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Simple Summary: This study investigates the potential of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) as vehicles for delivering therapeutic agents, with a focus on the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Fusion with CD63 or ARRDC1 was found to facilitate the overexpression and proper localization of p53 and significantly increase the yield and loading efficiency of sEVs with p53 mRNA and proteins. Moreover, the functional assessment of these engineered sEVs on H1299 cells demonstrated an enhanced anti-tumor effect, particularly with ARP-sEVs, suggesting a superior inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis. These results are expected to be informative in the application of EV therapy. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have emerged as promising therapeutic agents and drug delivery vehicles. Targeted modification of sEVs and their contents using genetic modification strategies is one of the most popular methods. This study investigated the effects of p53 fusion with arrestin domain-containing protein 1 (ARRDC1) and CD63 on the generation of sEVs, p53 loading efficiency, and therapeutic efficacy. Overexpression of either ARRDC1–p53 (ARP) or CD63–p53 (CDP) significantly elevated p53 mRNA and protein levels. The incorporation of ARRDC1 and CD63 significantly enhanced HEK293T-sEV biogenesis, evidenced by significant increases in sEV-associated proteins TSG101 and LAMP1, resulting in a boost in sEV production. Importantly, fusion with ARRDC1 or CD63 substantially increased the efficiency of loading both p53 fusion proteins and its mRNA into sEVs. sEVs equipped with ARP or CDP significantly enhanced the enrichment of p53 fusion proteins and mRNA in p53-null H1299 cells, resulting in a marked increase in apoptosis and a reduction in cell proliferation, with ARP-sEVs demonstrating greater effectiveness than CDP-sEVs. These findings underscore the enhanced functionality of ARRDC1- and CD63-modified sEVs, emphasizing the potential of genetic modifications in sEV-based therapies for targeted cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonagenarians with acute ischemic stroke tend to have a higher mortality and morbidity than younger patients. Tirofiban is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist that has a therapeutic potential for ischemic stroke. Here, we provide a case report of a 93-year-old male patient with acute ischemic stroke. He presented with right-sided hemiparesis for 2 hours (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS = 23). Immediate treatment with endovascular tirofiban infusion achieved an improvement of intracranial blood flow and a progressively decreased NIHSS one day after admission (NIHSS = 16) and then seven days after admission (NIHSS = 7). After a follow-up of 90 days, the modified ranking score was 2. This case report suggests that endovascular application with tirofiban may be a favorable option for treating nonagenarians presenting with acute ischemic stroke and warrants further study.

Ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2) mutations lead to familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS)/and frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) through unknown mechanisms. The combination of iPSC technology and CRISPR-mediated genome editing technology can generate an iPSC-derived motor neuron (iPSC-MN) model with disease-relevant mutations, which results in increased opportunities for disease mechanism research and drug screening. In this study, we introduced a UBQLN2-P497H mutation into a healthy control iPSC line using CRISPR/Cas9, and differentiated into MNs to study the pathology of UBQLN2-related ALS. Our in vitro MN model faithfully recapitulated specific aspects of the disease, including MN apoptosis. Under sodium arsenite (SA) treatment, we found differences in the number and the size of UBQLN2+ inclusions in UBQLN2P497H MNs and wild-type (WT) MNs. We also observed cytoplasmic TAR DNA-binding protein (TARDBP, also known as TDP-43) aggregates in UBQLN2P497H MNs, but not in WT MNs, as well as the recruitment of TDP-43 into stress granules (SGs) upon SA treatment. We noted that UBQLN2-P497H mutation induced MNs DNA damage, which is an early event in UBQLN2-ALS. Additionally, DNA damage led to an increase in compensation for FUS, whereas UBQLN2-P497H mutation impaired this function. Therefore, FUS may be involved in DNA damage repair signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The ubiquilin‐like protein ubiquilin 2 (UBQLN2) is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration (ALS/FTD). The biological function of UBQLN2 has previously been shown to be related to stress granules (SGs). In this study, we aimed to clarify the regulatory relationship between UBQLN2 and SGs. Methods: In this study, we transfected UBQLN2‐WT or UBQLN2‐P497H plasmids into cell lines (HEK293T, HeLa), and observed the process of SG dynamics by immunofluorescence. Meanwhile, immunoblot analyses the protein changes of stress granules related components. Results: We observed that ubiquilin 2 colocalizes with the SG component proteins G3BP1, TIA‐1, ATXN2, and PABPC1. In cells expressing WT UBQLN2 or P497H mutants, in the early stages of SG formation under oxidative stress, the percentage of cells with SGs and the number of SGs per cell decreased to varying degrees. Between WT and mutant, there was no significant difference in eIF2α activity after stress treatment. Interestingly, the UBQLN2 P497H mutant downregulates the level of TIA‐1. In addition, the overexpression of the UBQLN2 P497H mutant inhibited the phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 and affected the nucleoplasmic distribution of TDP‐43. Conclusions: Ubiquilin 2 colocalizes with the SG component proteins G3BP1, TIA‐1, ATXN2, and PABPC1. It participates in regulating SG dynamics. And UBQLN2 mutation affects the assembly of stress granules by regulating TIA‐1. In addition, the overexpression of the UBQLN2 P497H mutant inhibited the phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 and affected the nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of TDP‐43. These provide new insights into the role of UBQLN2 in oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genipin, a natural compound derived from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides, possesses numerous biological properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticancer effects of genipin in human bladder cancer. T24 and 5637 bladder cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of genipin (0-200 μM) and tested for cell viability, colony formation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. A xenograft model of bladder cancer was established to determine the anticancer effect of genipin in vivo. The involvement of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in the action of genipin was examined. Genipin treatment significantly inhibited the viability and clonogenic growth of bladder cancer cells and inhibited the growth of T24 xenograft tumors, compared with vehicle controls (P<0.05). Genipin-treated cells exhibited a cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1-phase, which was accompanied by a deregulation of numerous cell cycle regulators. Genipin-treated cells demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, Bax translocation to the mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol. Additionally, genipin treatment significantly (P<0.05) reduced the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt in bladder cancer cells. Importantly, genipin-mediated anticancer effects were reversed by the overexpression of constitutively active Akt. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study demonstrates for the first time the growth inhibitory effects of genipin in bladder cancer cells, and indicates its potential as a natural anticancer agent for bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]