This study was designed to investigate the primary targets and possible mechanisms of ranitidine (Ra) against diabetic retinopathy (DR). Single-cell sequencing technology and the SPIED3 platform were Show more
This study was designed to investigate the primary targets and possible mechanisms of ranitidine (Ra) against diabetic retinopathy (DR). Single-cell sequencing technology and the SPIED3 platform were employed to characterize key genes in retinal Müller cells (RMCs) of diabetic mice and identify potential small-molecule compounds separately. The effects of small-molecule compounds on the cell viability and proliferative capacity of mouse retinal Müller cells (rMC-1) cultured in high-glucose (HG) were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 (cck-8) and 5-ethyl-2-deoxyuridine (Edu) assay. Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Fe2+ were identified as indicators of ferroptosis. Then, network pharmacology was used to predict specific targets for Ra. Western blotting was used to identify ferroptosis-related proteins, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT), serine/threonine-protein kinase AKT1, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β). The predicted results suggested that the potential mechanism of RMCs damage in diabetic mice is associated with ferroptosis. The cck-8 results indicated Ra played a regulatory role in HG-induced rMC-1 by enhancing cell viability. Besides, Edu results showed that Ra promoted the proliferation of rMC-1 cells. Network pharmacological analyses predicted a potential mechanism of Ra effect in HG-induced rMC-1, mainly associated with the AKT1 and GSK3β genes. Phenotypically, Ra elevated intracellular GSH levels, while reducing MDA, Fe²⁺, and ROS concentrations. Mechanistically, Ra increased xCT and GPX4 expression through the promotion of AKT1/GSK3β phosphorylation, thereby alleviating ferroptosis in HG-induced rMC-1 cells. The study highlighted that the mechanism of DR is closely associated with ferroptosis and demonstrated that Ra inhibits HG-induced ferroptosis of rMC-1 cells by regulating the AKT1/GSK3β signaling pathway, thereby providing a theoretical basis for using Ra in managing DR. Show less
Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a key pathological feature of acute glaucoma that induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and retinal glial activation, ultimately leading to retinal degen Show more
Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a key pathological feature of acute glaucoma that induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and retinal glial activation, ultimately leading to retinal degeneration and neuronal dysfunction. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone (DBA) in protecting against I/R-induced retinal damage. DBA was tested in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia, in TNFα- or tBHP-treated rMC-1 Müller glial cells, and in a rat model of retinal I/R injury. In vitro assays demonstrated that DBA suppressed oxidative and inflammatory responses in microglia by reducing ROS, NO, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 levels. In Müller cells, DBA activated the NRF2/HO-1 pathway under oxidative stress and attenuated TNFα-induced upregulation of MMP-9 and MCP-1. Signaling analysis revealed that DBA inhibited the phosphorylation of p65 and STAT3 in both glial cell types, with additional ERK inhibition observed specifically in Müller cells. In vivo, DBA preserved retinal electrophysiological activity, as evidenced by maintained a- and b-wave responses, and reduced the expression of MMP-9, GFAP, and CD68 in the retina. These findings indicate that DBA confers partial retinal protection by modulating multiple glial-related signaling pathways and suggest its potential as a multi-target therapeutic agent for retinal neurodegenerative diseases. Show less
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a life-threatening acute vascular condition with high morbidity and mortality. Endothelial cells (ECs) are critical for maintaining vascular homeostasis, yet the ro Show more
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a life-threatening acute vascular condition with high morbidity and mortality. Endothelial cells (ECs) are critical for maintaining vascular homeostasis, yet the role of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a key cell-fate process in vascular development and disease, in TAD remains poorly defined. Furthermore, the functional role of PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4) as a driver of this pathological cell-fate transition has not been elucidated. To delineate the mechanistic contribution of EndoMT to TAD, we integrated transcriptomic profiling and immunofluorescence analysis in human aortic specimens and a β-aminopropionitrile-induced murine model. Following the identification of PDK4 as a critical downstream effector of EndoMT signaling via RNA-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, its functional role was validated using conditional EC-specific knockout mice and adeno-associated virus-mediated endothelial gene modulation. Serum samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure levels of endothelial injury markers for assessing EC-dysfunction. In addition, therapeutic potential was assessed using dichloroacetate, a small-molecule PDK4 inhibitor. A robust activation of the EndoMT gene program was observed in both human TAD specimens and murine aortic tissues, characterized by the loss of endothelial identity and acquisition of mesenchymal traits. Transcriptomic screening pinpointed PDK4 as a critical mediator upregulated during EndoMT. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the transcription factor Our findings demonstrate that the pathological EndoMT program is activated in ECs by PDK4, which aggravates TAD development in β-aminopropionitrile-induced mouse models, highlighting PDK4 as a promising therapeutic target for TAD. Show less
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a pervasive and persistent environmental pollutant, has been epidemiologically linked to thyroid disorders, but its toxic effects on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) Show more
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a pervasive and persistent environmental pollutant, has been epidemiologically linked to thyroid disorders, but its toxic effects on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remain unclear. This study provides the clinical evidence that PFOS accumulates at significantly higher levels in human PTC tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (p = 0.037), indicating tissue-specific bioaccumulation. To investigate its health impact, we modeled chronic environmental exposure by treating human PTC cells with low, environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOS (0.01, 0.05 μM). Chronic exposure markedly enhanced malignant phenotypes, including proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, PFOS activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which subsequently drove epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by upregulation of β-catenin and SNAI1, and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9). These pro-tumor effects were partially reversed by the pharmacological inhibitor BEZ235, which targets PI3K/mTOR. In vivo validation using a mouse xenograft model confirmed that PFOS exposure promotes tumor growth and upregulates the same pathway and effector molecules. This study provides integrated clinical and experimental evidence that PFOS exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations promotes PTC progression by inducing PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated EMT and associated enzyme secretion. These findings offer crucial experimental insight into the toxic role of PFOS as an environmental contaminant in thyroid tumors and underscore the urgent need for enhanced environmental health risk assessment and regulatory action. Show less
Metabolic‒epigenetic crosstalk critically orchestrates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. Deciphering the precise mechanism underlying epigenetic remodeling and metabolic reprogramming in HC Show more
Metabolic‒epigenetic crosstalk critically orchestrates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. Deciphering the precise mechanism underlying epigenetic remodeling and metabolic reprogramming in HCC may lead to novel treatment paradigms, however, the key mechanisms remain elusive. RT-qPCR, western blotting and tissue microarrary Immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of RasGEF domain family member 1B (RASGEF1B) in HCC and normal liver tissues. Transcriptome sequencing and high-resolution untargeted metabolomics were integrated to identify the downstream regulatory mechanism through which RASGEF1B inhibited the HCC progression. Epigenetic regulation was investigated using methylation-specific PCR and luciferase reporter assays. Bioinformatic prediction and molecular docking suggested a functional interplay among RASGEF1B, ALDH7A1, and BMI1, which was experimentally confirmed through coimmunoprecipitation, GST pull-down, and immunofluorescence assays. Protein stability and ubiquitination status of ALDH7A1 were examined using cycloheximide, immunoprecipitation assay, and an in vitro reconstituted ubiquitination system. In this study, the antitumor role of RASGEF1B was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that RASGEF1B overexpression significantly reduced the snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (SNAI1), a master regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that RASGEF1B promoted SNAI1 DNA methylation through Betaine-mediated methionine metabolic reprogramming. Further analysis confirmed that RASGEF1B competitively protected the ALDH7A1 protein from BMI1-dependent ubiquitination, thereby elevating cellular Betaine levels in HCC. This study revealed that RASGEF1B inhibited SNAI1 to suppress HCC through metabolite‒epigenetic crosstalk. Our findings potentially offer a new perspective on the classical RAS signaling framework, uncovering a metabolic‒epigenetic axis as an innovative therapeutic approach for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HCC. [Image: see text] The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-026-07785-z. Show less
Tight junctions (TJs) between pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the physical barrier that impedes the metastasis of tumor cells. We previously reported that circulating microtubule Show more
Tight junctions (TJs) between pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the physical barrier that impedes the metastasis of tumor cells. We previously reported that circulating microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3)-positive extracellular vesicles (LC3 Show less
While VPS13C is a recessively inherited Parkinson's disease (PD) gene, its potential dominant effects in idiopathic Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) remain unexplored. The relat Show more
While VPS13C is a recessively inherited Parkinson's disease (PD) gene, its potential dominant effects in idiopathic Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) remain unexplored. The relation between its monogenic form and the onset of PD suggested that subtype specificity may need to be considered. We examined the presence of likely pathogenic VPS13C variants in 150 iRBD and 180 α-synucleinopathy patients (iRBD-first and movement disorder-first). VPS13C variants were significantly enriched in iRBD patients, and ten iRBD risk variants have been identified. iRBD risk VPS13C variant carriers demonstrated more severe RBD symptoms and greater autonomic dysfunction, correlating with REM sleep EEG and autonomic network activity abnormalities. Notably, enrichment was specific to the iRBD-first α-synucleinopathy subtype, and iRBD risk VPS13C variant carriers showed accelerated progression to overt α-synucleinopathy. These results suggest that VPS13C not only contributes to iRBD susceptibility but also serves as a marker for the iRBD-first α-synucleinopathy and faster disease conversion. Show less
To report a clinical series of four patients diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) who exhibit heterozygous pathogenic variants in the VPS13C gene. VPS13C encodes vacuolar protein sort Show more
To report a clinical series of four patients diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) who exhibit heterozygous pathogenic variants in the VPS13C gene. VPS13C encodes vacuolar protein sorting 13C, a lipid transport protein that localizes between the endoplasmic reticulum and endosomes-lysosomes, functioning as a bridge to allow phospholipids to traverse the cytosol. Mutations in this gene have been associated with early-onset PARK23 and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), highlighting its importance in mitochondrial and lysosomal homeostasis. Cases were identified through the Mayo Clinic Data Explorer. We included all subjects with a clinical diagnosis of PD who tested positive for a heterozygous VPS13C variant defined as pathogenic by the ACMG guidelines. DaT-SCAN imaging was consistent with PD diagnosis in three patients. Non-motor symptoms and cognitive impairment were prominent phenotypical characteristics in all cases: all the patients presented with insomnia, anxiety, depression, severe fatigue, and short-memory loss. The response to oral levodopa treatment was suboptimal, with an initial benefit followed by rapid decreased responsiveness. Additionally, two patients developed wearing-off episodes and one of them also exhibited treatment-induced dyskinesias. We hypothesize that VPS13C may confer an increased risk of EOPD in carriers of pathogenic variants, and may function as a phenotype modifier gene, contributing to significant non-motor symptoms development and suboptimal levodopa response. Specifically, we propose that the suboptimal treatment response is associated with a decrease level of dopamine L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1). Show less
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a highly prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide and is closely associated with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Show more
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a highly prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide and is closely associated with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Because MASLD progression poses serious health risks, elucidating the underlying mechanisms is essential to guide early intervention and therapeutic strategies. Proteomic analysis was used to identity high-fat diet (HFD)-induced proteins in mouse liver. Galectin-1 (GAL1) expression was assessed via immunohistochemistry in human liver tissues. Liver-specific GAL1-deficient mice were generated using adeno-associated virus. Mice were fed either a chow diet or an HFD. Functional studies were performed in cell lines using western blotting, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and molecular docking analysis. GAL1 expression was elevated in liver tissues from patients with MASLD and in mouse models. Liver-specific GAL1 knockdown alleviated hepatic steatosis and enhanced fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Mechanistically, GAL1 competitively bound to the BRCT domain of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), thereby interfering with its interaction with the WW domain -containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (WWP2). Hepatic GAL1 knockdown promoted the PARP1 -WWP2 interaction and subsequently facilitated ubiquitin-dependent degradation of PARP1. This degradation led to increased NAD Hepatic deficiency of GAL1 alleviates hepatic steatosis by enhancing FAO through promotion of ubiquitin-dependent PARP1 degradation, thereby restoring NAD Show less
Osteoarthritis (OA) represents a prevalent degenerative joint condition, in which chondrocyte dysfunction plays a key role in disease progression. Although accumulating evidence underscores the import Show more
Osteoarthritis (OA) represents a prevalent degenerative joint condition, in which chondrocyte dysfunction plays a key role in disease progression. Although accumulating evidence underscores the importance of cellular stemness regulation in OA development, systematic screening of related biomarkers has been insufficient. The current study sought to discover and validate potential biomarkers through bioinformatics and machine learning (ML), offering novel perspectives for early detection and therapeutic intervention in OA. The present study examined six OA-related transcriptomic profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to discover and validate stemness-associated biomarkers. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected and analyzed for enriched biological functions. OA-related modules were determined via weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Key stemness-related genes were selected using ML algorithms, including support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was implemented to determine diagnostic accuracy. Utilizing single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), the link with immune cell infiltration was examined. Ultimately, immunohistochemistry was employed for experimental validation. Intersection analysis identified 56 stemness-related DEGs in OA cartilage. WGCNA analysis yielded 7 modules significantly associated with stemness genes, and a combined screening approach identified 60 candidate genes. Using four machine learning algorithms-SVM, LASSO, XGBoost, and RF-four feature genes were ultimately determined (WWP2, CDKN1A, IL11, and CRTAC1), among which WWP2, CDKN1A, and CRTAC1 showed significant differential expression between OA and normal samples and demonstrated good diagnostic performance in both the training and validation cohorts (AUC > 0.7). ssGSEA analysis revealed that the expression of these three genes was significantly correlated with specific immune cell subpopulations. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed that WWP2 and CDKN1A were downregulated in OA tissues, whereas CRTAC1 was upregulated. Through bioinformatics analysis and IHC validation, we identified three stemness-associated biomarker genes (WWP2, CDKN1A, CRTAC1) in OA. These findings may provide meaningful implications for future clinical assessment, treatment, and research on OA. Show less
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have transformed the treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, acquired resistance remains a major clinical challenge. While lysosomes hav Show more
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have transformed the treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, acquired resistance remains a major clinical challenge. While lysosomes have been implicated in drug resistance, their precise role in EGFR-TKI resistance remains unclear. In this study, we found that EGFR-TKI, including gefitinib and osimertinib, impaired WWP2-mediated proteasomal degradation of LAPTM4B. Through analysis of clinical tumor samples, genetic manipulation, and functional assays, we identify the lysosomal protein LAPTM4B as a key driver of EGFR-TKI resistance by enhancing EGFR phosphorylation and downstream signaling. Mechanistically, LAPTM4B interacts with ATP1A1 and facilitates its endocytosis, while simultaneously preventing its degradation by suppressing TRIM8-mediated K63-linked ubiquitination and proteasomal turnover. This stabilization of ATP1A1 enhances lysosomal acidification, ultimately promoting EGFR-TKI resistance. To identify potential therapeutic strategies, we conducted an unbiased high-content drug screen and identified compounds that suppress LAPTM4B expression. These compounds synergistically enhance the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC models Show less
Mengqiu Wu, Mengqiu Miao, Yuting Li+12 more · 2026 · Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism in injured tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are a well-recognized hallmark of kidney injury pathogenesis; however, the key target leading to this defect durin Show more
Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism in injured tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are a well-recognized hallmark of kidney injury pathogenesis; however, the key target leading to this defect during the acute kidney injury (AKI)-to-chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition remains elusive. Here, we found that during the AKI-to-CKD transition, the increased WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (WWP2) was shuttled to the mitochondria and disabled TEC mitochondrial energy metabolism by ubiquitinating and degrading complex II subunit succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit C (SDHC), leading to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) disability and aggravated TEC maladaptive repair. Preemptive and late depletion of Wwp2 both ameliorated unilateral ischemia-reperfusion (UIR) injury-induced AKI-to-CKD transition, and tubular-specific Wwp2 depletion resulted in the same protective phenotype. Furthermore, Sdhc knockdown abolished the protective effects of Wwp2 deletion in UIR mice. Conversely, SDHC overexpression attenuated OXPHOS impairment and TEC injury following WWP2 overexpression. Finally, we leveraged high-throughput virtual screening, enzyme activity assays, and binding affinity assays to identify two candidate WWP2 inhibitors. Both inhibitors significantly improved TEC maladaptive repair and deferred the AKI-to-CKD transition. Overall, we identified WWP2 as a critical regulator of mitochondrial OXPHOS integrity in maladaptive repairing TECs and identified two WWP2 inhibitors as potential drug candidates for interrupting the AKI-to-CKD transition. Show less
Myocardial hypertrophy is one of the most prominent features of heart failure. SET domain-containing protein 7 (Setd7), a catalytic enzyme responsible for histone H3K4 methylation, has been implicated Show more
Myocardial hypertrophy is one of the most prominent features of heart failure. SET domain-containing protein 7 (Setd7), a catalytic enzyme responsible for histone H3K4 methylation, has been implicated in various cardiac diseases. In this study we investigated whether Setd7 contributed to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Male mice were subjected to a hypobaric hypoxic environment for 8 weeks; neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) exposed to hypoxia for 6 h. We showed that hypoxic stimulation significantly upregulated the expression levels of Setd7 along with the expression of hypertrophic markers ANP and BNP in NRCMs. By conducting loss- and gain-of-function assays, we demonstrated that Setd7 modulated the hypertrophic and inflammatory markers in hypoxic cardiomyocytes. We further revealed that Setd7-mediated activation of E2F1 (E2 promoter binding factor 1) triggered the expression of E3 ubiquitin protein ligases WWP2, which catalyzed the ubiquitination and degradation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), a critical lipid peroxide-reducing enzyme. This degradation drove extensive lipid peroxidation, thereby exacerbating pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Notably, GPx4 inhibition by ras-selective lethal small molecule 3 (RSL3) abolished the antihypertrophic effects of Setd7 knockdown in cardiomyocytes, underscoring the pivotal role of lipid peroxidation in Setd7-mediated hypertrophic responses. In summary, Setd7 promotes hypoxia-induced cardiac hypertrophy through the Setd7-E2F1-WWP2-GPx4 signaling pathway, suggesting that targeting Setd7 is a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate hypoxia-induced myocardial hypertrophy. Show less
Excessive adipose tissue accumulation adversely impacts the health of both humans and livestock. Adenylyl cyclase 3 (ADCY3) is a promising anti-obesity target, yet its regulatory role in adipogenesis Show more
Excessive adipose tissue accumulation adversely impacts the health of both humans and livestock. Adenylyl cyclase 3 (ADCY3) is a promising anti-obesity target, yet its regulatory role in adipogenesis remains incompletely understood. Our findings revealed a dynamic pattern of ADCY3 expression during adipogenesis and lipid droplet (LDs) accumulation. Functional analyses demonstrated that ADCY3 overexpression impaired adipogenesis by downregulating adipogenic transcription factors CEBPα and PPARγ. Furthermore, it reduced both the number and size of LDs through suppressing triglyceride synthesis and fatty acid metabolism, concomitantly downregulating key genes involved in LDs formation (PLIN1, CIDEC, FIT2, and Seipin), as well as factors mediating glycerol ester synthesis and fatty acid metabolism (DGAT1, DGAT2, ACC, SCD, FASN, and ACSL1). Transcriptomic profiling revealed that ADCY3 overexpression suppressed PPARγ signaling, leading to the downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation genes encoded by both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Our results implicate ADCY3 in the regulation of lipid metabolism, with the speculative involvement of mitochondrial metabolic remodeling. This perspective offers a framework for developing future interventions against excessive lipid deposition. Show less
The melanocortin system centrally regulates energy homeostasis, with key components such as melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) and adenylyl cyclase 3 (ADCY3) in neuronal primary cilia. Mutations in
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in plants and soil poses significant risks to livestock, particularly sheep. Cd exposure often leads to severe gastrointestinal diseases in sheep that are difficult to treat Show more
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in plants and soil poses significant risks to livestock, particularly sheep. Cd exposure often leads to severe gastrointestinal diseases in sheep that are difficult to treat. Milk-derived exosomes, particularly those from sheep milk (SM-Exo), have shown potential in treating gastrointestinal disorders, though their efficacy in Cd-induced colitis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of SM-Exo in a Cd-induced colitis model. Hu sheep were exposed to Cd, and their fecal microbiota were collected to prepare bacterial solutions for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in mice. The changes in gut microbiota and gene expression were analyzed through microbiome and transcriptomics. Our results showed that prior to treatment, harmful bacteria (e.g., Show less
One of the recognized effects of systematic physical activity is the improvement of physical fitness, with a negative correlation found between physical fitness and cardiovascular and cardiometabolic Show more
One of the recognized effects of systematic physical activity is the improvement of physical fitness, with a negative correlation found between physical fitness and cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk. The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the adenylate cyclase 3 ( In the 12-week HIIT program, a total of 237 Chinese Han college students with non-regular exercise habits were recruited, and these volunteers participated in the training three times a week. Baseline and after the HIIT program, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured, respectively. DNA was extracted from the white blood cells of volunteers and genotyping was carried out. The PLINK v1.09 software was used to conduct quality control screening on the obtained SNPs, and a linear regression model was constructed to analyze the association between (1) Through the analysis of Illumina CGA chip scanning, a total of 22 SNPs of the (1) The implementation of a 12-week HIIT regimen can significantly enhance the blood lipid status of college students. (2) The locus rs2241759 of the Show less
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with strong heritability. However, the independent role of oocytes in mediating this heritability remains Show more
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic and reproductive endocrine disorder with strong heritability. However, the independent role of oocytes in mediating this heritability remains unclear. Utilizing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and surrogacy, we demonstrated that oocytes from androgen-exposed mice (F1) transmitted PCOS-like traits to F2 and F3 generations. Notably, caloric restriction (CR) in F1 or F2 effectively prevented this transmission by restoring disrupted DNA methylation in oocyte genes related to insulin secretion and AMPK signaling pathways. Further detection in adult tissues of offspring revealed dysregulated DNA methylation and expression of those genes (e.g., Adcy3, Gnas, and Srebf1) were reversed by maternal CR. Moreover, similar benefits of CR were observed in aberrant embryonic methylome of women with PCOS. These findings elucidate the essential role of CR in preventing PCOS transmission via methylation reprogramming, emphasizing the importance of preconception metabolic management for women with PCOS. Show less
Sepsis, characterized as a systemic inflammatory response triggered by pathogen invasion, represents a continuum that may progress from mild systemic infection to severe sepsis, potentially culminatin Show more
Sepsis, characterized as a systemic inflammatory response triggered by pathogen invasion, represents a continuum that may progress from mild systemic infection to severe sepsis, potentially culminating in septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. A pivotal element in the pathogenesis and progression of sepsis involves the significant disruption of oncological metabolic networks, where cells within the pathological milieu exhibit metabolic functions that diverge from their healthy counterparts. Among these, purine metabolism plays a crucial role in nucleic acid synthesis. However, the contribution of Purine Metabolism Genes (PMGs) to the defense mechanisms against sepsis remains inadequately explored. Leveraging bioinformatics, this study aimed to identify and substantiate potential PMGs implicated in sepsis. The approach encompassed a differential expression analysis across a pool of 75 candidate PMGs. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were employed to assess the biological significance and pathways associated with these genes. Additionally, Lasso regression and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) methodologies were implemented to identify key hub genes and evaluate the diagnostic potential of nine selected PMGs in sepsis identification. The study also examined the correlation between these hub PMGs and related genes, with validation conducted through expression level analysis using the GSE13904 and GSE65682 datasets. The study identified twelve PMGs correlated with sepsis, namely AK9, ENTPD3, NUDT16, GMPR2, PKM, RRM2B, POLR2J, POLE3, ADCY3, ADCY4, ADSSL1, and AMPD1. Functional analysis revealed their involvement in critical processes such as purine nucleotide and ribose phosphate metabolism. The diagnostic capability of these PMGs to effectively differentiate sepsis cases underscored their potential as biomarkers. This research elucidates twelve PMGs associated with sepsis, providing valuable insights into novel biomarkers for this condition and facilitating the monitoring of its progression. These findings highlight the significance of purine metabolism in sepsis pathogenesis and open avenues for further investigation into therapeutic targets. Show less
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) describes a range of cognitive impairments associated with surgery and anaesthesia, often driven by neuroinflammation. This study explored a novel adult mou Show more
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) describes a range of cognitive impairments associated with surgery and anaesthesia, often driven by neuroinflammation. This study explored a novel adult mouse model, in which preoperative subclinical infection, induced by low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with surgery, led to cognitive dysfunction in adult mice. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were treated with 0.75 mg/kg LPS two hours before undergoing tibial fracture fixation or appendicectomy. Spontaneous activity and anxiety-like behaviours were tested by open field test. Cognitive outcomes were evaluated using the novel object recognition test and morris water maze. Inflammatory markers and synaptic proteins in the hippocampus were analysed through ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Western blot, while proteomics provided deeper insights into molecular changes. We found that preoperative LPS sensitised the immune system, leading to heightened neuroinflammation and microglial activation after surgery. This was accompanied by memory and learning impairments. Key synaptic proteins, including PSD-95, GAP-43, SYN and mature BDNF, were significantly reduced, indicating disrupted synaptic function. Proteomics revealed changes in pathways related to immune responses, synaptic organisation, and energy metabolism, providing a potential molecular basis for these cognitive deficits. This study provided a practical adult mouse model for PND, demonstrating that low-dose LPS followed by surgery induced an inflammatory response, leading to postoperative impairments in learning and memory. Show less
The increasing global aging population presents significant challenges related to cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and social isolation. Martial arts exercise emerges as a multifaceted inte Show more
The increasing global aging population presents significant challenges related to cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and social isolation. Martial arts exercise emerges as a multifaceted intervention promoting mental health and cognitive vitality among older adults by integrating physical activity, cognitive engagement, and social interaction. This review synthesizes evidence on the neural mechanisms underlying the benefits of martial arts, highlighting their role in enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, neuroplasticity, and neural connectivity, which support improved executive functions, memory, and emotional regulation. Both hard martial arts and soft practices, such as Tai Chi, offer distinct advantages in addressing age-related cognitive and psychosocial challenges. Additionally, martial arts foster strong social support systems, reducing loneliness and enhancing emotional resilience through community engagement and shared achievement. Physical and functional benefits, including improved strength, balance, and cardiovascular health, further contribute to overall well-being. Despite promising results, current studies are limited by heterogeneity in martial arts styles, short intervention durations, and variable methodologies. Future research should focus on long-term, standardized interventions employing advanced neuroimaging and biomarker assessments to better elucidate mechanisms and optimize training protocols. Integrating martial arts into health promotion strategies holds substantial potential for enhancing mental health, cognitive resilience, and quality of life in aging populations. Show less
Neurotrophin signaling through NGF/TrkA and BDNF/TrkB is increasingly recognized as a driver of osteosarcoma (OS) progression and an organizer of its immune milieu, yet clinical translation has lagged Show more
Neurotrophin signaling through NGF/TrkA and BDNF/TrkB is increasingly recognized as a driver of osteosarcoma (OS) progression and an organizer of its immune milieu, yet clinical translation has lagged amid intratumoral heterogeneity and a myeloid-skewed, vasculature-aberrant tumor microenvironment (TME). Features that blunt immune competence include dominant tumor-associated macrophage programs, sparse and dysfunctional effector T cells, endothelial remodeling that restricts lymphocyte entry, and neuron-immune circuits that reinforce suppression. Within this context, NGF/TrkA promotes matrix remodeling, monocyte ingress, and macrophage polarization, while BDNF/TrkB modulates dendritic-cell maturation, supports survival and angiogenesis, and may condition T-cell priming-together positioning neurotrophins as coordinators of tumor persistence and immune exclusion. This review surveys these mechanisms and maps them to therapeutic strategies: kinase-level blockade with approved TRK inhibitors in NTRK fusion-positive disease; exploratory pathway inhibition in fusion-negative OS; ligand-directed approaches; and rational combinations with immunotherapy and vascular/stromal modulators. We highlight biomarker frameworks (receptor-ligand activity scores, phospho-Trk immunohistochemistry, NGF-MMP-2 readouts) and safety considerations that should structure early-phase trials. Clinical and preclinical signals collectively support testing neurotrophin-targeted strategies to recalibrate myeloid composition, enhance antigen presentation, and restore T-cell access to tumor beds. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current evidence and propose a translational roadmap for targeting NGF/TrkA and BDNF/TrkB to remodel antitumor immunity in osteosarcoma. Show less
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) ameliorate motor deficits in cerebral palsy (CP), but the effect of injection frequency remains unclear. Moreover, most studies have focu Show more
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) ameliorate motor deficits in cerebral palsy (CP), but the effect of injection frequency remains unclear. Moreover, most studies have focused on mild CP models (unilateral carotid artery occlusion [UCAO] model). This study explored the effect and mechanism of hUC-MSCs in a rat model of moderate-to-severe CP (bilateral carotid artery occlusion [BCAO] model). On postnatal Day 4 (P4), Wistar rat pups underwent BCAO induction. Subsequently, they received either a single intrathecal injection of hUC-MSCs on P21 or repeated injections on P21, P28, P35, and P42. Motor performance was assessed using the rotarod and front-limb suspension tests, while neuronal regeneration and inflammation were evaluated via biomarkers including neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin basic protein (MBP), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). P18 model screening confirmed that the BCAO model resulted in more severe brain damage and motor impairment than the UCAO model. After injection of lentivirally transfected hUC-MSCs, it was found that hUC-MSCs could nest in the damaged area and survive for at least 3 days. Administration of hUC-MSCs following BCAO modeling led to notable improvements in both behavioral performance and histological outcomes. Furthermore, repeated injections offered greater therapeutic benefits compared to single injection. It indicated that the efficacy of repeated injections of hUC-MSCs in the treatment of moderate-to-severe CP was superior to that of single injection. Its mechanism was related to the improvement of damaged myelin structure, reduced immunoinflammatory responses, and increased neurotrophic support. Show less
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic agents have become a standard strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There remains an urgent need for effective biomarke Show more
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with antiangiogenic agents have become a standard strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There remains an urgent need for effective biomarkers to guide treatment, with C-reactive protein and alpha-fetoprotein in immunotherapy (CRAFITY) scores and cytokine levels representing promising candidates. We aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and potential biomarkers of anlotinib plus TQB2450 in patients with advanced HCC. This study was a single-arm, phase Ib trial. Twenty-five patients with advanced HCC were enrolled. Patients received an intravenous infusion of TQB2450 (1200 mg, on Day 1) and oral administration of anlotinib (initiated at 10 mg, once a day, from Day 1 to Day 14), which was repeated every 3 weeks. Blood was collected at baseline for serum cytokine analysis. After a median follow-up of 41.80 months, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 5.49 months, and the median overall survival (mOS) was 8.94 months. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 22 patients, with grade ⩾3 TRAEs observed in 12 patients. Patients who achieved clinical benefit (CB) had higher baseline serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels than non-CB patients (median, 227.97 vs 129.26 pg/ml, Anlotinib plus TQB2450 demonstrated promising efficacy with manageable safety in advanced HCC. Elevated serum BDNF levels might serve as a potential positive prognostic marker and, together with ECOG score, may help complement the CRAFITY score in identifying subgroups that could benefit from ICIs and antiangiogenic therapy. Show less
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain l Show more
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common complication following thoracic surgery and often leading to poor outcomes. Despite ongoing research, effective treatments for late PND remain limited. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis is, therefore, essential. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 60 elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Serum samples were collected within 10 minutes prior to anesthesia and following extubation to measure adiponectin (APN), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Among PND patients, serum APN, PKA, AQP4, and BDNF levels were markedly decreased compared with the normal group. While serum cAMP (HR = 1.087, p = 0.695, 95% CI [0.284-4.166]) and PKA (HR = 0.996, p = 0.09, 95% CI [0.491-0.947]) were not significantly correlated with PND, serum APN (HR = 0.307, 95% CI [0.113-0.835], p = 0.021), AQP4 (HR = 0.204, 95% CI [0.060-0.697], p = 0.011), and BDNF (HR = 0.382, 95% CI [0.177-0.823], p = 0.014) were protective factors against PND. ROC analysis demonstrated that APN (AUC = 0.68, 95% CI [0.51-0.87]), AQP4 (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), BDNF (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.87]), and the model of combining those biomarkers (AUC = 0.91, 95% CI [0.83-0.99]) could predict PND. PND patients exhibited a lower protective stress response to surgical trauma. High serum APN, AQP4, and BDNF levels were independent protective factors for PND, and a combined model of these biomarkers showed predictive potential for PND. Show less
ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the effects of different exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and to explore regu Show more
ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the effects of different exercise interventions on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and to explore regulatory factors.MethodsSearched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, CNKI and Cochrane Library databases up to March 15, 2025. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using R software, and meta-regression analyzed the moderating effects of training period and frequency.Results42 randomized controlled trials covering 1482 patients were included. The Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) indicated that stretching training (SUCRA = 78.92) and high-intensity interval training (SUCRA = 69.73) were ranked higher than other exercise modalities and exhibited more favorable effect on BDNF enhancement, although neither demonstrated statistically significant superiority over the blank control. In contrast, combined training (SUCRA = 35.58), aerobic training (SUCRA = 35.17), and resistance training (SUCRA = 12.98) showed relatively lower potential for BDNF enhancement (blank control SUCRA = 67.62). Meta-regression analysis showed that the effect of combined training was significantly and positively correlated with intervention period ( Show less
High-intensity exercise promotes visceral adipose tissue (VAT) breakdown in females via the hypothalamic ERα pathway, and exogenous lactate infusion combined with aerobic training (AT) mimics this eff Show more
High-intensity exercise promotes visceral adipose tissue (VAT) breakdown in females via the hypothalamic ERα pathway, and exogenous lactate infusion combined with aerobic training (AT) mimics this effect. However, whether lactate administration can independently mediate hypothalamic plasticity and VAT catabolism as a standalone nutritional strategy remains unexplored. Firstly, using a two-factor design (Lactate × AT) in female SD rats, we showed that long-term exogenous lactate infusion independently induced co-expression of Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and elevated local field potential spectral power in specific bands. These neural adaptations were accompanied by increased resting metabolic rate, enhanced fat oxidation, and enhanced lipolysis, thereby preventing excessive VAT accumulation induced by a high-fat diet. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition confirmed that Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) acts as a co-upstream signal of ERα and BDNF mediating this process. Our findings reveal that standalone lactate administration induces functional plasticity and metabolic reprogramming through the VMH PGC-1α-ERα pathway, independent of exercise, and effectively suppresses pathological VAT accumulation in female rats. This study identifies potential nutritional interventions and mechanistic targets for preventing female-centered obesity. Show less