation of immune cell functions within the tumour microenvironment.This article highlights CB’s therapeutic potential in liver cancer treatment and calls for further investigations into its mechanisms and clinical applications to develop safer,more effective options for patients.The study also revealed that key com-ponents of CB,such as bilirubin and bile acids,inhibit tumour cell proliferation and promote apoptosis through multiple pathways.Future research should explore the mechanisms of action of CB and its potential integration with existing treatments to improve the therapeutic outcomes of liver cancer patients.With multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced research,CB could become a key component of comprehensive liver cancer treatment,offering new hope for patients.
文摘Liver cancer remains a significant global health challenge,characterized by high incidence and mortality rates.Despite advancements in medical treatments,the prognosis for liver cancer patients remains poor,highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),particularly Calculus bovis(CB),has shown promise in addressing this need due to its multitarget therapeutic mechanisms.CB refers to natural or synthetic gallstones,traditionally sourced from cattle,and used in TCM for their anti-inflammatory,detoxifying,and therapeutic properties.In modern practice,synthetic CB is often utilized to ensure consistent supply and safety.This article aims to discuss the findings of Huang et al,who investigated the anti-liver cancer properties of CB,focusing on its ability to inhibit M2 tumor-associated macrophage(TAM)polarization via modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.Huang et al employed a comprehensive approach integrating chemical analysis,animal model testing,and advanced bioinformatics.They identified active components of CB using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,evaluated its anti-neoplastic effects in a nude mouse model,and elucidated the underlying mechanisms through network pharmacology,transcriptomics,and molecular docking studies.The study demonstrated that CB significantly inhibited liver tumor growth in vivo,as evidenced by reduced tumor size and weight in treated mice.Histological analyses confirmed signs of tumor regression.CB was found to modulate the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting the polarization of M2 phenotype-TAMs,as shown by reduced expression of M2 markers and downregulation of mRNA levels of C-C motif chemokine 22,arginase-1,transforming growth factor-beta 2,and interleukin-10.The study further revealed that CB’s antineoplastic activity involved the downregulation of Wnt5B andβ-catenin and upregulation of Axin2,thus inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of CB in liver cancer treatment through its modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and suppression of M2 phenotype-TAM polarization.This study underscores the value of integrating TCM with modern therapeutic strategies to develop novel effective treatments for liver cancer.
