Identification of novel inhibitors of the transcriptional coactivator MRTF-A for HCC therapy.

Myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) is a coactivator of serum response factor (SRF), which regulates the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation and has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. We recently established inhibition of the transcriptional activity of MRTF-A by NS8593 as a novel therapeutic approach for HCC therapy. NS8593 is a negative gating modulator of the transient receptor potential cation channel TRPM7.

β2-Integrin Adhesion Regulates Dendritic Cell Epigenetic and Transcriptional Landscapes to Restrict Dendritic Cell Maturation and Tumor Rejection.

Dendritic cells (DC), the classic antigen-presenting cells of the immune system, switch from an adhesive, phagocytic phenotype in tissues, to a mature, nonadhesive phenotype that enables migration to lymph nodes to activate T cells and initiate antitumor responses. Monocyte-derived DCs are used in cancer immunotherapy, but their clinical efficacy is limited. Here, we show that cultured bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DC) expressing dysfunctional β2-integrin adhesion receptors displayed enhanced tumor rejection capabilities in B16.