Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that degrades proteins and damaged organelles to maintain cellular homeostasis, and its role in cancer depends on stage and context. Farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1) is an essential enzyme in the sterol branch of the mevalonate pathway, but its functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in the regulation of autophagy remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that FDFT1 acts as a negative regulator of autophagy in HCC cells. Loss of FDFT1 led to increased autophagosome formation and fusion with lysosomes, whereas its overexpression suppressed both basal and induced autophagy. These changes were associated with AMPK-ULK1 signaling, suggesting that FDFT1 influences a central pathway controlling autophagy. Our findings connect cholesterol metabolism with autophagy regulation and tumor growth, highlighting FDFT1 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in liver cancer.

Human breast milk (HBM) is an ideal nutritional source for the growth and development of infants. In addition, HBM contains hormones, growth factors, microRNAs and exosomes that perform various physiological functions. This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of HBM-derived exosomes on myeloid cells and chondrocytes, and implications for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. HBM-derived exosomes were isolated and characterized using nanoparticle track analyzer and Western blotting. The HBM-derived exosomes treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines in mouse peritoneal macrophages upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Flow cytometry analysis of bone marrow-derived macrophages indicated that exosomes promoted M2 polarization, as evidenced by a decrease in cells expressing CD80 (M1 marker) and a concurrent increase in cells expressing M2 marker CD206. In addition, exosome treatment attenuated the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway by reducing the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and IκB-α, thereby reducing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, metalloprotease (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 in SW1353 chondrocytes following IL-1β stimulation. These findings suggest that HBM-derived exosomes promote macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype and exert significant immunomodulatory effects.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is life-threatening with unfavorable outcomes. RBM15, an m6A methylation modulator, is a potential biomarker for cancers. This study delved into the mechanism of RBM15-mediated m6A modification in PC. RBM15, LINC01320, miR-1287-5p, and FBXO11 levels in PC tissues and cells were examined. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were determined. The enrichment of m6A on LINC01320 and LINC01320 stability were detected. Joint experiments were designed to analyze the role of LINC01320 or FBXO11 in PC cell growth. The tumor xenograft in nude mice was established, and the effect of RBM15 on PC cell proliferation was verified in vivo. RBM15, LINC01320, and FBXO11 were significantly increased in PC, while miR-1287-5p was decreased. RBM15 downregulation reduced PC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. In mechanism, RBM15-mediated m6A modification increased LINC01320 stability and its expression, thus upregulating FBXO11 transcription by competitively binding to miR-1287-5p. Overexpression of LINC01320 or FBXO11 abated the inhibition of RBM15 downregulation on PC cells. RBM15 knockdown inhibited tumor size and weight and reduced the positive rate of Ki67 through LINC01320/miR-1287-5p/FBXO11 axis. Overall, RBM15-mediated m6A modification increases LINC01320 stability and promotes its expression and FBXO11 transcription by competitive binding to miR-1287-5p, ultimately promoting PC cell growth.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration and significant depression. However, the mechanisms linking depression to AD pathology remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether Notch2 signaling mediates depression-like behaviors in presenilin-2 (PS2) N141I mutant mice, an early-onset AD model. PS2 wild-type (WT) and mutant (MT) mice aged 12-15 months were subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) for 4 weeks, followed by sucrose preference, tail-hanging, and forced swimming tests. Behavioral assessments showed that UCMS exacerbated anhedonia and immobility only in PS2 MT mice. Molecular analysis revealed concomitant increases in plasma corticosterone, hippocampal γ-secretase activity, and Notch2 expression, and elevated total and phosphorylated glucocorticoid receptor levels in PS2 MT-UCMS mice. Gene expression profiling of human hippocampal datasets confirmed upregulation of NOTCH2 in Alzheimer's disease and depression. Pharmacological inhibition of γ-secretase and Notch signaling with DAPT normalizes depressive behavior, reduces corticosterone release, attenuates GR phosphorylation, and inhibits Notch2 signaling in PS2 MT mice. These findings identify Notch2 as a pivotal mediator linking chronic stress to molecular changes associated with depression and AD, and suggest that targeting Notch2 signaling may provide therapeutic benefits for comorbid mood and neurodegenerative disorders.

Zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate with established clinical utility in osteoporosis management, exhibits emerging antitumor potential in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its non-apoptotic anticancer effects remain poorly characterized. This study revealed that ZA induced ferroptosis in ER+ breast cancer cells through dual suppression of cystine-glutamate antiporter SLC7A11 and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), key repressors of ferroptosis. Pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis using Ferrostatin-1 significantly attenuated ZA-induced cytotoxicity, while combinatorial treatment with the GPX4 inhibitor RSL3 synergistically enhanced lipid peroxidation and cell death. Mechanistically, ZA activated the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway, promoting YAP phosphorylation, proteasomal degradation, and cytoplasmic retention, thereby silencing SLC7A11 and GPX4. We established a novel metabolic vulnerability in hormone-responsive malignancies. These findings position ZA as a bifunctional ferroptosis inducer in ER+ breast cancer, offering a promising strategy to overcome endocrine resistance.

The decline of proteostasis is a central hallmark of aging, the earliest manifestations of which have remained difficult to capture in human tissues with conventional model systems. The skin is a continuously renewing and environmentally exposed organ offering a uniquely accessible window into aging biology. Skin organoid technologies allow for long-term culturing of human epidermal and full-thickness skin-like tissues that accurately recapitulate important aspects of cellular heterogeneity, spatial organization, and stem cell dynamics. In this perspective, we discuss how skin organoids are beginning to reveal early proteostasis alterations-encompassing impaired protein folding, reduced proteasomal activity, and autophagy dysfunction-that precede overt structural and functional hallmarks of skin aging, with particular emphasis on underexplored regulators- sebaceous gland and sebocyte-specific proteostasis, autophagy, and inflammaging. We also highlight emerging insights, conceptual challenges, and experimental limitations, and outline future directions for integrating skin organoids with skin-on-a-chip, single-cell proteomics, and stress-reporting approaches to advance proteostasis-targeted interventions in skin aging.

Phage display technology serves as a powerful in vitro platform for discovering antigen-specific antibodies, enabling the rapid identification and engineering of monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic applications. This review discusses key factors such as phagemid vector, antibody fragment formats, in-frame selection strategies, and effective library size in the context of maximizing functional diversity. Based on these factors, a detailed comparison of phage display antibody libraries is provided, including naïve, synthetic, and semi-synthetic formats, with emphasis on their distinctive features and design strategies. Furthermore, major panning strategies-solid-phase, liquid-phase, and cell-based panning-are compared, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations for isolating functional binders with regard to antigen presentation, epitope accessibility, and selection fidelity. Collectively, the refinement of library design and selection methodologies has led to the development of numerous approved antibodies, establishing phage display as a foundational technology in antibody drug discovery. Ultimately, this review aims to facilitate the effective application of phage display technology in developing antibody-based therapeutics.

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, which necessitates the development of more effective and less toxic therapies. Quinoxaline derivatives, a class of heterocyclic compounds with versatile chemical structures, have emerged as promising candidates for anticancer drug development. These derivatives exhibit a range of biological activities and have shown significant efficacy against various tumors. However, the therapeutic potential of quinoxaline derivatives, particularly in clinical applications, remains underexplored, highlighting the need for further research to optimize their use as anticancer agents. This systematic review aims to provide an updated analysis of quinoxaline derivatives' anticancer potential, focusing on their mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications in oncology. Following PRISMA guidelines, a thorough search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed and Science Direct for studies from 2020 to 2024. Relevant keywords were used to identify studies on quinoxaline derivatives and their anticancer properties, resulting in the selection of 77 studies based on pharmacological activity and mechanisms. The review included 77 studies exploring various anticancer activities of quinoxaline derivatives. Key findings indicate that these compounds effectively inhibit cancer cell growth through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of topoisomerases, kinases, and other critical proteins involved in cancer progression. Additionally, they demonstrate strong antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects across several cancer cell lines, highlighting their broad therapeutic potential. Quinoxaline derivatives represent a promising class of compounds in anticancer therapy due to their diverse biological activities and multiple molecular targets. The development of these derivatives as targeted therapies holds the potential for more effective cancer treatments.

Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1-Like (DOT1L) has emerged as a critical epigenetic regulator in cancer, primarily because of its role as the sole histone methyltransferase responsible for histone H3 at lysine 79 methylation. This modification affects transcriptional activation, DNA repair, and cell cycle progression. Its dysregulation is associated with both hematological and solid tumors. In Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemia, DOT1L maintains aberrant gene expression patterns at loci such as HOXA and MEIS1, supporting leukemic stem cell survival and driving oncogenesis. In solid tumors, DOT1L influences diverse processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and cell cycle regulation, contributing to tumor growth and metastasis. Therapeutic strategies targeting DOT1L using inhibitors, such as EPZ-5676, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting their potential as versatile targets for precision oncology. This review summarizes the recent findings on DOT1L’s involvement in cancer development and its potential as a therapeutic target.