Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by lung scarring and has no effective treatment. Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and myofibroblast proliferation and migration are majo Show more
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by lung scarring and has no effective treatment. Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and myofibroblast proliferation and migration are major clinical manifestations of this disease; hence, blocking these processes is a practical treatment strategy. Here, highly upregulated Show less
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder characterized by hyperammonaemia. The biochemical measurement of the intermediate metabolites is h Show more
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) is a rare autosomal recessive urea cycle disorder characterized by hyperammonaemia. The biochemical measurement of the intermediate metabolites is helpful for CPS1D diagnosis; it however cannot distinguish CPS1D from N-acetylglutamate synthetase deficiency. Therefore, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is often essential for the accurate diagnosis of CPS1D. NGS was performed to identify candidate gene variants of CPS1D in a Asian neonatal patient presented with poor feeding, reduced activity, tachypnea, lethargy, and convulsions. The potential pathogenicity of the identified variants was predicted by various types of bioinformatical analyses, including evolution conservation, domain and 3D structure simulations. Compound heterozygosity of CPS1D were identified. One was in exon 24 with a novel heterozygous missense variant c.2947C > T (p.P983S), and another was previously reported in exon 20 with c.2548C > T (p.R850C). Both variants were predicted to be deleterious. Conservation analysis and structural modeling showed that the two substituted amino acids were highly evolutionarily conserved, resulting in potential decreases of the binding pocket stability and the partial loss of enzyme activity. In this study, two pathogenic missense variants were identified with NGS, expanding the variants pectrum of the Show less
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most fatal gynecologic cancer. The branched-chain First, the expression level of BCKDK in OC cell lines or tissues was determined using tissue microarray- (TMA-) based immun Show more
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most fatal gynecologic cancer. The branched-chain First, the expression level of BCKDK in OC cell lines or tissues was determined using tissue microarray- (TMA-) based immunohistochemistry or western blotting. Then, growth curve analysis, anchorage-independent cell transformation assays, wound healing assays, cell migration assays, and tumor xenografts were used to test whether BCKDK could promote cell transformation or metastasis. Finally, the signaling pathways involved in this process were investigated by western blotting or immunoprecipitation. We found that the expression of BCKDK was upregulated in OC tissues and the high expression of BCKDK was correlated with an advanced pathological grade in patients. The ectopic overexpression of BCKDK promoted the proliferation and migration of OC cells, and the knockdown of BCKDK with shRNAs inhibited the proliferation and migration of OC ex vivo and Our results demonstrate that BCKDK promotes OC proliferation and migration by activating the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Targeting the BCKDK-MEK axis may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating patients with OC. Show less
This study aims to understand the molecular basis of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) impacts on breast cancer cell growth. Modulation of the level of MnSOD by genetic engineering led significan Show more
This study aims to understand the molecular basis of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) impacts on breast cancer cell growth. Modulation of the level of MnSOD by genetic engineering led significant changes in the expression of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) in MCF7 cells. PPARα agonist increased ANGPTL4 expression inhibited by MnSOD. Proliferation of MCF7 cells was inhibited by MnSOD, however, ANGPTL4 transduction into MCF7 cells with MnSOD overexpression significantly stimulated cell proliferation. MnSOD induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, nevertheless, ANGPTL4 transduction significantly reduced the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase overexpressing MnSOD. In conclusion, MnSOD suppressed the expression of ANGPTL4 in breast cancer cells via the PPARα signaling pathway, and ANGPTL4 was involved in MnSOD-mediated proliferation inhibition and cell cycle arrest. Show less
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a fatal gynecological malignancy. This study explored the mechanism of TAZ in regulating drug sensitivity of cisplatin (DDP-)-resistant EOC cells through the ANGPTL4 Show more
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a fatal gynecological malignancy. This study explored the mechanism of TAZ in regulating drug sensitivity of cisplatin (DDP-)-resistant EOC cells through the ANGPTL4/SOX2 axis. The A2780/DDP cells were prepared by stepwise progressive concentration method. The drug resistance and TAZ expression in EOC cells were determined. Drug sensitivity was measured after TAZ overexpression in A2780 cells and TAZ downregulation in A2780/DDP cells, respectively. The effects of TAZ knockdown on apoptosis rate, stemness, and cancer stem cell (CSC) marker (CD44, OCT4, and ALDH1A) levels in A2780/DDP and DDP-treated A2780/DDP cells were assessed. The binding of TAZ and ANGPTL4 was verified using ChIP-qPCR, and ANGPTL4 and SOX2 levels were determined. The effects of different combined treatments of TAZ, ANGPTL4, and SOX2 on drug sensitivity of A2780/DDP cells and DDP-treated A2780/DDP cells were evaluated. TAZ was upregulated in drug-resistant EOC cells. TAZ knockdown significantly increased the drug sensitivity of A2780/DDP cells, while TAZ overexpression markedly decreased the drug sensitivity of A2780 cells. TAZ silencing promoted apoptosis of drug-resistant EOC cells and inhibited cell stemness. TAZ targeted ANGPTL4 and TAZ silencing enhanced drug sensitivity of A2780/DDP cells by inhibiting ANGPTL4. ANGPTL4 overexpression elevated SOX2 expression, and SOX2 downregulation reduced the drug resistance and promoted the apoptosis of A2780/DDP cells. TAZ regulates DDP sensitivity of drug-resistant EOC cells via the ANGPTL4/SOX2 axis. Show less
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality, with a strong tendency to metastasize early. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a powerful regulator to Show more
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality, with a strong tendency to metastasize early. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a powerful regulator to promote metastasis of LUAD. Here, we screened long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) responsive to TGF-β and highly expressed in LUAD cells, and finally obtained our master molecular LINC00152. We proved that the TGF-β promoted transcription of LINC00152 through the classical TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling pathway and maintained its stability through the RNA-binding protein HuR. Moreover, LINC00152 increased ZEB1, SNAI1 and SNAI2 expression via increasing the interactions of HuR and these transcription factors, ultimately promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition of LUAD cell and enhancing LUAD metastasis in vivo. These data provided evidence that LINC00152 induced by TGF-β promotes metastasis depending HuR in lung adenocarcinoma. Designing targeting LINC00152 and HuR inhibitors may therefore be an effective therapeutic strategy for LUAD treatment. Show less
Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) is a devastating traumatic peripheral nerve injury complicated with paralysis of the upper extremity. We previously reported that leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin- Show more
Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) is a devastating traumatic peripheral nerve injury complicated with paralysis of the upper extremity. We previously reported that leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin-like domain-containing NOGO receptor-interacting protein 1 (LINGO-1) has a potent role in inhibiting neuron survival and axonal regeneration after the central nervous system (CNS) damage and miR-615 is a potential microRNA (miRNA) negatively regulated LINGO-1. However, the effect of miR-615 in BPA remains to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence indicates that pluronic F-127 (PF-127) hydrogel could serve as a promising vehicle for miRNA encapsulation. Thus, to further explore the potential role of hydrogel-miR-615 in BPA-reimplantation, the present study established the BPA rat model and injected miR-615 agomir encapsulated by PF-127 hydrogel into the reimplantation site using a microsyringe. In this study, results indicated that hydrogel-miR-615 agomir effectively alleviated motoneuron loss by LINGO-1 inhibition, promoted musculocutaneous nerve regeneration and myelination, reduced astrocytes activation, promoted angiogenesis and attenuated peripheral amyotrophy, leading to improved motor functional rehabilitation of the upper extremity. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that miR-615-loaded PF-127 hydrogel may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for BPA treatment. Show less
Alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (AIONFH) is a complicated refractory bone disease seen in the clinic. The pathogenesis of AIONFH is still controversial. Extrachromosomal circular DNA Show more
Alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (AIONFH) is a complicated refractory bone disease seen in the clinic. The pathogenesis of AIONFH is still controversial. Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) elements have been indicated ubiquitously exist in eukaryotic genomes. However, the characteristics and biological functions of eccDNAs remain unclear in AIONFH. In this study, eccDNAs from AIONFH samples ( Show less
Average backfat thickness (BFT) is a critical complex trait in pig and an important indicator for fat deposition and lean rate. Usually, genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to discover quant Show more
Average backfat thickness (BFT) is a critical complex trait in pig and an important indicator for fat deposition and lean rate. Usually, genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to discover quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of BFT in a single population. However, the power of GWAS is limited by sample size in a single population. Alternatively, meta-analysis of GWAS (metaGWAS) is an attractive method to increase the statistical power by integrating data from multiple breeds and populations. The aim of this study is to identify shared genetic characterization of BFT across breeds in pigs via metaGWAS. RESULTS: In this study, we performed metaGWAS on BFT using 15,353 pigs (5,143 Duroc, 7,275 Yorkshire, and 2,935 Landrace) from 19 populations. We detected 40 genome-wide significant SNPs (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05) and defined five breed-shared QTLs in across-breed metaGWAS. Markers within the five QTL regions explained 7 ~ 9% additive genetic variance and showed strong heritability enrichment. Furthermore, by integrating information from multiple bioinformatics databases, we annotated 46 candidate genes located in the five QTLs. Among them, three important (MC4R, PPARD, and SLC27A1) and seven suggestive candidate genes (PHLPP1, NUDT3, ILRUN, RELCH, KCNQ5, ITPR3, and U3) were identified. QTLs and candidate genes underlying BFT across breeds were identified via metaGWAS from multiple populations. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the genetic architecture of BFT and the regulating mechanism underlying fat deposition in pigs. Show less
As an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), Huperzine-A (Hup-A) is marketed for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) for decades in China. However, Hup-A causes some side effects. Show more
As an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), Huperzine-A (Hup-A) is marketed for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) for decades in China. However, Hup-A causes some side effects. To search for new analogs or derivatives of Hup-A, we produced five Lycopodium alkaloids and two analogues by chemical synthesis: Lyconadins A-E, H-R-NOB, and 2JY-OBZ4. To systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects of the seven compounds on AD cell models. We assessed the effects of the seven compounds on cell viability via CCK-8 kit and used HEK293-hTau cells and N2a-hAPP cells as AD cell models to evaluate their potential therapeutic effects. We examined their effects on cholinesterase activity by employing the mice primary neuron. All compounds did not affect cell viability; in addition, Lyconadin A and 2JY-OBZ4 particularly increased cell viability. Lyconadin D and Lyconadin E restored tau phosphorylation at Thr231, and H-R-NOB and 2JY-OBZ4 restored tau phosphorylation at Thr231 and Ser396 in GSK-3β-transfected HEK293-hTau cells. 2JY-OBZ4 decreased the level of PP2Ac-pY307 and increased the level of PP2Ac-mL309, supporting that 2JY-OBZ4 may activate PP2A. Lyconadin B, Lyconadin D, Lyconadin E, H-R-NOB, and 2JY-OBZ4 increased sAβPPα level in N2a-hAPP cells. 2JY-OBZ4 decreased the levels of BACE1 and sAβPPβ, thereby reduced Aβ production. Seven compounds exhibited weaker AChE activity inhibition efficiency than Hup-A. Among them, 2JY-OBZ4 showed the strongest AChE inhibition activity with an inhibition rate of 17% at 10μM. Among the seven Lycopodium compounds, 2JY-OBZ4 showed the most expected effects on promoting cell viability, downregulating tau hyperphosphorylation, and Aβ production and inhibiting AChE in AD. Show less
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can prevent fatty acid accumulation induced by a high-fructose diet and improve lipid metabolism disorders in patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of CLA on obes Show more
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can prevent fatty acid accumulation induced by a high-fructose diet and improve lipid metabolism disorders in patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of CLA on obesity and lipid metabolism and its possible mechanism. Eight-month-old male BKS.Cg-Dock7 CLA treatment notably reduced the dietary and water intake of db/db mice, effectively reduced body weight, and decreased serum TG and TC levels (p < 0.05). Increased expression of PPARα (p < 0.05) and decreased expression of CD36 (p < 0.001) were observed in the liver of mice that were fed CLA. CLA increased PPARα expression (p < 0.001) and decreased PPARγ (p < 0.001) and CD36 expression (p < 0.01) in HepG2 cells. Our results showed that CLA can improve lipid metabolism in obese mice through upregulation of PPARα expression and downregulation of CD36 expression. Show less
Liver cancer is the fifth most prevalent malignant tumor, while hepatocellular carcinoma represents the most prevalent subtype worldwide. Previous studies have associated the chromobox family, critica Show more
Liver cancer is the fifth most prevalent malignant tumor, while hepatocellular carcinoma represents the most prevalent subtype worldwide. Previous studies have associated the chromobox family, critical components of epigenetic regulatory complexes, with development of many malignancies owing to their role in inhibiting differentiation and promoting proliferation of cancer cells. However, little is known regarding their function in development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. In the present study, we analyzed differential expression, prognostic value, immune cell infiltration, and gene pathway enrichment of chromobox family in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Next, we performed Pearson's correlation analysis to determine the relationships between chromobox family proteins with tumor-immune infiltration. Results revealed that high expression of CBX1, CBX2, CBX3, CBX6, and CBX8 was associated with poor survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. These five factors were used to build prognostic gene models using LASSO Cox regression analysis. Results indicated that high expression of CBX2 and CBX3 proteins was significantly associated with poor prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The resulting nomogram revealed that CBX3 and T stages were significantly correlated with prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Notably, predictive CBX3 was strongly correlated with immune cell infiltration. Furthermore, results from functional enrichment analysis revealed that CBX3 was mainly involved in regulation of methylation of Histone H3-K27. Collectively, these findings suggest that CBX3 could be a biomarker for predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Show less
Tubby-like protein 3 (TULP3) is a member of the tubby family, has been related to the development of nervous system by gene knockout researches. Nevertheless, the role of TULP3 in the gastric cancer i Show more
Tubby-like protein 3 (TULP3) is a member of the tubby family, has been related to the development of nervous system by gene knockout researches. Nevertheless, the role of TULP3 in the gastric cancer is not clear. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed for the quantitative detection of TULP3 expression in the gastric cancer and consecutive non-cancerous tissues, and gastric cancer cells. The roles of TULP3 in invasion, migration as well as proliferation of the gastric cancer cell in vivo and in vitro through utilizing colony formation, MTT, wound-healing, transwell and mouse xenograft model. Western blotting assay was implemented in order to clarify the potential molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, electron microscopy and western blot were evaluated TULP3 expression in gastric cancer patient extracted serum exosomes. TULP3 expression levels were remarkably upregulated in the gastric cancer tissues and cells. Subsequent functional assays demonstrated that TULP3 downregulation suppressed invasion, migration as well as the proliferation of the gastric cancer cell. Mechanism assays depicted that the PTEN/Akt/Snail signaling pathway can inhibit invasion, migration as well as the proliferation of the gastric cancer cell via TULP3 silencing. Finally, we found that the expression of TULP3 could be determined in the extracted serum exosomes. The expression of TULP3 in gastric cancer group was higher in comparison with normal group. Our results reveal that TULP3 might serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer. Show less
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart disease often caused by sarcomeric gene mutations. MYBPC3 is one of the most common genes associated with HCM. In this study, we ge Show more
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited heart disease often caused by sarcomeric gene mutations. MYBPC3 is one of the most common genes associated with HCM. In this study, we generated a human induced pluripotent stem cell line ZZUNEUi028-A from a 19-year-old male HCM patient with c. 1504C → T in MYBPC3 gene using non-integrative Sendai viral reprogramming technology. This cell line expresses pluripotency markers, exhibits a normal male karyotype (46, XY) and can differentiate into all three germ layers in vitro. ZZUNEUi028-A can serve as a cell disease model in the understanding of HCM pathogenesis. Show less
Nuclear transport factor 2 (NUTF2) is a GDP-binding protein that participates in the nucleocytoplasmic transport process. The role of NUTF2 in cancer development is largely unknown and lacks systemic Show more
Nuclear transport factor 2 (NUTF2) is a GDP-binding protein that participates in the nucleocytoplasmic transport process. The role of NUTF2 in cancer development is largely unknown and lacks systemic assessment across human cancers. In this study, we performed a pan-cancer analysis of NUTF2 in human cancers. Out of 33 types of cancers, 19 types had significantly different expression of NUTF2 between tumor and normal tissues. Meanwhile, survival analysis showed that NUTF2 could be an independent prognostic factor in several tumor types. Further analysis suggested that the expression of NUTF2 expression was correlated with the infiltration of immune cells, such as CD8 Show less
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal type of cancer for which effective therapies are limited. Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a critical type of regulator category, mediating the tumorigenesis Show more
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal type of cancer for which effective therapies are limited. Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a critical type of regulator category, mediating the tumorigenesis and development of various tumor types, including PC. However, the expression patterns and functions of numerous lncRNAs in PC remain poorly understood. In the present study, linc01614 was identified as a PC‑related lncRNA. linc01614 was notably upregulated in PC tissues and cell lines and was associated with the poor disease‑free survival of patients with PC according to the analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas‑derived datasets. Functionally, linc01614 knockdown suppressed PC cell proliferation, migration and invasion Show less
Background Ischemic stroke is likely caused by interactions of multiple genes and environmental determinants. However, large-scale sequencing studies to discern functional genetic variants and their i Show more
Background Ischemic stroke is likely caused by interactions of multiple genes and environmental determinants. However, large-scale sequencing studies to discern functional genetic variants and their interactions with clinical and lifestyle risk factors on ischemic stroke are limited. Methods and Results We sequenced functional regions of 740 previously identified genes associated with atherosclerotic disease among 999 ischemic stroke cases and 1001 controls of Chinese ancestry. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between variants and ischemic stroke and test interactions between variants and clinical and lifestyle risk factors. Functional variants achieving suggestive significance were replicated in an independent sample of 4724 ischemic stroke cases and 5029 controls. Driven by variant main effects, each minor allele of the correlated rs174535, rs174545, and rs3834458 variants at Show less
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic hepatitis (AH), a worldwide public health issue with high morbidity and mortality. Here, we identified apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4) as a biomarker and potential ther Show more
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic hepatitis (AH), a worldwide public health issue with high morbidity and mortality. Here, we identified apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4) as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for AH. APOA4 expression was detected by Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, Immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR in AH. Bioinformatics Methods (protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were used to show down-stream gene and pathways of APOA4 in AH. AML-12 cells were used to evaluate the biological function of APOA4 using an ELISA kit (AST, ALT, and IL-1β) and flow cytometry (ROS activity). Both in vivo and in vitro, APOA4 expression was significantly elevated in the AH model induced by alcohol (ETOH). AML-12 cell damage was specifically repaired by APOA4 deficiency, while AST, ALT, and IL-1β activity that was increased by ETOH (200 µmol, 12 h) were suppressed. APOA4 inhibition increased intracellular ROS induced by ETOH, which was detected by flow cytometry. Functional and PPI network analyses showed Fcgamma receptor (FCGR) and platelet activation signaling were potential downstream pathways. We identified Show less
IL-27 is a pleiotropic cytokine that exhibits stimulatory/regulatory functions on multiple lineages of immune cells including T lymphocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-27 directly induces C Show more
IL-27 is a pleiotropic cytokine that exhibits stimulatory/regulatory functions on multiple lineages of immune cells including T lymphocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-27 directly induces CCL5 production by T lymphocytes, particularly CD8 Show less
IL-17D is a new member of the IL-17 family. Currently, it is believed that IL-17D can directly act on immune cells or may indirectly modulate immune responses by regulating cytokine expression. Herein Show more
IL-17D is a new member of the IL-17 family. Currently, it is believed that IL-17D can directly act on immune cells or may indirectly modulate immune responses by regulating cytokine expression. Herein, we hypothesized that IL-17D regulates the expression of chemokines in intestinal epithelial cells, in turn modulating the immune response within intestinal mucosa under hyperoxia. To explore this notion, newborn rats were divided into a hyperoxia group (85 % O Show less
Yuan-Zhi Decoction (YZD) is a traditional Chinese medical formulation with demonstrated clinical benefits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to i Show more
Yuan-Zhi Decoction (YZD) is a traditional Chinese medical formulation with demonstrated clinical benefits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to identify 27 unique chemical components of YZD. Analyzing these using network pharmacology and molecular docking models identified 34 potential interacting molecular targets involved in 26 biochemical pathways. When tested in an animal model of AD, the APP/PS1 transgenic mice showed measurable improvements in spatial orientation and memory after the administration of YZD. These improvements coincided with significantly reduced deposition of Aβ plaques and tau protein in the hippocampi in the treated animals. In addition, a decreased BACE1 and beta-amyloid levels, a downregulation of the p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β, and an upregulation of the PI3K and p-AKT/AKT pathway was seen in YZD treated animals. These Show less
We isolated primary CFs from Sprague-Dawley rats (1-3 days old) and treated them with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS+sEVs. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) was inc Show more
We isolated primary CFs from Sprague-Dawley rats (1-3 days old) and treated them with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS+sEVs. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) was increased in the LPS+sEVs group more than in the LPS group. After inhibition of Angptl4 expression in sEVs and CFs, cell proliferation, Transwell migration, and tube formation assays were used to detect the angiogenic activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The sEVs regulated CFs to promote angiogenesis via Angptl4 in an inflammatory environment. This may provide a research basis for treating myocardial injury with sEVs. Show less
Immunotherapy targeting checkpoint blockade to rescue T cells from exhaustion has become an essential therapeutic strategy in treating cancers. Till now, little is known about the PD-L1 graphic patter Show more
Immunotherapy targeting checkpoint blockade to rescue T cells from exhaustion has become an essential therapeutic strategy in treating cancers. Till now, little is known about the PD-L1 graphic pattern and characteristics in CD8 Show less
Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer. Huoxiang Zhengqi (HXZQ) is a classical Chinese herbal medicine and has been used to treat Show more
Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer. Huoxiang Zhengqi (HXZQ) is a classical Chinese herbal medicine and has been used to treat intestinal disorders, however, anti-CAC effects and underlying mechanisms of HXZQ have not been reported. An azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced CAC mice model was used to investigate the anti-CAC effect of HXZQ. HXZQ significantly reduced colonic inflammation, suppressed the size and number of tumors, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde), and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-27) in CAC mice. Intestinal microbiota and serum metabolomics analyses indicated that HXZQ altered the gut microbial composition and the abundance of 29 serum metabolites in CAC mice. Additionally, HXZQ activated the nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and increased the levels of antioxidants such as catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductases-1 (NQO-1), and superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1). HXZQ inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and decreased the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) by inhibiting the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B (IκB), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase (IKK), and NF-κB. In conclusion, HXZQ alleviated CAC in mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota and metabolism, activating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response, and inhibiting NF-κB-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation against inflammation. The present data provide a reference for the use of HXZQ as a therapeutic or combination agent for clinical CAC treatment. Show less
Bile acid metabolites have been increasingly recognized as pleiotropic signaling molecules that regulate cardiovascular functions, but their role in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC)-based therapy has n Show more
Bile acid metabolites have been increasingly recognized as pleiotropic signaling molecules that regulate cardiovascular functions, but their role in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC)-based therapy has never been investigated. It is found that overexpression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a main receptor for bile acids, improves the retention and cardioprotection of adipose tissue-derived MSC (ADSC) administered by intramyocardial injection in mice with myocardial infarction (MI), which shows enhanced antiapoptotic, proangiogenic, and antifibrotic effects. RNA sequencing, LC-MS/MS, and loss-of-function studies reveal that FXR overexpression promotes ADSC paracrine angiogenesis via Angptl4. FXR overexpression improves ADSC survival in vivo but fails in vitro. By performing bile acid-targeted metabolomics using ischemic heart tissue, 19 bile acids are identified. Among them, cholic acid and deoxycholic acid significantly increase Angptl4 secretion from ADSC overexpressing FXR and further improve their proangiogenic capability. Moreover, ADSC overexpressing FXR shows significantly lower apoptosis by upregulating Nqo-1 expression only in the presence of FXR ligands. Retinoid X receptor α is identified as a coactivator of FXR. It is first demonstrated that there is a bile acid pool in the myocardial microenvironment. Targeting the bile acid-FXR axis may be a novel strategy for improving the curative effect of MSC-based therapy for MI. Show less
To explore the functions of Chordin-like 2, which is encoded by The fetal RPE cells (fRPE) was obtained from aborted fetus which obeyed medical ethics. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction Show more
To explore the functions of Chordin-like 2, which is encoded by The fetal RPE cells (fRPE) was obtained from aborted fetus which obeyed medical ethics. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure expression quantity of In normal RPE cells, BMP pathway can be activated in a correct temporal order, otherwise, the cells have incorrect differentiation orientation. And Chordin-like 2 plays a role in dynamic regulation of BMP pathway and it also regulates the differentiation of RPE cells. Therefore, this research enlightens a new direction to inhibit EMT and promote cell redifferentiation after injury. Show less
To investigate the treating effect of Yiqi-Bushen-Tiaozhi (YBT) recipe on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice, determine whether the outcome was associated with gut microbiota, and clarify the re Show more
To investigate the treating effect of Yiqi-Bushen-Tiaozhi (YBT) recipe on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice, determine whether the outcome was associated with gut microbiota, and clarify the regulating mechanism. NASH mice were induced by high-fat and high-fructose diets (HFFD). In the fifth week, mice in the YBT group were orally administrated YBT (22.12g·kg Results of the pathological and biochemical index showed that YBT could improve NASH mice. Compared with improving inflammation and hepatocyte damage, YBT may be more focused on enhancing metabolic disorders in mice, such as increasing HDL-c level. The diversity and richness of the gut microbiota of NASH mice induced by HFFD are significantly different from the normal control (NC) group. After YBT treatment, the diversity and richness of the mice microbiota will be increased to similar NC mice. YBT could treat NASH mice by improving the diversity and richness of gut microbiota and further the improvement of ALA metabolism. Show less