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Gut mycobiome dysbiosis has been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it remains unknown whether specific fungal species identified by sequencing directly contribute to IBD pathogenesis. Here, based on analysis of three fecal metagenome datasets of IBD cohorts and a previously established cultivated gut fungi catalog, we identify an IBD-depleted intestinal fungus Clavispora lusitaniae strain P4013B. We show P4013B attenuates DSS-induced colitis in wild-type, antibiotics-treated, and germ-free mice through activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Using an activity-guided isolation strategy, we identify the P4013B metabolite indole-3-ethanol (IEt) as the AHR agonist mediating the anti-colitis activity. We further validate the role of IEt via engineering strains that overexpress pyruvate decarboxylases producing high yields of IEt. Tea polysaccharide enhanced the anti-colitis activity of P4013B by promoting its proliferation and colonization in the colon. Together, these results suggest that C. lusitaniae P4013B may be explored as a potential probiotic for the treatment and prevention of IBD. Here, the authors show that a human gut fungus, Clavispora lusitaniae P4013B, alleviates colitis in mice through the activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, in turn mediated by its metabolite indole-3ethanol, indicating its potential as a probiotic for inflammatory bowel disease.

Background The gut virome has been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet a full understanding of the gut virome in IBD patients, especially across diverse geographic populations, is lacking. Results In this study, we conducted a comprehensive gut virome-wide association study in a Chinese cohort of 71 IBD patients (15 with Crohn’s disease and 56 with ulcerative colitis) and 77 healthy controls via viral-like particle (VLP) and bulk virome sequencing of their feces. By utilizing an integrated gut virus catalog tailored to the IBD virome, we revealed fundamental alterations in the gut virome in IBD patients. These characterized 139 differentially abundant viral signatures, including elevated phages predicted to infect Escherichia , Klebsiella , Enterococcus_B , Streptococcus , and Veillonella species , as well as IBD-depleted phages targeting Prevotella , Ruminococcus_E , Bifidobacterium , and Blautia species . Remarkably, these viral signatures demonstrated high consistency across diverse populations such as those in Europe and the USA, emphasizing their significance and broad relevance in the disease context. Furthermore, fecal virome transplantation experiments verified that the colonization of these IBD-characterized viruses can modulate experimental colitis in mouse models. Conclusions Building upon these insights into the IBD gut virome, we identified potential biomarkers for prognosis and therapy in IBD patients, laying the foundation for further exploration of viromes in related conditions. -rW5fkHC-UvmYPog5oPfKK Video Abstract

Ferroptosis has been identified as a tumor-inhibiting event in a variety of cancers; however, its molecular basis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been completely elucidated. Notably, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) plays a crucial role in ferroptosis. Our previous research revealed that prostaglandin E synthase 3 (p23), a potential transcription factor, plays a crucial role in promoting cancer progression and metastasis through succinylation. Our study revealed a previously unknown antiferroptotic function of p23. Mechanistically, p23 stabilizes GPX4 by competitively binding heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (HSC70) to suppress chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) activity, which subsequently inhibits ferroptosis and accelerates tumor growth. Notably, impairing p23 succinylation disrupts its interaction with HSC70, restoring CMA-mediated GPX4 degradation. Collectively, our findings suggest that targeting p23-regulated CMA pathways represents a potentially viable strategy to modulate ferroptosis in NSCLC. Graphical Abstract The role of p23 in competing with GPX4 for binding to HSC70, blocking CMA-mediated degradation of GPX4 and inhibiting ferroptosis

Cisplatin (DDP), a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, shows broad antineoplastic activity, however, its clinical use is limited by dose-dependent nephrotoxicity, a major challenge in cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which quercetin-polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (Que-PEG-PCL) micelles simultaneously enhance the cytotoxicity of DDP against cancer cells and reduce its nephrotoxicity. Rodent models and HEK293 cells were used to evaluate the renoprotective effects of Que-PEG-PCL micelles. Pharmacokinetics focused on OCT2-mediated renal DDP disposition. Antitumor activity was assessed in CT26 cells and syngeneic tumors. Key assessments included oxidative stress, apoptosis, renal markers, and histopathology. Que-PEG-PCL reduced DDP-induced nephrotoxicity, lowering creatinine and BUN to 42% and 38%. It also reduced oxidative stress and improved antioxidant activity. DDP plasma exposure increased to 323%, with renal clearance reduced to 14%, due to OCT2 inhibition. In a CT26 syngeneic model, combination therapy inhibited tumor volume by 84% compared to control group. Que-PEG-PCL enhanced DDP's therapeutic window by limiting renal accumulation and promoting tumor cell apoptosis. This dual-action strategy provides a novel approach for improving the clinical efficacy of DDP-based cancer therapy.

Background Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most refractory and palindromic central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms, and current treatments have poor effects in GBM patients. Hence, the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of effective treatment strategies are essential. Alantolactone (ATL) has a wide range of pharmacological activities, and its anti-tumor effect is receiving increasing attention. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-GBM activity of ATL remains poorly understood. Methods The biological functions of ATL in GBM cells were investigated using migration/invasion, colony formation and cell cycle/apoptosis assays. The localization of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p50/p65 and its binding to the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) promoter were determined using confocal immunofluorescence, a streptavidin-agarose pulldown assay and a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. IKKβ kinase activity was determined using a cell IKKβ kinase activity spectrophotometry quantitative detection kit and a molecular docking study. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed to determine the ability of ATL to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of ATL was also analyzed in xenografted nude mice. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels. Results ATL significantly suppressed the growth of GBM in vivo and in vitro. ATL significantly reduced the expression of COX-2 by inhibiting the kinase activity of IKKβ by targeting the ATP-binding site and then attenuating the binding of NF-κB to the COX-2 promoter region. Furthermore, ATL induced apoptosis by activating the cytochrome c (cyt c)/caspase cascade signaling pathway. Moreover, ATL could penetrate the BBB. Conclusions ATL exerts its anti-tumor effects in human GBM cells at least in part via NF-κB/COX-2-mediated signaling cascades by inhibiting IKKβ kinase activity. ATL, which is a natural small molecule inhibitor, is a promising candidate for clinical applications in the treatment of CNS tumors.

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of JBP485 against aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephrotoxicity and explored the pharmacokinetic mechanisms. The effects of JBP485 on AAI-induced cytotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were evaluated and , respectively. To ascertain the protective effect of JBP485 against AAI-induced nephrotoxicity, we measured levels of urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), and indoxol sulfate in blood and urine; determined kidney weight-to-body weight ratio; and performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Cell viability and Western blotting assays, along with determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, were carried out to explore mechanisms underlying the protective effects of JBP485 against AAI-induced nephrotoxicity. JBP485 treatment attenuated AAI-induced injuries in rat kidney while decreasing the levels of indoxyl sulfate, CRE, and BUN in plasma and increasing those of indoxyl sulfate in urine compared to that in AAI alone-treated group. The co-administration of JBP485 with AAI significantly increased the concentration and AUC of AAI in plasma, while decreasing its cumulative urinary excretion and renal clearance. Moreover, JBP485 reduced the uptake of AAI in kidney slices and human organic anion transporter 1/3 (hOAT1/3)-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, suggesting that JBP485 ameliorated AAI-induced nephrotoxicity by reducing renal exposure to AAI via OAT inhibition. Meanwhile, JBP485 modulated the abnormal expressions of Oat1, Oat3, organic cation transporter 2 (Oct2), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) and multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins 1 (Mate 1) in rat kidney, suggesting that JBP485 improved tubular secretion in AAI-treated rats. Moreover, JBP485 reversed the AAI-induced changes in the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P) H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein expressions and Bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax) induced by AAI in rat kidney. JBP485 increased cell viability and reduced intracellular levels of ROS in NRK-52E cells treated with AAI. These results suggested that JBP485 protected against AAI-induced renal oxidative stress. All results indicated that JBP485 protected against AAI-induced nephrotoxicity by reducing renal exposure to AAI and alleviating oxidative stress. Our findings suggested that JBP485 has potential as a renoprotective agent for the prevention of AAI-induced nephrotoxicity.

Bentysrepinine (Y101) is a novel phenylalanine dipeptide for the treatment of hepatitis B virus. Renal excretion played an important role in the elimination of Y101 and its metabolites, M8 and M9, in healthy Chinese subjects, although the molecular mechanisms of renal excretion and potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs) remain unclear. The present study aimed to determine the organic anion transporters (OATs) involved in the renal disposition of Y101 and to predict the potential DDI between Y101 and entecavir, the first-line agent against HBV and a substrate of OAT1/3. Pharmacokinetic studies and uptake assays using rat kidney slices, as well as hOAT1/3-HEK293 cells, were performed to evaluate potential DDI. The co-administration of probenecid (an inhibitor of OATs) significantly increased the plasma concentrations and area under the plasma concentration–time curves of M8 and M9 but not Y101, while reduced renal clearance and the cumulative urinary excretion of M8 were observed in rats. The time course of Y101 and M8 uptake via rat kidney slices was temperature-dependent. Moreover, the uptake of M8 was inhibited significantly by probenecid and benzylpenicillin, but not by p-aminohippurate or tetraethyl ammonium. M8 was found to be a substrate of hOAT3, but Y101 is not a substrate of either hOAT1 or hOAT3. Additionally, the entecavir inhibited the uptake of M8 in the hOAT3-transfected cells and rat kidney slices in vitro. Interestingly, no significant changes were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters of Y101, M8 or entecavir, regardless of intravenous or oral co-administration of Y101 and entecavir in rats. In conclusion, M8 is a substrate of OAT3 in rats and humans. Furthermore, M8 also mediates the DDI between Y101 and entecavir in vitro, mediated by OAT3. We speculate that it would be safe to use Y101 with entecavir in clinical practice. Our results provide useful information with which to predict the DDIs between Y101 and other drugs that act as substrates of OAT3.

NEMO/IKKβ complex is a central regulator of NF-κB signaling pathway, its dissociation has been considered to be an attractive therapeutic target. Herein, using a combined strategy of molecular pharmacological phenotyping, proteomics and bioinformatics analysis, Shikonin (SHK) is identified as a potential inhibitor of the IKKβ/NEMO complex. It destabilizes IKKβ/NEMO complex with IC 50 of 174 nM, thereby significantly impairing the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by suppressing the NF-κB pathway in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we also elucidated the potential target sites of SHK in the NEMO/IKKβ complex. Our study provides some new insights for the development of potent small-molecule PPI inhibitors.

Nephrotoxicity is a common complication of cisplatin chemotherapy and, thus, limits the clinical application of cisplatin. In this work, the effects of catalpol (CAT), a bioactive ingredient extracted from Rehmannia glutinosa, on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and antitumor efficacy were comprehensively investigated. Specifically, the protective effect of CAT on cisplatin-induced injury was explored in mice and HK-2 cells. In vivo, CAT administration strikingly suppressed cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction, morphology damage, apoptosis, and inflammation. In vitro, CAT induced activation of adenosine 5′-monophosphate- (AMP-) activated protein kinase (AMPK), improved mitochondrial function, and decreased generation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a reduction in inflammation and apoptosis, which ultimately protected from cisplatin-induced injury. However, the beneficial effects of CAT were mostly blocked by coincubation with compound C. Furthermore, molecular docking results indicated that CAT had a higher affinity for AMPK than other AMPK activators such as danthron, phenformin, and metformin. Importantly, CAT possessed the ability to reverse drug resistance without compromising the antitumor properties of cisplatin. These findings suggest that CAT exerts positive effects against cisplatin-induced renal injury through reversing drug resistance via the mitochondrial-dependent pathway without affecting the anticancer activity of cisplatin.