Fumin Tai

A novel sulfated α-glucan (VpG), with an ultra-high molecular weight of approximately 2250 kDa and a sulfation degree of 18.6%, was previously isolated from Volutharpa ampullacea perryi and shown to alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we further characterized the structural features of VpG using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and evaluated its immunomodulatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. SEM revealed a dense, porous surface with co-existing filamentous and flake-like structures, while AFM imaging showed that VpG adopted an irregular branched chain-like conformation. In functional assays, VpG significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that VpG downregulated LPS-induced expression of the M1 surface marker CD80, while Western blotting showed that VpG suppressed the phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2/3, indicating blockade of the MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, VpG exhibited potent radical scavenging activity against hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, which is associated with its anti-inflammatory activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that VpG exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization and suppression of MAPK activation, with its antioxidant capacity potentially contributing to the overall effect. This study provides a mechanistic basis for understanding the anti-inflammatory action of VpG and supports its potential as a therapeutic candidate for ulcerative colitis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), non-protein-coding transcripts exceeding 200 nucleotides, are critical regulators of gene expression through chromatin remodeling, transcriptional modulation, and post-transcriptional modifications. While ionizing radiation (IR) induces cellular damage through direct DNA breaks, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress, and bystander effects, the functional involvement of lncRNAs in the radiation response remains incompletely characterized. Here, through genome-wide CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) screening in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, we identified LOC401312 as a novel radiosensitizing lncRNA, the stable overexpression of which significantly enhanced IR sensitivity. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that LOC401312 transcriptionally upregulates carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Notably, CPS1 overexpression recapitulated the radiosensitization phenotype observed with LOC401312 activation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that CPS1 suppresses the phosphorylation of ATM kinase (Ser1981) protein, which is a key mediator of DNA damage checkpoint activation. This study established the LOC401312–CPS1–ATM axis as a previously unrecognized regulatory network governing radiation sensitivity, highlighting the potential of lncRNA-directed metabolic rewiring to impair DNA repair fidelity. Our findings not only expand the functional landscape of lncRNAs in DNA damage response but also provide a therapeutic rationale for targeting the LOC401312–CPS1 axis to improve radiotherapy efficacy in NSCLC.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), non-protein-coding transcripts exceeding 200 nucleotides, are critical regulators of gene expression through chromatin remodeling, transcriptional modulation, and post-transcriptional modifications. While ionizing radiation (IR) induces cellular damage through direct DNA breaks, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress, and bystander effects, the functional involvement of lncRNAs in radiation response remains incompletely characterized. Here, through genome-wide CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) screening in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, we identified LOC401312 as a novel radiosensitizing lncRNA, the stable overexpression of which significantly enhanced IR sensitivity. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that LOC401312 transcriptionally upregulates carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Notably, CPS1 overexpression recapitulated the radiosensitization phenotype observed with LOC401312 activation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that CPS1 suppresses the phosphorylation of ATM kinase (Ser1981) and XRCC1 protein levels, which are key mediators of DNA damage checkpoint activation and base excision repair, respectively. This study establishes the LOC401312-CPS1-ATM/XRCC1 axis as a previously unrecognized regulatory network governing radiation sensitivity, highlighting the potential of lncRNA-directed metabolic rewiring to impair DNA repair fidelity. Our findings not only expand the functional landscape of lncRNAs in DNA damage response but also provide a therapeutic rationale for targeting the LOC401312-CPS1 axis to improve radiotherapy efficacy in NSCLC.

Ionizing radiation (IR) induces severe hematopoietic injury by causing DNA and RNA damage as well as activating the immune responses, necessitating the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Ribonuclease L (RNase L) as an innate immune response pathway is triggered by exogenous and endogenous abnormal dsRNA under viral infection and dyshomeostasis, thereby activating the immune responses. Thus, we investigated the effect of RNase L on irradiation-induced bone marrow damage using RNase L knockout (RNase L^−/−) mice. Phenotypic analysis revealed that RNase L knockout mitigates irradiation-induced injury in the bone marrow. Further investigation into the mechanism of RNase L by RNA-seq, qRT-PCR, and CBA analysis demonstrated that RNase L deficiency counteracts the upregulation of genes related to immune responses induced by irradiation, including cytokines and interferon-stimulated genes. Moreover, RNase L deficiency inhibits the increased levels of immunoglobulins in serum induced by irradiation. These findings indicate that RNase L plays a role in the immune response induced by irradiation in the bone marrow. This study further enhances our understanding of the biological functions of RNase L in the immune response induced by irradiation and offers a novel approach for managing irradiation-induced bone marrow injury through the regulation of RNase L activation.