As the most common primary malignant bone tumor, further investigation into risk stratification for osteosarcoma (OS) prognosis is of significant clinical importance. Copper is essential for bone meta Show more
As the most common primary malignant bone tumor, further investigation into risk stratification for osteosarcoma (OS) prognosis is of significant clinical importance. Copper is essential for bone metabolism; however, its specific role in OS remains unclear. The expression characteristics of copper metabolism related genes (CORGs) in OS were revealed by single cell sequencing. Prognosis-associated CORGs were identified, and a CORG-related scoring system and risk model were established using bioinformatics approaches, including univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and LASSO analysis. We further analyzed immune microenvironment infiltration, molecular subtypes and clinicopathological characteristics. The impact of selected CORG with high-risk coefficient on OS cells was tested by qRT-PCR, western blot, siRNA, colony formation analysis and Transwell in vitro. We successfully developed an OS scoring system related to copper metabolism and validated its independent prognostic value in patients with OS. The potential clinical value of CORG scoring system was analyzed. APOA4 was selected for in vitro experiments and its effect on the proliferation and invasion ability of OS cells was verified. We established a copper metabolism-related scoring system to effectively stratify the risk of OS patients. Our results provide a new basis for the role of copper metabolism in OS and provide new potential targets for the treatment of OS. Show less
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a prospective treatment for psychiatric disorders; for example, DBS targeting the nucleus accumbens (NAc) abolishes addictive behaviors. However, neither th Show more
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a prospective treatment for psychiatric disorders; for example, DBS targeting the nucleus accumbens (NAc) abolishes addictive behaviors. However, neither the core pathway nor the cellular mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects are known. Here, morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice as an addiction model and NAc-DBS combined with adeno-associated virus gene delivery for activity-dependent tagging, transgenic and chemogenetic manipulation of recruited neuronal networks are used. It is reported that a cortical-accumbal pathway and local fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are critical for NAc-DBS to be effective in altering morphine CPP. It is shown that NAc-DBS retrogradely activates mPFC neurons projecting to the NAc, and chemogenetic activation/inhibition of these DBS-activated neuron ensembles in the mPFC reproduces the NAc-DBS effects on CPP. Sustained therapeutic effects accompany reductions in local FGF1 binding to fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) in these neurons. Additionally, overexpressing FGF1 in the mPFC-NAc pathway abolishes the therapeutic effects of NAc-DBS. These results demonstrate that the mPFC-NAc pathway forms a top-down motif to regulate the therapeutic effects of subcortical DBS on addiction. These results support the potential for addiction treatments involving FGF1 signaling and highlight the mPFC as a target for noninvasive brain stimulation. Show less
Angiogenesis, a meticulously regulated process essential for both normal development and pathological conditions, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the endothelial mechanisms governing its Show more
Angiogenesis, a meticulously regulated process essential for both normal development and pathological conditions, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the endothelial mechanisms governing its progression. Leveraging the zebrafish model and NgAgo knockdown system to identify target genes influencing angiogenesis, our study highlights the significant role of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and its receptor (GIPR) in this process. While GIP has been extensively studied for its insulinotropic and glucagonotropic effects, its role in angiogenesis remains unexplored. This study demonstrated that GIPR knockdown induced developmental delays, morphological abnormalities, and pronounced angiogenic impairments in zebrafish embryos. Conversely, exogenous D-Ala2-GIP administration enhanced blood vessel formation in the yolk sac membrane of chick embryos. Consistent with these findings, D-Ala2-GIP treatment promoted microvessel formation in the tube formation assays and rat aortic ring models. Further investigation revealed that D-Ala2-GIP facilitated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, a key step in angiogenesis, through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated activation of the Epac/Rap1/Cdc42 signaling pathway. This study provides novel insights into the angiogenic functions of GIP and its potential implications for cardiovascular biology. Show less
Gallstone disease (GD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with a significant genetic component. Despite known risk factors, the genetic basis of GD remains incompletely understood. We aimed to iden Show more
Gallstone disease (GD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with a significant genetic component. Despite known risk factors, the genetic basis of GD remains incompletely understood. We aimed to identify novel genetic loci associated with GD, explore their clinical implications and investigate their therapeutic potential. We conducted a genome-wide association study from the UK Biobank followed by a meta-analysis, integrating summary statistics from the FinnGen R11, with further replication from Biobank Japan. Using systematic bioinformatic approaches, we performed gene prioritisation, colocalisation analysis, transcriptome-wide association study, Mendelian randomisations, cross-trait genetic correlations, phenome-wide association study, clinical investigations and gene-environment interactions by leveraging data from the FinnGen, Genotype-Tissue Expression project and Liver Cell Atlas single-cell transcriptomics data set. Our study highlighted novel susceptibility loci near candidate genes (ie, This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of GD and highlights the role of hepatocytes in GD pathogenesis. These findings have implications for the personalised prevention strategies and new therapeutic interventions in individuals predisposed to GD. Show less
Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are used for glycemic control in diabetes and show potential Show more
Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are used for glycemic control in diabetes and show potential neuroprotective properties, but their effects on AD and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that GLP-1RAs can alleviate AD-related phenotypes by activating 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. We found that plasma GLP-1 levels were decreased in AD model mice and negatively correlated with amyloid-beta (Aβ) load in patients with AD. Enhancing GLP-1 signaling through GLP-1RAs increased CaMKK2-AMPK signaling, which subsequently reduced BACE1-mediated cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Aβ generation. GLP-1RAs also increased AMPK activity in microglia, inhibiting neuroinflammation and promoting Aβ phagocytosis. Consequently, GLP-1RAs inhibited plaque formation and improved memory deficits in AD model mice. Our findings indicate that AMPK activation mediates the effects of GLP-1RAs on AD, highlighting the therapeutic potential of GLP-1RAs for the treatment of AD. Show less
The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), an increasingly important species in marine aquaculture, has garnered significant research interest due to its high market value. Despite extensive Show more
The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), an increasingly important species in marine aquaculture, has garnered significant research interest due to its high market value. Despite extensive research on ovarian growth and development in fish, the molecular mechanisms governing lipid droplet formation and lipid deposition in P. leopardus remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted transcriptomic analyses of P. leopardus ovaries at three developmental stages: primary growth (PG), pre-vitellogenesis (PV), and mid-vitellogenesis (MV). A total of 534,847,090 raw reads were obtained from nine cDNA libraries, leading to the identification of 19,155 genes with 13,817 genes expressed at all stages. Differential analysis showed that 1012, 2609, and 4039 genes were up-regulated, while 168, 277, and 577 genes were down-regulated in the three comparisons, respectively. Functional enrichment analyses highlighting the critical roles of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lipid transport (such as fatp1, fatp4, fatp6, apoeb, lpl and fabps), fatty acid metabolism (such as elovl6, acsl1, dgat2 and gpat4) and phospholipid metabolism (such as ept1, chka and pla2g15). These findings underscore their contribution to lipid droplet formation and deposition. Furthermore, key signaling pathways, including Wnt, mTOR, PPAR and PI3K/Akt, were implicated in regulating these processes. The reliability of the RNA-seq data was confirmed through qPCR validation of 10 lipid-related genes. Based on these results, we propose a model for lipid droplet formation and lipid deposition during ovarian development in P. leopardus. This study advances our understanding of ovarian development in P. leopardus and provides a foundation for future research on marine fish reproduction, with potential applications in species conservation and aquaculture management. Show less
Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in mammals, and it plays a crucial role in metabolism and homeostasis. Skeletal muscle development and regeneration consist of a series of carefully regulated cha Show more
Skeletal muscle is the largest tissue in mammals, and it plays a crucial role in metabolism and homeostasis. Skeletal muscle development and regeneration consist of a series of carefully regulated changes in gene expression. Leiomodin2 (LMOD2) gene is specifically expressed in the heart and skeletal muscle. But the physiological functions and mechanisms of LMOD2 on skeletal muscle development are unknown. In this study, we examined the expression levels of the LMOD2 in porcine tissues and C2C12 cells. LMOD2 is mainly expressed in the heart, followed by skeletal muscle. The expression level of LMOD2 gradually decreased with skeletal muscle growth, but increased after injury. LMOD2 expression levels increased gradually with C2C12 cells proliferation and differentiation. In terms of function, the muscle fiber types were altered after LMOD2 was knocked out in C2C12 cells, MyHC-I and MyHC-2b were inhibited, whereas MyHC-2a and MyHC-2x were promoted. LMOD2 knockout has different effects on LMOD family, LMOD1 expression level was promoted, while LMOD3 was inhibited. Loss of LMOD2 suppressed cell viability and PAX7 protein expression. At the transcriptome level, proliferation-related genes and muscle contraction-related genes were respectively inhibited after LMOD2 knockout. In terms of molecular networks, a series of experiments have shown that MyoG is a transcription factor for LMOD2, while miR-335-3p can negatively regulate LMOD2 expression. We screened ACTC1 as a candidate interacting protein for LMOD2 using protein prediction software and RNA-seq, and Co-IP experiments confirmed the relationship between LMOD2 and ACTC1. In vivo, Lentivirus-mediated LMOD2 knockdown reduces muscle mass. LMOD2 knockdown inhibited MyHC-I mRNA expression, but had no effect on MyHC-2b. The protein expression of MyHC-I, MyHC-2x, and MyHC-2b was suppressed after LMOD2 knockdown. Collectively, our data indicates that LMOD2 knockout inhibits myoblast proliferation and alters muscle fiber types. MyoG is a transcription factor for LMOD2, while miR-335-3p can negatively regulate LMOD2 expression. Moreover, LMOD2 and ACTC1 interact to regulate myogenic differentiation. Our study provides a new target for skeletal muscle development. Show less
Lipoproteins are essential for lipid transport in all bilaterians. A single Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) molecule is the inseparable structural scaffold of each ApoB-containing lipoprotein (B-lps), which a Show more
Lipoproteins are essential for lipid transport in all bilaterians. A single Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) molecule is the inseparable structural scaffold of each ApoB-containing lipoprotein (B-lps), which are responsible for transporting lipids to peripheral tissues. The cellular mechanisms that regulate ApoB and B-lp production, secretion, transport, and degradation remain to be fully defined. In humans, elevated levels of vascular B-lps play a causative role in cardiovascular disease. Previously, we have detailed that human B-lp biology is remarkably conserved in the zebrafish using an Show less
Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) stands as an unavoidable complication arising from kidney surgery, profoundly intertwined with its prognosis. The role of differentially expressed in FDCP 6 ho Show more
Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) stands as an unavoidable complication arising from kidney surgery, profoundly intertwined with its prognosis. The role of differentially expressed in FDCP 6 homolog (DEF6) in RIRI remains elusive, despite its confirmation as a potential therapeutic target for diverse diseases. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which DEF6 regulated RIRI. RNA sequencing data and IP-MS were used to identify the expression and potential targets of DEF6 through bioinformatics analysis. To elucidate the impact of DEF6 on RIRI, both an in vivo model of RIRI in mice and an in vitro model of kidney cell hypoxia/reoxygenation were established. Biochemical and histological analyses were used to investigate the influence of DEF6 on kidney damage mediated by RIRI. We confirmed that DEF6 was upregulated during RIRI and had a close correlation with RIRI-related inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, inhibition of DEF6 could mitigate RIRI-induced kidney damage, inflammation, and apoptosis. Through our comprehensive mechanistic investigation, we revealed that DEF6 interacts with poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) and suppresses the ubiquitination of PARP1. Inhibition of DEF6 resulted in reduced cleaveage of PARP1, leading to a marked suppression of PARP1-mediated apoptosis activation. The aggravation effect on inflammation and apoptosis achieved through DEF6 was nullified by the inhibition of NF-κB and Bax/Bcl2 signaling activation through PARP1 deletion. The findings from our study indicate that DEF6 suppressed the WWP2 mediated ubiquitination of PARP1 and modulates the activation of NF-κB and Bax/Bcl2 pathway, thus involved in RIRI-induced inflammation and apoptosis. These results suggest that DEF6 holds promise as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating RIRI. Show less
The emerging N-acetylgalactosamine-small interfering RNA (GalNAc-siRNA) conjugates lead the way for liver-targeting delivery to exert gene-silencing therapeutic effects. To facilitate the drug develop Show more
The emerging N-acetylgalactosamine-small interfering RNA (GalNAc-siRNA) conjugates lead the way for liver-targeting delivery to exert gene-silencing therapeutic effects. To facilitate the drug development of GalNAc-siRNA, further detailed understanding of the key modality-specific mechanisms underlying the temporal discordance between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and how these processes can be extrapolated from animals to humans is needed. A mechanistic minimal physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (mPBPK-PD) model for an investigational new apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3)-silencing GalNAc-siRNA (RBD5044) was developed using available pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data. The aim was to explore hepatic-targeting delivery processes, the PK/PD relationship, and interspecies translation. First, multiple PK/PD datasets from mice were satisfactorily fitted using the mPBPK-PD model. Second, we translated the mice model to the monkey model, validated it, and then extrapolated from mice and monkeys to humans to simulate the PK/PD characteristics. We then mechanistically summarized and proposed the essential in vivo delivery processes of GalNAc-siRNA after subcutaneous administration (termed "ADUEB": Absorption [into system circulation], Disposition [distribution to liver target and elimination], Uptake [into hepatocytes], Escape [from endosome and lysosome compartments], and Binding [with argonaute2 to form RNA-induced silencing complex]). The targeting delivery coefficients of these processes achieved with the model using RBD5044 and the published data of another GalNAc-siRNA (fitusiran) quantitatively reflected the delivery efficiency and rate-limiting factors in targeted hepatocytes. This study successfully constructed the mPBPK-PD model and conducted interspecies extrapolation for a GalNAc-siRNA targeting APOC3. Promising quantitative insights into a hepatic-targeted GalNAc-siRNA delivery system are provided to characterize the unique temporal disconnection of PK/PD properties and evaluate the key in vivo delivery processes. It will promote model-informed strategies and quantitative mechanistic understanding to support efficient drug development, evaluation, and clinical application of this modality in the future. Show less
Cardiovascular diseases from abnormal lipid metabolism significantly increase mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The causal link between dyslipidemia and SLE is unclear. Lipid metabolism Show more
Cardiovascular diseases from abnormal lipid metabolism significantly increase mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The causal link between dyslipidemia and SLE is unclear. Lipid metabolism in patients with SLE was evaluated based on clinical data from 511 patients with SLE and 706 healthy individuals. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to assess causal links between 179 plasma lipid metabolites, lipid-lowering drug targets, and SLE risk. Genetic instruments from GWAS and eQTL data were used to evaluate CETP and APOA4 effects. Peripheral blood CETP and apolipoprotein levels in SLE patients were validated via ELISA. SLE patients exhibited reduced HDL-C (P < 0.0001), APOA1 (P < 0.0001), and APOA4 (P < 0.0001), alongside elevated triglycerides (TG, P < 0.0001), APOC3, APOD, and APOF. MR identified three lipid metabolites-PC(18:2₂₀:4), TG(56:6), and TG(58:7)-as causal factors for SLE (P < 2.79E-5). CETP inhibition significantly reduced SLE risk via HDL-C modulation (OR = 0.72, P = 3.38E-08) and influenced LDL-C, TG, and apolipoproteins. Clinical validation confirmed elevated CETP and reduced APOA4 in SLE, correlating with disease activity. APOA4 activation showed protective effects, while PCSK9 inhibition lacked relevance. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses confirmed dyslipidemia as a causal antecedent to SLE, with no evidence of reverse causation. A variety of MR analyses and clinical validation indicated that targeting HDL-C regulation offers significant advantages for managing dyslipidemia in patients with SLE, with CETP identified as the optimal pharmacological target. Show less
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is critical for clearance of circulating triglycerides and for tissue fatty acid supply. LPL is primarily synthesized and secreted by adipocytes into the interstitium and must Show more
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is critical for clearance of circulating triglycerides and for tissue fatty acid supply. LPL is primarily synthesized and secreted by adipocytes into the interstitium and must traffic from there to the abluminal/basolateral side of capillary endothelial cells. There, LPL binds glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein 1, GPIHBP1, which stabilizes the protein and facilitates its movement across the endothelial cells to the luminal side where it functions in hydrolysis of lipoprotein triglycerides. Importance of LPL traffic is supported by findings that rare mutations in GPIHBP1 cause hypertriglyceridemia. However our understanding of how LPL is secreted by adipocytes and traffics to endothelial cells is incomplete. Here we examined the possibility that secretion and traffic of adipocyte LPL might involve generation of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs/exosomes) which often mediate cell-cell communication. Proteomic analysis of sEVs secreted by adipocytes showed them enriched in LPL. To study LPL secretion and transfer we generated human derived pre-adipocytes (HPA) that stably express tagged LPL (FLAG and His epitopes). LPL pulldown and sEV isolation from HPA conditioned media documented that greater than 70% of secreted LPL is present in sEVs. The mechanism for LPL secretion in sEVs was found to involve the ESCRT-independent neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) pathway, as treatment with the nSMase2 inhibitor GW4869 reduced secretion by 80%. The above observations were reproduced using highly sensitive nanoparticle flow cytometry. The sEV associated LPL has lipolytic activity and it is released by heparin addition indicating it is on the sEV surface. In addition, using human derived microvascular endothelial cells with stable lentiviral expression of GPIHBP1 we show that LPL positive sEVs transfer LPL to these cells, but not to control cells without GPIHBP1. Our findings suggest that sEV formation by nSMase2 controls adipocyte LPL secretion and traffic, that sEVs protect LPL activity and facilitate LPL transfer to GPIHBP1 on endothelial cells. Show less
The STAT3 pathway promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and metastasis in cancer. STAT3 upregulates the transcription of the key epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcripti Show more
The STAT3 pathway promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and metastasis in cancer. STAT3 upregulates the transcription of the key epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factor SNAIL in a DNA binding-independent manner. However, the mechanism by which STAT3 is recruited to the SNAIL promoter to upregulate its expression is still elusive. In our study, the lysine methylation binding protein L3MBTL3 is positively associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in female patients with breast cancer. L3MBTL3 also promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in breast cancer. Mechanistic analysis reveals that L3MBTL3 interacts with STAT3 and recruits STAT3 to the SNAIL promoter to increase SNAIL transcription levels. The interaction between L3MBTL3 and STAT3 is required for SNAIL transcription upregulation and metastasis in breast cancer, while the methylated lysine binding activity of L3MBTL3 is not required for these functions. In conclusion, L3MBTL3 and STAT3 synergistically upregulate SNAIL expression to promote breast cancer metastasis. Show less
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate Show more
The risk factors and clinical prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with breast cancer have not been fully clarified. This retrospective case-control study was designed to investigate the factors affecting myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. A total of 194 cases (144 breast cancer and 50 benign breast tumor patients) were included. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression found that ApoB, age, and HER2 were significant factors responsible for the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. By comparing the significance of ApoB in breast cancer patients versus benign breast tumor patients, it was observed that ApoB and HER2 were crucial predictors of myocardial ischemia in breast cancer patients compared to those with benign breast tumors. These factors were utilized to construct the clinical prediction model, achieving a combined area under the curve (AUC) of 0.583. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the model-predicted population, within a threshold ranging from 0.35 to 0.70, would experience a therapeutically clinical net benefit. Kaplan-Meier plot indicated that ApoB We demonstrated that ApoB and HER2 were potential factors in predicting the myocardial ischemia occurrence in breast cancer patients. This study will help provide clinical evidence for the early prediction of cardiovascular comorbidities in breast cancer patients. Show less
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of short-term progression to ESRD remains challen Show more
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of short-term progression to ESRD remains challenging. Accurate prediction can improve advanced care planning and patient outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model for predicting progression within 25 weeks (approximately six months) of ESRD in patients with stage 4 CKD. Electronic health records (EHRs) of patients with stage 4 CKD were analyzed. Nine ML models including Ridge regression (Ridge), random forest (RF), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) were used to predict short-term progression to ESRD within 25 weeks. The models were trained and externally validated using the data of 346 and 105 patients. Of the 451 patients with stage 4 CKD, 219 developed ESRD. Among the evaluated models, XGBoost demonstrated the best overall performance. In the internal validation, it achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93, an accuracy of 0.90, and an F1 score of 0.89. In the external validation, XGBoost maintained the highest AUC (0.85), accuracy (0.79), and F1 score (0.79), along with the highest average precision (0.89) and a low log-loss (0.48), indicating strong discriminative ability and good generalizability. The top predictive features included high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Alb, Cys C, ApoB, FGB, Bun, Neutrophil, and Total cholesterol. This study demonstrated the feasibility of ML for assessing ESRD prognosis based on easily accessible clinical features. XGBoost demonstrated superior performance in both internal and external validation, suggesting its potential for future patient screening. Show less
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with either whole-fat or defatted krill powder on the growth, body color, immunity, and related gene expression of red-white Show more
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with either whole-fat or defatted krill powder on the growth, body color, immunity, and related gene expression of red-white koi carp. A total of 630 red-white koi carp with an initial body mass of 13.5 ± 0.05 g were randomly divided into seven groups with three replicates per group and 30 fish per replicate. The control group was fed a basic diet (C0). The other six diets were supplemented with different levels of whole krill meal or defatted krill meal as replacements (10% whole fat, 20% whole fat, 30% whole fat, 10% defatted, 20% defatted, and 30% defatted) in the experimental groups, named W10, W20, W30, D10, D20, and D30, respectively, for a total duration of 60 days. The growth, body color, immunity and gene expression indexes were measured in the koi after completion. The results indicate the following. (1) Compared with C0, the experimental groups of koi showed a significant increase in the specific growth rate (SGR) ( Show less
This study aimed to explore the genotype and phenotype correlation of patients with multiple osteochondroma (MO), and validate phenotypic differences in ATDC5 cell model with Mutation analysis was emp Show more
This study aimed to explore the genotype and phenotype correlation of patients with multiple osteochondroma (MO), and validate phenotypic differences in ATDC5 cell model with Mutation analysis was employed in 27 families with MO using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Sanger sequencing and targeted next-generation sequencing (t-NGS). ATDC5 cell model with A total of 27 pathogenic mutations were identified in Clinical research identified nine novel mutations in Show less
This study aims to elucidate the effects of arecaidine on oral mucosa through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) combined with in vivo and in vitro experimental validation. Based on transcriptomic analysis, we Show more
This study aims to elucidate the effects of arecaidine on oral mucosa through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) combined with in vivo and in vitro experimental validation. Based on transcriptomic analysis, we preliminarily explored the molecular targets and mechanisms by which arecaidine influences oral mucosa. Subsequent validation was performed using arecaidine-treated human primary oral mucosal fibroblasts. In vivo experiments revealed that the arecaidine-treated group exhibited significantly restricted oral cavity opening compared to the control group, with markedly reduced mouth-opening values. Histopathological analysis via HE staining and Masson staining demonstrated fibrotic lesions in the arecaidine-treated group. RNA-Seq libraries constructed from oral mucosal tissues identified 100 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that arecaidine influenced multiple pathways, including autoimmune thyroid disease, allograft rejection, type I diabetes, graft-versus-host disease, and the PPAR-γ signaling pathway. Notably, arecaidine significantly downregulated PPAR-γ, PCK1, pdk4, plin5, Hmgcs2, UCP3, and Angptl4, while upregulating TGF-β1, FOS, and other genes associated with the PPAR pathway. In vitro experiments confirmed that arecaidine induced substantial damage to fibroblasts, suppressing proliferation and promoting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TGF-β, TNF-α) after 48 h exposure to high concentrations. Furthermore, arecaidine significantly altered the expression of molecules linked to the PPAR-γ signaling pathway. This study delineates the transcriptomic response of oral mucosa to arecaidine through integrated in vivo and in vitro experiments, confirming its role in inducing submucosal fibrosis. The underlying mechanism is associated with dysregulation of the PPAR-γ signaling pathway. Show less
CLN3 mutation causes Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, also known as Batten disease), an early onset neurodegenerative disorder. Patients who suffer from Batten disease often die at an ea Show more
CLN3 mutation causes Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, also known as Batten disease), an early onset neurodegenerative disorder. Patients who suffer from Batten disease often die at an early age. However, the mechanisms underlying how CLN3 loss develops Batten disease remain largely unclear. Here, using Show less
Postnatal cardiac function in mammals is closely associated with cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy h Show more
Postnatal cardiac function in mammals is closely associated with cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, phenotypic measurements and transcriptomic sequencing were performed on myocardial tissues from 7-day-old (P7) and 3-month-old (3m) female C57BL/6 mice to investigate changes in cardiomyocytes during growth and development and to identify key genes regulating myocardial growth and development. In comparison to 7-day-old mice, 3-month-old mice exhibited a significant increase in heart weight ( Show less
Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with tyrosine kinase gene fusions (MLN-TK) are rare hematologic malignancies characterized by recurrent kinase rearrangements, including
Sparstolonin B (SSNB) and Curcumin (Cur), from a pair of compatible herbs, were previously identified as anti-inflammation and T helper 17 (Th17) modulation reagents. However, their compatible roles i Show more
Sparstolonin B (SSNB) and Curcumin (Cur), from a pair of compatible herbs, were previously identified as anti-inflammation and T helper 17 (Th17) modulation reagents. However, their compatible roles in atherosclerosis (AS) and underlying mechanisms remain uninvestigated. In vivo, the apoE The gene-disease interaction and hub gene network reveals Th17-associated genes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In vitro, SSNB and Cur reduced oxLDL-induced BMDC activation by downregulating CD36. SSNB showed stronger inhibition to inflammatory activation of DC, while Cur more intensively suppressed co-stimulatory molecules. For the Th17/Treg bias in co-culture of BMDC and CD4 Our findings reveal, for the first time, that SSNB and Cur alleviate AS by modulating Th17-stromal cell interactions, with the IL-17RA-TAK1-NF-κB pathway as a related mediator. Notably, SSNB and Cur exhibit distinct anti-atherogenic roles. SSNB primarily targets TLR4/CD36 to inhibit DC activation, Th17 differentiation, VSMC inflammation and mainly inhibited TAK1 phosphorylation, while Cur more significant inhibited macrophage inflammation, and more directly inhibited NF-κB P65 phosphorylation. This study will be valuable for developing novel and precise adjuvant therapies for AS. Show less
Intramuscular fat (IMF) content in beef cattle is a critical determinant of beef meat quality, as it positively influences juiciness, tenderness, and palatability. In China, the crossbreeding of Wagyu Show more
Intramuscular fat (IMF) content in beef cattle is a critical determinant of beef meat quality, as it positively influences juiciness, tenderness, and palatability. In China, the crossbreeding of Wagyu and Angus is a prevalent method for achieving a better marbling level. However, the molecular mechanisms governing IMF regulation in these crossbreeds remain poorly understood. To elucidate the mechanism of IMF deposition in these crossbred cattle, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of Show less
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by Show more
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by integrating bioinformatics analysis with cell experiments. We firstly identified 266 druggable genes that were significantly differentially expressed between LUAD tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues. Among these genes, SMR analysis with Show less
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have an important role in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in animals. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an important NP, but the molecular mechanism Show more
Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have an important role in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in animals. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an important NP, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie its activity are not completely understood. Treatment of intramuscular fat (IMF) and subcutaneous fat (SCF) adipocytes with CNP led to decreased differentiation, promoted proliferation and lipolysis, and increased the expression of natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPRB) mRNA. Silencing natriuretic peptide C (NPPC) had the opposite results in IMF and SCF adipocytes. Transcriptome analysis found 665 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IMF adipocytes and 991 in SCF adipocytes. Seven genes in IMF adipocytes (FABP4, APOA1, ACOX2, ADIPOQ, CD36, FABP5, and LPL) and eight genes in SCF adipocytes (ACOX3, ACSL1, APOA1, CPT1A, CPT2, FABP4, PDPK1 and PPARα) are related to fat metabolism. Fifteen genes were found to be enriched in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway. Integrated analysis identified 113 intersection genes in IMF and SCF adipocytes, two of which (APOA1 and FABP4) were enriched in the PPAR pathway. In conclusion, CNP may regulated lipid metabolism through the NPRB-PPAR pathway in both IMF and SCF adipocytes, FABP4 and APOA1 may be the key genes that mediated CNP regulation of fat deposition. Show less
To investigate the association between polymorphisms of the A case-control study was conducted, enrolling 100 HTG patients and 100 age-matched controls with normal triglyceride levels from the physica Show more
To investigate the association between polymorphisms of the A case-control study was conducted, enrolling 100 HTG patients and 100 age-matched controls with normal triglyceride levels from the physical examination cohort at Guangzhou 11th People's Hospital (January-December 2023) The observation group showed significant differences in genotype frequencies of Show less
Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) can lead to cardiac adverse outcomes; however, currently, no effective pharmacological interventions are available to prevent or delay disease progression. Emergi Show more
Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) can lead to cardiac adverse outcomes; however, currently, no effective pharmacological interventions are available to prevent or delay disease progression. Emerging evidence has identified significant associations between CAVS and key biomarkers, including Lp(a) (lipoprotein [a]), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9). However, robust evidence from randomized controlled trials is still lacking to substantiate these associations. The EPISODE (Effect of PCSK9 Inhibitors on Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis) trial is a prospective, evaluator-blinded, randomized controlled trial designed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with CAVS. A total of 160 patients with mild-to-moderate or asymptomatic severe CAVS will be randomly assigned to receive either statin monotherapy or a combination of statins and PCSK9 inhibitors. Participants will undergo follow-up assessments at 3-month intervals for 24 months, including transthoracic ultrasonic cardiogram, computed tomography, and quality-of-life evaluations using the EuroQol-5 Dimension-3 Level questionnaire. The primary end point is the annualized change in peak aortic jet velocity, whereas secondary end points encompass changes in aortic valve area, calcification score, incidence of heart valve surgery, and quality of life. Safety end points include all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in modulating disease progression, reducing adverse cardiovascular events, and improving clinical outcomes in patients with CAVS. The anticipated findings are expected to provide critical insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies for early intervention in CAVS. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT04968509. Show less
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome significantly increases cancer and mortality risks, but the combined effects of CKM syndrome and physical activity (PA) on these outcomes remain poorly u Show more
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome significantly increases cancer and mortality risks, but the combined effects of CKM syndrome and physical activity (PA) on these outcomes remain poorly understood. This prospective study included 66,650 UK Biobank participants with accelerometry data. CKM syndrome was classified into five stages based on metabolic, kidney, and cardiovascular health. PA was categorized by intensity into light (LPA), moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) levels, and further divided into tertiles by daily duration. Multivariable Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios. Over a median follow-up of 8.03 years, 4,301 incident cancer cases and 2,442 deaths occurred. Advancing CKM stages were associated with elevated risks of both cancer incidence and all cause mortality, while increasing PA levels reduced these risks. Significant interactions were observed between CKM syndrome and both MPA and MVPA on cancer and mortality risks (P interaction < 0.05). In participants with the lowest tertile of MPA or MVPA, those in stages 2 and 4 had higher cancer risk, while in the highest tertile, this risk was no longer elevated. For all-cause mortality, in participants with the lowest tertile of MPA or MVPA, CKM stage 3 exhibited higher risks, while those in the highest tertile did not. CKM stage 4 remained associated with higher mortality across all PA intensity levels, but risks decreased with increasing MVPA levels. Higher levels of MPA and MVPA may mitigate the elevated risks of both cancer incidence and all-cause mortality associated with CKM stages 2 to 4. Show less